News and Reviews: Maple Holistics Shampoo Giveaway

Tea Tree Oil Shampoo from Maple Holistics

I was recently contacted by a representative from Maple Holistics, a company that specializes in environmentally-friendly and cruelty-free bath and wellness products, as well as health food. And lucky me, I was sent a free bottle of their top-selling Tea Tree Oil Special Formula Shampoo for the purpose of product review. 

Now those folks familiar with the health benefits of tea tree oil for topical use might be familiar with that medicinal scent. It's not entirely unlike the scent of menthol. And while I was excited to see what benefits tea tree oil may have for my scalp, I was a little concerned that the scent might overpower even my designer perfume. But aside from the initial medicinal fragrance during application, and that tingly-fresh feeling, I left the shower without smelling like a jar of Vick's Vaporub. 

And what's more? My newly dyed hair has kept its color, and is consistently shiny. It just feels healthy, which is no small task for someone whose hair has undergone major chemical changes over the years. And in sharp contrast to most commercially produced haircare products, Maple Holistics provides quality goods without the guilt. There is no animal testing. Their products are non-GMO, all natural, and are even made in the USA.

For anyone looking for a refreshing change to their hair washing regimen, I'd highly recommend giving Maple Holistics Tea Tree Oil Special Formula Shampoo a whirl. And thanks to our kind sponsor, one lucky reader will win a bottle completely free! ANNNNDDD if you check out the ways to enter, you can even score yourself a full-size product for free by signing up with the Maple Holistics sample program. So for one lucky reader, that's double prizes! 

This giveaway is open to US residents only, with valid entires through Rafflecopter that are subject to verification. The winner will be announced on November 5th. Good luck and happy shampooing! 

Let's Go Thrifting would like to thank Maple Holistics for this sponsored giveaway. 

I received this product complimentary for the purpose of product review. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Extreme Couponing: A Money-Saving Q&A And Book Giveaway

 As much as I'd like to, and as hard as I try, I simply can't thrift everything. But that doesn't mean that I can't apply my thrift sense at the supermarket and beyond. And with the help of expert budgeter Miriam Wartell, that's exactly what I'll be doing. 

I recently attended the signing for Miriam's first published book I Don't Have Time To Save Money. Miriam, aka. The Kosher Coupon Lady, has applied five and half years of clipping coupons, comparing sales, and budgeting to help others navigate their own way to better finances. While her website features weekly deals she's found online, along with tips and tricks to maximize savings, this book is a beginning couponer's first step to understanding how it all works. 

And in a brief Q&A with the author, Let's Go Thrifting readers can get an idea of what Miriam's work is all about.

What are some of your biggest achievements in couponing?

"While some couponers may say their biggest achievements are their couponing hauls (my highest to date being $330.98 down to $14.85), I'd honestly say that the biggest achievement is being able to help my community in a way that I never thought I could. Couponing has allowed me to provide food, toiletries and clothing to needy families without breaking the bank. In fact, earlier this month, I was even able to buy a little girl a pair of light up sneakers for only .44 cents using free surprise points from Sear's Shop Your Way program."

How did you first come to educate others on how to save money?

"A lot of people have confided in me over the years about their financial hardships. I really just wanted to empower people to help themselves."

What is the greatest piece of advice you can give to a new couponer? 

"Start small and don't drive yourself nuts. Start at a pace you're comfortable with. I started off calling companies for coupons. It was something that I spent only a couple of minutes of my day doing. It wasn't until later that I got into the mainstream couponing process. The entire focus of my book is to help people save money according to the time they have available. It's not about creating a new "money-saving" lifestyle, it's about adapting smart shopping strategies to your regular flow of life."

And in addition to all the free advice and printable coupons offered at the Kosher Coupon Lady website, Miriam has generously offered a copy of her book FREE to one lucky reader. It's a quick and comprehensive read, with guaranteed results. 

So scroll down to the Rafflecopter giveaway below and get those entries in today. Open to all US residents, with one winner being announced on February 15th. Good luck and happy saving, everyone! 



a Rafflecopter giveaway

All images courtesy of Miriam Wartell, subject to copyright. 

The 5th Blogiversary Vintage & Craft Giveaway

Just some of the loot up for grabs!

As some of you may have read from my last post, I celebrated my 5th blogiversary on October 5th. And it was delectable, thanks in large part to my sister's too-cute cake to celebrate the occasion.

And to continue the celebration as promised, this is the official giveaway. Using the Rafflecopter widget below, one lucky reader will win:

• A copy of American Junk by Mary Randolph Carter
• Two vintage framed Eden lithograph prints circa 1960
• Two sets of vintage buttons
• A small mystery bag of craft supplies
• A pair of handmade vintage inspired earrings 

First let me just say that this book is a must-have for any thrifter/flea marketer/antique hunter. The visuals will inspire you to think creatively with your decor and interior design. And it's just a fun little collection of enviable junk.  

I have a hardback copy and flip through it often enough that I came to think---Hey, I should give away a copy to a reader in my next giveaway. 

Button, button. Who's got the button? 

Aren't these vintage Le Chic buttons darling? 5 small aqua buttons, and three larger coral buttons...for your crafting pleasure.  

A burlap sack full of fun!

And lastly, a handmade pair of earrings based on a vintage envelope design---just adorable. Annnnddddd a small burlap bag of some of my favorite crafting supplies for you to make something special of your own. 

Wait. Let's take a closer look at those earrings. 

Aaaaaaaddorrrrable.

I love the faded text and discoloration. It's a tried and true vintage envelope, shrunk way way down using the magic of Grafix Shrink Film.

All of these fabulous items can be won with this easy-entry drawing. The contest will close on October 31st, with the lucky winner being announced November 1st. Good luck...and thank you for making these last five year of thrift-blogging a blast. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy 5th Blogiversary To Me!

Another edible masterpiece created by my sister, Ashley. 

It's hard to believe that my love for thrifting has brought me this far. I've been given behind-the-scenes access to my favorite thrift stores. I've collected so many stories from secondhand items and from the fabulous vintage enthusiasts I've met along the way. I've been an invited guest speaker at a renowned university...and have been published in print and online, all in the name of thrift shopping.

And today, October 5th 2015---- my fifth and golden blogiversary, I have nothing but high hopes that Let's Go Thrifting will continue to evolve and inspire.

Thank you all for reading, commenting, sharing, and for thrifting. We really are a community here. It is our spending power that keeps usable items alive----our resolve that says we will spend our hard-earned money on unique items that we've found, not mass-marketed wares that are forced upon us. So keep donating. Keep buying secondhand.

Thank you and you, and you, and YOU.

Keep on thrifting. And stay tuned. Because on Thursday October 8th, I'll be launching a MAJOR giveaway. One lucky reader will win:

• A seminal book on thrift shopping/flea markets
• A selection of vintage wares from my personal collection
• A pair of handmade earrings
• A stash of crafting supplies, and more!

Zoe says, "Cake please." 

Further details on this awesome prize pack and how you can win will follow this post. But now it's time for me to celebrate. Now it's time for cake! 

   Stay thrifty, my friends.

A Birthday Surprise & A Jackpot Candle Giveaway Winner

Look! There it is!

Forgive me, dear thrifters. I've gotten sluggish in my old age and neglected to publish this post on Tuesday. I blame having a tad too much plum wine at the hibachi dinner. But that's an entirely different story.  

But as promised, here I am. And I'm going to reveal what jewelry was tucked away in that long awaited foil packet within my Cherry Blast Jackpot Candle.  And let me just say---that the excitement was palpable once that foil packet poked through the melted soy wax. But in the interested of not burning my fingers, I let my candle cool down before I removed my prize and tried my new earrings on for size. 

Cute!

Black little gemstones for me, hurray! And they're the perfect size, so I can wear other studs in my multiple ear piercings, if I wanted to. And now for the appraisal. Inside each foil packet of Jackpot Candle jewelry, there's a code that you can punch in to reveal the worth of your piece.  And click, click, click.....away we go! 

Hey, that's not too shabby! And who knows? Maybe the lucky winner of the Jackpot Candle giveaway will find the $5,000 grand prize in her candle.  Wait....a minute. I have to announce the winner!  Drum roll, please.   The winner of the Jackpot Candle and jewelry piece of her choice is....

Congratulations, Dottie! I know you'll enjoy your Jackpot Candle just as much as I have. 

A big, huge thank you to the Jackpot Candles company, and their lovely representative Jodie who partnered with Let's Go Thrifting for this special giveaway promotion.  And thank you to all the readers for entering this giveaway, and for the well wishes on my birthday. It truly was a wonderful day that I got to spend with family, friends...

....And this guy...

James is given the puppy-approval by Zoe.

But that's another story for another blog post.

Happy thrifting, everyone!

The Big Birthday Giveaway, Courtesy of Jackpot Candles

I've said it before. I'll say it again:  Being a blogger certainly has its perks. A few months ago, I was contacted by a representative from Jackpot Candles about the potential for sampling their wares in exchange for a product review here on Let's Go Thrifting. And I gleefully accepted the offer, choosing the Cherry Blast candle. 

Now, I bet you're thinking that it doesn't get better than a free decorative candle. But it's a cherry candle! I love all things cherry scented. But, of course,  that's not all. The operative word being 'Jackpot' in the Jackpot Candles company---there's piece of jewelry tucked away in there. And it's not just any piece of jewelry, but one of my choosing. 

And this is why I'm in love with Jackpot Candles. Unlike their competitor which only offers the promise of a ring within the wax, Jackpot Candles lets the buyer decide. The jewelry choices offered are a pair of earrings, a necklace, or a ring (sized 6-9). Firstly, let me commend Jackpot Candles for giving my pudgy digits a shot at a ring that fits with offering a size option during the purchasing process. I would've been content with that. But once I realized the added bonus of being able to pick a ring, or a necklace, or earrings... well, I was one happy blogger indeed. 

And after several hours surrounded by the cherry-scented glow of my Jackpot Candle, the foil packet at long last was revealed. But I'm not ready to share my findings just yet.

But what I will share with you that May 19th is my birthday. And on this most joyous of celebrations, I'll be giving one reader a very special gift---a complimentary candle (with a jewelry piece of their choice), courtesy of Jackpot Candles! 

That's right. On my birthday I'll be announcing who will be blowing out their Jackpot Candle, and revealing my own jewelry prize. So get those entries in and get ready to celebrate with me.

The Jackpot Candles giveaway is subject to entry verification. 
Any falsified entries will be disqualified. Open to US residents only. Good luck, everyone! 






a Rafflecopter giveaway

Revisiting Good Stuff Thrift of Fairless Hills, PA

While I don't get to the area as much as I'd like to, I've come to realize that Fairless Hills, PA is quickly becoming a secondhand hotspot. Not terribly far from Oxford Valley Mall, located just within a few miles of each other is a Salvation Army, a Goodwill, and an up-and-coming chain known as Good Stuff Thrift.

You may recall Good Stuff Thrift from my previous review. And again, the sales floor is neat and organized, and the seasonal spread of secondhand goods impressive. The staff is friendly, and believe in the importance of customer service as strongly as they do the Good Stuff philanthropic mission.

And while I'll always hit up the Goodwill and Salvation Army for the goods, I visit Good Stuff Thrift for the potential treasures and the design inspiration. Much like the Doylestown location, the merchandise is curated from run-of-the-mill donations and creatively staged. It's more than just suggestive selling. It's a collection of thoughtful vignettes, seasonal displays, and an elegant yet homey atmosphere in which to peruse the possibilities. 

In the 6 months since my last documented trip to Good Stuff Thrift, they've done some renovations that added an estimated 3,000 square feet to the sales floor. And though management admits that this does cut into some of the back room space initially designed for processing donations, the employees seem to be in their element. 

I will say that while those dreaded NFS (not for sale) signs sting just a bit in creative thrift store decor meant for display-only, I do appreciate the effort. I'm admittedly just a wee bit jealous that I don't own all of the pretty things. 

But I did score this goth-romantic filigree pattern mirror for $4! I didn't immediately have a space in mind for it. But as soon as my fingers grazed the intricate pattern, and my eyes caught sight of the price tag, I just knew it was coming home with me. As you can see, there's no shortage of lovelies for sale at Good Stuff Thrift.

Good Stuff Thrift is located at:
543 Lincoln Highway 
Fairless Hills, PA 19030

_______________________________________________

Have you entered the Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles Giveaway yet? 

Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles Book Giveaway!

Welcome to the new and improved Let's Go Thrifting.

Now featured on the illustrious LetsGoThriftingBlog.com domain, LGT is the real deal. And to celebrate the first official day of the Let's Go Thrifting relaunch, I've decided to reward one of you loyal readers with a lovely prize! 

If you're a vintage enthusiast, a nostalgic home decorator, or a dedicated reseller of kitschy kitchen goods and housewares, then this book is an invaluable resource. It's colorful, informative, and chock full of coveted collectibles. And for one lucky reader, it's going to be a domestic dream come true. 

Open to all Let's Go Thrifting readers residing in the United States, this giveaway of C. Dianne Zweig's tome of treasured vintage wares is hot, hot, hot! Just link in your social media accounts and send me those tweets and comments. 

The rafflecopter flies away on November 10th, when a random winner will be selected. 

Good luck, everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Great Ring Reveal and Diamond Candle Giveaway Finale

After a week of melting wax, basking in a warm glow and being enveloped in the soft scent of orchids, my ring was at last revealed. Once that foil packet came to the surface of the soy, I blew out that candle like a kid ready to put his face in the birthday cake. I fished out the bundle from the hot wax with a pair of tweezers and eagerly unwrapped the protective layers of foil and plastic to reveal the ring surprise.

It's gorgeous! I love it. While it's not a precious stone worth hundreds, I'm a sucker for colorful costume jewelry. And it's actually pretty close to my emerald birthstone. There's just one dilemma. My sister also   likes the ring and it fits her perfectly. If I want to wear it comfortably, I have to get it resized to fit my pudgy digits.  Ahhh, what's a girl to do? 

Well, since a kindly representative offered me this free product from Diamond Candles to review, I feel that I might offer the ring as a gift to the sis. Besides, she's making me a confectionary surprise for next week's 3rd year Blogiversary. 3 years, can you believe that?

But I digress. 

As you also know, a week ago I opened a Rafflecopter giveaway for a free Diamond Candle for one lucky reader. Thank you all for entering, sharing and crossing those fingers. Well it's time to announce whose finger is getting a brand new ring inside a delightful Diamond Candle. 

And drumroll, please...
The winner is... 

Kelly Constance Rassett!

Congratulations, Kelly! If you're reading this, I'm sending you an email with all the information you'll need to claim your prize.

To all my many readers, thank you for another successful giveaway. And many thanks to Diamond Candles for sponsoring this wonderful event. 

Announcing The Diamond Candle GIVEAWAY!!

A representative from the Diamond Candles company contacted me recently, wondering if I would be interested in reviewing one of their products and perhaps giving away one here on Let's Go Thrifting.

And let me tell you that I could not agree quick enough! I had heard about Diamond Candles in magazines and online and found myself intrigued by the idea. So imagine my surprise and delight to be offered this exciting opportunity! I clicked on over to the Diamond Candles website and immediately ordered an Orchid Meadow candle for myself.

Now, before I get to the review, let me just say that I'm especially wary of scented candles. Many times, I find them to be just too overpowering to enjoy. I love my home smelling fresh, but dread that overly fragrant headache that many scented candles can bring. But ever since my Orchid Meadow Diamond Candle arrived at my doorstep, I've been drawn to the sweet subtle scent. It's lovely...and large. I didn't expect a candle of this size at all. It's just perfect for a coffee table or dining room area. But I've admittedly been hogging all the floral scented freshness in my bedroom. 

Now, let's talk about the ring. Yes, I said the ring. Every Diamond Candle has a ring tucked inside the soy, just waiting to be revealed. All you do is burn the wick and let the candle burn down to reveal that foil packet. And surprise! There's a randomly selected diamond ring that could be worth up to $5000. I'm just about to unearth my ring from the wax and am giddy over the possibilities.

I guess I'll just have to wait. And so will you. But before I reveal the lovely ring within my Diamond Candle, how about I give one of you lucky readers a free Diamond Candle of your very own?

Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to relax with your favorite scent or the excitement of revealing a ring surprise inside.  

Simply enter using the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win. Entries are open for two weeks to all Let's Go Thrifting readers within the United States. One winner will receive a code for a free Diamond Candle of their choice. This prize has a value of the $24.95 candle, the ring inside worth anywhere from $10-$5000 and free shipping. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is sponsored by Diamond Candles, to which I am very thankful. 
Good luck, everyone!

Last Day For The Really Cool Notebook Giveaway!

Just one of many to choose from!

Have you entered The Really Cool Notebook Giveaway yet? Well you're running out of time. Because at 11:59:59, the entries will be closed and the winner will be picked to announce on Monday May 14th. 

Rich from Really Cool Notebooks will be giving one lucky winner three of this handcrafted notebooks made from recycled albums, VHS covers and cassette inserts. Very cool, indeed!

If you want to gain your entries, just follow the directions on the original post. Come on! It's thrifty. It's crafty....and it's a giveaway worth over $25. Woo woo!

_________________

Let's Go Thrifting recommends...

Stay organized for under $9!

The Really Cool Notebook Giveaway!!

You'd have to be "crazy" not to enter this giveaway!

I am very excited to announce that Rich Wilhelm, owner of Really Cool Notebooks on Etsy has partnered with Let's Go Thrifting for a giveaway prize that I know you will all love. But before I get into the details, I'm going to tell you a little about our gracious giveaway host. Rich is a writer, an editor and a crafter living in Pennsylvania. He is also an avid philanthropist who donates a percentage of his business proceeds to the American Cancer Society Relay For Life. 


Both thrifty and crafty with his creations, Rich uses recycled album covers, VHS covers and cassette inserts to assemble a miscellany of pop-culture bound paper. And thanks to Rich, one of you lucky Let's Go Thrifting readers will be a winner of not one, not two, but three notebooks from the Really Cool Notebook inventory. 

One lucky winner will have a pick of: 

• One album cover notebook (worth $12)
• One VHS cover notebook (worth $8)
• One cassette cover notebook (worth $4) 

Including free shipping, this giveaway prize is worth over $25!! 

"I'm gonna need you to go ahead..." and win this notebook. 

All national and international readers of Let's Go Thrifting are eligible to enter. All entries are in the form of comments on this post. 

**For your first entry, visit Really Cool Notebooks and leave a comment here on which notebook is your favorite.** 

For additional entries for this giveaway:

• Be a member of Let's Go Thrifting
• Be a fan of Let's Go Thrifting on Facebook
• Tweet about this giveaway @LetsGoThrifting
• Become a fan of Rich's Really Cool Notebooks on Facebook 
• Blog about this giveaway 

Please leave a separate comment letting me know that you qualify for each of these additional entries. Each comment must be counted as an individual entry, so you have more chances to win! Also, be sure that your name and email address are included so you can be contacted if you are the lucky winner. 

(At Rich's request, we ask that you do not choose any of the Dirty Dancing themed notebooks for your prize, as 100% of the proceeds from those sales go to the American Cancer Society.)

The winner will be chosen via Random Number Generator on Monday May 14th.

One of my favorite cassettes...in notebook form

So click on over to Really Cool Notebooks. Get to Tweeting. Blog away.  Hit those Facebook “like” buttons.  And let me see those comments.


Good luck, thrifters! 

__________________

Let's Go Thrifting recommends...

The classic fountain pen from Office Max. 

Special Sunday Announcement: We Have a Winner!



Not the lucky winner but looking to get your own copy of the My Memories Suite? Visit their website and use the special code above during your checkout for a $10 discount.



Congratulations to Van of Thrift Core fame on winning the first Let’s Go Thrifting! officially sponsored giveaway promotion. Van will be receiving a code to download The My Memories Suite v2.0, (a $40 value) absolutely free! This promotion was made possible by My Memories.com and I thank them for the generous offer.

I have been having a lot of fun playing with all of the features of the My Memories Suite digital scrapbooking software...downloading free virtual paper packs, adding and editing photos, customizing the page layouts and exporting my creations  to jpegs to share with all of you.

And I just know that if anyone will enjoy creating digital scrapbooks, greeting cards, posters and slideshows, it will be Van. Thanks for promoting the giveaway, Van! You’ll be contacted shortly with all of the information you need to claim your prize.

________________________________

I'd like to thank each and every one of you for reading Let's Go Thrifting! 

The Week in Review: On Tangibility

 

Don't you just love the smell of an old book?

 
Secondhand shopping means hunting down treasures of yesteryear, sniffing out bargains and unearthing cultural oddities.  But it also means saving an item from certain death at the local landfill.

And this got me thinking of aesthetics. What visual and physical features must an an item have to appeal to you as a buyer? What deciding factors qualify a must-buy purchase?

And when it comes to thrifting records, CDs, tapes, books, DVDs, videos and media that could otherwise be downloaded, how does tangibility affect your decision? Do you only own the item if you can physically prove your rights to possession tangibly?

Not so long ago, I half-considered buying a Nook for quick and easy downloads of all my leisurely reads. But I just can’t reconcile my love for books, actual books. The texture of the paper, the smell of a vintage read, the scintillating cover of a good pulp. I guess I’m for the tangible.



Welcome to the virtual exhibition.



But that doesn't mean I hold contempt for the available technology. After all, where would I be without this blog? I welcome the exploration of techy aids to creative aspirations.

Right now, for instance, I'm in love with virtually cataloging my collections of thrifted finds with The My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software. It’s nice to organize photos and other spiffy ideas with a little help from the technology. And I plan to experiment with digital scrapbooking even more in the future.

With any luck, I’ll find some sweet secondhand fashion to model, photograph and later scrapbook in this upcoming thrift-week. Oh the possibilities!

If you’re looking to balance your beloved tangible thrifted finds with your love for technology, enter  The Let's Go Thrifting! My Memories Suite Giveaway It’s much more than digital scrapbooking. It’s a way to preserve and share the past, even if it’s just a pile of dusty ol' vintage books.

____________________________________

What's your take on the tangibility factor?

Odds 'n' Ends Thursday: It's the Time of The Season

You know what season I'm talking 'bout. It's that lovely time of year when the wind blows crisp and clean, and the leaves change color. It's perfect for layering all of your cute thrifted fashion pieces and cozying up to a hot cup of coffee for a horror movie marathon. God, I love this time of year.

And I love, love, love going through my closet and subsequently making a new fashion thrift wish list for the changing temperatures. This season I am dying to find a poncho that doesn't make me look like a sack of potatoes...or some sort of a cat lady. I would also like some saddle shoes, colorful tights (which are not likely to be thrifted, but hopefully bought on discount), a few fashionable tunics to layer over leggings and anything else that'll blend together for a comfortable look that works with the cooler weather.

And this is exactly the reason that the "Odds 'n' Ends Thursday" post will actually be published in the wee Friday morning hours. I spent a considerable amount of time today hunting the Salvation Army and the clearance racks of a few of my favorite stores for looks I love. I did find a lovely black and white print dress which I plan to layer over leggings and top with a cute cardigan. And I got some cute costume jewelry from Forever 21...including a... wait for it... robot necklace. Pictures will follow shortly.

Back to the "Odds 'n' Ends Thursday" topic...I find it a bit odd that no one has officially entered the Let's Go Thrifting! My Memories Suite Giveaway. I'd really like someone creative and thrifty to win this software. Did you miss the initial announcement? No worries.

There are six ways to gain entries:

1. Visit the My Memories website and pick out your favorite Digital Scrapbooking Kit.  (1 Entry)
2. Become a fan of My Memories on Facebook.  (1 Entry)
3. Follow the My Memories Blog through Google Friend Connect. (1 Entry)
4. Tweet @LetsGoThrifting and @MyMemoriesSuite about your passion for scrapbooking. (1 Entry)
5. Post about the My Memories Suite Giveaway on your blog. ( 1 Entry)
6. Follow Let's Go Thrifting! through Google Friend Connect. (1 Entry)

Just follow these instructions and then comment on the original post letting me know which entries you've completed. Please use separate comments for each one so I can make sure all of your entries are counted toward the giveaway. Also be sure that your comments have your name and email so I can let you know if you're the lucky winner.

Be sure to read my rave review of the product and the official announcement of the My Memories Suite Giveaway for more details.

Best of luck, thrifters!

_________________________________________

What thrifted fall fashions are you looking for?