With June shortly coming to a close, this is my monthly review of some recent thrift store finds and other secondhand purchases as well as a few OOTDs that were shared on Instagram but not featured in a blog post.

It turns out that I didn’t do much thrift store shopping this month but since I did purchase a few preloved items from Poshmark, I’m sharing those as well. Also, I didn’t post any OOTDs photos this month so instead, I’ve put together a bit of a mid-year blog review. I’ll start off by talking about the outfit that I’m wearing in the photo above.

The pants should look familiar as they’re the same ones that were featured a week or so ago in Recycle-Reclaim-Reuse: Wide-Leg Linen Pants. I’m taking a little liberty here with saying that they are part of my June thrift store finds since I actually purchased them on May 31. But that was after my end of May post had published so I’ve carried them over to June. Anyway, in these photos, you can see the drawstring, the waistband pleats, and the pockets.

On that same day in the same thrift store, I came upon a gray zippered hoodie which upon further inspection I found had a Winnie-The-Pooh motif. I’m not one to typically wear Disney-themed garments but the colors and the sweet design appealed to me. I rationalized that even if I just wore it during my cardio walks, it would be cute to wear. Once I realized how great it looked paired up with my wide-leg pants, I’ve worn it twice already and not for walking.

In keeping with a sportier vibe, I’m wearing my white sneakers that I first shared in Potpourri: Winter White. The pink heart pendant was a purchase from a couple of months ago at a secondhand store. Doesn’t it look perfect with the hoodie? When I first saw the pendant, I thought of my daughter for some reason that escaped me at the time because she isn’t necessarily fond of pink nor does she wear much jewelry. Nonetheless, I’d considered giving it to her but hadn’t yet so it’s still mine to wear for now. Hmm, I wonder if she’ll see this post and ask about it?

As for preloved items actually purchased in June, I’ve got several to share. Bought at a resale store are the red cheetah print top and the light blue cross-body shown in the two left-side photos below. I probably won’t wear the top until Fall but the purse will do well for me all year round.

The necklaces in the two photos on the right were purchased on Poshmark. I’ve been fond of cameos since my teens (remember 1928 jewelry?) and I have a few pendants as well as several brooches and a couple of rings that I amassed over the years. Recently, I’ve added some to my collection that are not the typical ivory on terracotta colorway. This etched one appealed to me because it’s perfectly neutral and the metal is silvertone as opposed to gold. The other three necklaces were purchased as a bundle and are all by Lucky Brand which is a favorite of mine.

Now, let’s get on to a few stats about this blog. August will mark 6 years since the first post, I Don’t Understand The Question, published. During this time, blogging has changed and now faces a lot of competition from other quasi-blog platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Blogs have come and gone, social media has evolved, and I often find myself struggling with what I want my blog to be. I’ll circle back more fully on the topic at a later date; for now, I’d like to examine the numbers.

So far this year I’ve published 48 posts (including this one). In all of 2020, I had published 49 so I’m on track to just about double that number in 2021. Oddly, my top year was 2017 (a total s#!tstorm of a year for me personally) when I published 77 posts, so I’ll likely be surpassing that count as well. In terms of visitor traffic, I’m tracking at 173% of 2020 and 111% of 2017 so I’ll likely surpass those counts too. For page views, I’ve already exceeded the total count for 2020 and I’m on track to top the 2017 count by early September. It’s exciting to see my efforts pay off.

And when I say pay off, I don’t mean that monetarily because this blog doesn’t generate any money. By design. That’s not why I have a blog and it was never my intention. It is a passion, an outlet for creative energy, and a way for me to meet, connect with, and learn from other women. I hope that you get as much of a kick out of this blog as much as I do.

And that nearly puts a wrap on June. How do you express your passions and creativity? What thrift store finds or preloved treasures have you found recently while secondhand shopping? What trends/aesthetics are you currently keen on?

Be well and let’s stay in touch! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, pin … all options are available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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Note: This is an unsponsored post; however, some or all of the links to clothing items are associated with an affiliate program where I earned a few cents for each click.

Outfit photos: MMPerez

12 Comments

  1. Mica - Away From Blue

    I love those pants – they remind me of a pair of striped culottes I have that were a staple for me over summer! And that hoodie is so cute, Winnie the Pooh is the best 🙂 It’s interesting to see your blog stats – I really need to pay more attention to mine to be honest! I have no idea what any of my stats are, I decline all sponsorship requests and have for a few years so I don’t have a media kit I need to regularly update!

    Hope you are having a lovely week 🙂

    Away From the Blue Blog

    • Rena

      Mica, I’m a bit of a stats nerd so I can’t but help myself with checking on the numbers for my blog. And I’m so glad that you like this look. It is a bit whimsical but very comfortable.

  2. The Winnie the Pooh hoodie is adorable! And it looks great with your striped wide leg pants. A really cute outfit overall.

    And I get it, my blog isn’t monetized either. As an introvert I find blogging a great way to meet other women with similar interests. It’s also a place for me to discuss my creative endeavors, fashion, and social commentary at times. I enjoy your blog and your attitude, Rena. 😄

    • Rena

      Michelle, you and I are kindred spirits in more ways than one.

  3. mireilleftm

    That last picture is so much fun! I found a new store here that makes me think of a thrift store but with new clothes: it is called Gabe’s. The prices are really good but you have to be on the hunt when you go. Thankfully the dressing rooms are open and I saw many brand names for incredible prices.
    http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

  4. Gray is such a great color for a jacket, it goes with everything! I love the cute motif on the back, def cheerful and great to wear for a walk!! And, it goes great with those striped wide legged pants!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

  5. shelbeeontheedge1

    Rena, this outfits is so fun! I am not big into wearing Disney things either, but I would totally wear this hoodie, too! It does look really great with these wide leg trousers. I had to go look at your first blog post ever again to see the date you published (August 5) because I also published my first post in that same month of 2015 (August 24). I wrote about what to wear to church! It has been such a fun journey getting to know all of the amazing women in this community! Six years has flown by!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

  6. I love your Winnie Poo hoodie, it is so me 🙂

    Thanks so much for linking up to The Weekend Link Up #TheWeekendLinkUp

  7. thestylesplash

    The hoodie is fabulous! I’m not really into Disney but I’d definitely wear it…although I suspect my daughter would claim anything like that! It looks great with the striped pants. I love the heart and cameo necklaces too. Thanks for linking up!

    Emma xxx
    http://www.style-splash.com

  8. I love the striped pants! And that Pooh bear sweatshirt is the cutest thing ever…

    -Grace

    gracefulrags.com