Salvo Wednesday: Is It Summer Yet?!?

If you live in the Northeastern US, particularly in Western NY, you've been on one heck of a roller coaster ride lately. Winter was a real jerk this year...bitter cold and blustery for a really, really long time. Then it got warm. Then there was a blizzard. Then it got warm again. Then it snowed again. This last weekend, it hit 80 two days in a row... and then snowed the next day. I want to say "make up your mind, Mother Nature!" but what I really mean is that she should make it up in the way that I want. And obviously, that's the summer way.

I always long for summer. This is an eternal truth. Even in the dead of summer, when I'm happily sweating in the sun, I'm nervous about winter returning and want it to be summer again before it's even over. I'm that crazy. But this year, in addition to the usual heat-loving-insanity, I am just plain sick of my winter clothes even more than usual (probably because I've been wearing them longer than usual). I don't want to wear sweaters. I don't want to wear scarves. And for the love of all that is good and holy, I don't want to put socks or tights on EVER AGAIN. I want to wear things like this:

Aeropostale, $4

Sundresses. I got to wear one last weekend, and it was EPIC. There may or may not have been tears. I'll never confess. The joy of maxi dresses is that you can wear them on untrustworthy summerlike "spring" days. It may feel warm enough for a sundress, but then the sun goes behind a cloud and you're freezing again. Lucky you - you're wearing a maxi dress and it covers your legs and you were smart enough to bring a cardigan along as well. Problem solved!

Mimi Chica, $5

The flowiness of this one is not shown well in the photo. It drapes perfectly and moves well. Enough that these were the only two dresses I bought. There were other lovely ones, but not worthy of my precious closet space. My closet is crammed and if I'm going to add new dresses, something else has to go. These were worth giving others the bump. The rest weren't, so they stayed at the Salvo.

Ann Taylor, $3.50

It's tweed and it's brown and it's lovely. It's very fall, and God willing, I won't have opportunity to wear it until at least next October.

Wet Seal, $3

I can't stop buying these loose-fitting, drape-y things. I've also learned that there is a huge difference between a loose-fitting shirt in your size and a shirt that's just too big. I can't tell you what that difference is, but one looks great and the other looks like you're a little kid wearing your mom's clothes. I can also tell you that they're next to impossible to differentiate on a hanger at a quick glance. This is making my browsing take a lot longer... but it's totally worth it. 

American Eagle Outfitters, $2.50

Drape-y AND a sweater! Again... I hope I don't have the chance to wear this till next fall!

Apt 9, $4

Shiny and drape-y! Fabulous! Now I just need slim-legged black dress pants. Because obviously this loose-fitting top trend doesn't work well with full bottoms of any kind.

Bandolino, $2

I have been looking everywhere for gray heels. I didn't really care what form they were in as long as they were gray and had heels. There are so many outfits that require this! The shoe gods finally smiled on me this week!

It's looking sunny and nicer for the next week, so my hopes are high. I think everyone's are, if the entire winter's worth of Facebook posts are any indication. I kept my mouth shut for almost all of it, but I have to warn everyone now: I will probably punch the first person who complains about the heat this summer. It had to be said.

So hopefully, the next post I make, it will be summer for real! I don't know about you, but I'm ready. Bring it, sunshine!

Mid-Winter Delight!

It's been a long, cold winter here in Western NY, and I would never be so naive as to suggest that it's anywhere near over. However, after weeks of below-freezing and often below-zero temperatures, the sun made a very welcome appearance. The temperature climbed above the freezing mark. Things started to melt and people came out of hiding. 

Which means that the stores were packed today. It's a good thing I got to Henrietta right at the opening - it was already full of people, but I beat enough of the crowds to make some really good finds. I was not so lucky in Greece. I was late enough there that I didn't find one single thing. Fortunately, my earlier finds made up for it!

         Shabby Apple, $10

 I'd never heard of this label before, but based on the style (lace and hinting at vintage) I assumed it was ModCloth. I googled it to find a whole new delightful website dedicated to vintage-style clothing. I found what appears to be the dress - The Peony Dress - although the neckline is higher on mine. This was the only thing I bought that wasn't half off, but I figured $10 for a $96 dress is worth it!

American Eagle, $5

 Now, this one was half off. More lace - although of course we're 2 for 2 of stapling the pricetag directly to the lace - but while the last one was very sophisticated, this one is definitely more fun. Won't work for a concert dress, unfortunately (those are my uncovered knees!) but I'm sure I can find another use for a black dress!

Elle, $4.50

 I love maxi dresses. This one screams summer, and if it hadn't been nearly 50 and sunny today, it would probably have made me cry with longing. Came dangerously close as it was. There's a completely nonfunctional zipper on the bodice... only it can actually zip and unzip. WHY???

NY & Co, $6.50

The belt didn't come with it but it definitely needed a belt. Not sure that's my final choice, but it still helped. Fun colors, nice soft material!

One Clothing, $3.50

 Nice soft material, cheery coral color. Spring!

Kenar, $3

 Here's a sentence I've never had to type on my blog before: I had to remove shoulder pads from this. *shudder* But I love the drape and the shape of it.

H&M, $3

 You can't erally make out the cute cutouts along the neckline, but I swear they're there. At least you can KIND of see the beige piping along the neck, since I have been experimenting with a tan-in-a-bottle, so I'm not my normal shade that exactly matches the belt.

Max Studio, $3

A new maxi skirt! Hurrah! I love the layers, too. Soft, flowy, comfy. COME ON SUMMER!

Life is good, $3

I don't know much about this brand but it feels very yoga-y to me. Upon my usual research, I found that they do also sell yoga wear.  This skirt (in different colors, but the exact same style) is on the website for $46. Maybe I should start tracking how much I've saved...

Charter Club, $3

Shiny. Fitted. Gorgeous! (and according to eBay, since it's not at Macy's anymore, originally $59!)

I also bought a new, thick, squishy (LEI) winter coat for $3. I've learned that sometimes the best way to get winter to end is to buy great new winter stuff. Come on, coat. You can do it!

New Year's Day Miracle: Salvo Wednesday!

Amazing miracles happen, my friends. I was very disappointed that Christmas fell on a Wednesday this year, meaning that on my first vacation Wednesday, half-off day was a no-go. Realizing that this meant that New Year's would also fall on a Wednesday, I called ahead with great concern to make sure they were going to be open. Fortunately, tragedy was averted: They were open.

I arrived at the Henrietta Salvation Army at 9am. On New Year's Day. Yes, I was the only person there other than the employees. It was miraculous enough to meander down the aisles without having to worry about squeezing around other people. But better yet, the employee at the counter informed me as soon as I came in that they were running a special sale today. Everything was half off - not everything except for one color tag, but everything. Every tag color, clothing, shoes, accessories, the whole store. Ever. Y. Thing. And to really put the icing on the cake, they were ALSO doing a buy-three-items-get-the-fourth-for-free. Three half off items. A New Year's miracle!!

I think all years should start like this.

Forever 21, $3

You can tell if you compare these two pictures that the waist is tighter in the first. This is because the previous owner had decided to take it in to create a waist. The stitches were starting to come out and I wanted to see what it looked like with a straighter waistline, so I grabbed my seam ripper and ripped. I can't for the life of me decide which way is better. I'll probably go with the second way just because that's how it is now. What do you think?

Plush, $2

 It's hard to tell but there's a sweetheart neckline and just lace above it. I love this lace but did not love that the Salvo tag was stapled onto the lace. It's bad enough when they staple it to regular fabric. Why lace? WHY?? 

Suzi Chin for Maggy Boutique, free!!!!

 This happened to be the 4th item that my cashier rang up. He did not trouble himself to check if this was the lowest priced item of the 4, he just said "and the fourth one's free!", and added it to my pile. It was marked at $9.99, which means that at half off it would have been $5. Which was the most expensive thing I got. Ooh, I love free! I also love the fabric-flowery detail on the bodice. This was the first thing I saw on entering the store, and the cashier helped me denude a mannequin to claim it. I like this cashier. 

Express, free!!!

 Looking at the tag for this one, it should have been $3.50 (half off $7), which makes it the second most expensive item in my pile. Also happened to be the 4th thing the cashier grabbed. Express sweater dress, free.... 2014 is starting out very well for me.

Express, $2.50

 Wonderfully soft silky fabric with a purple and turquoise pattern. Love!

Top, Charlotte Russe, $2.50
Jeans, Forever 21, $3

 I bought two items with lace. I bought two items with the tags stapled directly to said lace. Arrrrgghhhh!!

I moved on to the Greece Salvo to find that they were running the same sale.  My free items here were two pairs of unpictured pajama pants (sorry, I am just never going to take pictures of my jammies). 

Ann Taylor, $2 

I swear that someday I'm going to get a better camera for this... or become a better self photographer... but the right side of that top is covered in silver beads. I love a little tasteful bedazzling. I grew up in the 80s. I can't help myself.

Old Navy, $2

 A reminder to myself that even though it doesn't feel like it in the deep freeze we've already endured (and it's just January 1st!) this winter, summer will return. Someday.

NY & Co, $2

 Shimmery white sequins in a swirly design, which I'm sure you can't see.

Mossimo, $2.50

 My hands are not purely ornamental, but actually holding the skirt up. This skirt is going to require just a bit of taking in. Or pinning, the more likely option, as I will probably forget that it needs to be done until ten minutes before I want to wear it. Someone with amazing taste in clothes (tops, skirts, coats) had made a large donation to the Greece Salvo. This person is (or was, judging by how many clothes she gave away) a size large. I am not, and it's the first time I've ever found myself frustrated by this fact. I have particularly been longing for more maxi skirts since I wore my black one a ton last summer. There were three and the other two had a chevron pattern that I know I wouldn't be able to keep intact if I took it in... so I had to satisfy myself with this one. Here's the thing about maxi skirts: Flowy and cool if it's hot, but if the sun goes behind the clouds or someone makes you go somewhere with air conditioning, you're still all covered up. God bless you, maxi skirts.

BCBG Maxazria, $2.50

 You can see that the sleeves are asymmetrical, but you probably can't tell that the bottom is too. It's a light, breathable material, and I just love asymmetrical clothes!



Finally, the coup de grâce....

Coach, $3.50

That's right. Coach purse. Three dollars and fifty cents. Three. Dollars. Fifty. Cents. It's in beautiful shape, too. I really don't have any interest in owning a Coach bag myself... but there are plenty of people out there in the world of EBay who do, and will hopefully pay me well for the privilege. 

Happy New Year to me!!!! And to all of you bargain fashion fans as well!

Anniversary Salvo

This Wednesday was my 8th anniversary, so you know what that means... while my husband was working, I got myself to the Salvo. I actually got a day's head start because I was in Newark on Tuesday again. My last visit had taught me to hope, so I went again, and was not disappointed.

Ann Taylor, $6

The best part here is how stretchy and soft this material is. It will be very comfortable when I am, say, sitting at a piano all day again in the very near future.

Xhilaration, $4

The best part of this one, which is hard to see in the picture, is the lime green piping around the waist. I'm gonna need some lime jewelry!

On my actual anniversary, my parents were in Rochester in the morning so my mom joined me at the Henrietta Salvo while my dad read his Kindle (his Christmas present) in the car. 

Emmelee, $5.50

 I love the neckline!

Urban Behavior, $4.50

Yup. Grecian princess, here.

Francesca's Collections, $2.50

Through my Googling of unfamiliar brand names, I found that Francesca's is a boutique that also sells Emmelee (the brand two dresses above). I think I like this boutique. I also discovered that one has opened in Eastview... might need to pay it a visit. You know, when I go to the mall again at Christmas with my choir.

$5, Criss Cross

This dress had a broken strap when I found it, but given the color combination and the pockets, I could hardly leave it behind. It took me about 2 minutes to fix. This is the second time in 2 weeks that this has happened, and I have to say, it surprises me. Because I have been known to give something away that I just don't want to dry clean, or try to take a tiny stain out of, or fix a rip that seems bothersome.  So if it's something that even I will take the trouble to fix, why did this person give it away?!? Too bad for them. Yay for me!

$4.50, Jessica Howard

This dress makes me feel like Jess from New Girl. That's what that expression is about.

$2.50, Xhiliaration

 This shirt's sleeves are broken. This may be why I like it so much. A similar shirt made an appearance in My Boys, one of my favorite summertime shows (that was cancelled a few summers ago, sniff). Plus, loose and flowy. Loving it.

$3, Banana Republic

 I don't think I ever have to say more than "Banana Republic".

$1, Banana Republic

 Like I was saying.

A&F, $3.50

I made myself buy a sweater. At least it's soft and a nice blue. But it only happens as summer is winding down that I make myself do this. Boo.

As a little bonus, my mom found this and gave it to me.

Now, this isn't exactly my usual style, but it's Man U. If my husband has anything to say about it, I'll be wearing this every day for the rest of my life.

Don't worry, I didn't just Salvo on our anniversary. My husband and I went out to The Revelry for some outstanding French Cajun food, and some equally outstanding cocktails. I give you:

and

but most importantly,

Eight years. Yup, I still like him.

Salvo Wednesday - Canandaigua Delight!

It's been a few weeks since I've made it to a Salvo Wednesday. First, I was on vacation and decided to just wait until the weekend when I would be in Burlington, VT. Google Maps assured me there was a Salvo a few miles from our hotel, so I pinned all my hopes on that. You'd think I'd learn by now not to get my hopes up like that, but no. What I found was a Salvo in a house - a tiny house, at that - with scary selections and a screaming child in a stroller with a mom who ran the stroller over my foot.

So that was a loss. Last week we were traveling, so that was a loss as well. This week, I wasn't sure where I was going to go. Nothing has really gone well, so my desire to travel to find nothing good was at an all-time low. 

Meanwhile, my husband had foot surgery on Monday. Nothing major, and hallelujah, it was benign, but he hasn't been able to drive. And he was going out of his mind with boredom, so I offered to drive him to work on Wednesday and he agreed. So I found myself in Canandaigua on a Wednesday. I haven't found much there in the last few years, so my hopes weren't high. This, it would seem, is the key to success.

Tea n Rose, $2

If you can't tell, that's a coral and blue print on my favorite knit fabric. I can't WAIT to wear this one.

Mossimo, $2

Comfy new casual concert dress! Perfect for day concerts/Cabaret night/etc. These are worth their weight in gold to a choir teacher!

Mine, $1.50

I've never heard of the label Mine, but this is a lovely peachy-orange color and soft and breathable. It will make the (extremely rare) warm weather teaching days very comfortable!

Ambiance Apparel, $1.50

 Soft and almost fleece-like, but much thinner. I can't get over how much I love loose, drape-y styles.

Poetry, $1

 Seriously. Can't get enough of drapey styles. This one is a much prettier color than it looks against the bright green wall... kind of moss green. And again, soft.

Banana Republic, $1

Banana. One dollar. Banana. ONE. DOLLAR. Yes.

Freestyle, $2

Now, this one was tricky. I have been desperate to find more maxi dresses/skirts this summer with exactly this fabric (that knitted, breathable fabric I so adore), but to no avail. Even full price, all you can find are waterfall-style skirts (I have one and that's all I need, ever). I love maxi dresses/skirts - they cover your legs if it's cool out, but are loose and cool if the sun peeks out from behind the clouds and it suddenly warms up. They're the best of both worlds. So obviously, when I saw this one, I jumped on it. I realized that the back was messed up, but for $2, I figured I could fix it. And I did...sort of. It was much worse than I'd realized. The straps were some kind of braided weaved situation, and they had ripped and started to come unraveled. So I rebraided them and just tied and knotted everything. There's dangly bits, but the top stays up, and it looks like THAT. God bless maxi dresses.

It turned out to be my best trip of the summer so far, at a store I had almost written off as a lost cause again. I guess it's always worth the trip! I was so happy with the entire haul (and can I point out that nothing cost more than $2? Way to go with the low prices, Canandaigua Salvo!). And then I spent the rest of the time my husband was working curled up on a couch on the outdoor patio at the Canandaigua Wegmans, working on my theory course. It was a very good day.

The good news is that I finished writing my course today, and I will finish up with a final video shoot on Tuesday... so by Wednesday, it will be all Salvo, no other interruptions.