It ain't easy being green.. (There I said it!)

Dying my hair a wicked color has been on my bucket list since December. Green was one of the first colors that came to mind and I thought

Why not?

 Hair is just hair. If I totally hate it, I can get it fixed no problem

It happened very spur of the moment when I impulsively bought the supplies and dropped by my friend's house uninvited.

 Needless to say, we got busy.

.

Makeover! 

 From just your average garbage bloomer wearing brunette...

lovely....

To a wicked blondish green person pretending to be a punk

RIGHT ON.

Ok, so it didn't turn out perfectly.

I still kind of dig it.

The "cool" one.

The one problem is that the bleach most definitely fried my hair and there is only so much that pantene pro-v conditioner can do.

Like I said before, I dig it, so I'm going to keep for about a week.

And yes, most people think it's a 'going blond' attempt gone horribly wrong.

I sported this hair with a more elegant look at my gig at Cha Island Tea.

You can't tell where my hair ends and the wall begins!

The dress is from divine and the shrug is form a clothing swap.

A songstress at her finest.

 

I'm going to call this look "Alien blond hippie fairy."

 

I guess the point is to just go for it sometimes.

Ta-ta lovelies and remember: going green includes a lot more peroxide than one would hope for.

-Marlaena a.k.a The Poor Little Thrift Girl

P.s. Blue... you're next...

Kim and Marlaena's Grand Ol' Shopping Spree!

The other day, my darling friend Kim and I had ourselves a lovely time at VV

Check it!

Here is Kim having herself a gander in the dress section! If you want to have a little hunt, just stay in your size, but if you want a giant scavenge, look in all the sizes! Things get misplaced and sizes end up in wrong sections, or you might find an extra small dress you could use a napkin!

The video below is me demonstrating proper thrifting technique 

Compelling stuff, kid.

Now I have to let you know, I would normally be a lot faster if I wasn't holding a camera. The point of this video was really to show not to linger too much. If it doesn't really impress you that much at first glance, it most likely isn't worth your time, especially if you aren't looking for anything in particular.

You also don't want to keep going back to the changing rooms. Look through all the sections that require removal of clothing first before moving on.

Let's have a look at the looks!

First up! We have Kim in a darling plaid/chekered skirt (buttons!) and lovely lace top

Work it.

Now, Kim and I have slightly different styles. Kim is simple, elegant and has a great sense of colors and patterns that really work well with her. I dress like a gogo dancing, drag queen/hippie housewife (only most of the time)

The fun thing about giant thrift stores is finding truly quirky items that you're not really sure you're going to do with.

Take the skirt below for example

Where am I?

It's a flippin' buttoned bubble skirt!

Unless some sort of club, cult, gang or a 60's all girl singing group is giving up their wardrobe, you won't really see the same of anything. That's the beauty of it! You can find something totally bizarre you're willing to take a chance on because it's cheap enough!

Next we have Kim in yet another great skirt! Check the price! Can you say "holla fo yo dollaaaaa?!"

You reply with "I can but I won't."

This would go great with the headband I got you for x-mas. Just sayin'.

So remember the dress I picked out from the super-special-awesome video from before?

Weeeeeeelll....

When I actually tried it on, I wasn't too impressed.

Well this does nothing for my calves. Also, what the fuck is the purpose of this string?

Sometimes when we have a certain expectation for something we like, we try and trick ourselves into thinking it's flattering. The simple fact is, if it doesn't look great with you standing normally in front of the mirror, it doesn't look that great and you'll never wear it.

*in french accent* Eh, what can you do?

Sure it's ten dollars, but still it adds up. If I spend ten bucks on a dress that don't feel totally great about, it's ten dollars less I can spend on other clothes and Vietnamese subs.

TRY THINGS ON! SO IMPORTANT!

Now that we're done our serious portion of this post, lets take a look at....

Marlaena's Funhouse of Hilarious Value Village Finds!

Yes, I'll admit, not everything we find at a vv is exactly stylish. 

Below we have a couple of skirts (yes their skirts) most likely from the sluts 'r' us collection

A very little amount of team spirit on the left and "man I feel like a cold one if she's drinking one too," on the right

Now we something we foolishly believe is just a lavenderish gray boring shirt 

Meh..

Oh.. It's so much more...

It's a fucking onsie!

Sweet beard of christ...

I weep for humanity. 

It's from the Kardashian collection from bebe. Might explain why they wanted to rape my wallet of 24.99!

(Not gonna lie, if it was five bucks, I would have totally gotten it)

Last but certainly not least, is a necklace I adored simply because it's so weird.

You can bend it into any shape you can imagine!

Fake harmonica holder

Snake.

I got a dress, a skirt, a t-shirt a vest, a cardigan, a scarf and a belt all for 43.99 (lil' pricey)

If the day couldn't get any better,  I ran into one of my dearest friends Hannah!

Well this is awkward. Oh wait, I actually like you. Nevermind, girlfriend!

Hannah is quite the VV Boutique extraordinaire herself, so I asked her for some wise words and she replied in italic writing with...


"Try it on! It can be hard to find original stuff when you are a bigger girl, but thrifting can be a great alternative to plus size shopping. "

She's nice to look at but she misses peoples parties.....  hint hint Hannah...

"Know your style. Value village isn't going to show you what is hip. You have to go out and hunt."

"Have fun. It's only fashion."

Well said amiga, well said. (If she starts a blog I', f**ked)

Hope you enjoyed this adventure and remember: Try new things, try things on and never trust a Kardashian with fashion tips.

-Marlaena a.k.a, The Poor Little Thrift Girl.

(On a side note, I died my hair green. Just thought I would rip that band aid off quickly.)

We're calling it "Romantic Grunge"

A thrifty inspiration: Inner awkward 14 year old.

While scrambling to get ready for work this morning, I noticed a little number that has been neglected for quite sometime. A red dress from Forever 21 I bought on my 14th birthday.

It was one of my favorites. The scarlet red is an absolute killer color. The oriental inspired pattern at the hem that disappears near the waist is divine, (although, at the time my scrawny young self was probably thinking more along the lines of "Wow! This dress makes me look like I have boobs!")

That is does little one. That it does....

While I reminisced, I was trying to figure out what to wear it with.

Then I thought "Why not recreate Lil' Marlaena?"

And that I did. I paired the dress with a patterned shirt from Urban Outfitters I got on sale for five dollars (time travel high five, Marlaena!)

Keeee-ute!

Many variations of this look was essentially my uniform at the time.

I loved The Beatles, I loved daydreaming and I loved not wearing what everyone else was wearing.

Though it has been updated (Black tights, brown boots and lack of gross black eyeliner that I thought looked 60's chic,) it still has the same feel. Carefree and youthful.

You can thrift everything, even your past. (shit that's deep)

Why not look to your sweet young self, whoever she may be. A nerd, a jock, a hippie or a crackwhore!

(Maybe not the last one)

Every phase we go through, gives us the style we have today. You have to go through a lot looks to find out what works for you and if you're finding yourself stuck, why not look back?

I've always considered myself a fashionista, though I think I'm a little more sophisticated now than I was back then don't you think?

      The old Marlaena on the left, the new and slightly improved Marlaena on the right     

 

Have fun! It's so stressful having to look professional all the time, let go and be a kid every now and then! Remember pretties: It's ok to look back, as long as it's not crack!

-Marlaena a.k.a The Poor Little Thrift Girl.

Let's Thrift It! : A night on the town.

Is it possible to thrift a fabulous evening look?

Fuck yes.

The proof is below.

I spent the evening by myself at Wunderbar, drinking a tall glass of ice water, reading vue weekly and enjoying some local stand up comedy. I know what most of you are thinking, "Marlaena, who gives rat's ass?" I reply "How rude."

Why yes I am getting into public speaking

Though my "night on the town" wasn't as glamorous as others, it was still fun, cheap and damn I looked fab. When in doubt, killer vintage dress and simple cardigan. If you're feeling super rad, shit load of bangles and leopard print scarf.

Seductive? No. Fashionable? Quite. Grocery shopping? Something I have to to do.

A vintage dress- no wait, a BLACK vintage dress- no wait....

A black and gold floral vintage dress, is a staple in every woman's wardrobe.

(k, that might be pushing it)

You get the point, if you don't already have a vintage cocktail dress, take the time to find one.

It'll fit you like a glove, you won't ever show up wearing the same thing as someone else and it's something you can truly treasure. 

The cardigan you can hunt for at VV. Shouldn't be that hard.

Anywho, my pretties, though this post was short I believe I made my point.

Au revoir, dear ones and remember, you can thrift a great evening look without looking like a lady of the evening

-Marlaena a.k.a The Poor Little Thrift Girl

P.s. I've started straightening my hair and it makes me look like a bitch (in a good way)

Hoorah for bitch hair!

Don't bring this one home to ma'

Have yourself a very fashion forward Christmas

Merry boxing week to all, here's a Christmas gift haul!

Woah! Look at those bangles! Can you say.... a word to describe them?!

This hand party was given to me by my darling friend Rachel! Thanks pal!

Also! Glitter nails provided by Santa!

The peacock feather ring is definitely a new favorite in the Marlaena collection.

Next up! We have an unbelievably gorgeous pearl collar given to me by my beautiful, elegant, could be mistaken for Cleopatra, friend Hannah!

Don't be so modest dear girl!

This number is such an amazing vintage find. I tip my chapeau and flamboyantly bow in her general direction for the extremely thoughtful gift (how the hell did she not keep this for herself?)

The little slice below is something truly kooky, delightful and utterly fabulous. No I don't mean me, but thank you. I'm talking about the bendy headband/neck mustache!

The choices: wallflower bunny, charming 1900's comedian and murderous housekeeper.

These looks were provided by Michelle! Thanks grrrrrl!

Last but CERTAINLY not least we have....

....Drumroll please...

duh-duh-duh-duh.....

ZUT ALORS!!

Well if it isn't the beautiful rare alpaca fur coat from before! Best mom ever!

Negative side effects of this coat include being mistaken a yeti and being shot.

This was a most wonderful Christmas, thanks to everyone for the great gifts!

Have a great boxing week and remember: Middle of the first week in January, mid- day, at a mall that's just the right amount of stores that no one really likes to go to because of the geriatrics and glue sniffing teenagers

Happy hunting! 

-Marlaena a.k.a The Poor Little Thrift Girl

Was going for Fonzie, came out as Rick Moranis in Ghostbusters

What exactly DOES love got to do with it?

Today I'd like to talk a little about the value of clothing and what it means to me.

You see ladies and germs, while antiquing with my darling friend Kristina, I noticed this gorgeous little number right here:

Humina humina humina....

Needless to say, it was love at first sight.

However, as much as you love something, there are a few things you need to examine.

1. How much is it worth to me?

When I first looked at this coat without knowing the price, I thought to myself "since I'm still Christmas shopping and the sleeves are just a little too short, I would be over the top in love with this coat (since it's vintage and good condition,) for let's say $85"

Unfortunately, it was this

Boooooooooo.....

Now I know what you're thinking, "Marlaena, this is quite reasonable for a coat this fabulous"

I reply "yes, for giant wine gobleted yuppies who would have no interest in this coat and rich kids who pay good money to look poor,"

Like it says in the banner: I'm broke (although it is oke')

The simple fact is, you should only pay as much as the item is worth to you.  To me, a white tank top is not worth $25 at garage, it's worth $4 at VV.

Although, we do have something else to consider

2. Does it look fucking awesome?!?!

YES.

Crud....

This is when shit get's real.

I truly love this coat, however, at least for right now,  it's not worth the money.

Whatever you do.... don't cry out loud....

But wait!

I have also decided that if I'm still thinking about this coat after Christmas (which isn't a crazy possibility considering the fact that I'm writing this post two days after the event,) I will most likely cave and make a purchase.

It's like the old saying goes:

But it's soooooooo cute!

And hey, if it's not there, then it wasn't in the stars and it will simply be the coat that got away.

Also! My outfit that day was entitled:

Walking Indian fusion restaurant decor...

Man I feel like butter chicken

Til' next time sweeties! And remember: You only pay what it's worth to you!

-Marlaena a.k.a The Poor Little Thrift Girl

Mama like...

A thrifty inspiration: I love to singa

I think this outfit just proves that leopard print and awesome colors make everything better.

The same goes for bows.

  Adorable? Yes. Hungry? Always. Financially responsible? Nuh uh.

 

 

Today's look includes a most wonderful hand-me down leopard print scarf from my mother, a coffee colored mini blazer from vv, hand-me down dress from, once again, dear old mama, azure stockings  and vintage cadet grey pointed kitten heels from decadence (vintage store on whyte.)

It's somewhat inspired from the 1936 Tex Avery cartoon I Love To Singa, in which an Al Jolson-esque owl or "Owl Jolson" as he's called, is the disappointment to his uptight, classical music playing, owl family since he wants to sing jazz (we all know that's the devil's music.)

A song and dance maverick.

This leads me to my first thrift tip!

*See the potential in everything.

 

To be perfectly honest, when I first got this scarf I had no idea what to do with it the only thing I knew was I loved material. So with a little mirror consulting and constant experimenting, I came up with a look I truly love! The tip is to look for patterns and textures first and worry about the other junk like sizing and prices later.

 

Nonchalant at it's absolute best.

 

 Let everything inspire you! You can wear whatever you want! If you want to work an 8 hour shift as a singing and dancing cartoon owl, by all means go ahead!

Now that I have brought you to tears with my words, lets share some laughs with the actual clip

Ta-ta my pretties! Keep treasure hunting and remember: Whatever suits your boots!

-Marlaena a.k.a The Poor Little Thrift Girl

Hollywood... hollywood kiiiid...