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.

Cute Springy Finds that Will Go Along with My Other Springy Finds

I had major plans to provide you, the readers of Operation Sparkle, with some amazing infographics about thrifting today, but as I had a migraine this morning and ended up sleeping until 2 in the afternoon (!), I can only offer you some more spring looks. Have no fear, though, because they are rad! For my last installment on "how Holly can max out her credit card," I present you with the cute items that fit my spring fashion look! And be sure to stay tuned for some amazing graphic action later this week!




While I tend to gravitate away from newer, mall brands at thrift shops, I couldn't help myself with this adorable seafoam green and white striped dress from H&M. Perfect for the summer, do-able in the spring with the proper layering.



This vintage lace collar can be added onto any top for unlimited preciousness.



I have been in the market for a navy cardigan, and while this doesn't look like much, it is J Crew and only cost $2.95. The buttons are cute and I am already planning on shrinking it, just so it can have that little shrunken cardigan look going on.



I love the print and colors of this vintage sweater. Not only is it cute, but it is also really light—a perfect layering piece for spring!



Thanks to Laurie's current employer, I have this excellent silk, button down, capped sleeved top to add to my spring top collection! Go Jones New York!



I love these rust colored denim shorts so much that I had to buy them even though I will have to loss about 10 pounds to actually fit into them comfortably. Here's to hoping.

I found some great skirts on this thrifting trip, and here are my favorites:



This grey skirt is a great t-shirt/sweatshirt material and flows so preciously that I feel like a little upside down flower when I have it on. Simple but guaranteed to get a lot of wear!




I love, love, love the color of this highwaisted vintage plaid skirt. I already have one, but it is a bit more poofy and pleated...this one is a much better streamlined fit for the classy look I am going for. I tested it out at work yesterday with my cropped tie denim top and it was a winner!



A perfect sexy little slip!



These two toned suede oxfords are just precious.



Sandal weather may be a ways off, but these white leather slip-ons are going to be a great way to finish off my spring looks!

And THAT, my friends, is how you spend $200* thrifting!

*For full disclosure, there were a number of items I haven't featured as part of this PTTS special just because they were rather dudish or just didn't fit with the others and weren't awesome enough to get their own post. I also included the $20 lunch tab in the final tally.

Urban Outfitters is TOO Hilarious in Spring 2011

As we explored in this past post about thrifted styles that Urban Outfitters copied for Holiday 2010, it's no secret that the company has been successful in marketing a sort of young, hip thrifted style for totally jacked up prices. Not suprising, then, that one of the major new "trends" that Urban is touting for this spring is one that I was thrifting like mad last year—the nautical, color blocked, preppy look. In particular, the "St. James Regatta" "trend" is one that, according to the Urban website, is defined by "colorblock detailing, nautical stripes and classic pieces, juxtaposed with quirky patterns." Puke—any trend that includes the use of the word "quirky" to describe it should be immediately flagged as one that should actually substitute the word "boring" in its place.

I mean, really, check out the "cover" of the Urban March 2011 catalog:


Doesn't it sort of remind you of this:



(note: I've since cropped this top so it is even more Urban Outfitters friendly)

Or this:



Or this:



How 'bout that? A short sleeved sweater (perfect for my spring look) that also follows the Urban rule book of nautical themes and bold color? (Note: there is a sweater very much like this in the "Early Spring 2011" catalog that annoyingly ceases to exist on their website. But trust me, they had one like it).

A bag that would look nice with this "quirky" look:



And if my Bath & Body Works color-blocked bag is too pedestrian, I can always bring out my vintage Dooney & Bourke bag:



And of course these (because long sleeved striped tops=french=classy=rich=what rich people wear=Urban Outfitter's shoppers):




These shorts (including my green ones I just blogged about) would also fit the bill:




Yes, apparently pleated bottoms are still totally in.

Or how about these decidedly preppy shoes I was so into last year (and also the Keds I am continuing to rock this spring):





These dressier sandals of mine also seem to work for the ladies:





Comm'on Urban—give us something to work with here!

On the plus side, however, MPLS's own Annie Larson, who makes amazing knit pieces with crazy colors and patterns has gotten a shout out from the store as being a sweet up-and-coming designer. That in mind, it's nice to see that Urban is at least supporting independent designers. So congrats to Annie!