Today's Scores

I guess when shopping doesn't damage my bank account, it makes it feel somewhat okay to shop thrift stores like a maniac.  I promise not to photo bomb my blog every other day with my hauls.  I'm learning to shop smarter and choose what to post.

Who could pass up a vintage dress at a great price?  Not me!  Was pleasantly surprised I could fit my 8 week post-natal body into it and look cute.    

Williams-Sonoma!  Dreamy!  Perfect to experiment with in my test kitchen!

I'm a sucker for vintage!

And Bunnies!  (Made in Japan!)

And Books!

And Buttons!

This Hello Kitty cable knit vest made me laugh.  I didn't pass it up because of the price.  But is it bootleg?  ( Funny thing is that we saw another one at a different thrift store a few days later.  Weird!)

It wasn't till last month that I heard about dooce.com - I've been online since 1996 but no one in my circle really talked about her blog.  I came across this book at Goodwill, loved the cover and it wasn't till I got home that I read the bottom cover and realized that this was the Dooce's book!  


Happy Thrifting!

Today's Scores: The Things I Didn't Buy

Thrift shopping is routine in our family now.  Duke (my 6 year old) has his own favorite sections now. He hits the toys, VHS tapes and books - in that order.  He had a sad moment on Saturday.  We were at Salvation Army, everything was 50% off and when we were at the check-out counter, the lady in front of us had a Toy Story Slinky Dog.  I peeked at the price and it was $1.59 so she was getting it for .80 - Duke really wanted it so I told Chris to offer her $2 but he didn't cause he knew she wouldn't have given it up.  I wouldn't have either.  She scored.  We turned the situation into a learning lesson for him: Be prepared to scour the aisles faster.  Just kidding.  We told him that sometimes you win some, lose some - be a good sport about it and get on with your day.  Life goes on!

The Things I Didn't Buy:
Cows in dresses.  I kinda wanted them.  Wish I looked at the price!

Blue Eyed Jesus on Black Velvet.  This didn't have a price.  Not sure how your thrift stores are but all the ones I shop at will not sell an item without a price.

This was all kinds of gorgeous.  Especially the frame.  It would have come home with me if it was a real painting but it was a reproduction on a wooden board.

I always check for used rolls of film in cameras.  Most of the time the roll isn't finished so when I pop open the back and expose the film to light, I don't even bother...  I have picked up 3 finished rolls but I worry about getting 'em processed and printed - what if there's some crazy stuff (or even criminal) on there?  I would be so embarrassed picking it up!


What are some things you didn't buy?  Any big time regrets?
A recent regret of mine is not buying (2) 10 lb. bags of Legos that were about $12 each.  Duke has been busy every day of his Summer vacation building with his Legos and it would've been nice to have bricks that weren't part of a set.

Highlights & lowlights.

Chris & I stay busy and having a newborn makes the days even more of a blur.  My Husband will be returning to work this week after a month of glorious baby bonding time thanks to California's Paid Family Leave.  I love having him home!  I tell him to start blogging so he can quit his job.  And then we both laugh.

I'm scheduled to return back to work on September 1st but it looks like I'll be taking a year off to be a SAHM!  I want to enjoy my little baby!  This is new territory for me because I've been working since I was 14.  We're also venturing into homeschooling Duke for 1st grade.  I attended our county's home ed orientation on Wednesday and I think we made the right decision.  We're assigned a teacher and check-in with her once a month, they provide books and we plan the curriculum together.  Duke can also attend class a couple times a week.  And I'll be back in school in the Fall so being off work for a year makes sense.  ( Remind me that I said all this in case I start freaking out in a couple months. )     

I haven't been to an art show, gallery or museum in months and it makes me sick.  I need art.  Maybe that's why Dr. Google says I have Postpartum Vertigo.  Or maybe I need to remember to caffeinate.
( I did see a Dr. yesterday - it is Vertigo.  He didn't prescribe meds but told me to do head exercises. )

We found this vintage chair at a thrift store for $25.  It's gorgeous.  Hubby snapped this before it went into our storage.  Love that he can shoot.

Another use for Talenti plastic jar - cup!

Those were the highlights of my week.  And then there's the new cancer scare.  With my Grandpa.  My hero.  The best man I know.  We won't know for 2 weeks.  Trying to be positive, optimistic and thank God for the great life he's had so far.  

Thrift Shop Row in Orange, CA

Let's be honest.  When it comes to thrifting, no one shares where they shop at.  It's almost like asking for my social security number.  It's that serious.  I found out about "Thrift Shop Row" a few years ago from a coworker but never stopped by till last week.  There's about 4 thrift stores in the shopping center but only 2 are worth checking out.  Since I found out about the row from a coworker, I decided to pay it forward and share the information.  

The Sheepfold Thrift Store supports The Sheepfold which provides a refuge and shelter for abused mothers and their children.  The shop is huge!  They have daily specials - the day we visited, everything was 50% off.  Most of their selection is good stuff probably because people feel it's going to a good cause.  I saw designer bags (Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Coach), I wanted to peek at the clothes but because we were rushed on time, decided to look at my other favorite sections instead:  books, housewares, toys and art.  I found a box of never opened Ziggy Valentine's Day cards .50, The Social Customer book .50 (Brand new! This is on Amazon for $16!), 2 books for my 6 year old 2 at .25 each! and 2 frames for my Husband.  There are some great finds here!

The Sheepfold Thrift Store

335 E. Grove Avenue

Orange, CA 92865

(714) 637-1132  

Family Thrift is big too.  They have daily specials - we went on a Wednesday and all white tags were 40% off.  Also on Wednesday is buy 1 get 2 free (has to be same department and daily color tag special) - People were going crazy in there.  I managed to find 2 vintage dolls $1.91, Yashica Microtec camera $2.92 and 4 used place mats $1.51 (for product photo shoots).  I was bummed that it was one of those thrift stores that markup certain items.  Used vintage Tupperware and vintage Pyrex were overpriced.  I passed on a Jell-o mold and bowl.   I loved how they separated clothes by size.  Most thrift stores we shop at arrange clothes by gender and color.  This store had gowns, plus size, vintage and designer sections.  I saw an older wood entertainment center priced at $2.92 and the magazines were all recent issues at .95 each - It's definitely worth a visit.  

Family Thrift

303 E. Grove Avenue

Orange, CA 92865

(714) 974-9141

Duke's Thrift Scores

I always go thrifting with my Husband.  It's a rare occasion when the kids come along because we hit the stores early in the morning during the week.  When I was pregnant we could browse for hours, not so much now with a newborn.  A couple Saturdays ago, on a whim, we decided to hit the thrift stores and it paid off - Duke found a Barrel of Monkeys, Travel Hungry Hungry Hippos and 4 books for about $5 - All of the stuff was in like new condition.  The real score was that he actually enjoyed thrifting!  He's always been good when we go out but the fact that he had fun makes me happy!  More adventures in thrifting for us!

Q: Do you take your kids thrifting?  What are some of their favorite finds?

Tips: 

• Go early.  Even though a lot of the stores tend to continue to stock during the day, our best scores have been made early.  
• Plan your route.  I have specific sections I check out first.  I do a quick drive-by and then return later to take a deeper look.    
• Don't have expectations.  Thrift stores aren't stocked like Target or Walmart so don't go thrifting expecting to find things you want or in your size or favorite color.  Be open-minded and creative.  And remember that most items are quantity: 1 so don't sleep on buying what you want.  
• Hold onto items in your cart or basket.  I put down a cloche because I couldn't decide if I wanted to pay $5.95 for it, looked around the shop for about 20 minutes, went back to get it before we were going to check-out and it was GONE.  I was bummed so now I keep everything in my cart and decide at the end what I want.
• If you see something you want, buy it because it won't be there again.  

Today's Scores

It's been a busy week thrifting.  And I actually plan on penning another post about our 6 year old's thrifting adventure.  He's a natural!

If you haven't heard, I'm giving away 2 Vintage Children's Books!  There are very low entries so I hope you enter!  

I come across Polaroid cameras all the time when out thrifting but have never bought one because prices are outrageous or in bad condition.  This one was in perfect condition and was only .98!  

I never used to see Pyrex and I was lucky enough to score 3 bowls in one week!  They were $2.95 each

One of the rules of thrifting is: If you see something you want, buy it because it won't be there again.
That being said, I was surprised this children's book was still in the store after a month.  I passed on it because I was told it was $3.99 then, I happened to ask again last week and was now told it was $1.99 - Score!

This photo album is MASSIVE.  The pages are made to fit 8 x 10 photos.  I happened to see one at an antique mall a couple months ago and the asking price was upwards of $50.  There's a retail sticker in inside the album for $50.  Planning on using this on an art collaboration with Chris!

Found these adorable vintage pieces!  Possibly for our little one.  He has a few years to go but couldn't pass these up!  Both of the shirts were under a $1 each!

Our teenage sons love when we find them their favorite brands.  This Obey shirt was $2.95!  

Thrifted Giveaway!

I received so many wonderful compliments on these books that I decided to give a pair away to show my love and appreciation for the thrifting and blogging community!  This is my first personal giveaway and first time using Rafflecopter so please bear with me.  If this goes well, I plan on hosting lots of personal giveaways because I love shopping and giving away stuff!  
1. Thrifted, 2. Thrifted, 3. Thrifted, 4. Thrifted

If you can't enter via Rafflecopter below, leave a comment on this post answering the following question:  What's the one thing you hope to find thrifting?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  I purchased these books with my own money.

Today's Scores

I have a problem, it's called thrifting.  I hadn't even been home from having my baby for 2 weeks and had the itch to go hunting.  My husband enjoys it too because he was all for a trip to a local thrift store.

I was wondering... Is there any interest out there for a "Thrifted Giveaway"?

Found more books on this trip.  I couldn't resist these vintage school books.  There were 13 in a bag for $1.98 

And vintage baby books for $1.48 each!

Inside of the white baby book
Inside of the pink baby book

And a vintage Mattel 1967 Mrs. Beasley for $7.98 - her pull string works but there's no sound.
Most dolls at this store are in plastic bags, there were about 20 dolls in bags sitting in a pile and when I pulled her out, I knew I had to see her tag.  Thanks to my Droid (while still at the thrift store), I found her information just by doing a Google search on "1967 Mattel doll".


Lastly, a vintage silk scarf from Japan for $1.98 - I love the colors and print on this...



& Thrifty Treasures