Welcome back to another 'Thrift with Me' adventure. The air is getting crisp, the pumpkin spice is brewing, and you know what that means: it's time for a major fall closet refresh.

This season, I'm channeling all my favorite Pinterest boards. You know the ones—cozy knits, rich earthy tones, and that effortlessly chic, layered look. I've got my coffee, my reusable tote, and my mood board saved on my phone. Let's do this!

The Vision: Pinterest-Inspired Fall
My goal today is to find pieces that fit three main aesthetics that have been dominating my feed:

The Dark Academia/Preppy Vibe: Think plaid skirts, cable-knit sweaters, tweed blazers, and loafers. I'm hoping to find a good quality wool or tweed piece that feels timeless.

The Coastal Grandmother-Meets-Cozy-Cottagecore: This is all about neutral tones, linen trousers, oversized cardigans, and chunky scarves. I'm on the hunt for a cream or beige knit that feels like a warm hug.

The '90s Supermodel: This is a bit edgier—leather jackets, simple turtlenecks, and straight-leg denim. My dream is to find a vintage leather jacket that's perfectly broken in.

The Thrifting Hunt
I hit up my favorite local thrift store and started in the blazer section. I found a few gems: a herringbone blazer that would be perfect with jeans, and a deep maroon one that gives off major Dark Academia vibes. I put them in my cart, but didn't commit. My main goal was still ahead.

Next, I spent a good 20 minutes in the sweater aisle. No luck on a cream cable-knit, but I did find a gorgeous olive green grandpa cardigan that I immediately knew would be perfect over a simple white tee. Into the cart it goes!

I was starting to lose hope for my main mission—I'd been to three different thrift stores this month looking for it. The perfect "dream jacket" felt like a mythical creature.

The Moment I Found My Dream Jacket!
Just as I was about to check out, I decided to do one last walk-through of the coat section. Tucked away on a rack next to a bunch of oversized denim jackets, I saw it.

It was a perfectly distressed, vintage brown leather jacket. Not black, not burgundy—a rich, chocolatey brown that just screams '90s supermodel. It had a slightly oversized fit, perfect for layering a chunky sweater underneath. The leather was soft, supple, and had that beautiful patina that only time can create. It was everything I had been searching for.

I tried it on, and it fit like a glove. The way the shoulders sat, the slightly cropped length that hit right at my waist—it was a true a fairytale moment. I looked at the price tag, and it was a fraction of what I would have paid for a similar jacket new. It felt like I had won the lottery.

Final Haul and Styling Thoughts
I ended up leaving with my beautiful new leather jacket, the olive green cardigan, and a pair of perfectly broken-in Levi's that were a bit baggy for that effortless look.

I'm already dreaming up outfits with this jacket:

Over a simple black turtleneck with straight-leg jeans and heeled boots for a classic look.

Paired with a flowy floral midi dress and boots to toughen it up a bit.

Layered over my new grandpa cardigan for a cozy, layered feel.

This was one of those thrifting days you live for. The patience finally paid off, and I found a piece that I know will be a staple in my fall wardrobe for years to come.