My Spring Update Thrift Store Style
You are about to see a fun little update I recently did in my home with the help of my awesome sister and the thrift store.
Are you like me at all and get a crazy itch to update your house, hair, and wardrobe in the spring? We painted our house about a year ago (okay, it may have been longer) and I never got around to hanging stuff back up. I knew I didn’t want to hang everything back up the same old way. I wanted new stuff, but I never got around to decorating.
What finally spurred me on is the fact that my baby sister just moved into a new house. It is a rental home and she didn’t want it to look like a rental, but she’s limited on what she can do there. So my middle sister hit the thrift store and bought a bunch of stuff to go decorate with. It turned out so cute! It gave me a little bug!
The first thing I did was I bought a new clock! This was a great find I think. I bought it from a local yard sale group on Facebook for $5. This picture doesn’t do it justice! It’s HUGE! I turned around and sold my old clock for $5 so this ended up (in my eyes) as being free!
I also had all these frames that I had bought at yard sales last spring. I had plans for them to turn into something else, but once we took the backs and the glass out they turned into this cool frame wall. I really like it. I might find some cute vinyl decal or something to put inside the biggest one.
I have had this panty cupboard thing in my kitchen for a while and I just had a few things on top of it placed haphazardly. I took a picture of the stuff I had shoved up there and sent it to my sister. With her keen eye for style she went to the thrift store and this is where we ended up! The wine bottle and the grinder were things that I got from my grandma’s house and I am so grateful that we were able to incorporate them in.
I still have lots to do, but for about $20 in one day I was able to do a Spring Update Thrift Store Style!
What is your most prized thrift store find?
Back to School, Thrift Store Style!
I actually love shopping at thrift stores. I love thrift stores more than I love yard sales! With back to school shopping starting up I always make it a point to visit my local thrift stores. In my area we have Deseret Industries, Savers and a few random thrift & consignment shops.
I know lots of people don’t even want to step foot into a thrift store. It’s funny cause I figured my sister was one who would never shop there, but then I found out that’s where she buys all of her purses. Too funny!
Well I refuse to pay full price for things (seriously!) I shop the sales, buy grocery’s from the ad prices, and use coupons. Contrary to popular belief thrift store are not all grubby & gross. You can buy lots of name brand items, frequently with tags still attached! I suggest if you haven’t gone in to dig through the treasures at the local thrift shop, you give it a try. You might be surprised.
Yes there are things that they sell at thrift stores that there is no way I could buy. I personally wouldn’t buy underwear, socks or shoes at thrift shops (call me crazy).
Jeans and coats are things that for sure we buy at thrift shops! For myself for the summer I went and bought a bunch of casual skirts that I can wear every day.
Here are a few tips to help you find some great cheap school clothes at thrift stores.
1. Investigate Your Local Thrift Stores
The first step to finding cheap school clothes in thrift stores is to know your local thrift stores. Do a little scouting before you do your heavy shopping to help you figure out which stores have the best finds. It’s also helpful to know what days thrift stores have sales and what their return policies are. Take a chance and ask your friends, chances are they are shopping there too! At our local Savers if you take in a donation they will give you a couple for 20% off your next purchase (I always find something to donate before I go shop).
2. EEK… Take your kids with you.
I know I know. I hate shopping with my kids too, but… it’s good to have them there with you so they can try on a few things. Most thrift shops have a no return policy. Another reason is that things might sell before you get back. On days where our stores have big sales they sell the good stuff quick! There’s no sense in buying school clothes – even super cheap school clothes – if they don’t fit. If you can’t or won’t take your child with you, for whatever reason, at least make sure you know their size, what looks best on them, and their likes and dislikes.
3. Inspected by #MOM
No one wants to look like they are wearing thrift store clothes. Watch for rips and stains. Again, since typically there is a no return policy you don’t want to buy something you just have to throw away – if you do, what is the sense of trying to pinch your pennies.
4. Go to college! (or at least away from home)
If you have older kids, I highly suggest shopping at thrift shops near universities. The students that are going home for the summer or graduating, don’t always want to pack everything up – they donate good stuff! Another thing is that if you have older kids they might be embarrassed to be in a thrift shop in your home town.
5. Don’t go crazy, set a budget!
Just like any other shopping trip you make, set a budget. Thrift shops have great prices, but you don’t want to go crazy – and you can also take this opportunity to teach your kids about value, saving and charity!