Genesis & Jenny - A Fashion Feature

Genesis Rosario & Jennifer Suarez are two university students with a passion for fashion and an aptitude for adventure. We had the privilege to document a day in their lives out and about on a windy Tampa afternoon.

Get the scoop on where they purchased all the adorable clothing items they used to put their one-of-a-kind outfits together.

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The SECRET to Jenny's outfit is that her tutu skirt is actually a DRESS from Forever 21. Spaghetti strap tops aren't her favorite, so she cleverly paired it with a cute graphic tee from Old Navy.

"I decided to tie a knot on the side to tone down the look," says Jenny.

Her Peep-Toe shoes, gifted Silver Necklace, and Stacked Pearl Bracelets are all from Forever 21 also!

"I love the look because it's super girly but it's versatile enough to make it a little less dressy simply by pairing it with a tee," Jenny adds.

To see more of Jenny's style and read about what runs through her mind, check out her blog here!

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"My outfit is a really comfy and neutral combination," says Genesis.

She wears a Black Leather Jacket from Forever 21 that features zippered pockets with a silky inner lining!

  Her cargo green pants were purchased from Aeropostale and also have zipper embellishments, which make the ends of the pants adjustable. Similar pants can also be found at Kohls.

Genesis has an extraordinary eye for thrift-shopping! Both her floral statement necklace and her striped top were from the thrift store!

 "I got the Striped shirt from Goodwill and it has half-long sleeves. Its pretty soft and it has black ruffles at the end, making it look super girly," explains Genesis.

 Last but not least are her dark brown Chelsea Boots from Target. 

"The small heel makes it comfortable to walk and wear all day long," Genesis raves!

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We hope you've enjoyed seeing how these two ladies styled their outfits. If anything you saw in this article inspired a purchase or outfit choice, make sure to COMMENT BELOW or tag us in a picture on Instagram.

Whether it's throwing around some confetti, traveling to a new city, or having a spontaneous photo shoot like these two ladies, we encourage you to go out and do something that brings you JOY!

Thrifted Treasures

Thrifting has become a small passion of mine. I don’t know if it’s the thrill of the hunt, the pure satisfaction of getting a good deal, or finding one of a kind vintage items that I love the most. On a recent trip to Vermont I scored some amazing finds that have been on my “must have” list for some time. I love entertaining so I am always on the hunt for unique glasses, plates and serving ware. Prior to my trip, I had been pricing gold flatware from different online stores. They were all pretty pricey so when I saw this set of vintage gold flatware for $4.50 I was thrilled! It took time to restore the finish, but it was well worth it.

 They have been the perfect addition to my eclectic mix of cups and plates. I love using them for when I have friends over for "girly" brunches or dessert parties.

I'm slightly obsessed with all things gold. So when I came across these adorable gold rimmed glasses for $1 a piece, I quickly snatched them up. I bought the whole set and have it displayed on my bar cart.

This gold rimmed tea pot was purchased for a whopping $2, the coffee mug was $1, and the saucer was part of a set that was $10.

Adding simple touches of elegance to your home does not have to cost a fortune. Some of my favorite items have come from thrift stores. It's always nice to have a mix of old and new, it adds depth and character to a home.

What are some of your favorite thrifted treasures?

Happy Styling,

Rebekah

{photos and styling by: Rebekah Miura}

A Western Winter Look on a Budget

Meet Alexis -- Top Button's Fashion Cents coordinator. She specializes in making fashion affordable for any budget and she's also known for bringing the most unconventional colors and patterns alive throughout any season.

Her floral denim jacket was purchased last winter at American Eagle with a gift card that she received for Christmas. Alexis only feels comfortable to splurge on one item when she gets to spend her gift cards, but even this jacket was on sale for $25.

Today she wears a cream lace Papaya dress that she purchased for only $6 at Goodwill. The inspiration of this whole outfit was centered around this dress.

The pink-ish tan tights were just $2 brand new from Goodwill, but were originally from Target.

Last, but certainly not least, are her genuine cowgirl boots purchased for just $3 at Salvation Army during their 50% off sale. Every season, Alexis  creates a "fashion must-have wish list" and a pair of cowgirl boots made the cut. When she spotted these shoes and they were the perfect fit, she felt like she was caught in the middle of a western Cinderella story.

The total cost of this outfit was just $36! 

(However, if you keep in mind that the jacket was purchased with a gift card, this outfit only cost Alexis $11 total!)

For more fashion features of great deals, celebrity looks for less, and thrift shop hauls, comment below with what you'd like to see Alexis post next.

Sustainable Fashion: Upcycling Trends

Did you ever think that hand-me-downs would be cool? Well they are! Sustainable fashion is taking a huge turn in the fashion industry and there's more to it then just saving money. Let me start by explaining sustainable fashion: it's basically recycling your style! All of you thrift shop seekers know what I'm talking about!  Everything that's old is new again, right? Well why buy something new that LOOKS old when you can find an original? I've seen a lot of examples on Pinterest. From thrift store shopping to finding something in the attic your mom wore 30 years ago, upcycling (or updating a recycled item to current trends) not only is super cool BUT also earth-friendly! The shirtdress I'm wearing in these photos was handmade by women in the Honduras in a fair-trade shop using recycled shirts! And my adorable combat boots were found in a thrift store! Upcycled or recycled fashion is a great way to create your own, unique style all while helping the earth be a little less cluttered.

Fair trade? What is that?

When products are fair-trade they most likely were made outside of the United States. The companies that sell fair-trade create working environments that are proper and well-equipped for workers versus sweat shops that use child labor, pay very little and work employees 15+ hours a day in a building that literally makes them sweat because it is so hot. The bracelets I am wearing in these photos are made with paper beads that have been hand-crafted by women in Uganda through a fair-trade company called Bead for Life. Thanks to new laws in Uganda, many women are getting a second chance at life to develop skills to sustain their children and families. Jewelry like this is fun to wear and supports a great cause!

So whether you shop in your local thrift stores or buy fair-trade products, I encourage you to use your style to make a difference.

                                                                                    Dress | Boots | Bracelets | Beads

Guest Blogger: Casey Scheese

Photo Credit: www.thewaywewerephotography.com