Yard Sales or Treasure Hunts?

My sweet friend Christy Ann emailed me recently to brag on her amazing yard sale finds! She sent a photo of some of the items – but couldn’t fit them all in one photo! She spent $17 and these are just some of the things she got:

• Electronic Taboo board game
• 1980s Trivial Pursuit game
• Large brass key with fish on it (might hang with new aquarium)
• 6 Oneida silverware
• 3 Royal Velvet never-used hand towels
• 4 Assorted small glass bottles
• 1 Spring blossoms small Pyrex baking dish in perfect condition
• 2 tennis balls for dog Rory – free!
• Hallmark singing Christmas decoration
• Large hardcover dog book
• 4 Reams of ribbon
• 3 Talbots shirts – NEW!
• 1 Sterilite storage container – new
• (not pictured) 4 Rolls of new Hallmark wrapping paper
• (not pictured) New lacrosse stick (for school)
• (not pictured.) Small bag of paperclips, stapler, staples, tape (for school)
• (not pictured) Medium wooden mirror

This is a great example of all the wonderful things you can get at yard sales. This is a wonderful Saturday morning activity to share with family or friends. People are always getting rid of things – for various reasons – and, their trash can be your treasure! 

Here are a few tips for how to score big at yard sales: 

1. Check your local newspaper and any online sources (Craigslist, community bulletin boards, etc.) for yard sale listings. Many people advertise the week before the sales will occur. If you plan to go to more than one sale, plan out a route that makes the most sense based on where you live, where the sales are, and the times listed in the advertisements. Make a list of items you might be interested in seeing at each sale – that way, you don’t miss anything!
2. Remember that times are not set in stone! Serious yard salers show up EARLY, so, if a sale is listed as starting at 8 am, serious yard salers will show up at 7, just to check things out. This is important for you to know if you are seeking a particular item, or, if you are ever hosting a yard sale.
3. Don’t be afraid to call ahead. Many advertisements include a listing of items, or types of items, the seller will be including in the sale. If something strikes your interest and you want to inquire, call (if possible). Most sellers would love to get rid of an item early. And, this way, if the item doesn’t end up being quite what you’re looking for, you don’t waste precious time on Saturday morning looking at it.
4. Always carry cash.
5. Don’t be afraid to negotiate. The worst thing that can happen is that someone tells you “no”. Either way, you’re probably getting a great deal. If the price of something doesn’t suit you for an item that you’d really like, consider coming back towards the end of the sale. Many sellers will cut their prices (often times in half) in the last hour or two of the sale, just to get rid of as many items as possible. However, understand that the item may be gone when you return.
6. If you plan to buy a large item, but will not be able to take it immediately, speak to the seller before making the purchase. This is important, as you want to make sure that the seller agrees to keeping the item for a few more hours (or days).

What are your best yard sale tips and secrets?

Coming soon…

Tips for having your own successful yard sale!

Consigning for cash!

This week, I took one look into my closet and about passed out. It looks like a bomb went off in there! I just have way too many clothes. See for yourself... 

Okay, stop judging me. 

I think everyone out there has had a time when they realize, I need to purge my closet! And it is then, my lovelies, that you have the perfect chance to make a little extra cash. In a situation where a lot of people just pile their unwanted garments into bags and drop them off at the nearest Goodwill, take this opportunity to put in a little extra work and get paid for your clothes! 

I regularly take my clothes to a couple of area consignment shops and it is always a worthwhile experience - especially when I go back weeks later to collect my check! So, here are a few tips for all of you out there. If you have never tried consigning your clothes before, you should definitely try it! 

1. Search out shops in your area. Visit their websites for information on how to consign your garments and whether you will receive a percentage of the sale's price or a flat upfront price for your items. Practices vary widely from shop to shop - some stores require garments to be ironed and on hangers, some do not. Payout percentages to consigners vary also, in my experience, from around 40 - 60%. 

2. Consider only shops that pay a percentage of the sale price to you, the consigner. In my experience, shops that pay a flat rate to you for your clothes (places like Plato's Closet) do not pay much compared to those that give you a percentage of your sales.

3. Visit the shops where you are considering consigning your garments. Look at their overall merchandise and their prices. Is the shop in a good area? Do they seem to move merchandise quickly in and out? Do they ever have sales or promotional offers? Are there other shops nearby? Higher end consignment shops may pay a lower percentage back to you, but may guarantee a higher price for your items, because they draw a large clientele of upscale shoppers. Sometimes, these places are worth taking a lower percentage payback because prices are higher (so it all evens out in the end). For example, 50% payback of a $20 top is $10, but, so is the 40% packback if that same top is priced at $25. 

4. Look at your pieces very carefully and consider what you will try to consign. It is best to take items that are unaltered (we have all tried on things that we thought were our size, only to find out they'd been hemmed or taken in and they didn't fit us, right?). Also make sure that there are no stains or problems with the garments and that, of course, everything has been laundered appropriately. Additionally, most shops, especially higher end ones, ask that garments be current styles - no more than 2 years old. At times, it can difficult to tell how old your clothes really are (especially if you are like me and you have too many to remember quite when you got them!). However, in the last few years many designers have started putting season codes on their labels... but sometimes they are hidden so you have to know where to look! On many labels, for example, these codes can be found on the back tag of the garment, on the underside. Below, I show a J.Crew tag. The very last line indicates the season - SP 10 = Spring 2010.

5. When you take your items in to be considered for consignment, don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions, especially if it is your first time consigning at that location. Most stores will attempt to sell your items for a certain number of weeks before pulling them. Make sure to clarify to the shop staff whether you want unsold garments returned to you or donated to charity. Make sure you understand how the payment works - will they mail your check or should you come by after a certain amount of time to pick it up? Will any sales will held during the time your items are in the shop and if so, what will the possible discount be on your items (it is often good to know this, just to understand if it is possible that your items could be sold at a reduced price, thus lowering your payout). 

6. Think beyond clothes. Many consignment shops take shoes, jewelry, and purses. And larger shops may accept household items and furniture.

Consigning your clothes can be a little bit of work, but good reward! Happy money-making!

Deals of the Day!

I regularly like to peruse the selection of stuff on Goodwill's online auction site, shopgoodwill.com. They usually have a LOT of stuff and, sometimes, you find something really great!

Today, they seem to have quite a few quality secondhand items on the site... So, I thought I'd give you a sampling. This way, you can all see how worth wild it can be to keep an eye on this site! 

8 Vineyard Vines ties. Last (winning) bid was $100.  These ties are $75 each online. So, someone got a STEAL a bought 8 for a little more than they could buy 1. Amazing!!

Diane von Furstenburg carry-on/small suitcase. Still 5 days on auction. Current bid only $9 (although shipping is a good bit on this item)!!

Lilly Pulitzer jacket. So adorable! 2 days left on auction - currently only $11.50!

Pottery Barn cheese knives set. New in the box. Currently no bids and the first bid starts at just $4! 

Kitchenaid stand mixer. Auction ends in just 5 hours and bid is only at $56. This would be a steal!! 

2 pairs of Coach sandals. New looking! $60!

A couple of tips:

I have a post-it note (or 3) full of brands that I like to keep an eye out for. I have them on my wall right next to my computer, so, when I go on the site, I can search for each one quickly (without that lag time of "now WHAT other brands would I want to look for?"). I highly suggest doing this! And don't just limit your brands to clothing - the site is full of housewares and other great finds! 

Just like on e-bay, there is a "watch list" feature that you can use, as long as you are signed into the site. However, unlike e-bay, it does not remind you when the auction time on an item is about to end, so, you need to make sure you pay attention and check back on your "watch list" items regularly!

Pay careful attention to the shipping cost information. While some items might seem to be a great price, the shipping can be highly variable. Some items come from nearby and some come all the way from the West Coast (costing a good bit more). And, of course, remember that if something is heavier, it's definitely going to cost much more to ship - so, ultimately you have to decide if it's worth it or not! 

And, of course, there is no returning this stuff... so be careful! If you have any concerns about the quality or the condition of the item, consider your purchase wisely. Generally any clothing defects are noted on the listing... and Goodwill checks all electronics to make sure they work, before posting them! 

Happy hunting!!

Revente sale to benefit Sistercare

This local consignment shop in Columbia is one of my favorites. I have found some real treasures there and I have also taken many items there to be consigned.

Go by tomorrow night to find something fabulous and support a great local charity in the process!

Women Helping Women Please join us Tuesday, May 4,  from 5:00-7:00 pm and shop to benefit Sistercare! 20% of the sales will go to this organization. PS: Have dinner at Delaney's after shopping (right next door) and show your Revente receipt to receive 20% off your dinner (discount applies to food only). Many thanks to all for a fabulous 18 years............let's go for another 18! Revente 737 Saluda Ave. Columbia, South Carolina 29205-1647 803-256-3076 www.shoprevente.com

Friends - send me your great finds!

As much as I love to share with you the bargains and great steals I've acquired along the way, I equally love to see the fantastic finds that you have snatched up! And I hope that you'll share them with me! So that I can share them with everyone! Because let's face it, everyone loves to see a fantastic bargain find!

So please, if you have some great thrift/consignment finds, email pictures to me, along with a little description of the item(s) and where you found them - and I will be thrilled to post them here! I would love to be able to feature a guest find every week or two. And let's face it, it's your responsibility as a successful bargain hunter to allow the rest of us to lust after, um, be motivated by what you've found. So share away friends!

My very first guest find comes from my friend and neighbor Matt. He was thrilled to tell me about this great linen blazer that he found at a local Columbia Goodwill store. It was brand new - with tags still attached! Only $12! What a great find, Matt - you look like a million bucks! 

 

Oh, look what I stumbled upon on a recent thrifting excursion...

Sometimes when you go thrifting, you find things you never expected to find. Things you were never looking for in the first place. Things you never realized you would ever find in a thrift store! And, let me tell you, oh the joy that can come! 

That was exactly my experience this week when I popped into my neighborhood Goodwill for a few minutes. I really just wanted to walk around and unwind after a Monday of sitting at my desk and reading reports (ugh!). But what I stumbled upon was glorious... 

The Goodwill in my neighborhood often gets donations from Target. But, these donations are generally mostly clothes and shoes, which I tend to pay little attention to. But this week, they sent over some other things! Philosophy lotion and Bumble and Bumble hair products! I spotted these gems in a huge basket of stuff inside the jewelry counter and was elated to see that they were all new and unopened (and were priced SO low!). You can see the Target sale price tags still attached in the photos ($34.99 for the Philosophy lotion, $25.99 each for the Bumble and Bumble shampoos and hairspray) as well as the Goodwill price tags ($2 and $3.50). So, I snatched them up! And for $10.50, I left Goodwill with over $110 worth of hair and body products. Who doesn't love 90% off?

My Goodwill shoes...

Now, I know what you're thinking. Some of you, I dare say, shudder at the idea of buying shoes secondhand. Especially at Goodwill, right? I mean, Goodwill isn't the most, um, upscale place. Sometimes it smells. I get it. That is the exact reaction I had the first time my mother presented me with a pair of fabulous shoes she had found at Goodwill. Suuuure, they were gorgeous. Sure, they were expensive, but, they had come from Goodwill. And I was all sullen college student and, very unsure of why I would want to wear shoes from Goodwill! 

Well friends, I still have those shoes. Because, see, good shoes last. And cheap shoes end up in the trash. And, you can buy good shoes at a department store or online or anywhere else - and pay alot for them. OR, you can do what I do - you can be thrifty, and when you see a really great, quality pair at an unbelievable price, you snatch them up! 

I've never quite understood how really expensive shoes end up at Goodwill. Sometimes really expensive NEW shoes. Like these. 

 

I found these brand new Stuart Weitzman shoes at the Goodwill right up the street from my house recently.  And when I say brand new, I mean, the price tag was still on the bottom - the $298 price tag. So, I figured I'd shell out the $4 for them. Ha! Now, I DID have to polish the buckles, as they were a little tarnished. But, with about 10 minutes of work, using Wright's Silver Cream (which, if you don't have some at home, you should get some - it is good for EVERYTHING!), they looked as good as new. Below you can see my sophisticated technique for not damaging the suede...

Regardless of why beautiful shoes end up at Goodwill, I consider it my duty to give them a great second life. No matter how neglected or unloved they were by their previous owner (hag!), I promise to love them and treasure them. I have found some great shoes at Goodwill - ones I will continue to share with you in the future, hopefully to inspire you to get out there and search for great bargain finds of your own! But, if you still have some reservations about secondhand shoes, just remember, you are not alone. Just remember, we always have our dear friends Lysol and Febreeze - and that is generally enough to bridge the worry divide between you and that $300 pair of "used" kicks. 

$600 cheaper?! Don't mind if I do!

Often I find myself pining away over beautiful new items in store catalogs and online. Thinking how beautiful they are – and all the reasons in the world that I should just buy them – because, “I could wear it with so much!”. Indeed. But, always, my thriftiness comes alive and I think, this is just too much to pay. I cannot pay over $600 for a Kate Spade coat or $200 for a J.Crew necklace - no matter how fabulous I think they are!

This is when online consigning and thrifting can often be a benefit!  I hate to say it, but, so few things are actually unique these days. And, trends tend to cycle - which means that there are always vintage things out there that will eventually come back into style! And for us, the thrifty consumer, we should consider this an advantage!

So, what, you’re asking, am I suggesting? Use some of your favorite online sites (or some of mine, if you are new at this) to look for similar pieces to those most exquisite (and expensive) brand new ones that you’ve been lusting after.

I have been looking at this Katie Spade coat for months now. I want it! But, it’s $645. There is nothing I want badly enough to pay that much! But, after a quick search of Etsy, I found a similar coat, in both style and color – only $45!

 

 

Another strategy. If there is something you loved in the past, but just didn’t want to shell out the cash for it, look it up on Ebay, or other online auction sites. There is generally a good chance that you will find it there, possibly new, and, for a much lower price.

For some time, I was in love with J.Crew’s bubble necklace. I looked at it almost daily, in all its beautiful color choices – but, the price tag, $260, was far more than I was willing to pay. J.Crew stopped selling them several months ago and, now there are tons of them on Ebay! New ones! And, some selling for as low as $20.

 

 When I was a little girl, I loved saddle oxfords. Why? Well, because cheerleaders still wore them (and that was a BIG dream of mine - which, I did later fulfill in life - ha!). And, while you may not agree, there is just something really cool about them. Understated but cool. And I still think so. Which is why I am SO happy that they are BACK in style (Lucky Magazine even had a whole page of them in their March 2010 issue! Yeah!)! I just love how they can be so totally casual... and then, so dressed up... And for guys too, they are just too cute not to love :) So, thrifters, keep an eye out for saddle shoes! They are ALL over both Etsy and Ebay.

Another great site, is Goodwill Industries’ online auction site. Regularly on this site you can find current fashion and household items. I have purchased several things off this site (including a Nikon camera!) and have always been pleased. And don't forget about checking your area CraigsList for whatever you are looking for. Often we think about CraigsList for furniture or larger items - but it is loaded with people trying to sell clothing, accessories, household goods, and more!

Something old, something new...

No, this isn't a blog about weddings!

I have fallen in love with this blog and so, must Must MUST share it with you all! http://newdressaday.wordpress.com/

Marisa, the writer of this cute little blog, has taken on the remarkable task of creating (and then wearing) a new garment, from an old one, every day for a year! Yes, that's 365 new things! AND, she set a budget for herself of $365 - so, only $1 per day to find worthy and workable pieces from flea markets, vintage clothing stores, and garage sales.

When I stumbled upon this, I was instantly amazed. She has revived, restored, and restyled some of the cutest skirts, shirts, and dresses! I'll be checking our her handy work daily to see what crafty project she has taken on for the day! And who knows, maybe it'll motivate me a little more in the process...

$5 Vintage Wedding Gown

An insanely cool wedding dress found at a thrift store... for $5. Now this, my friends, is amazing!

Read all about it here:
http://www.glamour.com/weddings/blogs/save-the-date/2009/03/this-wedding-dress-cost-five-d.html

Tips for 2010

We all know that times are tough… the economy isn’t the best. So, what better time than the present to go thrifting and find some great clothes without breaking your budget. Here are 5 tips as you begin your thrift and consignment shopping adventures for 2010:

1. Look more at the general sizing of clothing than at the size on the tags and never give up an opportunity to try things on. This is for two reasons. First, sizing by brand varies greatly and also has changed vastly over time. Over the last few decades, many brands have gradually made their women’s sizes larger to flatter the consumer. Therefore, a vintage 1970s style skirt in a size 8 may really be more like a size 4 in today’s sizing. Sorry ladies – just swallow your pride. No one will see that tag but you, anyways (and maybe your dry cleaner, but he won’t tell, right?).

Also, many articles of clothing in consignment and thrift stores have been altered. Therefore, you cannot trust the labeling to indicate the true sizing. Sometimes pants have been shortened (or lengthened!) and generally they can be readjusted. And very commonly with dresses, people will make “hack” alterations because they only need to wear it for a few hours, but need to bring it in an inch on the sides or bring the hem up, etc. Beware of this as, sometimes it is just tacked and can be taken out without harm (depending on the material) and sometimes there is serious damage to the garment (so sad!).

2. Always remember this – you will (generally) most love something in the store. So, if you are unsure about it, either because of fit or because you just aren’t sure you truly like it, then just don’t buy it. Yes, it may only be $3. Yes, it may be the buy of a lifetime! But, if you will never wear it, what is the point of having it? And doesn’t that garment deserve to go on to a second (or third or fourth) life where it is loved and worn – and not just shoved in the back of your closet but talked about as “such a steal!”.

When you are about to buy something, ask yourself “do I really like/love this?”, “what will I wear this with?”, and (and maybe most important) “do I see myself choosing to wear this out of my closet?”. If you can be sure about these questions, then, buy away!

3. Avoid Monday shopping. Why? Often thrift and consignment stores have been picked over during the weekend, leaving very little valuable merchandise for early week shopping. Most stores will restock on Monday though, so, on Tuesday there should be a whole new selection of things to choose from!

4. Know what you cannot fix and what you can and also the cost of doing so. If you find something fabulous with a broken zipper, this is an easy fix, either if you can sew, or if you are willing to shell out $10 or so to a tailor to have them replace it. Buttons are also easily replaced – although remember, if one button is missing on something, you will generally have to replace every button on the garment so that they all match.

Avoid buying anything with rips or tears, unless they can be hemmed off. Patching holes, by definition, just isn’t classy! Stains sometimes can be a tough call. My general rule is, if something is a great find and really cheap, I will tackle it. To me, it’s worth the risk. Here are a few of my favorite tricks of the trade I have learned to use. Credit to my mother for teaching me about some of these “secrets”. As far as I’m concerned, if these things can’t get it out, nothing will.

Aerosol hairspray –  Will take ink out of cloth. Only aerosol hairspray works though (sorry ozone layer!), so don’t use the pump hairspray because it will not work!

Greased lightning – Will take out makeup, grease, food, grass and red dirt stains (and a million other things!). This stuff really is amazing. I keep a spray bottle of it (diluted with water) in the house all the time – you can use it on almost anything! The amazing thing is that it doesn’t take the color out of things but still will remove the stain!

Octagon soap – Is good for really set-in stains. You will have to really scrub and scrub, but, Octagon has a higher concentration of lye than other soap, so, somehow, it gets stains out!

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser – Is good for getting out the weirdest stuff. It’s hard to explain, but, basically, if I think there is a chance this thing MIGHT work on it, I will try it and it generally does. I don’t understand how in the world that thing works, but, it does and I am so glad I discovered it! It’s fantastic!

5. Lastly, don’t be afraid to bargain. Most chain stores (Goodwill, Salvation Army) have set prices and cannot negotiate. However, you can sometimes have success negotiating prices at smaller stores that are often managed by their actual owner. Never be afraid to offer a lower price for something, especially if the item needs repair or significant alteration. The worst thing they can do is decline your offer!

Happy bargain hunting in 2010 everyone!

Great PostSecret

Saw this on PostSecret today and thought it was so fitting! Love it!

Craigslist is a beautiful thing

Craigslist is a beautiful thing, friends. And let me tell you why. Craigslist allows people in different areas, all across the country, to buy and sell things from one another. Anything can be found on this site – from things as small as a paperback book to items as substantial as a car. And not only does this site help us all to save a little money when looking for something we need (or want) or make a little money off of something we no longer need (or want), but, in the age of “going green”, I think we can all agree that we should definitely embrace anything that helps us reduce our impact on the earth – and through reusing and recycling items, we’re doing just that!

I have had tremendous success with finding some beautiful furniture on Craigslist. And I am the first to encourage friends to look there if they are looking for something specific but are on a tight budget. However, Craigslist is not for the birds. While sometimes you may happen on something totally amazing right away, often, it may take you some time to really find what your heart truly desires. Nevertheless, in my experience, it is worth every bit of the wait and the anticipation to find something really great – and at an unbeatable price!

I bought a house in the summer of 2007. And, like most young homeowners, have experienced the continuing feeling that I have too many projects I want to tackle and not nearly enough resources to do so. But, luckily, with the help of some great finds on Craigslist, over a period of several months, I have been able to make a substantial dent in making my house much more of what I envision – and not just a commingling of random (yet functional) junk. I must stop here and give a great deal of credit to my mother, whom, without her dedicated daily searching, I would never have found any of these things. And also, of course, a special “thanks” to several guy friends who, have willingly gone along with me on these “adventures” to be my muscles! 

Last fall, I realized that I was quite limited in the way of storage space in my kitchen. I have an ever-growing collection of Fiestaware and a large assortment of other kitchen stuff that, quite frankly, was just not finding a suitable home in my kitchen. And the clutter of it all was really starting to get on my nerves. So, I began to look for a china cabinet, and perhaps some other kind of tall, small cabinet to fill the small (but potentially useful!) space at the bottom of my stairs. It did not take long at all before we stumbled on this gem. Some very dear people in Lexington were parting with it because they needed the space. And well, I was willing to take it off their hands for $225. Ha! I’m sure it cost several thousand. What a steal! They even helped load it and drove it over (some 30 miles!) to my house. Talk about luck!

I also, eventually, set out to find a new bedroom set. The pieces I had were cobbled together from several different places and while that may be okay for a graduate student (which I was when I acquired all of them), it no longer seemed acceptable or the least bit desirable for me as a young professional. I was looking for something with a lot of pieces as, well, I have a lot of clothes! In June, we were lucky enough to stumble upon a lady selling a Wesley Allen wrought iron bed. These beds are supposed to be the best and they are known for their structural quality and design. Once I saw the bed, I knew I wanted it. Plain, but beautiful. It had barely been used, according to the owner (had been sitting in a guest room). She had paid well over $1000 for it. And I got it for $250. Couldn’t be happier! (See picture below of bed with other furniture)

Also from the same lady, I acquired two new Pottery Barn night stands that I have been able to utilize in my guest room. $100 for both. Not too shabby.

After finding the bed, I was on a full out mission to complete my new bedroom. Daily my mom and I scoured Craigslist looking for people listing bedroom suites. I did a lot of emailing, asking for more information, and looking at furniture. Finally, my mom sent me an ad for a suite that I immediately liked from the photos. And, very quickly, I was at the couple’s home looking at it. I loved it. I had been looking at bedroom furniture for at least 6 months – in stores, online, everywhere! And I can honestly say that I liked this suite (5 pieces, total) as much as any I’d seen. I acquired it for a steal - $550. I appreciated very much knowing that these pieces were part of a collection still being sold currently. And, if I’d gone and bought it all new, it would have set me back well over $3,000. So, a pretty good deal overall!

And I also finally found a cabinet for my kitchen (and a twin that I'm using upstairs).  They are from Ikea! Another great find from Craigslist!

 
Some thoughts when considering a purchase via an online avenue:

* Ask the seller as much information as you can prior to going to view the item(s). If it is furniture, ask about how long ago it was purchased, if they are the original owner, how much they paid for it, the composition and manufacturer of the item(s), etc. Also do not be afraid to ask for additional photos that give you greater detail. Doing these things has saved me many trips to see things that would have inevitably been worthless (to me). 

* If the seller is able to provide you information on the manufacturer of the item(s), visit their website. See if the item(s) or a similar one is still being sold by the manufacturer. This can help you ascertain a current approximate cost for a new item of this type, which should help you determine how much it may be worth. Also, if you do not know anything about the manufacturer, consider reading information about the company and the products they sell.

* Negotiate! Negotiate! Negotiate! Remember, the worst thing someone can tell you is "no" and, rarely does someone actually expect to get what they list an item for. And also keep in mind any extra costs that you may incur - repairs or alterations to items, excessive mileage to view/pickup, or rental of a truck for moving items. This can always be used in your negotiations. Very often people are wanting to get rid of something and just get something for it, so, they are happy to bend in their asking price! Use that to your benefit! 


Happy Craigslisting everyone! :)

I'm not your typical "thrifter"

When people think about "thrift shopping" some very specific images often come to mind. The college student looking for a hilarious costume item for an 80s party or an "ugly Christmas sweater" event. The mother with a lot of kids, who, buys secondhand clothing, toys, and shoes for family members (while all her little rugrats run around the store wreaking havoc on other shoppers!). The older adult who enjoys looking for various "valuables" and trinkets that they then pass onto their loved ones. The youngster who enjoys looking for vintage and retro-type clothing. 

 I do not really fall into any of these categories.  But still, I love thrift stores. And I shop in them not for one particular type of thing, but just in general, as an overall part of my lifestyle. And, just like all shoppers are not created equally, not all consignment and thrift stores are either. More weeks than not, I at least take one trip to Goodwill. Do I generally fit in there in my “I just came from working for the Legislature” professional clothes? Generally not. Do I often get strange looks from other shoppers, who, inevitably must be thinking “what is SHE doing shopping here?”. Oh, most definitely.


But, you see, some of my best staples have come from some real hole-in-the-wall type places. A long time ago, I had to become comfortable with the idea of occasionally being uncomfortable. And with thrift and consignment store shopping, sometimes, you are uncomfortable. Sometimes you are surrounded by people totally different from yourself. Sometimes you are in places that are much different from your normal environment. But remember, your ultimate goal is to find something spectacular. And, you never know what Trina Turk skirt or YSL jacket is lurking in the next bin… so, start digging!

Thriftiness is next to Godliness? Maybe?

Even from an early age, I’ve always been thrifty. Excessively so, even. You’d never know it by looking at me, or at least that’s what I’ve been told, but, I do NOT like to spend money. At all. I was that little girl that got money for her birthday and, instead of spending it, I put it into my Tootsie Roll bank in my room and saved it. And never spent it. Not one dime.

This may seem like somewhat of a contradiction if you know me, because honey, I LOVE to shop! But, through the marriage of these two things in my life – thriftiness and a love for shopping - the perfect love child was born, the love for consignment and thrift shopping.

It is not for the faint of heart, I will quickly admit. I have, on many days, taken a friend along with me to a consignment boutique or, (gasp) the ever-dreaded neighborhood Goodwill, and looked up at them 15 or 20 minutes into our shopping adventure to see them totally overwhelmed and frustrated, asking “when can we go?” or “how do you EVER find anything in here?”

The answer to the ladder is simple: patience and the understanding of delayed gratification. And while sometimes I struggle with having patience in other aspects of my everyday life, I have the patience of Job when it comes to finding an amazing bargain. And the sense of gratification I receive from buying a $4 pair of Coach shoes or a $1 J. Crew coat – well, it’s enough to keep me going back.

This blog will be a place for me to share my consigning experiences, tips and tricks of the trade, exciting finds, and just overall thoughts. Consignment shopping is not for everyone, but, it is for me and, I hope you will enjoy reading about my journey through life – one secondhand purchase at a time.