Tip of the Day: Bring it all Together

The Belt: I had been looking for a black belt I could cinch around several shirts (not all at once), but these universal, stretchy belts are very hard to find.  When I stumbled on this beauty (see pics below), I was so excited, I almost didn't buy anything else (never fear--I came to my senses).

Black Top: So the belt came months after the black ruffled top.  The poor shirt--it had been sitting in my closet for well over 30 days, never getting any use.  It was one of those quick grabs where I thought, "Yeah, it's too big and needs a belt, but it's cute enough."  It was worth the wait.

The earrings:  Ah, the earrings.  I use these babies for lots of things--my ears (um, of course), my heels (yup--just clip 'em right on top), and my shirt (as a brooch).

The White Capris:  go with nearly every single top I own and have surprisingly stayed clean.  Maybe wearing long shirts helps protect them.

All together, you have one fun little outfit. The point is, not everything you buy will immediately be put to use.  As you gather, though, you'll be able to couple things you never knew could look good all at once.  So bring it all together!

Tip of the Day: Negotiate

Oh, yes, you can.  If something is cracked, broken, torn, whatever, don't pay the thrift store price--ask for a discount!  Chances are, they'll knock off a dollar or two, and if you're willing to fix it, you've made a good deal.

Pictured below is a dress that was too big and then I took it in.  Most things are fixable.

Tip of the Day: Half Price Day

So, what could be better than thrift store prices?  How about half-price thrift price?  You got it--many thrift lines will have "half off" days once a month, and you'd better believe there are some smokin' hot deals.  Only yesterday for example, I found two different two-piece suits that were normally $13 each.  Got both for the price of one (I'll post pics--they're so awesome).

In Ohio, it's Volunteers of America every last Tuesday of the month, and Ohio Thrift every last Wednesday (though Ohio Thrift only offers certain types of merchandise as part of the deal).  Who knew you could bargain hunt at a bargain store?

Tip of the Day: Learn a Skill

I cut my toddler's hair last week.  No, I don't know what I'm doing.  Yes, I really thought I'd give it a go after reading an old hair cutting book I got a the thrift store.  No, I don't think that's abusive.  Yes, she will be just fine after a few practice runs.  Why are you asking all these questions?

Seriously, though, I found that there are so many funky things at thrift stores, not the least of which are "how-to" books.  Aside from cutting hair (I cut Brock's, too), I'm learning to build a doll-house (current project), turn an old window panel into a picture frame, and fix my plumbing (okay, well, not really.  Brock is learning that one, and yes, he did get that book from the thrift store.  It's his "bathroom book."  Very appropriate).

Summer time is project time, and believe it or not, the thrift store meets all (well, probably some) of your how-to needs.

Tip of the Day: Make a Map

So we've been into garage sales lately.  Every Saturday, we'll get up, search out local garage sales on craigslist, and then make a route using Google maps.  We usually knock out 8-10 sales in 3 hours.  Here's a list of some things we found yesterday:

Banana Republic Slacks--2 pair, $1 each
Brown Coat/Vest (sleeves unzip)-$3
Bike Trailer--$25 (so excited about that one)
Jewelry (necklaces and earrings--seriously cute)-25 cents each
Pink Steve Madden Boots --$1
Girls' Tops--50 cents each
Pink Sonoma Sweater--$2
Eddie Bauer Leather Satchel-$5

The list really goes on.  It's been our most fun family Saturday activity yet.  So off you go--time to hit the big sales . . .

Tip of the Day: Target Works, Too

I love thrift stores, and for me, it's the adventure of the whole thing.  You never know if you'll find a worn out T that's nasty and stained or an Anthropologie shirt in perfect condition.  So I'll never quit shopping at discount stores.

However, I have to put in a plug for Target (my other favorite store).  They have pretty cute stuff for pretty decent prices, but their clearance racks are what draw me in.  I posted a pic below of my 6 month old little girl in a shirt I bought for $1.  That's the same price as the Goodwill, and let's face it, if it's between new and not new, I'll take new.

So go to your favorite store, and head right for clearance.  You'd be surprised.

Tip of the Day: Try the "Ugly Dress"

I went to the Goodwill yesterday with my husband and two daughters.  My daughters made it difficult, of course, and while I was looking at dresses, my two-year-old kept hiding behind the clothes and telling me (loudly) to "find her."  It kept her somewhat occupied, so of course, I let her, but I knew I only had 3-4 minutes of happy-child time so I grabbed blindly at anything my size and remotely from the same decade.

I shuffled my daughter into the dressing room with my 3 dresses (I was pretty doubtful about all of them) and did the Clark Kent/Superman switch (even he would have been impressed by my lightening quickness).  Somehow, I managed to pick 3 oldies but goodies.  They were awesome!  Perfect fits (except one, and it was worth it to me to buy, since I could easily take it in).  The lesson today, then, is to try even the "ugly" item.  I never would have thought the baby-blue, kinda longish dress would have fit so perfectly.

Tip of the Day: Thrifting Can be Elegant

I remember going to the thrift store with my mom and feeling a little embarrassed.  I mean, you are shopping through other people's hand-me-downs, stuff they cast off because they had something better.  I always felt it was a place for "poor people" (which, I'm not sure why I thought I was wealthy . . . ).

I'm glad I've seen the Light, so to speak.  I love finding treasures and then coupling them with other treasures to create a truly elegant ensemble.  I don't think you have to look like you're wearing hand-me-downs.  So find some classy stuff and start showing it off!

Tip of the Day: Look for New Openings

My friend Amy invited me to go to a new Goodwill store that just opened in the Dublin area.  I hadn't even heard about it, and that was a mistake.  One advantage to technology these days is you don't have to wait to see the sign on the store before you know it's in business.  Check online.

That's my goal for the next trip--check for new stores and new openings.  Not only will the stores seem nicer since they'll have been freshly painted, but they'll have lots of newly donated items--first pickings, if you will.  So hunt online to target your thrifting experience.

Tip of the Day: Check Behind the Counter

I posted a picture below of some Sofft brand heels I bought at the Goodwill for $8 (normally run $50-$110), and I found them in a place I rarely look: behind the counter.  I've never really paid attention to that section of the Goodwill store because most items there are "pricey" (meaning more than $4).  However, if those items are sitting behind the counter or on shelves behind the register, it's because they're usually a really durable brand or a cool antique, and it's worth at least checking out.  I know I'm going to from now on--my heels have been great!

Tip of the Day: Business Attire

So, I stay home with my two daughters.  I love it.  I also rarely (okay, never) have to wear business clothes.

I was at the Goodwill (by myself . . . oh, it was glorious), and I walked past the dress pants.  I thought, "Yeah, moving right along . . ."  But I stopped.  Because, dang, those pants were cute.  I grabbed a few pairs and thought, "Why not?"  And am I glad I did, because they fit so well!  Who knew that dress pants were made to flatter you--to smooth curves and flatten stomachs?  I mean, they're like the universal pant!  So I bought a pair, and who knows if I'll have an important meeting to wear them to.  Maybe that doesn't matter.  I hope if anything these tips help us all remember that dressing up is mostly for ourselves--it feels good!

As for those pants, maybe I'll just slip them on to have pretend tea with my two-year-old.

Tip of the Day: Go Alone

I enjoy shopping with friends, I don't enjoy shopping with my children, and I love shopping alone.

Why alone?

I think it's the efficiency.  When you're with friends, the experience is sometimes more fun, but you can't look through nearly the amount of items you could shopping by yourself.  My husband has been studying late the last few nights, so I put the girls to bed, gave him a quick kiss, and out the door I went for some alone time with the Goodwill.  Oh, how I loved it.

So, shop with friends when you can, of course, but when you get a night alone, turn your phone off and go to town!

Tip of the Day: I Stand Corrected

I posted once that I don't shop at Volunteers of America for myself because they don't categorize items according to size (yeah, what a pain, right?).  It's still true, and it's still a pain, but I found that it wasn't the horrible experience I imagined to find things I could wear.  In fact, I had a great experience Saturday night where I bought Sofft pumps for $8 (these run from $50-$110+ new), Express slacks, and an array of cute tops for $3 each or less.  Seriously a great night at the thrift store.

So the lesson is to eat your words if necessary.  It's possible to shop at stores that categorize by color rather than size--it just takes a little work.