Playhouse made from pallets:  Total cost?  $5.  Pallets were free, chairs were $1 each.  Sign was $1, chalkboard was free.  Other decorative items made up the rest of the cost (from the thrift store).  Happiness at play time? = priceless.

Tip of the Day: Books, Books, Books

That's right:  Books, Books, Books.  No, I'm not starting a book club on the side (though I've toyed with writing reviews . . . ah.  Perhaps another day.)

I'm actually going to tell you how to rip them up.  Here is the step-by-step process:

1. Buy an old bookshelf from the thrift store (it can be uglier than sin).
2. Use paint you have (or if you must, buy a new can).
3. Rip up three of your favorite novels (no, really--make sure the edges are good and ragged).
4. Mod-podge the pages to whatever surface of your bookshelf you choose (I chose just the sides).
5. Paint something quirky over the pages (see my example below).
6. Give it one more going-over with some kind of sealant or mod-podge.
7. Voila!  Transform ugly, thrift store shelf into a delectable, darling, daring reading shelf!

PS You can fill the same shelf with books from the thrift store.  I bought the entire collection of Berenstain Bear books at the thrift store.  You'd be surprised.

Tip of the Day: Half Off Cautions

I've posted this before, but I needed to remind myself and everyone out there about HALF OFF DAY AT THE THRIFT STORE!!!!  Just when you thought thrifting couldn't get cheaper, right?

Some cautions:

• Get there early--the carts will be gone if you don't.
• Expect mayhem.  Don't bother with dressing rooms.  Grab and "git." 
• Don't buy stuff just 'cause it's extra cheap.  Unless you like it, you'll regret it, even if it's only a dollar.
• Got with a list.  I didn't and wished I had, because there were things I could have found had I been looking in that department.
• If at all possible, DON'T bring kids.  I know this is probably not possible.

Google your local stores for those half-off day sales, and have some fun spending even less than usual.

Tip of the Day: Party Planning

So you're asked to help throw a baby shower.

You peek into your one dish cupboard and realize what you knew before looking:  you don't have serving dishes.  Never did.  Maybe it's because you never threw a fancy party before, but it's probably mostly because you can't afford the $50 options at local stores.

Never fear, Thriftseeker is here!  For cheaper than buying paper serving dishes, you can actually get beautiful pieces at the thrift store.  I've posted a pic below of what you can create from thrift store dishes.  Take a gander.

You're welcome.

Tip of the Day: Ode to the Purse

Ode to the Purse,
It's used yet still works.


Okay, yeah, don't worry.  I'm not going to finish that.  I may have gone through three purses in the last 12 months (maybe more), and the beauty of it is that each purchase put me out $4.  There are a few tricks, though:

1. Make sure to find a thrift store in a more affluent area.  For some reason, women go through purses faster when they have more to spend.

2. Don't be terribly picky about color.  Sure, you want to make sure it works for you, but I've had green, red, black, and now ivory colored purses, and they've all been fun.

3. Don't freak out if the straps start to wear (happens to new purses at the same rate--I've actually tested this).  Just means it's time to go purse shopping!

Ode to the purse . . .

Photo Shoot

I can't think of anything more rewarding (okay, that's not even true, but let's go with it) than having professional photos taken while modeling (term used loosely) THRIFT CLOTHES!  Take a gander below and tell me I'm wrong (please don't actually do that).

Photo shoot, 2011.

Tip of the Day: Decorating Ideas

This is not a decorator's blog, but I wanted to post these pics my mom took of things she's made out of dirt-cheap materials.  Merry Christmas!

Tip of the Day: Try a different size.

Have you ever done this?  When shopping at thrift stores or Target's clearance sections, I am much more willing to try different sizes.  I guess it's because I'll be paying 75% less than I normally would, and if it's a close fit, I'll give it a go.

I've worn every size from:

Children's 12, 14, 16
Women's 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Medium, etc.

You'd be surprised.  I am not a big person, but I'm not a teeny tiny one, either, so I was surprised when I found I could wear some children's shirts (they're marked XL in the kid's section).  Same thing applies to kid's shoes.  Often, they'll be cuter and cheaper than the women's shoes, and sizes range up to an 8!

I also found that a lot of medium shirts fit just fine.  I like to accessorize with belts and sweaters anyway, so something a little bigger can actually look quite cute!  So try a different size.  You may surprise yourself!

Tip of the Day: Don't Forget Macy's

You read the title right--Macy's.  The department store.  The one with new stuff in it.

I ventured into the Black Friday world for the first time in my life this weekend, and this is what I found:

$2-$5 DVDs from Walmart
$5 Long-sleeved shirts from Old Navy
$2 Panties (ooh-la-la) from Target
$2.50 Barbies (princess ones) and Polly's (again, princess) from Macy's

Many of these items are Christmas gifts, so I didn't mind shopping a little, but what surprised me was that I saved the most at Macy's, of all places.  The Barbies and Polly's were brand spankin' new!  Walmart was a nightmare, and I will never go there again on Black Friday, and Old Navy was just fun (Target is always a good staple, though their sales weren't that great this time).

So don't forget Macy's, folks.  Thrifting snobbery works both ways:).

Check out my cousin's find.

My cousin, Rochelle, bought this at a thrift store and coated it with spray paint to make a very cute laundry hamper.  You just never know what you can create . . .

Tip of the Day: Towels re-visited

I never ended up buying towels at the thrift store, mostly because I re-discovered one of the secret gems of thrifting:  the dollar store.  Bad taste, you say?  Nothing of quality there?  Not so.  Here are a list of things I found today:

Towels (small, not fancy, but for our budget, they work great as guest towels in a pinch)
"Silver"ware (yeah, definitely not real silver, but again, good for Thanksgiving when there are a lot of people)
Gift bags--enormous gift bags (and lots and lots of wrapping paper accessories)
Nail polish
Place mats
Hot pad
Hangers
Stocking Stuffers (tons and tons of those)

And more . . .

So the tip is once again to humble yourself and take a peek.  You'd be surprised . . .

Tip of the Day: Towels, anyone?

There are a few things I simply will not buy at thrift stores, no matter what.  Underwear and swimwear are definitely on that list.  But what about linens?

It gets tricky there.  I'm hesitant when it comes to bedwear (oh, you bet I just made that word up).  You never know . . .  and we'll leave it at that.  But a good, bleached towel just doesn't make me cringe.  To each his own, right?  So I'm off this week to find some towels.  I'll report when I return!

Tip of the Day: Thrift on Vacation

So you're in Florida.  You have the ocean before you, the sky is blue, and the food is delicious.  It's a vacation you've dreamed of, and you plan to enjoy it.

Well, here's a tip: don't forget to thrift.  No, seriously.

What better opportunity for a boost in your thrifting world than to try a new location with new shops and new people?  I'm not saying you should ignore the ocean, but don't discount the fun of thrift shops near the beach.  Turn that good vacation into an excellent one and thrift, baby, thrift!

Tip of the Day: New Stuff Hunt

Thrift stores get reject stuff from Target (and other stores).  I've purchased new clothing at the thrift store from the following brands/stores:

Target
Gap
Circo
Carter's
Keds

Sure, some of the things came from people who were crazy enough to get rid of brand-new merchandise, but other items were simply donated by stores.  That's where we come in.

If you're not too specific about what you're looking for, you can shop at half-prices for new things at most thrift stores!  Don't believe me?  Go out and look.  It's the New Stuff Hunt.

Tip of the Day: Tell 'em

That's right.  When someone asks where you got it, tell 'em you thrift shop.  It may feel strange, at first, since clothing brands are set up for us to brag about their location, but you get good at it.  Trust me, wearing a pair of sofft shoes and banana slacks for $10 total feels so much better than doing it for $140.

And people get inspired.  I can't tell you how many people ask for good shopping locations, now.  The shame is gone, and the shopping is ON!

So tell 'em.  They'll thank you for it.

Tip of the Day: Make It

I learned to make those cool little flower bows everyone's been wearing lately.  It's really easy, too.  But I'm not writing about how to make them today--I'm writing about cost.  And it cost me $0 to make this headband (pictured below) for my little girl.  That's right--$0.  I had an old knee high that I hot-glue-gunned together and found some material in my sewing closet.  But you don't even have to have a sewing closet to make this.  You can rip up old jeans, t-shirts, dresses, whatever.

So if you want to try something super chic but cheap, try the rag flower.  The price is definitely right.

Tip of the Day: Never Buy New Halloween Costumes

I mean it.  Don't you do it.  Now, let me tell you why:

I saw a darling little lion costume at Target tonight, the same costume, in fact, that I bought at a second hand store.  Here's the price difference:

Target: $20.00
Second-Hand: $3.50

I saved $16.50 on ONE costume.  And here's the kicker--most kids only wear the same costume once, so when you buy second-hand, you're often buying something that was only used one time.  In other words, the difference is one night of use and $16.50 in your pocket.

So go to the Goodwill, Volunteers of America, Once Upon a Child, or wherever your second hand fancy takes you.

Still Collecting . . .

Look below for pics of:

A laptop my hometown friend found at the thrift store.  I'm not even kidding.

A table and chair set (retro).

Toddler suit for church.

And more, of course . . .

Call for Pics . . . Still

Check out the newest pics below from some of my thrifty friends.  Pretty amazing finds!

Tip of the Day: A Call for Pictures

Time to send me your latest thrift store finds!  I focus on clothes, but if you've found a cool deal on something else, snap a pic and email me at: coleytrejo@gmail.com.  I'll feature you and "publish" you on facebook!  Get shoppin'!