ONE HUNDRED & FIVE/ head over heels

My shoe collection has been looking pretty pathetic lately; it has essentially become just an assortment of trainers, Dr. Martens and winter boots. That is all well and good in theory, but if I ever have to get dressed up or go out anywhere that isn't work or to the mall I'm screwed. I decided to rectify the situation with a bit of shopping and I'm head over heels (pun fully intended) with my finds.

The first pair are gorgeous purple/green iridescent brogues from Miista. I picked them up at a local consignment shop for less than half of what they retail for and I can just tell that I'm going to get a lot of use out of them. The leather that the maker used is unbelievably soft and the colour looks great in every light. They're such an interesting shoe and statement piece, I'm sure I'll turn a lot of heads while wearing them.

The second pair are a pair of stunning leather booties from Sapena Spain. I've been eyeing these beauties at Winners for forever but I couldn't justify their original price of $139.99. When I saw them on sale for $35.99 my jaw dropped and I raced to the cash register to pay. I was in such a trance that I actually forgot my iPhone in the shoe department at Winners and had to make a trip back to the store to retrieve my phone. I'm so thankful for the person who found it and brought it up to customer service. I'm trying to wear more heels in my everyday life and I think these booties will be the perfect shoe to train me. Their heel is thick and sturdy and there is a ton of support around the ankle so I feel very secure while wearing them. They're also a bit reminiscent of a line of shoes that Marc Jacobs' released in 2012 - minus the outrageous buckle and price tag, which is a huge plus for a designer lover like me who is on a budget.

BROGUES/ Miista (via consignment) BOOTIES/ Sapena Spain (via Winners)

SEVENTY-EIGHT/ serial outfit repeater

Today is March 22nd and winter is still raging on. If we've technically shifted seasons, can somebody please tell me why there was a snow storm when I woke up this morning? I was hoping it was some sort of sick dream, but of course it wasn't. I usually love winter but I've had enough of it this year. It has taken its toll on everything. I called it quits months ago, exclaiming to everyone that I've gone into hibernation. I rarely left my house, other than to go to work, and I've spent the vast majority of my time in bed watching YouTube videos. My inspiration for just about everything, especially clothing, has gone out the window.

I've always been a serial outfit repeater and I'll be the first one to admit that. When I find something that works I'll wear it until it is either falling apart or until it is so underdone I feel physically sick every time I look at it. This outfit below has yet to fall into either category and only time will tell its true fate.

My favourite trend right now is denim with two slits at the knee. I'm not sure what it is about it that draws me in, but I can't get enough. I guess it just gives any look just the right amount of attitude. I softened the look by wearing a floral tank that I got from Forever 21 ages ago and made it season appropriate by adding this amazing Eileen Fisher cardigan over top. I cannot get enough of this cardigan; it fits like a dream and it is undeniably comfortable. Plus, it has (large) pockets!! I've been wearing my trusty H&M handbag every day during this winter because truthfully, it is the only one I own that is large enough to fit my mittens, a toque and whatever else I need to survive these ridiculous winteresque days.

This outfit is so bland and boring, but it is extremely comfortable. It is just what I need until these dark days are over and until spring finally arrives. I hope that my creativity and inspiration return with the warmer weather. Please excuse my sullen look, I was really not impressed with the dump of snow Ottawa received this morning.

TOP/ Forever 21+ CARDIGAN/ Eileen Fisher (via consignment)
JEANS/ Forever 21+ (diy knees) HANDBAG/ H&M WATCH/ Michael Kors
RINGS/ Various BOOTS/ Thrifted (no brand)

Photo Credit: Laura Kidd

THRIFTED THURSDAYS/ one

Welcome to this new segment on my blog! I'm going to be calling it Thrifted Thursdays and every Thursday I'm going to be discussing one of my amazing secondhand finds. These finds can be from traditional thrift shops, garage sales, consignment shops or eBay and they can range from handcrafted, to vintage, to designer pieces. I will also discuss different tricks and techniques when buying secondhand.

The name of my blog is Secondhand Rose and seeing as I work at a consignment shop, I'm around used clothing almost daily. Although you do see some of my used clothing finds in my outfit posts, I feel like I've neglected that whole section on my wardrobe here on my blog.

I also believe that there is still a lot of negativity, and almost like a stigma, associated with buying secondhand clothing and I'm here to disprove as many of those myths as possible. Let's get started, shall we?

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I decided to start off the segment with one of my latest and most favourite designer finds. I picked this up at Rikochet Resale, a consignment shop here in Ottawa, and I am head over heels in love with this piece. It is an authentic classic Burberry lambswool scarf and it is a piece I've been lusting after for pretty much my entire life. The trick with buying designer items secondhand is to find a credible shop. There are tons of counterfeit pieces out there and it is sometimes tricky to determine the legitimacy of an item by yourself. I'm wary of items found in thrift shops like Value Village or Goodwill that claim to be designer, and there's no way I'm going to shell out money for designer goods off of eBay. I like to feel the item and see it for myself, or in the case of this consignment shop, know that it was check thoroughly by a trained professional.

Although I have been lusting after this scarf for what seems like forever now, I always knew that it was out of my price range. The scarf I bought is an older style, but scarves at Burberry are traditionally price upwards of $300 (depending on style, materials used, size, ect), and I picked this one up for only $100. The price I paid may still seem steep for a lot of you but you have to understand that this is a classic, traditional piece and it is coming from a company that hardly, if ever, has sales. I also have a sort of passion for designer scarves and I knew that adding this to my (small) collection was a must. I'm beyond happy with this purchase.

* Photo was taken by myself.

TWENTY/ faux fur jacket

I don't know if it's because the weather is getting colder, the days are getting shorter or almost all the trees are bare but I'm finding myself adding more and more greys, nudes and earth tones into my every day outfits. The only weird part of this means I'm wearing less black. I'm just as shocked as you are.

I am head over heels in love with my new Jones New York jacket I picked up from Rikochet Resale. I love the big faux fur collar and I'm even learning to love the puff balls at the end of each sleeve. I swear, I'm never taking this off! It's super flattering and it's something you can dress up or wear casually but still feel classy wearing while running errands. It has a great vintage vibe to it as well. My Topshop brown purse is probably my favourite purse I own now. It's super tiny so it's a bit impractical (it fits next to nothing) but I really can't stop wearing it. I bought my Converse on sale at Winners for only $28 dollars plus taxes, seriously how could I not take them home? I've had my H&M circle scarf forever but I still find myself wearing it almost daily, as you know I'm addicted to leopard prints.

While we're on the topic of Vintage, Ose of oseuhseh.com contacted me the other day with an amazing offer for my readers. Ose reconstructs breathtaking plus size vintage clothing (sizes 12 - 22) and sells them on her website. She's giving my readers 10% off her entire boutique with the coupon code 2ndhandRose4Ose. Her shop has some pretty amazing finds and I truly recommend that you all check it out!

JACKET/ Jones New York (consignment) SCARF/ H&M 

PURSE/ Topshop (consignment) SHOES/ Converse 

LEGGINGS/ Hue ACCESSORIES/ Various

All pictures were taken by Derek Waugh.