Thrifty Threads

Welcome to another installment of "Thrifty Threads," AKA "Most Stylish Compact-y Outfit," where readers model their favorite secondhand clothes.

A Compact-y outfit is anything used or recycled, from the Goodwill, a thrift store, or consignment shop.

Today's model is Kristen, who blogs at The Frugal Girl. What a cute photo! I know many of you love her blog as much as I do. If you haven't visited yet, you're in for a treat. If you want to bake your own bread, she not only gives you the recipe and leads you through it step by step, she posts PHOTOS of what it should look like.

Kristen is also the first person (as far as we know!) who started photographing her wasted food each week in an effort to waste less. Her creative approach to being accountable was noticed by Jonathan at Wasted Food. And now every week hundreds, or maybe thousands, of people are taking photos of rotten food and documenting their efforts to cut down on food waste one family at a time. Check out Jonathan's blog to learn about how you can make a difference for the environment on top of saving money by trying not to throw out food.

There are so many great features about her blog it's impossible to list them all in this short blurb. Another thing she posts are meal plans and photos of what she got at the grocery store each week. And get this: she shops for a family of six on an $80 per week budget! Kristen manages to make raising and homeschooling four young children along with preparing homecooked meals and running a household look easy, but not in a "Martha Stewart- I'm better than you are" way, more like your wise older sister or the girl you wished was your best friend. She's a pleasure to be around, and that's why people love her blog.

The Frugal Girl also writes about refinishing furniture, simple gardening, and the pleasures of frugality, including shopping at the Goodwill. Which is where she scored this fabulous summer dress. Isn't it cute? Kristen paid $6.50 for this fabulous find from the Gap, and she often comes across great deals like that for both herself and her kids. The photo was taken by her 9-year-old son, but I think he had a little help from his mom because Kristen is also a fantastic photographer and sometimes shares photos of her beautiful children on her blog, as well as having a photography blog called KK Photography. There are similar styles on The Gap's website right now that are selling between $40 and $60. Kristen says she loves this dress because it's lightweight and comfortable, and it can be dressed up or down depending on the footwear she chooses. She also offers the tip to look through the Juniors dresses section at the Goodwill because teenagers often discard items before they're worn out and they're usually very stylish.

Thanks Kristen for sharing that photo. You look great! Readers, it's your turn. Put on your favorite thrift store score, snap a photo, and send it to me. You can find my email address on my profile page. And you don't have to be young and thin and beautiful. We want to see ALL kinds of women wearing their fabulous finds. I know you're a creative bunch, so show us what you've got.

And click here if you want to check out previous installments of Thrifty Threads. Do you wear secondhand clothes? What's your favorite thrift store score? Tell us about it in the Comments section.