New Address

I have switched over to a new site!

http://milehighthrifter.com

Media Appearance

I am so excited to be a part of this video and love the way it turned out. Such talent! Hope you enjoy it as well.

Side note: my entire outfit is from Goodwill, of course!

Winter Giveaway

I have put together a giveaway to say THANK YOU to all the loyal supporters and followers. It includes a few holiday shopping essentials:

1. Homemade blanket scarf - to keep you warm
2. Starbucks $20 gift card - to keep you going
3. Starbucks sleeve - to keep you from scolding your hands
4. Wallet - to keep your starbucks card secure

To enter:

1. Follow me on instagram: @milehighthrifter
2. Tag two friends in the comment section of my Instagram giveaway post
3. Sign up on this blog for emails OR follow milehighthrifter.blogspot.com on Bloglovin
   
   
   

The giveaway will end at midnight November 30, 2014, winner will be announced December 1, 2014 on the blog and on Instagram.

Accessorize and Socialize

About a month ago I hosted my first accessory exchange party. It was better than expected with 15 ladies and approximately 200 items up for exchange.

 The rules were simple:

• Bring a minimum of three accessories to trade (i.e. hats, scarfs, jewelry, belts, clutches, purses, etc.)
• Exchange those items for "new" items
• Everything left over will be donated (unless you want to reclaim your items)
• Be selective, nobody wants the hideous santa necklace great-grandma gave you last year

 A few tips for throwing a successful accessory exchange party:

• Drink, drink, drink away...
• The more mirrors the better
• Collect items at the door and display them so guests can mingle
• If you are in a shy crowd, you can designate a few people to start "shopping" to break the ice

By popular request, the next accessory exchange is tentatively scheduled for March 2015.

Risky Behavior

I started blogging and instagramming only eleven weeks ago and the outpouring of support has just been amazing and unexpected...HUGE THANK YOU to those who have read, followed, encouraged and sent friends and family in my direction. I am beyond words.

During the first few weeks of this journey, I ran across @denverstylemagazine and a call for submissions from bloggers and instagrammers for a "street style contributor spread" and...

I GOT ACCEPTED!!!!!!!

As part of that acceptance, I attended the cover reveal for the magazine. I spent more hours preparing, thinking and planning my outfit for the event then I did at the actual event. Afterall, it was my first fashion event and since I would be featured, I was the star of the show. Okay, okay, I wasn't necessarily the star...but I may have prepared as if I was. 

I went to the event with a ton of butterflies, but few expectations. Immediately upon entering, The Walrus and I did what most people in a similar situation would do...looked around in a daze until we saw the food tray and wine bar. Over the next several hours we explored, mingled, silently judged and questioned our comprehension of the fashion scene.

Upon our departure from the event, The Walrus and I headed for food. After all the hours I had spent thinking, dreaming, and getting ready for that night, it would just be a waste to not make an appearance at one more venue, right? As we drove out of the parking lot The Walrus said to me, "Where do you want to go? It's YOUR night, YOU get to pick". I immediately responded, "Somewhere close, I love this neighborhood". He proceeded to drive in the direction of a few of my favorite restaurants when I quietly stated, "You know, I don't feel like doing a fancy dinner, maybe we should just go home and cook". There has always been something genetically within me that sends me straight from party mode to sleep mode, and it appeared to hit in that moment. The Walrus, who is much more of a night person than I am replied, "We should at least go get take out". I agreed and suggested one of my favorite restaurants, Hops & Pie, calling and placing the order during the drive there. Let me take a minute to describe the restaurant for those of you not from Denver. Think beards, flannels, yoga pants and ohhhhhh....the Denver Bronco game. In an attempt to make sure that the night was perfect for me, The Walrus suggested a few of my favorite places to get cocktails. After shooting down restaurant after restaurant I finally turned to him and said, "you know I just want a cider". "That's my girl"! I walked in with three inch heels, a leather skirt and perfect curls...and somehow felt right at home...making it home and in bed by 10:00 p.m. 

XOXO shirt - Mountain Thrift ($3.00)

Navy blue leather skirt - Mountain Thrift ($1.00)

Shoes - Goodwill ($7.50)

Necklace - A.R.C. ($2.00)

Graceful Aging

 My birthday included three trips to Union Station in two days, Los Chingones "El Pistol" margaritas and belly laughter...

However, it was Friday in which I was left with an interaction that would intermittantly consume my thoughts over the weekend. As I sat there chatting with my friends, I couldn't help but notice an adorable couple sitting in romantic high back chairs enjoying a glass of wine together, their interactions filled with chemistry. I wondered what their story was, some of their greatest memories and some of their most difficult times. Even without the answers to these questions, I was emotionally involved, anxiously craving a lasting piece of the moment. With the loving encouragement from The Walrus, I reacted to that moment, asking their permission to photograph, "such a beautiful couple". They graciously obliged.

As I walk in year thirty-two, I hope to live a life filled with moments that unintentionally and positively impact someone's life; moments that inspire, moments that create a spontaneous emotional reaction, just as this unknown couple did for me.

Express tank, Goodwill Outlet ($1.50)

Scarf, Mountain Thrift ($2.00)

Necklace, Goodwill ($2.50)

Bracelet, ARC ($2.00)

Love Fire shirt, ARC ($2.50)

Forever 21 skirt, ARC ($5.00)

Army men up the Pacific Coast

Last week the Walrus, Walrus Jr. and I took our first "family" vacation. Whenever I think of family vacations, I automatically flash back to my younger years when my family would pile into a hatchback subaru (always my mother's vehicle of choice) and drive to Wallowa Lake, OR where we would feed deer by hand, ride bumper boats, and complain about boredom, tent trailer detail and a complete lack of exploration freedom. Since I love to travel, I was really on board with the idea of a family vacation in which Walrus and I would, of course, create a vacation Eutopia for Walrus Jr. Our agenda included San Francisco, Redwoods National Park and Bandon, OR. Here are a few personal lessons I learned from our first family vacation:

1. I can only listen to Candy Crush music for thirty-nine minutes before getting an eye twitch
2. Walking miles in the sand for days straight is a better workout than jazzercise

3. No matter how many times you stop for snacks, site seeing or gas, a nine-year-old will only realize he has to go to the bathroom once you are on the road again
4. If you get something out of your suitcase, while its in the trunk, you should make sure you rezip it, especially if you are going to ask someone else to bring it in

5. The "Silent Game" no longer exists with the current generation...unless they have an electronic in front of them
6. A $4.00 bag of army men can go a looooooong way
7. Siblings are not great photo assistants

The photo assistant

I crown thee Princess Seaweed

Land Shark

Ark and Company dress, San Francisco Goodwill (tags attached) - $7.50

Dress, San Francisco Goodwill (tags attached) - $5.50