I shop on Amazon because I get gift cards for work (camgirl). I'll list whatever I find in my order history - Apologies if it includes anything discontinued. I shop on Amazon.com and Amazon.ca as I am Canadian, so I'll include finds from both.

Loves

Bombsheller octopus leggings - They don't carry these on Amazon anymore, but last I checked, they do allow you to pay via Amazon on their website. The size chart was off when I first ordered them so I exchanged them for a size up, and the company was very accomodating. The leggings are comfy and sturdy.


Jellyfish socks - Adorable and well made. Definitely plan to purchase more designs from this seller.


Snowpants - I don't wear these a lot since I'm more the summer outdoorsy type, but they were excellent for walking my ex's dog in the winter and I still occasionally wear them for running errands on foot when it's really cold out.


Burned velvet leggings - I bought these in "blurple" and adore them. They're slightly sheer, so I wear other leggings underneath (these ones from eBay do the trick).


Anna-Kaci search result link - Anna-Kaci is an awesome vendor with well priced attire. I listed the vendor since the specific items I purchased are no longer available.


Thigh high socks - I have found these cheaper on amazon.ca, but this was the first pair I bought. Cute and sturdy! I now have 3 more pairs on their way!


Zebra print scarf - I was impressed by the quality of this one. I did donate it when I was gifted a similar scarf in black/gray as I try not to keep duplicates of non-essentials, but I would still have it otherwise.


Timberland knee high boots - Bought these in black, and they are probably one of my favorite Amazon purchases ever. If I were to ever re-buy these, I'd go a half size up, as I had to get them professionally stretched once they arrived, but holy fuck I love these boots. Waterproof, and fantastic quality. They're my go-to boots and I wear them more than any other piece of footwear I own.


Underbust belt - I'm not huge on the price tag, only because I once bought a nearly identical one on clearance pre-breast-augmentation. I'm glad I was able to buy this one post-op since the old one stopped fitting though. Will buy in more colors if they ever go on sale.


Booties - Pleasantly surprised by the quality! Will definitely consider buying more if I ever want/need them in different colors. Comfier for longer wear than most of my other heels, too.


Suspender Skirt - I love this thing so much, I bought two more on eBay after buying this one in black. This one's definitely better quality than the other two, though. I'd recommend wearing them with a shorts slip since there's not a lot of length to them. I'm actually really sad that they don't ship this to Canada anymore, otherwise I'd buy a couple more colors.


Beechfield beanie - This is definitely more my style when it comes to fit, but isn't as warm as the cable knits. Definitely one of my go-to hats.

Likes

Wet look batwing top - Surprised by the fit/quality for the price. Fabric looks/feels a bit cheap but overall the piece is well made.


Chunky cable knit beanies - I ordered this hat in olive, mustard, and teal. They're comfy, warm, and feel well made. I find them to be a little too bulky for my head, so I'm trying to stretch them out/break them in a bit. Definitely personal preference though, and not a quality issue.


Glitter loafers with spikes - They're gorgeous, but not high quality. I'd put them under "meh" for lifespan, but I did love them up until they started falling apart.


Holo creepers - I really need to wear these more, but my day-to-day fashion is much more casual and I don't party like I used to. Working my way towards wearing them more. The quality is decent but I don't think they'll last forever.


JollyChic search result link - JollyChic is great for cheap-ish stuff. I've bought from them a number of times and rarely been disappointed. Some of their synthetic stuff smells chemically at first (shiny leggings being one) but the smell dissipates after a couple washes. Their customer service is also stellar. Shared the search results since the specific items I ordered are no longer listed.


Iron Fist sweater - Bought in a size small, fits more like a medium. Will be shrinking it.


Waist belt - Great quality for the price (~$13CAD if I recall correctly). Fit is a little stiff, so it can look a little boxy with some outfits as it isn't flexible around curves, but overall still nice.

Meh

Faux fur vest #1 - Not the worst quality, but definitely felt cheaper than a couple other vests I own. Ended up selling it since the size chart was off and I didn't love it enough to exchange it for the right size.


Faux fur vest #2 - Slightly lower quality than #1, but same deal - Size chart was inaccurate, but not worth exchanging so I sold it.


Thermal leggings - Smelled awful at first, but it went away overtime. They are still pretty warm even after washing/wearing them for a couple years now, but they pill, so they're not the most aesthetically pleasing. Great for layering, but would not buy again.


Skull cardigan - It's cute and cozy. I wear it around the house more than out, since I noticed after washing it that the bottom corners started curling up a bit due to shrinkage. Also wish it was a tad bit longer.


Spiked slouch beret - The creases are a little harder than I wanted/expected, so I'm trying to stretch it out/break it in a bit. I have other hats that I like more though, so this one doesn't get a lot of love and might just end up being donated.


Leg warmers - Quality-wise, they should be in the "loves" section, but I bought these back when I was on a wild spree to better prepare myself for winter, and while I do love how warm they are, the patterns/colors just aren't my style.


Digital print tanks - The quality is about what I expected for the material, but I found the fit to be off on most of them (especially in the armpit area). I modified a few for a better fit, but mostly I wear them as slips now. The material is perfect for layering under sweaters that normally "grab" onto cotton camis. They can definitely be found cheaper elsewhere, though.


Fleece lined leggings - I bought these in damask, which I guess is no longer available. They're completely matted on the inside now, and not what I'd call "fleece lined" anymore. Still pretty on the outside, but definitely no good for warmth.

Downright Awful

OURS vendor search results - Seriously, don't buy anything from OURS. Their photos are stolen from other brands and the quality of their clothes are laughably poor. I threw them away rather than donate them because I knew that they would never be rebought, even at thrift store prices. They were the worst. Woooorst.


Bikini - The shittiest shit that ever shitted. Everything about it was just awful.

You guys, I’ve been the luckiest thrifter recently. Here’s a roundup of some - but not all - of the things I thrifted in the last 30 days or so:

This pair of Clarks for $6. They’re so cute (unlike your typical old lady Clarks) and comfortable and I loved them so much that I bought a second pair from eBay for $29. I want to wear them every day forever.

Two pairs of Rag & Bone skinny jeans - this one and this one. They were a little pricy for thrift at $14 and $16 each, but Rag & Bone skinnies have been on my wishlist for a while so this really helps a broke girl out. They still feel really stiff and sturdy, like they were never worn or broken in.

These J Brand Maria jeans with a cute ankle zip. The model picture of these makes me laugh because they’re much less cropped and a bit higher waisted on my short legs.

A Calvin Klein fuzzy camel coat ($11) like this. It’s alpaca and wool. Just in time for summer, ha, but it looks really great on so I couldn’t resist.

A Theory blouse that looks exactly like this one only it’s 95% silk and a pale mauve color ($6).

A Barbour L116 Black Microfibre Short Quilted Jacket like this one ($15). I’m tempted to flip it, but I’m a sucker for black basics so I can’t!

These & Other Stories leather loafers, but in black. I couldn’t find a picture of the black ones anywhere online to save my life.

These Calvin Klein black skinny pants ($7). They’re super comfortable!

These Bass black faux leather sneakers ($4).

This Diane Von Furstenberg tank ($3). It’s silk and viscose and has actual goldtone chains woven across the front.

Topshop mid blue Jamie jeans ($8). These have also been on my denim wishlist. They’re super stretchy but in great shape. Also grabbed a pair of Levi’s just like these and some black BDG skinnies like these for $4 each. Yay! I’ve been replacing all my denim recently because I went up a couple sizes and the thrift gods just keep blessing me.

I also randomly stumbled across these never-worn Eileen Fisher sandals for $8 shipped on Mercari so obviously I bought them! I wasn’t sure how I felt about them, but they’ve grown on me and I’m glad I grabbed them.

For me, some of it is about color. Since I don't wear black, my pants are all navy and gray, which I think pair well and look a bit more interesting with colors like teal, mustard, rust, and peach. For what it's worth I really love my LOFT sanded sateen skinny pants. I feel like I mention these all the time, but I think they look good and are comfortable, especially in the waist with the amount of sitting I do. I do better with the Marisa style, though I do need the waist tailored in the back.

Like you, I have wide feet, so cute shoes can be a pain. I recently bought the Dr Scholl's Elegant loafers and I really like how they look with my usual outfits, though I wish they came in more colors. The C/D width in those was comfortable for me. I'm also thinking about getting the Me Too Audra loafers.

Jewelry is the other thing I like. I tend to wear earrings that are a little more substantial than most people. The lines are still delicate, but they're not small and the style is very "me."

https://www.loft.com/skinny-sanded-sateen-chinos-in-marisa-fit/443355

Dr. Scholl's Women's Elegant Slip-on Loafer, Copper Brown/Snake Print, 8 W US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MV08CWP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_gaeNzbXBWEHB6

Above your budget, but my favorate heels are my Black patent Pigalle 120's. They really are the ultimate classic stiletto and I get compliments most times that I wear them. Worth every cent!

My most comfortable comfortable pumps are my Cole Haan Chelsea High also in black patent. I can wear these for a full on day of standing working a booth at an exhibition, thou dancing in to the night!

Both are definitely shoes to last. Both are a few years old now, have been re-heeled a few times (metal re-heels are best if you can find them, as they last almost forever) and both still look like new!

You'll probably enjoy this thread from a month ago.

To answer your question, the ones I read right now are

Into Mind - a lot of helpful thoughts and how-to posts about minimalism and capsule wardrobes

The Rosenrot - gorgeous avant-garde ensembles with tons of layers

My Year of Fabulous - Not the greatest fashion-wise, and not really fashion-focused anymore--I think she's migrating right now to a different location and changing her focus. But she spent all of last year trying out a different prescribed style (using this book) each month and writing about her results. I had a lot of fun diving through the archives as soon as I discovered it, as she's absolutely hilarious (she's a comedy writer by profession), and she posted all of her bad outfits along with the good. So if you want to watch a real person trying to figure out fashion and her own style for a year, I would recommend taking a look (first post here).

My new boyfriend is in an afternoon wedding in October and wants me to go with him. I haven't been to a wedding in years and have no idea what to wear. I'm 46 but have been told I look much younger, petite and curvy. I'm not sure what the actual dress code of this wedding is, but I know the groomsmen are wearing tuxedo tops with Carhartt pants and and the bridesmaids are wearing Grecian style dresses with cowboy boots (it's a Maine thing, don't ask lol). I found this dress at TJMaxx https://www.amazon.com/Tommy-Hilfiger-Womens-Scuba-Shoulder/dp/B0716Z6WQ9 in the aubergine color. I think it looks nice on me, but do you think it would be appropriate with some accessories? I'm worried it might look a little plain/severe.
If you don't think that dress will work, I would love some other suggestions! My style is pretty simple and basic, and lots of dresses I've looked at are too ruffley and sparkly.

I have two and really want a third. I wore mine all the time last fall/winter/spring and they still look brand new. They haven't stretched out at all, and I've had them almost a year. I also wash them pretty rarely... like, maybe twice or three times each, since I don't sweat in them and they breathe really well. I use this to handwash them, and they come out smelling amazing and looking perfect.

Are you wearing leather shoes, or synthetic (man-made materials)? I know I have a very difficult time wearing non leather shoes, because my heels will blister terribly. Leather shoes will conform to your shape and stretch to fit your foot, whereas man made materials are much less flexible. There is a notable difference in comfort, and if you are working such long days, it might be better to have fewer pairs of heels that are higher quality. What brands do you typically wear? Another idea is to use a shoe tree in the shoe, such as this one. You can find them at many home stores, as well as sites like Amazon. When you wear a shoe, the heat from your foot can make the material more pliable, allowing it to shape to your foot. When you take it off, it can shrink back to the original size. Using a shoe tree can help it maintain a good shape for your foot. I'd also consider trying shoes half a size or a full size up, and maybe using a gel insert to make the fit mores snug so that it is larger in the heel but still fits everywhere else. Moleskin also makes a great buffer between the heel and the shoe.

Ha! My parents did the same thing which is why I took over my own laundry at a young age :)

First, never buy anything "dry clean only" and if you have to, I typically use Dryel.

For normal laundry, only bras with underwire get hand washed. Everything else gets washed on warm/cold, gentle cycle. I use Charlie's Soap laundry detergent- no dyes/fragrance/etc; it's really cheap and gets clothes cleaner than most liquid detergents I've tried.

I hang dry all of my everyday shirts, bathing suits, and anything else delicate (like nice underwear or Spanx). Everything else- cotton underwear, workout clothes, pants, etc- I dry on medium heat.

Since we have limited space, we use these for hang drying:

For shirts- http://www.amazon.com/Household-Essentials-Collapsible-Indoor-Clothes/dp/B002E3KYTS/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1374752652&sr=8-6&keywords=clothes+hanging+rack

For everything else- http://www.amazon.com/Whitmor-6023-741-Folding-Clothes-Drying/dp/B001UE8ILI/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1374752681&sr=1-2&keywords=clothes+drying+rack

Steam them! I hate ironing so much, but steaming clothes is somehow actually fun? I use this one and it's been great for me. It works on everything I own. Don't know if you can crease with a steamer though. Steaming is mostly good for wrinkle removal.

I have long (boob length), wavy hair that is thick, but the individual hairs are fine (i just have a lot of them).I find for my hair if I wear it up, I need a quick mist of hair spray or sea salt spray to give my hair some tack so it doesn't just slip out. I have also found that these spin pins are fantastic for really anchoring down a bun to your head. I also like styles like this that look complicated, but really hold all of the hair together and stays in place (I use the spin pins to anchor down this style as well).

I like the idea of a watch - I wear and use mine every day. It was a gift (an expensive one) but I think it was totally worth it. I have been wearing it for over 7 years now. Be careful that you choose something that suits her style.
My husband once got me a pair of shoes, and they were awful. They didn't fit well and were not my style. If you think you have a good handle on both those aspects, then leather boots would certainly be versatile and possibly even indulgent.
Leather accessories do not run the risk of not fitting, but you still need to know her style. I think a simple handbag/tote is safer than a wallet (which needs to have the exact right slots in the exact right places for me). A high quality belt, or luxurious scarf could also be a bit safer - there's less to mess up.

I have super straight hair as well (though mine is very thick), and it used to be that I couldn't keep my hair curled even if it started smoking on the heating rod...

What I find to be really helpful is to spray my hair with some kind of texturizing spray Not Your Mother's Beach Babe is my product of choice, easy to find in most US pharmacies, and inexpensive.

After spraying my hair, I'll wrap it up in a bun or braid it. If I sleep with it in a braid, it can stay luscious and wavy for the entire next day!

What's a cheap way to launder wool/cashmere? I am so tempted to buy The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Shampoo - Cedar but it's expensive... is there a good alternative or is it worth the hype?

I have a fair amount of wool cashmere that I probably need to wash like 1 or 2 times per month.

> I kind of worry about kinks from pinning it, but it's definitely worth a shot!

Have you tried using a spin pin? I put wet hair in a bun with one of those pins all the time and I don't get kinks, just very gently wavy hair from it being twisted. I can imagine it working well if you put it in a bun on top of your head before bed.

Me too. I think steaming is easier.

You should try a small 20 buck ones. The travel sized? I bought one after an ASKreddit thread. I don't even own my iron anymore. I wanna move to a stand alone one in the future.
I have this one.
I like to steam while watching netflix but occasionally a quicky in the morning is great too. ;)

Worth thinking about!

I have the charlie brogue. It looks like they currently have these available, but patent leather can easily get scuffed. Other quality comfort brands to consider are Born and Bass. Looks like you should be able to find something for 100-150(USD).

I use a [Fossil Piper Toaster bag] (https://www.fossil.com/us/en/products/piper-toaster-bag-sku-zb6865p.html), although I bought mine used on eBay for about $40. I used to be a "but what if I NEED this first aid kit/flashlight/box of granola bars" kind of girl, but I've come to realize that I don't need much more than my keys, phone, e-reader, and a small card-case (although the bag does have built-in card slots so that's just a personal preference). If you can, make a list of the stuff you absolutely need to bring with you and look for a bag that fits exactly that with little to no leftover space.

Additionally, you could get a small "fashion" backpack and combine it with the above advice. I have [this one] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OIBUMW8/ref=twister_B00OIBULFG?_encoding=UTF8&th=1) in black, it's a great size and it's really comfortable.

The one I use is Leather Honey. It hasn't darkened any of my shoes or bags, but you might want to test a small spot first just in case. A little bit reeeally goes a long way with that stuff.

Enjoy your new leather bag! This is kinda silly but I felt somehow luxe and exciting after I got my first purse that wasn't from the Target sale rack.

If I find something I love at a good value (like this cardi!), I'll often buy it in a few colors. This lets me look cohesive without being samey, spread out the wear across the colors, and wear it with a bunch of different fits. I just also try not to wear it every day.

I got new Birkenstocks for Christmas that I have broken in a bit, but it's too cold to wear them much now.

For anyone has shoes rubbing them, you could try Band-aid's blister block stick! I'm sure other brands make similar things too. The consistency is a bit like a deodorant stick, and it creates a barrier between your skin and the shoe so it doesn't rub so badly. This has definitely saved me from quite a few blisters.

I'm not super familiar with jean jackets, but I would try and find something that hits close to your natural waist: not too long, not too short. An open-front cardigan would also be cute and not terribly warm:

One Two Three Four Five

I like the Lucky Guide to Mastering any Style. It showcases a few styles (All-American, Gamine, RocknRoll) and what items define each style.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Lucky-Guide-Mastering-Style/dp/1592404022

There's also a great website http://into-mind.com/

I have this one and really like it! It's a couple inches larger than the one you linked, but I think it's a great size.

I posted this a few other places in the thread too. I have a pair of Pretty Polly fleece lined tights, which are amazing in NY winters.
Amazon Link

I also love and highly recommend these. Moleskin is another option.

Blister block is a god-send. Seriously it works. Check drug or grocery stores first to see if you can get it cheaper somewhere, but this stuff is awesome!

Oh man, I struggled with this for SO LONG. It doesn't feel right hanging up worn clothes right next to my clean clothes, even if I consider them 'clean' enough to wear again.

After a million years of keeping them in crumpled piles somewhere, I finally got this compact laundry/drying rack. I keep it in the corner of my bedroom and anything that's in this 'in between stage' gets hung on it. Keeps everything separate, unwrinkled, and I also have a good visual of what I need to wear again before I start dirtying more clothes. I love it so much.

I have a [tripod-style drying rack] (http://www.amazon.com/Household-Essentials-Collapsible-Indoor-Clothes/dp/B002E3KYTS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449867941&sr=8-1&keywords=hang+away+drying+rack) similar to this one. You can fold it up when it's not in use so that it doesn't take up so much space. Love it!

Band Aid Friction Block works great for this! I keep one in my purse to use until the shoes break in.

I have similar hair...if I really want to encourage wavy I use Aveda Be Curly plus Not Your Mother's Salt Spray and then scrunch it a little bit.

The Aveda stuff is a little pricy but I like the way it smells.

I don't really care for pastels either. I generally do a color or pattern I do like (polka dots, stripes, etc.). This year I may wear this dress I already own OR I might buy this dress from Boden (I know it's pastel-ish but I would call that ice blue rather than pastel personally). These others called to me but they're not as Eastery as I'd like 1, 2. There's also another I just can't think of right now and I will update you once I find it!

I have these oxfords in black and I'd definitely recommend them.

I am also new to leather boots! Mine were getting scuffed/discolored from normal wear and tear, so I used Meltonian boot cream to a) restore the color and b) provide a bit of waterproofing (since it's wax-based).

I also have Leather Honey leather conditioner, which I've used on a purse and my Birkenstocks. It definitely does darken the leather, so if you're attached to the exact shade you have now, I wouldn't recommend conditioning.

Try applying some moleskin padding to the leather. It won't compromise the leather like heat or water will, and it'll protect your feet while you're still breaking them in.

Id reccommend the lucky guide to mastering any style.

https://www.amazon.com/Lucky-Guide-Mastering-Any-Style/dp/1592404022

It shows 10 different looks (mod, California cool, American Classic, posh eclectic, pinup, etc) and how to make them your own.

Once you pick one or maybe two style then you’ll have a closet full of pieces that work together.

Sometimes you can get away with wool BLENDS in the dryer (depending on the specific one and the fabric care label), but I would never put a 100% wool sweater in a dryer, ever.

I do wash wool sweaters specially labelled as “machine washable” in the machine (on cold, on delicate, in a front loader with no agitation arm) and lay flat to dry, but that’s as far as I go. I’ve felted too many sweaters in my past to take chances.

I usually prefer just to fill up my bathtub a couple inches deep, add some wool-specific detergent and let my sweaters soak for twenty minutes or so while I’m doing other housework, then drain and rinse, carefully squeeze the excess water out, and lay flat to dry. Keeps them looking nice and fitting correctly for years.

Have you heard of spin pins? I put my hair in a high-ish ponytail, braid it, and then twist these pins into the bun. It helps my thick hair stay in place all day! You can do a regular ballet bun with them too. To give you an idea of the hold, I wear these in my hair to go run at the gym!

I purchased this mini from Amazon for its 3 year warranty.

I have a regular sized steamer and there is not a huge difference in quality of steaming between the two. I'd recommend it!

I recently got this beeswax shoe polish and I really like it!
http://www.amazon.com/Robsons-Beeswax-Polish-Small-black/dp/B002PINOZI/

I also use this to condition my leather:
http://www.amazon.com/Leather-Honey-Conditioner-Furniture-Accessories/dp/B003IS3HV0/

If you haven't tried this stuff, I can highly recommend it. I treated my Clark's leather boots with it, and when I accidentally brushed against paint, it cleaned right off. I haven't tried it on serious scratches, but it might be worth a try.

I did some googling and found "spin pins" recommended for non-achy buns, so that might be something to try out.

http://www.amazon.com/Goody-Simple-Styles-Assorted-Colors/dp/B003FVDNO6

I machine wash all of my wool and cashmere with The Laundress wool and cashmere shampoo on cold delicate in a lingerie bag. I find that my sweaters don't shrink any further after the first initial wash.

I don't have a schedule, I just apply it when the leather is starting to look dry. I tend to apply at the beginning of the season

I use Lexol (um...but the much smaller bottle? haha) and Leather Honey

I've seen this backpack mentioned here a few times.

Not PP, but this is the steamer I use, and it was life changing:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MG2OOHK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_MPF4BbC6K2T7N