OK, you asked for it. Here’s a rundown of the things I bought on our trip to San Francisco, my first post-ban purchases. In case you’re curious, I only spent two-thirds of the money I had allotted to shopping … though I’ll admit that the rest got spent once I’d returned home, on a handful of wishlist items, layaways, and a gift for Husband Mike.
Much of what I bought falls outside my stylistic comfort zone, and I LOVE that. It was really fun to amass a group of out-of-character pieces that will be challenging to incorporate into my daily style.
Now, you’ve already met Bill. So let’s meet the rest of the gang, shall we? In order of purchase … …
Branch coral necklace$19 at street vendor
HM hates this necklace. I am quite sure he’ll love it after a few wearings.
Chalk turquoise necklaceWe BOTH love this one. I wore it immediately, and got at least seven compliments on it that day. Seirously.
Flame orange silk skirt$3.50 at Goodwill
This little darling has tiny orange rhinestones bordering the entire slit. Love! Despite what my awkward posing may imply!
Zebra print sweaterdress$6 at Goodwill
Long taffeta skirt$3.50 at Goodwill
and
Studded belt
$39 at some random store in the Haight
The belt will get tons of use. The skirt won’t. But it was $3.50, I LOVED it, and I feel like my goal for the coming year should be finding a way to wear it to the office without drawing a thousand comments from my coworkers.
Audi is a master at layering skirts over other skirts, and layering skirts beneath dresses … and I feel like I bought a whole slew of floaty skirts in SF because I’ve been meaning to try this technique out myself, possess zero floaty skirts, and was in close proximity to its mistress while shopping. This black one, however, is so lovely I may end up wearing it on its own.
As for the belt, my GAWD, don’t you want one? Stop by Audi’s brand new Etsy shop and order one custom. You’ll love it, promise. This might be the most flattering belt I own.
Silk floral skirt$4.50 at Goodwill
Weirdly, I’d tried on this very same skirt a week previous at my home Savers … but that version was a size smaller, and too snug. Having it show up in the right size, post-ban, was a sign that it was MEANT to be mine, don’t you think?
Wraps$6 each at Goodwill
This is the last of the Goodwill haul. I spotted these draped over a random rack as I was headed to check out, and couldn’t leave without them. The houndstooth is a gorgeous rayon weave from Anne Klein, the blue plaid has amazing detailing at both ends, and the green/brown is reversible merino. Woo hoo!
Cheap-ass earrings from a very Claire’s-like store in the HaightI have been trying to increase my earring options, as I’m sick of recycling my same three pairs of hoops. I’m not branching out too much, as I am still a hoop girl, but trying to expand my collection. I’ve already worn both of these pairs several times since my return.
Dirndl$60 at Held Over
And this, friends, is the pièce de résistance. Held Over had an entire RACK of dirndls, and although many were too costumey for my taste, this lavender one called to me. It was spendy, but is so well-made I could run over it with my car and it’d still look amazing. Plus this style of dress – fitted bodice, flared skirt – is one of my faves. Yes, it will get only occasional wear. But I will be SO HAPPY when I do wear it. So, so happy. I mean, just look at my grinny face up there!
As for the post-trip purchases, there were the Maddens listed above, I paid off my layaway Fluevs, and bought these, these, and these from Etsy as part of the aforementioned earring quest. Also nabbed some leggings, tights, and socks from Target, as those are items I refuse to thrift.
And that’s that. I’ll give my final thoughts on the ban and how it has affected me this Saturday, and then NEXT Saturday you’ll hear HM’s perspective. He has things to say, people. Things to say.
P.S. Since you’ve seen a billion photos of the crown tattoo by now, I thought I should finally show the OTHER recent tattoo that I mentioned back here. This little compass/star is courtesy John Sweet of Uptown Tattoo. I cannot recommend him enough – he is quick, skilled, and thorough in addition to being charming and totally hilarious. Expect a wait, though – I think he’s three months out right now. And with good reason.
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{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
Love, love, love the zebra sweaterdress on you – it’s so flattering and will work beautifully with Audi’s belt. The wraps are wonderful, especially the green/brown one, which I have a hankering for. ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Last year when DH and I went to SF, I chose to go to MOMA instead of the Goodwill. I think I chose the wrong option!
I Love that long taffeta skirt. Can’t wait to see what you wear it to the office with – you must post that pic when you do!
Those are some fantastic finds! My favorite is the floaty black skirt. I think that once I get my first few full-time work paychecks I might have to treat myself to a shopping spree like this.
Great finds! I like that tafetta skirt, and Audi’s belt is TO DIE FOR!!!!
I am curious to know how the amount of money you spent post-ban, plus the $10/week (and any minor slip-ups during the ban)…compares to the amount of money you normally would have spent during this time period, if no ban had been in place. I know it wasn’t a purely financial endeavor, and you gained other insight through the experience…but perhaps you could touch on it during Saturday’s wrap-up? Thanks!
I owned that orange skirt for awhile, but then I grew some more…and I gave it up. Ah well. It looks lovely on you!
I’m going back to MN this weekend for a quick trip to see my family (it’s where I grew up) and I wish I had time to do the whole thrift/vintage circuit. Soon I will make it happen
kappapsichica: Huh, good questions! You know, pre-ban I was appallingly ignorant of my spending totals, so I’m not sure I can actually speak to this. I couldn’t really say how much I spent, on a monthly basis, pre-ban. I just didn’t want to know. Yet another reason the ban has been beneficial: I am much more aware and mindful of what I spend, on which items, when, and why.
This little spree was around $500, including the patent boots and the tattoo. Another $200 spent when I got home.
More on Saturday, promise.
Dang girl! You always find the most amazing things… I seriously am going to kidnap you one day so you can go shopping with me. lol! Love everything–especially how you stepped outside of your comfort zone (yet everything is so “Sal”!); something I need to be challenged on lately… That dirndl has got to be my favorite. You look oh so gorgeous!
Good job, Lady! the chalk necklace looks crazy good- I am trying to picture what it looks like up close
:)
Hi there-wow, fabulous finds my dear, you really scored some great pieces, well done!!
The dirndl and tafetta skirt are soo flattering. Well shopped!
Wow! Excellent stuff and excellent prices. How did you get it all home?? The dress is amazing – I think it could be in regular rotation, no? Looks very sweet for work with a little cardi and some bad ass shoes. The belt by Audi is also excellent.
I love the sweaterdress and THOSE SHOES. I actually purchased an animal print sweater dress (slightly different cut) for sequinned New Year’s Eve at Mancini’s, and now I’m wondering if mine would also look as good with fabulous sandals like that…
The lavender dress is my favourite. It is gorgeous on you! A great shape. Stunning dress!
Gotta love all of those new skirts, although my favorite has to be the black floaty one. So pretty!
Also, that studded belt is totally badass, and I adore your slouchy boots.
Wow — look at all those great purchases!
Wow–I don’t understand how you get such bargains at thrift stores. The ones in my beck of the woods are inexpensive, but still more than $3.50 for a skirt–a name-brand skirt is usually $10+, and a non-name-brand is around $7.
May I just say–I love, love, love the belts!
the dirndl is perfect. really it is. i’m from the southern part of germany (also known as bavaria), so believe me, i should no. it looks gorgeous on you!!
The dirndl looks awesome with the simple black tank and sandals! A much more ‘Sal’ look than with the combat boots, for sure. I think you can get a lot more wear out of it than you suppose. And wow, that full length skirt looks fab! I certainly hope you share photos of any work outfits you make out of it.
Oh, I ordered my Fluevog Haights, btw — $86 on Amazon. Woo!
Wow, what a great haul! I really love that chalk turquoise piece, so pretty!
Oooh, that dirndl – amazing! Sooo beautiful – that is exaclty the sort of dress I want!
PS–Jon Sweet did my tattoo, too!
seriously great haul. HM will learn to love that coral necklace, and I think you’ll get more use out of your drindl than you think. It looks like a sundress!
Sal, great haul-lelujah! My fav is that long taffeta skirt! Quite Oscar de la Renta darling! Fab!!
SO much good stuff! Love the dirndl!!!! That long taffeta skirt is also really awesome – wear it with a dark (not black) top and jacket, eg navy jacket and burgundy top, or choc-brown jacket and dark teal top. And those gorgeous boots in the wrap series of photos.
sweet gebus, the floaty black skirt and the long taffeta number are to DIE for. i SWOON. and audi made that belt?! dear lord, a-etsy-in’ i will go.
i want fluevogs. but my bank account won’t allow it. *pout*
You all know that you can come over ANY TIME and borrow this stuff, right?
wonderful finds! i actually really like that red necklace!!
the drindl is fab too!
i love all those fun accessories! they make an outfit so much more interesting
Can I really Sal?
I will save up enough money to come over to the States, buy a pair of Fluevogs (or several!! since I can’t get them here)and then I will move into your wardrobe, quite possibly kidnapping that dirndl and your gorgeous brooch necklace on my way out.
Oh, that sounds like a good holiday.
If you don’t mind that is.:-)
so many lovely outfits!! adore all the necklaces too, fab colour!!
well done! that long taffeta skirt is adorable and a fab price to boot!
Gaaaa!!! So much awesomeness! Good to see so much of your shop-o-rama was still at thrift stores! All your tattoo posts are making me want to get one I’ve been toying with for, oh, about two years now… LOVE that dirndl!! I’ve been staring at a few on ebay but I just can’t bring myself to spend so much on something I’ve never tried on… You look SO SO good and happy in it!
Charlotte Sometimes: Of course, lady! But my wardrobe is tiny and overstuffed, so you’ll be sleeping in my laundry basket. Fair warning.
Love the wraps!
Ps, if I didn’t already mention it , Thanks for commenting!
Wow, all your purchases are brilliant and I love that lavender dress on you. You suit that colour! Loving the new tatt too!
Lots of great finds! I especially love the long taffeta skirt and the green necklace that is just such a statement piece! I also love the dirndl, I have one from my 2 year stay in Austria and it really only gets worn for halloween and oktoberfest, but even that is worth it!
S.
wow awesome finds!!! glad to hear that you had a great trip
Wow, so much things I want to comment on!
1. HM, really you don’t like the red necklace? It’s just perfect. I trust that you will change your mind…
2.The turquoise necklace is just so IMPRESSIVE!
3.The zebra print sweaterdress is FIERCE. Ditto for the studded sandals.
4.The long taffeta skirt. OMG. I die. And how punk of you to wear it with a studded belt! This is the kind of thing you do that makes us love you!
5.Audi’s belt and the houndstooth scarf, I love them both!
6.The dirndl. Every piece of clothing that can bring such happiness to the wearer deserves a place in everyone’s closet.
Woa Sal, you knocked us down here!
I’m really looking forward to your ban recap and more so of what HM has to say. So interesting!
Hey you, that long skirt/stud belt/white tee combo is SO PERFECTLY PROPORTIONED it really takes my breath away. Well done. Please wear it everywhere, all the time.
Also, your shoes in the last photo! Amazing! Where from?!?
The green wrap is my fav and that purple dress is fablous!
I’m obsessed with the turquoise necklace. It makes me want to drive up to San Fran tomorrow!
omg…that dirndl is so cute! i love heldover… in fact i had a dirndl for a halloween costume quite a few years ago… i wish i still had it, then i could go to oktoberfest, and maybe even wear it to bavarian parties.
heidi chic rocks.
I've seen that taffeta skirt now a couple times, and I wonder if you've thought about shortening to knee length? I would think you could get a lot more wear out of it that way, and it can be dressed up or down much easier. It's a gorgeous and flattering piece!