Monday, November 28, 2011

Here's Why I Thrift, Garage and Estate Sale

When I was a kid, there was a period of time that my family was really broke.
Like lose our house, have one car and shop at thrift stores, broke.
Shopping at thrift stores wasn't cool then.
I am really thankful for that time, though.
I remember it was hard.
I am sure it was much, much harder on my parents than it was for me.
But I learned a lot.
Even as a 5th grader.
Like what things really matter.
And those lessons have stayed with me my entire life.


So here I am, 20 + years later, hitting the thrift stores all over again.
And this time, it's fun!
Wanna know why?
Because when I decide I need a coffee carafe, I find one.








For a DOLLAR.
Yep.
1 Dollar.
So not only did I save myself at least $10 bucks, (cheapest one I found was at IKEA and cost $11) but I also like the idea of reusing something that is still perfectly good.
Why buy new when you can reuse?
And, to make things even better, this carafe is perfectly vintage cool.



It was also really fun to see this exact carafe in a vintage shop a few days later for $20.
Score one for me!

I have my list of things I need and I look for them each time I make it to a thrift store or garage sale.
Sometimes it takes me a while to find an item, but most things are not items I need immediately.
I just keep my eyes peeled and things turn up.
Like a cake stand.
I've been wanting one for forever.
I resisted the urge to buy a new one and then stumbled upon a sweet vintage one at an estate sale.
White glass with tiny, gold star bursts.  So 50s.
The woman told me her mom put all her cakes on that plate.
Love that.  (see it here)
Or the vintage juice glasses I wanted for my votive candles.
They have a little star burst pattern on the bottom and were 25 cents each.
Way cheaper and cooler than buying new ones from Target.
I used them on Thanksgiving.

The best part about thifting and garage saling, are the surprises.
Like a vintage sheet.
Or a beat up old paint by number in a hideous frame.



Just wait until you see the transformation!
What are your favorite thrift store scores?
Hope your week is off to a great start.
Love from,
Greta
I'm linking up to Life Made Lovely today.  

5 comments:

grey rose (they/them) said...

gorgeous carafe! oh my, it's divine.
our thrift shops are a let down, with a capital DOWN. lame. yet another reason why i belong in california ;)
happy monday! hope your thanksgiving was a delight!

Handbags*and*Pigtails said...

I LIVE at thrift & consignment stores. I clothe myself and my girls from them and no one would know if I didnt say anything. I can clothe them in top name brands for a FRACTION of the retail cost...which leaves room in our budget.
Theres nothing better than finding a great deal. My most recent one, which I havent even blogged about yet, was recently finding a Cole Haan brown bag with gold chain accents for only $7.99 And about a year ago, I found a gorgeous sterling silver bangle bracelet(that still sells in the Silpada catalog for $124) for only 59 cents!!!!!!!!!!
I wont shop any other way, unless its gifts for other people. Even then Ive scored well at times.

Contemplating Beauty said...

Couuuuuute blog! And I'm right there with you, I have been thrifting since it was uncool--and BTW are those fiesta ware cups!???

Ashley@The Vanilla Tulip said...

LOVE your finds!!!! And love thrifting too:)

got pineapple said...

Hi, I can really identify with you about thrifting way back as a kid with my mom and aunt and finding it uncool and embarassing...I had no idea why we would spend saturdays at Church sales or thrift stores, when I clearly wanted to go to Sears! Fast forward 30 years, little did I realize that simply due to necessity and practicality as a mother myself now. These are the places I freqeunt most. I learned the value of a dollar and the joy of finding a treasure. I now thank my Mom in silent prayer to her for the love of old things. Thank you for sharing