I recently shopped at Mercy Beaucoup in Old Town. Details coming soon! 
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Breaking my rules: dresses, dresses, and more dresses!
I'm ashamed to admit it, but in the last couple months I've frequently broken rule #1 in my Tips for Successful Thrifting - thrifting without purpose.
This is especially true when it comes to buying dresses. I need more dresses like I need a hole in the head and yet this summer I have purchased 9 new-to-me dresses. My justifications include a wedding, congratulating myself on a new job, my birthday, lack of "summer" dresses, lack of "fall" dresses, stress, and boredom. And the all time justification - at least I'm not paying retail prices.
I could have gotten through all of these things with dresses and clothes that I already own, but when it comes to dresses, I'm a sucker. Any justification, no matter how lame or poor, is enough motivation for me to buy. Granted, I've tried on many more dresses than I actually bought, but still. I can go into a thrift store looking for pants and instead of walking away when I don't find pants I like, I look at the dresses instead.
It should come as no surprise that this morning I went to the Economy Shop with zero purpose and walked out with two dresses and three books (why do I need books? I work in a library! Sigh). My justification: I had not been to the Economy Shop since they reopened after their annual summer hiatus. I just wanted to look around and also make sure I didn't miss out on the good stuff that tends to be easier to find at the beginning of a sale season. Sometimes I suffer from fomo (fear of missing out).
So here's what I got:
A Calvin Klein animal print dress for $16.
A gray, made-in-the-USA Bailey 44 dress for $14 (retail around $170).
So despite the fact that I broke one of my rules, these were great buys, fit well, and I anticipate wearing them to work this fall. Besides, they're not really "rules" so much as "guidelines" anyway.
This is especially true when it comes to buying dresses. I need more dresses like I need a hole in the head and yet this summer I have purchased 9 new-to-me dresses. My justifications include a wedding, congratulating myself on a new job, my birthday, lack of "summer" dresses, lack of "fall" dresses, stress, and boredom. And the all time justification - at least I'm not paying retail prices.
I could have gotten through all of these things with dresses and clothes that I already own, but when it comes to dresses, I'm a sucker. Any justification, no matter how lame or poor, is enough motivation for me to buy. Granted, I've tried on many more dresses than I actually bought, but still. I can go into a thrift store looking for pants and instead of walking away when I don't find pants I like, I look at the dresses instead.
It should come as no surprise that this morning I went to the Economy Shop with zero purpose and walked out with two dresses and three books (why do I need books? I work in a library! Sigh). My justification: I had not been to the Economy Shop since they reopened after their annual summer hiatus. I just wanted to look around and also make sure I didn't miss out on the good stuff that tends to be easier to find at the beginning of a sale season. Sometimes I suffer from fomo (fear of missing out).
So here's what I got:
A gray, made-in-the-USA Bailey 44 dress for $14 (retail around $170).
So despite the fact that I broke one of my rules, these were great buys, fit well, and I anticipate wearing them to work this fall. Besides, they're not really "rules" so much as "guidelines" anyway.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
My first Divine Consign purchase!
Divine Consign in Oak Park, IL is a furniture resale store. They frequently receive great quality furniture - like the entirety of a show house or show pieces from the Merchandise Mart in Chicago (which, even though they are drastically lower than the retail prices, are still outside my budget). Luckily, they also take consignments from regular folks. And just like at their sister store, Trends (for clothes), the longer something stays in the store, the cheaper it becomes.
I recently acquired this stylin' chair for less than $25 to replace a very bulky computer chair that was just taking up too much space in my apartment. Two things make this chair a great first Divine Consign buy for me - the color and the price! It also contrasts nicely with my Ikea rug!
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| Teal chair from Divine Consign |
I recently acquired this stylin' chair for less than $25 to replace a very bulky computer chair that was just taking up too much space in my apartment. Two things make this chair a great first Divine Consign buy for me - the color and the price! It also contrasts nicely with my Ikea rug!
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
The weird and unusual
Thrift stores are notorious for the strange things they stock. Here are a couple I've seen recently.
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| A wig at the Economy Shop in Oak Park, IL |
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| A pile of hangers at Fashions Anew in Oak Park, IL |
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Nick and Winston and a thrift store dress...
What do you wear when meeting someone famous? A cute dress from the thrift store of course!
The orange/white/blue striped dress is the Mossimo brand found in Target stores. Normally I would not purchase this brand from a thrift store because it's common and usually not in good condition. However I will make an exception if: 1) It's ridiculously cheap (less then $5 cheap), or 2) It still has the price tags indicating that it has never been worn. This dress meet both exceptions.
I found this dress at The Salvation Army Family Store in Roselle, IL. It's a massive store/donation center - the largest thrift store I've been in for sure! You have to do lots of digging and clothes are arranged by color, not size. But it's worth spending a little extra time there because the prices are very reasonable.
About meeting famous people: Be nice and thank them for their time. Also, try not to be surprised when they laugh and it sounds exactly like the way their character laughs on TV. (Duh!)
Thanks Roku Lounge at SXSW!
The orange/white/blue striped dress is the Mossimo brand found in Target stores. Normally I would not purchase this brand from a thrift store because it's common and usually not in good condition. However I will make an exception if: 1) It's ridiculously cheap (less then $5 cheap), or 2) It still has the price tags indicating that it has never been worn. This dress meet both exceptions.
I found this dress at The Salvation Army Family Store in Roselle, IL. It's a massive store/donation center - the largest thrift store I've been in for sure! You have to do lots of digging and clothes are arranged by color, not size. But it's worth spending a little extra time there because the prices are very reasonable.
About meeting famous people: Be nice and thank them for their time. Also, try not to be surprised when they laugh and it sounds exactly like the way their character laughs on TV. (Duh!)
Thanks Roku Lounge at SXSW!
Saturday, February 16, 2013
A haul from the Economy Shop
Love the Economy Shop! Some days are incredibly successful. Today was one of those days. Three sweaters and the best long sleeved purple shirt ever (so comfortable) plus a pair of shoes, all for $14!
Normally, I won't by shoes from a thrift store, but I made an exception this time because I could tell they were barely worn, they were comfortable, and only $6.
Normally, I won't by shoes from a thrift store, but I made an exception this time because I could tell they were barely worn, they were comfortable, and only $6.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Oak Park Vintage Market
The Oak Park Vintage Market definitely doesn't fall into the category of thrift store. There is nothing thrifty about this place. It is a well curated store of truly vintage items.
If you are looking for a unique piece of jewelry - this is the place. The jewelry selection is large and heavy on silver, turquoise and very nice costume jewelry.
Aside from the jewelry - which is their primary business - there is a lovely selection of small-scale, vintage furniture, art deco vases and curios, purses, and boots. If I was able to afford it, I would have happily walked out with a silver bracelet or two and a mid-century modern chair.
If you are looking for a unique piece of jewelry - this is the place. The jewelry selection is large and heavy on silver, turquoise and very nice costume jewelry.
Aside from the jewelry - which is their primary business - there is a lovely selection of small-scale, vintage furniture, art deco vases and curios, purses, and boots. If I was able to afford it, I would have happily walked out with a silver bracelet or two and a mid-century modern chair.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Diva's Attic and Sweet Repeats
I happened to be in the far northwest suburbs this weekend - Woodstock, IL to be exact. While I was there, I decided to stop in at a consignment shop and a thrift store.
First up, Diva's Attic in Woodstock, IL.
Located on the square in Woodstock, Diva's Attic offers upscale women's clothing and a small amount of furniture. The clothes were nice enough, though there wasn't much here that caught my eye - just not my style, probably better suited for women in their 40s and 50s. But that's not my issue with this store - the problem is the prices. Much too high. I spotted a basic, gray, jersey dress that had potential, but a quick check of the price tag - $36!!! I walked the other way. Most other pieces I did quick price checks on were in the $25-$40 range. If these were designer pieces, I might have been more forgiving - but for gently used clothes of the Anne Taylor Loft variety I would suggest looking elsewhere. Clothes Mentor in Schaumburg, is much closer to Chicago and has a larger selection with reasonable pricing.
On a side note, the square in Woodstock has several cute boutiques and specialty stores - fun for window shopping!
Second stop, Sweet Repeats in Huntley, IL.
Sweet Repeats just happened to be on my way - on IL-47 as you drive toward I-90 - so I stopped to check it out. This is a pretty typical thrift store - maybe a little cleaner with a larger selection of furniture. The clothing section didn't offer anything special, but prices were in the typical range. The furniture was decent quality, but pretty standard stuff that was common in the 80s and 90s. Dining tables, end tables, bedroom sets, and couches that reminded me of the furniture from my childhood. If you're looking for antiques or mid-century modern, you won't find it here.
I usually expect that the thrift stores of the far suburbs won't carry items in the style that I like - that proved true today.
First up, Diva's Attic in Woodstock, IL.
On a side note, the square in Woodstock has several cute boutiques and specialty stores - fun for window shopping!
Second stop, Sweet Repeats in Huntley, IL.
Sweet Repeats just happened to be on my way - on IL-47 as you drive toward I-90 - so I stopped to check it out. This is a pretty typical thrift store - maybe a little cleaner with a larger selection of furniture. The clothing section didn't offer anything special, but prices were in the typical range. The furniture was decent quality, but pretty standard stuff that was common in the 80s and 90s. Dining tables, end tables, bedroom sets, and couches that reminded me of the furniture from my childhood. If you're looking for antiques or mid-century modern, you won't find it here.
I usually expect that the thrift stores of the far suburbs won't carry items in the style that I like - that proved true today.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
A Wish List - Future Thrifting Excursions
The following is a list of the thrift, consignment, and vintage stores I plan to visit and write about in the future. Know of a Chicago or St. Louis area store that I must visit? Let me know!
Oak Park Stores
Brown Elephant
Old and New Consignment
for You
Wicker Park Stores
Kokorokoko
Buffalo Exchange
Ragstock
Lenny and Me
Crossroads Trading
Pilsen Stores
Knee Deep Vintage
Rex Recycled Fashion
Pilsen Vintage and Thrift
Schaumburg Stores
Wings Resale
Clothes Mentor
Salvation Army
Logan Square Stores
Refresh Ease
A Touch of Vintage
Brink Dwellers
Mia Mora
Other Chicago Stores
Seek Vintage - Noble
Square
Shangri-La Vintage -
Roscoe Village
Green Element Resale -
Edgewater
Encore - Hyde Park
Savvy Seconds and 1sts -
Ravenswood
Euphoria Resale Boutique -
Edgewater
Woolly Mammoth Antiques,
Oddities, and Resale - Ravenswood
Saint Louis Area Stores
My dress or yours - Tower
Grove
Next - Manchester
Toco Shop -Belleville
Timeless Authentic
Garments - The Loop
The Bale Out - City Museum
Avalon Exchange - The Loop
Refabulous - Saint
Louis
Flea Markets
Kane Country Flea Market
Friday, January 25, 2013
Economy Shop - Oak Park
In the interest of full disclosure, the Economy Shop in Oak Park, IL is my favorite thrift store. Beyond all the stuff jammed into this place, there are so many things for which they are to be commended including volunteerism, charity, and of course, great prices!
A little background: It all started in 1919 and the shop has been at its current location since 1924. It is volunteer run, all the merchandise is donated, and all the proceeds are divided between six Oak Park charities - The Day Nursery of Oak Park and River Forest, The Children's Clinic, Thrive Counseling Center, Hephzibah Children's Association, The Animal Care League, and OPRF Senior Citizens' Center.
Now to the stuff!
The Economy Shop is housed in a large residence at the corner of South Blvd. and Grove. The stuff is sorted into rooms: women's better clothes, women's leisure clothes, men's clothes, gifts, antiques, housewares, accessories, shoes, books, toys, crafting supplies, and children's clothes, oh my! Each room supports one of the six charities and you pay as you go. Find a cute dress in the women's better clothes room? You pay for it there. Find a birthday card for your mom in the gift's room? Pay for it there.
They really do have a little of everything which means that you could spend several hours looking through stuff. Like most large thrift stores, you'll have to sift through some of the bad to get to the good. On the plus side, they rotate the clothing by season, so you won't be sifting through winter sweaters in the spring.
The first few times I shopped here, I stayed way too long and bought a few things I didn't need and never used. Now, I always go in with a plan. I decide what I need and what rooms I am willing to look through before I even walk through the door. Otherwise, I risk walking out with an 80s-style party dress (black velvet and teal ruffles!) or over-the-top fur coat (whoa!).
The major downside is that the Economy Shop is not open 7 days a week. It's really only open once a week or every other week. They keep an updated schedule posted on their website, so plan accordingly. It is well worth a visit!
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| The Economy Shop |
A little background: It all started in 1919 and the shop has been at its current location since 1924. It is volunteer run, all the merchandise is donated, and all the proceeds are divided between six Oak Park charities - The Day Nursery of Oak Park and River Forest, The Children's Clinic, Thrive Counseling Center, Hephzibah Children's Association, The Animal Care League, and OPRF Senior Citizens' Center.
Now to the stuff!
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| Hats on display in the accessory's room. |
The Economy Shop is housed in a large residence at the corner of South Blvd. and Grove. The stuff is sorted into rooms: women's better clothes, women's leisure clothes, men's clothes, gifts, antiques, housewares, accessories, shoes, books, toys, crafting supplies, and children's clothes, oh my! Each room supports one of the six charities and you pay as you go. Find a cute dress in the women's better clothes room? You pay for it there. Find a birthday card for your mom in the gift's room? Pay for it there.
They really do have a little of everything which means that you could spend several hours looking through stuff. Like most large thrift stores, you'll have to sift through some of the bad to get to the good. On the plus side, they rotate the clothing by season, so you won't be sifting through winter sweaters in the spring.
The first few times I shopped here, I stayed way too long and bought a few things I didn't need and never used. Now, I always go in with a plan. I decide what I need and what rooms I am willing to look through before I even walk through the door. Otherwise, I risk walking out with an 80s-style party dress (black velvet and teal ruffles!) or over-the-top fur coat (whoa!).
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| What is this? I have no idea, but it costs $25. |
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Clara Sun Woo Dress
Yesterday evening I stopped by Trends, a upscale consignment shop in Oak Park, IL. Trends is one of my favorite places to thrift. The prices go down the longer items stay on the rack. The pricing is fair to begin with and with a little luck and good timing it gets even better.
My find yesterday was this Clara Sun Woo dress for $11.99. A little online research indicates that this dress would retail in the neighborhood of $80 or $90.
The ruching detail in the front is particularly interesting.
My find yesterday was this Clara Sun Woo dress for $11.99. A little online research indicates that this dress would retail in the neighborhood of $80 or $90.
The ruching detail in the front is particularly interesting.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Take off!
Hello, fellow thrifters or wannabe thrifters!
This blog will be a place where I share my thrifting adventures with you and maybe we'll all learn something along the way. Stay tuned!
This blog will be a place where I share my thrifting adventures with you and maybe we'll all learn something along the way. Stay tuned!
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