Refresh with Purpose

I haven't met too many people..ok women...who don't enjoy refreshing their wardrobe. Especially in the Fall. It seems that Fall lights a fire within us that smolders until we deal with it...and to deal with it, we must find incredible articles of clothing and accessories that imbibe our wardrobe with that je ne sais quoi we are striving for...

For some of us...ehem....me.... this fire must be dealt with through good deals. It's not just about the item, but about the good deal..

So, where is a better place to search then local consignment stores? There isn't a better place, actually.

Yesterday I searched out 2 stores I had heard of through the grapevine:

The ScholarShop: An upscale consignment store that supports The Scholarship Fund of St. Louis.


Upon arrival, the ScholarShop was very busy---mostly with middle age and older women digging through a more mature gathering of clothes. I was not to be discouraged, however. I jumped right in only to find....

She's vogueing...ha

This! Fantastic, slick, chic, lemon yellow leather skirt. YES! The sad part is that I decided not to get it.

The sweet part is that I'm going back to get it...and at 20 buck-a-roos it's a sweet deal. (Feel free to send up a little prayer that I'm not too late...surely everyone is clamoring for a lemon yellow leather skirt...)

If you are a digger, there is an absolute possibility that you will find something here. And if you would like to donate, The ScholarShop  will send you an itemized list of deductibles at the end of the year.

The 2nd consignment store I visited was: [Re]Fresh, A Fashion Coalition


Now, [Re]Fresh is a little more youthful and modern in set-up and style. They even have a DJ area!

It was an Urban Outfitters-esq consignment shop. Though some items seemed to be overpriced...some were underpriced as well. I found a Nanette Lepore dress for $18!

If you have pre-teen to young adult people in your life...this is a great place to check out. The entire upstairs is mostly party dresses ranging from short and conservative to long and bedazzled.

All of this store's proceeds support the work of the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition. They even have special event days during which foster children/families can come shop and get 90% off every item.

[Re]Fresh also offers a special service to it's patrons: Free Fashion Workshops! You or your child can learn how to get a look for less. Very cool...

I hope this post encourages you to check out your local consignment and thrift stores. It is a great thing to refresh your wardrobe with purpose.

The ScholarShop

8211 Clayton Road

St. Louis, MO 63117

(Another location in Webster Groves)

314.725.3456

Donation Hours: Mon-Sat 10-5pm

[Re]Fresh

1710 S. Brentwood Blvd

St. Louis, MO 63144

314.881.0331

Open: Thurs-Sat 11-8pm

Sun 11-5pm

Marines, Inland in St. Louis

Since moving to St. Louis, we have become dear friends with Jackie and Micah (you're heard about them before...) and Micah was a Marine.

I had been hearing about Marine Week St. Louis on NPR so when Jackie asked me if I wanted to go, I jumped on it. I honestly am quite ignorant when it comes to armed forces and thought that this would be a great way to gain some knowledge--and sweet friend time.

So, I woke up at 4:45 this morning and met Jackie half-way down town at Starbucks (which sadly didn't open until 6:30am...bummer) and headed down to The Arch/Riverfront area.

The morning started off nicely once we were down there--we enjoyed walking around..catching up..and, well you know, posing in front of Hummers..

(A "professional photographer" approached us and took our picture...turns out his specialty is taking pictures of vehicles...I'm not sure how to take that...)

You may be wondering why we needed to be there so early in the morning... Friends, let me show you why.

Here it is:

We got to see this baby land!

Pretty cool, eh? It is a CH-46 and is used to move platoons. They were first manufactured in the 1960's (Vietnam, anyone?) and are still used today.

It's one of those things that you've seen in movies...aghem...cough...Forrest Gump... and always wondered what it would be like to be inside one.

Turns out, it's really hot inside...and not as big as it looks on the outside...

But still super cool:

We stayed until 8:30am...enjoyed checking things out and learning more about the helicopters, etc. It spurred some great discussion about the courage and diligence it takes to serve our country...something I feel I under-rate sometimes.

So, thank you Marines and other armed forces. Your service is appreciated. Thank you for helping make this life possible.

....The end of this experience is especially fun and is related to a parking garage...

We arrived at the parking garage at 5:58am..just in time for 6:00am early bird special (ie. 4 buckaroos from 6am-9am instead of the usual $6.00). So we thought, sweet! We had a $5.00 between us--so we were covered unless we stayed for an extraordinary long time. So we went, enjoyed, and returned to the car at 8:40am or so. Just in time...to pay $6.00.

"What?!" you say..." That doesn't make sense!" I know, right?! Well, it turns out that they are sticklers about that 6am rule, and the fact that we were there three minutes early means we were not true early birds (though I beg to differ)...

So here we are with only $5.00 and they tell us we can leave an id and go to the ATM. (Wait, what?)...so we scrounge for change, fall 40 cents short...and have to ask the car behind us for some cents... Jackie hops out of the car...and the attendant who is fully irritated with us shouts out, "Ma'am your car is moving!"

Here I am sitting in the front seat, completely oblivious to the fact that the car is rolling--and then when I realize, I have no idea how to work the stick-shift so I freak and bend over to press the brake pedal with my hand. (Totally by-passing the emergency break that is conveniently right beside me.) hahaha

Jackie rushes back to the car---40 cents from the cranky man behind us---and we are on our way. Car in tack...and dues paid.

So that was my experience at the River-front all before 9am this morning---

The Marines will be in town all week bringing awareness about their skills and also helping construct a greenhouse on the Saint Louis Riverfront and also to build a garden in a local community...

And, if you head down to the Riverfront, be sure read all signs in parking garages and know that they mean it when they say the times...

Click here for more information about Marine Week!

Mission StL

I am honored to say that I have been able to serve with Mission StL since this past January.

An awesome organization that focuses on the Forrest Park South East, Hamilton Heights, and Peabody burrows, Mission StL is always moving and shaking.

They focus on these neighborhoods in order to best serve these people. They host in home Bible studies, teach a literacy program in 3 schools, provide teacher aids, host sport camps, and do home repairs/construction for people in need. (This is among many other services)

They pour their resources into these neighborhoods to make a difference in the wider Saint Louis area.

Today they are a part of a Toyota contest in which they can win a truck. This truck will be used to haul supplies for construction projects they are involved in (The leader is currently using his Camry--which is thoughtful, but not so efficient...)

Vote today at facebook.com/toyota. Your vote will truly make a difference.