1. Where did you thrift your outfit and aprox. how much was the cost?


My dress was a Goodwill find. I already had a basket full of books and a few other clothing items. I was just about ready to head out and I spotted this beauty from across the room. Sounds cheesy, but it’s true! The fabric caught my eye! It was hanging on a little rack of stuff they were about to put back out. I tried it on and it aaallmooost fit! But, I couldn’t pass it up at $5.99! It was precious to me from that first day! That was in June. By August (after 2 months of training for a half marathon) it fit YAAY!! The fakey glasses were at WAL-MART for $2.50 and the shoes date back to the 1940′s. They belonged to my Great Grandmother, so they truly are precious to me! Total cost of this outfit? Under $10


2. What was the inspiration behind your outfit?


By the time this dress actually fit, it was birthday time for me! My birthday is August 30th and last year we had my first themed party, which was a blast, so we decided to have another This year’s theme was “Geek Out”! So while this dress isn’t really geeky at all, I was so super excited about it– I just had to make it work! So I put my hair up in a tight bun and scored those big, purple glasses. Also, my hubby attach a LEGO Star Wars key chain figure to a silver chain that I already owned, for a nice little detail. Star Wars and glasses helped this dress pass as “geeky”


3. What did you enjoy most about thrifting?


OH, goodness! Ask my friends and family– I am passionate about thrifting! I’ve been a thrifter for as long as I can remember. The most obvious reason being the DEALS, money saving and stretching you can do. Brand name or not, it’s such a great feeling to find pretty things you really like for a serious fraction of the full original price. I will NOT buy even a cardigan full price, because I KNOW I can find 5 super cute ones for that amount! But more than that, it’s the fun of creating, as I think outside the box, an inspired piece of self expression. For far too long, I shrunk back, apologetically, in everything I did, said and wore. I didn’t feel like “me” was good enough for much at all. But, as I continue to grow to love the “me” that was fearfully and wonderfully made, God’s own lovely workmanship, and to receive the love He so freely gives, I have begun to express myself freely! Finding articles of clothing that are “so you”, as my friends would say, is special because I finally like me.


4. What advice would you give first-time thrifters?


Have FUN. Browse. Look as long as you want, or just start with 15 minutes. Go with an experienced thrifter. Or go alone. lol… what I’m saying is, don’t give yourself a set of rules or feel like you have to have plan, a mapped out route or a check list. The only thing I would say is a must for thrifting is an open mind Also, if something catches your eye, you think it’s beautiful or you just love it? Don’t second guess yourself! Snag it! Wear what you like! Also, as you thrift more, I think your creativity and ability to see the possibility of all the pretty things will grow


5. Why do you deserve the Grand Belt of Honor?


Oh, wow… well, I think all of these lovely finalists are deserving! Such stylish, unique individuals with such sweet hearts! I really don’t see that I deserve it any more than they do! But, it’s super gorgeous and if I did win it? Well, i would most definitely wear it with HONOR! That is for sure! And what a fun story that belt would have behind it!


6. Do you have a website that you would like to share with everyone?


I really don’t! Ha. I wish I did! There are many blogs that I hear about that I have yet to check out… I really mean to, I do! Christina, this blog is so easy to keep up with, I have found. Littlefashiondiary.com gives details, but is pretty to the point, which I like. It’s kept fresh! So that’s, so far, one of the few websites that I frequent!


If you are inspired by Kara’s interview and outfit, vote for her here!