Flamingo Fashion: Christmas Eve Style

I am excited to finally bring to you my first Flamingo Fashion post.  It has taken me a year to finally share with you inspiration.   Not because I have a lack of inspiration.  I have plenty to share on dressing “hip” on a second hand budget because my entire closet consists of thrift or really cheap clearance items.  And yes. I just categorized myself as “hip”.  Go with me on that for a little.

My largest problem lies with this:

My photography crew.  Seriously.  The photo sessions with these 2 super heroes is less than stellar.  The cat calls and tongue in cheek direction is enough to make me laugh so hard I cry.  Thus, the lack of useable photos. 

So, I have moved past my obsessive photo perfection and am just going with it.  You’ll get the point regardless of my “unmodelesque” stances.

The first Flamingo Fashion is an outfit from Christmas Eve.   I typically just mix and layer to to create something out of nothing. 

Here is what I put together for $20 top to bottom:

Black sweater dress: yardsale  $.50 (and yes that is cents not dollars)

Sweater: Salvation Army a few years ago $3

Black boots: Goodwill $9

Flower headband: Gabriel Brothers $.50

Necklace/Earrings: $4 Kohls clearance

Cami: $3 Ross clearance

Total: $20

My kids were decked in Flamingo Fashion too:

Lil' Rocker rocked a $4 Tony Hawk shirt from the Salvation Army paired with a pair of $1 yardsale jeans.

The Ring Leader sported a yardsale outfit.  I can’t remember what I paid.  Maybe a whopping $3 for jeans and shirt?  The black shirt underneath is a Target clearance.

 

Sparkles modeled a hand me down dress.  She paired it with a $2 pair of yardsale boots.

 

Sha Sha adorned another hand me down dress.  She wore it with a $1 pair of black yardsale leggings and a pair of black boots.  I can’t remember if they were yardsale or Salvation Army.  Regardless they were no more than $3.

Though I would find it intoxicating to have a limitless clothing budget, I find it much more fun to put together fun and fashionable outfits without spending much.

Want to see some more fun Fashion on a Dime inspiration?  Hop on over to Emily’s at Blueberry’s Blog.

 

Linking to Women Living Well, Fashion on a Dime, What I wore Wednesday

     

Yard sales. Are they worth it?

I have gone to yard sales ever since I can remember.  To me it is second nature to dig through people’s “junk”.  I outfit my kids almost entirely through yard sales (and what I don’t find comes through thrift stores).  That includes shoes. I think I have only bought 5 brand new pairs of shoes for my kids in the past 10 years. 

A decent part of my wardrobe comes through yard sales.  It does not matter what size you are…you can find it at a yard sale!  My home is decorated throughout with yard sale treasures.  Even Christmas and birthday presents have been bought at yard sales.

However, I have heard the argument that yard sales are not worth it because of spending money on gas. Now with soaring gas prices, it may be a valid argument.  I will give you some suggestions to still make yard sales “worth it”. 

Location.  I only go to yard sales that are neighborhood sales. Why?  Because you can hit multiple yard sales by walking or driving short distances. 

Participation.  Not all neighborhood sales are created equal.  There are some neighborhoods I don’t bother on venturing to.  It may be a large development, but usually only 6 homes participate. I want a development that has at LEAST 10 homes participating.

Selection.  Some neighborhood sales do not include many kid items.  However, they may have a lot of antiques and household goods.  What are you going after?  If it is to outfit your kids, you do not want to choose a neighborhood with very little kid items for sale.

Appearance.  I do NOT go to a neighborhood sale JUST because it is in a nice development.  I have been to the nicest developments with the junkiest selections.  I have also been to a less than attractive community with brand name clothes at great prices!

Remember.  This is my number 1 tip.  Pay attention to where you go.  Did you find a home that is selling the perfect sizes at great prices?  You want to make sure you “hit” that home the following year.  Write it down if you can’t remember. 

Do the same thing with community sales.  Remember which neighborhoods you “hit the goldmine” in.  Make sure to go back next year.  That is not to say that some years are better than others.  For example, my development yard sale is amazing.  Usually about 60 homes participate.  Some years I do better than others, BUT I always know I will find a few things.

Pricing.  Wow.  Do prices vary at yard sales.  Last week, I found one where all movies were 10 cents!!  The next door neighbor had theirs for $2 a piece.  Get to know a good yard sale price.  You know, kind of like the grocery store thing.

Day.  You want go to the 1st day of a yard sale.  If you can only yard sale on Saturdays, go the neighborhood sales that are only being held on Saturday first. 

Time.  If you never have gone to yard sales before, it may take you some time to figure out what is a good price.  It will also take you time to look.  It will also take you time to build up your kids wardrobe. 

This is where I lose a lot of people in my persuasive encouragement.  I typically can’t outfit my household in a half hour of shopping.  However, since a lot of my “life” items come from yard sales (and thrifting) it is WELL worth my time.  It is far cheaper for me to buy at yard sales versus a traditional store. 

Plus, I love it.  I absolutely LOVE it!  I get so much satisfaction from finding the perfect vase for $1 at a yard sale.  Yes, the $15 one at Target looks great, but anyone could go and buy that. 

Yes, gas prices are soaring.  In my opinion, it is more important to start shopping yard sales now more than ever!  What about you?  Do you yard sale?

Thinking Ahead

I have found that a large part of saving money on everything from groceries to clothes to shoes to gifts is “thinking ahead”.

When you are in the grocery store, at a yard sale or at Target keep an open mind.  You may not be on the “hunt” for Christmas presents in May, however be open to the possibility.  Your kiddos birthday might be 5 months away, but you may find something perfect now.

Today I bought these brand new sneakers at a yard sale for $2.  My youngest won’t wear them for another year or 2, but at that price who would pass them by?

I bought these Christmas cookie decorations today at Aldi’s.  They     were only 10 cents.  Yes, I wrote 10 cents.  I found them on clearance at the front of the store.  They normally sell for $3.  They will be perfect in 7 months when we do our traditional cookie baking!

What about you?  Do you buy ahead?

this post is linked to Frugal Friday so hop on over there for more inspiration

Reader Q&A: Buying consignment vs. new

I will be starting a new "series" here on the Frugal Flamingo. Once or twice a week, I will answer reader questions.  I try to answer each question personally, but since the questions are good, it is nice to discuss them publically.

So, here is our first Q & A discussion.

Please note that these answers are just my opinion. Sometimes my opinion changes with time because of experience or change of life circumstances. 

Your question: What are your thoughts on consignment stores vs. waiting for sales at a brand name store?

Second hand shopping is a subject near and dear to my heart.  I would be not be exaggerating to say that 85% or more of mine and my children's wardrobes come from second hand shopping.  The 15% that is new is bought on extreme sale.

I began second hand shopping when I was young. My mom would frequent yardsales.  We also accepted "hand me downs".  Not that I was always thrilled with these prospects, but it is what I knew. 

In college, I began to "thrift shop".  I quickly became addicted and never stopped.  Once I had children, I became an avid yardsaler.  Of course, I love a really good store sale too.

The specifics of this question is regarding consignment shops.  There is a huge difference between a consignment shop and a thrift shop.  I tend to be more experienced with thrift shopping.  However, I have done my share of actual consignment shopping.

All consignment shops are not created equal.  I have been to consignment shops that I simply could not afford to buy anything!  I have also been to consignment shops that the prices are as low as a yardsale.  You have to explore them to figure out which ones are best for you.  Of course, if you are partial to a label like Gymboree, consignment shopping is usually the way to go.

Here is my rule of thumb in regards to if I purchase it new.  I set price thresholds.  For my kids, I don't like paying more than $5 for an item.  If it is used I try not to pay more than $3.  Yes, this even includes shoes.  

For myself, my threshold is $10.  Spending $10 feels like a real splurge.  I know this may seem pathetic to some, but it works for me.  This week, I stopped in the mall. I was able to buy 5 tops and 2 jackets for $40 which averages $5.71 an item.  I felt at that price it was definitely worth buying new.

We will explore second hand shopping more on the Frugal Flamingo. However, rule of thumb is to buy ahead.  I constantly shop for my kids from my own "stash".  If they out grow their shoes, usually there is a pair in the basement in their next size.

As time goes along, I will share my system with you.

Second hand  or new?  Set your price thresholds.  If you can buy it new at that price, great!  If not, try finding it second hand

Do you have a question regarding today's topic or any other?  Feel free to leave a comment or email me at flamingo.mama@hotmail.com.  I will do my best to address it in a future post.