THE CITIZEN INDEX

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Guest Post: The Daily Fashionista


Meet Emily Keen, the Daily Fashionista. I don't remember how I discovered her, or if she found me.  But, it was  from our first comment exchange, that we hit it off, and I've been a big fan of Emily and her easy-going Virginian style ever since. Does the name sound familiar? Well, I've mentioned her a few times before: once when she was a recipient of the "I Heart UR blog" award (click here to read,) and again recently, when I shared some blog-roll with ya'lls. You can refresh your memories by clicking here....OR you can just sit tight, because the Daily Fashionista has agreed to be my FIRST GUEST POST! 

One of my New Year resolutions for the blog was to incorporate a greater variety of voice and perspective here at the Citizen Rosebud, which has nicely meshed with Emily's New Year's resolve to replenish her wardrobe by ONLY buying (or swapping) second-hand items. It's her way of promoting even MORE sustainability into her daily life.  
So please welcome the lovely Emily of the Daily Fashionista

The Daily Fashionista takes the SHOP SECOND-HAND pledge
This year, I pledge to SHOP SECOND-HAND; I resolve to purchase only items that are thrifted, swapped or handed down. 


I'll be honest- I'm a tad bit apprehensive. Because I still like to try new trends and buy newish shoes, which aren't guaranteed to trickle down, but I choose to do this for two reasons! I enjoy an eco-friendly lifestyle (just ask my co-workers..they think I'm down right crazy!!!) and this pledge is also going to make my wallet happier.  It's no secret that I already thrift a majority of my wardrobe, but lately I've been finding myself shopping for brand-new, trendy items either at Forever 21 (not the most eco-friendly or responsible company) or some other random fast fashion store. I'm going to put a stop to this, and I'm hoping that this will be a smooth transition.  


I have a few tips for people who may be like, "What?!!! I can't do that!"  I think everyone has the power to change their consumptive habits fed by their run to the big box stores, the fast fashion stores, and all those fine first-run retailers out there.  There were some stories floating about a little over a year ago about how a big clothing company was destroying their clothing overstock, and then disposing of them in dumpsters. (Editor's note: H & M stores were specifically named). The fact that they do this, rather than donating the surplus to a charity or shelter, like many retailers opt to do, is in my opinion, ridiculous and wasteful!



If you're truly worried that you won't find anything fashionable at the thrift stores in your area, try to locate a consignment shop or a re-sale store like Buffalo Exchange and Plato's Closet  You often pay a little more for the used clothing found there, but these places specialize in keeping their shelves well-stocked with current items.  I've also noticed these stores are more likely to be located in more affluent neighborhoods(a marketing ploy I'm sure!!..hehe) so the quality of items are usually quite good.
And Hey!! You're still buying second-hand! 
As far as thrift-store shopping is concerned: patience will be your virtue.  Usually when I go thrift- shopping I try to give myself at least an hour to navigate the whole store, so that I will almost always find something. 

I plan on sharing my tips and my experiences as I challenge myself in my pledge to SHOP SECOND-HAND, so I'm starting a regular monthly feature called "A Day in the Life of a Thrifter."  Please stay tuned!!

Emily Keen is the voice of The Daily Fashionista, a blog about style, animal and eco-friendly living, and life.  When she's not running around from thrift store to thrift store, she can be found writing her blog posts along with her pal for life, Starla Darla...The Chiwienie, going on photo hunts with her husband Zach, and enjoying life amongst friends in her local neighborhood of Ghent.

22 comments:

feministified said...

Ohmygosh! Emily is a cutie & I'm officially inspired!

Lisa said...

That is awesome! I have been doing that for a year and love it. Although I do buy new from places that are not using sweat shops like am appy about twice a year (and for underwear) Best of luck:)!

jemina said...

Truly Inspiring, now if only they had second hand clothes store here, sigh....

xoxo
J

My Heart Blogged said...

The majority of my clothing is from the thrift store. I love seeing other people who love thrifting like I do. I actually thought about only thrifting for a year, I think it would be a fun experiment.
My Heart Blogged

Pull Your Socks Up! said...

Wow, Emily sounds like my kinda gal. I'll be tracking her progress for sure - thanks for introducing her to us:). Thanks so much for your kind words Bella:) xoxoxo

the Citizen Rosebud said...

the Citizen Rosebud

Leia said...

Hi Emily! I wish you luck in your second-hand journey! I don't think there are any thrift stores here in Bangladesh but I really do want to work on my thrifting skills when I can.

Leia

Anonymous said...

Lovely post:)

Pam @ over50feeling40 said...

I am going to spend some time on her site today...this is an excellent post!! San Antonio just got a Buffalo Exchange and several of my students are talking about it...I need to go check it out and see what they do. They are located strategically in a high income part of town..so they should be getting some great items!!

Anonymous said...

Good interview! I've not read her blog before, but I shall now.

Casey said...

Almost all of my wardrobe is second-hand, and so is my kid's. Having worked a lot of years in retail, I know how over-priced clothing really is. Plus, as a mom of 4, I have to be careful not only of how much money I spend but how I'm spending it. I'd rather my kids see me shopping with a conscious (as often as I possibly can) than just dealing out money for trends.
BTW- Emily is adorable, I would wear everything she's wearing in that picture ;)

Anupriya DG said...

I really appreciate the way Emily has taken up the challenge of shopping only for second-hand stuff! It takes a lot to follow through with such decisions........all the best Emily for your very thoughtful resolution! :)
Thanks Bella for sharing about such sweet & lovely bloggers with us!! :))

Isquisofrenia said...

oh i love when you do this fetures and i think the dress she wears is so lovely and cute!!

mispapelicos said...

My dear Bella, what a fantastic way to spred the love and introduce us to other bloggers.
Emily is fantastic, and so is her blog.
Looking forward to many more...
I can feel from here how thrill , and busy you are at the moment.
I am soooooooooooooo glad for you.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the introduction...sounds like our basic values are very similar.

ChocoDisco said...

Emily looks adorable in that dress! and I love the fact that she pledged to shop second hand... I try but it's not always easy =(

stylenuggets said...

Her style is easy on the eye. Great feature. I had a look a the blogger you mentioned. I like her style!

Lee Oliveira said...

What a great review about Emily. she is also have a beautiful smile..
now.. off to her blog
Lee x

the Citizen Rosebud said...

@LEE: you da man! LOL.
Terri, you definitely share similar values with me and Emily. I am thinking a making a SHOP 2nd hand pledge banner and posting links to all those that take the pledge!

March and Choco: I am glad you like her! Emily rocks!

iammademoiselle said...

Love this post!!<3

Stop by sometime dear, it would be great if we could follow each other if you like!

http://mademoiselleconomist.blogspot.com/

Heather Fonseca said...

I have a kind of love/terrified of sort of relationship with thrift stores (not vintage boutiques, that's a whole different ball of wax). But today I actually bought a skirt at Out of the Closet. I also got about a yard and a half of beautiful plaid wool. The two items cost about $6. Wow. I think I'm hooked!

Love,
Heather
http://heathersdesignblog.com/

the Citizen Rosebud said...

Good for you Heather! I tell you that your pocketbook will thank you!