More Vintage Finds on eBay

In my search for Vintage Jewelry I found a great spot to find unique vintage clothing on eBay.

The eBay store is called TriftWares. They specialize in in youth-cult clothing from the 1960s-1980s! There is a lot of 60s British mod, go go, hippie, bohemian, 80s rocker, new wave, and street style.

They are based out of NY so they have a lot of great garments. You can find them at http://stores.ebay.com/thriftwares.

Here is a Gray Wool Wrap Coat I found on their site, the bid is currently $15! Some of the items get a bit more spendy, but overall priced low to begin with.

They also have some great Holiday dresses!

Vintage Jewelry

One of the best ways to brighten up an outfit is to add some jewelry!

You can find vintage-looking jewelry in nearly all store today. So why not have real vintage jewelry?

Check out JCrews current Jewelry. All of it is vintage inspired and almost all of it is over $50. This ring, on the left is $55.

My tip for vintage jewelry is to look in thrift store and online. Often times Ebay is a great place to look. Sometimes you can buy a Lot of jewelry for $1. The Lot will come with multiple pieces of jewelry, even if one or two pieces end up being great--you only spent a dollar! About five years go I purchased a group of rings off Ebay for $7. To this day, three of my favorite rings came from that collection.

I found this ring to the right, on Ebay for .99 cents with Free Shipping!

Best of Luck to You All!

Elite Repeat

I thought I would inform you all of another wonderful consignment shop in the Twin Cities, Elite Repeat!

Elite Repeat is located at 1336 Randolph in St. Paul.

Here are some tips for shopping at Elite Repeat:
Printed on each price tag is the date the item came to Elite Repeat. After 31 days, that item will become 10% off, 41 days 20% off, and 51 days 30% off.

Also, there are Two Huge Sales each year. The last two weeks of January and the last 2 weeks in July, everything in the store is 50% off!

Elite Repeat is open 10am-8pm Tuesday-Thursday, 10am-5pm Friday-Saturday, and closed on Sunday and Monday.

You can check out their website at http://www.eliterepeatstpaul.com/

TurnStyle

A very prominent consignment shop in Minnesota is TurnStyle, with ten stores located in Burnsville, Coon Rapids/Anoka, Crystal, Highland Park, Plymouth, Roseville, South Minneapolis, St. Paul and two stores in Eden Prairie.

The great thing about consignment stores, rather than thrift stores, is the partnership between the store and the actual seller. The seller or the original owner of the item receives a percentage of the sale. If items do not sell, normally in a 90 day period, they must be picked up by the seller or they become legally owned by the store. This partnership normally fosters a store that has quality products.

TurnStyle sells Women's and Men's Clothing and Accessories, Children's Clothing, as well as Furniture and Home Accents.

Check out a store near you at http://www.turnstyleconsign.com/

OPITZ!

I referenced the store Opitz in a previous post. I was talking today with a friend and she had no idea about Opitz so I'm assuming there are others of you out their who are unaware as well.

Opitz Outlet, sells upscale name brand apparel, shoes, accessories and domestics at 70% off retail. The type of merchandise you would find in an upscale department store. The merchandise comes from major manufacturers, distributors and retailers. Some items may have flaws or defects. Others may be off season, discontinued items, "odd lots", production problems or sample lots.

Address: 4320 Excelsior Blvd, St. Louis Park, MN
Open: Monday-Wednesday: 12-8pm, Thursday-Friday: 10am-8pm, Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 12-5pm

I suggested signing up online to receive emails and listings for their upcoming designer events!

Shopping In Minnesota

I found some great tips for shopping in Minnesota at www.thebudgetfashionista.com

Shop downtown - Downtown Minneapolis boasts two of the best outlet stores in town- Off Fifth, the Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet; and Last Call, the Neiman Marcus Outlet.
Check the temperature and plan accordingly - There are two seasons in Minnesota: cold and colder. Check the weather before coming, and dress accordingly.
Head uptown - Scandinavian sensibility meets urban flair with a wide range of boutiques and great restaurants (Figlio is a favorite). Stop by Ragstock, a vintage seeker’s delight, located a block west of Hennepin Avenue on Lake Street. If you have time visit their warehouse location downtown.
Visit the Mall of America - MOA, Don’t expect to find high fashion - but you will find an IKEA and four Gaps.
Bring your checkbook - Minneapolis is one of the only places left where the stores will take a check.
Pick up a copy of City Pages - This alternative paper has the most comprehensive listing of activities in the area. Plus, it’s free. Also check out the Minneapolis Star and Tribune.
Go to Target - It’s big. It’s red. It’s nationwide. Visit the store in its hometown.
No sales tax - The great state of Minnesota levies no sales tax on necessities such as clothing and groceries, leaving you more money to spend at the Mall.
Don’t miss the local malls - Minneapolis has great local malls. Visit Southdale, in Edina - the first enclosed mall in America.

You can find the article in its entirety at: http://www.thebudgetfashionista.com/archive/shopping_guide_to_minneapolis/

Vintage Style in Minnesota

vita.mn says it best when they say, "The Twin Cities has many great possibilities for cheaper duds. Think vintage shops, thrift and secondhand stores, designer outlets and the big discount retailers. This season, you can stay thrifty without sacrificing your style by saving on discounted, one-of-a-kind treasures. Plus, you can pretty much be guaranteed that no one else will be wearing the same outfit you are."

Check out their Holiday Fashion spread featuring many of these wonderful stores at http://vita.mn/story.php?id=35496789.

Christmas Wrapping?

Here is another thrifty tip. An interesting way to save some money, be creative, and recycle...

My family has a lot of odd holiday traditions. One tradition that started almost ten years ago was wrapping gifts in cloth. It started because my Mom purchased a large gift for my brother that was very difficult to wrap with conventional Christmas wrapping paper. My mom decided to wrap the gift in large piece of gold fabric that was from a dress from the 80's. She made it look very nice and it worked out really well. Since then, that piece of fabric has been used for presents nearly every year.

A good friend of mine who is quite creative, also often wraps gifts with cloth. I love scarfs, and for my birthday she got me a book which she then wrapped in a scarf. It was really two gifts! I respected the creativity and efficiency of using the gift as the wrapping. I also respected the fact that both gifts were purchased at a thrift store.

This method is actually referred to as "furoshiki" gift wrapping. Furoshiki means "bath spread" -- in feudal Japan, because the method was used to bundle and protect people's clothing at public bath houses, but over the years, the are used to bundle up nearly anything. The traditional "furoshiki" uses Japanese square cloths, most of which are around one-and-a-half to a little over two feet on a side.

A traditional "furoshiki" cloth does not need to be used. You can use a bandanna, or a scarf, or even a piece of cloth from a dress from the 80's!

TheThriftShopper.com

I found a fantastic website for all Thrift Store shoppers. It is http://www.thethriftshopper.com/. It has an extensive list of thrift store shops and helpful hints.

Best of luck!

Great Finds

So...

I told you my tips the other day, one of which "know what you are looking for." As I said, I always look at dresses and handbags. The other day my persistence paid off...

I found an adorable dress by the brand "Free People." If you don't know what Free People is, it is an EXPENSIVE brand. The Dress I bought in a department store would have cost at least $130 and I got it for $6!

A couple weeks back I found another great deal at Goodwill. A Mens Danali NorthFace Jacket (See Picture) which retails at $165. I bought it for $8. It was nearly new and fit by boyfriend perfectly.

Although it does feel wonderful to find great brands for cheap, it also is rewarding to find unknown brands and make them great! One of my favorite sweaters, which I bought at a thrift store, is from the 1960s. A year after I purchased the sweater I found a cardigan at JCrew that was nearly identical. Purchansing old clothes is smart because classic styles cycle through the years and the quality of clothes was higher then than it is now.

So either current brands or unknown...GOOD LUCK SHOPPING!

Goodwill!

I promised you some interesting facts about one of Minnesota's largest thrift stores (and one of my favorites)...GOODWILL!

Did you know...

In 2000, Goodwill received 47 Million pounds of donations!

Of the 47 million pounds donated, 14 Millions is able to be used.

Don't worry about the other 33 Million pounds unable to be used because Goodwill has always been on the forefront for reducing waste...In 2000, 1 Million pounds of scrap metal was recycled, 300,000 tons of cardboard was recycled, and 390 tons of books were recycled.

Goodwill also has an Outlet where merchandise is sold by the pound! The Outlet is located in St. Paul at 2505 University Avenue W.

Goodwill also owns a high-end boutique called Second Début which is located in St. Louis Park at 4300 W. 36 1/2 Street. You can check out their website at http://www.seconddebut.org/.

Goodwill...Good Luck Shopping!!!

Christmas Season = Thrifting Season!

It has been a while since I have written....but that doesn't mean the thrifting has stopped!

As we all know, Christmas is SOON!

It is a great time to find those gems that are hidden away in the hundreds of thrift stores in Minnesota. Who says you cannot give a second hand gift? Especially in these times of financial burdens.

I have been an avid thrifter for years and I have never seen so many people thrifting! It is great! It also creates a little more competition when shopping. Don’t be intimidated by other shoppers all it takes is perseverance and a little luck and before you know it your shopping cart will be filled with wonderful items.

My friends often make fun of me for how strategic I can be when it comes to bargain shopping. They may seem silly but here are a few simple tips to help you:

Bring a bottle of water with you—for some reason thrift stores are often dry.

Don’t go to a thrift store with a limited amount of time—allot at least 45 minutes to shop in one store.

Have an idea of what you are looking for. (Example: No matter what I always look at the dresses and the hand bags. Recently I have been looking for a good coat so I make sure I spend some time at the coat racks. I also have been looking for a good present for my Mom so I make sure to roam through the home goods).

Check back soon for some interesting facts about one of Minnesota’s largest thrift stores!

My Thrifting Tips

I have searched the web high and low for thrifting tips. Being unsatisfied I have decided to craft my own. Sorry guys, this advice is more for the ladies but some things apply.

The first tip, BE AWARE OF FASHION. There are two parts to this tip:
a) Be aware of the current trends. You can do this by taking not of others clothing choices or reviewing up-to-date fashion magazines. Take note of colors, shapes, and textures.

b)Be aware of the classics. Classic clothing pieces are the foundation of your wardrobe: White button up shirt, proper fitting 3-piece suit, a simple black dress, a cardigan, and a great pair of jeans. And accessories, a satchel hand bag, a great watch, pearls--earrings and necklace

By understanding and being aware of fashion trends and classics you will have more success with thrift store shopping. The next tip is to BE PATIENT. It takes time to find the classics and the trends. My advice is to grab everything find and bring it into the dressing room. Take the time to try on each piece.

Having patience while thriftin is a necessity. Another necessity is to BE BRAVE. Grab everything you can find and be creative. Most of the time being creative takes a little bravery. But bravery can pay off. When you really feel good about what you are wearing and you are able take ownership over the outfit you have created it will show in your confidence.

So in conclusion, Be aware of fashion, Be patient, Be brave and lastly BE YOURSELF!

Good Luck Thrifting!

I love thrift store shopping, TLC's show What Not to Wear, Goodwill and Banana Republic

I love thrift store shopping and I love TLC's show What Not to Wear. I love Goodwill and I love Banana Republic. All of these things wrapped up in two events in the Twin Cities. See below:

On Tuesday October 21st Clinton Kelly, Nick Arrojo, and Carmindy of TLC's What Not to Wear make an appearance at Mall of America next Tuesday. All sign copies of their new books and Arrojo promotes his new beauty product line. Noon-2 p.m. Mall of America (outside Nordstrom)

On Sunday October 26th Banana Republic partners with Goodwill for a special holiday campaign. Beginning this Thursday and running through October 26, shoppers can donate a gently worn sweater or coat at any Banana Republic store to receive 30 percent off regular-priced Banana Republic merchandise. Seven metro locations, including Rosedale, Roseville, 651-636-5022


See more events from Mpls St. Paul Magazine online at http://www.mspmag.com/style/features/114517.asp

I can relate to Paula Marantz Cohen

I found an essay on Thrirt Store shopping by Paul Marantz Cohen. Paula Marantz Cohen is a Professor of English at Drexel University. Her essays and stories have appeared in The Yale Review, The American Scholar, The Hudson Review, the Times Literary Supplement, and other publications.

Cohen's articulation of Thrift Store shopping nearly brought me to tears....

"Reverse snobbism is one — to boast about how little one spent on something when others like to boast about how much. A swipe at capitalism is another — diverting profits from the coffers of rapacious moguls. But most of all, I am motivated by the pleasure of the hunt: sifting through racks of undistinguished merchandise for something that has escaped the tar brush of cheapness and shoddiness; glimpsing the elegance of a garment underneath the deforming overlay of smocking, ruffles, and bows. If shopping is a sport that requires stamina and practice, it is also an art that requires vision and boldness — the willingness to snip off an offending swag or imagine how an extra-large shirt will look when belted and worn as a dress."

Her elequint decription of Thrift Store shopping makes me respect her. It also inspires me to keep going because....Thrift store shopping is an Art. I hope it inspires you too!

The full essay can be found at http://www.thesmartset.com/article/article10310702.aspx.

Be Thrifty....Online!

In the busyness of life it can be difficult to take time to be thrifty. Online thrifting solves this problem. It is fast, easy, and convenient. No need to drive anywhere just park it at your computer and find the deals--and help someone else in the process.

Here are a few sites to check out:

Goodwill Online:
http://www.goodwilltoo.com/

Once in a Blue mood
"Where merchandise is here today and gone tomorrow"
http://www.gone-tomorrow.com/

America's Thrift Stores
"Where every purchase helps others"
http://www.americasthrift.com/store/

Housing Works Thrift Shops
http://housingworksauctions.com/

October is Choose to Reuse Month!

Coupons for your favorite earth-friendly retailers to use in Hennepin County during October!

http://www.hennepin.us/images/HCInternet/EPandT/Environment/Household/Reduce,%20Reuse,%20Recycle/ChooseToReuseCouponBookOnline08.pdf

Enjoy!

Halloween in coming soon!

Thrifting is an art that can be used efficiently in many different ways during all seasons. All ages can enjoy the wonderful world of thrifting during the fall because....Halloween! Thrift stores are the best place to find unique one-of-a-kind cosutmes at a great low price!

In spotlight today:

Goodwill's Halloween headquarters begins September 26th & 27th.
Special events will be taking place this Friday and Saturday.

YOu can enter for a chance to win a 40", flat-screen, Sony HDTV!

Also, compette in their Halloween Challenge costume contest, Sept. 26 through Oct. 26.
The winners will be based on the best costume that reuses items found at Goodwill.

Winner recieves an Apple™ MacBook laptop computer valued at $1,099, a 16 Gigabyte Apple™ , iTouch valued at $299, and 8 Gigabyte Apple™ iPod Nano valued at $199.

Check it out at http://www.goodwilleasterseals.org/site/PageServer?pagename=shop_calendar_event.

Happy Shopping!

The Basic Thrift Stores In MN

Goodwill stores: http://mnges.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=MNDR_locations

Another great listing of Stores ALL AROUND Minnesota: http://www.magicyellow.com/category/Thrift_Shops/-State_MN.html


Also, an interesting article about Thrift Stores: http://www.smartgivers.org/Not_Every_Thrift_Store_is_a_Nonprofit2.html

Welcome To Thrifty Nifty!

One man's junk is another man's treasure...and this blog will help you find your own treasure, right here in Minnesota! Minnesota is filled with wonderful trift stores, flea markets, "occasional sales" and vintage resale stores. This is the place to find out about upcoming Thrifting events and sales.

It is time to GO GREEN! Recycling is not just for paper and plastics but all things reusable.