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!

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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.

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.