Isn't that a little.... Thrifty?

I think South Africans have a obscure perception of thrift stores and wearing someone's "hand me downs" but let me break it down for realistically. 

In an ideal world we would love to be able to walk into store like YDE, Forever NEW, Guess etc and buy whatever caught our eye in terms of the latest trends. For me it would be Betsy Johnson Tutus mixed with Iron Fist and Abbey Dawns and then id definitely still throw in Forever New and some online purchases from Forever 21 and Gucci, Prada, Christian Loubaton and Guess just to name a few but realistically trends come and go and to meet the different areas of our lifestyles we need to have different sections to our wardrobes. 

Our active wear, our work wear, our evening wear, our day wear, our meet the in laws wear, our trendy festival wear, our fashion phase wear, our mom wear etc... the list goes on and on..... So how do along with all the other things we have to budget for Ie: rent, cars, petrol, food, entertainment, pampering etc... include a budget for all of our clothes? Well for most its simple! We shop at Mr Price! Or stores alike. They serve us with affordable trends that may last but they serve the seasonable purpose we desire and that;s great! But we are left with a wardrobe full of unwanted items at the end of each season that get thrown out or stored or *and this is what I hear so many girls say and I see all the time* it leaves so many girls rocking up in the SAME outfit!!! Can you say FASHION FAUX PAUS!!!! 

This exactly where MineNow was born! too many clothes and too many people in the same clothes! And when i have splurged on a dress that was equivalent to a moths petrol it was to an occasion where photos where splashed all over Facebook that it just simply wouldn't do to rock that same number again! Shallow - I know but I'm a girl and whether your honest or not you have to admit its how we think! 

So now what?! Stick it at the back of your cupboard and hope the moths don't get it before your first born daughter turns 16 and hopefully its back in fashion and considered "Vintage" or give to Charity, because every one in need of food and shelter is desperate for a hand me down Forever New piece rather than a warm meal and a place to sleep. Its time to get real... 

We are willing to pay exorbitant prices for recycled paper and we will spend extra money on "going green" which is great but can we really not bring ourselves to purchase well preserved, quality hardly worn second hand clothing? 

My take is - we wonder how the Americans are so stylish but while i was there and almost everyone i spoke to.... they all purchase second hand pieces. Whether it be Dita Von Teese's second hand Shark Pumps to a Yummy Mummy's hand me Down Vintage Gucci to a garage sale pair of denim cut offs - they are willing to take the risk and buy outside their comfort bubble... My question is are you willing to break the mould? 

Lets get Thrify...
xxx

My Shoes Don't Fit!!!

So anyone who know me knows I have what some may think is an unhealthy obsession with shoes..... When i say some people I'm referring to Men f course because I don't know any girls who think there is such a thing as too many shoes.... However there have been moments where i have been so caught up in the shoe that the size didn't seem to matter! 

When I was living in New York I was an avid fan and User of Kimora's notorious site Just Fab, which is just the creme de creme of online shoe shopping! (I secretly still receive daily mails and having an ogle at the end of each day at the new designs and trends available) but back to the point..... So when I was living in the Big Apple I made use of Just Fabs personal boutique and ordered shoes online all the time! Coming from SA and using different shoe sizes it was a little difficult finding my perfect size but even when the shoes were too small by half a size and there was no stock in my size i simply refused to return them so I learnt a little trick on how to stretch them out that I'm going to share with all of you.... 

So for anyone who has a killer (and I mean Killer) pair of heels that are just too tight DO NOT FEAR...... 

*First grab your shoes and a pair (or two- depending or how tight they are) of really thick socks! 

*Put on your sock and then your heels - Yes - Its pretty farm style I know but relax its just in the comfort of your own boudoir! 

*Grab your hair dryer and aim the heat and all the tight areas whilst wiggling your toes around and flexing your feet at all the tightest areas. 

*Keep your socks on until the leather cools and keep repeating until the shoes are nice and comfy! 

Just be cautious if you doing this with shoes with any embellishments or near the soul as the heat of the hair dryer may melt the glue. 

And there you have it ladies.... This little trick should have you gallivanting around  in your new kicks in no time!! 

Bust a Move
xxx