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!
 |
| 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.
 | |||
| A wig at the Economy Shop in Oak Park, IL |
 |
| 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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)