you know that feeling when you get home from a day of shopping and you feel like you practically got away with burglary, such was the sheer vastness of your savings? and then on top of it, the purchases ended up being some of your favorite things to wear?? oh, delight.

wrap top by hot sauce

this little number in sheer, crisp cotton was found at a Salvation Army Thrift Store for, i kid you not, $5. I swear to jeebus it still had a $40 Nordstrom still attached. i wore this to a bachelorette party once and got hit on like 39 times.

vintage gold chain necklace w/ navy enamel buttons

this may not look like much, but it is absolutely one of my favorite accessories. it is the perfect length and has this subtle nautical thing going for it that is just so darn hip. plus it goes with EVERYTHING. this was found in a box at a garage sale for 25 cents and i almost didn’t bother with it.*

print chiffon mini dress

click on this thumbnail to check out the print. isn’t it gorgeous?? and the fabric is divine. i found this on eBay for a grand total of $17 including shipping from Thailand. and it came w/ a matching belt and 2 pairs of free earrings. yeah.

mother of pearl watch w/ white leather strap

i love white accessories this year, they modernize anything you throw ‘em on with. i found this at effing Mervyn’s for $10 and i get complimented on it all the time. sorry about the terrible photo, but it really is adorable. it reminds me of an old bakelite radio.

tips and tricks for that just-burgled feeling:

• when shopping at those discount department stores (Marshalls, Ross, TJ Maxx, Winners, etc) or even thrift stores, try skipping the downtown locations altogether and head for the ‘burbs. the selection is a lot less picked through and you’ll find that the things you want are more likely to be on the sale rack rather than a “featured item” at the front of the store.

• *always try to put items (especially accessories) in context with your wardrobe. that necklace up there, for instance, was not looking that hot tangled up in a box of hideous costume jewelry, but when i’m wearing my green striped tunic, dark jeans and gold flats, nothing else will do!

• never ever pay full price for anything that’s overtly trendy! now i’m all for splurging on investment pieces like little black dresses or anything that you’ll be able to wear in the next 2 years. but if you really want to wear a trend, wait a week or two and buy a knock-off. believe me, you don’t want to be stuck with a $110 skull scarf come spring. (the exception to this rule for me is if the trend is overwhelmingly flattering. in that case, you’ll get a ton of wear out of it and feel gorgeous before the trend is over. besides, you may even be able to carry it into the next season since nobody will care if its in or out, you’ll just look HOT.)