Thrift Haul #5

This summer has yielded me with the most divine thrift finds. From Christian Louboutin to Kate Spade, I have found a plethora of high end designer goods for under $25.00. My Mom and I made another trip to Fredericksburg, VA to scavenger the 10+ thrift stores in the area. Of course, we made another stop at the Goodwill Outlet where you purchase your goods by the pound! Yes, textiles are weighed and priced at approximately $1.69 per pound. Shoes come at a flat price of $2.50. It is an acquired experience; definitely not one for the impatient shopper.  We also made a stop in downtown Fredericksburg and found an amazing consignment shop. ReRun has women and children's clothing at 25%-70% off of retail prices. I could've bought everything in the store but I practice a bit of self-control (shocking!) and only picked up a few things. Check them out, http://www.rerunshoppe.com. Aside from Fredericksburg, this haul also includes my usual stores (Thrift Store Center, Vintage Values, etc.). I did find a new store this summer that is one of my new favorites in the Alexandria area: Frugalista. Besides the fabulous name, this store is filled to the brim with amazing brands at legit dirt cheap prices. I am talking $5.00 tops, bottoms, or 3 for $12.00. The dresses ran about $8.00 and shoes around the same. They also run a special often where you buy 3 things and get the 4th one for free. I got FREE Citizens of Humanity Jeans! Overall, this month of thriftventure was another raging success! 

The Goods:

Kate Spade Snap Top Sunglass Holder: $1.98

Thrift Store Center, Alexandria, VA

I have a soft spot for Kate Spade and this price was unbeatable. This case has "wink wink" engraved in the leather on the backside. Adorable. 

Vintage Mirror: $2.99

Fredericksburg Goodwill Outlet, Fredericksburg, VA

This price was unbeatable for this awesome mirror. It is so Snow White. I am still toying with the idea of painting it but for now, I am going to leave it in its original, regal state. 

Zoe & Zac Cross Hatched Faux Suede Heels: $9.99

Thrift Store Center, Alexandria, VA

It is always a good day when you find unworn shoes; the sweet satisfaction of mint condition. I am unfamiliar with the brand but the nude color will be a perfect asset to my shoe collection.

Style & Co Metallic Elastic Heels: $4.00

Charlotte Hall Farmer's Market, Charlotte Hall, MD

These are so ridiculously comfortable. The bands of elastic are both chic and comfortable. 

Rampage Sandals: $4.00

Charlotte Hall Farmer's Market, Charlotte Hall, MD

Minimalistic yet eye catching. I loved the rhinestone detail on the toe straps and surprisingly, these are actually very comfortable! 

Kate Spade Cherry Patent Heels: $16.00

eBay!

I often pick up things when I thrift that aren't my size, so that I can sell them on ebay. I then use that money to fuel my shoe addiction. These are product of my reselling. I love the deep red color. The heel height is absolutely perfect, too. 

Old Navy Cheetah Dress: $5.00

Vintage Values, Lexington Park, MD

A dress with pockets, need I say more? This was bold print for me (someone who can be a bit of plain Jane) but I loved that it was microfiber and that it had pockets. The sleeves have a button-back detail which is really cute. 

Forever 21 Prarie Skirt: $5.00

Vintage Values, Lexinton Park, MD

Anything that can serve what I like to call "double-duty" is fantastic. This is long, flowy skirt that can be hiked up to make a beautiful summer dress. I loved the hippie vibe of the pattern! 

Merona Structured Dress: $7.00

Vintage Values, Lexington Park, MD

This is a classic for work or a social event. The delicate ruffle around the neckline gives my lacking bust a nice "full" look (hahaha). 

Vintage Dress: $5.00

Vintage Values, Lexington Park, MD

Okay, I am IN LOVE with this dress mainly because it is hand-sewn. It has no tag and you can see the pictures below which show off the hand stitching in the hem. The slightly stiff collar and lace sleeves scream Morticia. It is so beautifully crafted. I didn't try it on in the store but I just got good vibes that it would fit me... when I got it home it literally fit like a glove. 

Hand Sewn Hem! 

Calvin Klein Sheath Dress: $7.98 at 50% so $3.98

Thrift Store Center, Alexandria, VA

I love all of Calvin Klein's professional line. This dress is the perfect shape; it has a hem down the center which is extremely flatter on a curvy shape. I love the pleating around the neckline. Very stylish. 

J Crew Boho Tank: $4.98

Fredericksburg Goodwill, Fredericksburg, VA

I bought this top for the tassels. I don't know but I loved them. It is classic, light cotton top. Perfect for hot summer days with a pair of cuffed jeans and oversized sunnies. Love. 

United States Sweaters: $6.00

ReRun, Fredericksburg, VA

I loved the shape of this open-knit sweater. It has a bit of bell sleeve and smidge of sixties vibe to it.

J Crew Flannel: $6.00

ReRun, Fredericksburg, VA

This is the perfect flannel; lightweight, colorful and super soft. 

The Limited Sheer Black and White Blouse: $4.98

Goodwill, Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA

I loved this sheer top! It has a fun print, gold accents and an elastic band at the bottom. Very chic!

Forever 21 Chiffon Blouse: $4.98

Goodwill, Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA

I am a sucker for royal blue. For blondes, it it totally our color! I loved the zip back detail on this top!

Kut from the Kloth Jeans: $6.98

Goodwill, Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA

I was unaware that these were $80 jeans when I went to try them on; they fit so perfectly I googled the brand and found out I really got a bargain. They have the perfect stretch. So comfy!

Old Navy Sheer Blouse: $4.00

Frugalista, Alexandria, VA

I was drawn to the strange mix of colors in this top. I loved that it was atypical. I had a little girl in Target stop me and tell me how much she loved my outfit when I paired this with a black pencil skirt and nude heels. That is always a great feeling!

Myth Sheer Blouse: $4.00

Frugalista, Alexandria, VA

I am not typically one to buy orange anything but this sheer tank top is so gorgeous! I loved the details: flowy neckline, perfect shaped back, and zip back. 

Merona Blazer: ...FREE

Frugalista, Alexandria, VA

A single button blazer is by far the most flattering cut on any woman's body. This was a great basic color and the best part was I got it as my 4th FREE item!

Unknown Feather Print Sheet Top: $4.00

Frugalista, Alexandria, VA

I have a fascination with no tag clothing. I have no idea where this top is from but I love a good, 3/4 sleeve sheer anything to throw on with jeans!

That's it for now, ya'll. Stay tuned until my next haul!

Ratatouille & A Corn Revelation

If you caught my post from yesterday (Local Loot), you know that I spent some time at the farmer's market this weekend. I got a plethora of fresh veggies and when I laid them all out, I knew I had to craft a ratatouille. Traditionally, ratatouille is a combination of stewed zucchini, eggplant, tomato and garlic. It is sometimes fried and then stewed "low and slow" to give the veggies a melt-in-your-mouth effect. Earlier today, I picked some fresh green and red peppers from my own backyard but unfortunately did not have any eggplant ready to pick. I also had a carton of shiitake mushrooms in my fridge so I threw all of these things together and called it a local harvest ratatouille. This recipe is extremely simple to make; it is a one-pot dish and we all know, you can't get any easier than that!

Please see the end of this ratatouille recipe for a revelation in corn on the cob preparation. Prepare to be amazed!

Local Harvest Ratatouille

Ingredients:

4 small zucchini

2 small peppers (any color)

1 handful of grape tomatoes

1/4 of a large sweet onion

1 heaping tablespoon of minced garlic (adjust to your garlic preference)

1 carton of mushrooms 

1 teaspoon of olive oil

2 tablespoons of Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon of garlic salt

Black pepper to taste

Your favorite jarred tomato sauce as an optional topping

Directions:

 1.) Wash all veggies except for mushrooms. Wipe the mushrooms clean with a paper towel. 
 2.) Coarsely chop onions and peppers. 
 3.) In a large skillet, add olive oil and garlic. Saute over medium heat. Add onions and peppers. Saute this mixture until the vegetables begin to soften.
 4.) Slice grape tomatoes in halves and slice zucchini. If you are using whole mushrooms, slice them as well. 
 5.) Once the peppers and onion mix has started to cook down, add tomatoes, zucchini and mushrooms. 
 6.) Add a few tablespoons of water anytime the veggies begin to stick. If this occurs, just turn the heat down a bit. 
 7.) Simmer the mixture for approximately 15-20 minutes until the veggies are completely tender. 
 8.) Serve warm with a crusty bread. Top with tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese if desired. 

The "low and slow" cooking technique here allows this dish to develop a robust flavor alongside the perfect tender texture. It is a fantastic way to incorporate your summer produce all in one dish. 

Finished Product 

Finished Product with Sauce and Cheese!

A Corny Revelation

Corn on the cob is the taste of summer. Hot kernels, slathered in butter, sprinkled with Old Bay and bursting with a sweet milk upon each bite; that is precisely what summer taste like to me. The not so glamourous side to eating this lovely summertime delight is the preparation. Sitting on the back porch, ripping through layers and layers of husk while showers of silks fall to the ground; this is what corn shucking looks like. I had a lazy Sunday and the last thing I wanted to do was shuck corn. In an effort to avoid the labor involved with indulging in my favorite summertime food, I turned to the answer for all our burning questions: google. I googled "cooking corn in the husk" and was dumbfounded when I realized that I could bake my corn in the oven. I have grilled corn the husk but I never thought to bake it. 

Duh! 

Let me share that this came out so incredibly perfect, I am vowing to never shuck and boil corn again. 

All you have to do is turn on the oven, set it at 350 degrees, place the corn on the oven racks, cook it for 30 minutes and bam!, perfect corn in a matter of minutes. I did pull off the brown ends of the silks as a fire precaution. I am not sure if they would actually catch fire but really, who wants to take that kind of chance

After the corn cools a bit, you just chop off the end and basically slide or roll the corn out of husk. The best part about this style of prep was that the silks, when they encounter the steam in the husk, all band together and come off in one easy sweep. There is no picking of each and every thread like when you shuck the corn dry. 

I would argue that this corn has a better flavor than boiled corn because it is roasted in its own husk. The kernels were perfectly steamed and not at all tough like boiled corn can sometimes be.

I would highly recommend giving this method a try!

 

Local Loot

With our warm weather slowly slipping away, the bloom of summer produce continues to fill the sights along the roadsides of Southern Maryland. Rows of field corn near their harvest and open fields of soy beans begin producing perfect pods as summertime begins to fade. Tomato plants and zucchini vines flood with produce as they offer their last hoo-ray of warm weather offerings. Toward the end of August, a golden brown dryness begins to creep up all the stalks and vines as the summer heat beats down on the fields. Soon enough, the cool fall air will bring another harvest of the more hardy produce and in the blink of an eye, little orange pumpkins will begin to pop-up in all the same roadside fields.

All of these wonderful natural reminders have compelled me to focus my energy on trying to adopt a more local diet. Each year that passes, I walk down the aisle of the grocery store and watch prices grow higher and higher. As a twenty something on a budget, it becomes increasing difficult to eat well on a commoner's salary, especially while being mindful to our planet. This morning was the absolute perfect morning to wander the farmer's market. Southern Maryland gets this wonderful breeze in late summer that carries the smell of seasons changing. It is impossible to put into words; the sort of thing which only experience can fulfill. Driving down a back road, surrounded only by open fields lined with towering trees, gives an intoxicating freshness to the air. It is almost comparable to the smell of sweet corn after a soaking summer rain. Almost. 

"Buy Local" is something that we hear often; I think I speak for most when I say that we never really stop to think about what that actually means. Well, I have done a bit of marinating (haha) and I believe that I have come up with a brief review of why I think it is important to buy and eat locally.

1.) Economic:

Amish baked goods are the BEST!

• The less your food has to travel, the less it is going to cost you.
• Buying local keeps your community feeling "local." For me, this means keepin' it rural. Each year, we see another farm fall vicitm to development. If more and more people buy local, we will increase the demand for the goods that those said farms produce which makes them less of a target for development. Keeping the community feeling "local"also comes with the farmer's market shopping experience. Bumping into people you haven't seen in a while or maybe even meeting someone new. Local produce stands elicit a small town hospitality that you just can't find in a franchised store. 
• When you invest money in your community, you invest yourself. I like to keep my purchasing as local as possible because I then reap the benefits of a thriving community. By keeping small business alive, we get to experience their growth. This means new products and more variety.

2.) Environmental:

• Being "green" is dropped on the daily. Shopping local is the epitomy of adopting such a lifestyle. 
• Did you know that the top three states to produce our fruits and vegtables are California, Florida and Washington? That means that on average, our food has traveled at least 1300 miles to reach our table. If you have ever been on a family roadtrip, you know that getting to and from these states takes time, gas and money. What does this mean in terms of produce? It means the produce is picked prematurely and treated with a pleathora of chemicals to preserve its long haul to your table. When you purchase your produce locally, you can get the exact hour it was picked. 
• If you build a relationship with a local grower, they will actually grow special food for you. I have some friends who bring seeds from India and have local growers actually plant and grow them. This elminates the drive time (carbon footprint reduction) to specialty stores that carry your favorite unique products. 
• You will definitely find your food with less preservative chemicals when you buy local. The best example of this is cucumbers. Have you ever bought a cuke from the store and felt the thick layer of wax on its skin? I think its gross! You won't find that a local produce stand because it isn't necessary to preserve the produce in the fashion.
• I picked up local honey today. It is rumored that consuming local honey from where you live will actually help allievate/prevent allergies. I can't verify that it is true but I still like the idea of eating the product of my very own bees.

3.) Eclectic:

• The farmers market provides an interesting mix of people, products, smells, sights and sounds. It is an experience. You learn something each time you visit. I can vouch for this. Today I learned that "chow chow" is deliciously paired with kale. I bumped into a lady at the Amish canning stand and we struck up a conversation about what to do with it. She and my Mom talked about how everyone ate it back in the day but it is rare to see people still making and eating it. 
• Today, I met a man who had a pet raccoon; now, that ain't something you see everyday and even futher, that definitely ain't something you would see in a chain grocery store. 
• You find varieties of produce you won't see in an average grocery store. Such as these "fairy tale" eggplants and massive yams. I swear, these were as big as my head. 

I hope you have found something in this post that has encouraged you to reach a hand out to your local community by shopping from farm to table. 

Two Way Tater Salad

My past post about perfect potluck dishes featured a few recipes I concocted for our first office potluck. One of my co-workers crafted some seriously delicious potato salad which inspired me to take stab at making my own. For me, potato salad has always been a special treat because no one in my family has ever been successful in crafting the perfect p-salad. This post features two styles of this perfect summer side. JB's recipe is the absolute classic and mine takes a little diversion from the basics, adding a few different ingredients to kick it up a notch (as Emeril would say)!

JB's Red Potato Salad

Prep time: 30 mins.
Cook time: 35 mins.

Ingredients:

2 lbs. red potatoes - Cubed
1/2 yellow onion - Chopped
1 bunch green onions - Chopped
2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 tsp Old Bay
1/2 tsp Black Pepper
1/2 tsp McCormick Montreal Steak Seasoning
Optional: 1/4 cup BACON (or turkey bacon for reduced sodium) - Cooked, dried, and chopped finely

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to boil and dump in the potatoes
2. Cook the potatoes for 15 minutes, or until tender, drain well and cool in fridge for 15 mins.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients, EXCEPT the green onion
3. Pour the mix over the potatoes, then toss together
4. Sprinkle green onion on top
5. Add fresh ground pepper (and Old Bay) to taste
5. Eat!

Yield: 4 healthy side servings. Or 2 meals of red potato salad...

K-Wat's Kicked-Up Tater Salad

Ingredients:

3-4 lbs of  small red potatoes
3 stalks of celery
1 small green pepper
1/2 sweet yellow or red onion (yellow is better but I only had red when making this batch!)
1 bunch green onions
1 cup of mayonnaise
2/3 cup of sour cream
1/8 cup of sweet relish
2 tbsp of horseradish
1/2 tsp of celery seed
Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. In a large pot, place all potatoes (skin on) in the bottom. Cover completely with water. Boil for approximately 25 minutes. When the potatoes finish cooking, allow them to cool to room temperature before combining with the sauce.

2. Finely chop the celery, onion and green pepper. The finer the better. Also, coarsely chop the green onions and reserve them as a garnish. 
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, sour cream, relish, horseradish, celery seed, salt and pepper. 
4. Once the potatoes have cooled, dice them and add them to a large serving dish. 
5. Add chopped veggies to the potatoes and pour the creamy sauce over the mix. Stir gently to prevent over-smashing of your taters. Sprinkle reserved green onions over the top for a delicate garnish!
5. Enjoy!

A Dream Come True

Thrifted Louboutin

Five years old, I stand in the midst of my mother's bedroom; my clammy little feet swimming in her high heels. I reach to my tip-toes to see my face in her vanity mirror. Catching just the slightest glimpse of the top of my blonde hair, a rush of royalty flows through my veins. I imagine myself as Princess Diana, waving to the crowd of adoring fans as I make my way to a regal ball. 

The Innocence of Childhood & Beginnings of a Thriftanista

In reality, I am standing in my mothers room with ketchup smears dried on my pudgy face. My messy blonde locks are tied in a loose pony tail and my cut-just-a-bit-too-short bangs fall unevenly across my forehead. Naturally, as a 90s baby, my shirt  is tastefully [insert sarcasm] tucked up and under to resemble some sort of sexy bra top.

***

When a woman puts on a heel, she has a different posture, a different attitude. She really stands up and has a consciousness of her body. 

--Christian Louboutin

***

I found myself wandering the aisles of the Charlotte Hall Farmer's Market a few weekends ago, hoping to get one of those wonderful local cantaloupes; little did I know, I would (literally) stumble upon the utmost fabulous pair of shoes. I shuffled through the dusty aisles, picking through tables of random goods: old ceramics, knock-off fragrances, faux designer purses, cheap electronics, dingy tupperware and the usual bake goods galore. Just as I was making a bee-line for the produce barns, I tripped over a large rock. Looking around to see if anyone noticed my clumsiness, my eyes met a small table with a mountain of mismatched shoes on top. My shoe-whorish nature sucked me right in; I had to thumb through the pile before making my way to the melon I came for. 

And there, in that mountain of old, floppy, mismatched shoes I found something unspeakably beautiful. From the bottom of the pile, a flash of red caught my eye. It couldn't be. I told myself, "Karen, you are in Southern Maryland. This ain't what you think it might be. No way. No how." Carefully, I plucked the red sole from the bottom of the pile.  A Christian Louboutin espadrille, size 8. Doubtful of its authenticity, I scavenged the mountain of shoes to find it's mate. Even better, the mate still had the Nieman Marcus price label on the sole. Original price read $448.00, knocked down to $298.00 on sale and then $200.00 on clearance. This sealed my authenticity-doubt. I was holding in my hand the creme da la creme of shoes.

Actual view from the acquistion

Momentary freak out.

They. Are. Real.

I rushed to the man sitting on a bucket, who looked to be manning the shoe mountain and asked him, "How much?" He replied with something along the lines of, "You know Rihanna and them movie stars be wearing them type of shoes." My heart sank. I assumed he would suggest I give him full value; he knew what he was selling. 

"$25.00 for you." 

SOLD.

This was a high unlike any other. Ladies and gents, if you know shoes, you get me here. I raced away. Literally, these shoes elicited both a physical and emotional response. My heart raced as I pulled out my phone to call my Mom (fellow shoe lover!) and share this breath-taking find. I felt a sense of energy that lasted for what seemed like hours; even sitting down to write this post brings it back to me today. This was absolutely the BEST find. The condition, the fit, the price: perfection. Any and every woman who has an interest in fashion, knows and desires anything Louboutin. 

I often discredit my area for its lack of designer labels in the second-hand arena. This was a sobering day for me; true gems can be found anywhere, even in my own rural bubble (aka the county). 

Spicy N' Sweet Refrigerator Pickles

Summertime produce is in full force here in Southern Maryland and that means one thing: pickles! I am completely fascinated by the canning/pickling process but I will be honest, I find it quite overwhelming as a novice pickler. So, I decided to use my influx of garden fresh cukes to make an easier pickle recipe. I first tried "refrigerator pickles" when I was about seven years old and I fell in love. They are so sweet and tangy; to me, they just taste like summer! As I have grown up, I've developed a liking for a more spicy style pickle so made my own recipe but added a little kick via some crushed red chili pepper flakes. This recipe is super simple and the pickles should last up to three months in the fridge (that is if you can resist the urge to eat them all in one sitting). 

Ingredients:

3-4 medium sized cucumbers

1/2 of a sweet vidalia onion

1/4 of a red onion 

1 cup of white distilled vinegar

1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar

2 tbsp of balsamic vinegar

3/4 cup of white granulated sugar

2 tbsp of fine sea salt

1 tsp of ground turmeric

2 tsp of mustard seeds 

1 tsp of garlic powder

1 tbsp of red chili flakes (or more! or none!) 

Directions: 

1. Begin by peeling the onion and slicing into thin strips (either rings or half-moons). 

2. Wash cucumbers and peel if you want (I like the skin so I kept it on). 

3. Slice the cucumbers thinly. Use a mandolin if you have one to prevent painstaking slicing with a knife. I used a cheap cheese grater and lost a knuckle in the process. I will be purchasing a mandolin very soon! The thinner, the better for these pickles.

4. Place the cucumbers in a large bowl and sprinkle with salt. Set aside for approximately an hour. Once the excess water has drained out of them, transfer them into smaller, sealable containers and mix with onion.

5. In a small mixing bowl, combine vinegars, sugar and various spices. Whisk together until the sugar has dissolved into the mix. 

6. Pour over the cucumbers and onions. Don't fret if they don't cover them completely, just ensure that you stir them every now and then for the first few hours. 

7. Place in the fridge and enjoy! They get better with age so the longer you can wait the better. I lasted a whopping 2 hours! 

Hopefully my next pickle recipe will be the the real, true canned dill pickles. Until that courage develops, fridge pickles it is!