A Quick Guide: Buying and Selling Online

Poshmark, Plato's Closet, and Instagram... yes, Instagram!

This Spring I really went through my closet and drawers looking to get rid of the old clothes I've been sitting on and didn't purge in the past years. I'm a terrible closet keeper in that many of the items I found still had tags on them. Being in new condition but not something I could envision wearing I began to search online for ways to sell clothes. Enter Poshmark.

Poshmark

Having been on Poshmark for a few months now I've sold one dress, and have learned a few tips along the way. The mos important is to be patient. Especially when you set up a new account it takes a while for you to get followers - the more followers you have the more likely your items will show up in other shoppers' news feeds. Get more followers by liking and sharing others' posts. Accept invitations to parties and share your items there. Poshmark has helpful tips too right in the app to help new sellers.

I not only sold a dress on Poshmark, but I've also bought a cute red swing dress for track season in Saratoga:

 
When your item comes you have to go back on the app and "accept" it -- a nice way for Poshmark to ensure buyers are getting real items and not knockoffs, or things that are in poorer condition than described by the seller.

Plato's Closet/Clothes Mentor

Since some of the items in my Posh closet have been sitting a while with little or no likes, and i am still looking to get more space in my closets, I thought I'd take a few items to Plato's Closet. I've never been before but I'm glad I went. I sold two dresses and a top for $20 cash on the spot. Now I have to change their status in my Posh closet since they are sold!

Next time I go, I will be calling ahead. Every day Plato's Closet updates what it needs in the store, or what it is looking to stock. I went in July and they were starting to buy items for fall, so I will have to go back. I didn't buy anything but there were some great Michael Kors bags for $75-$100 in great condition.

Instagram and Other Bloggers

I'm not sure how it happened but I am officially following tons of fashion bloggers on Instagram. The best part is when they also have an account for their closet, and post items they are selling at great prices. How those closet accounts work varies person to person but the ones I've been following seem to just have the first person who posts "sold" or emails them their PayPal address, the items get sold.

I recently purchased a bag I've been on the hunt for since it sold out in my store. It's the Phillip Lim for Target large tote -- I am in love with it. Especially because it was only $30! On Poshmark these are selling for over $60 in used condition, and for more if they are new:

I also found the coveted Zara blanket scarf last winter through a different blogger's closet who posted its picture on Instagram. Who knew Instagram would turn into a shopping tool - amazing marketing concept but not good for my wallet. I just can't pass up a good deal :)

Happy shopping and good luck to those of you looking to clean your closet for some cash!

Wedding or Shower DIY Gift

It's wedding and shower season, so I thought I'd share a project fit for the occasion. 

Last year we attended a destination wedding for my cousin in the San Juan Islands in Washington. Although it was a destination to the Pacific Northwest, it was very much a southern wedding. As a lover of paper and stationary, it was so much fun to get mail relating to the events at the wedding – there was an invitation or itinerary for everything – a pig roast, rehearsal dinner, after party, the wedding itself, and brunch the next day. With all the beautiful paper goods we received I wanted to make a gift for my cousin to keep all the items that she created (or had been created for her) in one place. I was also inspired by something I had seen in a friend's house with their first dance lyrics. I quickly went to work!

I bought two shadow boxes from Homegoods, some craft paper and a heart hole punch from Michael’s, and went to town. Sorry the pics aren’t better… these have long been sent out so I couldn’t re-take the photos (here's an after picture of both).

For the first dance display (the hearts on the right), I printed their first dance song on one sheet of paper, and their initials and date on a sheet of paper that was blue with white music notes. I had intended on using the blue for the lyrics but liked the more neutral color when looking at the stationary box. Once the first dance lyrics were printed, I started punching holes with the hearts (as much in order of the lyrics themselves as possible). Then I simply folded each of the hearts in half, put some glue along the fold, and placed them as neatly as I could in the box. Once the glue dried, I opened and refolded the hearts as needed to get them to look as consistent as possible. I also printed the lyrics again and glued them on the back of the shadow box, as well as a wedding wish from us.

My cousin will be putting these up in her new home. I thought I’d share this as an easy but thoughtful personal gift to make for your friends or family for any special occasion. It's simple and thoughtful - doesn't get better than that.

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Favorites!

Here are my nine favorite items from the Nordstrom Anniversary sale! Some of which I bought, some of which I didn't...girl on a budget here! They have great items on the sale, with a wide range of prices. Also, it is a great time to do some early Christmas shopping for the lucky ones in your life! You need to be a Nordstrom card holder for early access through July 17, and prices go up officially August 4.

I know all you see here is black and grey, but I'm a firm believer in adding jewelry for added glam or lipstick for pops of color this year--its much cheaper to update accessories in your wardrobe than clothing (most of the time!). The nice thing about my selections is that they are mix-n-match, you can wear every piece with something else in the collection!

Moving left to right at every row, here's the lowdown...

• MAC Look in a Box... All About Coral - Can we talk about value here?! Eye shadow, liner, lip gloss and lip stick for $40? Come on! Mac lipstick is the best - I've tried others like Make Up Forever and Party Proof, and nothing stays on longer or moisturizes like MAC.
• Vigoss Moto Zip Coated Skinny Jeans - Faux and real leather, moto and sheen is the theme this Fall, and compared to its Rag and Bone counterpart, you can't beat the price! 
• BP High Waist Seam Moto Leggings in Black - Again, the moto trend, without the thickness of a jean (for those of us WITHOUT super thin legs), and can't beat $24!
• Trouve Textured Stripe Crew Neck Sweater - Something to cozy up in on those freezing Winter days in Iowa! 
• Ivanka Trump Over-the-Knee Leather Boot - Currently trending: over-the-knee! I'm a shorty so I'm a little leery of these, but this look for Fall for those of you with any sort of inseam, is in! Take advantage. These are an excellent value compared to others featured on the sale. The elastic backing is a plus! The pointy toe will elongate the leg.
• Steve Madden Open Toe Bootie - These come in three fabulous colors, and certainly belong in my "Bootieful" post from last Fall! Been lusting after some black open toe booties after wearing out my nude Steve Madden mules this Summer. Can't wait for a pair like this that will better transition into Fall. 
• Ro & De Cream Cloud Blouse - I have never heard of this brand before, but I love the neckline and buttons. Plus, it is polyester which won't wrinkle as easily than it's rayon counterpart from the brand Pleione. To me, that's worth paying the extra $15!
• Leith Abstract Print Scarf - You cannot go wrong with the mauve and black or brown and black combinations...gorgeous scarf for the price and will add some color to these cloudy-colored outfits! I love the "floral" abstract look.
• Topshop Faux Fur Vest - How amazingly chic?! What a head turner. You would own the room walking in in this fabulous vest. Wear with all neutrals, it is such a versatile color! 

So Fresh: Summer Salad

There's nothing I love more in the Summer than eating fresh veggies! I'm a little "over" lettuce at the moment, and spinach is great in my smoothies, so I thought--why not make a salad out of the toppings sans the greens!? I hope you enjoy this salad as much as I do, and I am simply calling it "Summer Salad."

You'll need:

- A fresh Lemon for the juice (whenever I go to the store I've just made it a rule to pick up a lemon, even if I don't need one!)
- 1/4 cut Cucumber (I use organic hydroponic or the little Persian cucumbers - I can't do the wax on the peel of regular cucumbers)
- 10 Cherry Tomatoes (I've been loving these little yellow heirloom tomatoes, but you could use any sort of cherry tomato)
- 1/4 of a large or 1/2 of a small Avocado
- Feta Cheese (enough for one heaping tablespoon or a heavy sprinkle)
- Your favorite Olive Oil
- Salt & Pepper to taste

First, slice the cucumber and quarter the slices. Quarter the cherry tomatoes with a tomato knife-- this is the BEST tomato knife ever--my mom swears by them! Plus, they are made in the good old US of A! 

Place the cucumbers and tomatoes in a salad bowl. 

To add the avocado:

Half the avocado, and use the side without the pit. Take a paring knife to cut through the avocado just until you are hitting the shell, create a checkerboard, cutting into it vertically and horizontally. Be careful to do this lightly with the knife so you don't cut through the shell. Then squeeze the avocado into the bowl with the cucumber and tomato. I do this so there's no sticky mess of avocado everywhere.  Half of an avocado will keep longer if stored with the pit.

I love this olive oil from Pickle Creek farms. I'm all about buying local, and this is sold at my farmers market. The man that sells it infuses the olive oil himself with organic produce. Here's their Facebook page.

Now, add your olive oil, drizzling over the top of the veggies. Stir the ingredients so the oil evenly coats the veggies. Add the fresh lemon juice. I squeeze the lemon right onto the salad. You won't need more than a Tablespoon. I love lemon, so it just depends on what your taste buds prefer. This will also help the avocado from browning. Then, add the crumbled feta and mix again. Add salt and pepper to taste and enjoy! 

This makes enough for a larger single serving. You could also add your own veggies to put a spin on the dish, but I think these are the perfect combinations! I may try adding fresh basil. Double the recipe if you'd like to feed more. I'd recommend serving chilled and within a couple hours of making the salad.

Currently Crushing

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! It is finally heating up here, so it got me to thinking about items I've been lusting after to make my Summer look complete. Here's a sampling of what I've been feasting my eyes on...all under $150!

This linen J.Crew sweater would be perfect to transition from the office to happy hour. Pair with white bottoms, and the Stella and Dot tassel necklace I featured last week.

Everyone needs a Panama Hat: perfect for running down to the farmers market or boating on the lake!

This Maxi Dress is from Revolve Clothing, but Elan USA also makes a very affordable version! Perfect for a Summer  dinner on an outdoor patio.

       

 Stem tees from Nordstrom are my favorite, its only a plus that they are also organic! I've had one for a couple years and I purchased another one earlier this Spring and they are the best quality! No pilling wear after wear, wash after wash.

These mules...they will transition well into Fall, or look great now with shorts for an extra long leg. I have a pair of Steve Madden neutral slingback mules and I wear them all the time! These are next on the list.

Tansy fringe collar necklace from Stella & Dot to pair with basic tees, plain tops and maxi dresses! Love me some fringe!