thrifting 101: updated

Thrifting 101:

• Go often! To find the best stuff you have to go thrifting on a regular basis so that you don't miss out on any great finds. I go at least once a week to my regular thrift store.
• Check out the racks of stuff that hasn't been put out yet. I always find amazing stuff there because no one has looked through it yet. Last week, I found brand new Target and Gap items on that rack- with tags still on!
• Find out if your thrift store has a customer savings program. For example, Goodwill has a Preferred Customer program. For about $15 per year, you can save 10% every time you shop! It will pay for itself in no time if you shop regularly.
• Most people say they don't have the patience to go through all of the stuff so here's a trick I use. I look at the fabric. You can tell a lot about the quality of an item by just looking at the fabric. I don't bother even looking at anything that looks worn out, faded, or the fabric doesn't look like it's of good quality. Josh makes fun of me for this one, but I also just go down the aisle and touch the fabric to see if it's good quality. Good brands = good feeling fabric!
• Speaking of brands, I have a list of brands on my phone that I look for. This list would vary depending on your taste in clothing but some of my favorites are J. Crew, Gap, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Lucky, Guess, and anything from Anthropologie. This brands generally have great quality clothing so even if it's second hand, it's typically going to be in good condition.
• Look everywhere! I've found women's clothing in the men's and children's sections of the stores.
• Sizing is so different from brand to brand so don't be afraid to try on a large if you typically wear a small. I've found some really great items by giving an item that wasn't my size a chance.
• See if you thrift store runs any sales. I have a favorite thrift store that has daily deals but they also take 50% of all clothing on Mondays. I love a good sale!
• Shop for the whole family! About 80% of our wardrobe is from a thrift store. I find amazing clothes for the girls at thrift stores!
• Styling your thrifted items is the fun part- I love mixing my thrifted items with items that I've found at regular retail stores. You can make a thrifted item work with the latest trends!
• Being patient is essential. You won't find a ton of stuff that works for you every time but don't get discouraged. A piece or 2 at a time is fantastic and sometimes I leave with nothing. Don't buy if you don't love it because it will just hang in your closet and end up back at the Goodwill in a few months.
• Look out of season. This especially works well for children because kid's clothes don't ever really go out of style. I buy summer clothes in the winter and winter clothes in the summer. I've had such great luck with this! I bought so many gorgeous summer dresses for Julianna this past winter.
• There are certain times of the year to be sure to shop. Always go at the end of December. Everyone is cleaning out their closet for tax deductions. I've found amazing clothes, toys, and more! Also, spring is a great time to shop at thrift store. Particularly around March when most people are doing their "spring cleaning."

thrifty: one dress, two ways

So this dress isn't thrifted. But it was on sale! Like I posted before, I don't pay full price for anything that I won't get a lot of use out of. This dress had been $27.99 but I caught it on sale for $20 at Target. I was willing to "splurge" because I knew I could wear it year round. Since the weather in NC is bipolar, within just a few days, I wore it two different ways, for two different types of weather!

On Thursday, I wore it to take the girls to story time. Complete with leggings and boots for rain and temperatures in the forties! It was cold!

Dress: Target (with belt)

Necklace: The Jewel Box

Leggings: Wal-Mart

Boots: Dexter, thrifted

 

And on Sunday, I wore this dress again but with bare legs and wedges because it was in the seventies and it was a gorgeous day! I love versatile items that I can get a ton of use out of!

Dress: Target

Necklace: Groop Dealz

Bracelet: Belk (old)

Shoes: Target (old)



thrifty: spring break

I don't have to work this week because the kids are on spring break.. I only work part- time (about 15 hours per week) so I'm mostly a SAHM but I work at an afterschool program at my church as a teacher. I love the balance of being a mom and spending tons of time with my girls and getting to leave a few hours a day to teach and work with other children. I'm so blessed! But I have loved not having to be anywhere at a certain time this week.

I took the girls to the zoo on Monday... the start of the spring season (and an absolutely gorgeous day!) and oh my goodness, it was packed! We only stayed for about 2 hours but we had a great time! And I'm pretty sure, even with the crowds of people, I was the only one wearing neon skinnies...



Top: Old Navy, thrifted
Pants: Target, clearance 50% off
Shoes: Toms
Necklaces: Old Navy (silver one) and gift (red one)
Watch: Target, clearance 30% off


And yesterday's outfit for mom group and relaxing at home:

 Top: Old Navy
Pants: Banana Republic, clearance 50% off
Boots: Dexter, thrifted
Necklace: Groop Dealz
Bracelet: Belk

thrifty: Easter weekend outfits

I try to incoporate something thrifted into my outfit everyday. It's really not that hard for me to do because so much of my wardrobe is thrifted. My outfits for Easter weekend are a combination of thrifted and non-thrifted items... but if I buy something that isn't from a thrift store, it's always on sale! I never pay full price unless it's something I know I will use a lot.

Good Friday:

Shirt: Old Navy, clearance
Jeans: Target, thrifted
Shoes: American Eagle, old
Necklace: Groop Dealz

Julianna and I made a quick stop into Goodwill before getting groceries on Friday and I found this beautiful floral tulle skirt. I paid about $3.50 for it!

 

Saturday Egg Hunts:


Shirt: Target, thrifted
Jeans: Target, clearance 50% off
Shoes: Target, clearance 50% off
Jacket: Gap, thrifted
Necklace: Groop Dealz

Easter Sunday:

Shirt: J. Crew, thrifted
Skirt: Coldwater Creek, thrifted for $1 on Dollar Day at Goodwill!
Necklace: Sassy Steals
Boots: Dexter, thrifted

family: Easter 2013

We began our Easter festivities on Friday. We spent Good Friday as a family. Shopping for things for our garden, eating lunch at Chick Fil A, and going to church on Friday evening for a special Good Friday experience. It was such a great day!

Saturday was a fun filled day too! We started the morning with an Easter celebration at our church for the kids. Singing, dancing, bubbles, chalk, coloring, cupcakes, hula hoops, the story of Jesus, and an Easter egg hunt with friends!

 

Our second festivity of the day was an Easter Egg Bash thrown by my nephew's mom. She did a great job planning such fun activities for the kids. Cupcakes, egg pinatas, candy, egg dying, an egg hunt, and fun playing on the playground. It was a fun day with family!

And last night, the Easter bunny visited our house in celebration of the resurection of Jesus Christ. We are spending Easter Sunday celebrating Jesus! We went to church this morning and the rest of the day we will spend as a family. He is risen!

 

thrifty: denim with a pop of floral

Here's how I styled one of my most recent thrift store finds...

Floral top: Izod, thrifted
Jeans: Target Mossimo, thrifted
Jacket: J Crew, thrifted
Boots: Dexter, thrifted
Tank: American Eagle
Necklace: Groop Dealz

Outfit total... less than $20!