Tag: Current Boutique

Categories
Lifestyle

My 21 Days of Happiness!

I reflect on the moment when I googled how to feel happier. After typing that I literally was like wait am I seriously asking the internet how to get happy? The internet. Yes, I had a SMH moment as well and a palm to the forehead.  Now don’t get me wrong I am a positive person and I enjoy life, but there are some days where my mood swings are off the charts and at the end of the day I overall just feel crummy.  With that it is not only affecting my well-being, but also those around me!

So I was scrolling through Instagram and came across one of my favorite local DC bloggers Tashira of, Politics & Fashion, and her post about the 21 Day Happiness Project. So basically it is about being intentional on writing down what gives you joy and putting it into action each day. To some it may seem like a very easy task. There are some days  though that I am glued to my phone, computer, etc. from morning till night on the go and I realize that I did not take a second to enjoy the sun in my face, or how the trees sway in the wind, or listening to the lyrics of a song to find more of a meaning than just background noise. Ok, I know I sound very hippy love child kumbaya, but sometimes it is needed!

It is almost like I have blinders on sometimes to the beauty that is around me. So I started this project on Friday and so far the actions that I have done that give me joy is spending time with my family without having my phone out, going on a long walk, and creating new content for my blog.

Tashira created a free toolkit you can download to jot down your progress and daily affirmations. One part of the toolkit is writing down what makes you happy that costs little to no money. So I wanted to share with you all mine! Here we go:

  1. Meaningful conversations with friends and family
  2. Music
  3. Dancing
  4. Cooking
  5. Collaging
  6. Volunteering
  7. Blogging/Creating Content
  8. Fashion
  9. Nature
  10. Being on the water

Follow me along on Instagram stories and I will give you all updates on how the project is going.  Would love to hear what makes you all happy, share them with me in the comments!

Staying dreamin and keep it real!

-Catherine

Photo Credit- Preethi Rajaguru

Shop my Look:

**Could not find the shoes online on Nine West since I purchased them in store, but here is a fabulous alternative. Purchased the purse on consignment, so I found a beautiful Rebecca Minkoff alternative too.

Studio Smocked Collar Ruffle Sleeve Dress Tall Tale Ulanda Half d'Orsay Flats  

Categories
Fashion

Summer Shopping with Current Boutique!

After coming back into town from my lovely 4th of July festivities I opened up my phone to look at my calendar to see when my next excursion is.  I am so blessed that my next couple of months are full of friends weddings, bachelorrette parties, family vacations, and more! Then I check out my monthly credit card bill and my excitement turns into “AHHHHHHHH! Where did all my money gooooo!”

So instead of ugly crying I decided to explore ways of making a little extra cash.  Scrolling down the list of ideas included the following that I immediately had to cross off. First being an Uber driver was out of the question because I like to live life in the “slow lane” get it…you know that song…life in the fast laaaaaane. Ok I will cut the karaoke. Dog walker? Yeah right, I feared my miniature Sheltie for like 4 years, literally she was the size of a gerbil. Then alas I came across a way that I did not have to get a second job. I happened to come across the world of consignment!

I discovered consignment when I first moved to DC about 4 years ago.  I was strolling around the streets of Old Town, Alexandria and popped into this adorable shop called, Current Boutique.  I will have to say what caught my eye was the vibrant and stylish window displays of dresses, heels, and clutches. After I walked in and dove into the racks of beautiful pieces basically spinning like Julie Andrews in my head thinking “I feeeel so alllllive!” I was like wait, what kind of shop is this?

Then I had a chat with the friendly sales gals about what this store was since there was no duplicates of any items.  Then the magic word consignment rang into my ears! She also explained to me how anyone can consign with their boutique and they prefer trends that are in style and excellent condition. Also, they usually accept brands from JCrew to Chanel! After my little visit and scoring an adorable Vince Camuto bag for under $100 I can ran to my closet and started filling up a bag of pieces that either do not fit any longer or they have been loved long enough and need to find their way to a new owner.

Now four years later I still make my monthly stops into current to drop off items to consign, check my balance, and use my credit to shop unique looks in store or request a check that goes towards those credit card bill payments I sadly mentioned earlier.

Now I would like to introduce you to my new little friend from Current a Rebecca Minkoff tan and neon studded quilted affair bag priced for under $100! It is literally in perfect condition on the interior and exterior.  For my gals out there that are not into designer bags, no shame I am the same way, but these bags can typically retail for over $250 so this was for sure a bargain and it is so unique.

Follow this link to learn how you can consign your clothes and check out their website to find out which out of the four Current Boutique locations are closest to you or you can shop their selection online. Also, this is the first of my two part post featuring Current Boutique in this collaboration so stay tuned!

Categories
Fashion

After a closet clean out with my clients as we stand among the bags of clothing looking over it feels like we have just climbed Mount Everest. In these bags can consist of items that are too small, out of style, a wee bit worn, and the list can go on. Now what to do with all of this clothing!?

I am sure your first thought is to take it all to Goodwill, which I agree is an amazing cause to support and absolutely should be considered.  For some of your pieces that still have the tags on them or are literally brand new and maybe just are not the right fit and it is too late to return why not try and make a little cash money to put into your clothing, travel, pay for kids summer camp, or just a “treat yo self” fund!

Here are a couple of recommendations that I have personally used and recommend to my clients of where and how you can sell these pieces that are like new!

ThredUp

This service is great because you can sign up for an account and they they send you a bag with a pre-printed label.  They keep what they will sell for you and give you money up front.  You can select the option for them to donate what they don’t take or they can send it back to you! Here is the website for more info.

Poshmark

This is an app that you can download and upload photos of items you want to sell.  What is great about this is that you are in control of how much you sell an item for, which is great for designer pieces like bags, shoes, etc.  Here is the website/app info also you can shop my closet at my handle @cfeeney1122

Consignment Boutiques

If you are local to the DC metro I take items to Current Boutique or Diva Designer Consignment both in Old Town, Alexandria.  Typically consignment shops take items that are mainly within current trend of the past couple of years and others can be more on the vintage side. Each consignment store runs their pricing of items and payouts differently, but just doing a simple Google search of shops near you is easy!

Dress for Success

Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. They have scheduled donation hours you can drop off items or you can volunteer to assist in sorting the pieces that are brought, serve as a mentor, review resumes, etc. Check out their website for more info!

 

Categories
Fashion

Feeling Fresh with NY and Co.!

The saying less is more is a statement that I try to follow through all parts of my life.  Whether it comes to trying to not eat a large pizza alone or attempting to do a smokey eye and it looks like I am part of the Walking Dead zombie cast.

Photo Cred: Pedro Blanco
Earrings, Francesca’s, under $30

This especially comes more into play in terms of my wardrobe.  I definitely would not classify myself as a minimalist, but I do try to keep a routine of when I purchase a new dress, accessory, or shoe that means that one or more needs to filter out. Not just putting it in a bin and up to the attic it goes more like consigning them, selling on Poshmark, or donating to an amazing cause like Dress for Success.  As we all know life can get in the way sometimes of this what feels like an amazing routine so I have been getting into the mode of purchasing pieces that have a unique touch, but can be paired with more than just one item in my closet.

Pants, NY & Co. under $50 | Shoes, Steve Madden Outlets, under $30

That is where these black ankle pants from New York and Co. comes into play! What I love about this pant is that it picks up so many colors from the detail in the calf of red, white, blue, green, and pink that it can pair perfect with your basic white tee or dressed up with a red blouse like I have pictured! Even if your wardrobe has more of a neuteral color scheme and you want to turn it up a notch without going too far outside your comfort zone this is perfect for you. So I don’t think I will be taking this pant out of the rotation any time soon! Keep scrolling to check out these other pieces that I spotted online that are classic looks with a bit of unique detail for full versatility.

Purse, Current Boutique, under $100 | Watch, Current Boutique, under $100 | Top, Nordstrom Rack, under $40

 

  

Recreate my look:

   Steve Madden Women's Irenee Two-Piece Block-Heel Sandals