fashion

Last weekend I was at Target looking for some cute costume jewelry for the bf’s sister for Christmas, as requested. I love a good deal but I hate poor quality so, it ends up being quite the challenge to score the perfect item.

I found a pair of earrings I thought she’d like and inspected them, like I do everything. They were covered in coral colored glued on beads but so many were off-center. So I had to look at every pair on the rack until I found a pair up to par. As soon as I got home, I was removing the price so I could wrap them up and damned if one of the beads hadn’t popped off from the cart to my apartment.

Infuriating!

So a lot of people would say, “Well, what do you expect for a pair of $8 earrings?”

Honestly, I expect more. I expect to be able to wear something multiple times before it starts looking worn in the slightest. I expect to not have something break in a damn shopping bag.

This problem isn’t isolated to lower-priced stores. I see it all the time and what ticks me off the most is outrageously expensive online shops where you can see sloppy stitching in the photos. Maybe I’m just OCD and have an eye for imperfection but it drives me nuts. I’ve seen pictures of Louboutins where the sole glue is showing on the satin, the sole doesn’t line up with the heel, where a zipper on a $1000 dress is puckered and seams are pulling.

What’s happened to quality? Are we turning into such a fast disposable society that planned obsolescence and shoddy “made in China” garbage is the norm?

Julia recently wrote a post about the agony of shelling out money for better quality items and then getting them ruined. I totally feel her on this. I screwed up the most expensive bag I’ve ever owned within a few months. Devastating.

So what’s a girl to do?

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I have NO love for the What’s In/What’s Out features in magazines.

Harper’s Bazaar ends each issue with one and here’s their list for September.

What do you think?

1. DRESSES – IN: Lace and other feminine frills  – OUT: Hard-edged leather looks
2. COATS – IN: Plaid coats – OUT: Jean jackets
3. JEWELRY – IN: Grand earrings – OUT: Colored pearls
4. BOX CLUTCHES – IN: Rococo floral prints – OUT: Dark brocades
5. FINISHES: – IN: Luxe for details – OUT: Boho fringe
6. FANCIFUL DRESSES: IN: Embellished body-con cuts – OUT: Plain shirtdresses

You got that ladies? Squeeze yourself if some tight dresses, don’t confuse brocade with Rococo, throw out your pearls and fringe, and god help you if you mix leather with something feminine.

What a crock.

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Sarah from Yes and Yes just recently wrote about “non-niche” blogs… blogs that are kinda all over the place like this one! The article was more about trouble shooting but it got me thinking about other blogs I like that aren’t focused on one particular think like fashion, decor, design, etc but still have a cohesive theme of AWESOME!

I love people who invite you into their lives and show you around. They share their shopping trips and outfits and also their vacations, cooking adventures, favorite things, projects and cats! You may not always dig a certain outfit or find but you get the impression that they are living sincere good lives. That means the world to me.

Here are three awesome ladies who are really into thrift and I think you will enjoy their stories, even if you aren’t!

Top of the list is Katie of Mitu Vintage. Katie is from Seattle and keeps herself very busy hunting down beautiful vintage clothing and home items to sell in her etsy shop. In her posts she shares her life with you, her outfits, her home decorating projects, her trips and her process (kept company by a kitty and boyfriend). She’ll teach you about vintage labels, brainstorm on styling odd vintage pieces and talk about her weekend thrifting adventures. We’ve developed a little friendship and I think she’s a super sweet girl! Here’s her Twitter and Tumblr too!

Kaylah from The Dainty Squid is a bright haired lady from Ohio. She sells cute handmade bags in her etsy shop and shares her quirky outfits, adventures in the forest, kitties, Friday favorites, tutorials and great thrift finds. She and her fiance just bought their first house and are having fun decorating. Her Twitter and Tumblr too!

Melanie is a Canadian living in Brooklyn with her boyfriend. She just moved from writing a fashion-focused blog (here) to a broader look into her life-  une vie geniale. She works as a merchandiser for the brand Kensie, shares her cute thrift-centric outfits, trips out of the city, favorite things, vegan recipes, hair style tutorials and crafty projects. Her Twitter too!

Who are some of your favorite bloggers? Please share!

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