It’s hard to live in DC right now without constantly noticing all of the inaugural preparations going on. The city is buzzing with an influx of political tourists, the streets are lined with patriotically decorated store windows, and of course tons of temporary stores and booths are popping up to sell us all kitschy political souvenirs. Now I don’t like to mix pleasure and politics, but since my city is DC and my pleasure is thrift stores, I couldn’t help myself. Seeing all of these t-shirts and bobbleheads being plucked up brought back a flood of memories of all the political swag that I saw in thrift stores across the country during the great RV trip in 2011.
Category: Shop
DIY: Three Easy Craft Projects for Old Teacups
My Melmac plates and bowls get plenty of use, but I have stacks of adorable teacups that we constantly pass up in favor of sturdy mugs. It’s about time to start thinking creatively about how to put them to work, but my imagination wasn’t jump-started until I went over to my friend’s house and saw a holiday project she had been working on - turning teacups into candles!
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Have Yourself a Thrifty Little Christmas – and a Thrifty New Year
As you’ve probably learned by now, Christmas can get pricey – and quick. I’d be lying if I said I got everything under my tree this year at thrift stores, but I definitely tried hard to get as much as I could there. And while it’s easy to rush to the biggest box store and mindlessly fill a cart with stuff shipped here from thousands of miles away, thrifting for loved ones involves a little more patience, a little more time – but definitely not as much money or waste. When you buy a perfect something for someone special at a Goodwill, you’re really doing a world of good. Soon we’ll all watch loved ones unwrap their treasures. And when they hold it up and gush about how much they love it, tell them proudly where you got it!
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How to Choose and Accessorize a Festive Holiday Sweater
If there is one type of garment that thrift stores like Goodwill® have an abundance of, it would have to be the sweater. Chunky knit sweaters are a playful way to keep warm in the winter, and thrift stores have everything from designer versions to handmade looks from grandma’s knitting needle. Re-fashioning a thrifted knit sweater takes a little creativity, but the result can be a unique look with a nod to the whimsy.
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DIY Project: Create Stockings from Thrifted Holiday Sweaters
It's the time of the year when holiday sweaters start coming out! Goodwill® is the best place to find these fabulous personalities, whether you're going to a sweater party or you're just brave enough to don a highly decorated pullover as everyday wear. But here's something else you could do with a holiday sweater - make yourself a stocking!
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Give Your Holiday Gifts a Second Chance
Because we have already created buzz around Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, why not fill in the only day after Thanksgiving that’s been sadly overlooked in the moniker department? That’s why right here, today, before all of my blogosphere witnesses, I propose Second Chance Sunday--when everyone goes to Goodwill and finds the most awesome gifts ever.
Recreate a Fashion Trend — the Asymmetrical Skirt
Just as there are numerous fashion looks each season that can be thoroughly replicated with vintage pieces, there are also styles that can be recreated with a few simple DIY steps. Check any women’s section of a fast fashion retail store right now and I guarantee you’ll find more than one version of the
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Four Ideas to Give Old Tins a New Life
I’ve been staring at this Ritz container my entire life. On sick days, my mom would reach into this tin and pull out a sleeve of crackers to keep me and my ginger ale company on the couch while we watched Little House on the Prairie. This year, while doing spring cleaning, she asked me if I wanted the old Ritz tin, and I couldn’t help but say yes. That got me thinking about how useful, versatile and gosh darn cute tins can be. So I set out in search of others (obviously I went to Goodwill first!).
Adventures in Outlet Shopping: The St. Louis Edition
The last time I was in Missouri, I had a chance to take a tour behind the scenes at the new St. Louis Goodwill® outlet, probably one of my favorites in the country. The light alone in this place is amazing, unlike a lot of outlets I’ve seen -- or thrift stores in general. The exposed brick and giant windows make it feel like shopping in a gorgeous loft that happens to have the most random things you could ever love.
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How to Shop Goodwill for Your Halloween Costume
New Halloween costumes can start at about $30, but when you add in all the pieces and accessories, they can add up to more than $150. Spending that much for one night is completely unnecessary, especially when most store-bought costumes are mass produced, making it almost impossible to enjoy your night without running into another person or even multiple people wearing the same exact costume as you. If you want to stand out for being smart and creative, than Goodwill is your best option. Goodwill stores across the country have organized Halloween sections that include costumes as well as decorations. Prices vary, but it’s completely possible to get a head-to-toe costume for less than $20. Just follow these simple steps.
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Get Your Halloween Costume at Goodwill®
It’s that time of year again -- you know what I’m talking about. As Halloween creeps closer by the day, thrift stores like Goodwill® slowly start flooding with wide-eyed newbies, wandering the aisles in packs searching for that perfect costume. Because the selection of clothing and accessories is so vast, it’s easy to find what you need. So whether you’re going as Tan Mom, Honey Boo Boo, Clint Eastwood’s chair or Snooki and her baby (lots of dolls available at Goodwill stores, folks!) you’re sure to find what you need.
Give Thrifted Chairs a New Life
I found this not-so-broken chair at my local Goodwill® store. I thought this chair would look good on the front porch. It's always good to have an extra chair for guests, and if I put it next to the door, it would be a great place to remove muddy shoes. Even though it looked like someone had used it as a step stool and broke the caning, the chair's frame was sturdy. It just needed a new seat.
