What I'm Wearing Wednesday

Today I went (where else?) consignment shopping with my mom. As I put my outfit together in my head over coffee in the morning (one of my favorite parts of the day) :), I realized that, over the course of time, I have purchased today's entire outfit from Castaways.  The Joe's cropped jeans were purchased this spring, the rest has been purchased over the course of time this fall! The top is a grey military style top that is a LOVELY mix between a button down and a t~shirt. LOVE it with the blue stripe infinity scarf ~ which is cotton, so not too hot. The flats are amazing green, red, and navy plaid with gold metallic accents, Coach. A beautiful find. The retro~look crossbody is H&M and was purchased for my many upcoming Chicago shopping trips. If any of you LOVE the pieces of this outfit, take comfort in knowing that I usually keep things for a month tops, and bring them back to Castaways. My closet is in a permanent rotation!

Here I am after finding a HAUL for my 4~year~old at Frogs & Fairies in Bloomington, Illinois. Isn't that the smile of a successful shopper?

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Cindy

Five For Friday

 Good morning! It's been awhile since I have done the Five For Friday. We have been SO busy at Castaways ~ that's my only excuse. We LOVE the growth that we have experienced this year and we have all of you to thank for it. SO even though there are plenty of other consignment shops in the area, thank you for continuing to support us. We promise to strive to keep Castaways even more wonderful every day! Here are five things that Castaways has been loving on this week!

1. We love fall and Halloween is SO much fun. It makes everyone feel a little like a kid again, don't you agree? We took part in Moonlight Madness for the Washington Chamber of Commerce Wednesday night and we had a ball doing it. Thank you to everyone who visited us! We also have a GREAT selection of Halloween costumes for kiddos AND the ladies.  And they will all be 30% off next week (starting Monday, October 22).

2. What is UP with all the Coach bags this week??? Thanks to all of you bringing in a constant supply of them, because we are moving them like CRAZY for some reason! 

3. Our first Coffee Date at Castaways was last Thursday, and it was a smashing success! Tommie Fore (right, above, that's Vicky Garey on the left) taught us all MANY new and fun ways to tie a scarf. We're going to try to convince her to come back for an evening event. We'll give you details on that later! Our next Coffee Date will be Thursday, November 8 at 9 AM. We're going to serve up coffee with a side of DENIM! We'll teach you the right fit, wash, and style of jeans for you and we'll offer 20% off any denim purchase. We are SO excited for this event!

4. We LOVE pencil skirts! J Crew and Target have the CUTEST styles and colors, but we have also been taking in TONS of them at Castaways. We love them with cardigans and pumps, denim shirts, tights, and boots, or all layered up with a cute shrunken boyfriend jacket and short boots! This fall style is a MUST HAVE.

5. Did we mention our Coffee Date at Castaways? It's the SECOND THURSDAY of EVERY MONTH at 9AM! The next one, like I mentioned above is Coffee with a side of DENIM! We will be also be having an exciting evening event on Thursday, November 13 for all of you evening shoppers. Stay tuned for all the exciting details!

Happy Friday!

Cindy

Our Fall Into Beauty Makeover

Hey, everyone! I thought I'd FINALLY get around to sharing the story behind our Fall Into Beauty Makeover! Remember our super successful Spring Into Beauty Makeover with Kendra? We had so much fun and we LOVED having the opportunity to make someone feel SO special. So, once again I teamed up with my Transformation Crew: Angie Kisch of Mary Kay and Kellie Felmey of The Bird's Nest, and we began accepting nominations so that we could have the chance to do it again!

Here we are, ready for action!

We received SO many nominations this time. It was very hard to make a decision. Chevie Ruder, director of The Washington Chamber of Commerce, chose the winner, and she said that it was SO. hard to decide this time. Eventually, Karen Leon was chosen. Her husband sent in her nomination, and she has graciously allowed us to share her story.  The nomination email follows:

Hello,
Id like to nominate my wife,Karen. We have been together since jr high and
are now 22 years old. We have been through it all together. Our senior year of high school she was diagnosed with a rare brain malformation called Chiari. She has been through 2 brain surgeries and 2 spinal cord surgeries.

Shortly after her last surgery she became pregnant with our now 2 and 1/2
year old daughter. With all of her on going health problems she had a very
rough and complicated pregnancy. She suffered from a stroke at 19 weeks
pregnant and it's a Blessing from God that our daughter was born a healthy 6 lbs at 37 weeks. Karen has been slowly recovering and for the last 2 1/2 years been surgery free and now finally starting to feel like her old self again. Throughout all of her troubles she has never asked once for anything from anyone. I think this makeover would give her some of the confidence back that she so desperately needs. Please, help me, help her.

Thank you for your time.

Dustin Leon

Here is Karen when we met her. We immediately loved her, although we felt like she is already pretty pampered, because CLEARLY  she has an amazing husband who cares about her quite a bit. But she sure has been through a LOT and she definitely deserved a day of pampering. It was instantly clear that she doesn't get out a whole lot on her own, because she wasn't quite sure how to act without her kiddo around. :) Karen was bubbly and darling and SO fun to be around. She picked a gorgeous auburn color and graduated bob for her hair, which Kellie happily accommodated. You can see the results below.

Angie Kisch provided lots of makeup ideas and expertise from Mary Kay.

Just LOOK at that gorgeous eye makeup and skin! Ah! The great ruffle top, berry cardigan, beaded necklace, and the rest of Karen's outfit was provided by... us! Castaways. :)

Here is Karen enjoying her new look and her LOVELY fall bouquet, which was provided by All In Bloom. Isn't it gorgeous?

L-R: Angie Kisch of Mary Kay, Karen Leon, Kellie Felmey of The Bird's Nest, and Cindy Keller of Castaways Consignment

L-R: Cindy Keller of Castaways, Karen Leon, Angie Kisch of Mary Kay, and Kellie Felmey of The Bird's Nest

Kellie, Angie, and I feel SO blessed to be able to do these makeovers. It feels amazing to spend one afternoon making someone so deserving feel SO pampered and beautiful. We are delighted that our careers give us the opportunity to pool our talents to help LOVELY women like Kendra and Karen. We can't wait for the next one! 

Have a wonderful weekend.

Cindy

Jeans Purge

I clean out my closet all the time. Imagine that! I have the best job in the world, and one of my favorite things about it is that my closet is forever changing.  I'm getting ready for fall and trying to decide what to add to my wardrobe as far as jeans go. I also felt like there were probably some pairs that could be weeded out. I decided to document the process. It worked really well for me!

Here are all of my jeans. I have 12 pairs. I LOVE my colored and white denim, and I had a few pairs that I am nowhere near ready to give up. BUT I want a new pair of super skinny dark wash and some black ones too, so I feel I can justify that by finding a couple of pairs to get rid of! Makes sense, right?

Here are the five pairs I tried on, left to right: Gap Ankle Zip Skinnies in fawn. I actually just bought these and wanted to try them on, so I really didn't plan to get rid of them. :) Old Navy Skinny Divas, Joe's Skinny Boot, Gap Real Straight, and Citizens of Humanity Straight.

I got out a pair of flats and heels to get the whole effect right when doing my try~on. Aren't those gold J Crew loafers adorable? Castaways!! :)

Here are the Gap Ankle Zip skinnies. I love them. Also love the neutral color. I can't wait to wear them with chambray and black for fall. A skinny is NEVER skinny enough for me, though. These fit more like a straight jean. I am still on a quest for the perfect skinny jean. But these are cute and fun and a great way to continue with my colored denim phase.

Here are the Old Navy Skinny Divas. I am not a fan. They aren't even close to being skinny and they definitely don't feel great on.

Eh. I don't feel like they are very flattering either. Off to Castaways they go, they will surely look cute on someone else! 

The Joe's Skinny Boot. I don't like them, have never worn them. I just can't get into the skinny boot. It looks odd on me. I love the wash though.

Nope. Not bum~flattering. Jeans that flatten that area of the body are NOT a good idea. Castaways for these too, Someone taller will ROCK them!

Gap Real Straight. I like these with flats, it is one of my favorite looks in the fall. I think these are cute. I will have to hold on to them. They are so comfy! 

I'm also not one to have a lot going on back~pocket~wise. I think a plain pocket and a dark wash is the most slimming on EVERYONE.

Here are the Citizens of Humanity Straight Fit. I like these too! They are similar to the Gap pair above, but cut just a little skinnier! Cuffed with heels, they look great!

I was lucky enough to find these at Castaways, and I'm not ready to send them back to the racks just yet.

So, there you have it. I found two pairs of jeans to take to Castaways and make a little bit of money. Most of you probably have MORE than 12 pairs of jeans, so take the time to try a few on that you haven't worn in awhile. You'll be glad you did, and you can come bring the pairs that don't make the cut to US! Maybe you'll even find some replacement pairs while you're at Castaways! AND if the idea of cleaning out your closet intimidates you, we will begin offering a closet cleaning service this fall. We'll come help you make all the tough decisions. We'll bring a bin for items to consign and a bin for items to donate, plus a camera to photograph outfit ideas. Heck, we'll even bring a bottle of WINE to ease the pain a little. If you'd like more information about this service, please call Castaways at 309-886-2424.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Cindy

What I'm wearing Wednesday

Sometimes, when I'm getting ready for work, I don't want to have to think too much. BELIEVE me when I tell you that with the craziness of our Back To School season, I am doing PLENTY of thinking once I get to work. So, on those days, I gravitate toward a simple dress and accent it with a statement necklace and a great pair of shoes.

I bought this dress from White House/Black Market three or four years ago at Castaways. I am NOT normally a girl who will hold on to an article of clothing for that long, but the cut, quality, and feel of this dress is pretty classic. I've had it through seasons of being heavier and losing a bit of weight, and it never fails me. I can also add black tights and a pair of boots and it works for fall and winter. How versatile!

I added this taupe bubble necklace from Castaways to complete the outfit. I LOVE this taupe to wear into fall, but we also have the necklace in an array of brighter colors if you want the pop! I loved the way the necklace and my wedges felt so neutral with the black dress. I am ready to my clothes to feel transitional into fall and I love how much fun it feels to change up a summer piece by wearing a way that feels a little more... autumnal... is that a word?

So, there you have it! EVERYONE has a LBD (little black dress) in their closet. Try it with a pair of heels and an awesome necklace (perhaps one of ours!) It's a no-brainer!

Have a wonderful day!

Cindy

Five For Friday... Brought To You By The Color...

CHARTREUSE!!!  Color is big for fall/winter, but most of the colors are dark and more muted. I think we NEED color once the days get gloomy, which, by the way, I am DREADING. I have always loved bright royal blue and fuchsia on a gloomy day, but this winter, I think chartreuse will be fun.  VERY few people can get away with full on chartreuse... I envision it on a dark complected brunette. However, I think we can all get away with it as an accent color. Here are a few of my favorite chartreuse pieces!

1. Super cute pointy toe flats by Nine West. Did you read last Friday's blog? Pointed toe flats are in!!!

2. This chartreuse Burberry Bag is gorgeous!

3. THIS GORGEOUS necklace is my favorite piece out of the five. It is Oscar de la Renta, and it is available at Neiman Marcus for approximately one million dollars. I am trying to find a similar piece to order for Castaways, and I promise it WILL NOT come with a hefty price tag!

4. This scarf from Anthropologie is a great way to incorporate chartreuse into your wardrobe!

5. I love a fitted jacket for fall, and I know many of you feel the same way! This one, from Gap, is a play it safe grey with a great chartreuse piping! SO CUTE!

The cool temps this weekend are going to get us all in the fall spirit! We will collect pops of chartreuse and display them for you at Castaways so that you can be thinking ahead to days when you will need to brighten up! Chartreuse is a little daring but not in small quantities! What are some other daring ideas to incorporate into our wardrobes???

Friday Five

Hello! I received my beloved People Style Watch today, and it was tremendously THICK and FULL of fashion ideas for fall. I'm not quite ready to leave summer behind, but the cooler weather and my innate love for shopping are beginning to win out. I'm starting to get excited! I thought for this Friday Five I would share a few of the fall trends that I think will be really wearable here in Central Illinois. I love trends, but some of them aren't very realistic here. Oxblood leather? Probably not, for most of us. Peplums? Could be cute, but I can't picture very many people wearing them. I mean, skinny jeans are EVERYWHERE, but I can tell you with the utmost certainty that MANY of you are still uncomfortable with the idea. So... here are five great fall trends along with some ways to make them more wearable in the real world.

1. Menswear. This trend is being shown in the magazines as a head to toe look. I think, done that way, it is a little.... less than feminine. In fact, I can tell you that from experience, because we recently tried to duplicate this look for Castaways' Facebook page and I am the one who put on the outfit... and promptly refused to wear it. I think that one or two pieces could be worn together and look amazing. I love each piece individually: fitted jacket, chambray shirt, cuffed boyfriend jeans, structured cross body, oxfords... and I really like the way the Pinterest user who put this outfit together added the feminine necklace. So cute! I think I may have to invest in the oxfords for fall.

2. Black skinnies.  Love, love, love!!!! For those of you mentioned above who are STILL scared of skinnies, these are a VERY safe start, and would be flattering on just about anyone if paired with black riding boots. The monochromatic line would be streamlined and VERY flattering! They would also be HOT with a nude pump!

3. Hunter Green. It will be the mint green of fall/winter and it is so pretty! Pick something hunter green (this dress by Zara, perhaps?) to add to your wardrobe, and if, like our Kayla, green isn't your thing, any jewel tone will work!

4. Pointed Toe Flats. Love them! They are so much sleeker than a rounded toe! I will DEFINITELY be adding a pair to my wardrobe, probably several. These are Steve by Steve Madden, and Pinterest has TONS of other cute choices!

5. The Heeled Short Boot. Most of us probably can't swing this $495 Rachel Zoe pair, but I'm sure there will be plenty of cheaper versions out there. Everything about these are GORGEOUS ~ the rich mahogany leather, the gold hardware, the extremely wearable heel. I am still hesitant about flat short boots with skinnies and skirts, I think it could be extremely unflattering. BUT with a dark skinny or a short skirt, these could be SO amazing. A fun alternative to the everyday flat riding boot!

So, there you have it. A first look at fall. Are you ready? What trends are you looking forward to wearing?

Cindy

Friday Five

1. Great consignment finds. And, no, they don't have to be from Castaways! Although, it's perfectly acceptable, in fact, encouraged, if they are! My lovely employee, Haley, called me this week from a local resale shop with these beauties in hand. Yes, they are Cole Haan pumps with Nike Air technology that retail for over $200.00. They were priced at EIGHT DOLLARS!!!! And yes, they look brand new. Finally, yes, they are MY size, not hers, unfortunately (for Haley), and yes, she bought them for me (LOVE her!) It just goes to show you what AMAZING things you can find out there once you really start looking!

2.  I LOVE this Fashion Formula, found on Pinterest. It is the perfect guideline for getting dressed each morning and being perfectly put together without being either TOO bare bones, or worse TOO overdone! Try it this week, I think you'll LOVE the result. And isn't the Interest Piece the most fun component of the outfit???

3.  I had TWO customers this week compliment me on past acts of kindness.  Those compliments meant more to me than any great consignment, high dollar sales day, or fabulous shopping purchase EVER could. It really does feel good to make someone feel special, and I want Castaways to be a shop that does just that!

4.  It's almost here ~ my son goes back to school August 16! So don't forget our Open House on Saturday, August 11. We will have a sneak preview of children/teen fall clothing, NEW accessories, giveaways, refreshments, and much more! We are so excited to bring you this fabulous event, don't miss it!

Our Web Presence

5.  Another thing I have received many compliments on lately is our web presence.  I can't believe how many local professionals and people within my industry have taken notice of our Facebook page. I try really hard to keep our content innovative and interesting (Look, mom, I'm using my Journalism classes!) but I really couldn't do any of it without all of you!  If you weren't out there commenting and clicking the "like" button, our wealth of information wouldn't catch ANYONE'S eye! So, THANK YOU, and please let me know if there is anything new that YOU would like to see from Castaways on Facebook, Twitter, our blog... or anywhere else! 

Happy Weekend!

Cindy

Friday Five

1. Castaways is taking Back To School! We love this time of year! This year we will be taking ONLY your best children's and teen items. Think Crewcuts, GapKids, Mini Boden, Hanna Andersson, Ralph Lauren, Matilda Jane, Janie & Jack, Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch, and American Eagle! Make sure your items are freshly laundered, wrinkle free, and purchased within the last two years. Then CALL us and we'll get you an appointment. We'd LOVE to! 309-886-2424.

2. We are so proud of our new line of jewelry. It is on-trend, affordable, and the perfect addition to the fabulous outfit you're certain to find at our store!

3. Designer consignments! This week we have gotten in over 200 pieces of Tory Burch, Citizens of Humanity, Joe's, Ella Moss, True Religion, Three Dots and more in all sizes. We are absolutely THRILLED to have this kind of merchandise available for you and we intend to KEEP IT COMING!

4. That's right, you can shop at Castaways from the comfort of your own home. Simply become a fan of Castaways Consignment on Facebook and click on the Shop Tab with the shopping cart icon on the left just underneath the cover photo of our staff at the top of our page. Shop away and tell your far away fashionista friends, because we're happy to ship!

5. Summer just wouldn't be summer without a little time away, so this weekend my family is headed to Kentucky to spend some time on the lake relaxing and having fun! I don't want our Castaways girls to feel lonely, so make sure and come visit them while I'm gone, I know they would LOVE to see you!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Cindy

Transitioning to Fall

Hello, everyone! I must apologize for my absence. I will admit that I have been soaking up every last hot, wonderful, silly, delicious moment of summer. The time with my family is so PRECIOUS, why does it go so fast?

Yet, we are faced with the inevitable change of the seasons (and I do also LOVE fall)! Castaways has started accepting Back to School for kids and teens. We have a huge Open House on August 11, so we would love to have your fabulous items in before that. Please call us at 309-886-2424 and we will happily schedule you an appointment.

We are also taking items for women that will transition into fall. Don't you love the magazine articles that feature ways you can wear items into fall in totally unrealistic ways? You're reading it, thinking, "I would NEVER wear that!"  What about some realistic ways to transition some of your favorite pieces from summer to fall?  I have created some examples from everyone's favorite resource, Pinterest, using MY favorite piece, or at least the one I am most excited to wear from now until fall, or at least until I become tired of it and bring it to Castaways, the chambray shirt.

The above picture (Polyvore) features the chambray short with white shorts, gold and cognac accessories, and aviators. Can I just say that I adore everything about this outfit? It makes the shirt classy and fun and it is so comfy and fun for summer!

The next picture, from the love of my life, J Crew, is an adorable way to transition the same chambray shirt into fall.  I love the leopard flats and the cropped jeans, and I actually think the denim on denim is cute! I would stack on the bangles, add the bag from the above picture... oh, and the sunglasses too!

I know none of us are ready to think about it yet, but fall fashion is so fabulous! What summer piece could you transition into fall and how? And if you need our input on HOW to transition your summer piece into fall, post a picture on our Facebook page! We love nothing more than a challenge!

Hope you enjoy the rest of YOUR summer!

Cindy

All that is green...

Picture collage made with Smilebox