$1 Finds and Vanity + Vintage Feature

Before I get to today's post, I wanted to give you a quick update about my blog.  I've bought my domain name (!) and I am in the process of moving my blog from blogger to a self-hosted wordpress.org site.  My new web address is http://www.thriftygirlvintage.com.  It will take a day or two to get the site up and running but after I'm done when you click on any of my links you'll be sent to my new address so there should be no changes for my readers.  I will keep you updated here on this post.  Thanks so much for being a reader of Thrifty Girl Vintage!

Okay...first off I was thrilled to be included in FASHION TALES' Vanity + Vintage #8 *Special Issue* !  This issue was all about vintage accessories and Madison featured a photo of me with my vintage white wicker purse.  You can click on the link to see all the featured bloggers and I think you'll enjoy checking out Madison's blog if you're not already familiar with her.

Vintage white wicker purse, $4.

I have been doing posts of Goodwill and thrift store finds on Wednesdays so today I thought I would change it up and do a post on only $1 stores.

Most of us have these only $1 stores in our towns.  There are the big chains like Dollar Tree and then there are the locally owned ones.  The one I frequent most is locally owned and has lots of jewelry.  Check out different stores to see which ones carry the type of items you are looking for because they all differ in the stock they carry.  Here's what I found recently...first the necklaces:

A vintage inspired look.

Pale blue shells.

Rocks and stones.

Natural colored shells.

I went on a sunglasses buying spree and snapped up several pairs for the regular price of one.

My go-to black pair.

Panama Jack.

Red aviators.

Gloria Vanderbilt.

Gray.

Brown.

And of course, every item featured today cost $1.  Only $1 Stores are also great resources for candles, frames, gifts and gift bags, cards and hair accessories.  Do you frequent only $1 stores?  If you do, what sort of items do you usually buy there?

My Retail Therapy Day

About a week ago, I had to pick my husband up at the airport around 5:30.  I dropped my kids off at school at 8:00 am.  Take off the two hour drive and I had a full day to wander around stores and shop to my hearts content.  I came home with all kinds of good stuff!  My first stop was Target:

Target, $12.99.

Target, $12.99.

Target, $10.

e.l.f. cream eyeliners, $3 each.  Cover Girl mascara, I think around $6.

I've been into hats this spring so I popped the natural straw one into my buggy.  I couldn't resist getting the white version with the floral hatband, too.  Well, maybe I could have resisted but honestly I didn't try very hard at all!

Feathers are popular right now and I had been looking at all the different feathered headbands.  I liked this one because it has a nice feathery detail without being too over the top.

I had read about the Cover Girl Volume Exact Waterproof mascara on a blog so I gave it a try and I'm happy to report that I've had zero flaking or smearing.  I forgot which blog I read the tip on, so if it was you "thanks!"  and post your website in the comments section if you would like.

I've been wanting to try cream eyeliner and when I saw these in the e.l.f. makeup section I snatched them up in both black and brown since they were only $3 each.  So far, I've tried the brown and it stays in place all day.  The texture is very soft and creamy and easy to apply.

My next stop was Half Price Books.  I still love full price bookstores, but Half Price Books spoils you just like Goodwill and thrift stores spoil you regarding paying full price for clothes.  I found a paperback on a topic I'm in desperate need of:

Organization book from Half Price Books, $5.99

I haven't read it yet and as long as I don't misplace it in all my junk, I think it will be a great help.  Perhaps, this summer...

I wound my way over to the other side of town and went to Whole Foods.  I won't bore you with my food items, but I did browse the natural makeup aisle and finally treated myself to a shade I've been longing to buy for a while called "Dollhouse".  It was definitely a splurge.

Whole Foods, ZuZu lipstick in Dollhouse, $18.

Whole Foods is set in a shopping center that also houses Joseph-Beth Booksellers.  I spent quite some time here sitting on a comfortable couch skimming through some fashion books and a couple of biographies of Isabella Blow.  I 'm always attracted to the foreign fashion magazines and the ones I buy I keep just like I would a book I love.  I came away with the May issue of British Vogue.

Joseph Beth Booksellers, British Vogue, $10.99.

There was a beautiful and strange photo layout inside with a look I wanted to copy.  (Inspiration pages and post to follow in June).  My last stop was Goodwill:

Goodwill, Vintage wicker clutch, $3.

Goodwill, Vintage looking floral dress, $5.

Goodwill, Black, white and pink tie, $1.50.

Showing detail on tie.

You can blame me buying a tie on Megan and Nora at two birds.  Having to wear a tie in this post for one of their inspiration mondays got me interested in the look.

Goodwill, Fuzzy Peach Beret, $1.50.

For all I know this is a kid's hat but it was cute and it fits.

By the time I finished up at Goodwill it was time to head to the airport.  I had a beautiful sunshiny day to shop and I was pleased with my finds.  Do you enjoy spending a day shopping alone sometimes?

FabuLESS for 50

It's fun putting together thrifted outfits.  Today I am entering this post into a contest at Fabulous for $50 & under.  Of course, the whole point is to do an outfit with a total cost of less than $50, so here goes!

I made these photos before my rolling garment rack decided to fall to pieces!  I ended up rearranging my whole bedroom, post forthcoming.  I thrifted several of these pieces here. 

70's inspired, possibly vintage, beaded belt and bag.

Belt Detail.

What I'm Wearing:

Catos brown/white stripe top, $3, local thrift store
Eddie Bauer khaki skirt, $2, local rummage store
Brown beaded belt, $2, local thrift store
Brown beaded purse, $4, local thrift store
Brown shoes, $3, Goodwill
3/4 sleeve denim jacket, $20, Fashion Bug

Total Cost of Outfit:  $34!  I did it!

Also linking up with spunky chateau for Thursdays are for Thrifters.  She accepts submissions all week.  Emailing this link to blue collar Catwalk for Blue Collar Collective.   

5 Ways to Start a Thrifting Fund

To shop, even in thrift stores, requires some cash.  Here are a few creative ways to stockpile a thrifting fund.

1.  Always break a bill.  When you're out buying groceries or supplies for your home when it comes time to pay at the register leave your change in your purse and  break some bills.  Each night, dump this change into a piggybank of some sort and watch the dollars add up.  My bank offers free change counting for customers so a quick stop at the bank before you set out for the stores will offer up some serious spending money.

My owl piggy bank.

2.  Use coupons.  Yes, I know, clipping, sorting, storing and using coupons takes time, but if you might want to give it a try. Deposit the savings you rack up from using coupons into your thrifting fund.

3.  Sell before you buy.  You'll be decluttering as well as bringing in some cash.  Have a first of the month yardsale to fund your shopping for the rest of that month.  Sell your gently used items through a consignment store.  Some pay as the items sale, others pay a set amount up front.  Advertise your unwanted items in local shopper papers.  These generally offer free ads to the seller.  Local swap shop type radio programs are a great place to call in your items for sale and is also a free service.  And, of course, there are the online resources such as ebay or etsy for vintage and handmade items.

4.  Give up something else.  Only you know what is okay for you to give up.  I really dislike when someone tells you to give up your Starbucks or soft drink or fill-in-the-blank habit.  I would never be the judge of that.  To some people, that expensive cup of coffee is a luxury that is totally worth it.  But whatever you do decide to give up, stash that money away for future shopping.

5.  Use the envelope method.  Figure out a portion of your budget that you can do without and put this aside in an envelope designated for thrifting.  It's not a bad idea to use this method for the rest of your budget, too.  So much in an envelope for groceries, household supplies, kid's clothes, etc.

Now that you've got some cashed stored up...let's go shopping!  Our first stop is a rummage store.

George Brand skirt, $2

Eddie Bauer skirt, $2

Four dollars for two skirts...not bad!  Let's check out the thrift store next! 

Gap, $3

Catos, $3

Crystal-Kobe, $3

Merona linen skirt, $4

Willie Smith, $4

Wooden beaded purse $4, Wood and beaded belt $2

Score...three tops, two skirts and we even found a matching purse and belt.  Love the 70's look of this set.  Now, aren't you glad you clipped coupons, sold stuff you didn't want, gave up a manicure, saved up your change and set aside a part of your budget?  I thought so...let's do it again next week!

Totally Thrifted OOTD

I had posted this on Thursday but Blogger ate it.  Thankfully, this morning Blogger gave it back but had already digested the comments.  Anyway, I am posting it again today so I can link up with  spunky chateau for her Thursdays are for Thrifters Link Party.    Check out the link to see other thrifter's finds.     

I thought it would be fun to come up with a totally thrifted outfit again.  I had fun doing a completely thrifted maxi look for Everybody, Everywear and it had a total cost of $14.00!

Everybody, Everywear Maxi 

I used several of the items I found during my last trip to Goodwill and a skirt I had bought earlier at a local thrift store.  This time, my total outfit cost was$14.50.

 

I wore this to a summer feeding program training for our Vacation Bible School which will be in June.  Each year we have an Outdoor Cafe, weather permitting.  We decorate with greenery, balloons and ribbons.  Each night, we have music drifting on the breeze and good eats at the decorated tables.  I will post a photo afterwards so you can see our Outdoor Cafe.

What I'm Wearing:

Old Navy shirt, $2.50, Goodwill

Ladybug print scarf, $1.50, Goodwill

Tommy Hilfiger denim skirt, $6, Local Thrift Store

Pink belt, $1.50, Goodwill

Platforms, $3, Goodwill

Total Cost of Outfit:  $14.50

"Clothes don't grow on trees, you know..."

Twilight in the Garden of Clothes and Accessories

I wonder what Eve would've made of a tree like this?  Maybe she could have picked herself something nice off and saved us all a lot of grief.  But that wasn't the plan...

I moved my oldest son home from college last Friday.  I drove down early so I could shop the Goodwill located in this college town and I came home with some great finds.  They're all hanging in this tree (except the shoes are hard to see like in one of those hidden objects pictures).  Individually, I've got them pictured below:

Ladybug scarf, $1.50

Green Dots Scarf, $1.50

Sarong, $1.50

Blue Dots top, $2.50

Old Navy Tiny Stripes Shirt, $2.50

Pink Web Belt, $1.50

Platforms, $3

I was excited about the shirt because I learned in week three of inspiration monday with two birds that it's easy to glam up a button-down shirt.  Finding the platform shoes made me happy because that was the shoe I was looking for in last Friday's Fashion Beauty Friend Friday post.  I wore several of these items in an outfit I plan on posting tomorrow.  

Have a good rest of the week and get out there and thrift something!  I am linking this post up at spunky chateau for her Thursdays are for Thrifters Link Party.  If you have some great finds or an outfit post that has some thrifted items in it, you can link up every Thursday.