A Nerd Like Me

Your thoughts on eco-friendly clothing

I have an issue.  Actually, I have many issues, but that’s beside the point.  I have been looking for a nice summer dress to wear to weddings this year, but am having zero luck in the vintage/thrifting/ebay department.  Seriously.  I’ve been looking since January, when I started this resolution thing, knowing that I would need a lot of time to make this happen.  I feel like I’ve tried everything.

So now I’m looking into eco-friendly and upcycled clothes.  These types of clothes are basically new, but made from recycled fabrics and clothes and/or sustainable materials (bamboo, hemp, etc.).  Now, here’s where I need your opinion:

Since my New Year’s Resolution is an attempt to consume less and be more green in my clothing choices, do “new” eco-friendly clothes break my resolution?

I’m dead serious about this resolution, guys, and I don’t want to give up on it, nor am I looking for a way around it.  That would be silly and lamespice.  I just prefer not to wear a jersey tunic to a wedding.  Just sayin.’

Oh, and if you would like to make me a dress from recycled/scrap fabric, I won’t be upset.  Really.  I just might like it.

Here are some stores I’m leaning towards:

Stewart+Brown – organic clothing (I think that green dress is my favorite on this entire page!  Is it summer wedding appropriate?)

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American Apparel – Made in the US; sweatshop free; clothes currently made from 20% organic materials, but may soon be from 80% organic; company recycles over a million pounds of scrap fabric per year; solar panels on roof of LA headquarters

*If you can’t tell, I’m really talking up AA because I love their clothes, so let me also point out that they have many items that can be worn different ways, thus expanding your wardrobe with less.  The Le Sac Dress (2nd) and Circle Scarf (3rd) are perfect examples of how things can be worn in different ways.  Yes, that circle scarf can be worn as a really cute dress.  Check out Adored Austin’s circle scarf dress!

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Liz Alig on Etsy – all garments made from 100% recycled fabrics

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tobedetermined on Etsy – vintage reconstructed and handmade clothing

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The Closet Stuffer on Etsy – upcycled and repurposed clothing

UPDATE: I asked for opinions from my friends at work, who have been extra supportive about my NYR.  The majority said I’m “changing the rules in the middle of the game” to suit my needs, and that its not fair to do that.  I agree, and I’m so happy they know they can be honest with me.  Honesty is exactly what I want in this situation.  So now its your turn.  What do you think of this proposed NYR modification?

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Oh its so good…until its bad.

Shirt: thrifted (Rave Reviews Consignment, Mobile, AL);  Belt: F21;  Skinnies: F21;  Wedges: Target (3 years ago)

Monday was an awesome day!  I love Monday, because its like my Sunday…except its a weekday…and The Hubs is at work…and its not actually Sunday.  Anyway, this Monday was particularly nice and I wanted to wear something comfy and breezy but still somewhat chic (hence the belt and heels).  Yeah, Monday started off great.  Lazy morning of blogging, lunch with my homegirl Billie, grocery shopping…

And dinner was spectacular!  I sliced up some zucchini, red onion, and bell peppers and marinated them in Newman’s Own Organic Italian Dressing.  Then I rubbed some garlic sea salt and lemon pepper on two beautiful mahi mahi filets.  Check out this gorgeousness The Hubs grilled for us:

Are you salivating with jealously at that gloriously healthy and tasty meal?  Yeah.  I would be too.  But here’s the thing: there was hardly any fat, absolutely no creamy sauce, and just plain all natural goodness on that plate…

SO WHY THE HELL DID MY TUMMY FLIP IN EFFING CIRCLES AFTERWARDS?!?!?!   I seriously have a problem.  A tummy problem.  It seems that for the last 3 or 4 years it has been getting progressively worse and I can’t figure out what the deal is.  I shouldn’t have awful bloating and stomach cramps every other day/night, should I?  Especially not after a healthy meal like this one.  So maybe this is waaaay too much information, but I’m getting really fed up and I was wondering if any of you have any thoughts on the matter.

Obviously my day and early evening were fantastic, but things kinda slumped off around 7:30…when my ninja teacher told me to go home because I was obviously in pain.  Yeah.  I’m a total wuss.

Thoughts?  Comments?  Suggestions?

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I can haz cheesesteak?!?!

OH.  EM.  GEEEEEE!!!  So The Hubs and I are taking a vacay to Philadelphia in May.  He’s going on business.  I’m tagging along…you know…for moral support and all that jazz.

First of all, the news of this little getaway was shocking because I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be getting on another plane for-like-ever since we just went to Italy last October.  (Sidenote: if you would like to see Italy pics and hear about our trip, let me know!)

But the vacation gods have deemed this a suitable trip for this young(-ish), childless married couple.  So we’re going, dammit!

Yes, I’m excited about the historical museums, the liberty bell, the cheesesteaks, and re-enacting Rocky’s famous climb up the 72 steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (Anyone wanna follow me with a boombox playing “Gonna Fly Now?”  I’ll pay you five dollars.)

But what I’m most excited about is the shopping!!!  I’m going to have 4 days to myself while The Hubs works, so it will be like an endless shopping vacation…sort of.  See, I’m a little scared of the amazing stores that I can look around in but not purchase anything (thanks to that all-powerful, unbreakable New Year’s Resolution).  These stores include, but are not limited to, J.Crew, Anthropologie, Steve Madden, H&M, Zara, and Urban Outfitters.  Yeah.  I’ve only been in one Zara (in Italy) and have never even seen any of these other stores before.  I’m going to have to hold myself back.  For serious.

But guess what?!?!?!?!  Directly across the street from our hotel is a BUFFALO EXCHANGE!!!  This is another store I’ve been wanting to go to, but the closest one is in New Orleans, which is two hours away.  Close to the Buffalo Exchange are a few other consignment and vintage shops, so even though I won’t be able to shop in those other stores, I’m pretty sure I can get my fix without breaking my resolution.

And don’t worry, I’ll be blogging and taking lots of pictures the entire time.  I promise to find a little spot in a coffee shop and keep you guys updated…even if The Hubs’ laptop is a freakin’ 20-pound dinosaur of a machine.  I will not be ashamed.

But then again, this trip isn’t until May.  Perhaps I’m getting a bit ahead of myself?

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Not quite sure.

This whole thing I’m doing…

…taking pictures of my outfits.

Its very enlightening.

I’m seeing what doesn’t flatter me.

Like this dress that I fell in love with:

Dress (actually a skirt worn as dress): vintage, thrifted;  Cardi: Dillard’s;  Belt: vintage, thrifted;  Wedges: Target

Occasion: Hot date at Ruth’s Chris with The Hubs.  I got the lobster.

Either this dress is extremely unflattering on my body…

…or I’m just being my own worst critic.

Thoughts?

Comments?

Suggestions?

P.S. Follow me on Twitter!

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New Year’s Resolution: UPDATE

Happy Spring Forward Sunday everyone!  Remember my New Year’s Resolution?  You know, the one where I pledged to not buy any new clothes for an entire year?  Only pre-owned clothing, which includes thrift stores, vintage stores, and whatever I can find online (ebay, etsy, etc). Well, after only a couple of weeks and a few trips to the local thrift stores, I began to get really nervous.  Scared silly, actually.  I couldn’t find anything at all!  But a blogger that I admire, Second Skin, left me a comment encouraging me to wait 3 months before breaking down and quitting.  She made it sound like the used clothes universe would open up before my eyes, in all of its awesomeness.  So I have waited.  And I have succeeded…sort of.  Let me explain.

I have had some success in the used clothes department, which I am extremely excited about, but I have a confession to make as well.  See, I had gift cards to two separate stores and went ahead and spent them.  The ivory cardigan, blue and white strapless dress, and Gianni Bini sandals in the pic below are new merch.  Is that bad?  Spending a gift card?  Does that mean I’ve broken my resolution?  I also want to point out that the gray t-shirt is also new from Target.  I broke down and had to buy something comfy for work.  I meeean, I work at a bakery.  Can’t exactly dress fancy every day, know what I’m sayin’?

But I’ve also had some good luck from the thrift store gods. I’ve shown my two newest additions in this photo: a dark emerald green pleated maxi skirt (to be worn as a dress), and a chambray shirt (which I have been searching for FOREVS!).

And if I can’t find someone to make me my swim suit, I’m just going to have to break down and buy one.  Please help!!!

And one more thing…I need to address the reasons behind my NYR, because most everyone have gotten it wrong.  See, while its nice to save a few bucks every now and then, I did not do this to save money.  I’m doing this to be green and eco-friendly.  Why be a wasteful consumer when I can go find things that others view as junk and turn them into modern, fashionable outfits?  So that’s my goal everyone.  To be less wasteful.  To really think about everything that I have and how it can all be used in different ways.  Yes, this has motivated me to take a deeper look into my own closet, not just thrift store racks, and really build myself a wardrobe using things I already have.

So there you go.  This public service announcement has been brought to you by the nerd.  You’re welcome.

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Vintage Clothing Sale THIS WEEKEND!!!

If you live in the Mobile, AL area, make sure you stop by Our Sisters’ Closet for their vintage and used clothing sale.  They will be open Friday, March 12th from 8:30-6pm and Saturday, March 13th from 9-3pm.  I will definitely be stopping by.  Hope to see you there!

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On those sandy beaches…

Welcome to the “Great Bathing Suit Hunt of 2010.”

This year, I want to purchase a new (or new to me) bathing suit.  I haven’t had a new one in a few years, and now that I’ve discovered my love of 1950s style, I would like that type of bathing suit.  You know, the one piece with boy short type bottoms.  I would prefer black with white polka dots (as seen here), although that design is mainly seen on new “retro” suits.

So here’s my main concern: Based on my New Year’s Resolution, am I allowed to buy a new bathing suit?  What if I find a vintage pattern and have one made?  And finally, how freakin’ adorable are all the ladies in these pictures?!?!?!

With love, Ev

P.S. If you or someone you know can make me a suit or find me a vintage one, I will pay you.  I would rather buy from someone I know than a complete stranger…kinda like buying a hotdog from a local joint instead of Sonic….eeer whatever…

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New Year’s Resolution

I don’t normally do this.  Nor do I set big huge unattainable goals for myself.  Talk about setting yourself up for failure!

However, in an effort to be more green (eco-friendly) while using less green ($$$), I have made one resolution…goal…whatevs.  I’m going to try and do this all year.

So what the heck am I doing?

During the year 2010, I will not buy any new shoes and/or clothing.  The exceptions to this include personal items, such as undies, slips, tights, leggings, and tank tops.  Shoes and clothing can only be bought from thrift stores, consignment stores, and online vintage sites.

I figure you can help keep me in check, right?  And, of course, I will be blogging about my thrift store finds.  DUH!  This will be tough.  So long Forever 21.  Farewell Target.  *sadface*  Hello Goodwill.  Welcome Market Publique.

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