But I am happy to report that I have come around to the idea, and after snagging this one at Goodwill, I have fallen more and more in love with it ever since, wearing it approximately a billion times, give or take a few.

   First of all, it goes with anything.  I mean I guess that's kind of obvious, it is black, after all.  But secondly, it dresses up otherwise casual pieces.  I can pair it with a t-shirt and statement necklace and suddenly, I'm ready for church.  A tank top and light cardigan goes just as well with it as does a patterned top, button-down chambray, or textured sweater.

Like I said, anything.

A little while ago, I received this comment from an anonymous reader:

  "First off, I love your blog...thank you for sticking with it. I know you said you shop at garage sales and Goodwill a lot, but can you please give those of us who are fashionably challenged a few tips on what stores or brands are your favorites? :)"

   I wish they would have signed their name so I could thank them properly!  But in any case anonymous fan, thanks for reading the blog, and letting me know.  It's so encouraging. And thanks for being brave enough to comment and ask for tips.  I think we all feel like we can use fresh input/ideas when it comes to wardrobes.  You're not alone!

   I honestly had no clue of the scope of my 2nd-hand shopping addiction until I tried to put together outfits for this post.  I could barely even get fully clothed without putting on at least one or two articles that were from thrift stores!  I guess that's kind of something to be proud of, but it really doesn't make for an effective "this-is-where-you-can-shop" type post.  But I managed to find a few here.:)


   This outfit isn't totally brand-new, the skirt is from Goodwill.  Sorry, sorry, I tried.  But the shirt is from Forever 21, and that is definitely one of my first go-to stores if I am going to buy something new.   Their products are the highest quality sometimes, but they are CHEAP.  Especially their jewelry.  You can get a necklace as low as $2! So if that's what you're looking for, that's a good place to start.
  As a general rule, I buy things on sale or clearance, but this chambray shirt was full price, and the reason I made the exception for this was because it is a wardrobe staple.  I know it's something that I will wear for years, can be used in a myriad of different outfits in innumerable ways, and so to me, it's worth it. 

   The necklace however, was on clearance for around 4 bucks at Banana Republic.  Score!  The shoes....I have no clue.  I think I bought them back in high school.  Sorry, I'm seriously not cut out for this fashion blog stuff, because almost everything I own is either really old or 2nd-hand.  Bear with me.

   O.k. for this one we've got Old Navy on display, which is another one of my favorite stores.  The hat, dress, and pants are all from there.  The dress was around $7, the pants around $10, the hat was somewhere in between those.  This outfit, or different variations of it, are a go-to for me.  They can be weather appropriate for just about anything if you add or subtract a sweater, and it's so comfortable and covering I feel like I can do any kind of activity or physical exertion that motherhood might throw my way.


   This outfit is comprised of some more Forever 21 (the top, around $12) and Ross (the skirt, $10).  Ross is a store that sells name brand clothing for way, way less than normal retail price.  I'm not sure if Ross is everywhere or not, but if you have one nearby, you should definitely check it out.  I know people who can make these maxi skirts for as cheap as $6.  But if you're sewing-skills-challenged such as myself, you wouldn't brave it and $10 new would seem like a steal.