Archive for October, 2009

Stepping out in style that only cost $29, say that again.






Today I decided to pull together an entire outfit, top to bottom of thrift store finds. I am busy with my move, so I have to look good. Lets start with the shoes, Gucci ($12) black suede loafers, Gap boot cut leather pants ($5), blazer by Givenchy ($7), shirt by Ermenegildo Zegna ($4) and the fabulous vintage handkerchief by Marimekko ($1). Grand total $29, the retail value of all items combined is $1515.00. I did not find all these items in one day, or in just one thrift store, it took awhile to accumulate the ensemble. Having patience and persistence paid off and in my case handsomely. Start slowly accumulating one piece at a time and before you know it, you will be able to mix and match your wardrobe in the most stylish manner. Great designs are out there and you don’t have to pay retail, if you shop smart at thrift stores. It’s Friday so I have to go and see what my favorite thrift shop has. Toodles for now.

Daniel



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2009
10/30
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Forgotten vintage Japanese robe.



This lovely silk vintage Japanese robe was stuck in the farthest corner in my closet to be forgotten. This morning, while packing up my closet for the move to the new house, I rediscovered my robe. It was like Christmas stumbling upon it again. After all these years it gave me that same exact feeling when I first found it in the thrift store 5 years ago. Go through your closet and see if you can rediscover an old forgotten item and let me know about it. I want to hear if you get that same old first feeling again. Toodles for now.

Daniel
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2009
10/29
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What was I thinking?


Remember yesterday’s blog posting when I mentioned that I would finish the rest of the story today? When I arrived at The Value Village Thrift Store and spotted a vintage Burberry long wool coat marked at $15.29, I paced up and down the aisle asking myself “do I really need this”? It needed several repair jobs such as: stitching a 6 inch tear on the collar, reattaching the silk lining to both arms, and of course dry cleaning. It also was about 30 pounds of pure wool,heavy. I hung it back on the rack and as I got in to my car to drive off, asked myself “are you sure you don’t need that vintage Burberry coat for $15.29″? This morning, after agonizing over the fact that I walked out of the thrift store without that fabulous Burberry coat,I decided to go back. When I entered the store I noticed that the store was rocking with people. Then over the loud speaker the woman announced that today was HALF off. I ran back to that rack thinking “I can get the Burberry coat for $7.65″ that is only if it is still there. I looked everywhere in the store, on every rack, under every rack, even in the women’s coat rack section it had vanished. Someone else had walked out paying $7.65 for this stunning coat, because I was foolish enough to leave it behind yesterday. After they purchased, altered, and dry cleaned it they would have invested around $70 for a vintage Burberry wool coat at only a fraction of retail . Although, not to worry I didn’t leave empty handed today. I scored a Valentino wool sweater (made in Italy) and a zany printed shirt by Michael Kors both for $4.
As far as that coat, hours later I am still asking myself “What was I thinking”. Toodles for now.
Daniel
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2009
10/28
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No more wire hangers! EVER……






Atlanta,


Joan Crawford hit the nail on the head when she uttered that infamous line. Little did Joan know that 5 decades later Joy Mangano would solve that obstacle, Huggable Hangers. I buy them by the truck load from HSN (Home Shopping Network) and hang all my thrift store finds on these absolutely brilliant hangers. The thing I most love about these hangers is that I you can tier down from one hanger adding room to my closet. This morning I woke up thinking I had extra huggable hangers and needed to find something special to hang on them. I hit 4 thrift stores today in the mad rain. First stop I found this fabulous wool hat made in England($5), a gorgeous Burberry tie ($.50, and finally this vintage Alessi bowl by Sean Falconieri ($1.50). Second stop, I stumbled on this exceptional Yves Saint Laurent Glenn Plaid wool high style suit only($14). The jacket fits me flawlessly, the trousers however need to be hemmed, not an expensive task. I hit 2 other thrift stores but will tell you all about that tomorrow. Huggable Hangers, Joan would be so proud, no more wire hangers! Toodles for now.
Daniel
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2009
10/27
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Nothing like a brand new closet.





Atlanta,


In the mist of our big moving storm we had to give our much needed old closet a modern face lift. I can only think of one company that creates the modern closet with style and function, and that is Elfa. The Container Store carries the Elfa shelving units and when you are moving into an old 1929 bungalow ,notorious for having no closet space whatsoever, it’s the perfect solution. Elfa originated in Sweden, so for those of you out there that don’t know this about me, I am a Scandinavian snob. I especially love mid century modern furniture. What good is collecting a entire wardrobe filled with Armani, Brioni, Rag and Bone, Paul Smith, Jil Sander, etc if you can’t properly store them in your closet? It doesn’t matter even if I paid nada for them. Elfa is the simplistic solution and my entire closet cost $200 and took no more than 30 minutes to install. Now with all this extra storage space, I can really turn up the heat on my collecting bug. It’s to bad those Salvatore Ferragamo shoes I saw today at St. Philip Cathedral Thrift House for a measly $9 didn’t fit. If they had fit I would have snagged them up and found them a significant spot in my new closet ! Toodles for now.
Daniel
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2009
10/26
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You know I love my thrift stores but The Finer Consigner is FAB.

Atlanta,


I wanted to video my experience when my neighbor Umie and I walked in the front door of The Finer Consigner shop in Alpharetta Ga on Thursday. It was the most amazing journey and one that either of us wanted to end. Giving it’s a women’s consignment shop, it was like going to a museum. Each piece from Alexander McQueen to Yves Saint Laurent was a masterpiece. Umie bought the most elegant Armani blouse known to mankind. I told Umie the following day that I dreamt of that store and couldn’t wait to video blog about it. If you are looking for that item you can’t seem to find at your local thrift store then I strongly suggest a consignment store and if you are in Alpharetta Ga please stop by.
The Finer Consigner
11130 State Bridge Rd.
Alpharetta, Ga. 30022
770-751-3501
Daniel

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2009
10/24
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Missed out on 2 Eames chairs but snagged Versace slacks for $2.50.



Atlanta,


After unpacking and unloading my entire art studio to my new house I had to take a peek to see what’s new at The Step Up Society Thrift store. While I was walking inside she was walking out carrying 2 bright orange fabulous Herman Miller Eames chairs. I was actually quite happy for her and I don’t know why I didn’t stop her and snap a photo of her bliss. Heading in I noticed a sign “Every piece of clothing $2.50″. Here is a big tip for you guys out there like me who only carry around a debit card and no cash. When you hit thrift stores you have to carry some denaro with you. I’ll explain why later. I found this incredible rich brown pair of Versace slacks. They are perfect in the waist but need to be taken up some but that’s a simple solution. Hemming will cost you about $8-10 and since the Versace slacks were only $2.50, I can spend the extra and get slacks that fit me perfectly. So with the Versace slacks in hand I had to walk around the store looking to find another item and here’s why. This store has a debit card minimum of $5. I walked around with a list of friends in my head and couldn’t find anything for anyone I knew of then I spotted this black nylon DKNY quilted jacket. I held it up to me and whirled it around a time or two, it was the perfect other item I need to meet my $5 debit card minimum. So having spent $5.00 I got myself Versace slacks and a DKNY jacket and then I realized that there is so much for everyone to go around. First the woman with the 2 orange Eames chairs and then for me a little something something Versace. It’s all in a good days work. Tomorrow I’ll tell you what else I did that day with my exquisite neighbor Umie. It’s so good I dreamt about it last night! Toodles for now.
Daniel
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2009
10/23
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Why dry clean when you can use Charlie's Soap?


Atlanta,


I’ve gotten some emails from people wondering if I send all the clothes I find from the thrift stores out to be dry cleaned. Unless it’s, say for instance my Karl Lagerfeld jacket, then yes but if its a casual Burberry shirt then no. I wash just about everything I own in Charlie’s soap the soap is environmentally safe, hypoallergenic and cleans just about everything with one tablespoon of washing powder. I swear on my Karl Lagerfeld jacket and Nathan’s soul this product works. For things like suits and jackets I send those items out to a dry cleaner that is eco-friendly and here is a complete list of dry cleaners in Georgia . Yesterday when I purchased the Jaeger sweater vest I noticed there wasn’t a dry cleaning tag on it, so I decided to wash it in Charlie’s soap. The stench from all the built up chemicals in that sweater was extremely strong, I’m not lying. I had to rinse that vest 3 times. I’m not a believer in sending things to the dry cleaners, that is unless they practice eco-friendly cleaning. Even then when I get my items back I pull them out of the bag and hang outside for a couple of hours for air to circulate between fibers. Dry cleaners use such harsh and toxic chemicals and you have to remember those chemicals are on our bodies. I want all you out there to be as healthy and aware as possible and of course always stylish. Toodles for now.
Daniel
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2009
10/22
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$19 can buy you Kors, YSL, Zegna & a Jaeger sweater vest.






Atlanta,

Keep up with me here because today I hit 2 stores hard and fast and spent a whopping $19. The first thrift store was Step Up , I found this fabulous vintage wool coat with a fun fur collar from RIch’s, it is priced at $6.95. I checked out the lining and everything was in immaculate condition. Then I spotted a Michael Kors black dress shirt, happens to be my size so I’m taking that to the counter. Michael Kors shirt $5.25. I then drove to Cathedral of St. Philips Thrift Store and saw this fantastic velvet jacket by Jaeger which is a UK based high end fashion brand and retailer of menswear and womenswear formed in 1884. The jacket was a size 8 and priced at $9, if I could have squeezed into that jacket let me tell you I would have. Every detail about that jacket was pure quality, it just smelled of old world charm and money … I like that aroma … Then I walked to the mens section and would you believe me when I tell you that I spotted another Jaeger item? I mean what are the chances of finding 2 items from that brand in one day, (like winning the lottery chances). That Jaeger sweater vest fits me like it’s going to be my new lucky charm this Fall. Walked a little farther and snagged a Ermenegildo Zegna and Yves Saint Laurent shirt. 4 items and I handed them a $20 bill and got some change back, now that’s a good day! Toodles for now.
Daniel
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2009
10/21
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Dropped off items at thrift store but also picked up an item.



Atlanta


Today I dropped off a huge box of goods to the thrift store, yes you heard me right, I donated to a thrift store as opposed to pillaging one. It’s very important to clean out and let go of the unwanted items in your life, closet, trunk of car, storage unit, attic, basement…. (talk about an inside scoop into my life). Without people donating items to any thrift store there wouldn’t be anything to hunt for, a reason to shop or for that matter to live. So hats off to all the people out there who regularly donate their goods to the thrift store, this simple act helps local communities across the country. After I donated my goods I had to step inside to see what they had, I mean it makes sense to me. I spotted this white Parsons table and of course I looked underneath it to see if it just happened to say Karl Springer which it didn’t ,so the snob that I am kept shopping. At the Attic Treasures there were 17 St. John items of clothing some lady had graciously donated with prices that ranged from $35 – $95. Then I found this Dunn & Co cabbie cap for $5 which I am now the proud owner of. It pays to donate your unwanted items to the thrift stores look what it got me today.
Toodles for now.
Daniel
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2009
10/20
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Balenciaga tags should never say "Made in Hong Kong" !

Atlanta

I went out today thinking I would score at least one thing from the thrift stores but nada. There was this fabulous blue dress shirt from Balenciaga and when I found it you should have seen my face, I tell you it was the same expression I had when I found my Lagerfeld jacket. I love me some Balenciaga and the only other item I have found from that brand is a tie and I was foolish enough to give that away to someone I know isn’t loving it like I would. Getting back to the shirt I was so delighted especially when I tried it on and it fit my body like it was custom tailored and then I looked at the label again and it said Balenciaga made in Hong Kong. Balenciaga manufactures their clothes in either Italy or France but not Hong Kong. I put it back on the hanger and walked away feeling like I had been robbed. I know what you’re thinking and your right I am a label snob. I don’t do knock offs very well, you know when you think of all the expensive high end brands hanging in my closet I just figure why bother with a imitation. You know that old saying “measure twice and cut once” well the moral of this story is check your labels twice and purchase once! Toodles for now.
Daniel
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2009
10/19
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Guy Laroche leather gloves smell like good old fashion money.



Atlanta


Nathan is on route from Colorado Springs back to Austin and apparently he is stopping at every thrift store in sight so I can’t wait to see what he has found. Yesterday I found the most classic pair of Guy Laroche leather gloves and they were in a display case marked “Designer Men’s Gloves” priced at $15. This was the second time this week that I had found 2 stunning items, the Missoni sweater for $14 and Guy Laroche leather gloves for $15 both marked abnormally higher for thrift store prices, but so fabulous you just can’t pass them up . Sometimes you just have to step back and decide is it worth it and will it make my life better. I paid $29 for a Missoni sweater and Guy Laroche leather gloves, I know I can’t find those items any cheaper anywhere else. It’s alot of money for me to spend and I know it’s a bargain of a lifetime and sometimes you just have to turn over the denaro. Toodles for now.
Daniel
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2009
10/18
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It was a Missoni and Hugo Boss day.







Yesterday in the mist of renovating our 1920′s bungalow I just had to stop in one of my favorite thrift stores in Atlanta Cathedral of Saint Philip Thrift House and it was a “blessing” I did. First I found this vintage Missoni sweater with the coolest retro pattern I’ve seen in a long time and then I spotted a black Hugo Boss rain coat that fit me like a pair of Hermes gloves. The sweater has some mild pilling on it but not to worry since I have the coolest pilling remover tool ever invented, it’s from the Italian company Alessi . If you don’t want to spend the money on the Alessi product you can always carefully use your shaver but go nice and slow you don’t want to cut the fabric with a sharp razor blade. I spent $14 on the sweater and $7 on the rain coat and for me that’s alot of denaro and I really had to justify spending $14 at a thrift store for a sweater but since it was a Missoni out went the logic. Thrift stores have been getting very savvy with brands and at this particular one they have a “better wear” area for both men and women so they know what to price that Missoni. I know in the end it a lot cheaper than me walking into Neiman Marcus or Saks and paying full retail which could be anywhere from $400 – $500. Spending $21 on two incredible items was so worth it for me and such a nice diversion since I ended up going back to house to scrape paint off the floors. There is no justice but at least I can look good removing paint from the floors. Toodles from Atlanta.

Daniel
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2009
10/16
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Lanvin 3 piece suit for $15, I swear I'm not making it up.





Atlanta

Even with me moving out of my California split level 1968 house I can still find the time to stop by the thrift stores to see what I can pillage. I stopped in at the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store in Chamblee and I had seen this 3 piece Lanvin suit a week before but it was marked at $30 and didn’t want to spend that much so I decided to wait and see if they might just mark it down. Well today that marked it down to half price and I grabbed it and run to the counter. Before I could make it to the counter I did happen to see this fabulous Ermenegildo Zegna shirt marked at $4. So for a whopping $19 I grabbed a 3 piece Lanvin vintage stylish suit and a Zegna dress shirt and it happened so fast it was all a blur. A fabulous new 3 piece Lanvin suit would sell for $1,500 to $2,000 and the Zegna dress shirt new would sell for $250-$280. Patience always pays off and in this case stylishly. Toodles for now.
Daniel
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2009
10/15
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Ferragamo shoes half off at the thrift store in Colorado Springs, I'll take 2 pairs please!





Nathan

Colorado Springs


I left Austin for a quick trip to Colorado Springs to visit my parents and of course each trip I have to hit the thrift stores and yesterday was no exception. Mondays at this particular thrift store was half off day, no matter what it’s all half off (love that). Found for my mom a gorgeous pair of Ferragamo shoes for a whopping $3. I’ll try to get her to model them for you guys later, she LOVED them, I mean who wouldn’t love a pair of Ferragamo shoes especially if you can buy them for $3, that’s less than a taco in Texas. Then I found a Brooks Brothers shirt and this fantastic French cuff Brioni shirt for my dad. When I got back to their house and showed my dad these 2 shirts and told him that I had paid $4 for both he was speechless. I would have been speechless too if someone delivered a Brioni shirt to me. I know for a fact that Daniel has a whole closet full of Brioni and on my next trip to Atlanta I’m going to raid his closet. Hasta luego dudes bring it to you live from Colorado Springs.
Nathan

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2009
10/13
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