Give Thanks.

I typically don't post about family...unless we've been thrifting, 

but today is different. 

Today, I feel the need to.

Because, I know, too often I take them for granted...

Each little hand hold,
or snuggle on the shoulder...

each little story told,
or funny little saying...

each little smile,

or giant belly laugh...

each new talent,
or first accomplishment...

each small second,
and each little hour...

will all someday... just be a memory.

So, today I give thanks...
thanks for today.

Happy Thanksgiving.

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Places to THRIFT ONLINE

Now. Let me first start by saying: thrifting online is a convenience. There's no picking or plundering. There's no dirt or hand sanitizer. There's no crying baby or loud tantrums. The dirty work has already been done.

Nope. Thrifting online allows you to sit down...in a cozy chair and drink your wine iced tea. You can happily oversee your children watching "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse"...and quietly click on a mouse.
It's blissful...It's heavenly...
It's costly.

I'll just be honest. If you haven't figured it out already, be prepared to pay for this convenience. Never will you find a crocheted aphgan for $2...or a vintage chalkboard for $1...or an aqua Le Creuset pot for $4. And, if you do, you better e-mail me right away.

With that said, I've still done it. Because, let's face it, you can pretty much find anything online. And, if you're pressured for time, you do whatcha gotta do.
So....here are my go-to's:

1. Craigslist (okay, pretty obvious.)

2. ebay (another no brainer.)

3. etsy

4. Goodwill Auctions

5. WebThriftStore

6. Plaid Goat

7. Shop Thrift Planet

8. Notnu (only clothes/accessories)

9. The Attic

10. Cure Thrift Store

11. thredUP (only clothes/accessories)

12. mieux & mieux (only clothes/accessories)

13. Three potato Four (pricey, but really cool stuff)

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Thrifting: with Kids

If you're a mother (or a father) then you already know how agonizing shopping with children can be...

"WATCH THE CARS!"
"Stay close to the stroller!"
"Don't touch!"
"No, we can't buy that."
"We don't scream inside!"
"You already have that."
"Maybe next time we'll bring a stroller for you..."

Luckily, it doesn't take much to make a sweet, gummy smile appear on one of my children's faces, so most of the time he's pretty good to go (well, at least for now, he is).

However, my other one can sometimes be a challenge. When we're in Target or Walmart or the grocery store, I rarely buy things on a whim for the kids. As much as I despised it at the time too, that's how I grew up, and I'm truly grateful for that. One day my kids will realize that too.
With that said, shopping at the thrift store is a bit different. It feels more relaxed and happy. I don't worry about her breaking things or ruining something, and I'm a bit more open to allowing her to pick out something (for obvious reasons).

It's never much...a trinket of some sort. A treasure, if you will. A little something fun in a place I'm happy to say "yes!" when I always say, "no."

Yeah, I'm pretty confident my little ones will soon learn to really appreciate a thrift store and feel just as giddy about shopping there as I do...

...but, of course, it doesn't hurt to have a mechanical carousel nearby either.

Happy hunting, everyone.


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Thrifting 101.

Recently I've been getting a lot of e-mails and questions in comments about thrifting. Today I'd like to share a few things that might (or might not) help you out...

* Research.
Find out what's available in your area. Google "Thrift Stores" or "Goodwill" or "Salvation Army" in your town. You might be surprised what's out there that you never knew about. And keep your eyes open next time your out. Some of the very best ones are complete holes in the wall!

* Go A LOT.
I might go 3 times one week and not find a thing, but once the next week and hit the jackpot. Most stores get things daily, so you truly never know what's out there unless you go!

*Be prepared to get dirty.
Just to give you a heads-up, typically the owners don't wash things. The stuff has come from who knows where and has who knows what on it...so you pack some hand sanitizer and a box of wipes and you move on. There's plenty of time for cleaning later.

* You don't always need to have "something in mind."
There might be some husbands out there that disagree (including my own), but unless it's going to take up your entire storage space or cost you an arm and a leg, if you like it, get it. I can't tell you how many things I WISHED I would have bought...because 2 weeks later I'm home and realized the perfect spot for it...
Besides, it's probably cheap...if you don't find a spot, give it back to the Goodwill and write it off on your taxes!

* Haggle. 
It's worth a try. Some places do it all day long. Some simply refuse. You won't know who does what unless you try.

*Add on another garage. 
Hahahaha! I wish.

If you go enough, eventually, you'll get to the point where you'll know your favorites, know exactly who to talk to and maybe even plan your daily outing around stopping at at least one...well, that's the life I lead anyway. :)
Good luck, guys!
And happy hunting.


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A Family of Thrifters

I've talked about them so much, I thought it'd only be appropriate that I finally introduce to you Annie and Fleming (and also Mary Margarette). It's really and truly them I have to thank for opening my eyes to thrifting! So needless to say, I'm always excited when they come for a visit!

And, you'll be happy to know, we always seem to find a little something . . .

even the cousins.

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Favorite Finds Friday

You can't ever go wrong with

"a Little Golden Book."

Merry Christmas, everyone!

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