The Thrift Gift

We might not have a lot of decorating stores in Arkansas, but we do have a ton of thrift stores and flea markets...which is a major plus especially for a cheapo like me. I have already talked about my love of thrift store trolling and I want to pass this love of thrifting onto everyone. However, when I suggest checking the thrift store for the lamp or item they're looking for, I am returned with either blank stares or a grimace. Why is that? I'm told that thrift stores only have left overs. Excuse me...you just plain don't know how to shop at a thrift store. Well lucky you, I'm going to tell how I shop thrift stores so maybe it will be easier for you to find a treasure.

Break it down - At first glance, a thrift store might seem a little overwhelming. But it doesn't have to be. Take the store aisle-by-aisle and then row-by-row. You want to look at everything. Most of the good items won't be on eye-level at the front of the shelf shining in a take-me-home glow...they will be hidden away in the back or on the bottom shelf. Like this amazing red vase, only $2:

Think outside the box - You see bar stools, I see a desk. You see a filing cabinet, I see a Kcup drawer holder. You see kitchen cabinet doors, I see a panel headboard. The key is to repurpose and reuse.

Spray paint - The most ugly, worn-out, pitiful piece of furniture can instantly be transformed into a show stopper with a coat of spray paint. Just make sure that it has "good bones" first, and then the cosmetic stuff can easily be fixed.

Game Plan - Get to know your local thrift stores because they are not all alike. One might have a great selection of books and glassware and another have better baskets and trinkets. Make a game plan and visit multiple thrift stores to find the best treasures.

So, how do you thrift? What are your pointers? Have you found any great bargains? Or repurposed an item into something that suits you?

Goodwill Hunting

I went and did one of my favorite things this past weekend - thrift store trolling. My parents love to bargain hunt too, and the funny thing is, I used to almost hate going to thrift stores and flea markets when I was growing up. I just got so bored and would sigh out loud when we went to another flea market. (Sorry mom and dad...I never told you because I didn't want to break your thrifty hearts, but you probably knew all along.) I guess the stars aligned and pigs flew because I found the thriftiness in my blood and love thrift store trolling now.

Anyways, fast forward to today and bargains make me almost as happy as spray paint. Combine the two, a bargain needing spray paint, and it is instant euphoria - read about my spray paint problem here. And since I hit up the thrift stores and found some killer bargains, I have a perma-smile on my face right now. Behold what $15 buys:

Let me break it down for you. The large white vase was $4! That's right, $4. I quickly put it under my arm and guarded from any other potential buyers. The woven grass runner was $1 and the antiquing spray paint was also $1. And my favorite find is the black two drawer filing cabinet for $2 which is going to become a coffee station for the kitchen.

The glass ware was $1 each. I don't plan to change anything about the apothecary jar and cake stand, but the other 3 globe-like vases were turned into mercury glass via a DIY knockoff project.

The books were on sale 2 for $1 and the cute little owl book ends were $1 for the set. The little bird was also $1. I plan to spray paint the owls and the little bird gloss white to make them look ceramic.

Yes, I am happy with my finds. And in case you were wondering, my go-to thrift stores are Salvation Army, Habitat Restore, Goodwill, and Savers. I usually find the best treasures at my huge Salvation Army, it is always stop number one.

What are your go-to thirft stores? Do you love to go thrift store trolling?