After Dan and I arrived in Austin post-plane nap, we immediately hit up a few thrift shops. You see…I intentionally packed quite light.
The only change of clothes I had was a little black dress. So, unless I wanted to look like a bedraggled Audrey Hepburn all weekend, I needed to get some not-so-new duds!
I found a couple of terrific frocks at Treasure City Thrift!
Then, Dan and I stumbled upon the BIGGEST thrift store I’ve ever seen!
Apparently, everything really IS bigger in Texas, as this place is flippin’ HUGE!!!!
I highly recommend giving Texas Thrift Store and its sister stores a visit.
While I was looking through the endless racks, Dan ran up to me with this!
We made a friendly wager. If this pic could get 10 likes on facebook, I would invest the $3 for this fine creature.
He won. :/
We got back to our Airbnb home, where I washed and dried the day’s finds!
I thought that zebra number on the left would be just the thing for a dinner with friends in the 100+degree heat!
I couldn’t resist taking a second “before” pic with our hosts’ chickens in the background. 🙂
I retreated from heat to the comfort of our air-conditioned room and got to work on my new thrifted dress!
First, I pinned that collar down on the inside. I didn’t want to completely get rid of it, as I think I might occasionally like it (just not tonight). 🙂
Then, I made a few chops!
I added a hem to the bottom of my new dress.
I stitched my new hem down…
…then pinned those cut-off sleeves and sewed ’em up!
Now…I always tell you guys to press your hems, but there I was…stuck without an iron! :/
…Or was I?
I pressed my hems with the curling iron, and it worked just fine!
I turned that bottom scrap into a sash, and was ready for fun evening in this terrific city!
Of course, Dan talked me into bringing my new accessory with me. 😉
If you’re ever in Austin, I can’t recommend Takoba enough! They have delicious cocktails and fabulous food!
Stay tuned for MORE Austin adventures! 🙂
Cheers!
I hope you still wear this dress it still looks fabulous in 2021.
One of my fav refash. Animal print is still in.
I was really enjoying your blog (got here via a comment on Offbeat Home), and then I was so surprised to find this post! I just went there to get a large men’s dress shirt to re-make into a lab coat for a mad scientist Halloween costume. haha! You do great work. Thanks for the inspiration.
(Just went to Texas Thrift Store that is)
This is what I get for reading blogs backwards (newest to oldest)…. Up until this post, I thought the Pursenaranian was a REAL dog you were carrying in a handbag, a la Paris Hilton… and I kinda thought, “ewe… I thought she was cooler than that!” But now that I KNOW it’s just a chic fashion accessory, I think you are cooler than EVAH!
Lol…Dan and I had a hearty chuckle over this. 🙂
You are soooo my new hero! I have repurposed for years, but your creativity inspires me. I am revisiting my closet for freshening up tried and true items that need some help.
Jillian- you are a genius! No idea why, but I just would not have thought of using a hair straightener for the hems. (I rarely iron- only when I sew- so had not really thought of the possibilities.)
Although, I must say, I’m a little bit struck by your hosts not supplying an iron. I would have thought this was a ‘basic’ item. I know in Australia it’s a pretty standard item in hotel rooms and B&Bs, along with a hair dryer and kettle. Or is it just the places I’ve stayed?
I’m pinning your ‘places’ to visit, so when I eventually do a trip to the US I can visit some of the less touristy places. I’ve pinned many a market and fair so far; this will be my first thrift shop pins. (I know I won’t be able to take anything home with me, but the adventure will be fun!)
Jealous of those massive thrift stores! Hey, the sewing machine you took with you – I see it is a Janome, but is it full-size or a mini? I have seen the Elna Mini around but wondered if there were other ‘real’ mini sewing machines too.
A puppy as a pocketbook, GENIUS!!!
Cute!
This is off-subject, but I emailed you last week, and maybe thats when you were on vacay, but I had some questions for you about your WP blog and wanted to be sure you saw my email. Thanks!
Lady Bird looks my puppy Buffy… 😀 Too Cute!
LOVING this refashion – on the road no less! Totally HILARIOUS dog purse – a very funny keepsake and I’m sure Douglas will love it too!
That dog purse is HI-LAR-I-OUS!! On the bright side, Douglas will have a cuddly toy when you get back! 😀
Love the refashion; you are such an inspiration. I’ve never been to the one in Austin; but San Antonio has them too, and I’ve been to one there.
we DO have some great shops here! Texas Thrift is a good one, but there’s an even better one further south, on SoCo. If I had known you were coming I would have DEFINITELY recommended it, although i’ll admit to jealousy over that zebra print. Since joining roller derby, I can’t get enough animal print! haha!
OMG I am DYING to go to those huge thrift stores. Lucky you!
I wish I was as creative as you with the threads! I love your blog keep on creating!!!! 🙂
Awesome! You should give Douglas the purse when you are done as a toy! I know my dog would flip out over something like that!
AWESOME remake. Totally, completely fabulous!! AND I honestly love the purse with it…it is so you! Great post to read. Thanks for this one!!
love it and the sash makes it perfect!
Very cute!
Next time I’m in Austin I will have to convince my hubby to take me to that thrift store! I went to a different one called buffalo junction or something but it was so overpriced.
Can’t wait to see where you went next, my personal favLondon is toy joy.
I had never heard of airbnb before, thanks so much for sharing that bit about your travel! I’ve bookmarked it for my future travels…
It’s a WONDERFUL thing! Dan and I are big big fans of airbnb. Such a pleasant/cheap way to travel! 🙂
Love the dress–it turned out terrific! I always use a curling iron for ironing ribbon–an old style lightbulb works well too in a pinch. Your little friend is adorable, glad to see Dan has a great (ie. warped) sense of humor too 🙂
Dress is darling, not sure about the doggie bag but you’re young enough to get away with it. . 🙂
the doggy bag is a hoot with the matching accessory!
Dress:Very pretty. Pet Purse: fabulous!
Sexy! Lol! I love this refashion and yes you are the MacGyver of refashioning! 😉 Have fun in Austin!
~Jen
http://www.diaryofamadmama.wordpress.com
This is such a fun post! I would die to go to that big thrift store! I should really considering going down to Texas!
Xx,
Zhenya
http://beingzhenya.com
This may be my favorite refashion so far! Beautiful. Love the. Doggy bag 🙂
Love, love love your blog! Makes me want to learn to sew 🙂
I love that all you pack for a trip is a seeing machine! That dog cracks me up by the way! You just got yourself a trip mascot who needs refashions of her own each day – love it!
Looks like you’re having a great time!
Kristin
Fun dress! You’re so brave…. traveling WITHOUT enough to wear! 😉
Hey! I had a purse like that when i was like in 6th grade! LOL
The purse hilarious. Reveal bracing yourself from your own hotness (or drunkeness?) cracking me up.
Awesome dress transformation, and Ladybird gives the ensemble that little touch of “special”! Another wonderful job! Love it!
This is one of my all time faves. Super cute and super flattering style!!
I’m glad you enjoyed your time in Texas! 🙂
And I love the “purse refashion,” lol! Too fun!
Did you die it? It looks like a different color. Great job on the dress.
Nope…just different lighting! Thanks! 🙂
Love Ladybird!
Really liked what you did with the Dress Great Job
Good idea on the hair straightening iron, what an AMAZING thrift store , so big!!! Good job on the dress too
Your small sewing machine? More info please. Pretty please.
Sure thing! It’s a Janome Sew Mini. 🙂
That was a great find = good job! I find it hard to believe you walked out of that huge store with only 2 garments. I believe she’s holding out on us guys.
Glad you like Austin it is a great town!
I regularly use my flat iron for my hems… Lol. It actually works super well.
HAHA! I do too!!! My 7 yr old knows that if I have the flat iron plugged in before they go to school that her hems need to be “ironed”! LOL