i had my

slave braids in.


official..."Coventry Kid Sweethearts"

One of the nicest guys ever...Big Sean

Dont ask why we all had on yellow...not planned.

The Boutique

here go the rings i was talkin about..

random shots

from Legacy Village

airwaves: sooner or later - n.e.r.d.
"its over, leave it."
(this song used to be on REPEAT when i first got the album, now everytime i hear it its like the first time all over again..)

tanya, jaron, and mr. bear.

i know i say this all the time but i really mean it, i feel like asians are LIGHTYEARS ahead of us in sooo many aspects of life. These two cool kids, Wut ti and Pare and a prime example. i caught them taking pictures of eachother and immediately fell in love with the pair of them, after a short chat about where Wutti picked up his shoes, i asked them if i could take a photo of them for my blog and to my delight they said of course, i hope i can run into them again one day, so if you two are reading this, email me!! ridesallyrideblog@gmail.com

i have the all-time COOLEST friends. :)

ciao, sal

the secret to my

success



airwaves: walk like an egyptian - the bangles
"walk like an egyptiaannn.....walk like an egyptiannn.."
(this also gets me in the mood for thrifting)


Jaron is my favorite person to go thrifting with, so i recently sat down to dinner with him to figure out some tips for having success at the thrift store to share them with you all since a few of you have asked me about it, so we gave you some do's and donts, what to look for, to avoid, etc...


Things You Need

time
go with an ample amount of it, the thrift store is not something that can be done in a matter of minutes, make sure you have atleast an hour to browse.

money
even though things are usually dirt cheap, money is a good thing to have in case of a really good fine, or if you just find a lot of good stuff which is not unheard of. on the bright side, twenty dollars goes a looooooong way.

an open mind
just because someone else wore it, doesnt mean that youre cheap. Lots of people shop at thrift and vintage stores, its not just for the "poor", contrary to popular belief. Secondly be open to new things, its easier to buy something you wouldnt normally wear when its 2.00 dollars compared to 20.

hand sanitizer - i feel like thats self explanatory.



Things to do
go with someone trustworthy whose opinion you value
not someone who will criticize your choices because of their own personal taste and will tell you when something is whimsical, or if it's worthless.

go on days when you can get a deal
you can save even more money at the thrift store than you thought, they have days when you can get great deals, i.e. 50 cent mondays, miscellaneous wednesdays, and their 50% of sale days when everthing in the store is 50% off, theres always something!

be creative
just because something is too long or slightly too big doesnt mean its not worth being altered, many a great dress has been left behind due to people not willing to be creative, not having a vvision, or not willing to spend the money to have things altered

be conscientous of your size
Be aware of your size and how your body fits certain things, often times vintage clothing sizes are different from current sizes, so if youre able to try things on, do so, thrifting is mainly trial and error so try until you get to the point when you can simply look at a garment and know if its going to fit you or not.

have a plan
we (jaron and i) often find out what we're both looking for to add to our wardrobes, this somewhat slices down on time spent simply meandering down the aisles, you also wont be overwhelmed with the size of the store itself


Things not to do

get discouraged
the trift store can be super overwhelming and HAS been known to cause anxiety attacks LOL, but its really nothing to be taken too seriously

buy undergarments
i.e. underwear,bras,bathing suits..etc. that is STRICTLY off limits.



Things to do

GIVE BACK!
Make an effort to donate your old clothes that you dont wear anymore or things you bought that didnt fit, not only will you be playing a role in bettering someone else, youll be bettering yourself as well!


well guys, we hope these tips help you and your journey, send me pictures and any tips you think might be helpful. This begins spring fling week, i hope you enjoy whats in store!

ciao, sal

No Diggity,

FINALLY....the RETURN!!!

airwaves: i'm just a girl - no dizoubt

"im just a girl, living in captivity, your rule of thumb, makes me worrisome...ive had it up to HERE"

(i first heard this song when i was in 5th grade, it was on a Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen movie my mom had got me, i kept rewinding the title scene because my ears were longing for more..ill never forget that moment, i had fallen in love)

I've been excited since i woke up this morning and got the call that my mom was buying my tickets for the No Doubt reunion concert, its PERFECT timing, 2 days before my 21st birthday, so hopefully the birthday week will be a good one this year, even though i only want birthday parties on significant ages 4, 16, 18...i think this year i want it to be a little different, typically i like to tie in my brithday with the fourth of july but this year id like something a little more sophisticated...any ideas? mail me! however there will be NO drinking, but maybe a cigar:) Anyeays im really excited, the concert is June 29th, with Paramore opening up at Blossom, im kindve bummed to have just missed janelle monae by two dates but im sure itll be amazing either way...i cant wait..oh p.s.! be on the lookout for the new spring features that will be debyting in the next few weeks, you'll be really excited to see whats going to happen, who knows, you might just see your face on here! 9 more days til spring yall! bon chic!

ciao, Sal.

a little taste

of the south...way up in the north.

airwaves: today was a good day - ice cube

"I didn't even have to use my AK...I gotta say today was a good day"
(I have to say that IS my favorite line..lol and this song is soooo summertime nights...good lord)

okay so on sunday i got to witness something pretty cool, this group Drumline Live came to perform at EJ Thomas and surprisingly, they were really good. Most of them were from FAMU and Bethune-Cookman UNIVERSITY and it was actually really nice. And very nostalgic. They did a bit of gospel, motown, big band, jazz, BUT the best HAD to be..the HBCU tribute. Having spent three years around three different HBCU's, it was soo nice to experience some of the good things about atlanta at home, and it was literally...a halftime show. i loved it, but its inspired me to get more into the performing arts that go on in the area, i feel like im missing a lot just by not reading the local Creative Loafing and getting into things that are going on, maybe once spring/summer hits, thing'll change, you all obviously see my mindset with current airwaves..im SO ready..just for APRIL to get here..

i really enjoyed my outfit this day lol

even though i was tired and my makeup had diminished...

this was my favorite..he reminds me so much of my sweet band boys
in atl..i miss yall..Shout Out to HOUSE OF FUNK!

ciao, sal

just another

manic monday..(i wish it were sunday..)



airwaves: the beautiful ones - prince "i may not know where im goin baby, i may not know what i need, but one thing, one thing's for certain babe, i know what i want, yeah and if itd PLEASE ya baby PLEASE ya baby..id beg you down on my KNEES cuz i want YOU" (i know thats long but its my favorite part..and this is undoubtedly my favorite song by Prince..its the story of my freakin life..*sigh*)

today is a double feature yo. me and jarie went thrifting yestderday after threee loonnng wweeeekksss, and thank God i wound up only spending twelve dollars on some LOOT. sooo to show you all my own personal taste and the way i roll, i decided to put a few things on Luxey and Vicki so you all could see my own personal taste and how cheap i TRULY am...so, its a pit

stop and a car pool..all in one! enjoy

yes my mannequins have tramp stamps...so what?

Luxe's first look is simple, but i like it, pair it with a pumps, flats, wedges, vans, etc..its a simple safari dress but look how versatile it is, and the collar is white on the bottom, and in the land of us people who shop at Brooks Brothers, a popped collar is STILL a good look.

safari dress - 1.00 Village Discount Outlet
pink belt - 1.00 Value Village (Atlanta, GA)
green necklace-madre's jewelry box

Sisters

This is Luxe's 2nd look, and i looove it. the highwaisted vintage jumper was truly a find
Black Highwaisted skirt jumper - .75 VDO
Blue Blouse - .90 VDO
Pink Belt - .45 VDO

and who doesnt love a racerback?!
the floaty sleeves also have a very feminine effect that i love

Introducing..Victoria Karen

This dress caught me off gaurd, there was this weird covering over it, it really looked like a box with a sheet over it and my first thought was "who the heck would design this?" but i really loved the soft fabric and the flowers so i just opted to take of the covering and do a little construction so it could be a simple tunic with a blousant sleeve... so i took it home to try it on and lo and behold..this is what i saw..

Magnolia print dress - 1.00 VDO
Pink necklace - 2.00 VV

i love an off the shoulder dress, even though this one wasnt made like this
im going to custom it and do as such..
(you know i can never do anything the right way..)

needless to say...i wont be doing anything else to it..
the sheath turned out to be a kind of self belt and
allows the top of the dress to blouse out so it kindve
looks like something else, all in all...i heart it.

This next one i know a lot of you wont understand...and im okay with that. Its DIRECTLY from the seventies and looks like a cross between the partridge family, the brady bunch,...and blacksploitation movies. but i LOVE it, it reminds me of how my mother was and everything that she is now, even though im usually not a fan of halter tops, this dress threw me for a loop, i love the print, i love the structure, and i just plain love it. i cant wait to pick my afro out this summer, load up my arms with bangles, and give you a mean gladiator sandal. ohhh yes.

70s halter dress - 2.00 VDO
green necklace - .60 VDO

i heart heart heart the back of this...and yes, i DO plan on going bra-less
LIBERATE YOURSELVES!!

A partridg in a pear tree.

what an EXCELLENT day...

keep in mind you dont have to like everything i like..i will still love you regardless of your lack of good taste, ha! only kidding lambs..you know my heart belongs to you first and foremost!

come with me ill take you to

paradiiise.

airwaves: Selfish/Georgie Porgie - Toto, Slum Village, and Noelle (mixed by DJ Neil Armstrong)

"Its not that systematic..its just that I'm an addict for your love..."

Sunday afternoons with the gang are typically spent in a restaurant, and this passed sunday we all went to "Cheeseburger in Paradise". I've been fasting for the last 35 days(!) so i decided to take a small break and have a treat. (my best bud manny paid, love you!)

Because it was my first time at the restaurant, i went with the rastaurant classic and had deeelicious cheeseburger.

Instead of beef though I had a turkey burger on wheat, melted swiss, lettuce, tomatoes and carmelized onions.

I'm honestly most easily satisfied by the simple foods in life, and I know this is a random smidgen of a post but, that turkey burger STILL has me day dreaming and my mouth watering over it two days later....yuuuummmm

above:my delicious sunday dinner

below: young monica and i

this last one says it all

Ciao, sal.

It takes a Village...

to dress a child.

I shun therapy

airwaves: mad decent radio #6:new orleans aint dead...its just walkin with a limp - DJ Diplo
"New orleans is home of bounce n booty music"

Carmella has told me I need to come to Shopaholics Anonymous but I don't think that will ever happen. I take pride in my ability to know when to say when...which is usually when the money runs out.

I can't help it, I don't necessarily enjoy spending my own money, but I love shopping. But only for two things in particular. The first is make-up, I typically know exactly what I'm looking for when dealing with Sephora and MAC so its an easy in and out operation. But the second is, you guessed it. Clothes. I love clothes, I feel like I can never have enough and what's interesting is I don't buy what I don't think I'd wear a year from now. I'm not particularly a mall shopper when it comes to clothes so its not like I'm dropping hundreds weekly. Oh no, there is a little place I like to go called the Village Discount Outlet aka the Nifty Thrifty. What do you mean you've never been there? It's Akron's PREMIERE thrift shop. And by far THEE best place for clothes, and it's where 90% of my wardrobe has come from. Don't believe me? Just ask Jaron:

who I go with every monday for 50 cent off day. Its our time for catching up, bonding, and comparing and contrasting our finds, we never spend more the $20. Some times we come out laden with loot, and sometimes we don't, but either way, its our favorite place to go shop, I've found everything from Ralph Lauren to Dior to Yves Saint Laurent and Moschino. A lot of times people don't even realize what they're getting rid of...and for the sake of my budding wardrobe I hope that they don't. A lot of my items are often lesser known labels or retired ones from the 60s and 70s that don't exist anymore. Anyway, next time you drive by one, don't be afraid to take a peek, there's no shame in shopping at the thrift people! Check it out and let me know some of your finds, send it to ridesallyrideblog@gmail.com, you never know, it might be featured on the blog one day!

i always get good loot for under 15 bucks,

this monday wasnt particularly good but hey,

you cant have everything.

ciao, sal.