Rose's Outfit of the Week #4

      

  Good evening! 

  I have 4 tests 
  this week and 
  have been busily 
  studying away...

  Something that always
  cheers me up and 
  helps me get through 
  a day (or a test) is 
  wearing something 
  different than usual 
  that is colorful and fun! 

  I feel a little more 
  prepared for anything
  that may come my way :]

  Just like Caitlin wrote
   in her post here, you can 
   wear something dressy 
   even if you're just doing
   an everyday activity!

   It can sure 
   brighten yours, and other
   people's busy days. 


 *Gold hat, cream scarf, DIY golden/orange felt flowers: gifts from sister-in-law :)

DIY Fabric flower pins by Anna Anderson

  So
  maybe 
    next time you have a huge test or some other task that's looming ahead, ask the Lord for strength, put on a fun dress or bright hat and go for it! 

~Rose

Black&white striped skater dress: Ross. {$13} Gray sweater leggings: Ross {$8.50} 
Black Cardigan: Forever 21
Black suede boots: Delias on Clearance {$19.99}  Golden skinny belt: Target {$12.50}

Caitlin's Outfit of the Week #4

Hi everyone!
Today was one of those days where I wanted to dress up but I didn't have anywhere special to go. I had just made a new outfit and I was dying to wear it. One problem. All I was doing today was going to band class. Nothing special. But today I threw it all out the window and wore a dressy outfit to do an everyday activity. And I didn't regret it.

I wore a new black and white striped top that had beautiful lace detailing in the back. I tucked this into a simple skirt and added leggings. For accessories I have black moccasins, a red belt, necklace, hair bow and various bracelets.

I've come to the conclusion that once in a while getting all dressed up for no reason is incredibly fun. Maybe this week you should try it. Put on some nice clothes and just go to the grocery store! Enjoy your week and have fun with some new outfits!!
-Caitlin

Lace Top: Consignment Sale ($4)
Black Skirt: Thrift Store ($2)
Black Leggings: Walmart ($6)
Black Moccasins: Target ($15)
Necklace and Belt: Thrift Store ($3)

Sinful Colors Nail Polish **REVIEW**

Hey everyone! Today I'm going to try something a little different, I'm going to do a review! This time I'm looking at Sinful Colors Professional Nail Polish. I've known about this polish for while, but I thought that you guys might like to know about it as well. It's a really affordable brand, and excellent quality for the price. Let's get started!

Where to Buy:
To start off I'm going to say that I buy it at Walgreens. I've *HEARD* that you can get it other places such as CVS and Walmart but I haven't actually checked there myself.
Price:
Usually they're $1.99 a bottle. About once a month they run sales where the bottles are $0.99 each. It's an excellent deal for the quality of the polish, but I'm getting to that. 
Selection:
There's a whole abundance of colors, it seems like every time I go, there's a whole bunch of new colors to choose from.
Quality:
The quality of the polish is really good for the price. Two coats will get you pigment just like out of the bottle (the exception being a shade called "Let Me Go", but I'll tell you about that one in a minute), but you can get by with one. You do have to make sure to put on a top coat, otherwise it chips LIKE CRAZY. One coat can come out a little bit streaky, but it's OK if you're running short on time.
Pigmentation:
Like I've already said, the pigmentation is really great. The one exception for that is a shade called "Let Me Go". It's in the picture above, it's the bottle on the right. In the bottle it looks like a purple color and when you turn the bottle there are swirls of green and blue. But once you actually paint it on your nail, it's a very sheer and shimmery type of color. It looks really cool layered over darks, but by itself it's not too exciting.

I really recommend this brand of nail polish. I like it a lot and it's very affordable and there's a great selection of colors. This week you should try out a bottle, I really don't think you'll regret it. ;)
Don't forget to check out Rose's Outfit of the Week!
-Caitlin

How to Shop at a Thrift Store: Shopping for Accessories

Hi everyone!
Here's the third installment of my "How to Shop at a Thrift Store" series. This week the topic is "Shopping for Accessories!" Accessory shopping is one of my favorite things to do at the thrift store. Let's get started!

One thing about the thrift store - there's loads of belts!

Thrift stores never have a shortage of accessories. I've seen everything from tacky Santa Claus pins from the 1980's, to classic vintage purses from the 1960's, to current belts of the 2000's. It's a lot of fun to find cool jewelry and accessories. First, I'm going to show you how to shop the jewelry counter. (my personal favorite)

Some of my favorite thrift store finds!

Dive in! At some thrift stores all the jewelry is out on the counter. At other stores it's in a glass case. The store I go to, it's on the counter in lots of little bowls. I look for all types of jewelry. Bracelets, rings, pins, necklaces, etc. I like to try on the jewelry, see how it fits and looks on me, and check it over before I buy it. Don't be afraid to do that! It's an important step! If you buy a bracelet or necklace and realize the clasp is broken when you get it home, that will have been a waste of your money. Always, ALWAYS, try it on before you buy it. Very rarely do I NOT find any jewelry that I like when I go to the thrift store. Once you wade through all those tacky Santa Claus pins, there are some beautiful pieces.

Whenever I've gone to a thrift store, there's never been a shortage of belts. Loads of sizes, styles, and colors. Pretty self-explanatory, but try it on before you buy it. Even if it's too small for you around the hips/through your belt loops, you could use it as a fashion piece around your natural waist. The same if it's too big for your natural waist, you could always wear it around your hips/through your belt loops. I've even bought belts to make craft projects but that's a whole other post (come back next week!).

Shoes. Shoes are a tricky subject at thrift stores. You really, REALLY have to make sure they're new or have only been worn once or twice. I hardly ever buy shoes at thrift stores for this reason. If you do decide to take the chance, PLEASE make sure they're very clean before you start wearing them. Who knows if the previous owner had any disgusting foot...issues. I recommend spraying thoroughly with Lysol then placing then in the sun for AT LEAST 72 hours before wearing.

Shopping for purses at the thrift store is REALLY fun! I found my current purse at the thrift store! Sometimes you can find vintage purses. Even on occasion a nice brand such as Coach or Vera Bradley. When shopping for purses always check the clasp/zipper, the interior of the purse, and condition of the straps. 

Use these tips this weekend! Maybe you'll score an awesome find at the thrift store (tell us about it in the comments! We'd love to hear about it). Come back next week for the final installment in my series, "How to Shop at a Thrift Store: Shopping for Crafts!" Have a nice Friday!

-Caitlin

Rose's Outfit of the Week #3

 Hello everyone!

 I hope you looked at Caitlin's outfit of the week-I want to steal her yellow sneakers very badly... 

Skinny jeans and a white henley provided a nice base for my chocolate brown/pink converses and pink corduroy jacket. 

Do you recognize the jacket? Check it out here--It's one of Caitlin's AMAZING thrift store finds!

Map Bracelet by Caitlin
Brown/Pink Hi-top Converses

Have a wonderful evening! :)
~Rose

Caitlin's Outfit of the Week #3

Hi everyone! I don't know about you guys, but it's a chilly and rainy day around here! I wasn't feeling too inspired today to make a new outfit, but after I saw this cool green flannel shirt in my closet, I knew I had to use it this week.

In this outfit I started with a green flannel shirt and skinny jeans. I added a brown leather belt, gray scarf w/ fringe, and several bracelets for accessories. I added a pop of color with my bright yellow sneakers.

Bracelets

Suede and hemp bracelets

Paracord bracelet

Have a great week! Come back later this week to see our first review! 

-Caitlin



Green Flannel Shirt: Target on clearance ($5)
Skinny Jeans: Old Navy ($15)
Yellow Sneakers: Consignment Sale ($6)

How to Look Chic in Black #3

Hey everyone! Here's what Rose and I wore to church/orchestra this Sunday! Take a look!

I'm wearing a black sweater that's tucked into a simple skirt. I paired tights with heels and added a patent leather belt, bracelet, and headband for accessories.

I'm wearing a black chiffon blouse (from JC Penney on clearance) under a sleeveless knit dress, with leggings and black flats.

Necklace from S.Y. Wilson Antiques

Have a good week!
- Caitlin and Rose

Rose's Outfit of the Week #2

Accessories: Turquoise earrings, necklace and ring

Hello! Here is my outfit of the week (very late :) I love comfy denim-and layering denim can add a very cool texture to your outfit! I wore a brown angora sweater over a denim dress-shirt with skinny jeans. Boots from Delias (On clearance, of course)to complete the outfit.
Have a good Sunday!
~Rose
 

How to Shop at a Thrift Store: Shopping for Clothes

Hey everyone!
Here's the next installment in my 4-part series of "How to Shop at a Thrift Store"! If you need to, refer back to my first post "The Basics" for a recap. Enjoy!

Once you get past pieces like this, there's a lot of treasure.

Picture this scenario. You step into the thrift store. You look at the abundance of racks, and think to yourself, "How am I ever going to get through all this JUNK?" There's always a plethora of pilled sweaters, old t-shirts, and "mom jeans". But there's also a lot of treasure. You just have to know how to find it.

One of my favorite finds, a pink corduroy jacket.

First thing. Dive in!! I find the tops/shirts more interesting so I always start with that section. Obviously, find your size and start combing the racks. Look at each piece with a "fresh eye." Sometimes pieces look WAY different on the hanger than they do actually on YOU. If you like the pattern or fabric, try it on, you might be surprised! Also, accessories make the outfit, but that's a whole other post! ;) 

A really cute plaid skirt.

So now you found something cool! Awesome! Think about these 3 key points before you buy.

1) A really big thing is condition. What condition is it in? Look really closely, if it's pilled, stained, or torn, it's probably not that great of a deal. I'd pass.
2) Do you like it? This is a really obvious question, but it's still worth asking. If you don't love it in the store, you won't wear it when you get it home. Don't just buy something for the sake of buying, buy it because you like it and will wear it.
3) Does it fit? That's another obvious question. If you like it, but it's too big/small, you probably won't wear it.

I found this top not that long ago. I wear it all the time, it's even from Aeropostale!

For all our crafting readers out there, you have a whole other spectrum of things to think about! Keep your eyes out for potential "refashions!" Maybe you'll find a skirt with a really cool pattern that's just a little long for your taste. You can always hem it a little higher! That's part of the fun! Finding something and giving it a new life!

Look at this cardigan! Adorable!

To be honest, there's really no right or wrong way to shop for clothes. These were just some tips that I've figured out along the way. This week, take some initiative and go thrift shopping of your own! Thrift stores, yard sales, consignment sales, they all count as thrifting in my book! If YOU find some cool stuff, tell us about in the comments, we'd love to hear about it! 

Stay tuned for next week's installment, "How to Shop at a Thrift Store: Accessories!"

-Caitlin

Caitlin's Outfit of the Week #2

Hey everyone! Did you guys have a fun weekend? I know I did! Here's the outfit I put together for you guys this week.

In this outfit I paired a white button blouse with skinny jeans. I had a lot of fun with accessories this week. I experimented with wearing a scarf as a belt, and let me just say, I LOVE it. I'm going to be looking at my scarf collection in a different light now. The other accessories I have are a cameo necklace, blue drop earrings, and a black canvas slip-ons. 

Maroon scarf

Cameo necklace

Drop earrings

I had a lot of fun with my outfit this week. I hope I inspired you guys to think "outside the box" with your accessories. Try wearing a scarf as a belt sometime and see how many compliments you get. ;) 

-Caitlin

How to Look Chic in Black! #2

Hey Everyone! Here's our second installment of "How to Look Chic in Black!" Enjoy!

Black chiffon blouse, lace skirt, tights, heels

Silver bracelet and heart locket

Eiffel tower earrings

Black blouse, satin-trimmed skirt, leggings, flats

Ribbon flower belt

Vintage brooch

Hair bow

~Rose and Caitlin

Get to Know Rose & Caitlin Better!

Hi everyone! Rose and I thought it would be a fun idea for our readers to know a little bit more about us. So once a month we're going to be posting some fun facts about ourselves - just so you guys will get to know us better!

Fun Facts about Rose
1. I'm engaged! I said "yes" 3 months ago, and am planning a winter wedding for next year :)
2. I love goats...I have a sweet miniature white goat named Sadie.
3. I've been playing the flute for about 9 years.
4. HUGE Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, and Star Wars fan.
5. I could listen to the Pride & Prejudice (2005) soundtrack every single day!
6. I cut my own hair.
7. I'm studying home decorating merchandising at the University of Memphis.
8. I love to read! Anything from "A Wrinkle in Time" to "Sense and Sensibility".
9. Pink and green are my favorite colors!
10. I like to sketch and draw when I get a chance.

~Rose

Fun Facts about Caitlin
1. I'm homeschooled!
2. I'm a huge fan of the TV series Doctor Who. (David Tennant is my favorite Doctor)
3. In regards to music, I really like the "oldies." Elton John and Billy Joel are my two favorites.
4. I've been playing the flute for 2.5 years.
5. I'm a movie buff. I love all types of movies.
6. Someday I would really like to learn to play the viola.
7. I have an autograph collection.
8. I'm a Nintendo nerd. Especially retro Nintendo.
9. I'm part Irish. Someday I want to visit Ireland.
10. My favorite colors are blue and green.

-Caitlin

This finishes out our FIRST WEEK blogging for fashion&flutes! I know I've been having a ton of fun writing for you guys, and I really hope you keep reading our blog! Don't forget to look at Rose's Outfit of Week! 

-Caitlin

Rose's Outfit of the Week #1

Hello!

Sometimes winter can be a bit blah and put a dampener on coming up with what to wear. Don't lose heart! Try a twist on winter pastels. Here's my outfit of the week-a winter blue and blush pink palette. 

Pink sweater top layered with pink cami, blue cords, and gray flats.

                Close up of accessories: ribbon/pearl necklace and flower hair clip.

So, there you go! {DIY: Tie a ribbon to a pearl necklace to lengthen it and add color} Have a lovely Friday and be sure to go thrift shopping this weekend following Caitlin's awesome How to Shop at a Thrift Store - The Basics!
~Rose

How to Shop at a Thrift Store - The Basics

Hi everyone! As the resident "thrifter" at fashion&flutes, I love going to second-hand shops and finding all the hidden treasures I can turn into new outfits. But one of the biggest questions is "How do you do that? How do you find all those cool things?" Well, I'm going to show you! In this 4-part series, I'm going to guide you through all the main points for shopping at a thrift store. We'll kick off the series with "How to Shop at a Thrift Store - The Basics!" Let's get started!

I'm just going to go over a few basic points for new and beginning thrifters. I'll also recap these tips for you on every part of the series.

First, the most obvious thing would be to find a thrift store. Personally I like to shop at privately operated thrift stores, rather than chains such as Goodwill, The Salvation Army, etc. I find that at the privately owned shops  the prices are better and quite frankly, the stuff is cooler. At least at all the Goodwills in my area, the prices are pretty high for the merchandise and it's always really "picked over." I've never found anything really EXCELLENT at a Goodwill, but that's just me.

Second, once you've found your thrift store, the key is to just KEEP GOING BACK. Seriously, there have been days when I've gone to the thrift store and I found so many good things, then there have been other days when I didn't buy one thing. DON'T GET DISCOURAGED! Especially if you don't find anything your first time, you just have to keep going.

Third, keep your eyes open. Look at each piece and think about all the possibilities. Whether it's a new piece of clothing for yourself, the perfect finishing touch to a costume, or a new possible "re-fashion," just keep your eyes open. Now, understand that I don't mean stare at each item for 10 minutes. That would be weird. Just as you're shopping, think of ALL the possibilities.

One thing about thrift stores is there is A LOT of junk. But there's a lot of treasure too. In this series I'm going to be teaching you how to shop for clothes, accessories, and things to refashion (for my crafting readers). Keep checking back for the continuations of this series. I'm going to try to post a new segment every Friday. Enjoy!

-Caitlin

Caitlin's Outfit of the Week #1!

Hi everyone! The first couple of days of the week are a real drag. Back to the work and school grindstone. But Rose and I are here to make it a little more bearable. We're kicking off a new weekly series (hence the name), "Outfit of the Week!" We'll both be taking one our favorite outfits from our closet and giving you some inspiration to make your own outfits. I'll start us off this week with one of my favorite outfits I've put together.

In this outfit I started with a purple flowing blouse and paired it with a gray leopard print cardigan. I'm also wearing cuffed skinny jeans and ruffled flats. 

For accessories I added a key necklace and also layered several bracelets.

Close-up of the necklace

Close-up of the bracelets

I hope you guys enjoyed my outfit! Happy Monday!

-Caitlin