Mommy brain on fashion.

Here is how my thoughts came together to form a great idea. (well-sorta)

It all started when i was browsing a mommy blog. I came across “tips on Thrifting.” Normally, i wouldn’t care much about how to rummage through old stuff that is no longer in style, frumpy, and usually smelly. As i was reading through this particular article, it actually caught my attention.

The tips went like this: (copied from Ms. Emily’s blog DesignHer Momma)

1. Just because your kid is teething, don’t let him suck on the cart,  he will get sick, and you might too.

2. Do not wear anything without washing it first. This rule is a non-negotiable.

3. Just because they sell underwear, socks and robes, does not mean they are meant to be purchased. Avoid at all cost. This also applies to wigs, hairpieces and half used bottles of lotion. No matter how much your 6 year old begs for these items, do not give in.

4. Do not take your 3 year old into the breakable isle. It’s like a bull in a china shop, and she will break things. And you will get the eye roll from the people around you.

5. Don’t get totally “in the zone” scouring the racks for treasures and forget to properly strap your son into the cart. He will fall out, land on his head, and you will feel like a failure of a mother.

6. Stalking other shoppers is ok, only if you got the time. See that woman with the most amazing vintage sweater in her cart? She might put it down. Follow her around the store for up to 1 hour and see if she hangs it back on the rack.

7. You will not make friends if you constantly brag about your treasures, but then refuse to tell them where in town you shop.

8. When in doubt, open an Etsy shop and sell crap you buy but decided you don’t want. It’s fuel for the fire.

9. Put your big girl panties on, and don’t be afraid. Sometimes the stores might look super scary from the outside, and the people inside all might look like ex-cons. Don’t be afraid, it’s part of the experience.

10. Thrift stores are places of acceptance. Feel free to leave your face at home. Shop with confidence, even if you left the house without proper undergarment support. It’s not like you need to dress up as if  you’re going to Wal-mart.

After reading these 10 tips, i had an epiphany. How i would absolutley LOVE to take my baby out “shopping” for potential “projects” that we could bring home a “re-design”. What a fun way to 

a) take baby out shopping

b) be creative

c) have fun

d) use my fashion sense 

e) contribute to “going green” by salvaging otherwise-outdated clothing

f) possibly “flip” my creations ($$)

So i’ve made a few guidlines and still have to go over my idea with my husband, who is not exactly a fan of buying second hand items. 

I’ve also got a plan to talk to my dear friend who may be intrested in the same sort of thing, who lives a few states away. I figure, together, we could find some nifty vintage items and work together to create a master online shop. She is also a mommy blogger and we could write tutorials on how to re-purpose our extra neat items. I’ve found pictures recently going along with the same idea. I will post a few below so i can better relay my long term product.

adding details to iteams like the white flowery pieces above bring an old skirt to life.

The skirt above looks like it may have been an old bed sheet,tablecloth or curtain, either way it looks beautiful, and would be extremely easy to put together.

The jewlery above i would likely find at a thrift store, i could clean them up, add a few charms and bring them back to life.

The pants above also look like an old bed sheet, maybe an old skirt. Perfectly pretty  pajama pants. 

So.. you see where i’m going with this. No. I don’t think i’ve hit a “goldmine” in fact, its not about the money at all, i think i might start out actually by just doing it as a hobby. However, I know these things have real value on an online shop. 

I have a slight passion for fashion, but i normally don’t get to exercise it because who wants to spend money on clothes? Not for myself at least, I have better things to spend money on like Magic cards. ( i may or may not be joking) Other good things to spend money on would be: anything for my child, like toys, snacks, shoes (who can resist baby shoes?) Also, who has time to shop? I sure don’t. Between taking care of an infant, housework, and preparing meals i barely have time to shower in a day. As a result, my fashion and creativity outlet is styling hair out of my home, which i also enjoy at times.

Repurposing clothes solves my itch for shopping and creating for lots of reasons. 

1. It won’t cost much. I could use my side-haircut money to fund my projects.

2. I can take my baby with me!  Being in a thrift store means there is tons to look at. He likes to ride around in a shopping cart and we could spend the day “ooh-ing and ahh-ing” over pretty colored fabrics.

3. I could work at my own pace, at home, whenever i feel like working on my clothing.

4. I read LOTS of trendy sites,blogs, articles, and have a pretty good eye for style.

5. I can get friends and family involved (what do they think a piece could be reused for? what about the colors? do they like to shop at thrift stores? would they like to help out?)

All-in-All I am looking forward to searching for diamonds in the rough, and making them my own creation. Who knows? maybe someday i will be a master crafter and selling my work in my own little online boutique :]