Beltane to Memorial Day Countdown: Jonathan Martin Hermes-Print Tank

As it appears we are on a "classy tank top" trajectory, for my 14th tank, I present my Jonathan Martin Fake Hermes Patterned Button-up Tank. While I know little of Jonathan Martin (except for the fact that I appreciate the unicorn on his labels and that he makes cute tanks), I do know that nothing says "rich bitch" more than a pile of ropes incorporated into a pattern (really, can someone explain this to me? Are they supposed to represent the restrictive bonds of upper class society? Or what?).




I found this piece last spring, when I was on the lookout for a piece of clothing, preferably a shirt, that had a print such as this (what can I say? I wanted to feel rich, even on my T.A. salary). Imagine my excitement when I stumbled across this number—not only is it a small, yet flowy tank (versus the majority of tops sporting such prints which tend to be boxy in the most unflattering way*), but it buttons up! I absolutely love tanks that incorporate buttons, which you will witness throughout the course of this countdown. After all, what is more classy than buttons?**

*Actually, as I am writing this, I suddenly have an urge to add one such top to my Wishlist—a long sleeved button-up number that can be tucked in for extra classiness.
**Versus zippers, the trash of the fastening world.

BELTANE to MEMORIAL DAY countdown: Chanel on a Thrift Store Budget

Although I have found a lot of great new tanks in recent weeks, this countdown is inspiring me to revisit past tanks that I haven't seen since last September, and pretty much forgot existed. If not for the joy of seasonally hiding my clothes on myself, I might take my clothes for granted. But instead, I get more mileage out of my deals, and am able to rediscover magical little moments of genius like this, my #14 TOP TANK TOP, a black rayon tank with spaced white pearl beads.



This tank has what I like to call the "Chanel Factor", in that it is about the closest thing to Chanel that you can ever hope to get on a thrift store budget. Black and white will always suggest Chanel, but in this case, the pearl beads, perfectly spaced, is twist-on-a-classic touch that really nails it. I am very pumped to have it back in the lineup.


The only drawback being, the beads make it a bitch to iron. But it's a small price to pay.

Beltane to Memorial Day Countdown: Tan Silk Tank

For my 15th (well, technically my first) tank of the Beltane-Memorial Day countdown, I have choose what is perhaps my most understated top. Do not be fooled, however, by its simplistic appearance, as this tan, pure silk tank exudes elegance and class--two traits that don't often come to mind when thinking "thrifted tank top."

I was initially drawn to this piece during my summer 2010 neutrals phase. The beauty of a plain silk tank such as this one is that it can be utilized for a simple look or as the base layer of something a bit more outrageous (as I am likely to wear it now). The length allows for the top to be worn long (excellent for over leggings or a tight skirt) or tucked in. I also love wearing this piece with brighter colors, such as the teal miniskirt I wore it with to see Neil Young with Chris last year. Something as simple as this tank also wins extra points for the small details--the buttoned key hole at the nape of the neck in the back, and the swooping cut up the sides. These are the sorts of details that make a plain silk tank go from ho-hum to something special. The most beautiful thing about this piece? Its ability to be dressed up or down--and that is what I call versatile.

BELTANE to MEMORIAL DAY: TOP TANK TOP COUNTDOWN!

In the spirit of Spring and the free association of totally unrelated holidays, Operation Sparkle is going to take you, our readers, on a fun filled tank top countdown starting on Beltane (today!) all the way to Memorial Day! Woo hoo!

For those of you not familiar with the most holy of pagan holidays, Beltane is a Springtime fertility holiday, in which bonfires are lit, fresh milk is pored in to newly plowed fields, and all are encouraged to get their groove on as much as humanly possible, all in the hopes of fruitful reproduction of all varieties. Memorial day, on the other hand, is a somber day of remembrance for the sacrifice of servicemen for our country's freedom, as well as the unofficial beginning of summer. It is also at this point that, anachronistically, particular fashion moratoriums are lifted, such as the wearing of white.

That being said, it makes perfect sense to celebrate/remember/fly in the face of all of these things with massive quantities of tank tops. For the next 30 days, Holly and I will each unleash our top 15 favorite tank tops that we can't wait to sport this summer, starting now, with my #15 TOP TANK TOP, this terra cotta colored animal print cropped tank!!!!


Look at that beauty! It really deserves to be higher up on my list, but I wanted to start things out with a bang. Also, it has already been featured on a previous Op Sparkle countdown, our epic 25 Days of Black Friday Thrifting. But there are so many great things about it. Obviously, a good animal print is hard to come by, and this one is damn near perfect.


The terra cotta color is amazing, and it is cropped and bell-shaped. Recently, when in a trance-like state, I was drawn in to an H&M, I saw a tank top very, very similar to this one, which triggered in my brain the inevitable paranoia that people are knocking off our finds. This is probably not so, and should just learn from this episode that it is always a bad idea to walk to in to an H&M. And more importantly, that I have successfully beat the system. Nonetheless, it is very much worth knocking off, and I love it.

So there you go! Keep comin back for more tank top action!!

Special Trip: Washburn, Wi Part II

OMG! GUESS WHO HAS BEEN DRINKING A BUNCH OF VINO AND WATCHING AWAY WE GO? Oh, that might or might not be me.

Which makes this rather difficult to write (lots of backspacing) but hey, I realized that I haven't shared the REST of my trip to Washburn, and the rest of it is totally the best part of the whole thing. So, it is time for that. And as Chris says, "is this whole movie going to be Jack Johnson songs?" (to which I responded "This is not Jack Johnson" (though he just insisted that he "hates Jack Johnson" to which I responded "THIS IS NOT JACK JOHNSON")).

But! Wait! You are here for the DEALS! And deals I will share!

The most amazing, magical thing happened as Mary and I were leaving the ABC Thrift shop that weekend back in Washburn. We were traveling out of town, intent on hitting up the thrifting in Ashland, WI (which has always been a miss for me, and even more appropriate, was a total miss that day—by the time we got to the town at 2:30 the one thrift shop that doesn't totally suck was closed and the consignment-ish shop that Mary has had some luck at was closed for a "family emergency"), I saw this and pulled the car over as fast as I could maneuver.



What we had here was a building, right before the "We are sick of Walker's lies!" sign (complete with a vomiting (not so) smiley face), that a woman had rented out to sell the remains of her mother's estate. I am assuming that some other would-be profiters were in the mix, however, as I can't imagine that this woman's now-deceased mother would have all these goods at her disposal.

And by "all these goods," I am referring to the bountiful supply of pharmacitual-type products like the Listerine fresh strips I got for 75¢ (FOR THREE!) and a travel tube of Tom's toothpaste. (I am sure you want to see the photographic evidence of this, but unfortunately, I did not take the time to do so).

The most amazing things about this strange pop-up shop thrift store/rummage sale? The wicked awesome jewelry and FIFTY CENT purses!

As we have explored in the past, finding good thrifted jewelry is difficult. "Good" can refer to many things, but for me, it concerns quality and uniqueness. While the jewels I picked up were definitely the most expensive items I purchased at this sale (ranging in price from $1.50-$3.50), I am absolutely thrilled with what I came out with:



I love colors in jewelry, but I usually find that costume pieces are cheesy/a dime a dozen. This blue and gold piece blew my mind. LOVE IT.



Kudos to this more simplistic green, white and gold necklace. I love how it is in the same vein as the necklaces I usually spot thrifting, but is a bit unique.



Mary and I kept talking about how this necklace is like a pair of balls. There isn't really a better way to describe it. It may or may not be fitting that Mary still insisted that it was "one of her favorites."



This faux pearl necklace is a keeper for any of my (many) fancy parties.



I am so completely bummed that this bone and stone beaded necklace (which Mary kept insisting was "her [actual] favorite") broke upon arrival to my sweet abode, but I think I can fix it.



I can't believe I almost forgot about this piece, because it is probably my favorite. I absolutely love the arrangement of the beading (I want to say "smocking" but I know next to nothing about jewelry terminology) and the colors. Totally badass.

As previously mentioned, they were selling purses for 50¢. As the nice lady told me, her mother "loved purses." So do I, and I bought seven. Here are my favorites.



Deep blue eel skin with a chain (forgettaboutit).



A faux Chanel-ish quilted black leather purse with chain. This purse has apparently seen a lot of love, and I realized the last time I used it that I need to find an appropriate key chain to take the place of the current key ring that is attached to the zipper. I am thinking something super flashy like a rabbit's foot or an explosion of sparkles.




I also came away with a few totally shwide t-shirts that I had to get if only because they were priced at 25-50¢.



And how could I forget the amazing mugs I picked up for 10¢? (the woman selling her dead mother's things was really embarrassed by the "bitch, bitch, bitch," mug, which I thought was genius (I love snarky coffee mugs), and got really awkward, saying "that was just in a box somewhere," which then made me feel really awkward, so I blamed my purchasing of it on Chris).



And...for good measure, the forest green Basic Edition slip-ons I got on the way back from our fabulous trip for $2 (Laurie got me hooked on these cheap slip-ons about six years ago, because her grandma gave her a bunch. I get about a pair a year, usually from Kmart and they last me the summer. Last summer I splurged on a pair of Toms, feeling all good about myself, only to find them fall apart within months. No thanks. I will go with my thrifted Basic Editions, thank you very much. ).

I think I achieved a drunk post! YES!

Spring Has Sprung, All Over My Skirt!

What better day than Easter to bust out a bunch of brand new printed skirts!? AND it's beautiful outside today, to boot. 70 degrees in Brooklyn! Although I have spent most of the day inside, regretting a tequila shot and striking an inexplicable interest in the royal wedding. But I digress.

Not only have I stumbled upon a bevy of printed pants while thrifting in recent weeks, I have also accumulated some very cute printed skirts as well. Printed bottoms of all sorts have been so bountiful, I am beginning to think that my summer wardrobe will pretty much revolve around them, which is just fine with me. Here are the highlights.

First, in honor of the day, is this impossibly adorable vintage Laura Ashley tiered pastel printed skirt.



99% of the time, I find pastel anything to be the most utterly barfable things known to man. But there is an exception to every rule, and this is that particular exception. Somehow this print and palette manage to look sophisticated for what they are, rather than overly saccharine. It plays with the line but doesn't cross it. I know you know exactly what I mean.



And yes I am 29 and I am not afraid to wear Laura Ashley.

Back to my normal dark as night color scheme, I bring you this great royal blue and black tropical floral printed midi skirt.



Anytime I come home with a skirt like this, my boyfriend inevitably makes a comment about how it reminds him of Natalie Merchant. He then promptly starts singing a song of hers, (usually "Candy Everybody Wants" which I had no idea even existed until such an occasion)* that remains stuck in my head for hours. I can explain this state only as one which could drive even someone with nerves of steal to murderous ends.

My boyfriend was also very excited to utilize a new vocab term, "maxi skirt", regarding it, only to be crestfallen when I corrected him, explaining that this is actually a "midi skirt". He has to learn somehow.



I really love this print. It is incredibly detailed. I especially love all the paisley-like work inside of the palm leaves. Or fronds.

Next up is another floral printed confection.


It's just all around good. I love the color scheme and the fact that the print looks kind of stretched out.

And last but not least is a skirt that I thrifted right at the end of the warm weather season last year, and hardly got a chance to wear. I am very pumped to finally have a second shot at it.


The awesomeness of this print clearly goes without saying. It's urban and edgy, just like me.


*This might seem cruel and unusual, but I could not help myself.

Sheesh I'm Tired, But THE SHOW MUST GO ON!

Because really...Jake and I are going to have the best booth in the whole world, and if we don't win the "best booth" prize, I am going to seriously start questioning humanity's values (as a whole). Anyway, my general absence from sharing my totally rad thrifting finds is, in major part, due to the amount of time it turns out it takes to prepare for a craft fair (with the best booth ever) and fully complete a preview issue for a zine celebrating creative ladies.



Even though I should be getting some shut eye to prepare for the big day, I have to share this picture with you. It is Jake with a selection of our goods. There will be even more. And there will be, as promised, rugs to stand on, a mirror* to look in, signs to read, the preview C.L.A.P. zine to purchase, special surprise mix CDs, and, of course, about a zillion haute looks you can purchase for low, low prices.

So, if you are in the grand city of Minneapolis (hell, if you are in the grand city of St. Paul!), come and visit us! We will be at the T.A.C.I.T. Handmade Heartfelt fair from 11-6 tomorrow (this Saturday) at the VFW** on Lyndale! It is gonna get wild (we were promised a bloody mary bar. Things are really going get wild, so hold on to your socks!)!!!!!!!

*Chris claims this mirror makes people look fat. I think it is a really cute mirror and it serves its purpose just fine.
**When I was telling my mother about this event, she didn't understand what a "VFW" was until she exclaimed "oh! I got married in one of those!"***
***She didn't, but she did have her reception in one, and apparently she had a bitchy cousin of a now ex-sister-in-law that made fun of their pork sandwiches. Also, her dad was "very proud" to have his daughter's reception at his VFW. Miss you Grandpa Whip!

In Which Sage Dawson Keep Showing Us Up, and We Love Every Minute of It

Operation Sparkle's favorite contributing thrifter strikes again! As if once was not enough to make us all rage with violent envy, Sage Dawson has returned to add fuel to the fire, and we are proud to be her chosen venue by which to show off. Lucky for all of us, she accepts face punches as a form of admiration and respect "whole-heartedly". I like this lady.

Isn't showing off fun? You should do it too! We want to see ALLLL of your finds, and we will give them an equally glorious platform to do so. So email them to us at operationsparkle@gmail.com, STAT. It's very important.

With no further ado, Sage's new set of finds!!!

Sage Speaks

Cocktail Dress

When I saw this dress in a local flea market I knew, no matter the price, I HAD to try it on. If it even remotely fit I intended to buy it and hoard it for life. I saw it far off across the market, then scrambled down the aisle to snatched it. Honestly, just looking at it is enough of a reward. Fortunately it fit like a freaking glove. It was $18 & worth every penny.



Who doesn't want a wool sweater with imagery of a country landscape? Just look at that scenery.



Pattern Wrap Dress. Check out the neckline & pockets. GAH, this is why I keep thrifting, only $5




Blue Floral Feedsack Cloth Dress - This was ten bucks plus I had to alter it to fit, but I knew I had to buy it because the pattern was too amazing. Just look at that pocket & those buttons. It's charming with a red belt.



3$


$3 Rockports

$1 Belt with floral pattern embossed into the leather.

Confessions of a Thriftaholic

I have a few confessions to make.

The first is that I've been seriously bumming about how much I've been putting Operation Sparkle on the back burner lately—things have been so crazy trying to simultaneously prepare for the fair (it takes a lot of time to make enough glitter letters for our signs) and putting together the preview issue of C.L.A.P. (so it will be available at the fair) that I've been straddling a very thin line between being the most productive I have ever been and having a nervous break down. Things have been so busy that I actually had to turn down an opportunity to go thrifting with Molly yesterday.

Which not only breaks my heart (and spirit), but it also brings me to my next confession.

I have too many clothes.

Yesterday, Tara stood in my bedroom doorway, unable to get past the mounds of clothing blocking her entrance to the room, and again kept insisting that I was a hoarder. While I refuse to believe that (while Tara argues there are different kinds of hoarders, I maintain that a hoarder is a person who makes a habit of buying ten of whatever useless plastic item they can find in the clearance bin at their local Walmart), I admit that I have a slight...issue on my hands.

It appears as though having a blog devoted to thrifting + a job a resale shop + strange emotional attachments to clothing (like the stained, faded, once-electric yellow, American Apparel tank top I can't bear to part with because it was my favorite shirt for years and is connected to particularly found memories of a wild weekend at Fire Island with some of my favorite people (like Laurie))=too many clothes to count.



Here's a look at my attempt to organize a portion of my clothing. So far, I've removed about eight large bags for resale and donation and one for winter storage and I still can't walk to my bed.

So...what does one do in this sort of situation? A thrifting hiatus? I'd rather be dead. The only solution seems to be a re-evaluating of my fashion priorities. In other words, a good face-to-face with my style self, revisiting of my wishlist (add a long, embroidered coat to that, please) and figuring out what I want my current look to be. But I'm still not getting rid of that tank top.

Amidst all of this, there is hope. Yesterday, I found myself so exhausted from a day of running errands (nothing like waiting until the last possible moment to finish your taxes) that I decided to "treat" myself to fuchsia lipstick and black nail polish* from Target. As it turns out, they were the perfect complement to my, once again, strange gothy-spring outfit** that I was forced to wear when I couldn't locate the shirt and jeans I actually wanted to wear in the clothing mess that is currently my bedroom:



Brown and black print button-down cropped blouse (from the Halloween bootique. I love this top).



My new(ish) navy wool cardigan I got thrifting with Jake, which is fastly becoming my favorite sweater (at some point in the day, I took it off and shook it in Chris' face exclaiming that it was J. Crew and awesome)



My black crack-finger jeans



and my lace-up black booties.

This outfit, plus my new make-up, meant that when I got home last night after a viewing of the Wicker Man*** in celebration of the full moon, I still looked (and felt) good. And this, my friends, is why it is all worth it!

*/**I really don't know what is happening to me. Not even alt-rock loving teenage Holly would have willingly purchased black nail polish.
***The original film, of course. Don't be foolish.

Spring Has Sprung, All Over My Pants!

Now that my out-with-the-old process is complete, it is time to get going on the fun part, the in-with-the-new! The weather is actually becoming somewhat legitimately warm enough, for brief spasms of time, to take some of these brand new finds out in to the world on their maiden voyages. And while the weather has been a long time coming, Springy finds have been piling up for a few weeks now, as thrift stores are similarly feeling the itch to transition out of sweater-and-coat hell, and in to shorts-and-tank-top paradise.

This also means that there has been enough spring time thrifting going on for some patterns (dare I say, trends?) to start emerging. One major one that I have been seeing (and I am aware is also at play in the "real" world of fashion) is printed bottoms. It is also no big secret that I love, and am strongly drawn to prints, no matter which way the fashion winds blow. Here are some of the pant, and pant-like incarnations of my printed bottom finds, so far.

First off, are a pair of leggings that might spur a cat fight between myself and Down Town Julie Brown.


How cute are these? Nothing says Spring quite like a skin-tight scattering of yellow roses.

Although I have got to say, in the different phases of leggings trends throughout the past several decades, there have been some strange fits and proportions. While it seems a pretty straightforward design--that being, tight--there is a surprising amount of variation. This pair, for example, from the 90's, is cropped at mid calf, and the rise is a solid 11 inches long. No one on earth has a waist that high. The overall effect being, short legs, freakishly long torso. Sexy? Not so much. Luckily, these crazy proportions are easily disguised by any top that is more than 6 inches long.

Next are some pants that I am VERY jazzed about. They are top in the running for potential outfits for a wedding I am attending in Austin in a few weeks. Let me dissect the wonderful qualities of these pants for you.


Firstly, they are big, wide, sheer, slightly cropped pants that look like a skirt. Secondly, they have this great big Japanese geometric print all over them. Thirdly, the waist detail is completely amazing, and super flattering.



As far as potential wedding wear, these pose quite a few logistical problems. Most obviously, they are sheer. Black leggings look cute underneath, but this is Texas, and that seems like a good way to be hotter than hell all night. So shorts? bloomers? hot pants? I don't want to scare any grandmas. The other problem being the top that I would wear with it, a silk ivory camisole, would require pasties. I have never attempted pasties yet in my 29 years, and to make my first go at it in front of said strange grandmas also seems dicey. Perhaps they are just too racy.

And last but not least are these great little printed drawstring shorts.


These are definitely one of my favorite Spring finds so far this year. They are comfortable, easy to wear, and even work appropriate, and they feature a style of floral print that one hardly ever comes across....



which of course means it is now time for some super fun textile history! This style of print is called "Half-Mourning". They originated in the 19th century as a style of print worn by widows once they had cleared the all-black stage of dress, and were easing in less bleak apparel. That probably being why you don't generally see these prints these days. They are actually a bit morbid.

Which is not very Springy! So forget that and focus on how printed pants are fresh and fun!