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Thrifting in Austin, TX (and a Dress Refashion!)

Manmosa Dress
First Plane to Austin: Dress to Top Refashion

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.

Douglas doesn't want me to go!
Douglas doesn’t want me to go!

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!

Treasure City Thrift Exterior
I wonder what treasures await! 🙂

Then, Dan and I stumbled upon the BIGGEST thrift store I’ve ever seen!

Texas Thrift Store Exterior
WHOA!!!

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.

refashionista in front of thrift store window
Never Never Ever Buy New!!!

While I was looking through the endless racks,  Dan ran up to me with this!

jillian with dog purse
It’s a Purseranian! 😉

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.  :/

Grrrreat.
Grrrreat.

We got back to our Airbnb home, where I washed and dried the day’s finds!

two dresses hanging on clothesline outside
Old-fashioned dryer!

I thought that zebra number on the left would be just the thing for a dinner with friends in the 100+degree heat!

refashionista Thrifting in Austin, TX (and a Dress Refashion!) after
It’s seriously 105 degrees out there, y’all!

I couldn’t resist taking a second “before” pic with our hosts’ chickens in the background.  ðŸ™‚

Thrifting in Austin, TX (and a Dress Refashion!) after with chickens
Aren’t they cute?

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).  ðŸ™‚

I brought safety pins!
I brought safety pins!

Then, I made a few chops!

cutting off arms and bottom of dress
It’s just too darn hot for any of that!

I added a hem to the bottom of my new dress.

pinning hem of dress
I brought a mini pin cushion!

I stitched my new hem down…

sewing hem
I brought a mini sewing machine!

…then pinned those cut-off sleeves and sewed ’em up!

Taking up those sleeve holes!
Taking up those sleeve holes! 
sewing arm hole
Whirrrr!

Now…I always tell you guys to press your hems, but there I was…stuck without an iron!  :/

…Or was I?

jillian holding curling iron
I’m sure my hostess won’t mind!

I pressed my hems with the curling iron, and it worked just fine!  

ironing hem with curling iron
I’m the MacGyver of Refashioning!

I turned that bottom scrap into a sash, and was ready for fun evening in this terrific city!

Thrifting in Austin, TX (and a Dress Refashion!) after
Not bad for an on-the-road refash, eh? 🙂

Of course, Dan talked me into bringing my new accessory with me.  ðŸ˜‰

Thrifting in Austin, TX (and a Dress Refashion!) after with purse
She got a refashion of her own! 🙂
Dan with dog purse
We named her Ladybird!
Natalia and Jillian with Dog purse
Natalia <3s Ladybird too!

If you’re ever in Austin, I can’t recommend Takoba enough!  They have delicious cocktails and fabulous food!

Jillian eating at Takoba
Soooo much yum in front of me on that table! *sigh*

Stay tuned for MORE Austin adventures!  ðŸ™‚

Cheers!

Thrifting in Austin, TX (and a Dress Refashion!) before and after
Manmosa Dress
First Plane to Austin: Dress to Top Refashion