As I said before, I felt pretty silly posting my outfits. Plus it got cold and when it’s cold all I care about is staying warm not how I look.

But I’ve decided to bring Thrifty Threads back for four reasons.

1. Thrifting and bargain shopping is fun.
2. Wearing what find is fun.
3. Sharing what I find is fun.
4. I choosing not to care what people think.

So what if I’m almost 35 and like to post pictures of my clothing on the internet. Being a homeschooling mom doesn’t mean I have to stick with jean jumpers and Crocs. Not judging.

I’ve always enjoyed expressing myself through clothing but once I had kids that along with keeping up with music took a back seat.

Luckily Brent keeps my iPod filled good music but the clothes are up to me.

This skirt is my most recent happy find.

I found this skirt in a thrift shop in Williamsburg, VA. (That’s the Mayflower II in the background.)

Aren’t the dancing people on the skirt sweet. So happy! My nails not so much.

The belt was thrifted in Ventura, the shirt is from the Old Navy Sale rack, and the bracelet was from our trip to South Africa.

Love and Laughter,
Jenn

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The post Thrifty Threads Thursday appeared first on Newschool Nomads.

This morning I lay in bed listening to the rain my heart as heavy as the clouds.

Goodbyes are hard.

After getting dressed, I busied myself with cleaning…prolonging our departure. The vacuum momentarily sucking the sadness from my heart. I wiped the last of the toothpaste off the counter and swallowed.

My favorite part of this week has been seeing my friend walk through her life as a wife and mother. It seemed only yesterday we were sleeping on air mattresses and eating off of moving boxes in our empty LA apartment. Yet, here we are with husbands, children, and houses. We stayed up late sitting on the couch sharing disappointments, frustrations, laughs, ideas and dreams. Being around her makes dreams seem like they are in my pocket ready to be pulled out like a rabbit from a hat.

We intended to say 5 nights at their house in Austin but those 5 turned into 10. Ten nights. Ten wonderful nights that will remain locked away as a reminder that, in a world where friendship is often as deep as clicking “like”, kindred spirits do exist.

That afternoon, we all drove out to Buda and walked the old streets with our families. Ju-boo and I wore our new vintage dresses in coordinating colors. We ate at an old soda fountain. We poked around in yet another thrift store. We took pictures. We laughed.

Then in the street under a damp thick sky we said good bye.

As it turned out, I had forgotten my phone at their house. (Thankfully, I married the world’s most patient man.) and I got the chance to say goodbye again. As I walked out of her house for the second time I desperately wished I hadn’t forgotten my phone. Seeing “our” empty room put little holes in my heart. Little holes that were patched by those last hugs goodbye.

Texas, we lived your motto.

Love and Laughter,
Jenn

The post Day 41 – “Tejas” appeared first on Newschool Nomads.

Brent works the days away. The boys are leaving dishes in the sink. Meow Cow is owning the bed. The dogs are leaving paw marks on the the back door. I’m yelling at my kids in the front yard.

We are comfortable. Too comfortable, perhaps.

This week has been filled with late night conversations with my best friend on the couch. A playdate with new friends at Zilker park. A breakfast with an old friend. Thrifting at Thriftland. Dinners at home. Dinners out. (The Salt Lick, G’raj Mahal, and Chuy’s) A trip to the Texas State History Museum. (A must see if you are in Austin and love history.) And much too much Bluebell Ice Cream.

It’s been good. No it’s been a wonderful mix of work and play. Old and new. Ordinary and extraordinary.

But…

As hard as it is the road calls us.

I’m not looking forward to saying goodbye. My lip trembles just thinking about it.

Love and Laughter,
Jenn

The post Days 36 – 40: Austin appeared first on Newschool Nomads.

I’m really pleased with these photos Brent took at Guadalupe National Park. There was no one around so I felt comfortable getting silly.

I got this dress from Resources during our visit to Madrid, New Mexico. I couldn’t wait to wear it and as soon as we got to warmer weather I put it on.

I wore the dress again in Marfa, Texas with a cardigan and tied the bow outside the cardigan.

Dress: Vintage – Madrid, NM
Shoes: Thrifted – Santa Fe, NM
Belt: Thrifted – Oxnard, CA

Love and Laughter,
Jenn

The post Thrifty Threads Thursday: West Texas Edition appeared first on Newschool Nomads.

Downtown Ventura is a special place.  Not only is it blocks from the ocean, it’s a perfect mixture of mom and pop sprinkled with a little cooperate.  A movie theatre, a library, restaurants, and small shops line Main Street.  It’s an afternoon thrifters dream with at least 4 thrift shops, antique stores, and a Buffalo Exchange all within blocks. And if all else fails there is a Urban Outfitters and American Apparel.

(That’s not my car.  Remember, I have a big old diesel truck.  I’m such a poser. ;-))

The afternoon heat was still lingering even as the sun set. The temperature to wear what may be my favorite dress before I pack it away for the year.  (Sniff.)

A treasure of a thrift store find, I’m wearing this dress even when I’m an eccentric old lady.

It’s black linen with embroidered flowers around the hem and on the back.

It makes me feel like twirling down the street and belting out “My Favorite Things”.

Goodbye dress.

Goodbye downtown.

You will both be missed.

love and laughter,
jenn

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I’m going to do a regular little feature on this new blog of mine.

Thrifty Threads Thursday

Some of you may only know me from my health blog Girl Heroes.  Those of you may be surprised to find out I’m interested in much more than food and fitness.

One of those interest is vintage and vintage inspired fashion.

LOVE.

Really, it’s a bit ridiculous how happy cute vintage dresses make me.  Especially dresses with buttons, bows, gathers, pins, tucks, lace, and piping.  Not all at once…well…maybe…

Not only do I have a “wee” obsession with vintage style clothing, I have a wee budget and a wee closet in our new rv home.

Sooooooo things are about to get interesting.

Here’s the plan.  I’m going to visit thrift and vintage shops all over the country.  I’ll also probably come across a good sale or two.  (Good thing I’ve been stashing some of my birthday and Christmas money in my sock drawer.) Then I’m going to post my finds here once a week.

In the meantime, I’m going to share some of my favorite thrifty threads.

Ironically, I got this little dress from a vintage shop in Seattle a few years ago.  I love it just as much today as the day I bought it.  The belt was found in a dollar bin at a little boutique downtown Ventura.

I’ve had my Saltwater Sandals for almost 15 years!  I’d call that a good investment.

My hairstylist braided my hair.  I doubt I’ll ever be able to replicate it.  Oh well.  At least I have a picture.

So guys (Dad), please bear with the Thrifty Thread Thursday.  I promise there will diesel trucks  and be plenty of pictures from the places in the near future.

with love,
jenn

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