"FAITH - Sealed with a SMILE"

“For we live by FAITH, not by sight.” 2 Cor. 5:7, NIV

I want to encourage everyone to take a step out on FAITH, and seal it with a big, bold, and confident-I know it’s already done SMILE! God has great things in store for you, but you must first believe that with Him anything is possible (see Matthew 19:26)! STOP looking at your circumstances, trust me God can do ALL things! At the end of last year, I declared that 2012 would be different for me and instead of making another shallow New Year’s resolution. I chose to DO something different and I created a Vision Board. Here’s a link for more info, if you’re interested in doing one - it’s not too late http://christinekane.com/how-to-make-a-vision-board/. One of my co-workers (A’keta) introduced the concept to me; she invited me to join her on 1/1/12 to create my vision board. So we got up New Year’s morning, gathered all the materials needed, went to Starbucks (had coffee and prayer), and created our 2012 Vision Boards! Since taking that small leap of faith - actually creating the board - we’ve prayed, we have believed, we’ve encouraged each other, and last but not least we’ve put our faith to work (Faith without works/action is DEAD, see James 2:20)! Everything—I mean everything that I put on my vision board is being manifested and I know WHO deserves all the praise, my GOD, my Father in heaven, my ROCK, my best friend, my BOO (lol)! Having FAITH makes things possible, but it’s not easy going through the process— be prepared for the challenge of your life, and put on a SMILE knowing GOD will do just what He promised!

(My blouse is thrifted.) 

By the way, A’keta has a great blog “Purposely Driven by Him” http://hisblessedone.blogspot.com/, go check it out!

:-)

-Dom, TeamTT

(Dom's 2012 Vision Board)

"Fashion..Monster..Thrifter"

Introducing Dre Smith

TT: Where are you originally from?
Dre: I was born and raised in Birmingham, AL. 

TT: What high school did you graduate from, and where will you be attending college this fall?
Dre: I graduated from P.D. Jackson-Olin High School, and I'm headed up “the hill" to the Alabama A&M University, to continue my fashion journey as I focus on Apparel Design & Merchandising. 

TT: How did you begin thrifting?
Dre: I began thrifting when I started to budget my money. I got addicted to it, so later I started redesigning clothes from the thrift store. 

TT: How would you describe your style? 

Dre: When it comes to my style I like to separate myself from others with my wardrobe. I have a lot of inspirations so I like to detail them in what I wear. 

TT: How did Knowstyles come about and what is it? 

Dre: The blog for KSLS (Knowstyle Lifestyle) was created on March 31, 2011 when I was the lead of creating a site for one of my science class group’s project. I came up with the site name "Knowstyle", because I was always told that I "know style", and fashion. Time passed and with a little help from Facebook the site went passed the classroom and straight to the social networks. Now KSLS is from Alabama to Ohio, and everywhere in between! 

TT: What's next for KSLS?

Dre: Because the blog has been doing so well since its creation in 2011, I'm planning on launching the official site in the fall, right before everyone heads back to college. 

TT: What is your thrifty/style tip for male thrifters? 

Dre: Never go to thrift store with a person that wears the same size as you. Also, never go thrifting aiming for something you want, because sometimes you have to just settle with what they have. 

-Team TT

“Pretty Thrifted Prints “

This unique vintage dress reminds me of the passage Psalm 139:14 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful I know that full well.” Like the distinct pattern of the dress, I was reminded that God made us all creatively and wonderfully for a purpose! Yes, we all have been made with a unique purpose for our lives; no one else can fulfill our individual purpose but us. When the manufacturer or seamstress made this beautiful dress it was purposed to be worn on the body of a woman. I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to be one of those women, to help this dress fulfill its purpose. (Lol) After reading the book “Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren last month, I’ve finally come to realize my life’s purpose! I’d encourage all of you to go and get this book if you’re trying to figure out what on earth you are here for. Prayerfully ask God to reveal to you your purpose and read each day with the expectation that you will come to know and understand what you were put here to do. For more information on the book “Purpose Driven Life” check out this link: http://www.purposedrivenlife.com .

My dress is thrifted from America’s Thrift Store Chattanooga, TN, my shoes were purchased from DSW, and the pearls were purchased from Claire’s.

*Dom’s Thrift Tip: Hey don’t shy away from the crazy creative patterns or prints! Dare to be purposefully different!

Fearfully and wonderfully made,

-Dom, TeamTT

"Mama Short Thrift"

A Salute to My Mother(s)


“Any woman can birth a child, but it takes a mother to raise one.” These were words given to me by Ms. Vivian Battle of Huntsville, AL last year. This is my salute for the immeasurable works of my mother Hardie Mae (Doll) Short, my spiritual mothers (Mother Bertha Holmes of Huntsville, AL and Katherine Williams of Mobile, AL), my late aunt Beverly Short, my aunts (Brenda Allen and Camilla Batty of Jacksonville, FL and Mona Augustus of Huntsville, AL), my step mother Vernia Short and my big mama Valorie Branscomb of Memphis, TN, and my god mother Bernice Brown of Huntsville, AL who have sacrificed time, care, and teaching to ensure that I was trained up in the way that I grow old I will not depart from it. I not only appreciate everything these women do for me and the example they’ve set by how they reverence God in their lives, but I hope to exceed their works when I raise my own children and others.

I engage more with these women than I do my own friends for a specific reason, I’m drawn by their reverence for God. These women are of great worth in God’s sight. Not because of their outward beauty or appearance, but because of “…that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit…” 1 Peter 3:1-6. I see these characteristics daily exhibited through their lives as written in 1 Peter 4:7-11 “….Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all love each other deeply, because loves covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms…” The wisdom and grace these women give me is far worth anything I could ever want and for that I am grateful.

I have big shoes to fill. To live as the type of woman spoken about in 1Peter 3 and Proverbs 31, requires a lifelong commitment, dedication, submission, and reverence to the Word of God; the nurturing of the Holy Spirit that dwells in me; humility; faith; a heavy prayer life; patience; suffering; and self denial. I am nowhere near these ladies but, I continually strive to be that and more.

So now that you guys know how much I admire all my mommas, let get to my look. My mom modeled when she was in her twenties and she never failed to wear really cool glasses in her pictures. My look today is in honor of her. My glasses were gifted from Ms. Canady of Alabama A&M University. Her mother was getting rid of the glasses so she brought them to work and I snagged them (muhuhhahahaha). They are tinted and prescription, BAM! My blazer is thrifted and was off the “free rack” at Restore Ministries Thrift Store in Huntsville, AL. My earrings are thrifted from the Neighborhood Store Thrift Store in Huntsville, AL. The bracelet is from Forever 21. My pants were bought on clearance from Route 21, my shoes and my camisole were bought on clearance from Belk, and my necklace was thrifted as well from the Neighborhood Store.

If I may offer a thrifty tip; you can really build your accessory collection by buying thrifted, unique pieces, and awesome prices. This will ensure variety and appeal in your collection.

-Sheika, Team TT

Thrifty Threader Spotlight - "Uniquely THRIFTED"

Introducing Pamela Briggs 

TT: Where are you originally from?
Pamela: I was born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama.

TT: What school did you graduate from?
Pamela: I graduated from Alabama A&M University and currently attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

TT: When did you first start thrifting?
Pamela: I actually started thrifting in high school before it became popular to do so publicly. While my classmates were buying Jordan sneakers I was at the thrift store looking for great outfits to save my parents money.

TT: How would you describe your thrifting style?
Pamela: I don't really think I have a thrifting style. I just buy what I like. The best thing about thrifting is that you don't have to monitor price tags and can pretty much buy what you want.

TT: What do you enjoy most about thrifting?
Pamela: The best thing about thrifting is knowing that my outfit is one of kind without breaking the bank to do so! It also gives me freedom to be creative and not be stuck in a box expressively.

TT: If you could give a thrifty tip, what would it be?
Pamela: The secret behind thrifting is to thrift to look unique and not to look thrifted.

-Team TT

(Pam's top, skirt, and belt are all thrifted for a total of $6.00.)