Stocking Up for Fall

Helen has been growing so much lately. Pants that used to drag on the floor fit just right; shirts that used to fit don't cover her tummy. I realized that she won't have enough warm clothes this fall. I had some credit on thredUP, so of course I couldn't resist stocking up on some adorable pieces.

Here's what I got: Printed leggings. These are oh-so-cute - love them! A chunky red sweater. I love knits on kids. And a frilly little plaid skirt.

Here she is wear the sweater and skirt. The leggings don't fit her quite yet. The shoes were also a purchase from thredUP. I can't believe she fits them already!

I'm pretty sure I'll need to buy more warm clothes eventually - this is just a mini haul. I can't wait! I love shopping for Helen.

By the way, if you use any of my links in this post to sign up for thredUP, you'll receive a $20 credit to spend as you please, and I'll get a $10 credit. But hurry: this offer is only good until September 15. After then, you'll only get a $10 credit (which is still an awesome deal).

Have you started shopping for fall yet?

thredUP Haul!

As I'm sure ya'll know by now, I have a bit of a thredUP addiction. It's so much fun to able to find name brand clothing for a fraction of the original cost. 

One night I found a bunch of items that I fancied and asked Reuben which ones he liked. He approved of nearly all of them and told me to order them. Well, yes sir!

Here's everything that I got:

Top Row: Gap | Abercrombie & Fitch | H&M

Middle: Gap | Gap | Old Navy

Bottom: Anthropologie | Mossimo | Green Apple 

I really like the stripes on the flowers on the Abercrombie top.

I love the polka dots and hem details on the grey Gap skirt. 

Here are a few outfits I put together:

Flip-flops: Clarks | Similar

Necklace: Gift

I started out setting up a tripod and using a remote. It takes a while to get the shot you want when you're flying solo.

Pink peep toes: American Eagle | Similar

Earrings: Target | Similar, Similar

Fun fact: These are the earrings that I wore to my wedding.

Then Reuben came outside and offered to take over the camera. 

I'm on the fence about this skirt. I like the style, but I think it's meant to be worn high-wasted, so it's too short for my taste unless I unzip it and wear it lower on my waist, like here. And it's still a bit short. I might return this one.

Sandals: Rocketdog | Similar: Save | Spend 

Jeans: Banana Republic | Similar

I'm also not sure about this shirt. It's meant to be a crop top, but on my short self it certainly isn't. What do you guys think? Is it too floppy, or does it work?

Earrings: Etsy

And this is me being embarrassed by Reuben saying funny things to me as we tried to get a walking-towards-the-camera shot.

As always, if you guys want to receive $10 off your first order from thredUP, just sign up with my link HERE. I'll also receive a $10 credit if you do. :)

Have a lovely Monday!

Erica

Note: some links are affiliate

How to Easily Resize a Shirt or Jacket | Tutorial

Jacket and jeans: thredUP | Nursing top

In case you guys didn't know, I'm in love with thredUP. It's basically an online thrift store. I love scoring designer pieces for a fraction of the retail price.

One of the problems with buying anything online is the risk of getting the right fit. I'm sure this jacket was meant to fit a little looser, but I prefer a more snug fit since I'm on the shorter side (5'2") and I don't want to be swallowed by my clothing.

It's super easy to take in a knit jacket or shirt. Let me show you how!

Start by putting your shirt on inside out. Grab the excess fabric with your hands and place pins all along the sides of the shirt.

Carefully take off your shirt and lay it out on the floor or (if you're super cool) your work table.
Measure how much you need to take in at different points on the shirt and write it down (for example, at 3 inches from the armpit, how much do you need to take it in? How about at 5 inches, etc.?). I find it helpful to draw a diagram.

Remove the pins, make sure the shirt is laying flat and even, and replace the pins at the measurements that you wrote down. You can also draw a line along the pins to help you sew evenly.

Sew along the pins, removing as you go. Try on the shirt to make sure you like the fit. 

Don't worry if you make a mistake - your seam ripper is your friend! Simply pick out the stitches around the mistake, rearrange the fabric so it lays flat, and sew up the hole, making sure to sew back and forth a couple times and the beginning and end to makes sure it doesn't come undone.

If you're really particular you can iron your seam open, but I'm too lazy for that. I pull out my iron maybe once or twice a year.

If everything is good to go, sew another line close to the one you already sewed, this time on the outer edge. If you have a serger you don't need to do this, but I like to sew another line to keep the edges from fraying.

Cut the excess fabric close to the sewing line.

And there you have it: a nicely fitting jacket.

I also used this method to resize a nursing shirt.

Here's the before and after. Helen decided to photobomb my before picture.


And that's all!

Make sure to send me pictures if you use my method to resize your shirt.
And leave me a comment if you have any questions.

xoxo
Erica

Note: Links are affiliate.

thredUP Haul!

First off, let me thank all of you who purchased items from thredUP through my referral link. Because of YOU, I have received $60 in store credit! With my credits I was able to purchase some seriously adorable items for Helen, and a few for myself as well! In case you’re wondering how it works, if you make a purchase from thredUP (an online used clothing store) by following my referral link, you’ll receive $10 off your first purchase, and I’ll receive a $10 credit. Cool, eh?

Anyway, let’s get on with the haul, shall we?

First up, we have this lovely little knit dress by Egg Baby. I definitely want to store it up for future babies when Helen grows out of it, but she’ll probably be able to wear it as a shirt next fall.

Isn’t this snow suit by Me Jane Baby presh? I love the little ruffle details. Helen will be staying warm in style this winter!

How cute is this little rain jacket by Gymboree? Reuben is all about being prepared for inclement weather, and what better way than in a green frog coat? Reuben is also pleased that it’s an androgynous color (in case we have any boys), but it DOES have bows on the pockets…

And of course I had to get something for myself. I really like the sleeves on this tunic (brand = Max Studio). It’s a bit long on my short frame, so I’ll have to do a bit of altering. I’ll also be wearing a cami underneath for modesty. :)

I also got a brown fleece pea coat for Helen and a zip-up knit sweater for myself (handy for nursing).

I’m quite pleased with everything I purchased.

Do you like to buy things used? Have you found any great deals lately?

1 Response to thredUP Haul!

1. Rachel 
   October 26th, 2013 at 8:09 pm
   I love Thred Up. I just received my first order a couple of weeks ago with the 20% off they offered and recently made my second. I love this site. It is like the online versio of the best consignment store (a chain): Clothes Mentor. My sister made an order too…and hid it from me because she didn’t want me to know she copied me…pity I could have had a referral :(