After doing several months of these Falshback Friday posts, it’s really made me wish I was a celebrity so I could go on that show “Who do You Think You Are?” on NBC. How cool would that be?

If this studious looking lady is a relative of mine then the name “T. Tankowski” is news to me. I know that part of my family is from Poland, so the Warszawie part is no surprise since that’s Polish for Warsaw. I wonder what that book in her hand is? It can’t be a bible, (we’re Jews!) maybe a book from school? If she was anything like me it would be her daily planner. I can’t live without that thing! And what is the significance of those shrubs at the bottom left? Is it just for decoration or was that Warsaw’s official plant?

Here’s a buttoned up look inspired by Miss Tankowski:

About the Artist Dress in Navy   Rhinestoned Daisy Earrings  Day of My Dreams Planner

Women’s Beaded Toe Strap Sandals   Tourquoise Green Top Handle Crossbody

Found Looking Fabulous Bracelet 

Happy Weekend!!

Drumroll please! Laura decided to wear my nude heels and the teal colored drop earrings. She looks stunning! I’m going to have to have her give me a few lessons on posing- her poses look like she could be America’s Next Top Model! Look out, Tyra!

Dress: Shoshanna Oh La La Lace Dress via Rent the Runway, Earrings: Loehmann’s (borrowed from me), Shoes: Payless (borrowed from me)

I can’t wait for an event to come up for me to go to so that I can borrow things from her! Just giving you a head’s up that I’ll be invading your closet in the near future, Laura.

** Thanks to Laura’s friend/co-worker Avril for taking these photos!

This is probably my new favorite skirt. I just love the texture and the shine it gives off. It was given to me by a friend who no longer wanted it (score!) and now I call it BSF (Best Skirt Forever). I decided to stay within the same color family and pair it with a magenta colored top and added my trusty pointy toe flats for an office appropriate look. Even one of my clients complimented the outfit!

Skirt: LOFT, gift from my friend (similar), Top: New York & Co, Flats: Aldo Shoes (similar), Necklace: Value Village, Watch: Guess, Gift from Mike (similar), Sunnies: Urban Outfitters

I am happy to take on more BSFs or even BDFs (Best Dress Forever) if any of you out there would like me to take some of your leftovers off your hands.

Have you ever recieved a hand me down gift from someone that soon became your favorite item?

Since her office doesn’t throw gala events that often and she didn’t think it was worth going out and looking for a new dress that she probably would only wear once, we turned to the very reliable and fashionable: Rent the Runway. Laura searched on her own for a dress she thought would flatter her body and look appropriate and polished for the event. This was the dress she chose!

Shoshanna Oh La La Lace Dress: Retail: $405, Rental: $60

I really love the elegant boat neck and how it will cinch her in at the waist. The yellow lace overlay is so pretty and feminine- she picked a great dress!

Once her dress came in we got together to figure out how to accessorize it. First we took a look at Laura’s accessories and these were her top picks for what to wear with the dress:

Click through to see!

I love her thought of pairing the green shoes with the dress or the purple earrings (tres chic!). My suggestion was to choose where she wanted to have the pop of color and make the statement; with her shoes or with her jewelry. If she decided to wear the purple earrings I suggested neutral shoes like these two options below she could borrow from me. (Just one of the perks of being a twin and having the same shoe size)!

If she decided to go with neutral shoes, I also gave her a few other earrings options she could borrow from me:

Or, if she decided to go with the green shoes I showed her some more neutral and classic jewelry to pair with the whole look:

So basically my suggestions for getting dressed up to go to a fancy event on the cheap is to:

A) Rent a nice dress from Rent the Runway or other similar companies

B) Borrow a dress or accessories from a friend or relative who wears the same size as you

OR

C) Invest in a fancy and classic look that you think you will wear throughout the years

Laura’s event is coming up this Wednesday- I can’t wait to see what she decides to wear!

What option would you use if you had a fancy event coming up?

Lookout world! Here comes some lady who may have been related to me with her super topper. Thanks to Duchess Catherine, the last few very popular Royal Weddings and horse races everywhere, hats are coming back in a major way. I also like how the little lady is wearing a fascinator type bow in her hair- aaaaaadorable.

Much Love Floral Blouse   Pleated Skirt with Belt   Humble Pioneer Hat

Sheirich Clutch   Colorblock Earrings   Maybelline Fit Me Blush

You know I couldn’t help myself and had to do an outfit for the little girl too! Enjoy

Girls Tiered Metallic Sundress   Chiffon Rosette Headband

Girls Cropped V-Neck Sweater   Pink Polka Dot Tights

Happy Weekend!

Springtime is a time for cleaning your house, wearing a few less layers, and going to spruce up your ‘do at your hair salon. I’ve done 2 out of 3 so far. I decided to go a little redder this time around with the locks- I love it! My Dad, on the other hand, thinks I look better with my “natural look.” Well, Dad, I know I’ll always seem like your little girl with curly brown hair but sometimes we ladies like to mix it up! Red straight hair is definitely a mixer upper.

Top: JCrew via Goodwill, Skirt: Forever21, Belt & Purse: Target, Wedges: H&M, Necklace: World Market, New Do: DCB Salon

Another part of me that got red during this little photo shoot in the front of our townhouse complex- you guessed it- mi cara. One of my neighbors came out of his house to get something out of his car and I got a wee bit embarassed that Mike was snapping some shots of me. Heh.

What do you like to do to mix up your look from time to time? 

Today’s thrifting tip is don’t limit yourself to only one size! Now, the shorts pictured above are obviously way too large/hideous- but this tip basically means that if you have enough time to shop for a while, try checking out other size sections just to see what’s lurking there. Even if you are a true medium you never know if something was sized weird and a small actually fits like a medium or someone washed their favorite jeans in hot water one too may times and now a 12 fits like an 8. The top I’m wearing today (which I found at the last Thrifting Adventure) is marked a large but it fits me fine as a flowy top tucked into slacks or a high waisted skirt. It’s all relative!

Now get out there and thrift like you’ve never thrifted before!!**

**If you actually have never thrifted before, I assume this will be easy for you.

Or maybe I was just being kinda lazy about it and had a little extra time yesterday to hunker down and do it. Either way, I would smile so huge and give all of you a virtual high five if you would do me a favor and like Thrift and Style’s page on FB. They grow up so fast!

Where do I start with this photo? Just look at her dress! Poofy sleeves, exaggerated collar, cinched waist, high neck with what appears to be a bow in the back, and some sort of rhinestone looking detail on the trim of the collar. There is a lot going on with this look.

Another style choice I’m noticing- bangs! Curly hair and bangs has never been something that I’ve really thought looks even remotely good (even though I have had my stylist give me semi-bangs once and then instantly regretted it) but I applaud her for trying.

Here’s my interpretation of this late 1800s look:

Called to Say Hyacinth Dress  Sash Samba Belt  Rhinestone Crochet Collar Necklace

Dimpled Hoop Earrings  Conair Hair Setter  Clinique Quickliner

Color Blocked Wallet (worn as a clutch)  Longing for Lavender Heel

Happy weekend!! 

Anywho, what follows is a thrifting tip that happens to be on a (random) Tuesday.

Find a Local Thrift Store that you can Access Easily (And Often)

It could be your local Goodwill, Value Village, or a random thrift store you found out about through your co-worker that is right by your office. Going to the same thrift store often means that you are more likely to get in on the goods as most thrift stores are constantly re-stocking the floor. Make sure that the ones you go back to again and again are ones that are easy to get to, you’ve had success finding things there before, and they usually have a good range of affordable prices.

You never know what you might find if you decide to drop by on a random afternoon. I always feel so lucky when I find something on an impromptu trip to my local Goodwill or Unique and end up fiding that perfect dress that will be worn for years and years to come.

I love you, bicycle dress.