Blog

New Year, New Something

Blog
We are two weeks into 2021 and honestly, in my heart of hearts, I can’t say I feel much different. But I am more than ready for something new. Of course Audrey and I have set our new year’s resolutions and goals for the coming 12 months. I look forward to them every year. But time is a funny thing in that tomorrow can just be the next day, or the start of an entirely new year. If you focus on the monumental change of the calendar, it’s easy to use that excuse to change your life. Things feel more real when they have an important start date, they feel more whole. For example, if I add a new skin care product into my routine, it feels right to do it on a Sunday, at the start of the week. And at night when my routine is the longest. It makes sense to start a diet on the first of the month, even if you quit on the 4th. We are bound by subjective time, but it helps, and I love it.

Erin’s Resolutions:

1. Decide Aura: For the past few years, I have started an important ritual to kick off my new year- deciding my aura. I think that personal energy is a super important factor in how my life is going, and it makes complete sense to me that that energy would be exuded in a color. Color is a huge part of who I am, why wouldn’t I exude one? And why shouldn’t I choose what that color is? I have yet to have my aura read by a professional, though I am sure there is a color that encompasses my whole being and is perpetually casting me in an angelic halo of light. But choosing a color I wish to give off is exciting because it sets an intentional attitude I will try to hold for an entire year. How I want to come off to new people and what parts of my personality I will emphasize, etc. The first aura I chose was for 2019 – magenta. 2020 was amber. 2021, I have decided, will be sage green, which should help me have a balanced and harmonious year in adventure and peace. Sign me up.
Besides my aura, I came up with a few other resolutions: 
2. Be more complimentary: I want to give a lot more compliments. I love receiving compliments, so to give them, I think, will bring more positivity to my life. I want to focus on the good that I notice and vocalizing that will make it more apparent.
3. Do the splits? 
4. Procrastinate less… hence this blog post (2 weeks late but we’re trying)
5. Make more money: I’ve thought about it, it’s the only way I can live 
5. Read more books: recommendations? 
6. Thrift more

Audrey’s Resolutions:

This year I decided to focus my new year’s resolutions on what my heart truly wants. Without even a second of hesitation this list sprang into my head like divine intervention and I can’t help but feel it is destiny for all of these things to come true within these 12 months.
1. Break someone’s heart
2. Get a sugar daddy without even trying 
3. Learn to cook but never do it and eat out every meal 
4. Join a pyramid scheme 
5. Get a really bad haircut 
6. Continue not being vegan
7. Make really bad paintings and give them to acquaintances so they can’t throw them away
8. Be the prettiest contestant on a game show
It’s not 202fun for nothing, okay? We will be starting new chapters of our lives in 2021 if all goes correctly, including but not limited to: moving out of our parents house, becoming famous and getting slim thicc. All this and more to come while being frugal wenches. 

Trends we are excited about for this year: 

1. Ballet inspired clothing (audrey’s sweater) 
2. Skinny scarves
3. Low waisted baggy men’s jeans (on us and on actual men)
4. Dressing like Ashley from Disturbia (2007)
5. Long sleeves that trumpet at the end and roll because they are unhemmed 

When we find the sleeves, we’ll let you know….

How We Thrift!

Blog
Top: thrifted Shorts: Captains helm Sandals: Madewell
Thrifting is a mix of things, dedication and luck. My friends often get frustrated when my only answer to “Where did you get that?!” is, “A thrift store!” and I totally get it. When I hear that response from someone that I ask, I know it’s nearly impossible to get myself because this person bought the only one in existence. But that’s the beauty of thrifting- a sense of individuality. A lot of my thrifting could be attributed to luck and the abundance of options in my size, but I have also been thrifting regularly since 5th grade. Which leads us to some helpful strategies we’ve adopted to make us better thrifters: 
1.You can’t expect to walk into a thrift store and find exactly what you’re looking for, like a perfect pair of vintage jeans. But don’t be discouraged either, that of course could happen but when it doesn’t, don’t give up! We often keep a running list of styles or ideal pieces we are looking for in the back of our minds (or written down if you’re organized like that). That way, every time you go to a thrift store, you might not find the ONE thing, but you could find something on your list, and you won’t forget what to look for next time. 
2. The secret is fabric. Things often jump out to me based on the quality, color and pattern of the fabric. I find this strategy is most effective when looking through tops, but it applies to all sections of the store as well. When I walk into a thrift store, I head straight to the tops. Tops, I find, are the easiest to go through because sizes are the most liberal and I go through every single one at lightning speed. My arm is literally sore by the end, that’s how fast I go. Same thing goes for denim and other bottoms. 
2a. If you can try things on, pull anything and everything you think might work. Sometimes magic happens when a piece comes off the rack and onto your body. And if it’s the opposite, at least now you know. 
3. If you end up trying something on that you absolutely love but doesn’t fit right, consider tailoring! I have had several pieces adjusted by our favorite local tailor and it was totally worth it. The main thing to consider before frequently opting for tailoring is budget. It’s not always inexpensive to tailor something so consider how much the item costs plus how much the tailoring will be to decide if the item would be worth that price if it fit perfectly. 
4. Bring your metaphorical magnifying glass to check for stains! This may seem obvious but some stains are not always visible when you’re looking on the rack. Pull everything out and change up the lighting to make sure there aren’t any permanent damages to the item like stains but also holes. 
5. Another important tip is to check tags for the care instructions. If you’re low maintenance and don’t like to dry clean anything, that could help you decide if the piece is right for you. If there’s one thing we’re serious about it’s following the care instructions. It definitely adds to the lifetime of a piece, especially something that is pre-owned! 
If you post if any of your thrifted finds, tag #frugalwench to show us what you’ve found! 
Happy thrifting. 
-Audrey