Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Everybody, Everywear (again): I'll Be Your One Stop Candy Store...

Thrifting is my way of life. It's therapeutic for me-it soothes my soul. It's my chemical romance. I'm in love with the thrift-I obsess over her each and every day. I've been thrifting for close to 6 months and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I anxiously wait for the time clock to say that I can stop working so that I can make my weekly run through town. 'Weekly espcapades' is what I like to call them. Some weeks they turn into daily endeavors. I'm an addict. Thrifting is like a drug to me. The thrill of finding someones discarded vintage Oscar de la Renta luggage or even a cutesy old school romper gets me all tingly inside.

Have you ever thought about why people get rid of such nice things?

On numerous occasions, I've found items with the tags still in tact, never worn before. I will admit that I'm a little on the selfish side. I like to get at least one wear out of an item before I chuck it. Maybe even two. I thought about doing a list of thrifting rules and tips that I've learned thus far but everyone does that so I'll pass. Me posting yet another boring list of tips would be like hearing a broken Lady GaGa record-it will make you want to pull your freaking hair out. I've tried to be a good girl and follow the rules of thrift but I think I've just about broken EVERY SINGLE SOLITARY RULE and debunked 99.9% of the myths that I have read since the inception of this ever growing obsession.

For instance...being patient. Sometimes I'm hella impatient and get frustrated with fumbling through racks of smelly clothing. So I only end up with one item. Like this kick a$$ belt that I found for 45 cents.

Thrifted Belt (I LOVE BELTS)

Like really, whooooo gives this stuff away? And is it cool if I come over and go through your 'junk bags' before you take them to the donation drop off? That way I won't have to 'be patient' in the thrift store annnnd I won't have to pay. I like FREE!!

What about the washing all thrifted items before wearing them rule? I admit-sometimes I don't. Especially when the tags are still attached. I found this teal H&M vest with new tags and guess what....

Thrifted Vest&Tshirt

I didn't wash it before I put it on. Just Frebreeze and Go. Is that gross?

This clutch was thrifted too. It's mainly fabric material and I didn't wash this baby either.

Thrifted Clutch

I did however, with complete certainty, make sure that I cleaned these thrifted wedges up before I put them on.

Thrifted Wedges

Even though they didn't show any signs of wear, I still don't know how many people tried them on before I purchased them. A little alcohol and a cloth soaked in super boiling hot water did the trick.

How do you clean your thrifted finds?

Another thrifting rule that I absolutely don't care to follow is to go on 'shipment days'. By show of comments, how many of you know of a thrift store that has designated shipment days? Last I knew, they got shipment everyday and to my knowledge only certain chain stores like Goodwill and CHKD have a specific rotation pattern with regard to shipment. The items that have been on the floor the longest get discounted first-so on and so forth. Honestly, it doesn't matter what day of the week I go-I always find something. Some days I find more than others but I haven't found my results to be relevant to which day of the week I shop on. Here's another instance...with the exception of the super long flared jeans from NY&Co, I found each piece of this 'fit on different days at different locations.


"Where are your shoes?"-random comment made by my professor


I'm sooo excited that Everybody, Everywear is hosting a 'thrifting' edition on Thursday because I can't wait to link up. This will give me a chance to find more thrifty divas to feature on my 'Word on the Street Wednesday' segment-all at once. It will be like a one stop shop. It's gonna be so sweet. And I'm gonna be like a kid in the candy store. HYYYPPPPEEEEE!!!!

SIDENOTE: I would love to tell the world about your pretty little blog. Wanna be featured. Shoot me a personal email to thriftyandshameless@gmail.com or you can just click on the cutesy little envelope in my sidebar.

What 'thrifting rules' have you broken lately?

Linked up to:

Post Title from: Candy Store by Madonna


23 comments:

  1. I just wouldn't be the same without the thrift. It has a hold of me!!

    Rockwell

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  2. First of all, i LOVE that I have discovered you We could be thrifty sistas!!
    Second, omgawsh...I've broken all. those. rules. too.

    See? sistas!!

    Third, nope, no rhyme nor reason to my finds. Except that I am consistent and I suh-wear that is why I find such fabulousness, IJS. I'm committed!

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  3. I am so with you on the "let me go through your junk bags before you donate them" thing! Whenever I hear someone say they're getting rid of stuff I'm always asking if I can have a look first!

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  4. I haven't had much luck thrifting but this post is giving me hope.  I think a thrifting do's and don't list would be really helpful or tips and tricks.  Thanks for this post.

    www.rosefromrosedale.com

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  5. That clutch is to die for.  Love random clutches like that!

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  6. I love those Wedges!  I am in love with thrifting, too.  I tend to go a bit overboard when I'm shopping at Goodwill or thrift stores because I can afford to when everything is so cheap.  And I love the idea of one of a kind finds.  Thrift shopping sort of spoils you, don't you think?  Debbie  http://thriftygirlvintage.com

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  7. I forgot to mention...the items I thrift that I can't wash, I spray with lemon essential oil mixed into distilled water.  I use this to disinfect and freshen up shoes,purses, belts and hats.  It smells great, too.  Debbie  http://thriftygirlvintage.com

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  8. Great thrift work! And I'm with you on the belts.  I found some at a thrift store some years back and vowed from that point on to only use thrifted belts from that point on.
    Thanks for joining the thrift-off today!

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  9. I am a huge thrifter and I wonder the same thing. Why do people get rid of this awesome stuff?  Your H&M vest was a super score with the tags still on!  I found a pair of Lucky Brand jeans at the Goodwill for $3.99! Those suckers are expensive.  I've linked up to EBEW today :)

    Heather

    http://www.hkstylejourney.blogspot.com/

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  10. So now that you have been thrifting for 6 months, does that mean that you have sworn off all normal retail shopping. I don't think I'd be able to do that. - Katy

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  11. You know what they say...one mans trash is another mans treasure!

    Rockwell

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  12. Girl try it. I always have pretty decent luck. Maybe I shall begin getting a 'thrifting tips' post together;-)

    Rockwell

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  13. I do too! Especially when they're hella cheap!!

    Rockwell

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  14. OMG...thrifting has totally spoiled me. I frown at anything above $10 these days. Haha..I'm such a thrifting diva!

    Rockwell

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  15. Great idea..I need to try that one!

    Rockwell

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  16. Oh yes! Thrifted belts are the way to go. I love belts and absolutely refuse to pay full price for them now that I know where to find really cute ones for cheap!

    Rockwell

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  17. OMG..Lucky jeans-lucky YOU! I'm just waiting for the right pair of True Religions or 7 for all Mankind jeans!

    Rockwell

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  18. No I haven't totally sworn it off because I do catch some rather good deals sometimes but I will say that I retail shop a HELLUVA lot less than I used to!

    Rockwell

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  19. I have thought so many times "what were they thinking?!?" when I find a treasure at the thrift store! But I don't complain.  I purchase:)  I love those wedges! I haven't had much luck thrifting cute shoes here, but maybe one day!

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  20. I know right. I especially love when people give away things with the tags still attached.
    Rockwell

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  21. That belt really is amazing! Thanks for linking up!
    -Meaganhttp://spunkychateau.blogspot.com

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  22. I died when I saw it was only 45 cents! It's waaayyy too big but I'm trying to work with it!
    Rockwell

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  23. I'm addicted to thrifting, bargain shopping & yard sales. I too am a rule breaker at times. I LOVE those wedges :)

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