Monthly Archives: January 2018

Vintage Adidas, Vintage Denim Levi jacket, how to style vintage clothing, athleisure, jogger pants, twa, short natural hair, metallic fanny pack, style a fanny pack

How To Style Vintage Clothing


I’m so excited to be sharing some thrifter shopping techniques with you all! Some of you are avid thrifters like me and some of you are honestly wondering how you can incorporate thrifted fashion into you current wardrobe to create an “up to date” look for less. These tips will help you navigate thrifted and vintage styling with ease.

Vintage Adidas from Family Thrift Centers

Option #1 Go All In!

This is the easiest idea to wrap your mind around. If you are feeling a certain era (80’s,90’s, etc.) your mission will be to find pieces from that time or even current pieces that were created in those styles and fits. This can usually be a “head to toe” look meaning that when someone looks at your styling, they can generally see that you are giving a certain vibe.

Option #2 A Recycled Look

Going for a recycled look simply means that you want to take a single garment and incorporate it into your daily life. The attention will not necessarily go to that vintage garment, instead it will “fit in” and be a seamless part of your overall styled look. Colors, prints, and styles that tend to come back around each season will work well for you if this is the kind of thrifter you are. A couple of great examples include pastel florals blouses for spring or bright vibrant sundresses for summer. Those ideas never really go away, they are just modified slightly each season.

Option #3 I Love This Piece

So you found a piece that are madly in love with…but what will you even wear it with?!?!? The problem might be that your new piece may not be like anything else that you own. This was the case with this vintage Adidas sweater. I have nothing in my closet that is this color, texture and style but I couldn’t leave it behind. The first thing I did was pay attention to the (details) accent color in the sweater and the brand or type or garment (athletic/athleisure). I drew more attention to the thin red stripe on the sweater by choosing a pair of red joggers to compliment the top. To give the look more interest and depth, I accessorized with a metallic fanny pack (It’s more athletic than a purse), layered a denim jacket over the sweater, and made the overall look a bit more fancy with a statement heel.

I know that last one is a lot to take in and it takes some practice but if you start with the details of why you love that dream item, you will have more success in styling it. This is a starting place, not the only option. I would love to hear from you if you have other tips to share, enjoy!


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Valentines day outfit, red and pink, color blocking, pearl detail, short natural hair

Pink and Red Color Block Valentine’s Day Outfit Idea

With Valentine’s Day coming up soon, we will all be making plans. Whether we stay in or go out is irrelevant! You should be able to be fly no matter what. Let’s be real though, you shouldn’t have to break the bank or even pay retail prices to look amazing for one night. Looking for your outfit can be tough depending on where you’re going but if you stick with these tips you can’t go wrong even if you shop resale.

Tip #1 Try Color Blocking

No matter what color scheme you go with, color blocking provides you with so much visual versatility. In my look, I chose traditional Valentine’s colors. but imagine if you pair just one of these colors with a neutral color like black, tan, or even navy blue. You’ll get the same effect, just a bit toned down.

Tip #2 Go for Details

Pearls, ruffles, and unexpected details are magical for special occasions. When you go shopping for your special look think about what will make you look memorable. A pale pink sweater is nothing special but a pale pink sweater with pearl details, yes!

Tip #3 Shoe options

Having a casual shoe option and a fancier one is clutch! No matter where you’re going before or after, you’ll have the right shoe. I dressed this look down with red converse but I could easily put on a heel and head out for a date.

With these three tips in mind, go thrift your Valentine’s Day outfit with pride! Enjoy!
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black lace up over the knee boots, hot pink sweat shirt, relax, edgy style

3 Reasons To Keep Your Old Car

Before I shout my reasons for keeping my old car from the roof tops, just know that it has its drawbacks too. One being that it is not sexy to have on the most amazing outfit, pull up to a swanky event, and drive your 1993 Toyota Corolla up to the valet. (Ha ha) You wouldn’t believe the looks I’ve gotten a few times. Of course feeling like your car will die on you unexpectedly isn’t fun either but telling your friends and family, “you don’t want to ride with me” because so many things are broken on your car is just hilarious. Through all of these scenarios I still manage to hold on to my ride a bit longer. Check out three reasons why I’m holding on to my first car.

#1 Saves You Money

I got my car when I was 17 years old. I was still in high school and I told my dad that I would forgo my allowance and lunch money to save for my first car. He agreed and before I knew it, I had gotten my Aunt Shirley’s old car when she got a new one. (I’m still waiting on that car to be passed down to me too. Lol)  For the last 14 years, I have never had to pay for a car note. With the exception of common maintenance, my car has run like a dream. Sure I’ve gotten tune ups, new batteries, and had old parts replaced but those are things most car owners need to do. I get to spend that cash on things I love like eating out all the time. Lol

#2 Memories 

My car is my longest relationship y’all! From the age of 17 to 31. I’m talking boyfriends, school events, driving to college (several times) , moving back home from college, getting my first job after college, getting married, and even having my first child. My car has been through it all and has not quit on me.

#3 Stay Humble

My car has been the one thing that I have owned outright for years. I always took care of it the best I could. I have found success in many areas of my life. From teaching to blogging, I am able to get in my car everyday and vividly remember when I had nearly nothing. I’m reminded of how hard I’ve worked to get where I am and to have what I have. Staying grounded is important so having this daily reminder is essential to me.

Do I want to have the luxury of EVERYTHING working in perfect condition, absolutely! But am I in a rush to upgrade, no.

Enjoy!

Relax Sweatshirt sponsored by Create Tees 

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Dope Tshirt, graphic tee shirt

Thrift Fashion at Crossroads

It’s no secret that I LOVE to thrift! When I had the opportunity to collaborate with about a newer resale shop in Rice Village I was elated! Crossroads Houston is not your average resale store. Not only can you buy, you can sell, trade and consign items all in one place! They have covered every base to ensure that you have an amazing shopping experience. The store is spic and span which makes for a great shopping experience. We have all walked into stores only to walk right back about because the store is a HOT MESS! Not at Crossroads!

I know you are wondering what the buying process is like so let me give you the details. To help you get ready to sale your items, Crossroads publishes a seasonal selling guide so that you know exactly what to bring. I had so much success selling because of their convenient selling guide. The staff is extremely attentive so they gather your items and go through them right away. I was even able to see the staff tag and put some of my items out on the floor while I was still shopping. That’s how efficient they are!

I received my total and had the choice to take cash or store credit. You KNOW I took the store credit because I found so many amazing pieces there. They have a mix of new and used items and I found a little bit of both. The styles they have in the store are current and like new. I was able to get a faux fur bomber (which I styled on a model for my Houston Life Segment), a velvet off the shoulder jumper for New Year’s Eve, a pair of floral print J. Crew pants, a gorgeous 2-piece dress (that I wore on TV for Houston Life), and two amazing pairs of sunglasses. Yes they have accessories too!

If you are a thrifter like me, you must check out Crossroads! They are located at 2517 UNIVERSITY BLVD. HOUSTON, TX 77005 in Rice Village. Tell them Brandy sent you and have a blast! Enjoy!

Thank you Crossroads for sponsoring these amazing looks!

red faux fur, crossroads resale

Red Faux Fur Bomber Jacket from Crossroads

Houston Life TV, style expert, resale dress

Dress from Crossroads

crossroads Houston, Houston Life TV, style expert, shop resale

My Dress is from Crossroads

crossroads Houston, jcrew pants, Houston blogger, floral pant

J Crew pants from Crossroads

crossroads Houston, Dope t-shirt, Houston blogger, resale shop

Sunglasses from Crossroads

crossroads Houston, buy sell trade fashion

Store Front

Houston Life TV, Channel 2, Courtney Zavala, Derrick Shore, Style expert, crossroads Houston

Dress from Crossroads