Thursday, March 19, 2009

Thrift Store Thursday

Links are closed for this post...please come back next Thursday Mar. 26 for another chance!


Here we are…my first blog carnival! I thought it would be fun to share our thrift store finds with everybody. My rules are pretty loose: it can be a thrift store, a resale or consignment shop, or even a garage sale. The items just need to be used, meaning not purchased at the original store. I know that Goodwill often has unused items from Target, or that you might find something with tags still on. It still counts if it was purchased second-hand.

I go to thrift stores pretty much every week. Sometimes several times. There are a number of them in my vicinity and I just pop in when I’m out and about. I try to be fairly picky, in that I don’t just scoop up armfuls of stuff just because they’re a dollar each. I look for things I like and can use and are in good condition.

I’ve even given gifts that were purchased second-hand. Just last week I gave my stepmom eight monogrammed Pottery Barn napkins for her birthday. They were $.50 each and she loved them! I also keep an eye out for new-in-package items to have on hand for birthday parties.

I have a vague dollar amount ceiling. It just exists in my head, and is different for each item. When I see something I like, I evaluate the marked price and decide whether I want to spend that much on it or not. A couple months ago I saw a cool bread tin at Goodwill, something like this one:

breadbox

At the time I thought it might actually be a vintage one (it looked well-used). GW’s price was $25, probably not bad if it was indeed vintage, but too much for me, so I passed it up. It just depends on the item, and to a certain extent the dollar amount in and of itself. It would be very rare for me to spend $25 on anything at a thrift store.

This week I did a little extra thrifting, with this post in mind. Nevertheless, pickins were slim, and this is the total of my finds.IMG_2410

Though I went to a number of different stores, all of these were found at the same Goodwill, different times.

  • large, sturdy wicker basket $3. Also had a $6 sticker on it and the girl gave it to me at the lower price. I wouldn’t have paid $6.
  • one 84” tabtop panel and matching valance, $4 each. Same store that sold me a pair of Pottery Barn panels for $4. Sometimes it depends on who’s ringing you up. These are for Skippy’s room.
  • Hardcover Amy Tan novel $1 (recommended, good read)
  • vintage Boy Scout handbook $.70 (c. 1980, which doesn’t sound vintage to me, but was nearly 30 years ago!) Thought this would be neat for the males in my household, all scouts either past or present.

How about you? What goodies did you find?

Links are closed for this post...please come back next Thursday Mar. 26 for another chance!
1. Please link directly to your Thrift Store Thursday post, not your home page.
2. Please mention and link back to my Thrift Store Thursday post.
3. Please put my button in your post, and I'd really love it if you'd use the code to do so :)






11 comments:

Cass @ That Old House said...

What a great blog idea -- I have been away from the computer for a week, but now you've inspired me! Secondhand is my middle name. Well, actually my middle name is Alice, but it might as well be Secondhand!
Thanks for the great idea; I've got to find my camera....
Cass

Unknown said...

Hi Holly! I'm participating in your Thrifty Thursday and have written a post about it. So much fun!

Sheryl

jac. said...

We visit our local thrift stores on rotation and end up doing a lot of gift shopping there too. It's amazing how many NEW items people donate.

Target donates their clearance items to one of our local goodwill's and I end up getting a few items time to time that are marked cheaper than Target's clearance price. Brand new still have the tags on them. They have a special section for that stuff.

Lucy Marie said...

I will try to play next time - I have nothing to share this week. I am not a big thrift store shopper but you've inspired me to try it out.

Michelle said...

Hi Holly! Thanks for hosting Thrift Store Thursday and inviting me to join in the fun :) I *hope* I linked up correctly...I've never used Mister Linky before! I am a die-hard thrifter and LOVE to find a great deal!

Have an awesome day!

Erin said...

Holly, thanks for throwing this party. It's right up my alley!

Adrienne of Noon To Two and Handmade By Ade Etsy Shops said...

I posted an item I found a while back, but this seems like so much fun I wanted to join in! Thanks for the great idea.

Adrienne

Marilyn said...

Hi Holly, good luck with your Thrift Store Thursday! I added your logo to my blog. It sounds really fun, I am laying low untill I get my health sorted (nothing too serious) but will be interested when I am feeling better :) Marilyn

WhisperWood Cottage said...

Love this! You know I've got my junking weekend posts every week! How fun!!

Amy

Anna said...

Hi, I just found your blog today. I linked to your Thrifty Thursday post. My kids like going to "junk stores" as they call them with me and finding new treasures too.
I will be back to visit your blog.

Humble Bee said...

I am a thrift store addict. The stuff that I find is just so exciting and fun. Can't wait to see what everyone else is finding on their trips to thrifty-ness.