When I was in high school, one of my favorite things to do was go thrifting with my friends. It was a treasure hunt; let’s see how much we can find for the least amount of money. We loved the weird T-shirts from random clubs and junior high sports teams, they went well with our converse & penchant for emo bands. When I was in college, I still visited thrift stores from time to time, scoring on the occasional sundress or random accessory for really cheap. After I got married, thrift stores kind of dropped out of my life for a while. There weren’t any good ones nearby.
Since Michael has started school, we’ve had a budget overhaul. And since I’m a bit of a shopaholic, I’ve had to look for other ways to get my fix. Enter falling back in love with thrift stores. I have found 3 excellent ones here so far, & I’m on the lookout for more. There’s something so satisfying about a good thrift store trip. You have the whole “hunting” aspect, not to mention the feeling of elation when you find THE CUTEST THING for pennies compared to what you would pay for something new. Plus, in this age of vintage love, it’s impossible to not get a little googly-eyed over things that you just can’t get at Target.
I’ve decided to challenge myself for the next year {on top of my Project 365} by thrifting several times a month & blogging my findings. First up, here are all my July treasures.
I paid $2 or $3 dollars for this wonderful glass jug. I have a problem, y’all: if it’s pretty, & made of glass, I have to have it. It’s an illness. A lot of my glass stuff is packed right now but that’s no excuse not to buy more, right? Especially if it’s thrifted? I would like to eventually make this into a terrarium, but that seems complicated at this time. So for now, it’s just hanging around my house being pretty. And Leia is really interested in it.
I paid less than $5 for this shirt {I think it was $5 marked down 20%}. At first, I passed it by, thinking “That’s sort of grandma.” Then I kept coming back to it, & finally I tried it on. It will look super cute with a pencil skirt or skinny jeans & a wide black belt. I’ll do an outfit post with it eventually.
I have a few sweet prints from Etsy & photos lying around the house that I have yet to frame & display, so a couple Saturdays ago, I went on a quest for frames. The rules: they had to be cheap, sturdy, & have amazing detail. I didn’t care if they were ugly colors or a little beaten up. I’ve redone frames before, turning gold monstrosities into black beauties worthy of wedding photos. I have big plans for these little babies, & I’m sure I’ll be sharing them with you. {Price range of frames: 99¢ - $1.99.}
This doesn’t need a lot of explanation because a) I’ve already explained my weakness for pretty glass items & b) LOOK HOW FREAKING CUTE IT IS. Obviously I get woozy over vintage items, but who doesn’t? I love the colors & pattern. I think I paid $2 for this.
This thing is my little pride and joy. Only 50¢! It’s some sort of plate or platter. Right now I have it on display in my kitchen next to my glass cake stand. It’s so fun & retro. I love the colors.
I’ve also been on the hunt for clothing with a vintage feel, & this high-waisted skirt fit the bill. I paid $3.99 for this floral masterpiece, & it’s adorable with a black tank {tucked in} & a big belt. {I may or may not also have a problem with belting every item I own.} The skirt is full & feminine & again, I love the colors. It makes me happy! I’ll be doing an outfit post with this one too.
I’d love for any of you who are up for the challenge to join me. If I were fancy I would make some sort of button; as it is now, a link back to LfT will be just fine. Let me know what you think of my project & if you’re going to play along! <3
Comments on A Year of Thrift {July}
From mandy:
Love the thrift finds! I really need to make it a point to hit thrift stores more often and see what I can find. Thanks for the inspiration.
From Liz:
Girlfriend! If we lived near each other we would go thrifting ALL the time. Super cute finds I especially love the floral jar and the retro platter {I have a similar one I found thrifting as well!} I post my thrift store finds from time to time too so keep an eye out for those :) Yay.
From Mary:
I didn’t know that about you and glass! I have that same…thing! I especially love clear glass. I am impressed with that jug.
From Kyla Roma:
So cheap! I wish we lived closer together so I had a thrifting partner as possessed as I am! :) Great finds, I’m totally impressed :)
From Taryn M. Peine:
LOVE the red shirt! Not grandma at all! Especially if you pair with a lacy black cami. Very naughty secretary I think :-) I love thrifting too – and never buy what I’m supposed to be buying. I should go in with a goal like you did with the frames. So much fun!
From MelissaOklahoma:
GREAT project. I love the glass jug you found! It’s gorgeous. I love pretty glass objects too. And water pitchers. I’m actually waiting for my hair to dry a bit more before I head out the door to do some thrifting myself! Hope I’m as lucky as you were in your finds!
Can’t wait to see what else you find.
From Monica:
Love Love Love that little glass flower jar! Really cute things!
From Suburban Sweetheart:
I love this project & I want to join! Sadly, DC SUCKKKKS at thrift stores. There are almost NONE… maybe when I get back to Ohio?
From wifeychronicles:
I really like this idea and I might possibly do it too. That glass jug is freaking awesome and I can’t wait to see your two outfits all put together:)
From MrsSJohnson:
Thrifting is a gift! I am NOT someone who can find things and put them together in a wow kind of way- that’s awesome you can do that
From Samantha:
I’ve been wanting to go thrifting more often, but I never seem to. This project is such a great idea. You got some great finds for July! I especially like the huge glass jug… it’d be fun to use as a piggy bank!
From Kate:
I’ve been keeping up to date with your site, but just don’t always have time to comment (sorry). Just thought I’d say hello again so you know I’m here!
From Stephany:
I love this idea! I want to make a point to visit more thrift stores, especially since I’m on a limited budget as well. I’ve never had much luck with thrifting, though!
From Kaci Johanna:
One down-side to living in a teeny tiny town/rural area? No thrift stores. JEALOUS! You have some great stuff here!
From Leah:
Oh goodness, I am so in.
I have a stack halfway to the ceiling of thrift store finds. Just waiting for the time to alter and refashion…
From DebbieQ:
Oh yes, Shoe Queen and I were just at the thrift store yesterday and found some lovely things.
From Amy:
I love the red blouse! You’ve inspired me to go on a thrifty hunt too :)
From Kari Anne:
Cute finds!!
How’s Pancho??
From Nora:
TEACH ME. I need to learn how to thrift shop. No, seriously, I mean it. I always pass by things I shouldn’t, get impatient and etc. I’m coming to visit you and we’re doing this, k!?
Also, get wait to see the outfit photos and LOVE the orange platter. I definitely would have picked it up too!
From lauryn:
I love this idea! Thrifting is so much fun. I find it relaxing to just stroll through the aisles and look for whatever random treasure you might uncover. I would definitely participate!
Also, I think we were the same person in high school, lol. I too was oddly obsessed with finding random t-shirts and had a bit of emo flare. It’s funny how much you can change in that span of time.
From Rachel:
I love this! A friend of mine works at a thrift store and ALWAYS has cute stuff! We’re doing the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University, so we’re all about budgeting and penny pinching purchases.
From Jill:
Ok, keep showing us your cool thrift finds! You might prove to be a good source of inspiration for me!! :) I have never been very successful thrifting or “goodwilling” but last year when I found some boots at the GW, I was so excited. I told everyone, “I got these boots at Goodwill!” hehehe :)
From Heather:
That last skirt would also look so retro and cute worn with little socks and low-heeled pumps or flats. I saw that look everywhere in the fall magazines and you could totally rock it!!
From san:
I LOVE thrifting.
It’s a fairly new thing for me, because there really aren’t any thrift stores in Germany (or at least not on the level that they’re present here!) and when my MIL took me to a thrift store the first time, I really didn’t know what to think of it…
but now, NOW I am hooked! I haven’t been thrifting in a while, but I would definitely let you know about my finds the next time I go (I might even blog about it ;)).