$2 dresses at Walmart in Cumming, GA

Awesome deals. Cannot beat $2 for maxi dresses. Mainly plus sized 1-4x.

Rock African prints for less

African prints are soooooooo in style. I am feeling it. But the pricepoint? Not so much. As much as I want to celebrate that African designs, prints and fashions are heavily influencing fashion right now, my budget refuses. It says 'no ma'am' to an African print dress for $200 or an African print maxi skirt for $100+ -- I don't care how cute they are. 

You see, the way my budget is set up ...

It just can't. Especially for an item that, while I hope is in style forever, may be out of vogue 5 years from now. See, my trendy has to be thrifty. So I'm always on the hunt for less expensive ways to wear trendy fashions for less.

Which brings to my current find. I found this jumpsuit for $11 at K&G Fashions. Hubby was there buying some Father's Day outfits and I snagged this with a 20 percent of coupon (it was $13.99). I already told you how I shop retail in ADDITION to thrift.

So, this was a special find considering that I've seen similar jumpsuits for $100 and up. Now, it's not mud cloth, but for $11 it will certainly do! It's only about $5 more than what I'd pay for it at a thrift store.

I paired it with my favorite blush nude heels from Steve Madden ($30 from TJ Maxx).

And I'm also really feeling jumpsuits right now. They are a great all season outfit that can easily go from day to night -- and they're super hot. Pair it with a cute blazer or a denim jacket in the fall or rock it solo in the summer with cute pair of stilettos to the Gawds, some dangly earrings and a clutch purse and you're all set for da club -- probably for less than the price of a few drinks and a meal. I feel like I got two trends in one -- the African print AND the jumpsuit.

And again, let me repeat - $11. Can't beat it new. 

Why this Bargainista still shops retail

Don't you just love when a thrifted outfit does double duty -- taking you from the 9-to-5 to playtime? I know I do. It's like getting two wears out of the same outfit -- and we already know that Bargainistas didn't pay that much for the outfit to begin with. WINNING!!!

Today's OOTD (Outfit of the day) is no exception, but I did buy the dress last week from Target's BOGO. I do buy retail every so often. Usually at discount or trendy stores like Tarjay, H&M, Ross and TJ Maxx and Marshalls.

Now, I go to retail stores just to see what they have. I find it is a must. And also go to see if I can duplicate what they're selling for new thrift. You see, there is a method to my thrifty.

The fit of this dress was amazing on me (pics don't do it justice). And the color was a bonus. I just love a coral or peach against my skin. So I snagged it. When I find things retail that I fall in love with and KNOW that I will be pressed to find it thrift, I buy, especially when on sale.

Why I always window shop at retail stores 

It can take a few months for things that you see in the stores to actually filter down to thrift (most folks aren't cleaning out their closets now, but will in a few months) stores. Most days, I always wear SOMETHING thrifted. So when I see something I love retail that's a bargain, I'll go ahead and buy it.

This dress was a love. I save enough when I thrift that I can do this. Actually, I returned two items at Target so I walked out the store with this + another dress and I only spent $11 cash out of pocket with the BOGO. Who says you can't do retail? I'd say that was a good deal!

Here's how I wore it to the office:

I paired it with this Forever 21 blazer (Goodwill, $5) and Zara wedges (Goodwill, $6). The blazer made it work appropriate -- or otherwise, I'd look like I was going to a picnic. Those wedges, tho! They are the perfect 'neutral' and will take me from summer to fall. I can wear them with so many things.

And this is why I thrift! Normally, I'm not all that into wedges, but this is def an exception I am willing to make.

And here I added some sandals and a fedora straw hat for a more casual look for a Girls Night Out with my girlfriends. I am feeling the casual look! Sorry, my dog Teddy wanted to take a pic too! He gave his 'woof' of approval! LOL.

Giving Bargainistas what they want

So, I was taught that when you do something wrong, you apologize. And it is you my readers, whom I apologize. 

See, I started this blog last fall. And I really have not been keeping up with it. Now, that doesn't mean that I don't thrift -- I do, way too much. But I just don't write about it so much. And I will change that, but I have to apologize first.

Thrift apology

I'm sorry for not telling you about my fab thrift finds.


I'm sorry for not making videos, showing you my great discounts.

I'm sorry for  not showing you Bargainistas how I thrift -- so that you can be thrifty, too.

This is all going to change.

You'll hear more from me on a regular basis -- and not just an occasional post here and there.  I want you to know exactly what I'm wearing, how I'm wearing it and, more importantly -- how much I'm saving.

I've begun to thrift more in my home, too, so you'll even be seeing that as well.

You ready? Get your thrift life with BargainistasATL! 

Can you guess how much this outfit cost?

It is hotter than hell in Atlanta right now -- 95 degree temperatures. I cannot deal. It's so hot that I can smell thigh meat rubbing together. Whoo, chile! Turn the air up, and Jesus be a fan! 

But guess what I found while looking through pics on my iPad? A KILLER thrift haul at Goodwill from much cooler temps in March. Ba-bay! It was a cold snap that day and I was thrifted to the Gawds, hunty! Why did I not post these pics when I took them in March? So, forgive the leather trench, boots and Michael Kors bag (all thrifted) while you are luxuriating in your bikini and things in June, mkay?

You won't believe how much I paid for this outfit. Summer or not, it's still a killa. Here's a hint: It cost more than $3,750 brand new. But you know I didn't pay anywhere near that price. I paid less than $150! Can you say SCORE!!!! 

And the best thing is, they're all pieces that I will get plenty of wear out of when it turns cold again this fall. And this is why I Goodwill, boys and girls! Lurves it. 

Watch and learn: 

Coat: $60 - eBay (Kenneth Cole leather trench) Retails for $750

Boots: $8 Steve Madden (Goodwill - Johns Creek, GA) Not sure of retail, but let's say $100

Dress: $7 at Ross (Wore as a peplum top, cause the way my body set up ... )

Michael Kors bag: $70 (Goodwill - Alpharetta, GA). Retails for $399.

And finally the piece de resistance:

Necklace: $3.17 Retails for $2,500 (custom made Italian jewelry by Alyssa) Goodwill, Roswell. I almost did a Holy ghost dance and handclap of praise right there in the store when I saw this under the counter at Goodwill. It was right next to the cheap dolla sto' necklaces that look like they came out of somebody's bubble gum ball machine.

I asked the cashier to see it and one feel of the weight of this necklace in my hands and I knew it was legit. I Googled the jewelry designer and sweet Baby Jesus --- no prices were listed, but call for a quote. Hotdamn! After some searching, hubby eventually found the necklace online and the retail price of $2,500.

Trust me, I was ready to open the doors of the the chu'ch and put some money in the Building fund, LOL. 

Now, I would not pay that much for this necklace brand new. But $3! You better believe it!

Why I'm quitting Goodwill

Sometimes, I think the pricing folks at Goodwill are smoking meth. Now let me tell you why. Saw these at the Goodwill store in Norcross, GA, for $275.  And I paused. Am I at a thrift store or a consigment store?

I highly suspect these are fake Loubutins. The first clue? Chinese letters on the box (sorry for the bad pics; the pic struggle is real). That was a big red flag to me. Because aren't they supposed to be made in Paris? 

Too much? 

But I just could not see myself paying this for what could be a fake. GW is a thrift store - not a consignment store. There is a difference ... a big one. I know both are businesses. If these were authentic, I might bite (I'd prefer a more classic pump for my money, not a climb the pole type heel). But that's just me. 

For $275, I'd need independent verification ... some papers, some authentication, something. With a consignment store, I'd at least have some sort of recourse. If they were not real, I could at least get my money back or a store credit (hopefully) at the very least.

Goodwill offers none of this. And I am uncertain if they are authentic.

And you just know the pricing clerk Googled these and then priced them. Meanwhile, I got a $2,500 bracelet for $2.92 cents in February. You see ... the way my budget set up ... I have no problem at all rocking a pair of fake Loubies They are about $100 online. I know what I'm getting.

Hell, might even get two pairs.

But paying $275 for these not-sure-if-they're real Loubies? I'd quit Goodwill first.(And you know that ain't happening anytime soon).

New Year's Hair Resolutions

I'm usually anti- New Year's Resolutions (we should set goals all year, though I definitely get that the end of the year and the beginning of a new one sually brings reflection and goal setting) but what are your hair resolutions?

What do you plan to do to your hair in 2015? It's got to be different than 'grow your hair.' That's a goal that most of us have, unless we want to keep our hair at a certain length.

Many of us spend lots of time and money on our hair; it's a commitment.

• Do you plan to use different products?
• Deep condition more?
• Find your holy grail of products?
• Get more trims?
• Accept your kinks, curls and coils? 
• Embrace new styles, cut your hair or make bold hair moves? 

What are your hair plans in 2015?