Tag Archives: new clothes

Dec16

Thrifting With Zip

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Thrifting With Zip

Howdy! As you all know, I have grown very fond of secondhand shopping this past year and am all about the Goodwill. This love for thrifting developed while shopping for my apartment and now I cannot resist the urge to check out the local thrifts to see what treasures I can find.

So, when another beautiful blogger, pen named Zip, contacted me about her amazing thrift store finds, I couldn’t say no to featuring them on my page. Let’s take a look and, as always, if you’re interested in guest posting on lifewithlilred, shoot me an email at: sarah.mush6794@gmail.com!

Thrifting With Zip

1.) Snake Skin Short Jacket: The thing I love most about this jacket would be the snakelike design and the dark edgy look it gives off. I would probably pair this with a simple all black casual look with some high fall boots.
*Lil Red approves and recommends sporting a deep red or purple lipstick for the ultimate vampy cool look!
2.) Black & White Marble Blazer: Hence the name I picked out on this fashion find, lol. It was eye-catching the moment I saw it, and the best part is that I got this gem for free from a local thrift shop. I guess it’s true when they say that the best finds in life are free! Anyways, I really love this blazer and the old-school 90’s vibe it gives me. Plus, its a diverse fashion piece which I can wear in many ways. And, did I mention it has pockets?!
3.) Multicolor Sweater Dress: This was probably my favorite thrift find this year! The colors really make your eyes pop and it’s such a bold statement. It’s also reversible, so I can wear it both sides, which is pretty cool. Personally, I LOVE the colored side and the “look at me” vibes it gives off. I would wear this dress with some bad-ass, suede thigh high boots.

About The Author: I am Oprah “Zip” Bradford, but I’m known to most by my pen name Zip. I am just a normal ole gal from the small town of Covington, Louisiana. I am the author of ten books, a full time blogger, the creator of the empowerment platforms OprahZipBradford.com, The Come-Up, and the upcoming book “The Single Woman’s Plug”. I also created the hashtag #ZipPost on Facebook which spreads my empowerment messages around the world.

Contact Zip At:

Thanks again to Zip for guest posting on lifewithlilred! What is your favorite secondhand store? What is your favorite treasure you’ve found thrifting? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov18

New For The Republic Sweater

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New For The Republic Sweater

Howdy! I have been doing a majority of my Christmas shopping in store this year. Shocking, I know. But, I have grown weary of Amazon’s selection and I feel like I have just been giving the same gift every year so I figured it was high time to change it up. While holiday shopping in TJMaxx, I told myself that I wasn’t going to get anything for me. Of course, that never happens, though, and I walked away with this gorgeous new sweater and some holiday treats for a few of the people on my list. Check it out:

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We all know damn well by now that Lil Red never says no to mustard yellow and as soon as I saw this sweater by For The Republic, I knew that I was going to love it. Other than black, I tend to wear a lot of yellows and greens because they always look perfect with my hair and complexion. This sweater was obviously no exception and I only needed to see it on for about ten seconds to make the decision to put it in my cart. The twenty-five from sixty-eight dollar price tag didn’t hurt the cause, either!

Although I couldn’t quite make it out of TJMaxx without purchasing a little something something for myself, I am amazed at my self restraint – there was a lot of things I liked! This bell sleeved beauty is an ideal three season sweater and I am looking forward to sporting it up until summer under cozy faux fur coats and knitted scarves. Now, hopefully everyone will like the prezzies I picked out as much as I love my treat yoself sweater. 😀

Do you prefer to holiday shop in store or online? How do you avoid buying for yourself while gift shopping? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov1

Trail Blazers: Christian Siriano Edition

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Trail Blazers: Christian Siriano Edition

Howdy! Back in the day, I was a big Project Runway fan and, if you were too, then I’m sure you’ll remember the boy wonder, Christian Siriano. Serving sass and designing looks to die for, he instantly became a fan favorite of mine and the rest of the Project Runway following. So, when I saw this gorgeous cheetah print blazer at TJMaxx sporting his namesake, I just had to try it on. And, when I saw that it was fabulous, I just had to take it home! Check it out:

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I am completely obsessed with my new blazer. I know, I know I have a ton of them but cheetah print, guys! Cheetah print. This little beauty fits to perfection and I love the uniquely colored pattern. The chocolate base and caramel spots make for an interesting and different take on a classic print and I am so there for it.

I used to shy away from brown, dubbing it a “boring” color. I also used to stick my nose up at animal print, claiming it wasn’t chic enough for me. But, damn, was I dead wrong. Fifty shades of brown from camel and chocolate cherry to tan and cinnamon has become a palette that I have been welcoming into my wardrobe recently and it has become all the better for it. And, I honestly think that my life only truly began when I realized how much fun that cheetah print is!

This Christian Siriano number combines the best of both worlds that I have been exploring lately and I cannot wait to rock it this fall season. ❤

What is your favorite animal print? Who is your favorite Project Runway winner? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct10

Trail Blazers: Rrrruss Edition

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Trail Blazers: Rrrruss Edition

Salutations and welcome to the last article from my Trail Blazers series compliments of spending twenty dollars at a North Carolina Goodwill. The last blazer we will be discussing is a more simple one by Rrrruss. But, with the smart grey tweed and adorable chocolate brown elbow patches, this sweet little number is anything but boring! Check it out:

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Definitely a far cry from the slouchy, shoulder padded blazers we talked about previously, this fitted grey blazer is perfect for scholarly chic fall OOTDs. Everything about my new blazer just feels so collegiate cool and I have big aspirations to go full Blair Waldorf with it by pairing it with a mini skater skirt, cable knit tights, starched white blouse, and a fun silk scarf, tie, or bow tie to complete the look. And, we can’t forget one of her signature headbands!

Although I obviously love me a good boyfriend blazer, there is nothing better than a sharp, tailored to perfection one to create CEO level confidence by simply slipping it on. A well fitted blazer is a power piece, for sure, and it would behoove every single person on planet Earth to have one in their wardrobe. From work meetings to running woman on the go errands, my new Rrrruss blazer will give me Blair Waldorf vibes and a confidence that is all mine. ❤

How do you style a Gossip Girl inspired OOTD? What is your favorite power piece in your wardrobe? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct9

Trail Blazers: Kasper Pt. 2 Edition

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Trail Blazers: Kasper Pt. 2 Edition

Howdy! I honestly can’t think of a time when shopping has made me feel bad. Lol, I know such a shopaholic – but seriously. When I’m happy, I shop. When I’m sad, I shop. When I’m indifferent, I shop. But, hey, there’s a lot worse things that I could be doing and at least everything in my Trail Blazers series was from a Goodwill in North Carolina so it definitely didn’t break the bank!

I will admit, that I was not in my normal happy go lucky state of mind during this particular shopping trip. However, purchasing four blazers for twenty bucks in total perked me right up! Lol, check it out:

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Now, I am well aware that this olive green cheetah print number by Kasper is super old ladyish. Believe you me, I am the first to admit it. But, I just feel like I can do something cool with it especially because the color is divine. Because fifty shades of green is so flattering on me, it took the old lady element out of this jacket and turned it into a piece that’s quirky and unique compliments of the velvet animal print and slouchy fit.

If I wear this blazer before my boyfriend gets to it for a concert with his band, the plan is to keep things really young and fresh. So, I’m thinking of pairing it with shorts with tights underneath, a sweet crop top, and all of the chunky gold jewelry. And, of course, a cool pair of boots!

When shopping secondhand, it’s easy to just search for the things that are more suitable to your age and bypass all of the other options. Unfortunately, this means that you’re turning up your nose to eighty percent of what’s in the store. When thrifting, you have to use your imagination to turn something seemingly “not your style” into a new wardrobe staple. I felt like I could do that with this Kasper blazer and I’m looking forward to seeing how it works. 😀

Which sections do you love to shop in at your local thrift stores? How do you get creative while secondhand shopping? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct8

Trail Blazers: Kasper Edition

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Trail Blazers: Kasper Edition

Salutations! We are on blazer two of four thanks to my twenty dollar haul at a North Carolina Goodwill, so let’s get to it! I used to be so weird about thrift shopping in the past because I was a pretty extreme germophobe. And, I’m not going to lie, I still have my quirks but I’ve learned to take a deep breath and dive right in when it comes to secondhand shopping because I’m not going to let my phobia get in the way of a real life treasure hunt! If I let my fears get the best of me, I wouldn’t have ended up with this menswear inspired number seen below:

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I quite like this Kasper blazer! Of course, the shoulder pads, grey scale palette with a hint of red, and the double breasted buttons are all very good. But, what I really like is that I get a very pajama style vibe from it and turning your sleepwear into streetwear is a huge trend right now! My new/old blazer has a more boyfriend fit to it but it still manages to feel constructed, which is a must for me. This is also all the more reason to love a good shoulder pad because it can add a unique structure to even the slouchiest of tops.

Because I am getting such a huge pajama chic vibe from this blazer, I plan on styling it with some comfy cool joggers or a more wide legged trouser for the ultimate stylish take on leisurewear. Keeping it fashion forward is the name of the game, though, which means a sharp stiletto heel is definitely in order as well as all of the bling to keep you looking modelesque as opposed to “I just rolled out of bed”.

How do you style a pajama inspired look? How do you dress for comfort while still looking chic? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct6

Lucky Brand Haul: Corduroy Trucker Jacket Edition

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Lucky Brand Haul: Corduroy Trucker Jacket Edition

Hi! To conclude my Lucky Brand Haul from the outlets in Asheville, North Carolina, we are going to discuss my new corduroy trucker jacket. I have always loved the idea of corduroy but, sadly, have never found anything in that material that I considered worth buying. That is, until my pretty rust hued baby came along. Perfect for fall and a great layering piece, this jacket will be everything come the chillier weather! Take a look:

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I was very excited to have found this style of jacket at Lucky, because I had recently ordered a snakeskin patterned trucker jacket from TJMaxx and it did nothing for me. It was just too big and boxy and even my favorite animal print couldn’t save it. Despite having a more boyfriend style fit, my new jacket still has a lovely little shape to it without just draping over me. This is great, because grossly oversized on a petite frame does nothing for my body type!

And, of course, give me anything in a rusty tan or orange hue and I am all in. One of my favorite colors to wear other than black, this shade does all of the right things for me. It makes my red hair pop, my pale skin look even more porcelain, and my hazel eyes sparkle. It is also beautifully reminiscent of the leaves changing color and will be one of my fall staples, for sure.

As I mentioned above, this jacket is an awesome layering piece because of its slightly oversized fit. This means that you can wear a more chunky sweater or turtleneck underneath and still get away with it without looking like a little marshmallow! And, because it’s a more lightweight jacket, you won’t be burning up with your heavier sweater on beneath it. Talk about a win/win. 😀

How do you rock corduroy? What is your favorite style of jacket? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct5

Lucky Brand Haul: Black Skinnies Edition

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Lucky Brand Haul: Black Skinnies Edition

Howdy! One of my main bugaboos are the classic, all American blue jeans. From about fifteen on, I have simply refused to wear them because 1) I feel like they make me look fat and 2) they definitely don’t fit with my all black everything aesthetic. So, needless to say, I own black skinnies for days and always have to restock a pair or two at least once a year as the color fades so easily.

While shopping the Lucky Brand outlet store in Asheville, North Carolina, I was able to score a new pair that fit like a glove for thirty dollars – a mere fraction of the original ninety dollar price tag! Take a look:

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What I love about these jeans other than their inky midnight black hue and the more cloth like material as opposed to denim is their fit. Thanks to over a decade’s worth of figure skating, it’s no secret that Lil Red definitely has some junk in the trunk. My legs are extremely muscular and I have a booty boo that I am quite proud of, thank you very much!

This is why I am so happy that I was able to find a curvy but still skinny fit pair of jeans. As we all know, plain old skinny jeans don’t have much give to them and it’s no fun having to do the pants dance every time you want to pull a pair on. And, I hate having to size up in jeans and clothes in general due to an eating disorder which is now under control. I was elated to be able to try on a pair of skinnies that were true to my actual size and still felt *comfortably* suction cupped to my legs, lol.

Also, can we please take a moment to talk about the cheeky “lucky you” on the inside of the fly?! Haha, so cute! It has been a while since I got a new pair of black skinnies for myself and these were very much needed. I can absolutely picture myself purchasing Lucky Brand jeans again if the price is right. My new pair fit perfectly and are exactly what I wanted – no sacrificing self esteem required!

What is your least favorite piece of clothing to shop for? Which store has the best jeans? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct4

Lucky Brand Haul: Spot On Sweater Edition

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Lucky Brand Haul: Spot On Sweater Edition

Hello hello! Despite saying that I was going to save money while on vacation, the outlet malls in Asheville were calling my name and I ended up with a haul from Lucky that I am very happy with. In fact, I daresay that I got a better deal at the outlet store than I ever would have shopping with TJMaxx – and that’s really saying something because I swear by that store. Because ya’ll have never known Lil Red to pass up on a deal, I ended up with some beautiful new pieces for my fall wardrobe like this darling polka dot sweater:

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Blah, blah, blah mustard yellow.

Blah, blah, blah excellent deal.

Blah, blah, blah perfect fall staple.

Ugh, but seriously – mustard yellow, excellent deal, and PERFECT fall staple! I cannot say enough good things about this sweater. From the gorgeous fallen leaves hue and the charming pattern to the chunky but fitted shape and keyhole cutout on the back, this sweater has got it going on. It has just the right amount of give to keep me comfy cozy during the cooler weather but it is fitted enough that it doesn’t look like I’m drowning in it or am as wide as a house. Spoiler Alert: Both looks are not cute.

Nope, this lovely little sweater is the epitome of slouchy chic and is going to look simply  flawless paired with some faux leather skinnies, thigh high boots, and a great big statement bag to complete the look. Throw on a huge floppy hat and don’t look at me sunnies and you are ready to strut about the pumpkin patch or apple orchard like you own the joint. Hello, stunner!

What is your favorite pattern to wear? How do you rock a slouchy sweater? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oct3

Lucky Brand Haul: Topper Jacket Edition

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Lucky Brand Haul: Topper Jacket Edition

Hellooo everyone! While vacationing in Asheville, North Carolina, I planned on saving money during the week. However, a trip to the outlet malls utterly destroyed that and I ended up going way too hard at the Lucky Brand discount shop. In my defense, though, I scored some excellent deals and I finally got to actually shop in their store as opposed to waiting for TJMaxx to have some Lucky goodies available to purchase.

If I do have a Lucky Brand near me in Ohio, it is definitely not an outlet location so I wanted to take full advantage of the experience. And, even when TJs does have Lucky items, it is usually just sunnies and jewelry – which are nice. But, it’s not a full blown clothing item, which I so lust after.

During my Lucky haul, I was able to curb the desire for some actual Lucky’s clothing and ended up with four items for about one hundred and forty bucks, which I considered a steal, because the original price on most of the items was one hundred! I also had a twenty-five dollar off coupon and received fifteen percent off when getting approved for their credit card, which dwindled the total down fifty-five dollars. So, no one can say I didn’t shop smart. Or stylish, for that matter, because check this beauty out:

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There is no denying that Lil Red loves a good jacket. I am absolutely addicted to them and, as soon as I saw this gorgeous, wheat colored topper jacket I knew that I needed it. It is honest to god as comfortable as slipping on a bathrobe but the sleek shape, cool color, and fleecey fabric keeps it looking nice and chic. As a shorter girl, I strive to create the illusion of length in all of my OOTDs and the straight lines in this coat make this possible. And, thanks to the slinky fabric, it still feels like it fits like a glove so it doesn’t overpower my petite frame.

The golden wheat color is just phenomenal and I love the way it looks when the light hits it because the poly/cotton blend fabric provides a dazzling sheen. Although this is a fairly simple piece, it makes a bold statement. This, in turn, makes styling it a breeze. All one need do is throw on a killer pair of trousers, your favorite turtle neck, a heeled ankle bootie, and a necklace to hit at the V-neck and you are all set!

Are there any stores that you love but are not close to you? How do you shop smart at outlet malls? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah