1. ABOUND MIDI SKIRT
Goodwill
$6.99
This skirt is made of stretchy spandex, with a layer of shimmery gold. The material is smooth and soothing against my skin, and the A-line silhouette is very flattering for my petit body. The high waist and midi-length makes my short self feel slightly thinner and taller. With its pleats and metallic sheen, this piece possesses a lot of elegance.
2. SOPRANO SKIRT
Goodwill
$4.99
I own very few “going out” skirts, so this purchase will be put into good use. Mesh is one of my favorite materials, and I love the shape that it creates here. The dramatic pleats sets these bottoms apart from most ordinary black skirts.
3. BLOOD ORANGE CANDLE
$9.99
Last winter, my boyfriend and I couch surfed at my friend’s apartment, in Los Angeles. In the morning, we woke up to the sweet and fruity smell of this blood orange candle. It’s always a challenge for me to find candles that I really like. This was immediately added to my shopping list, but my friend, Emily, ended up getting it for my birthday. I typically burn it, at night, when I’m doing a light workout or am winding down before bed.
4. LUSH SHORTS
Goodwill
$4.99
I always prefer clothes that look trendy, but are comfy and easy to wear. These floral shorts look best, high-waisted, with a crop top or a tucked-in shirt. They have an elastic waistband, so they slip on and off effortlessly. The stretchiness makes them very forgiving on food babies, and they're a refreshing break from tight denim shorts.
5. REFLECTIVE SUNGLASSES
lost and found
$0
My boyfriend, Adam, works at Century Theatres, and spotted these in the lost and found. He is in charge of this department, so he just gave the sunglasses to me. All of the ones I own happen to have mirror lenses. It’s not a choice I consciously make, but I do like how they completely shield my eyes. People say that eyes are the window to your soul, and as an introvert, I’d like to remain a mystery to most.
6. SELFIE LESLIE MAXI DRESS
Goodwill
$6.99
Florals and pastels are heavily associated with weddings, so this dress is fit for the occasion. What’s special about its peony print is the watercolor-like design. This, along with the cut of the gown, adds a lot of romantic elements. It may reveal a little bit of skin, but in a very tasteful way. The high slit exposes one leg, while the neckline bares the shoulders. This thrift find came at the right moment, since I just received a wedding invitation, this week.
7. FRANCESCA'S MAXI DRESS
Goodwill
$6.99
I don’t normally do bold colors, but red has always been an exception. It’s a very sexy and striking color, even in this red-orange hue. This is an airy and lightweight dress that’s perfect for summer. Its back is entirely exposed, aside from a pair of criss-cross straps. A black leather jacket would accentuate the embroidery and really tie the look together.
8. CLEMENTINE KIDS SWADDLE
Two Birdees
$9
I already bought a Clementine Kids swaddle, last month, but I couldn't resist these colors. This is the company’s signature design, and it tends to sell out quickly. The print is very quirky, and I like how the mint and moss leaves compliment the bright orange. I thought this would look great as a beach or picnic blanket, so I’m looking forward to using this in the summer.
9. DEAD SEA MUD MASK
$13.95
To remove impurities and keep my skin feeling soft, I use mud masks, once a week. All the masks I’ve used until now, had a 30-minute wait before rinsing. This one has a very creamy formula, and only takes a 10-minute wait and a light lather to wash off. Its other perks, include reducing pores and removing excess oil. The reason why I choose mud masks over sheet masks is because it lasts for months and produces less trash. In the long run, this will benefit both my wallet and the environment.
10. STILA MOLTEN MIDNIGHT EYESHADOW
$24
I usually wear eyeshadow only for special events, like formals and weddings. After seeing YouTuber, Sophia Chang, demonstrate this product, I really wanted to try it. This liquid eyeshadow has a cotton swab applicator, just like lipgloss. I adore its sleek packaging, and unlike most glittery make up, these sparkles have minimal fallout. Emily knew that I wanted this, so it was part two of her birthday present, for me!
11. VSS DISPOSABLE WEED PEN
lost and found
$0
This is another lost and found article that I inevitably took. Adam cleaned it with alcohol wipes, so I won’t be catching any deadly diseases. Weed tends to make me drowsy, so I thought that getting a pen would help me fall asleep. I have to get up at 8am on weekdays, but my inner night owl has me tossing around. Adam already owns two pens, and this one basically has my name engraved on it. For one, it's made in my favorite color, and two, it says “BB” on the bottom. This actually stands for BBTank, but it’s also what Adam likes to call me.
12. DOLLS KILL OVERALL DRESS
Goodwill
$6.99
The holographic leather is what caught my eye, but once I saw the Dolls Kill hang tag, I was sold. This is an overall dress with harness-like straps and metal hardware. It’s a bold statement piece that I would wear to a club, concert, or music festival. I have never seen anything like it, and I'm just waiting for any excuse to wear it.
13. ON THE BYAS JERSEY
Goodwill
$4.99
This jersey is from a men’s line that's sold at PacSun. It’s a size small, but fits like an oversized dress, on me. All of the cool tones work beautifully together, and I was very impressed with the quality. PacSun does not strike me as a premium store, so I did not expect to see this much attention to detail. Everything, down to the labels, was executed flawlessly. You know it’s a high quality garment, when even the labels look and feel luxurious.
14. LAUNDRY BAG
$17.99
Ever since I moved in with my brother, I have been extremely spoiled. I was always babied growing up, and did not have to worry about cooking or cleaning, until I went to college. As soon as I moved back home, the same cycle persisted. My brother kept cooking dinner, cleaning the house, and even doing my laundry. We shared the same laundry basket, but have very different routines. In college, I would do my laundry every other week. This was the amount of time it took for my basket to fill up or for me to run out of underwear. My brother is the complete opposite, and often does laundry twice a week. I figured that buying my own laundry bag would force me to do laundry, and so far, it's been a success.
15. MISSGUIDED FISHNET BIKINI
Poshmark
$28
A fellow Drexel alum posted this on her blog, which lead me to an impulsive shopping moment. The suit was sold out on Missguided, so my last resort was Poshmark. The chances of finding the same suit in my size are slim, but luck was on my side. Everything was brand new, but the seller had sold the fishnet briefs, separately. All I got was the fishnet bikini top and thong bottoms. After days of searching the internet, I finally found an exact version, on Shein, to complete my set.
xx
Dana