With a Song in my Heart.....and a Thrifted Skirt on My Hips!

Hey Girlies!!  Man!  I do love Fridays!  


After my last post about keeping it simple,the fabulous Anne of The Frump Factor, asked me some thrifting questions.  I thought that by posting her questions and answering them, it might inspire many of you to get out there and start hitting your local thrift stores.  But beware Oh Gorgeous One!  It's ADDICTIVE!




Do you haunt a lot of stores? 


I live in a REALLY small town.  Seriously.  If I want to go to Target or a mall, I have to go at least 30-40 minutes away.  So, it's not like there is a ton to choose from.  The closest Goodwill is 20-25 minutes away (with the way I drive, more like 25!).  There are two right here in town that I go to almost weekly.  Then about once a month, I try to hit that Goodwill that I just mentioned.  My suggestion would be to visit ALL the ones in your area.  Even if it looks a little yucky to you; check it out anyway.  You might be surprised.  But by taking a look at all of them, you'll get a "lay of the land" so to speak, and know which ones you really like and have what you like.


How much time do you have to commit weekly? 


Probably about an hour to an hour and a half.  For me, it's just relaxing.  Even if I don't buy a thing, it's fun to go and just see what's there.  It's like going to a constantly changing museum exhibit! I believe I find the best deals when I'm consistent.  Just set aside a little bit of time each week and hit your favorite fishing hole(s).  Because they're putting out new (to us) things daily, you never know what you're going to find.   Another benefit?  You get to know the employees and they get to know you.  They'll let you know when are the sales


Do you target a special store, or will any old Goodwill store yield the great finds?


Christina, of Second Skin Style, (she doesn't blog anymore, but it's still up.  Check it out for wonderful inspiration!) once mentioned that if she could only shop at one store for the rest of her life it would be Goodwill.  I'm right there with her!  Any old Goodwill will definitely do the trick.  But if you go one time and  find nothing, give it a couple more times.  Don't cross it off the list just because you may not find anything in one visit.  I DO have a personal favorite.  I go to a local Hospice that seems to burst with vintage goodies!!!!  To look at it, you really wouldn't get excited.  But they have great deals.  It's a wonderful cause.  AND they're sooooooo nice and the girls that work there feel like friends.  I also stumble across some great current clothes as well, like the dress I wore in my last post.  


I hope this helps.  Another bonus to thrifting?  Let's face it.  Our style changes and evolves.  It's not a stagnant thing and would we really want it to be?  So when I thrift and maybe tire of an item after a season OR wear it a couple of times and realize it's really NOT me; I don't feel bad about re-donating it because I don't have alot of money in it to begin with.  It also allows me the freedom to experiment!  To go forth ye merry maids!  Thrifteth to thine heart's content!