Story Time: Thrift Gifts

Apparently the majority of my friends decided to be born within three months of each other, and as a broke college student, it’s taking a serious toll on my (almost nonexistent) bank account. I know they don’t expect any big, expensive presents from me. They might not expect anything at all, but I love giving gifts. I’m a selfish gift-giver.

Watching a friend open a present from me that I know they’ll love makes me really happy. I’ll go as far as saying that it gives me a sense of glory. I guess it’s sort of a contradiction – to be greedily generous, but my friends can’t really complain.

Me when someone likes the gift I got them.

Anyway, I’ve realized that the best and least bank-breaking way to find my friends presents they’ll love is, of course, thrifting. Some of my own favorite gifts were thrifted, and a lot of the more unique and personal gifts I’ve been able to pick out for others have come from thrift shops, too.

Here are some of the best things I’ve found for other people while thrift shopping!

Warning: These might not sounds like “the best things” to you (they might sound outright strange), but due to their subtext, my friends loved them. I swear.

• Clown paintings for the boyfriend

So my boyfriend, like many boyfriends, likes the show South Park. There’s one episode about a shy, nerdy side character named Kip Dordy who has no friends on Facebook. In Kip’s room, there are sad clown pictures on the walls, which I assume are figurate of Kip’s life – absurdly depressing. My boyfriend thinks it was one of the funniest things ever.

Sad Kip.

One day, browsing the wonderfully weird art selection at my local Goodwill, I found a sad clown painting. I don’t know what drew me to it. I wasn’t looking for a sad clown painting. I wasn’t looking for a painting at all. I just took a moment to glance through the assortment of artworks, and there it was.

He loved it. He more than loved it. He couldn’t believe it. And I couldn’t believe it when just a couple weeks later, back at the same Goodwill, I found another sad clown painting by the same artist. Now the pair of them hang in our bathroom, watching over us.

Maybe I shouldn’t have gotten him them…

• Sheep picture frame for the best friend

My best friend is a lot like me. We both love vintage clothes, chocolate, and animals, especially farm animals like sheep and pigs. When I see something I like, I can kind of assume that she’ll like it, too. So when I found a good-as-new picture frame with adorable little lambs on it, I knew one of us should have it. Since it was Christmas time, it had to be her. I put a picture of me and my boyfriend in it (her two favorite people, obviously) and gave it to her.

Here’s a picture of where she put it – in its rightful place, on a pedestal.

 

• Murder mystery board game for the roommates

My roommates and I always have game nights. We play video games, board games, trivia games, whatever. Awhile ago, we tried to do a murder mystery, but we didn’t realize that it takes serious planning. And we’re lazy. It was disappointing, though, because we were pretty excited.

But I found the perfect substitute while out thrifting one day: a murder mystery board game called Murder Mystery Mansion. I didn’t really know what it was when I bought it, but it was a game (check), had the words “murder mystery” in the title (check), and was less than five dollars (check). I brought it home and realized it required no serious planning (check mate), and we decided to play it that night. It’s now one of our favorite games to play!

~~~SpoOoOOooKy~~~

What are some of the best presents you’ve given or received that came from thrift stores? Don’t leave me hanging. I can see you guys, and I really want to hear from you!

 

 

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OOTD: Winter to Spring

I mentioned last week that I couldn’t wait to start wearing fun spring colors. And I meant it. I really can’t wait. The sun is out. Flowers are starting to bloom. Baby animals are being born. It’s time for spring! Right?

Technically, spring doesn’t start until March 20th this year, but it seems to be making all the appearances it can before then… or simply playing tricks on us. It’s cold, then warm, then cold, then warm again. It’s that strange, transitional cycle that happens between seasons, but my heart is prematurely pulling me toward spring.

So how can I stay warm when the sun decides to disappear but keep cool when it comes back out, all while incorporating those wonderful spring colors (think light pastel pinks to bright vivid oranges) into my wardrobe? Well, it’s not so hard to get a bit of spring into your winter step.

My boyfriend and I celebrated our anniversary on one of those topsy-turvy weather days. We knew we wanted to spend the special day outside together, so we checked the weather before getting ready. It looked something like this:

10AM: ☼
11AM: ☁
12PM: ☁
1PM: ☼
2PM: ☁
3PM: ☼

With a high of 80-something and a low of 50-something, the day seemed to have a lot in store for us, but we managed to pick out outfits that kept us comfortable through all the ups and downs. We’re from Florida, so we’re used to sudden weather changes.

Know what I mean?

We understand the art of layering (and un-layering when necessary), and we know how to keep it light while also keeping out too cold of breezes. Check out how we stayed cool on our Winter-Spring anniversary.

Me first!

• Thrifted pastel pink cropped pullover $6
• Thrifted off-white tank $3
• Gray high-waisted Forever 21 skirt $4.80 (no joke!!!)
• Black tights $8
• Easter socks from Target $1 (mhm!)
• Gray cotton T-strap Mary Janes from Urban Outfitters $10
• Yellow round Ray-Bans from Etsy $60
• Yellow mini Kanken daypack by Fjallraven $55

Since it was about 60 degrees in the shade, I decided to start with a pair of simple black tights, but I didn’t want that to take away from the springiness of my outfit, so I layered a seriously adorable pair of socks I found at Target’s Dollar Spot. Here’s a close-up:

There were at least 3 other Easter print socks, all as equally cute and springy as this pair. If  you like them, you need to head over there.

My feet are always the first thing to get cold, so layering the socks really helped! But I didn’t want them getting too hot. The light, cotton Mary Janes were perfect. Plus, the socks were honestly the focal point of my outfit (socks are important, people), so I wanted to pull the gray and pink colors from them for the rest of my outfit. I chose a breezy, gray skirt and layered one of my favorite thin pullovers over a plain tank top to complete my look.

And now for my model of a boyfriend, Jeff!

• Thrifted striped tee originally from Uniqlo $5
• Green Salt Valley button-up from Urban Outfitters $35
• Gray H&M slim-fit pants $30
• Tan Uniqlo socks $5
• Thrifted Sperry’s $4 (unbelievable)
• Thrifted bright orange hat $5
• Navy blue satchel from Target $10

This outfit started with the Uniqlo t-shirt. Since it was chilly enough, he layered a button-up on top that he was able to take off when it eventually got a bit warmer. He wore his absolutely favorite and worn-out pants. He says they’re the perfect thickness for cool weather.

So that was our day and our outfits! Hope you guys are staying warm without ~losing your cool~ and that this gave you some style inspiration.

Valentine’s Haul: All Pink Everything

(Don’t worry. Not everything is pink.)

Before the month of February ends and spring begins, I wanted to celebrate Valentine’s Day one last time. I hang on to holidays for as long as I can, especially as it gets nearer to Easter, the last major holiday I get for a couple of months. ☹ Anyway, I know I told you all about my Valentine’s weekend trip to Charleston, but I did leave out the funnest part on purpose. I’m milking it.

But I’ll get to it now: the haul! We made stops at Consign Charleston, Exchange Factor, The Trunk Show, and of course the King Street Antique District. These are the treasures I found, with the help of my Valentine.

• Porcelain kitty creamer: $5

My boyfriend might have won the competition I mentioned in my last post. He found this adorable kitty creamer and gave it to me as one of my Valentine’s Day gifts. First of all, I love cats. Second of all, as a little girl, my mom used to serve me cereal with a creamer of milk on the side. I always felt special using it, even if I was just pouring milk. Now, with this little hand-painted pitcher,  I can feel fancy during breakfast again.

• Decorative plate: $5

I never thought I would be buying decorative plates… But I’m not sorry. It’s so cute, and with its attached hook on the back, I can decide to use it as a ring dish, to hang it up on the wall, or even to eat off of it. We’ll see. As it goes, “I’ll Do As I Darn Please.”

• Pink ribbon dress: $8

This was the perfect find for the occasion. It’s pink and it has ribbons. What more can I really say? I immediately recognized the tag when I saw it. The dress is originally from Forever 21’s Heritage line, which I usually love. And I do love it.

• Cropped colorblock top

This cute, simple top is the perfect length to pair with anything high-waisted. And the bright band of orange brightens up the pinky beige just enough without making too much of a statement. I’m so excited to reincorporate fun colors into my wardrobe again this spring. Sorry, winter shades, but I’ll see you again.

• Blue heart print dress

Again, I think this was pretty great for our Valentine’s theme. Decorated with tiny white hearts, this dress is so subtle and pretty. It’s a little on the short side, perhaps from being washed a lot (it’s super soft), but it’ll look great with a pair of leggings or spandex shorts.

• Black heart print romper

More hearts! They’re still tiny, but this time, they’re on a onesie. A romper is definitely a wardrobe staple in my opinion. You barely have to do anything to get dressed when you wear one, and you can do all the cartwheels you want in it.

This video always comes to mind when I find a cute onesie:

Plus, I love its little antique looking buttons. I’ll be doing cartwheels in this onesie as soon as it’s warm enough.

—

So, how did we do? Should I keep my Valentine around? I think he’s a pretty good thriftventurer.

Let me know what you guys are going to be wearing this spring! Will you be keeping around your plaids and navy blues or are you ready for some colorful floral prints? I can’t wait to hear from you.

Story Time: A Very Vintage Valentine’s Day

♥ Happy love week, everyone! ♥

I know that a lot of you probably consider Valentine’s Day to be a totally commercial celebration. Maybe you’ve even cleverly described it as a “Hallmark holiday” at some point. I used to feel the same way. I dreaded the days before February 14th when, no matter how early I started my shopping, I would have to scrounge through the ransacked Target Valentine’s Day section leftovers for something good enough.

Then I started dating my current boyfriend. While he is addicted to candy and would never turn that down, no other traditional/commercial Valentine’s gifts would appease him. He would much rather get a cool, thrifted sweater from the 1970s than an overpriced stuffed bear from a factory. And he knows that I’m the same way. Our Valentine’s Days are basically competitions of who can get the other the most unique gift.

So this year, we decided to spend our Valentine’s Day weekend in Charleston, South Carolina, a wonderfully historical and “vintage” city, shopping at some of the cutest thrift stores around and continuing our annual competition.

Here’s what I wore on the big day and a quick OOTD round-up:

• Thrifted pink(!!!!) dress by Minuet $15
• Lavender Liz Lisa coat ordered secondhand on Ebay $70
• Black tights $8
• Pink socks $5
• Thrifted black Mary Janes by MIA $8 (as seen in my Goodwill OOTD)

Charleston is filled with lots of different antique stores and thrift shops, so instead of trying to hit them all or get lost trying, we decided to check in with only our favorites: Consign Charleston, Exchange Factor, The Trunk Show, and of course the King Street Antique District.

So, how did you spend your Valentine’s Day? Get anything cute? I’d love to hear about you and your valentines!

Story Time: Good Day, Goodwill

In the zone…

At least once a month, I like to force my friends to get in the car and drive to the Goodwill on Sallie Mood Drive. It’s not an exceptionally large Goodwill, but it has exceptionally good deals. Every Sunday, every item with a certain colored tag is only fifty cents. The color changes every time. This Sunday, it was blue, and I found a bunch of blue tags! The store has a great selection, too, from furniture to accessories to books.

Anyway, I do it once a month because by the end of every month, the inventory is always completely different. It’s also located right across the street from Pick of the Litter Thrift Shop, the Humane Society for Greater Savannah‘s consignment store, so it’s sort of a two in one deal. Add the chance to go visit some puppies and kittens, and you’ve got a perfect day.

I know you can’t disagree with my thoughts on baby animals, but here’s where I might lose you. Another reason I love going to the Goodwill on Sallie Mood Drive is because… it’s located in a totally commercial area, away from the eccentricities and elegance of downtown, and I find that oddly charming. It’s all malls and shopping centers and chain restaurants. And I like it!

I know. I already know. I wasn’t kidding when I said, “I like to force my friends.” I have to force them. The promise of thrift shopping is the only thing that gets them anywhere near that part of town. But for me, it’s nostalgic. I spent my all my middle school summers at the local mall, getting Slurpee brain-freezes and buying cheap jewelry from Claire’s. The suburban tween in me will never go away, so I might as well indulge her.

If you want to channel your inner mall rat, you can finish up your thriftventure (using this term every chance I get) down the street at the Oglethorpe Mall with a low-cost lunch in the food court or an embarrassing visit to Spencer’s or Hot Topic.

Goodwill of the Coastal Empire
7220 Sallie Mood Dr.
Savannah, GA 31406
(912) 354-7423
Hours
Monday-Saturday: 9AM-8PM
Sunday: 11AM-7PM

Pick of the Litter Thrift Shop
7215 Sallie Mood Dr.
Savannah, GA 31406
(912) 354-9515
Hours
Tuesday-Friday: 8AM-5PM
Monday/Saturday: 8AM-4PM
Sunday: Closed

Oglethorpe Mall
7804 Abercorn Extension
Savannah, GA 31406
(912) 354-7038
Hours
Monday-Saturday: 10AM-9PM
Sunday: 10AM-6PM

By the way, if you liked the outfit I wore on my Goodwill thriftventure
here’s a quick OOTD:

• Black romper by Brandy Melville $25
• Thrifted and cropped (with basic scissors) blue turtleneck $5
• Yellow mini Kanken daypack by Fjallraven $55
• Black tights $8
• Thrifted black Mary Janes by MIA $8

Winter Haul: Sweater Weather Finds

Growing up in South Florida has conditioned my body to shiver in any temperature less than 70 degrees. That’s why moving to Savannah, Georgia – a city most probably consider to be pleasantly cool in the wintertime, but not me – has proven my wardrobe to be insufficient. I need at least an inch of fabric between my skin and the outside to feel okay; no sandals or sundresses will do. Plus, this winter has been especially cold this year, reaching regular lows of 40 (help!), so I’ve had to add some warm new purchases to my closet.

But here’s another thing I wasn’t used to thanks to Florida: the price of a good coat. Those things are expensive… My student budget just won’t allow for a brand new wool-lined jacket (or anything similarly cozy). Luckily, though, it will allow for a not so brand new faux fur frock (or even a couple of them). Thank goodness for thrift shops.

I think you know where this is going. It’s time to commemorate my most recent thrift binge with a haul – winter edition!

• Faux fur coat: $12

I love this coat. It reminds me of what an old-fashioned movie star – perhaps one who loves animals as much as I do – might wear. The faux fur is guilt-free and not overly synthetic. Most importantly for this haul, though, it’s super warm and comfy.

• Bohemian military jacket: $8

Though not quite as warm as the previous coat, this adorable little jacket is just enough for those sunny-but-still-cold days. You know what I’m talking about, Georgia friends.

The details are definitely what make this piece. It gives a layered look without all the extra bulk. Plus, the subtle floral lining and the lace make it perfectly bohemian.

• Oversized mustard sweater: $4

Mustard yellow: my favorite color to wear. I’m not even sure whether or not the color looks good on me, but I don’t care. Doesn’t everyone have that one color that just makes them happy? This is mine. And now this adorably bright pullover sweater is mine, too.

• High-waisted velvet pants: $8

Okay, my pictures do not do these black velvet pants justice, but I promise that they’re lovely. The velvet texture is classic and so soft, and the details you can’t see, like the little pockets and buttons, are just dainty enough.

Plus, I’m 5’3″ on a good day, so it’s not often that I find pants I don’t have to cuff 1,000 times or hem 1,000 inches (that doesn’t feel like an overstatement). But these pants were a size petite! My short legs are warm and happy.

• Vintage Versace jeans: $10

Alas, my new favorite jeans. I didn’t even realize they were Versace until I had them in the fitting rooms. Then I knew I was going to buy them whether or not they fit. I’m not typically someone who cares about brands, but I could Etsy the heck out of vintage Versace.

me + these jeans = 4evr

Shop Talk: The Best of Savannah

I’ve decided to start off locally. Savannah, Georgia – land of the old – is unsurprisingly thriving with thrift shops and antique malls, but some just aren’t up to par. With so many options, it can be hard to find the right fit for you. Shopping is fun (duh), but it’s exhausting when you don’t know where to start.  Trust me… I know. But the countless hours I’ve spent digging through dollar bins and sorting through sale racks got me to where I am now: with my final declaration of the top three secondhand shopping spots in Savannah.

My Top 3

1. Gypsy World

Gypsy World ranks number one for me for many reasons. Its small interior doesn’t mean that it’s lacking in a huge selection. The inventory is carefully curated, filling the store to the brim with beautiful, often one-of-a-kind vintage pieces. Besides, the best deals are always on the sidewalk sale rack outside.

The stock isn’t the only thing that keeps me coming back (though it certainly helps). The sales team is so welcoming and helpful that you don’t even need to bring along your best friend; you’ve got at least one working at the store already.

Finally, its location wins hands down. Based in the heart of the up-and-coming Starland District, Gypsy World is surrounded by other, just as unique stores. You can pick up fun art supplies at Starlandia across the street or grab a treat from Back in the Day Bakery on your way home. The trip is well worth it.

Gypsy World
2405 Bull St.
Savannah, GA 31401
(912) 704-2347
Hours
Tuesday-Saturday: 9:30AM-5PM

2. Wilmington Island Goodwill

It requires somewhat of a drive, but the Wilmington Island Goodwill is the best thrift store giant around. I’ve been to Goodwills and Salvation Armys galore, but I’ve never found such a large secondhand inventory that was so well-organized. The clothes are arranged by both color and size. It’s a beautiful sight to behold.

Not only is shopping there efficient, but I always come home with at least several amazing finds. Perhaps it’s because no one else is willing to make the trek out there, but I’m not complaining.

Wilmington Island Goodwill
330 Johnny Mercer Blvd.
Savannah, GA 31410
(912) 897-3901
Hours
Monday-Thursday: 10AM-8PM
Friday-Saturday: 9AM-9PM
Sunday: 11AM-7PM

3. Two Women and a Warehouse

Two Women and a Warehouse might not be the place for clothes (my favorite), but it’s the place for everything else (also good). It’s such a fun shop to explore, as it seems nearly endless in the best way possible.

With over twenty different vendors, there are well-organized booths galore. And the many vendors means that there’s always something for everyone.

Before some of the high prices scare you, remember that these items are often true refinished and repurposed antiques. Also remember that the cheap stuff is the most well-hidden.

Two Women and a Warehouse
2819 Bull St.
Savannah, GA 31405
(912) 351-5040
Hours
Monday-Saturday: 10AM-6PM
Sunday: 1PM-5PM

Honorable Mentions

♡ Wright Square Antique Mall

Wright Square is FUN. There are so many items to find, and like Two Women and a Warehouse, it can seem never-ending. In this case, though, it’s not always in the best way possible. You’ll definitely leave with a new trinket in your pocket, but you’ll also probably leave feeling a little overwhelmed.

Wright Square Antique Mall
14 West State St.
Savannah, GA 31401
(912) 234-6700
Hours
Monday-Saturday: 10AM-7PM
Sunday: 10AM-5PM

♡ Civvies

I’ll keep it short and sweet. I love the pieces I’ve bought at Civvies; I hate the money I’ve spent at Civvies.

Civvies
14 East Broughton St.
Savannah, GA 31401
(912) 236-1551
Hours
Monday-Saturday: 11AM-7PM
Sunday: 11AM-5PM