Fashion - Pocketful of Joules

March Thrift Haul

I really thought I’d have some fabulous items to show you this month. I even went thrifting twice and hit stores that typically give me some winners. However, both days I walked away with my hands empty. It could be because I’m also doing a bit of a closet clean out and it will take me really loving an item to add it in. Or, it could be that I just kept finding a ton of crap.

So, this month, rather than a “thrift” haul we have a secondhand haul:

South Parade Hoodie, $15

I love South Parade, especially the brand’s t-shirts, but it can be super frustrating when they only have limited releases once a season. Every so often I’ll do a Poshmark search to see if anything cool pops up, which is how I found this super cute hoodie. They typically sell for around $90, so $15 was a steal. The seller sent it to me quickly and it’s just as soft and comfortable as I hoped it would be. And honestly, at $15 it’s pretty darn close to thrift pricing…

Birkenstock Arizona Sandals, $40

For the past few years, I’ve been getting Jack a pair of Birkenstock leather sandals for the summer. The first year, he wore the same shoes for 2 summers, last year he got just one summer out of the next size. Well, this year… he’s in adult sizes. {sob}

The difference in price is huge – kid’s sandals are $60, while the adult version of just ONE SIZE UP is $120. And yes, I know I can get him a knock-off version for much less. However, I decided to give Poshmark a try and found a pair of never worn Birkenstock Arizona sandals in Jack’s new size for $40! They just came a few days ago and they are absolutely perfect… so I’m calling this one another secondhand steal!

Anthropologie: What is This?!

Last week I was feeling a bit of a shopping itch. I hadn’t been out and about for a while, so I wandered over to the Anthropologie website and OHMYGOD what is going on?! Look I get that some styles aren’t for everyone… but WOW was I blown away by some absolutely ugly items that are currently for sale. So, for funsies, I thought I’d do a little wrap up so you all can enjoy them as well!

Strapless Corset Midi Dress, $178

Okay, this isn’t the absolute worst. However, do you remember that movie Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead? It was released back in 1991 and starred Christina Applegate as a teenager who pretended to be a fashion designer… anyways, THIS looks like something from her fashion show at the end. It’s like office casual meets debutante. And it’s a no from me. Also, I need to re-watch that movie…

Deena Midi Skirt, sale $390

Okay, I actually do really like this skirt… but WHY IS IT $390 as the sale price (down from $650). Come on Anthropologie, stay in your lane!

Pleated Denim Overall Dress, sale $100

Um… Farmer in the streets and secretary in the sheets? What is happening here? With that being said, according to the reviews people like this thing. So maybe its just not for GenX to understand.

Silky Lace Slip Dress, sale $30

Okay friends. This is not a slip dress. This is a slip. Are people wearing this out in public?? It’s giving 13 Going on 30, Jenna just woke up as a grown-up and leaves the house in her pajamas. It’s a beautiful item… to wear at home.

Oversized Rosette Mini Dress, sale $50

You are getting very sleepy… very, very sleepy. Don’t make eye contact. The gigantic flower is trying to hypnotize you. This is giving me “I actually hate my bridesmaids” dress vibes.

Sheer Mesh Sparkle Dress, sale $50

Anyone else seeing Mini from Rent cosplay? Right. Let’s go ooooOOOOUUUUUTTTT tonight!

Sheer Slip Midi Skirt, sale $80

And I’m done. WHERE is this girl going with her underroos showing? WHERE?! With that being said, if this skirt weren’t showing her skivvies the look would be amazing!

So yeah. I no longer have that shopping itch and I’m happy with my closet.

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Warby Parker: 2024 Try-On

It seems like I just published a post about buying new glasses with Warby Parker, but time flies… because that was 2 years ago! You can find my original Warby Parker: Deciding on New Glasses post here. Well, two years later and my vision got a bit blurry again, so it’s time to order a new pair of specs!

Last time I did a try-on, I had a runner up favorite. So, this time I was kinda thinking I’d just order them and be done with it. However, when I went to click on the frame style – called the Madeleine – I saw that they are now also available in a new purply color called Orchard. And I wasn’t sure if I should stick with the original Cherry Blossom Fade pink version that I previously liked, or try the purple pair. So, it seemed like the perfect excuse to do another Try-On box!

Try-On Box Instructions:

It’s super easy, you just go to the Warby Parker website and click on “Home Try-On.” Then, pick out 5 pairs of glasses you’d like to try. They send them to you with clear lenses and you have 5 days to try them and send them back with a provided label.

The 5 frames I tried this time are: Madeleine in Cherry Blossom Fade, Madeleine in Orchard, Weathers in Periwinkle Crystal, Shea in Rose Guava and Hartman in Striped Cypress. I was thinking I wanted to do a pink or purple frame, but that green one was so pretty I threw it in too. I actually didn’t realize that I tried the Weathers on last time too… just in green.

Here they all are:

I posted the photos on socials over the weekend to get feedback and of course it’s all over the place:

Instagram: out of 22 votes, the top two winners were Shea in Rose Guava (13) and Madeleine in Cherry Blossom Fade (9).
Threads: out of 46 votes, the top winners were Hartman in Striped Cypress (12), Madeleine in Cherry Blossom Fade (11) and Shea in Rose Guava (10).
Family: I texted the photos to my mom and sisters, and of course I asked Travis and Jack for their favorites too. The top winners were Cherry Blossom Fade (3) and Shea in Rose Guava (3).

Which just goes to show you that EVERYONE has their own opinion!

While I do really like the Hartman in Striped Cypress, my last pair of glasses were black and green, so I figured I’d go for something different this time. So, with everyone’s help I narrowed it down to these two favorites:

I really like them both, so I’m thinking I’ll order the Madeleine Cherry Blossom frames for my ‘regular glasses’ (for wearing in the evenings, lazy weekend mornings and if my contact lenses are being mean). AND I’ll order the Shea Rose Guava for my reader’s prescription, so basically for book reading (worn in addition to my contact lenses).

I’m going to sit with that decision a day or two and then send back the Try-On Box and make my order. (I’ll update this post with my final cost once I place my order). What do you think — did I make the right choice?