All things thrifted!

   

Top: thrifted// jeans: topshop//bag: thrifted//necklace: thrifted// shoes: menorcan sling back espadrilles  

So after my first week of work I took a well earned break in Wales with my folks. I love coming here all year through as it was my weekend home growing up. The autumn is my season here as the crowds have died down and the little seaside towns are peaceful once more. I'm definitely a tourist snob now, having spent my childhood here I dislike holidaymakers as much as the locals! However, you can't beat a bit of sunshine  in Wales, the landscape comes alive and you just feel so much happier with blue sky above your head.

Today I really want to write a post about thrifting. As some of you will know, I'm a staunch thrifter and spend a lot of my time rummaging in charity shops and hunting for bargains on ebay. I was recently introduced to a fantastic new app called Shpock by a friend who knows how much I love a good bargain. About a week after I started using the app, the lovely people at Shpock contacted me and asked me about my bargain hunting habits, so I thought I'd pop my answers in a post for you all to see. 

But first, a little bit about Shpock. I'm a sucker for car boots, but hate the faff of paying loads to pitch up on a rainy Sunday to search for bargains or try to sell your unwanted stuff. Don't get me wrong, they're great fun on a sunny day, but British weather normally let's us down and you get soggy. So ladies and gents, welcome Shpock to your phones. Already popular across Europe, Sphock is like a virtual car boot, you can buy items, make a lower offer on items and list stuff you want to get rid of. The best thing is that Shpock will only show you products which are a certain distance away from you, ie 10km. The postcode of the seller is listed which, considering you pick the items up, is handy. It's a great way of clearing out unwanted bits and bobs without paying postage! 

I've just started using Sphock and have already made a few pounds on some stuff I've sold. Just one piece of advice, remember that if you change your location, the goods listed will change with it! So make sure you know where a seller is based if you want to keep your eye on a product. 

Now, I thought I'd share this outfit with you because of the many thrifted items I've styled it with. It showcases how easy it is to get hold of bits and bobs from charity shops and online. 

My friends always ask me how I find such  gems in these places, so here are my top five tips for happy thrifting. 

1. Make a list - It's very difficult to browse in a place that resembles Aladdin's cave (same goes for ebay) so to make it easy, out together a list of items you're looking for. It could be a vintage necklace or even a crop top, this will help you limit what you search for online and in store. 

2. Set a price - I know it sounds tight, but thrifting can be an expensive hobby. It's great if you're getting a top for £3 instead of £10, but not so great if you then buy four tops at this price. Don't go overboard and you won't be out of pocket. 

3. Think outside the box - Okay, so everyone wants to hit the jackpot and find designer gems and believe me, you do. However some bits you're just not going to unearth for a reasonable price. For example, take a Burberry Mac in a size 12. You're looking at paying about 150 quid for a used one and ain't no sistah got time for that. So, buy a bigger size and get it tailored. My Burberry Mac plus tailor's costs was about 70 quid, it fits just right and it's practically new. 

4. Don't be a shop snob - You've got to be prepared to rummage or take a gamble on an unknown ebay seller. If you get fleeced, you'll know for next time who to avoid. 

5. Don't be a box filler - Take a risk, for a few quid you could look great in that 80s jacket. If it doesn't work out, so what? At least you're not another high street clone!

Find out a little more about Shpock here:  

https://shpock.com/en/ 

Don't let the sky fall...

James Bond-a-thon! by heidinagaitis92 featuring high heel shoes

I saw the new Skyfall film on Saturday and have to say how enamoured I am with it! So here's a quick post, a sort of ode to James Bond, and the fabulous pieces that any leading lady would be proud to wear.

I found these gorgeous pieces on Polyvore, but most are from recognisable brands, so if you fancy any of the pieces can probably get your hands on them in the U.K!

Remember, to live and let die folks!

Lots of love,

Motel Rocks Discount



Just a quick one today lovelies! As you probably know, I LOVEEE Motel Rocks and for my 20th this year my boyf bought me this gorgeous dress from the site. Having such beautiful pieces from Motel Rocks rekindled my love for the brand, so I've been a busy bee!

I've been in contact with Motel Rocks recently and their brilliant team have accepted my application to become one of their Street Team! This means that my readers get a fantastic 20% off the Motel Rocks site, with the unique discount code: heidinagaitis92

So get down to Motel Rocks and get twenty percent off your next purchase! Oh and let me know what you've bought using the code!

Lots a' love

Fashion-Savvy for A/W 2012: Passion for Fashion competition

So I was recently contacted by Money Supermarket concerning a value-for-money clothing competition. Being a student, and also being a tight-wad (for my lovely followers who aren't au fait with every English phrase, this translates to 'tight with money') I jumped at the chance to get involved and put together five different outfits, all for under two hundred smackers.

Me being me, I jumped into this but then realised how hard it is to create an outfit (accessories and all) and, on a few occasions, I nearly reached my £200 limit! However, I succeeded in the end and thought I'd share my outfit choices with you guys. Hope you enjoy them!

Asos Pablo Platforms with suede detail £65//Boohoo Giselle Velvet touch clutch with twist detail £18//River Island silver & gold spike tone crystal cuff £25// ASOS statement Pharaoh collar necklace £35//Motel Jet Plunge Neck Playsuit in Black £48

I adore this outfit as it makes your look a little bit different and is suitable for drinks with friends or a nightclub. All the items are very versatile, so can be re-worked and re-worn with other items - the look won't date and the accessories will hit the A/W S/S trends with little change. Although some items appear steep, they're good quality and also discounted at the online checkout.

ASOS offers students (lucky me!) 10% off purchases so I'd save a tenner on the shoes and necklace and Motel Rocks offers 20% student discount so the playsuit would cost £38.40! Boohoo.com also offer students a lovely 10% off with an NUS card, which means my bag is reduced to £16.20!

TOTAL COST: £169.60

This was definitely one of my more expensive looks and for £169.60 - I think it's a classy, easy-to-wear outfit. (Please note: since the publication of this outfit, Company Magazine has published a 20% off voucher for all students at River Island! This means that the cuff, shown above, would now cost £20 - saving you lucky lot a fiver!)

River Island Grey Lace Up Platform Shoes £20// H&M Chain £3.99//Next Dipped Back Cable Sweater £35// Chelsea Doll Grey Corn-Knit Snood Scarf £11// Topshop Fur lined parka £95

This is a classic winter look, made a little more urban with the gold chain, flatforms and a parka. I chose these items due to their laid back style which can be mixed up for different occasions. For me, this would be my walk-in-the-woods look - an outfit you'd wear to take the dog for a walk, keeping you warm and stylish. 

The coat is a little steep at £95, but it's a quality piece which will last the test of time, never-mind this season. It's classic design means that it won't date, and you can bet that Parkas will be seen way after A/W 2012. Also, because the lovely people at Topshop offer 10% student discount, taking £9.50 off the price of the coat. ASOS also offer this, meaning the oxblood jeans cost £27, instead of £30. Working at Next means that the jumper will cost me £26.25 (LOVE my 25% discount!) or for all of you who aren't Next employees - Next's surfer voucher competition, entitles all new customers who sign up to £10 off their first order - bringing this gorgeous cable-knit piece to £25! 

Accessories-wise, the necklace from H&M, flatforms and River Island and snood from Chelsea Doll are really competitively priced - you'd have to pay alot more for these bits and bobs in other high street stores (I'm naming no names!).

TOTAL COST: £172.49

Next Grey check jacket £55// Next Grey check skirt £25// Next Thin strap vest £4// Zara Studded court shoe £39.99// Kate kanzier magnolia handbag £65.00// Chelsea Doll Roman numeral loop necklace £8

I always find that people moan about work wear, complaining that the mags put together these crazy, amazing looks which they couldn't wear to the office without being frowned upon by their overly-conservative bosses, yet more traditional work clothes leave a lot to be desired. 

When putting this outfit together, I took these views on board and feel I've created a look that is very smart, will flatter most figures, but also shows a little spark of catwalk inspiration. 

The spiked shoes are huge for autumn/winter while the suit should take you right through to spring and, because of Next's current surfer offer, the suit would cost £74! The Zara court shoes are very well-priced at £39.99 and the bag & necklace add some colour to the look and are both from independent sites - making them unusual as well as being value for money!  

TOTAL COST: £186.99

Glamorous flocked spot peplum dress £22// Topshop Gabbi toecap pointed courts £50.00// Rock n’rose aurelia stone bracelet £14// Accessorize Carrie binoculars bag £30// Accessorize Statement triangle long pendant £16 // New Look

Cameo Rose Black Ruched Pocket Jacket £19.99 

This look had to be a show stopper, but also had to have that sweet, underdone feel. Although I've gone for some pretty wowza accessories, I think I've kept the look cutesy with the mini-mouse style dress courtesy of GlamorousUK - an online boutique stocking reasonably-priced clothing. You can also get a 25% off voucher here which is valid 'til September 17th, giving you an extra 20% off all items from Glamorous!

Other savings include: 10% off the Topshop heels (student discount!), the Accessorize bag & pendant were knocked down in price due to a 10% student discount and 10% is also deducted from the New Look blazer at the till!

Purple is set to be a huge colour trend for A/W, so this look will save you pennies in the long run; step out in an on-trend colour, which won't date and will still be hot for S/S 2013

TOTAL: £136.00

American Apparel riding pants £64// Topshop studded dip dye sweat £36// Vans authentic vi trainers schuh £45// Frassy rags mini skull necklace £6// Dorothy Perkins snake buckle shopper £25

This final look has to be one of my favourites. I love casual clothing and feel that it's harder to put an outfit together to pop to the supermarket or for coffee than going the whole hog and getting dressed up for a night on the town. These items were chosen due to their versatility - a large theme throughout this post. All of the outfits created have multiple uses and can be mixed and matched to create totally new looks. 

Vans are the shoes of the season and, as a chic alternative to a standard pump, will wear well and last longer due to the reinforced bottom, what's more, at Schuh students get a 10% discount!. Dip-dye is a huge trend for A/W 2012 and this beauty from Topshop is yours for only £36, with student discount £32.40! 

This gorgeous little skull necklace is from Frassy Rags and only costs £6 - it's so petite and simple that you could pair it with any look, the same goes for the gorgeous riding pants from American Apparel - arguably steep in price, but so easy to wear. 

The snakeskin bag is the final touch to this look, and, with the 15% student discount offered by DP's (making the handbag £18.75 instead of £25) how can you resist?!

TOTAL £161.65

So here are my outfits - hope you like them and for more info on Money Supermarket's competition, visit the site here

Welcome to the jungle

Top: Vero Moda// Necklace: Accessorize//Baxter Jeans: Topshop, Bag: Mulberry// Stacked pumps: Charity shop//Bracelets and Rings: Vintage

 So today's weather was lovely - beautiful sunshine, but blustery enough that I opted for jeans instead of my too-short shorts. I bought this top yesterday, it was hidden away in a little boutique right at the back of the sale rail. I snapped it up for £7.00. I'd previously seen the top in a number of magazines, including Look (my fave) but hadn't got round to buying it. Guess that it was a purchase that was meant to be!

I teamed it with my Baxter jeans that I dug out of my overflowing wardrobe the other week, during my  "clear out." You know the situation, the "ohmygodIdidn'tknowIownedthese!" Yeah, unfortunately, my love of clothes means that, as my mum says "you forget what you own!" Ah well, at least we've been reunited and at a great time too; having just had to throw my other Baxter babies for getting too 'holey.'

The shoes are growing on me. I LOVED them in the shop, got them home and was, after showing my boyfriend, a little bit more reserved about them. However, the stacked heel and floral print has finally won me round and it's safe to say, they wont be coming off my feet for a while (ew.)

My Mulberry is my baby and it comes everywhere with me, so I'm surprised I've not featured it sooner. Ah well, all I have to say is that it's gorgeous and I've used it everyday, without fail, since my 18th birthday. Definitely an investment. Definitely not an excuse to not buy more handbags.

On the bright side, it's payday next week!

Lots'a love