Where to Thrift

Oh, hello pink Theory chunky pumps. Yes, I will buy you for $4.

After my first blog post about thrifting, I received a question about good thrifting locations. Of course, I am very well-acquainted with the thrift stores in my area and I know their sale days (50% clothes on Wednesdays at the Salvation Army) and which store is best for home-goods, books, clothing, accessories, etc.

How I love bright vintage sheets. My grandmother had some just like this!

Very Wes Anderson wall decoration.

However, my very specific recommendations wouldn't be of much use to those living even 60 miles from my locale. Therefore, I have constructed a list of where to generally look for good thrifting opportunities. I have lived in many different areas in the past 7 or so years, so I have had experience with good and bad thrifting and I have noticed some themes:

1. Urban areas aren't always best. 

You would think that thrifting would be amazing in cities like New York, right? Wrong-o. I would love for someone to correct me on this (give me a store name, street address, and nearby subway stop!), but I have found thrifting in NYC  (Manhattan)  to be horrible. My biggest gripe? The price. Way, way too expensive.

I think I know the reason for this. Hipsters. Do not thrift where cool people thrift. They grab all the good stuff and drive up the prices. I like to thrift in areas where customers are predominantly moms looking for a good deal on kid's clothes and older men and women checking out books and baskets. I saw a hipster at my local, most frequented thrift store-once. I sighed when I spotted him and prayed that he wasn't indicative of a coming influx of straight-leg-jean-wearing-artfully-ruffled-hair-sporting-The XX-listening cool people. Shudder. It was a disaster. He swiped a robin egg blue vintage suitcase that I had my eye on ($2.00!). I was planning on using it for under the sofa quirky storage. He was probably planning on bringing it back from whence he came (probably NYC...probably Brooklyn) and poking people on the subway with its slightly cumbersome angles. I hope I never see him again. I like to be the only person looking out for somewhat wacko vintage finds and I don't want to compete with anyone cooler than me (it is terribly hard not to be cooler than me).

2. Sometimes urban is okay.

Hey, I know I just dissed NYC for thrifting and implied that urban areas are a no-go. However, I want to officially explain an exception. The culture of some cities does not foster hipsters and focuses on the new and the flashy. These cities are more materialistic with an emphasis on of-this-season fashion and style. If you see more than one billboard advertising plastic surgery in a one square mile area (bonus points for if the board shows before and after pics with lots of skin), it is very likely that you are in one of these cities.

Miami, I am looking at you!

I briefly lived in Miami a couple of years ago. I cannot say that I much cared for this city. While I was happy to leave it behind, I get a lump in my throat when I recall the thrifting.

Hipsters don't seem to exist in Miami. I think they might melt in intense sunlight. Therefore, there is not too much competition. Also, there is a large elderly population in South Florida in general, so that adds beautifully to the vintage stock. People in this type of urban setting seem to get rid of a lot of really nice, new, and high-end apparel items. Additionally, you have groups of people not originally from outside the United States that donate even cooler gear (my favorite thrift store in Miami-Dade County broadcast their announcements in Spanish, Creole, and English). I don't know if LA is like this (I often associate Miami with LA, but maybe that is just a side effect of the Kardashians), but if you come across a flashy urban area and you don't notice anyone wearing old-school Ray Bans, throwback kicks, and fabulously worn t-shirts, go look for a thrift store.

Honduran leather boots that I must guard with my life from my sister.

Classy sassy.

3. Rural is meh. 

I like in a relatively rural area. If you go one direction from my house, you reach a small city. If you go another, you get to the deep rural Amish country. I'm talking hitching posts at the grocery store here. I absolutely love the charms of the rural life. It's beautiful, there are neat farms (even one Amish farm that raises camels for infant milk research at a big hospital!), and great produce. However, thrifting in these really rural areas is a real bust.

I think people who work off the land and raise animals tend to keep their clothes until they wear out and do not donate much. When you were a kid, school clothes would become play clothes after you wore them out. I think for people who do more physical activities like animal raising and crop farming, the same process applies: they just turn their nice clothes into work clothes and then wear them until they are ready for the rag bag. This economical and practical policy may benefit the original clothes owner, but it does not make for happy thrifting.

If you want cool shopping when you are in a rural area, go check out farm stands and Amish markets instead. You can get fabulous produce, meats, cheeses, breads, desserts, and soap. Now that's what I call shopping locally!

4. Your best bet are small or mid-size cities. 

For the best thrifting, go check out mid-size or small cities. Large towns can even work, especially if there is a really high-end college or hospital in the area. These places have more supply than rural and less demand than urban. I like to look for the places that are the dumping grounds for "ladies who lunch." You can usually get some lovely conservative items here. I see a lot of Talbots and nice leather shoes. You can also search for the stores that get the most donations from older people to find vintage and retro pieces.

Pretty and on-trend.

Classic.

I love kids' books!

I always keep an eye out for Pendelton wool. 

Oh my god, Cher! This dress makes me feel quite "clueless."

Whew! That was a long post. Of course, I am joking about my disdain for hipsters. I own throwback Ray Bans, TOMS, and a couple 50/50 Hanes t-shirts, so I cannot cast stones. I just like being the big fish.

When it comes down to it, successful thrifting really depends on consistency. You have to go often and accept the hit or miss nature of the hunt. Thrifting isn't like walking into the Gap. It takes time and patience. You won't always find something that works and it can be really frustrating. But, oh, when you do get that awesome, unique item for a steal, the thrill is totally worth it.

Saturday=Bliss

There is no day of the week that I love more than Saturday. Saturday is for fun shopping, reading, and generally avoiding deliberately productive activities. I do not do work on Saturdays. I might clean and tidy, but no work related activities are allowed.

Even in college, I had a strict no homework rule for Saturdays. I flat out refused to go to the library, the tech center, the fireplace area below the commons, or any other study location. Nope, I would traipse around the nice neighborhoods, chow down at yummy restaurants (cheap ones), go walk the dogs at the humane shelter (Warning: dog walking may lead to dog adoption), or go shopping for Urban Outfitter seconds at a grungy but awesome store called Gabriel Brothers.

This is what happens when you volunteer to walk dogs: You adopt a 14 year old mutt with dental problems. He was wonderful...but smelly. Miss you, Tyson!

Now that college (and grad school) are over, my Saturdays look a little different.

Actually, that's a lie. I think the only difference now is that I have red hair. That's a lie too. At one point in college, my hair was red. I guess I still like the same kind of Saturday.

Traipsing around: 

Having fun

On bike rides.

Chowing down:

He'll have the bbq burger.

I will have the southwest burger.

And, of course, dogs:

Why do I always have to fold all the laundry!

And what about shopping for bargains, you may ask? Well, that is a post for another day because now I need to go enjoy my Saturday.

This Is Why I Love Thrifting

Source

When Holly Golightly gets the "mad reds" she pops over to Tiffany's for some retail therapy. I don't have this kind of budget (although, neither did she) and there are no glam stores like that where I live, so I go thrifting. While I'm not quite ready to totally break up with the mall, I am very dedicated to thrifting. I hope to be doing many more posts on thrift store shopping on this blog-I truly love it! 

Here are my latest thrifting thrills:

For my momma

I don't just thrift for myself. Both my mom and my sister hate hate hate shopping, so I always keep an eye out for them. This is really fun because we all have different styles and body shapes. I feel like Stacy and Clinton when I snag items and outfits for my other family members: I have to remember their coloring, lifestyle, and best fit. It is challenging and very rewarding. Here is a fall/winter outfit I picked out for my mom. I would love to see it with heels or boots and a fun, colorful necklace. The nubby trim adds a lively touch. The skirt is from Old Navy ($1), the silky tank is from Talbots ($4), and the jacket is also from Talbots ($5).

for my sister

My younger sister has a narrow waist and long legs, so this A-line skirt style looks awesome on her. It also is really flattering in the *ahem* tushkin area. The shirt has a higher neckline and little ruffle details in the front. This kind of thing wouldn't work on me-adds way too much bulk to an area that has enough. On her, however, it is lovely. These items are really pretty, but not in my size or a style that looks great on me. I was glad to find them the right person. I would love to see her wear this with a cardigan and flats or even a fitted denim jacket and boots. The shirt is from the Gap ($1) and the skirt is a brand I don't recognize ($1). 

But let's not forget me (I'm no thrifting saint, after all)...

Remember that Target Missoni line? Yeah, the one that everyone freaked out about? I remember it-ruefully. I hesitated for 30 seconds and the entire stock sold out. I didn't really want to spend $40 on a cardigan (I'm cheap, remember?), but I did regret missing out on the fabulous Italian look. Well, I don't have to regret it anymore. It is mine for the sweet tune of $4. Victory!

Mine! Mine! Mine! Muahaha!

And as if I wasn't lucky enough, I found this clock:

Tick Tock

It is so cute and retro-fabulous (my sister forbid me from using this word, but I defy her with glee) and only $1.50. 

So yes, thrifting is wonderful. I find special treasures for a dime and truly relish the process. Just remember: don't keep all the awesomeness to yourself! Share the glory and the finds. 

Very Important Things

Of all the very important things that filled my day, the following are the most significant:

This a cell-phone case found here. Don't eat it, dummy. 

1. My apartment is downwind from a Kellogg factory. Pop-Tarts are American-made. I know this, because on baking day the sweet smell infuses the air for a five mile radius. It. Is. Amazing. Pop-Tarts are kind of gross in real life and they give me a heart-stopping sugar rush. I'm not a patron of the blue box. However, when you catch a whiff of strawberry and frosting on the breeze, it is pretty delicious. I don't like to eat Pop-Tarts, but if you do, you know you are supporting a home grown company (without having to buy a Ford or an even more expensive weird jumper/harem/body suit piece of clothing from American Apparel).

2. Goldendoodles are the best creature on the planet-this category includes all humans. (Sorry cats, but you lose because you can't fly).

Yes, those pictures were gratuitous. But that's what the best things in life are to me-hilarious, silly, and a little unnecessary. Happy Monday everyone!

Food Files: Slow Cooker

It was suggested to me by a smart lady that I should try a slow cooker. I have heard that this is basically the laziest cooking option available-you literally throw junk in a pot and ignore it all day. As one who gets grumbly in the kitchen, this is a fabulous option for me. I need food waiting when I get home from work. Some people can go a long stretch without eating or chow down on a cup of soup or bowl of cereal and call it a meal. I am not one of those people. I go from okay, to a little hungry, to a screaming, crying, shaking, absolute mess in about fifteen minutes. My special dude (this moniker is the closest male alternative that I could get to "special lady friend," which is what he calls me [Big Lebowski reference here]) knows to tread softly when I start complaining of hunger. On more than one occasion, he has asked me to please eat something dammit before daring to come over. I know I come by this honestly. My mom used to carry snacks around for my dad and my sister basically faints if she has less than three meals a day. Therefore-flourish of trumpets-solution:

Inadvertent outfit post: Sweater (Marc Jacobs-thrifted), Tank (J. Crew-outlet), Shorts (thrifted and hacked by moi), Shoes (Toms). You can't see it here, but I am wearing a gold pretzel necklace. Aren't you jealous?

Porch Makeover (Don't Worry, It Wasn't Too Extreme)

Whooo couldn't love these guys? Made in 1970.

I love kitsch. I'm not afraid to admit it. I love zig-zag, polka dot, and floral prints, animal figurines, a full spectrum of color, and anything that is slightly 50s-70s or Danish Modern. Though my tastes sometimes make others shudder (Dad, I'm lookin' at you here), I will not give up my tacky fun. Kitsch is great. It's what I love now. Luckily, it is so easily and affordably accessible, that should I change my decorating tastes in a couple years, I won't feel bad donating my collection to the Goodwill (from whence it came).

Obviously, I was thrilled when I saw the bright green AstroTurf of my new porch. Some might cringe, but I decided to embrace it and turn ugly into quirk. The flooring reminds me of my Grandma; I can just imagine her sitting out there back when she was younger, smoking a cigarette and drinking a Tom Collins (sweet, honey, make mine sweet).

To embrace the last of summer and Polynesian influences, I went with a kind of tiki tropical theme, inspired by this post from Oh So Lovely Vintage.  The porch was boring to start:

Blah Blah

old tavern chairs from grandma

Priscilla the plant stands slouches alone.

So! I added some paper lanterns, a big globe light (Ikea), a string of multicolor lights (my sister), a tropical tablecloth (swiped from home), a great rug from Target ($20!), and other silly little details.

Fuzzy pic-sorry.

The spectral image is my Ikea light. Darn, I am bad at taking photos!

Priscilla has such bad posture.

Priscilla only drinks fancy water.

Who needs Bose? I got my own speaker system (this really works).

Ugly Target table from college gets new life!

Oh yes, those are Tiki napkins (50% off at Big Lots). My favorite libation, Fresca.

Omg. I love this Florida tourist bowl (Salvation Army).

Festive! Pretty!

But what would a fun outdoor space be without good friends to share it with?

This was entirely posed. These people are not my friends. They are paid union actors.

Stop taking pictures, Maggie.

This is my ukulele. You should hear me play Lady Gaga on it.  

A fun project! Only took me about an hour and a half to make the whole transition. I have been hanging out there-playing music, reading, drinking Fresca-ever since.

This fall, I am going to transition it to a place to hang with a little space heater, nubby blankets, and pretty autumnal decorations.

Food Files: Oh, No Curry

I like Indian curry. This is a more recent development. Some bad curry put me off the stuff entirely for many years. However, this summer I ate at an excellent Indian restaurant and had the advice of experts on what to order. After that meal, my mind was changed on the subject of curry.

A couple weeks ago on Pinterest, I saw a recipe for cauliflower curry over rice. Mmmm, I thought. I like cauliflower and I like curry. I also like not having to cook meat, so I decided to give it a go.

Here are my two conclusions after making the dish this morning:

1. Curry powder does not make for good curry. In comparison to what I have eaten in restaurants, my curry was just meh. Nothing special. I will be buying the jarred stuff in the future as it has a better flavor than simple curry powder. I don't want to get super involved in making my own, which is what I think would be required to produce a really savory dish. Canned it is!

2. Curry cooking in a little apartment. Oh. My. God. This place has stunk to high heaven all day. I tried air freshener. I put on the exhaust fan for 6 hours. I opened my door to the outside. I finally had to light 10 scented candles. So now my apartment smells like a church at Easter...and an Indian restaurant.

I may have to move out.

I will not be making this mistake again.