Bringing the Outdoors to Cozy & Rych - Cottagecore Style (Shop Update & A Sale!)

 

I haven't done a dedicated shop update in a while, and it felt like time because...there's a lot of new.

Cozy & Rych was built on the concept of hygge, and that has a very specific and recognizable vibe in winter. It's very...oversized sweaters and wooly socks and books by candlelight and cups of tea next to a fireplace. Hygge isn't limited to the cold weather months, but it changes through the seasons and takes on a distinctive cottagecore vibe in the spring and summer.

I'm sure I don't have to explain cottagecore to you (is it actually "cottagecore" or is it "cottage core"? I'm never quite sure). But juuuust in case you aren't familiar - here's what Wikipedia has to say about it.

Cottagecore is an internet aesthetic popularised [sic] by adolescents and young adults celebrating an idealized rural life. Traditionally based on a rural English and European life, it was developed throughout the 2010s and was first named cottagecore on Tumblr in 2018.The aesthetic centres [sic] on traditional rural clothing, interior design, and crafts such as drawing, baking, and pottery, and is related to similar aesthetic movements such as grandmacore, farmcore, goblincore, and fairycore.

Some sources describe cottagecore as a subculture of Millennials and Generation Z. Economic forces and other challenges facing these young people may be a significant driver of this trend, along with these generations' emphasis on sustainability, and the recent trend to work from home (initially during the COVID-19 pandemic). (source)

 

Okay, so, first...Wikipedia seems to think it's "cottagecore". Noted.

And side note: I just discovered goblin core while doing research for these new shop pieces and I'm not sure it's 100% accurately named because just hearing it makes me want to giggle, but it's actually very naturally inspired and closely related to cottagecore. But, I'll let you read about that yourself since that's not the point, here. 

Annnyway.

In the same way trends come around again in clothing, it totally happens in home decor and hobbies and everything else that makes up life. Cottagecore feels a bit like that to me. It pulls in aspects of the whole Shabby Chic and Granny Chic vibes of the 90's and 2000's. When we first bought this house (13 years ago), I jumped into it with Shabby Chic visions. I wanted to take our sweet little acre and turn it into a micro-farm. Everything was florals and doilies and intentionally worn shades of teal and yellow. I had a moment of desperately wanting chickens.

And then I moved away from it. Not sure why...just, life took us that way.

Now this whole..."life aesthetic" thing is happening (thanks, internet and curated Instagram accounts), and while I've never been very good at subscribing to one thing, I've been very drawn to the cottagecore lifestyle. It conjures up memories of the simpler Shabby Chic days - of thrift shopping and crafting my way through making this house a home. But even more appealing (thanks, Pandemic) - I'm obsessed with all these adorable little cottages tucked into the woods and flowering fields and secluded nooks and crannies of nature. The slow, old fashioned baking and sewing and letter writing their inhabitants indulge in. The quiet moments they spend among flowers and trees.

And all of that found its way into Cozy & Rych's new pieces.

Can I introduce you to a few? These are my favorites!

Lilac Enthusiast Tee - 7 Colors

Pink & Purple Botanical Guide Tee - 6 Colors

Cottagecore Butterfly Tee - 8 Colors

Cottagecore Mushroom Tee - 7 Colors

Thrifting Era Floral Tee - 6 Colors

Custom Birth Flower Garden Tee - 7 Colors

Custom Name Hydrangea Mug

When I look at the shop these days, I'm so thrilled with the natural-cottagey feel of all the pieces gathered there. It's still a work in progress - but it's shifting in a way that feels fresh and good and true to the things that add joy to my daily life. 

I love it. :)

I want to share the love a bit with you, so two things: I discounted the shop more deeply this week, AND...I'm giving blog readers a coupon for even more savings. By using THIS link to shop (or typing in code COTTAGECOREBLOG, you'll get 20% off the whole shop this weekend! This extra deal ends Sunday, which is also my Mother's Day ordering deadline so it's perfect timing :)

Meanwhile - the shop isn't the only thing shifting a bit more towards cottagecore. I'm not fully subscribing (my ADHD isn't all about that), but I'm embracing more of it - in life, in my blog, in my style and hobbies. If you're sticking around, you'll see more and more of it around here!

Do you like the cottagecore vibe? :)

17 Pro Thrifting Tips from a Thrifting Enthusiast (Tip #11 Has Saved Me the Most!)

Thrift shopping has been one of my absolute favorite things to do lately.

Word has gotten out, and friends and family have been asking me how I keep finding such adorable things at such great deals, and I love sharing my tips with them. Not only because I love talking about thifting to anyone who will listen for 5 seconds (ha), but because it's such a good environmental practice that can really unleash your own creative, personal style! 

So...I'm gonna share my pro tips with you, too.

The key to a perfect thrifting trip starts before you even leave the house. The first seven things on my list need to happen without even stepping foot in a thrift store, but they're essential!

You need:

1. A plan for where to go.

You want to look for stores located in affluent neighborhoods to score the best stuff, and aim to shop on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning. Any weekday morning will do, but those will be the days with the best fresh goodies and the least amount of crowds. I usually run into sweet old ladies or other thrift-addicted women my age at that time, and they're always putting out new stuff!

2. A try-on friendly outfit.

Usually with a layer you can take off if you get warm in the store. Don't wear a romper - if you find shorts or skirts, you'll need to have a shirt on! And vice versa. Some stores don't even have dressing rooms and just have a mirror, so I know some thrifters that wear bike shorts and a tight cami under their outfit so they can just strip and try things on in any old aisle!

3. A tote bag (or 2 or 3).

Most stores don't have anything for you to carry your treasures out with.

4. Water and a snack.

I never thrift without my full Stanley and a Cliff bar or peanut butter filled pretzels. You need protein to hit all the racks!!!

5. A hair tie or scrunchie.

Or just dive in with your hair already up, but make sure you have something to get it out of the way so you can get serious!

6. A tape measure.

If you're interested in furniture or art that needs to fit a certain space.

7. A list of what you want or hope to find.

If you're just diving in casually for fun, cool. But if you want to go often, it's helpful to know what you might like to find. Otherwise, the options can be overwhelmingly endless!

Okay so, you're all prepped and ready to go. If you follow those 7 things, you're already going to have an amazing trip to thrift heaven, but there's some other tips and tricks you should stick in your back pocket! These are the ones that will help you save the most money and collect the most amazing finds!

8. Take a picture of the 50% off and $.99 sale tags on your way in.

Every store and every week will be different, and you'll need to remind yourself which colors are which over and over again. Total strangers will ask you, too. They will have signs either taped to the doors, behind the registers, or usually a big standing sign right on your way in. Just take a quick pic - then you can double-check in seconds, and also keep your eyes peeled for that $.99 color!

9. Start with home and housewares so you have somewhere to put them.

If you're anything like me, your cart will become filled with an absolute mountain of clothes by the time you're ready for the fitting room, and if you dive into the clothes first, you'll have no where to put your adorable home finds! Trust me on this one. Exhibit A to the right (shame face).

10. The Salvation Army gets Zara's cast offs.

I'm not sure if it's every single Sal Val or just the ones in my area, but they have so much! They get their overstock, returns, and damaged pieces. When they first started carrying them, they were fairly pricey for a thrift store, but they've since come down. They were 5 pieces for $20 recently and this week they were 10 for $20!! 

11. BTW, Salvation Army is cheaper than Goodwill is cheaper than Savers.

Pass it on.

12. Crouch down and check low shelves.

I've found the best stuff there! Lots of people never bother to look below eye level, and I think sometimes people try to stash things there, too.

13. Search outside of your expected sections.

I find amazing things in the men's section all the time that I end up keeping for myself (like oversized cozy sweaters and hoodies, t-shirts with funny things on them that I wear to bed or for housework). Don't limit yourself in size, either. Sometimes you'll find something super cool in amazing shape, but then put it back because it's too big. But a lot of times, the whole reason that really nice piece got donated is because it shrunk. I've found so many pre-shrunken pieces that should technically be too big for me! Once, I even found a pair of Lilly Pulitzer shorts that were 2 sizes too big - but upon further inspection, they'd been altered down to my size! And they were only $4!!!

14. Always try stuff on.

Partially because of what I just said in the last tip - things don't always fit or lie on your body the way you expect them too, and the sizing of seemingly endless brands of clothing in endless stages of use will give you really inconsistent fits. You often can't return thrift store finds, so don't get stuck with things that don't look right when you think they will. Try them on!!

15. Think outside the box.

Vintage sheets and curtains make great tablecloths. Men's oversized tees make great pj's and painting or home renovation outfits. Mugs can be vases or planters. Old vases make great gifts when you fill them with a bouquet and pass them on. Frames can be painted and their art can be swapped out. Baskets and shelves can be spray painted so easily to fit your decor. If you can sew, you can turn an awkward piece of clothing into something amazing. You could even distress, chop up, bedazzle, or tie dye literally anything you find. I once made hanging plant hangers out of old t-shirts. Look at everything with a creative eye!

16. Shop off season.

Look at the sweaters in spring and summer, and the tanks and shorts in winter and fall. People are more likely to let those things go and donate them at a time when they won't need them. And the store is more likely to discount them off-season.

17. Listen for the super rattley carts.

This is usually the sound of new items coming out from the back! If you get to the stores right at opening or shortly after, you might hear it quite a bit! I've found some reeeeally good things from overflowing carts and wardrobe racks that were just about to hit the floor. This is your way of truly getting first dibs!

Okay, phew, it's a lot, but now you're ready!

I'm low key....no, high-key obsessed with thrift hauls, so if you use my tips and find some amazing goodies, be sure to share them with me! 

Happy hunting!! xo

Pin these tips for later:

My High-End Luxury Brand Spring & Summer Thrift Haul from ThredUp!

Hey, lovelies! How's spring treating ya? (Three cheers for spring!)

The sunshine and flowers are switching my style vibes drastically lately, and I wanted to show you some of the amazing spring & summer deals I recently scored from ThredUp. As someone who loves to sprinkle high-end designer brands into my closet but is on a realistic budget, I'm always on the lookout for great deals. (Thrifting era what?) This was suuuch a good haul. I'm obsessed!

Before I dive in, a note:

Don't let the higher-than-thrift-and-consignement-stores pricing make you shy about checking out ThredUp. Despite the fact that you won't always find a mint condition Lilly Pulitzer or Kate Spade for only a few dollars vs going to a Sal Val, everything on their site is a seriously good deal and worth the few extra dollars because it's all so good!

Not only that, it's so much easier and faster to sort through their site by brand, price, condition, style - you name it. I adore shifting hangers at thrift stores to find secondhand treasures, and I'm not at all being paid to say this (truly!), but when you want something specific, you want it to be nice, and you want it for a deal - ThredUp is a seriously good option. It's a totally online thrift shop focused on name brand fashion and accessories for a fraction of the price. And it just shows up at your house! (Cheers for that, too!)

Okay, on with the finds!

First up, I found this amaaazing silk Lilly Pulitzer tank! It's so soft, light and flowy, it'll be perfect for super hot summer days. I paid $15 for this, and while I struggled to find an exact match, it would retail for anywhere between $40-100 new! This would never see the inside of my closet if I didn't find it secondhand!

These were not meant to go together, but I was searching for some non-denim shorts and noticed that the blue of this JCrew pair would go really well with the blue in that Lilly tank. They're super comfy (like a linen/cotton blend maybe?), and they were only $6.60! And there's one full outfit ready to go already!!

Next, I snagged this navy Vineyard Vines pullover for $11.55! I found this one still listed on their site for $98! What is that...like, 88% off? Yes, please! It's also way prettier and nicer in person - it was so hard to get it photo well! There's also no faded spot in the middle - that was a weird lens flare on my camera. :)

Next is another Lilly tank - this one from their athletic line. The blue on this one also works with those JCrew shorts, but it'll work with any kind of athletic bottoms, too. I paid $18.20 for this one, and it would likely be in the $40-80 range new. My only hang up: it says something about ponies and tennis but I didn't notice because the type was so small online. Oops! I don't do anything with ponies nor tennis...but, oh well...if it was too small to see online, it'll be too small to see in person, too, right? haha

This Vineyard Vines skirt seemed like it would be comfy (it is!) and work with several neutrals, so I scooped it up. It was only $8.40!

Speaking of comfy, I adore these Vineyard Vines striped Navy shorts! They are soo soft and fit so well. I paid $12 for them, and they're worth every penny! I love their coastal preppy vibe and I can't wait to style them this summer!

Next is a super versatile pair of chambray shorts from JCrew. They seem like a staple piece, but I didn't have a single pair. At only $7.70, they were perfect for filling that gap in my wardrobe!

I got another pair of Vineyard Vines shorts - this one in a pale green for only $7.60! Such a bright summery color that will work with a lot! Maybe even the silk Lilly tank?

Last but not least, I grabbed this ultra soft and cozy oversized tie dye tee from American Eagle. I'll probably wear it as pj's over the summer (I found a pair of pajama shorts that are tie dyed in these exact colors even though they're from another brand!), but it would be cute with denim shorts, too! It was $7.70.

So cute, right?

I've already worn the Vineyard Vines pullover and adore it. The rest is waiting for the warm weather to show up (it actually kind of is today?? But that won't be sticking around...this is Buffalo, after all).

Anyway, this was so much fun to put together. The pieces even came nicely folded and wrapped and barely even seemed secondhand! (Kudos to ThredUp on their packaging presentation!) 

See how amazing shopping secondhand can be??

Shopping secondhand not only allows you to build a wardrobe with nice high-end clothes on a budget, but it's also a sustainable option. Plus, you never know what amazing treasures you'll find! You get that sweet, sweet dopamine when you hunt for the goodies hiding in a sea of thrift donations.

So, dude - hack the system. Wear the nice things without anyone knowing someone owned them before you did! ("Nobody's gonna know, how would they know?" Is that tiktok sound ingrained in your brain forever, too? Yeah, thought so.)

If you want to give ThredUp a try, you can use my link right there and get $10 off your first order! (Not sponsored, just the regular referral link all users have!!) It's worth it - so, so fun!

Before you go, tell me which one of my finds is your favorite!! 

Happy Thrifting! xo

Bella Chic Spring 2023 Haul!

Remember that huge consignment sale I got to check out last week?

I know most people were hunting down the amazingly priced baby gear and filling their little ones' closets in the most adorable, affordable way possible. But ya girl was after all the discounted high-end goodness in the Bella Chic sale.

Times have certainly changed...I used to be the other kind of Bella Kids shopper.

Anyway, I'm still so amped over the pieces I was able to find! Let me show you this goodness 😍

First up is a lot of three Vineyard Vines Tees.

These are so soft and versatile for casual outfits in the spring and summer! If you get these brand new from Vineyard Vines, they're $45 a piece! You can get them cheaper at their outlets, though (somewhere in the range of $23-26) and that's where I've gotten mine before. Even so - this lot of three cost less than one at the outlet! And Vineyard Vines holds up well. It's a great brand to buy second-hand!

Retail Value: $135 ($45 each)   |   My Price: $22.50 ($7.50 each)
Total So Far: $22.50 for 3 pieces

I went into this sale hunting for Lilly, Vineyard Vines, JCrew, Lululemon, and a few others (all of which they had!) but didn't have sneakers on my radar. That changed pretty quickly, though.

I've been saying I want a pair of fully pink sneakers for a while now (never mind that I already have a pair, or that when I said that I meant I wanted a more athletic running sneaker...this is my rationalization, after all - haha). These are just the cutest shade of pink, and at this price I couldn't pass them up!

Retail Value: $60   |   My Price: $9.50
Total so far: $32 for 4 pieces

Next up was another unexpected piece, but I spotted the little pink gingham detail in the side seam (can you spot it?) when I was browsing and was intrigued. It's a little big for me, but I think worn open or with the right outfit, this is going to be a perfect staple for summer as I lean towards that preppy coastal granddaughter vibe! And as a Vineyard Vines piece, it holds up!

Retail Value: $78   |    My Price: $7.50

Total so far: $39.50 for 5 pieces

These shorts were one of the first things in my hands at the preview event last week - how could they not be?! I've been hunting for some scalloped-edge shorts (actually had several JCrew pair in my ThreadUp cart recently but they all got scooped up before I made up my mind). To find them in a pretty easy to style Lilly print in immaculate condition for a super-fair price? Such a win.

At checkout, the cashier commented that she couldn't believe they weren't the first things to go! That was because I was one of those sneaky influencers that had it stashed away for opening night ;) 

Retail Value: $70   |   My Price: $24

Total so far: $63.50 for 6 pieces

At the preview night, I reserved 7 things. Three of which were for my sister, and the other four were pieces here on this post. These sneakers below weren't one of the four, but they almost were. I'd made the smart decision that I already owned too many sneakers and really didn't need more.

Except that they were my exact size. And a really great brand. And that never happens.

So they were the item I thought about while I waited for opening night. Did I jog right over to them when I got there and immediately toss them in my bag? Yep. Did I realize later that they kind of sort of resemble bowling shoes? Yep. But they were almost 90% off their retail price so...worth it. They'll go with so much!

Retail Value: $100-125?   |   I Paid: $18.50
Total so far: $82 for 7 pieces

And then...*sigh*...the Lilly dress.

This was the very first item off the rack and in my hands at preview night. She. is. perfect. All the way down to the white lining inside. There's not a flaw to be found! This was so mint, it might as well have had the tags on it. 

What are the chances that she is also my size?? I was so, so lucky with this beauty. She's my first Lilly dress! I have shirts and shorts and tanks, but until now, no dresses. Yay!

Retail Value: $109   |   My Price: $35
Total so far: $117 for 8 pieces

Okay, so...let's math it for a second.

My total came to $117 for these eight pieces, which is about $14.62 a piece. For high-end brands like these...that's amazing.

Especially considering their retail value is more than $552! 😳

But - I had a $25 Gift card. So I actually only had to pay $92, making them $11.50 each. Aka, 83% off!

Um, yes please!

As my taste has evolved over the years, this is how I find ways to upgrade my closet and fill it with things I'd never otherwise get my hands on! Shopping at outlets, thrift stores, consignment sales, online thrift stops - I find a lot of really special goodies for pennies on the dollar, and it's SO much fun. (Not to mention environmentally friendly!)

I plan to share so much more of this with you on the blog!

AND - Buffalo friends, don't miss the next Bella Chic/Bella kids sale! It's in August: just in time for back to school and stocking up on those cold weather cozies! It's happening 8/25-8/27 and if they stick to their current location, I just might consign with them again! 

Did you make it to this sale?? If you did, show me your best finds!

Bella Chic & Bella Kids Spring Sale Preview!

I am for sure in my thrifting era right now, and last night I got to do something so cool.

I don't know what luck snagged me an invitation to a preview night of the spring Bella Kids & Bella Chic Consignment sale, but it happened, and I'm beyond thrilled that it did. It was such a cool night!

If you're not familiar with Bella kids or Bella Chic, allow me to introduce you to a seriously fun shopping experience! Those of us in the Buffalo area get the absolute joy of attending these huge sales to hunt for exciting secondhand finds while saving all kinds of money. When my boys were little, I used to go to Bella Kids sales all the time to stock up on affordable brand name clothes, toys, and baby gear. I was able to get so much for them at such great prices!

Now that they're bigger, I'm not hunting for as much for them (I'm still after some track pants and hoodies for them, though, because I feel like we can never have enough). Lucky for me, Bella Kids branched off to include Bella Chic for women. So now there's a little brand name (mostly luxury brands) resale women's boutique right there in the big Bella Kids sale! That's what I studied the most last night, naturally. ;)

First of all, don't underestimate the scope of this sale. It's absolutely, incredibly, shockingly massive. There are an actual department store's worth of retail goods in this sale space. You can get a much better view of this on my Instagram stories - I seriously couldn't get over how huge this sale is shaping up to be compared to the years prior! There is something (many somethings) for legitimately everyone!

While I combed through the Bella Chic area of the sale, I came across Lilly Pulitzer, Vineyard Vines,Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Draper James, Lululemon, Adidas, and so much more! All at more than fair prices. And by filling your closet with these environmentally friendly second-love pieces, you're supporting the local families who consign at these sales! Super cool, and it makes me feel better about my tendency to scoop up a little too much (lol).

As a perk for the event, I was allowed to set aside 10 pieces to come back for and pick up during their VIP day on Thursday. I didn't have time to find all 10, but I did grab some *amazing* Lilly Pulitzer & Vineyard Vines goodies that I am so excited to go back for tomorrow! When I brought them to the counter to be reserved, I was told that several team members had their eye on the Lilly dress I'd picked, and if I didn't come back for it, one of them was sure to give a good home. Sorry team, but I WILL be back for it. haha (Do you SEE that gorgeousness?! Wait til I show you it all up close tomorrow!!! Also: did I mean to shop in Bella Kids' color scheme? I did not, but clearly I was on their wavelength 😂)

As I mentioned, I didn't have time to look at absolutely everything, but I spied some seriously great things! I'm kinda hoping some of the things I couldn't make up my mind about will still be there tomorrow....eek! It's so hard when you find something and know there aren't doubles and triples waiting for you - as a thrifter, you have to scoop up those finds when you find them or you may never come across them again!!!

One thing I did notice, though, were these very full racks of seriously amazing purse deals. A couple that stuck in my brain: a super cute neutral Kate Spade Crossbody that was only $16 (sixteen dollars!!!!!) and a really great full-size Michael Kors in a versatile tan leather (or leather-ish material) for $25. There was also a really cute pair of Michal Kors casual sneakers that are my exact size and I talked myself out of reserving because I have a sneaker problem as it is (oops) but if they're still there tomorrow......fate, right? ;)

I am obviously very attracted to the women's side of things (what, with my rabid thrifting obsession and my household of messy teenage boys that don't know navy from black), but it would be a serious disservice to not point out some of the kids goodies for those of you that still get to have fun shopping for adorable little ones! I'm so sorry I didn't take more pictures of those things for you (I will tomorrow ahead of the public sale, I swear)...but there are racks and racks (and racks and racks and racks) of clothing for boys and girls from preemie right on through teens. My eyes landed on the boys clothing in sizes 16 & 18 and I got a little thrill realizing I could find some deals for my picky, growing-like-a-weed teenager. He is SO hard to shop for, so I love that despite Bella Kids being known for their goodies for the itty bitty kiddos, they even have pieces for my big guys!

Not to mention - toys? So many toys. So, so, so many toys. Plus bike helmets, life vests, bikes, trikes, wagons, more baby gear than you can even imagine! ALSO: there's an extra surprise announcement about something incredible that they're offering at this sale that will be shared sometime tonight! You won't want to miss it - it's the kind of deal I would have lined up for as a new mom! (Follow them on Instagram HERE and HERE!)

Oh, and while we're here, let me show you just a tiny snippet of some of the adorable things I did manage to grab a picture of:

You guys know with my Matilda Jane history and lack of girls in my household, I'm always drawn to the adorable girls' things! And um, yes...there's even Lilly for the littles! At the front of each rack of clothes is a boutique/boogie section so if you want only high-end brand names, you know where to go! 

I'm not sure why you wouldn't add this sale to your calendar this weekend at this point....??? lol ;)

I know, I've given you A LOT here, but before I go I just want to give a little special thank you to the ladies that put on last night's event to share this awesome sale with us! They were not only super sweet and great to chat with, they introduced us to some great local businesses by gifting us goodies!

Jo's Event Carts was there with their DIY floral bouquet cart, which was so adorable and so much fun to do! I've loved putting little bouquets together with grocery store flowers so this was totally up my alley and I was so excited to take home my own bouquet!

 


Eat Joe Cupcake was there with *amazing* cupcakes - I went for the chocolate peanut butter one, but I heard good things about all of them! So, so good.

And when we left, we got an awesome goodie bag from Oh Goodie Bags! There was a lot of awesome in here...love all the local businesses represented!!

We had a great time! It was so good to see how much this sale has grown, meet some really awesome women entrepreneurs, and you know...get a head start on the shopping ;)

Here are all the details so you can check it out this weekend!