We are avid garage-salers, but I am going to admit a weakness: Sometimes I blow past good sales.
Brock has to stop me. I'm so anxious to make the most of my sale day that I will sometimes glance through a yard without much interest. Last week was no exception.
We drove up, and it looked like a "guy sale"--you know the kind: car parts, tools, etc. Nothing really good. I turned to Brock and said, "Doesn't look that great. Let's just go." He convinced me to at least check it out, though, and I gave in, sure he would be as disappointed as me. But I was wrong, and I'm glad I was. We ended up leaving with 5 dining room chairs for $15, a darling purple pea coat for $3, and various clothing items for $1 each. Check out the pics, and next time you're tempted to blow past a sale, make sure to pick through it carefully. It could be a good one, even if it doesn't look like it . . .
8.25.2011
Tip of the Day: Build from Scratch
Okay, I'm so, so excited to display my latest project, and I'm pleased to say I built the whole thing from scratch. Excited? Want to know what I built?
It's a doll house!!!
When I was 4 years old, my parents salvaged a junked up dollhouse, painted it, and then my mom built all the furniture from popsicle sticks. They completed it by buying the Sylvania Family Bear set (a hot item at the time), and I probably played with it every single day.
So I thought I'd make one for my own daughter. I know nothing at all about building anything, so I thought my best bet would be to gather scrap wood from wherever. Didn't work. No one is throwing out scrap wood these days. I'm not sure why the Goodwill wasn't my first thought, but I eventually arrived at the idea of using wooden doodads from the thrift store and nailing them, helter skelter, together.
IT WORKED!
I painted, glued, sawed (yes, many trips to the hardware store), glossed, you name it. It took about a month of nap time hours to finish, but I did it, and I'm displaying the pictures below for you to see. Listed below are all the items I made and how I did it . . . thrift store style.
Child's Room:
Rocker Horse--toy from Goodwill (10 cents)
Rug--doily from the thrift store
Bed--ripped apart coasters nailed to wooden blocks, all from the thrift store
Toy Bin--empty baby food container glued to popsicle sticks. Toys from an old Monopoly Game
Chalk Board--garage sale--free
Sewing Machine--Goodwill- 10 cents
Parents' Room:
Bed--coaster nailed to wooden pieces found in an old game, painted
Clock--courtesy of Google images, a printer, and a circular wooden piece (wooden circle from craft store, but very cheap)
Picture--Google image, small frame from Goodwill--50 cents
Dressers--Foam blocks glued and painted
Lamp--Candle extinguisher turned upside town, super glued to a random wooden thing found at Goodwill
Area Rug--Doily from Goodwill
Bathroom:
Toilet--Popsicle sticks, milk lid, random wooden pieces found at Volunteers of America (thrift store)
Bathtub--Popsicle sticks, various wooden pieces, baby food container
Toilet Paper holder--random wooden piece found at Goodwill (roll is an old bobbin from my sewing machine)
Vanity--wooden blocks and a small compact mirror (most expensive purchase--$2 at Target)
Mirror--other half of compact bought at Target--I just ripped them apart
Ladder--belonged to an old barn toy I got rid of
Towel--scrap material
Living Room:
Bench--Coaster and blocks glued and painted
Map--Google Images and a small frame, painted and glossed
Clock--same as Parents' room
Shelf--random piece from Goodwill--originally belonged to a weird cat thing.
Books--molded from air dry clay (such a fun find--$4 for a big tub), painted, and mod-podged to real Google Imaged book covers
Table--candle holder glued to circular wooden piece (candle holder 10 cents at Goodwill).
Kitchen:
Fridge--Two baby food containers glued together. Popsicle sticks to cover, twisty-ties for hinges.
Stove--Popsicle sticks, baby food container, circular wooden pieces
Sink--Baby food container, popsicle sticks, and bendy straw tops for nozzles.
Food/Dishware--molded from air dry clay, painted, glossed (cereal same as books)
Table--Candle holder, circular wooden piece glued together.
Chairs--wooden blocks (my daughter's), glued, painted.
Clock--same as other rooms
Roof/Outer Structure:
Popsicle sticks super glued to wooden pieces found at Goodwill (part of a shelf).
Most of the sides and front were wooden pieces to knick-nacks. I ripped most of them apart, but the front piece of the house (with the pull out drawers) was all one piece. I just nailed it to what I'd already built.
The railing was made with two small ladders found in some random toy kit at Goodwill.
The chimney was just lava rocks hot-glue-gunned to the wall and then to a piece of large legos I had.
Anyway, lots of description, but it was so much work and so much fun! You can literally make anything out of anything if you shop at the thrift store!
It's a doll house!!!
When I was 4 years old, my parents salvaged a junked up dollhouse, painted it, and then my mom built all the furniture from popsicle sticks. They completed it by buying the Sylvania Family Bear set (a hot item at the time), and I probably played with it every single day.
So I thought I'd make one for my own daughter. I know nothing at all about building anything, so I thought my best bet would be to gather scrap wood from wherever. Didn't work. No one is throwing out scrap wood these days. I'm not sure why the Goodwill wasn't my first thought, but I eventually arrived at the idea of using wooden doodads from the thrift store and nailing them, helter skelter, together.
IT WORKED!
I painted, glued, sawed (yes, many trips to the hardware store), glossed, you name it. It took about a month of nap time hours to finish, but I did it, and I'm displaying the pictures below for you to see. Listed below are all the items I made and how I did it . . . thrift store style.
Child's Room:
Rocker Horse--toy from Goodwill (10 cents)
Rug--doily from the thrift store
Bed--ripped apart coasters nailed to wooden blocks, all from the thrift store
Toy Bin--empty baby food container glued to popsicle sticks. Toys from an old Monopoly Game
Chalk Board--garage sale--free
Sewing Machine--Goodwill- 10 cents
Parents' Room:
Bed--coaster nailed to wooden pieces found in an old game, painted
Clock--courtesy of Google images, a printer, and a circular wooden piece (wooden circle from craft store, but very cheap)
Picture--Google image, small frame from Goodwill--50 cents
Dressers--Foam blocks glued and painted
Lamp--Candle extinguisher turned upside town, super glued to a random wooden thing found at Goodwill
Area Rug--Doily from Goodwill
Bathroom:
Toilet--Popsicle sticks, milk lid, random wooden pieces found at Volunteers of America (thrift store)
Bathtub--Popsicle sticks, various wooden pieces, baby food container
Toilet Paper holder--random wooden piece found at Goodwill (roll is an old bobbin from my sewing machine)
Vanity--wooden blocks and a small compact mirror (most expensive purchase--$2 at Target)
Mirror--other half of compact bought at Target--I just ripped them apart
Ladder--belonged to an old barn toy I got rid of
Towel--scrap material
Living Room:
Bench--Coaster and blocks glued and painted
Map--Google Images and a small frame, painted and glossed
Clock--same as Parents' room
Shelf--random piece from Goodwill--originally belonged to a weird cat thing.
Books--molded from air dry clay (such a fun find--$4 for a big tub), painted, and mod-podged to real Google Imaged book covers
Table--candle holder glued to circular wooden piece (candle holder 10 cents at Goodwill).
Kitchen:
Fridge--Two baby food containers glued together. Popsicle sticks to cover, twisty-ties for hinges.
Stove--Popsicle sticks, baby food container, circular wooden pieces
Sink--Baby food container, popsicle sticks, and bendy straw tops for nozzles.
Food/Dishware--molded from air dry clay, painted, glossed (cereal same as books)
Table--Candle holder, circular wooden piece glued together.
Chairs--wooden blocks (my daughter's), glued, painted.
Clock--same as other rooms
Roof/Outer Structure:
Popsicle sticks super glued to wooden pieces found at Goodwill (part of a shelf).
Most of the sides and front were wooden pieces to knick-nacks. I ripped most of them apart, but the front piece of the house (with the pull out drawers) was all one piece. I just nailed it to what I'd already built.
The railing was made with two small ladders found in some random toy kit at Goodwill.
The chimney was just lava rocks hot-glue-gunned to the wall and then to a piece of large legos I had.
Anyway, lots of description, but it was so much work and so much fun! You can literally make anything out of anything if you shop at the thrift store!
Tip of the Day: Shop Ahead
Today, Seattle needed shoes. So we went to Once Upon a Child, one of my favorite kid-focused thrift stores. We tried on a few pairs, and then I saw the most adorable pale pink Janie and Jack shoes . . . in a size too big for her. I hesitated, because I really don't need anything cluttering my tiny little town home right now, but they were brand new and perfect. So I bought them.
I don't regret it, either, and I think the tip for today would be to every now and then purchase items that will be used in the future. Never hurts to be prepared.
I don't regret it, either, and I think the tip for today would be to every now and then purchase items that will be used in the future. Never hurts to be prepared.
8.22.2011
Tip of the Day: A Million Uses
Okay, maybe the title was a bit exaggerated. The tip for today is how to make use of one item of clothing you've purchased. Two days ago, I was with my sister-in-law at a little garage sale in Missouri. There were lots of fun kid items, but I didn't want to buy any clothes for my girls because they didn't need anything.
And then I saw the dress.
It was creme, almost floor-length, and embroidered with large flowers, and it was exactly Seattle's size. It was one of those expensive dresses little girls wear to weddings. I looked at the tag--$5. A good price, really, considering she probably paid $60 or more for it. But I didn't need it. She saw me lingering and said, "I'll take $2 for that if you want it." I paused for just a fraction of a second and then gave right in.
So back to the tip for the day. I took the dress home and thought, "Where will she wear this?" It was too fancy for church, and I wouldn't let her wear it around the house. And then I thought of Christmas! And Easter. And her uncle's missionary home-coming. And weddings. And then I realized if I cared for it well enough, all my daughters could wear it (it's that nice). And after it had been through the ringer, I could use it as a dress-up.
I walked away from the sale, happily clutching my little dress.
So put your finds to use and stretch that $2 dress into a million (or 4 or 5) uses.
And then I saw the dress.
It was creme, almost floor-length, and embroidered with large flowers, and it was exactly Seattle's size. It was one of those expensive dresses little girls wear to weddings. I looked at the tag--$5. A good price, really, considering she probably paid $60 or more for it. But I didn't need it. She saw me lingering and said, "I'll take $2 for that if you want it." I paused for just a fraction of a second and then gave right in.
So back to the tip for the day. I took the dress home and thought, "Where will she wear this?" It was too fancy for church, and I wouldn't let her wear it around the house. And then I thought of Christmas! And Easter. And her uncle's missionary home-coming. And weddings. And then I realized if I cared for it well enough, all my daughters could wear it (it's that nice). And after it had been through the ringer, I could use it as a dress-up.
I walked away from the sale, happily clutching my little dress.
So put your finds to use and stretch that $2 dress into a million (or 4 or 5) uses.
8.10.2011
Tip of the Day: Get Inspired
My little sisters and cousin sent me a bunch of pictures of themselves showcasing their thrift store outfits. After looking through them, I realized I could branch out my style a little. If I do say so myself, those girls are smokin' hot! The tip for today is to get inspired by other people. You can create fashion savvy outfits looking through magazines, going to stores, or just people watching. I got my newest tips from my teenage sisters!
8.08.2011
Tip of the Day: Costumes
You'd better believe thrift stores have the best costumes, even if they weren't donated with that intention. I've never bought a new Halloween costume because thrift stores have it all: 70's retro, 20's hats, jewelry, shoes, and awesome 80's dresses. And when October does roll around, the stores are packed with department store rejects.
So never pay full price for a costume, and if you want that authentic flair, find your costume at the thrift store!
8.07.2011
Tip of the Day: Sales
You'd think thrift shopping would be enough, right? The prices are dirt cheap. You get amazing outfits for under $4. But it can get even better . . .
I'm talking about sales--thrift store sales, that is. Most thrift lines have them. Volunteers of America have a half off day the last Tuesday of every month. Ohio Thrift has half off day the last Wednesday of every month. Goodwill has half-off tag days (where specific colored tags get you the deal).
I just went to a bag sale at a local line called Trader Tots. You buy a brown paper bag for $10 and stuff it with as much clothing as you can, and let me tell you, it was a mad, crazy free-for-all! It was fun, though. Women were digging furiously through the bins outside, but everyone was looking out for each other. I often heard, "Who's looking for a girl size 2T?" And someone would grab the offered article. I found some toddler Uggs for Seattle for winter, a snow suit, and about 20 different pieces of clothing for both girls, including shoes. It was an amazing sale and worth the crazy mess of people.
The tip is to hunt for sales, even among thrift stores. You'll feel more like a billionaire than ever before.
I'm talking about sales--thrift store sales, that is. Most thrift lines have them. Volunteers of America have a half off day the last Tuesday of every month. Ohio Thrift has half off day the last Wednesday of every month. Goodwill has half-off tag days (where specific colored tags get you the deal).
I just went to a bag sale at a local line called Trader Tots. You buy a brown paper bag for $10 and stuff it with as much clothing as you can, and let me tell you, it was a mad, crazy free-for-all! It was fun, though. Women were digging furiously through the bins outside, but everyone was looking out for each other. I often heard, "Who's looking for a girl size 2T?" And someone would grab the offered article. I found some toddler Uggs for Seattle for winter, a snow suit, and about 20 different pieces of clothing for both girls, including shoes. It was an amazing sale and worth the crazy mess of people.
The tip is to hunt for sales, even among thrift stores. You'll feel more like a billionaire than ever before.
8.04.2011
Tip of the Day: A Girl and Her Shoes
One of the best parts of thrifting is you feel like a millionaire.
Think about it: you walk into any section of the store and throw anything in your basket, knowing full well you don't need to think twice about the price. At all.
So I've been increasing my shoe stock. Before my thrifting days, I kept a modest 6 or 7 pair (and that's including running shoes, boots for winter, and sandals). But thrifting allows me to try on everything, and I confess I splurged on those bright blue heels I would normally never get because, hey, I can now!
So go wild--get the red or yellow or orange shoes you can only wear with one thing. You can afford it.
Think about it: you walk into any section of the store and throw anything in your basket, knowing full well you don't need to think twice about the price. At all.
So I've been increasing my shoe stock. Before my thrifting days, I kept a modest 6 or 7 pair (and that's including running shoes, boots for winter, and sandals). But thrifting allows me to try on everything, and I confess I splurged on those bright blue heels I would normally never get because, hey, I can now!
So go wild--get the red or yellow or orange shoes you can only wear with one thing. You can afford it.
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