Category: Frugal Finds

May 31, 2018 SanaSakinah No comments exist

“Thrift stores stink”. ” I’m afraid I might get bed bugs.” “I can’t wear other people’s used stuff.”  These are just some of the negative sentiments I’ve heard especially over this past year from various folks once I started sharing my love for thrifting. Surely I can understand where they are coming from. I mean, who doesn’t love the smell of brand new shoes and fresh clothes from the mall or department stores?? I remember growing up and having to get stuff bought from thrift stores at times and not being so thrilled about it. My white uniform school blouses were always bought from there. I still can remember the little frilly ruffles and lace details that sometimes donned the fancier collars and sleeves. Thrift stores and sewing machines were my mom’s “go to” as a child. Hearing the needle weaving in and out of the Joann’s fabric in the middle of the day and night from the dining room table was one of my fondest childhood memories. The excitement of wearing something brand new and designed completely from scratch exclusively for me was the highlight of my fashion era as a child. Now ask me if you’d catch me wearing them now, and that would totally be a different story (lol). 

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No matter what, my mom made it work. I don’t recall feeling left out of not always having the newest most expensive clothes and shoes. And Girrrrl those Umm (Mom) originals were hittin back in the day. You couldn’t tell me “NUFFIN” back on Eid Days (lol)!! Fast forwarding to today, I rediscovered thrift stores in my late twenties while living in NYC and simply fell in love. Now a mom myself, and a frugal fashionista, I discovered what seemed like a secret underground shopping society in these resale shops. I loved the thrill in finding all sorts of clothing that were once loved by someone else and now passed on to another. And often times, these items were barely worn to even brand new. I don’t think people even realize the magnitude in which  people toss out perfectly good stuff. I thought how can you not love this?!? And why had it taken me so long to discover them again?? Once I started, I was simply hooked!! Now years later, I’m tackling running my own thrift store, trying to change the perception of thrift stores, and help people realize the value in these often overlooked hidden treasure chests…one piece at a time. Today I chose a dress from my online store, Perfectly Picked Thrift, I had to pull because it was flawsome (lol). Yes it was flawed so I had to pull it, but still totally awesome of a piece to keep for myself and share on the blog today.

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Let me just say when I first bought this dress to sell, I totally had my eyes on it for myself so it was actually a pleasant surprise to have to pull it from my inventory (lol). As I’m writing this I can’t even recall what was the issue, but it didn’t meet quality control inspection…WINNING (lol)!!! This dress which I believe is vintage totally screams  60s/ 70s bohemian chic. And that is one of my favorite fashion eras by far!! I love the mix of prints and patterns along with the natural earth tone colors. I loved the A line shape coupled with the full feminine skirt which had an amazingly awesome swing and movement to it. The skirt ended in a slight slant which I thought just added a tad more character and flair to this beautiful piece.

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I chose this army green crop jacket to pair with my dress because it’s a halter top underneath. I thought a cropped jacket did an excellent job of not taking away or cutting off the shape of the dress while also working as my much needed cover up. 

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I chose my sand colored suede peep toe booties with fringe down the back by Naughty Monkey. I thought the natural sand color worked well with the mix of my other earth tones, and I loved the play of fringe just peeking out from underneath the bottom of my dress. So cute!!!

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Of course, I chose my handy dandy vintage leather handbag by Architect for AMC. If you’re familiar with me or my blog then you already know how much of a staple this thing is for me. I always have a “Go To” bag and this is indeed just that currently. I love this bag because of it’s natural rich earth toned chestnut color and how simple and classy it is. I love the sense of old school charm this bag evokes every time I where it.

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Last but not least, I chose my mocha colored jersey hijab and white leather refashioned earrings I made out of an old leather boot to pair with this outfit. I thought my hijab blended beautifully with the color in my dress, and I loved how the earrings picked up the hints of white flowers throughout it.

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Welp, that’s it for today you guys. There are no Ifs, Ands, or Buts about it…Thrift stores win in my book…hands down!! According to EPA “the average American throws away as much as 81 pounds of clothing every year”. Just imagine if we could all benefit from that instead of aggravating the problem of so much ending up in land fills. Reduce Reuse Recycle goes for clothing too. Thrifting is not only cost effective but it’s also most importantly Eco friendly!! Ok…ok I had to get just a little deep for a sec (lol). Until next time, don’t forget to stay and slay on a budget!! *Waves*

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What I Wore:

Dress: $4 @PAT
Crop Jacket: $3 @Goodwill
Naughty Monkey booties: $25 @Burlington
Vintage leather handbag: 50 cents @PATO

May 16, 2018 SanaSakinah 2 comments

If you love shopping for cute clothing and accessories as much as I, the chances of having pieces that have just been sitting around waiting to make their official debut out of your closet are pretty high. I’m definitely not a special occasion shopper. Nothing irks me more than having an event to attend and needing to shop for an entire outfit. I believe if you stay ready you won’t ever have to get ready!!! Besides I don’t need any event planned to Ok me grabbing those cute shoes, dress or handbag I happen to run into out while thrifting and shopping. Being an avid thrifter has truly cut down on my need to plan and scramble for outfits at the last minute because I am always finding cute pieces that come in handy when I officially need them. Here’s a little advice…always keep your eyes open for new exciting pieces that grab your attention and don’t worry about when or where you’re going to wear it. Just know that when you need it, you’ll be prepared!! Today’s look on the blog is all about when your sacred closeted and newer pieces all come together.

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So I chose this cute and comfy faux sand washed denim romper for this look. What can I say about this piece other than I absolutely love how simple and easy this piece feels!! The basic light blue denim color makes it great for being able to style and accessorize in a number of ways. I love the relaxed casual style of this romper with the basic buttoned down front, sleeves and collared neckline much like that of a regular jean shirt. I love a roomier romper or jumper that has a slighter masculine edge that I can always infuse with some feminine touches. The material in this jumper is absolutely lightweight and airy so it moves and feels extremely soft on the skin despite it looking like denim. The adjustable drawstring waist is a great detail for defining the waistline just a bit so it adds a touch of shape and form. And who can forget the added convenience of side pockets which is always a welcomed bonus in my book!!

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I knew I wanted to accentuate the romper with vibrant colors. Therefore making it’s official debut in this outfit are these Bertinni wedges which I bought over a year ago out while thrifting. I bought these shoes solely because they were completely interesting and eye catching.  They weren’t totally ME but I knew they could make an outfit pop so I purchased them anyway. I loved the various bold purple, green, pink and orange color blocking on these shoes along with the gold piping as well as the bedazzled studded wedge heels. They definitely make a memorable statement (lol)!!

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So I chose this gorgeous handbag from BeadArt by FoCasions. I absolutely loved the design of this bag as soon as I saw it. The long tote like structure makes  it so convenient for carrying more things if needed. I love the combination of the circular wooden handles  for easy gripping along with the longer shoulder strap. And not to mention, this shoulder strap is everrrrrrythang!!! I love the simplistic basic camel color of this bag accompanied by the striking colorful shoulder strap. It just makes this piece totally Pop!! As soon as I saw this bag I knew my shoes were finally coming out to play soon (lol).

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Last but not least I chose my emerald green milk silk jersey hijab along with these orange wooden earrings for a little more color blocking action. I just loved bringing out the different pops of color from both my shoes and bag. 

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Welp, I hope you guys enjoyed this look of mine today. Stop overthinking what you’re going to wear that special piece you see out while shopping with or to. Grab it and work out all those subtle details later!! There’s nothing worse than non-buyer’s remorse. Until next time, don’t forget to stay and slay on a budget!!! *Waves*

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What I Wore:

Blue faux denim romper:  $6 @Value Village
Bertini wedges: $4 @PAT
Colorful strap tote bag: (gifted)  BeadArt by Focasions 

April 22, 2018 SanaSakinah 8 comments

If someone asked me if I loved to shop I would always tell them No. The truth is I’ve always hated shopping for the most part…excluding shoe shopping. I mean, what girl doesn’t love trying on new shoes!? I couldn’t walk past a pair of cute shoes without trying them on if my life depended on it (lol)!! But the thought of having to walk around a store and trying on different things never appealed to me really. It always seemed like such a never ending labor intensive job that yielded mediocre results at best. And Oh those dreaded dressing rooms with the horrible mirrors and bad lighting. I can never forget about how many body image complexes they used to give me growing up as a teenager. 

The truth is I’ve never felt completely satisfied shopping in regular stores especially as a Muslimah.  So many times you’d go shopping and it would be either a hit or a miss. There was never a guarantee of finding exactly what you were looking for so often times you would just settle for whatever kinda/sorta worked. Fast forwarding to my adult years and rediscovering thrift stores was like a total wake up call for me.  And I say rediscovering because I grew up wearing thrifted clothing as a child at times so it wasn’t totally new for me. But Thrifting was different than shopping and although probably just as if not more labor intensive it was fun, exciting and surprisingly very therapeutic. I loved the thrill in the hunt for hidden gems hiding between heaps of clothing waiting for someone to rediscover and bring back to life. Therefore, for this blog I wanted to highlight a buried hidden treasure I found out while thrifting recently. And it is this beautiful full length dress…..

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So of course, this beautiful navy blue dress is the highlight of this outfit. Let me just say when I saw her kind of sticking out between all the other pieces on the rack it took me awhile to process how it was not snatched up already (lol). I mean, it was just simply gorgeous, and I was too thrilled to try her on finding out she fit perfectly!! I just loved the simplicity in this dress from the basic navy blue color to the floor length and the much needed long sleeves. I love the fact that it’s empired waisted with a fit and flare shape which is flattering on so many different shapes and sizes. The fluidity and movement of the fabric is just absolutely gorgeous. It is very rare to find dresses like this in regular stores let alone a thrift store, so I  was so appreciative for this discovery. And at only a whopping 3 bucks, I felt like I had hit the jackpot….Cha Ching (lol)!!!....

I decided to stick with more neutral and earth tones to accent my dress so I went with my leather camel Guess Platform heels. With this dress being so long I definitely needed the height of a higher heel along with some comfort, and these did just the trick.

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I decided to throw a little green into my outfit with my vintage leather hunter green and chestnut Liz Claiborne handbag. I simply adore this bag and it is definitely one of my favorite recent finds. I just love the colors navy blue and green together so I thought it went nicely with my dress. ...

Last but not least, I chose a basic navy blue cotton jersey hijab to pair along with my outfit. I wanted to stick with Navy blue as the stand alone color. Instead of wearing earrings  with this outfit,  I repurposed a couple of clutch bag chains along with a beaded necklace I had taken apart and threw altogether to create this neck piece. I just loved how the necklace matched my bag and shoes picking up the hints of green and browns as well as complemented my overall outfit.....

Welp that’s it for today you guys. I hope you enjoyed this look of mine. Don’t forget to stay and slay on a budget!!  Happy Treasure Hunting!! *Waves*..

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What I Wore:

KOH KOH Jersey Dress: $3 @Value Village

Guess Heels: $6 @Goodwill

Liz Claiborne Handbag: $1 @PATO

 

April 5, 2018 SanaSakinah No comments exist

Hellooooo and welcome back!!! Sorry I have been on a little hiatus trying to get ready for an exciting spring launch I think you guys will be very pleased to finally see, and I can’t wait to reveal it all!!! How’s everybody doing so far this spring season?? Seems like winter totally doesn’t want to move along just yet and is holding us all hostage (lol). Well, despite this crazy indecisive weather I’ve managed to pull out a few springy things on the warmer and more beautiful days trying to soak up a lil spring fever and put a lil pep back into my step. It’s nothing that welcomes the onset of spring quite like beautifully bright, striking colors and flowy fabrics.

 

After being in numerous winter pieces, heavier knits, and wrapped in thicker fabrics spring is the optimum season to shed all the those stuffier winter layers and ease into more relaxed spring time fine clothing.  Let’s just keep it real, the sight of spring is like the rainbow at the end of the longest hurricane we’ve all been trying to ride out, the calm after the storm we’ve all been praying for and the season we’ve already got of all our outfits planned for in advance (lol). Yes, we’ve already pulled out about a half dozen to a dozen or so of outfits amidst our spring cleaning we just can’t wait to wear. So in the spirit of kicking off this season of renewing and rejuvenation, I thought it was only right to wear a couple pieces I hadn’t yet worn.

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For this outfit I chose this magenta colored jersey dress I bought off ebay awhile ago. One thing I want to mention specifically about this dress is that it is soooo not forgiving and probably one of the reasons I had yet to wear it (lol). It’s not your standard milk silk/ jersey dress with an elastic empire waist and totally accommodating to all sizes. This dress will show a multitude of flaws especially in the waistline and a girl wasn’t totally springtime fine ready so I did what I could with what I had!!  I found myself disliking some pics because of the way it gathers and pleats at the waist and underneath the bust. However, I thought the pleating detail at the hip itself was really pretty just not the most flattering to be quite honest. I usually prefer a roomier and more flared hip span myself. Besides that particular detail, I thought the color of the dress was gorgeous and moved so gracefully.

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I chose to pair my dress with one of my favorite staples which is this orange high low cardigan by BCBG MAXAZRIA. I love a high low cardigan especially when I need it to give me a tad more coverage with dresses that aren’t the most flattering. I thought the orange color complemented the magenta perfectly, and I loved how they both flowed so effortlessly together.

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I chose these color blocking platform heels by GUESS to pair with my outfit. I loved the 3 tone colored heels and the way they integrated the 3 different colors on a completely different section of the shoe. The mix of magenta, bright orange and fuchsia totally went beautifully with my overall outfit.

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I went with a pop of mustard yellow for my bag with this simple envelope clutch. I loved adding this color into my outfit to continue the color blocking theme. Never forget your accessories are crucial in telling your outfit’s story. Clutches and handbags are a great way to add a lil something extra into an outfit.

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Last but not least, I chose my mustard yellow jersey hijab for that additional pop of color and turned a couple of bright orange beaded bracelets into a pair of earrings.

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Welp, that’s it for today you guys!! I hope you enjoyed this spring time fine color blocking look of mine. Until next time, don’t forget to stay and slay on a budget!! *Waves*

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What I Wore:

Magenta jersey dress: $18 @ebay

BCBG MAXAZRIA cardigan:  $5 @Goodwill

GUESS heels; $6 @Goodwill

Envelope clutch: $1 @PATO

 

March 9, 2018 SanaSakinah No comments exist
So we’ve finally reached the month of March and spring is fast approaching. However, this weather has truly been much like an unruly 2 year old who just can’t sit still, throwing tantrums all over the place, and making sure to keep us all on our toes. While we’ve experienced summer-like weather in the last month or so, we’ve also plummeted back down to freezing temps, rain, and even snow/ blizzards in some parts of the country. If you’re like me then you’re probably totally over this wacky winter, and all the havoc it’s wreaked over the last few months.
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When seasons start to collide and winter refuses to tap out to give way for the warmth and pleasantries of spring fever, one must ask themselves,”what do I wear?”. The end of winter is always quite an amusing time for me to see people who are still all bundled up like they’re stuck in Antarctica to those who are totally ready for the beach, flip flops and all (lol) . It’s the funniest thing ever to see two people in the same vicinity totally dressed for completely different seasons not knowing when to let winter go or totally insisting on skipping spring altogether. However irrational this type of weather may be, it always allows me to get a little more funky and creative with layering which I absolutely love. That’s why I chose this outfit on the blog today.
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I knew I wanted to wear this beautiful coral textured and ruffled tank dress/ blouse for this outfit. I absolutely love this piece which I thrifted ages ago. The color is so rich and vibrant along with the textured chiffon like fabric that just falls in this beautiful layered tier of soft ruffles. I have worn this piece many times and it never disappoints any outfit I pair it with. I just adore how romantic and feminine it is!! .
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So I paired my long hunter green cardgian with this outfit. I just loved how the green and coral paired so nicely together. This is another piece I thrifted years ago, and has been with me for some time now. I just love the never ending waterfall of ruffles all along the collar and down the front of it. I thought the ruffles in this cardigan along with the ruffles of my blouse merged so beautifully together without being so gaudy and over the top.
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So because this look is all about playing around with layers and texture, I chose my faux leather bomber jacket. Y’all know this has become one of my staples for sure!! I love the contrast of the short tough leather jacket against the longer and softer feminine layers underneath.
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I went with a pair of simple light blue jeans for my bottom. Of course everything else is doing ALL the talking. I didn’t need anything too busy down bottom as well (lol).
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I chose this oversized floral printed handbag by Aldo. I just love how this bag merged with my outfit so perfectly picking up the beautiful hunter green in the straps and trim along with the beautiful orange flowers printed all over a mustard yellow/ goldish background.
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So, of course, I chose my mustard yellow corduroy flats which I thought went great with my handbag and my overall outfit. Now I love a nice pair of heels, but flats can be just as cute and these worked very nicely and were sooo comfy!!
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Last but not least, I chose this nude cappuccino colored jersey hijab along with these coral colored beaded bracelets I used for my earrings. Nude hijabs are a great staple to have in your wardrobe because they can compliment a number of different color combinations.
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Welp, that’s it for today you guys!! I hope you enjoyed this late winter/ early spring look of mine. Wherever you are, I hope you’re staying both warm and dry. It won’t be much longer before we all can revel in the coming of spring’s blessings and bounties. Until next time, don’t forget to stay and slay on a budget!!! *Waves* 
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What I Wore:

Ruffle Blouse/ tank dress: $6 @Goodwill
Blue Tassel cardigan: $8 @Goodwill
Better Be bomber jacket: $6 @PAT
St. John Bay jeans: 50 cents @PATO
Aldos handbag: $5 @Goodwill
Corduroy flats: $3@Goodwill
February 23, 2018 SanaSakinah 2 comments

So, if you haven’t seen or heard about the movie Black Panther yet, I don’t know where you have exactly been?!? It is probably one of the biggest and top grossing blockbusters in recent history, and I am totally here for all the Black excellence it exudes!! As a movie goer who went last weekend to see this film I was in such awe of all the beautiful African clothing and attire from the traditional garbs, natural hair, head dresses and beautiful face paint. I loved how so many of us in the event of watching this movie came dressed for the occasion in the spirit of being true citizens of Wakanda. Although a fictitious place, in our hearts we could feel it and it felt like home, warm and familiar…beautiful and safe. It was a great way to escape some of our current and past harsh realities especially since so much of our stories have been about hurt, pain and oppression. It was truly refreshing to feel and imagine a place that was unscathed, prosperous and where black people were the actual kings, queens, princesses, heroes/ heroines and saviors. These are the images we so often don’t get to see on the big screen, and the stories we obviously showed we are yearning for more of.

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In the spirit of the movie I, of course, dressed for the occasion as well. I actually had this look planned out for a minute before it was going to be my actual movie outfit, but I thought it went perfectly with the theme so I went with it. This was more of an impromptu photo session literally right in the parking lot before we went into the theater (lol). I really wish I had the time to get a better variety of shots, but time was not on our side that day.

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I chose to wear this black dress from Kabayare fashion. I purchased this dress over a year ago and am finally wearing it. What I love about this dress is how light and airy it is. The A-line shape and empire waist are always pluses because those are usually flattering for all body types. The bodice is simple and buttoned up with long billowy sleeves while the skirt was just so flowy with a sheer overlay. I love how gracefully eloquent the skirt moves as you walk. Anything that makes me appear as if I’m gliding always gets a thumbs up in my book (lol)!! 

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So y’all know I love to mix things up in my outfits and especially with dresses. So, this time being no different, I chose this totally cute jean and faux leather motorcycle jacket by Forever 21. Let me just tell you, I love this jacket!! I thought it was so tough yet adorable, and I loved the contrast against my soft and romantic kind of dress.

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I chose to pair my outfit with a pair of of Enzo Angiolini peep toe pumps. I simply adore these shoes. I loved the mix of sheer mesh on the sides and back along with the stunning sparkling glitter all around them!! Sorry I couldn’t truly capture them in any of these pics. Check pic at bottom for up close shot.

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I chose a sparkling glitter clutch by Merona that matched my shoes perfectly. I love when I find  matching thrifted pieces like bags and shoes. Total Score!.

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Now you know we had to do thee absolute most with a finishing touch of fur, so I wore this purple faux fur collar I purchased off of Amazon. I loved the beautiful rich color of this piece, and how it picked up the purple sparkles in my shoes and clutch!!

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Last but not least, I chose my black jersey hijab along with my beaded iridescent peacock colored chandelier earrings. These shimmering beauties also matched my clutch and bag perfectly as well, might I add.

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Welp, that’s it for today you guys. I hope you enjoyed this Black Panther look of mine. If you haven’t already seen the movie yet, what are you waiting for?!? Go see it today!! Until next time, don’t forget to stay and slay on a budget!! And Oh Yeah…Wakanda FOREVER!!! *Waves*

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What I Wore:

Black Maxi Dress: @Kabayare Fashion $45

Forever 21 motorcycle jacket: $3 @Value Village

Enzo Angiolini heels: $4 @PAT

Merona clutch: $5 @Goodwill

Purple Faux Fur stole: $15 @Amazon

February 21, 2018 SanaSakinah No comments exist

I often cringe when people attempt to box themselves in or insist on coloring inside of the lines as to not offend or break any “fashion rules”. If we were all to abide by the same rules we would certainly be wearing nothing short of a standard uniform. And I’m absolutely not going back to the times of wearing a stuffy uniform akin to my private school days (lol)!! Fashion should be fun, exciting, and most importantly revolutionary. Time doesn’t stand still for anyone and neither does fashion. Constantly we are living in a world where it is constantly changing and evolving into something else. Trying to keep up with the changes will leave you out of breath but learning to adapt and sustain your own sense of style will never leave you out of date.

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While we’ve been having a crazy long stretch of cloudy and rainy weather here in Georgia it has also been steadily warming up so I’ve been digging a little deeper in my closet and pulling out some forgotten things I’ve thrifted in the past months. For this look I wanted to mix up a couple of my vintage finds with some of my more modern pieces for an updated and refreshed take on a retro/ vintage inspired look.

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So, my oversized vintage AKF New York jacket was the inspiration for this look today. I found this jacket some time ago and it instantly caught my eyes due to the lovely mix of exquisite prints and colors. I love how easy and light weight it was reminding me of a simple yet elegant robe. And I absolutely loved the mix of gold, burnt orange and turquoise colors on a solid black background.  Anything that can stand out amongst a crowded thrift store rack always gets my stamp of approval and this piece did just that.

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I decided to pair my jacket with a solid burnt orange tunic underneath. I loved how the rich color of this tunic brought out the sprinkles of color in my jacket as well. I wore a cute wide black lace belt to cinch at the waist and pull the jacket and top together. I thought the touch of lace was really feminine and added a slight shape to a boxy jacket. Belts are great staples to have for creating waistlines in oversized clothing with a lack of shape and structure.

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I went with a basic pair of simple light blue jeans for the bottom. I really wanted the other pieces to do all the talking while keeping my look casual as well. I just love how jeans have that ability to make an outfit look like you’re not trying the do thee most also while absolutely trying (lol).

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I chose these absolutely adorable black and leopard print stacked flats by Naturalizer. They were extremely comfortable and gave off such an old school feel with the two-toned shape and vintage inspired structure. As soon as I saw the jacket I knew I wanted to wear these two together!!

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For my bag, I went with this vintage leather Rosemary Classic handbag. You all probably know by now that I am a sucker for a good vintage bag, and this one surely didn’t disappoint!! I love the solid black leather and sturdy briefcase like structure of this handbag with the hint of gold hardware and single handle. This piece just screamed sophistication and girl boss chic as soon as I saw it (lol). I love vintage pieces like this that carry and orate history along with style so eloquently.

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Last but not least, I chose my black jersey hijab along with these earrings I bought from a street vendor some time ago. I just loved how my earrings matched some elements of my jacket perfectly picking up some of the colors as well as patterns precisely. They were like a match made in heaven (lol).

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Welp, that’s it for today you guys. I hope you enjoyed this updated retro/vintage inspired look of mine. Until next time, don’t forget to stay and slay on a budget!! *Waves*.

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What I Wore:

AKF New York jacket: $5

Tunic Top: $5 @Goodwill

Lee jeans: .25 PAT Outlet

Naturalizer shoes: $4 @Value Village

Rosemary Classic handbag: $4 PAT

Belt: $1 @Goodwill

February 8, 2018 SanaSakinah No comments exist

You ever look back laughing at old photos of yourself and question, “What was I thinking wearing this?”. It’s so hilarious looking back at old photos and reminiscing that at that particular point in time you thought you were the baddest thing walking lol. Honestly, I just knew some of my old Holiday outfits my mother made from her Butterick and McCall patterns were the bomb dot com (lol). Now I just shake my head thinking, “WoW, I wouldn’t be caught dead in that again” (lol)!! But what can I say (sigh)…I was born and raised in the 80s/ 90s and those weren’t my favorite fashion eras to be honest, Sorry millennials!! I know how much you love their clothing (lol).

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Now looking through my mom’s old pics would truly have me in awe. What I consider the golden era of fashion and style has always been the previous decades before my time, the 60s and 70s. Everybody looked so fly, polished and well put together. I love the clothing from those particular eras and the amount of pride in one’s appearance those photos would always evoke. Every look in the pictures would capture a sort of cool, easy and timeless glamour. For this blog I wanted to recreate that sense of old school charm and effortless style in this vintage inspired look.

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For this look I chose this vintage tweed houndstooth blazer by ILGWU. As soon as I saw this blazer I simply fell in love. I loved the exquisite construction of this blazer from the salmon satin lining to the corduroy collar and elbow patches to the multi-colored teal, tan, brown and burnt orange houndstooth pattern of the jacket. I loved every detail of this blazer including the cute wooden-like buttons on the sleeves and along the front. The sophisticated and casual combination in this blazer was a perfect fit for me.

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Next, I chose a simple cowl neck shift sweater dress to pair underneath the blazer. I thought the dark teal color was a great contrast against the lighter tan and picked up the teal in my blazer quite nicely

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I chose a pair of camel Coldwater Creek pants to wear with this outfit. I loved these particular pants because they are so comfortable and reminded me of crushed velvet. They were so light and easy also enhancing that old school relaxed sort of glamour I was aiming for.

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I chose my dark teal patent leather Steve Madden pumps. I thought these worked well with my outfit and matched my teal sweater nicely. These heels also paired well with my longer pants, giving me  just the extra height I needed in the legs (lol).

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I chose this vintage handbag by Naturalizer I picked up in Baltimore on my last visit. You all know how much I adore a cute vintage handbag, and this one didn’t disappoint. I love the beautiful rich camel color which paired nicely with my outfit. The briefcase-like handle and front metal closure are always favorites of mine in handbags. I thought this one was totally classy and chic.

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Last but not least, I chose my tan jersey hijab along with my refashioned fringe earrings. I wanted a plain neutral hijab to pair along with my jacket, and I loved how my earrings went nicely with my overall outfit.

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Welp, that’s it for today you guys. I hope you enjoyed this vintage inspired look of mine. Until next time, don’t forget to stay and slay on a budget!! *Waves*

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What I Wore:

Vintage ILGWU Tag Blazer: $4 @PAT

Sweater Dress: I can’t remember the price (Purchased on ebay I believe)

Coldwater Creek pants: $2 @Value Village

Steve Madden pumps; $15 @Goodwill

Vintage Naturalizer handbag: $5 @ Collins Ave Thrift Store

 

February 1, 2018 SanaSakinah No comments exist

Gone are the days for me when I buy some extravagant Eid (Holiday) outfit I wear for only one occasion and then sits in the back of my closet collecting the dust of Eid’s past. After finding myself wearing an outfit one time and simply not wearing it again, I decided I had to reconfigure my idea of special occasion outfits. Now don’t get me wrong, I love a good bedazzled/ bejeweled gown like any other girl, but my heart often longs for sweet simplicity. There’s nothing like a simple piece that is both buildable yet still stands alone quite nicely.

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I love an amazing dress in all it’s shimmering glory but I honestly have to ask myself, “How many times am I really going to wear this?”. And you know I like more bang for my buck, so if it’s not likely I will wear it again, I will simply pass. That’s why I’ve opted for more pieces that are easily both interchangeable as well as buildable giving me the versatility to change up a look and give a fresh new feel. The ability to accessorize is so important when it comes to building an awesome wardrobe or any outfit. This essentially can take your closet from a few options to a plethora of never ending possibilities. That’s why I chose a previous Eid dress to remix and restyle as my feature on the blog today.

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I chose this emerald green milk silk maxi dress I bought from Kabayare Fashion back in 2016. When I first bought this dress I absolutely loved the striking radiant green color. It is truly what caught my eye. This dress is simple in shape consisting of a basic bodice, a slightly gathered skirt and an empire waist. Yet, the fabric being so fluid and draping so beautifully combined with the gorgeous color makes it such a great candidate for simply building upon, which is why I initially chose it for an Eid outfit. This particular dress seems to be a pretty popular muslimah favorite, and I can totally understand why (lol)!!

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I chose to wear my brown faux fur vest along with my dress in light of the cooler winter weather. I must say I’m not the biggest fan of fur vests you guys, I’m Sorry. And I swear everyone else looks sooo good in them, but it’s really hard for me to find one that is flattering and doesn’t make me look like a grizzly bear (lol). And I absolutely abhor anything that makes me look bigger or broader than I am. This particular fur vest is the only one I’ve come across thus far that works well for me. I love the mixture of both dark and light brown fur along with the fact that it is also a stretchy sweater with a zippered front.

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I decided to pair my outfit with these cute brown boots by Miss Bisou I happened to get free of charge the day before. Yes, I said FREE!!! It totally pays to be one of the last people in the thrift store at the end of a looong day when the employees are tired and ready to go home. I love the comfort and ease of these boots, and adore the buckled straps up the sides and around the ankles. These felt and looked like classic riding boots and had an elevated edgy feel. I thought they worked well with my outfit.

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I chose my brown leather Dockers handbag to wear with this look. I happened to be wearing this bag when I found the boots and they matched perfectly so I was sold!!  Also, I loved the simplicity of the bag along with the distressed leather look.

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Last but not least I chose my matching emerald green milk silk jersey hijab that I also purchased along with my dress. Again I just loved the color and the way it draped in such elegance. I chose my refashioned brown spiked earrings and bracelet to accessorize this outfit. I loved how well they played into my overall look giving it more of that slight edge I was going for.

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Welp, that’s it for today you guys. I hope you enjoyed this remixed throwback look of mine. Until next time, don’t forget to stay and slay on a budget!!

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What I Wore:

Milk Silk Dress: $26 @Kabayare Fashion

Faux Fur Vest: $4 @PAT

Brown Boots: FREE!!!

Dockers Handbag: $5 @Goodwill

 

 

January 25, 2018 SanaSakinah 8 comments

So the weather finally broke over the weekend following a week full of bone chilling temps, a whopping couple of inches in snow on the ground and a house full of kids if you have any who were home from school driving you crazy due to a “state of emergency” and another week of “snow days” (side eye). Despite it all we made it through that week alive and intact (wipes sweat from brow) to welcome in one of the warmest weekends that I’ve experienced in a minute. Thank Goodness!! And I must say I surely appreciated a little break from the coldest winter ever lol.

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Therefore I left my heavier coats hanging in the winds and sought out something a little lighter and brighter in light of the beautiful weather we were blessed to have. The weather was so perfect to break out a few things I had picked up in the past months but had yet to wear. You know I love mixing and matching different elements of style so my outfit on the blog today is an ode to my personality and eclectic taste featuring a little funky mixed with a scoop of edgy and a side of chic.

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I decided to pull out my black trumpet skirt for this look. I knew I wanted my skirt to totally scream chic for this outfit. I love a good trumpet skirt with that classic fit and flair shape that complements just about any body type. This is probably one of my favorite skirts I own. The simple solid black color makes it a great staple for any wardrobe that can be styled in various ways.

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Next, I chose this mustard yellow blouse mixed with black and a hint of red plaid to pair with my skirt. I totally digged the mix of colors and absolutely loved it when I first saw it. It wasn’t the most flattering shape but I knew the print was completely eye catching, and with a little nip tuck layering could definitely come in handy which it did for this particular look.

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Next, I chose my recently thrifted vegan leather motorcycle jacket to accompany this outfit. I love how it just put a little edge and danger into my outfit. I loved this jacket when I first saw it while thrifting. From the subtle details like the red satin lining on the inside to the gold zippers adorning it, I was sold on these details making it not only edgy but both feminine and chic as well.

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I chose these funky cherry red patent leather puma sneakers I found in Burlington over the summer. As someone who is not a real sneaker head and hasn’t worn them on a regular basis in almost twenty years I must I say absolutely love these!! First off, the red hot color mixed with the shiny patent leather just spoke to my soul and pulled at my heart strings. There was no way I was walking away from them that day lol!! And when I thought of the bag I had recently purchased that matched to perfection I was completely smitten.

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Of course I paired my outfit with the Estee Lauder bag I had already that inspired me to purchase the sneakers. I snatched this bag up so fast when I first saw it. It was sitting in the back of the store looking  like an afterthought tossed amongst the miscellaneous things and priced at only $2.50. We locked eyes and the rest was history…she was mine for the keeping!! I didn’t care if it was originally a bag that was apart of a makeup set…Tuh!! It was gorgeous and was going to be worn as a handbag for me. It’s such a great statement piece and exclamation point to an outfit..

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Last but not least, I chose this mustard yellow jersey hijab with black and gold chain link earrings to complete my look. I just loved how my hijab matched the yellow of my blouse and my earrings matched my jacket.

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Welp that’s it for today you guys. I hope you enjoyed this look. Until next time…don’t forget to stay and slay on a budget!! *Waves*

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What I Wore:

Trumpet Skirt: $6 @Goodwill

Plaid Blouse: $3 @PAT

Motorcycle Jacket: $7 @PAT

Puma Sneakers: $25 @Burlington

Estee Lauder Bag: $2.50 @Goodwill