I try to clear out my closets on a seasonal basis.  Nothing feels better than a good purge!  Out with the old...in with the new. Thrift shops love me and others like me.  However, every once in a while I hit pay dirt.  Where I live we have a true gem when it comes to re-sale or thrift shops.  Clean, well lit with a friendly staff and person who does an excellent job styling and making it look very posh.  It is Evergreen Christian Outreach or EChO, and provides so much for our community.  They are a blessing to many.

I have found brand new cashmere sweaters, Waterford glasses, and last year this GORGEOUS VINTAGE DRESS...FROM ELIZABETH ARDEN?!

I saw it and the unusual color and fabric.  Slightly quilted pink and orange.  Almost a tone-on-tone print.  Classic shift style with a lady lake collar with bow and back zipper.  My hands touched, my eyes looked, my heart beat just a little faster...Heck, you'd think I was on a date! 

I eyeballed it and figured it will fit since it had no size clearly marked..  Just like Cinderella and the glass slipper.  This prince was coming home with me!  It wasn't until I arrived at home and inspected it thoroughly that I found the designer tag.  Elizabeth Arden?  What in the world!  I am quite familiar with its long standing history in the beauty industry but, clothing?

After much research I found Ms. Arden moved to NYC from Canada to begin her career in the beauty industry at the age of thirty and used  her nursing degree to get started.  She opened her New York salon in 1910 and hired Fernando Sarni in the 1950's and Oscar de la Renta in the 1960's as designers of her clothing line.  

As you can see this dress is totally classic, chic and timeless.  I paired it with suede d'orsay pumps from J.Crew and bold jewelry from J.Crew and Kenneth J. Lane.  

You never know what you might find at your local thrift shop on National Thrift Shop day but, what have you got to lose?  So go ahead, pack a box of things you have been wanting to give away to your local thrift store or resale shop and stick around, browse...you never know what you will find!

Stay Beauiful,