Steve Clark

It doesn’t feel like holiday season without some glitter. Black and gold are my favorite colors, so I naturally stuck with this color palette. The highlight of this look is definitely the pleated metallic skirt. Since the skirt is high-waisted, I paired it with my Are You Am I crop top. Unlike the skirt, which was only $6.99, the top was a major splurge. It’s actually one of the most expensive items I own. Even with a discount, it cost about $116. You probably think I’m insane for spending this much on a top, let alone a cropped one, but I had been eying it months before I bought it. I really appreciate its cut, construction, and hand-feel. The knock-offs I saw were missing that crisp square neckline and low-cut back. This top was made from a soft and cozy fiber, called modal, and the long sleeves make it more winter-friendly. To reflect the sheen of my skirt, I kept my jewelry gold-toned. Ever since I followed Jenn Im on YouTube, she ingrained the idea in me that ...

Sophie McGuire is a 17-year-old blogger living her best life in Highland Park. You can find her shopping at Highland Park Village, taking pictures for her fashion blog, Much Love Sophie, or for her Instagram, which has close to 16,000 followers. We asked McGuire to meet in a thrift store at the back of a store complex next to a pet feed store, so she could put looks together for us ratty folks who don't know designer names from French menu items. Genesis Benefit Thrift Store is hidden in a back parking lot and doesn’t have much of a storefront. It has moving trucks with boxes scattered about, second-hand furniture placed at random in front of the doors, while every sign is faded. McGuire doesn’t quite know where to go, pulling up from her house in Highland Park a few minutes to the north. The fashionista shows up in a lacy white dress and bright pink shoes, with purple eye shadow placed expertly around her lash line. She’s bright and sunny, and as she makes...

If everyone in the U.S. recycled their clothing and textiles for one year instead of throwing them away, it would save 30.6 million metric tons of carbon emissions. That’s the same as taking all the cars in Los Angeles off the road for one year. So how can you keep clothes out of the landfill? Here are your best options: Sell Are your unwanted clothes still valuable? For-profit secondhand stores are a quick and easy way to cash in. In addition to selling locally, there are also national chains, including Buffalo Exchange, Plato’s Closet, Clothes Mentor and Once Upon a Child. Donate If you think your clothes may not be new enough to sell, donating locally is an easy way to give your wardrobe future use. Check whether an organization takes only gently used items or items in any condition — they can easily be a one stop shop for all your old clothes. You have two choices when it comes to donating garments: Non-profit o...

 Giving Your Clothes New Life With spring cleaning on everyone’s minds, we are more conscious than ever about the things we own. Many times, we are often left wondering what to do with clothes that no longer fit or have already seen their share of wear and tear. Luckily, there are more than enough ways to be mindful and sustainable when ridding ourselves of what we no longer need - here are 10 ways we can give our clothes a second life and make an impact. 1. Host a garage sale & donate the proceeds We’re feeling nostalgic thinking back to our neighborhood block parties and garage sales - and these small town events are a fun and easy way to give away your old clothes and turn a profit. If possible, we encourage you to donate the proceeds to organizations like the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, or your local branch of the International Rescue Committee. 2. Directly support those in need locally If you’re looking to support refugees, newly immigrated families, or t...

If you’re following the Marie Kondo home organization method, you may be familiar with the term “spark joy.” According to a recent Good Housekeeping article , the proper steps of Marie Kondo’s Konmari method are: Commit yourself to tidying up. Imagine your ideal lifestyle. Finish discarding first. Before getting rid of items, sincerely thank each item for serving its purpose. Tidy by category, not location. Follow the right order. Ask yourself if it sparks joy. One of the unique aspects of this method is that Marie Kondo places emphasis on respecting the items you own, even if you plan to donate them. She encourages people to “thank” each item for the joy it has given them before placing it in a donation pile. Each person in your household should commit to cleaning out their own closet. Designate an area in the room for donations. Each item you place in the pile should be thanked before it’s tossed aside. Before you know it, you’ll have piles of trash bags rea...

Many homeowners are turning to DIY projects when it comes to upgrading the design of their home. Many times, doing something yourself can save you money versus hiring a professional. Cosmetic upgrades for your home are a great example.  Decorating a home on a budget is not always easy. Finding things you love, while not overspending can seem like an impossible task. With a little bit of DIY creativity, you can turn gently used items into beautiful home decor pieces. If you’re looking for affordable furniture finds, shopping at a thrift store is the best place to start.  You can achieve your favorite home design style for a lot less by shopping at a thrift shop in Destin, FL . A lot of times we receive items that are great quality, but simply need a little DIY love.  Dining Chairs The mismatched look for a kitchen dining table is a popular trend in home design. All you need is two to four quality chairs with a solid base. They don’t have to hav...

Whether your child is into hot pink hearts or a black and yellow bumblebee, these Valentine’s Day box ideas are bound to spark some creativity. Head to thrift shops in Panama City Beach, FL to go on the hunt for the perfect vintage box! What is a Valentine’s Day box? The Valentine’s Day box is a fun American tradition that entails children bringing an empty decorated box to school in order to collect Valentine’s Day cards from their classmates and teachers. Some adults even like to make a Valentine’s Day box for their boyfriend or girlfriend to wrap a gift in or use it in place of a card. How do I make a Valentine’s Day box? Creating a Valentine’s Day box is a fun activity for young kids to make at home with their parents and siblings. The trick is to get as crafty as you can, which usually means spending the least amount of money. Using knick-knacks and creative supplies you find around your house is the best way to decorate your box. As for the actual box, y...