I’m coming to you live this week from our annual spring break cruise.
I’ve never envisioned myself as a big cruise person, but at this point I’ve taken 11 voyages. This is due to being married to a cruise person.
My main issue with cruises is the number of people on them. I consider myself an extrovert and love making new friends but there are just too many people on cruises.
During spring break cruises in particular I often feel like I’m on a massive floating mall. Navigating through the sunburnt masses to snag a spot at the buffet does not make for a relaxing time.
I also worry about germs (again — lots of people on here, using the same tongs), and a cruise has taken me down more than once.
But, my husband loves them and I do see the travel benefits. Living in South Florida, cruising is an affordable way to bring the whole family on a week-long, all-inclusive adventure.
The fluffy haired teens run around with other fluffy haired teens all night long and then sleep on the beach the next day. The girlies.
I enjoy not having to think about what we’ll eat or where we’ll go each day. And, it’s a trip that is perfectly suited for each age group in our family — from grandmas to teens to the toddler. There truly is something for everyone on this ship.
We’ve all agreed our fave part of cruising is the family dinners.
I look forward to the port days when we can explore gorgeous islands, and of course there’s the family bonding. And the spectacular people watching — iykyk.
Y’all know if I’m gonna be on a cruise, I’m gonna dress the part. In the spirit of spring break cruisin’, here are some ‘fit checks so far:
Night One Dinner – top and pants from GoodwillMom’s dress and sneakers from GoodwillBaby girl’s cute little skort from GoodwillPajama set from GoodwillDay two cover up & cap from GoodwillMom’s suit and cover up from GoodwillMy suit and cap from GoodwillNight Two, Elaine and I wore matching Lilly Pulitzer dresses (professional photo captures of us together — will share later!)Mom’s Night Two dress and purse from GoodwillRepurposed my Night One pants for Day Three Pool Day, J.Crew swimsuit is secondhandNight Three dress from GoodwillOn Day Four, we visited Jamaica and I wore a Lilly Pulitzer swimsuit and a skort from CostcoFor Night Four Dinner & a Show, I wore a Farm Rio setFor Night Four Dinner & a Show, mom wore a dress and sandals from GoodwillIn a big girl bed for the first time on this trip!
Last Week’s Thrifted ‘Fits
Sweater from Goodwill Denver, Dress from Goodwill West Palm Beach, Bag from Stone Button StudioCaftan from Goodwill West Palm BeachTop from The Nearly New Thrift Shop West Palm Beach
I popped into Goodwill last weekend after a brief hiatus, so I’m sharing my haul with you (never mind the wrinkled jeans – never ironing anything is my toxic trait):
I love a good button up and couldn’t pass up this long, lightweight one — picturing it with linen shorts for our spring break cruise next week. $7.99
As soon as I felt this jacket, I knew it was high quality, and I always love an embroidered detail. $7.99
Here’s what it’s priced at online:
I’m picturing this silky House of Harlow top with black slacks for work. $6.99
I found this cute basket to add to my collection:
I almost didn’t get this little plate because it has some damage, but I flipped it over to see that it’s vintage Fitz & Floyd. You know I love a shell moment!
This hand painted wooden picture frame is absolutely adorable. I’m thinking of adding this to my gift stash and giving it to someone for a birthday or special occasion.
Elaine’s room has a thrifted toy bakery stand, and I’ve thrifted toy fruits, veggies, breads, etc. for her to play with. I’ve also thrifted vintage straw baskets to hold all her produce (photos of Elaine’s room here).
A shelf in Elaine’s bakery stand
I found these gorgeous baskets to add to her play area:
I’ve been wanting a new travel backpack that is cute enough to wear all day during vacation outings (I always haul wet wipes, a change of clothes, etc. for Elaine).
The thrifterverse provided: My best find this Goodwill haul was a brand new Vera Bradley travel backpack — and inside was a matching purse! I paid $20, which is a bit more than I usually like to spend on a thrifted item, but it’s totally worth it.
I thought these chairs were adorable, but I don’t have a need for them, so they stayed at the store. The embroidered detail is so sweet — with a good scrubbing, they’d look great.
Last week’s thrifted ‘fits:
A fave comfy dress from Goodwill West Palm BeachJ.Jill Linen Dress from Goodwill West Palm Beach
My husband is the type of person who likes things in extremes.
For example, if he finds a pair of shorts he likes, he gets them in every color.
He’s really into baseball caps, so we have a plethora. He buys them everywhere we go.
Just a few hats in our entryway
Right now, he’s having a major sunglasses moment.
He discovered that for about $40, he can get an entire box full of sunglasses on Alibaba.
I don’t know anything about this site and am not endorsing it — y’all know I’m a thrifter/secondhand champion, so this sunglasses-in-bulk business is not my vibe.
I prefer to source cheap sunglasses from Goodwill.
We are aligned, however, in the general concept of cheap sunglasses for him, because he’s lost several expensive pairs, including on airplanes and in the ocean.
When the sunglasses box arrived, I immediately knew I was in danger.
With each pair Vince tried on, the previous was tossed to the side, and my kitchen counter was soon covered in sunnies.
A future flashed before me that was full of sunglasses — surfaces throughout my home covered in them — all the same pair in different colors.
The horror.
BASKETS TO THE RESCUE.
Sunnies basket on the top shelf
I’ve thrifted two baskets from Goodwill that are now full of sunnies.
GAP Sweater, Anthropologie Skirt, and MANGO Tote from Goodwill West Palm BeachLand’s End Dress from Goodwill West Palm Beach, Beaded Leather Belt from Trashe VintageDressed this look up for an evening dinner! Eberjey Swimsuit from Goodwill West Palm Beach, Sunnies from Goodwill Ft. LauderdalePrintfresh dress from Goodwill West Palm Beach
As a younger person, I didn’t collect anything and didn’t really see the point. It didn’t seem like a practical thing to do.
Now that I’ve settled into a family home, I like having more stuff around me and genuinely enjoy staring at my shelves and walls full of collected things.
I’m sure there’s science behind the benefits of just….staring in this overstimulating world.
Lately, I’ve been collecting home design books.
Owning this type of collection serves two purposes — it’s easy and fun to style shelves and surfaces with books, and I glean lots of inspo from the pages.
I love cracking one open on a Saturday morning with a cup of coffee after a busy week.
I’ve also started collecting pins.
I thrifted this old Dooney & Bourke canvas purse from Goodwill years ago, and have given it new life by sticking vintage pins on it that I’ve found while thrifting.
I love the shape and size of this purse, but it has some imperfections (stains on the leather). Adding the pins has gussied this old girl up!
I recently purchased a Lands End canvas tote for beach and travel, so now I have even more real estate for pin collecting.
These vibes but make ’em thrifted.
Accessorizing bags, hats, and sweaters with pins is adorable! Why wasn’t I doing this before?!
Old collecty me is all about it.
Last week’s thrifted ‘fits:
Top from The Nearly New Shop West Palm BeachSandals from Goodwill West Palm BeachButton Up and Linen Pants from Goodwill West Palm BeachMom’s entire outfit is Goodwill West Palm Beach – Top, Skirt, Sandals, and BagTop and Bag from Goodwill West Palm BeachCardigan from my Swap Brunch Party, Pants passed down from a friend, Tote from Goodwill West Palm BeachCole Haan Pumps from Goodwill West Palm Beach
Valentine’s Day is for lovers plus everyone else in my house.
Vince and I celebrated the holiday with a little staycation in Ft. Lauderdale but came home on Saturday night to take our baby girl out for a date (the boys were away celebrating their mom’s birthday).
But first – mama needs a massage.
We took her to the mall to pick out a new Build-A-Bear stuffie (her first Build-A-Bear is a red monkey — when you squeeze its hand, Vince’s voice says, “Happy first Valentine’s Day Elaine, I love you!”).
Baby E chose a beautiful, sparkly fairy bear and dressed her in a Rapunzel dress and tiara.
While filling out the bear’s birth certificate, we asked Elaine what to name it and she quickly yelled, “SALIVA!”
…….
“What was that, sweetie?”
Elaine smiled up at us and cupped her hand to her lips.
“SAAAALIVAAAA,” she stage whispered.
Saliva it is and shall ever be.
We all know how hard updating government documents can be — if this bear knows what’s best, she should accept her fate and introduce herself as “Sally” to those who don’t know her.
Anyway, as I was saying… Valentine’s Day is for everyone in my house, including the grandmas.
So I pulled together a little V-Day lunch for the family and naturally filled the table with thrifted finds, which I’m happy to tell you all about:
The weather was perfect, so we sat on our back patio for a lunch made of Buccan sandwiches, chips, and salads — all mouthwatering and highly recommended.
Earlier in the week, Elaine and I decorated construction paper hearts, which we stuck into a fun floral photo holder thingy I thrifted from Goodwill, and that served as our centerpiece.
I went to a luncheon last week and they were giving the centerpieces away at the end, so I salvaged and deconstructed one for the table.
The painted leaves are so cool, right? I stuck the roses and greenery in a crystal vase that was thrifted and gifted from my mother-in-law. She also gifted the pink serving platter I used for the sandwiches and the white tablecloth.
The heart straws and gift bags are from the dollar store! I love shopping there for holiday themed items.
The V-Day Crew!yum yum yum
It was a busy, sweet weekend!
Last week’s thrifted ‘fits:
Anthropologie bag from Goodwill West Palm Beach, Earrings from Stone Button StudioTop and MANGO tote bag from Goodwill West Palm BeachSunnies from Goodwill West Palm BeachDate night purse from Goodwill West Palm BeachKaftan/Swim Cover from Goodwill West Palm BeachBaby’s sweet dress from Goodwill West Palm Beach
Things I left at Goodwill:
Picture a palm leaf sticking out of this — so coastal chic! This shell lamp base had a different shade on top, but I found this other hand painted one and thought they looked cool together. I’m currently lamp rich, though, so had to leave this behind!
I was able to put my Goodwill sweater finds to good use over the weekend we spent in Chicago.
Red cardigan and boots from Goodwill West Palm BeachBeaded belt and boots from Goodwill West Palm BeachCloser look at the beaded belt detail; the dress ins’t thrifted, it’s Anthropologie!Baby’s pants are thrifted from Goodwill West Palm Beach and her top is thrifted and gifted from a friendH&M Sweater, GAP jeans, and boots from Goodwill West Palm BeachSeeing snow for the first time! Baby’s coat is consigned from Kid to Kid in Palm Beach Gardens.Sweater from Goodwill West Palm Beach
I’ve found a pair or two of jeans in Goodwill over the years, but I don’t usually peruse the pants section, mostly because I don’t like trying things on in the store.
I thrifted these Madewell jeans last year…the only denim thrift purchase I’ve made in years!
At this point in my life, I can eyeball a piece of clothing and tell whether it will fit me well, so I can usually avoid a Goodwill dressing room.
Nobody cherishes going into a Goodwill dressing room.
People doo doo in there sometimes.
Pants are one of those items you have to try on, even if you know your body type and sizing super well, because fits vary dramatically depending on the brand and cut of the pant.
It has taken me years, but I’ve finally found the denim brand that works best for my body — Madewell.
My size is consistent in all their styles, so I can easily wait for a sale and order online — no try ons necessary.
I’ll be a high waist pant girlie til the day I die, and Madewell does it perfectly. Their high waist hits me just right, doesn’t cut off circulation to my cooch, and flattens my fupa quite nicely. Plus, all denim cuts I’ve experienced cradle my butt cheeks respectfully.
I haven’t found another jean as flattering! (but if you have a go-to brand, let me know – I’m always down to explore)
Sweater from Goodwill West Palm Beach; also wearing my new $50 Madewell jeans! Sweatshirt from Goodwill West Palm BeachDress from Goodwill West Palm BeachSweater from Goodwill West Palm BeachExpress shirt and vintage jacket from Goodwill West Palm BeachMom found a pair of chucks – a nostalgic purchase! When she got her first job at 14 she saved up to buy a pair.Mom in a gorgeous dress found at Goodwill West Palm Beach
Things I left at Goodwill:
This dress looked so pretty, but I’m cutting myself off on dresses for now. Amazing mirror!
I’m a big fan of the gallery wall, and have several in my home. I’ve always liked using them in a non-traditional way (traditional being matching frames hung in a perfectly symmetrical grouping).
A traditional gallery wall in our home featuring images from our favorite vacation.
I like thinking of my gallery moments as wall scrapbooks. I mix and match frame styles, include photos next to artwork, and hang objects like baskets and hats.
If someone writes me a cute note, or I leave a wedding with a polaroid keepsake, I’ll tuck these pieces into the edges of frames.
The gallery wall above my desk.
My gallery walls are constantly changing as I bring in new pieces from my thrift adventures, like puzzles that are never finished.
One of my favorite galleries is the one above my desk/office space in our primary bedroom.
It includes a floral painting found years ago at Stitches and Rust (the owner now operates a shop called Trashé Vintage), and a painting given to me by my mother.
The artist’s granddaughter was my mother’s neighbor in Missouri, and gave this piece, along with another large collection, to my mom for free, as long as she promised to keep them safe.
The post office gave us a copy of Elaine’s passport photo, so I tucked it in the floral painting’s frame, along with a tiny image of my boys that was leftover from some prints I made to go into a locket for my mother-in-law.
Now that my mom lives seasonally with us in Florida, we’re keeping all the art on our walls.
I’ve hung a hat from Stone Button Studio in Northwood Village, a little stained glass and shell mirror purchased at the Northwood Holiday Home Tours market in 2024, a basket I’ve just added to the collection this weekend (purchased at The Rust Market in Lake Park), and my favorite piece of all — framed hand written notes from my mother.
My mom wrote these notes to me when I was two years old. I had done a couple of cute/sweet things, so she jotted them down as memories and added little love notes in too.
A polaroid from Vince and Elaine’s first daddy daughter dance, and a tiny envelope with “Vanessa and Vince” written on it and a cute little butterfly
To this day, I can’t read the notes without crying. Even before becoming a mother myself, they brought tears to my eyes.
I love those notes so much that when my parents asked what I wanted for my college graduation gift, I just asked to have them matted and framed.
My mom couldn’t believe it — frame her slanted writing and spelling errors?!
Hell yeah! That’s what I love about it. The busy, working mom of a toddler taking a few minutes to jot down a moment she wanted to hold onto. A piece of life with her family she wanted to keep from fading. A quick little love story for later.
I love having moments like that on my walls.
Finally put up this rattan mirror I thrifted from Goodwill a few weeks ago.
Sweater thrifted and gifted from a friendButton up and striped H&M pants from Goodwill West Palm BeachHuarache sandals from Goodwill West Palm BeachAnthropologie skirt and MANGO tote from Goodwill West Palm BeachSunshine State cap from Goodwill West Palm BeachHandmade dress created from a thrifted, vintage tablecloth purchased from a designer who exclusively sells at The Rust Market in Lake ParkJ. McLaughlin sandals from Goodwill West Palm BeachMen’s striped button up from Goodwill Denver, CO
Palm Beach County’s thrift community is made up of the best, most generous and creative people.
As an avid thrift shopper, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know several local shop owners, and I’ve come to discover that folks who curate and collect have the warmest hearts. It’s just a tried and true combo.
I’ve known the owner of Trashé Vintage, Heidi, for many years. Our sons were elementary school friends, and when Heidi and I first met, her store was called Stitches and Rust.
Image Source: The Palm Beach Post
Her eye for curation is impeccable, and her prices have always been within reach for the average shopper. The style of her shop has evolved over the years, which I think is a reflection of her own evolution as a person — a very cool thing.
Heidi hosted a community-wide rummage sale in the parking lot of her shop over the weekend and it was fun to see that, much like her artfully collected shop, she’s curated a community of people who love shopping secondhand, eating tacos, and singing karaoke in the middle of the day.
The girliesThe Cozy Cottage table had items exclusively $5 and under Mom snagged a free pair of sandals from the clothing swap section.Baby chose her own outfit for the outing — head to toe black was an aggressive but respectable choice.
The rummage sale prices were insanely good. I spent $15 and came away with an awesome haul.
I also got to catch up with Denise, owner of The Cozy Cottage in Lake Worth Beach, who gave me a bag of clothes she’d collected that reminded her of me.
See what I mean about this awesome thrift community?!
Here’s my rummage sale haul:
Bag of goodies! Goodies included these wreath earrings (so tempted to wear these all year round) and a little vintage vase pendant. I’m picturing this on a long chain! Love unique finds like this. I also grabbed two pins – I’ve been adding pins to some of my purses, and have been accessorizing sweaters with them this winter.I snagged this awesome pouf for $5!
We ended the afternoon with a trip to Goodwill. Naturally, I left with a few bags.
Thrift haul coming soon to my insta profile!
Things I left at Goodwill:
I know someone was JAZZED to snag this side table. So good!!$10!!!Awesome coffee table‘Twas a day for coffee tables.
J.Crew sweater from Goodwill West Palm BeachNo tag sweater from Goodwill West Palm BeachNike windbreaker from Goodwill West Palm BeachSweater from Goodwill West Palm Beach, J.Jill linen button up from Goodwill Denver, Pin from Trashe Vintage’s Rummage SaleLinnette bag from Goodwill West Palm BeachClose up of this lil cutie pinTreasure and Bond Boots from Goodwill West Palm Beach
I’m still crashing back to reality after spending the past week in literal paradise.
We immediately started back to work, so my house is a disaster. Bags are unzipped and halfway unpacked, stuff spilling over the sides.
The laundry is a mile high, I have 31 unread text messages and a few voicemails, and I don’t have the courage to peek at my gmail inbox until I’ve cleaned up my work mail.
During weeks like this, I ask myself: how long is too long for a vacation?
I think the sweet spot is 5 nights. We left for 8 (Vince’s preference) and the effort to catch up has brought the tension back to my (now perfectly tanned) previously relaxed shoulders!
I have, however, found pleasure in unpacking our souvenir haul, which I’m happy to share with you now.
I was so tempted by the hand woven baskets for sale throughout the island, but didn’t have much room in my suitcase to bring one back.
Luckily, the resort greeted us with a little welcome basket full of goodies I can add to my basket collection.
My favorite items in the welcome gift where the patchouli oil and soap. I used the entire bottle of oil during our stay — not only does it smell great, it’s also a mosquito repellent!
The resort didn’t have more, but I plan to scour the internet in search of more of this elixir.
Of course, I searched for shells on every beach we visited. I didn’t have much luck, but did find a piece of brain coral and an old conch.
I purchased a necklace from a vendor stand at Champagne Reef during our second day trip.
On our first day trip, we visited a chocolate factory, where we learned about the entire process of chocolate being made, from fruit to bean to tasty, hand-packaged treats!
We bought a bag-full of different flavored chocolates to share with family and a book about the factory owner’s great grandmother who shed her life in London society to live a simpler life on Dominica.
I grabbed a belt with shells on the buckle from the resort gift shop, along with two children’s books for Elaine on island lore.
Naturally, we all got t-shirts and Elaine selected several hand-beaded items from the duty free shop at the airport on our way home. My fave is the parrot she’ll put on her backpack (she already has a little pegasus from last year’s visit).
The guide we hired for our day trips, Dave, was so wonderful. When we met his family, we learned that his brother is a chef and makes amazing cakes but is currently out of work and recuperating from a car accident at home.
When Dave picked us up for our ride to the airport, he brought two cakes his brother made for us, plus some coconut fudge (he heard us gushing over it after we bought some at a stand during one of our day trips).
Oversized button up and sunnies from Goodwill West Palm BeachStriped pima cotton button up from Goodwill West Palm BeachDress from Goodwill West Palm BeachCaftan from Goodwill West Palm BeachCaftan from Goodwill West Palm BeachScarf, Lucky Brand tank top, and Madwell jeans from Goodwill West Palm Beach
This is my hobby. 