The Spice of Life Part Two: Books, Records, Fashion Finds and More.

"The Complete Tightwad Gazette" Philly Aids Thrift. $4
"Color in Fashion" and "An Octopus is Amazing" Retrospect. $1 each.




Welcome back to the conclusion of the Let’s Go Thrifting! Spice of Life special. As you probably realize, that certain spice I am referring to is variety. And what better variety is there than the possibilities of the great unknown of the thrift?

Take these books above, for example. An adorable children’s book on  the octopus (my favorite marine animal), a book of color matching and contrasting with a ridiculous amount of 80’s fashion missteps and The Complete Tightwad Gazette, quite fittingly found at the thrift. Now that’s variety.

And again when it comes to music, my varying interests yield some interesting secondhand results. While the “Sixties Rebellion” garage rock LP wasn’t thrifted, but bought used from Repo Records, the wonderfully bluesy Phoebe Snow album was a thrifty steal for .99 cents

This afghan style woven belt from Lucky Brand was a great Goodwill find for $6. I originally intended it to be a gift for my sister, but damn if she isn’t too skinny. Now, the tails to tie the ends of the belt together are rather long, so I can get some wear out of it. But it just doesn’t look as good on me as it would on her.




Jane Fonda, eat your heart out.



 Well thanks to this totally 80’s workout wonder, I might get to belt-up no problem.

Look at that leotard…and the all-too-happy woman wearing it. She’s sure having a swell time with her Pull-Up Exerciser. Maybe I will too...But only if I find an equally flattering white leotard.

Until next time, stay thrifty!

The Spice of Life Part One: Dolls and Decor

 


Goodwill. $1.97



The last few weeks have proven quite fruitful when it comes to sweet secondhand finds. Sometimes it just happens that way, when everything you never knew you wanted was right there, ripe for the picking.

Dolls, decor, books, records, fashion. I found so many wonderful little treasures, in such great variety, I’m seizing the opportunity to divide the finds into two blog entries.

So let’s see here. First I will share with you the dolls and decor.

The sign pictured above I absolutely love. It’s a thick, sturdy plastic with a metal chain for hanging. It looks to me like a vintage sign for a school, library or hospital.



Goodwill. $3.00



I also found this neat little hanging frog and shell at Goodwill over the weekend. It’s difficult to make out in this photo, but the color is a pale blue. And don’t you love that aged patina look? This will be hanging in my garden once the weather starts being more cooperative.

 


Goodwill. $.50

   
Ordinarily I’m not into Western decor, but this miniature plastic wall hang is kinda kitschy. And it’s only about 4” in length. So tiny!

My last piece of decor to mention is my personal favorite. I was pleasantly surprised to win this lovely vintage piece of owl art from Sonya of Dime Store Thrift. Many thanks for such a wonderful prize, Sonya!

Pugsley must also have enjoyed this win, as he sneakily found his way into my photo staging area.

Well, that’s okay, as I figured he could stick around to introduce the doll segment of this post.




 Philly Aids Thrift. Cabbage Patch Kid w/original clothes, socks and shoes, $5.



  But apparently, that photo shoot wiped him out. There he is sleeping next to “Fred,” our newly adopted Cabbage Patch Kid.




Impact. $2.50



This little doll in a big dress is a vintage treasure. The maker hand painted “1971” on her neck. I love her long legs and torso in comparison to her tiny feet.




Her face and hairstyle bares a striking resemblance to my Aunt Gert, a lifelong crafter who passed away last year. So I decided to name this little doll after her in tribute.

Well, that’s the end of the “Dolls and Decor” segment of this exciting two-part variety special. On the next episode of Let’s Go Thrifting! read “The Spice of Life Part Two: Books, Records and Fashion Finds.”

This Just In:

We've been roaming like buffalo. But we're back.

Worry not, thrifters. Let's Go Thrifting! is back from a brief hiatus. And we're back...with a vengeance. Well, not really a vengeance, per se. I just like that saying. But we do have some exciting news, all of which will be discussed in detail during future posts. But here are a few teasers:

• As creator and lead writer for Let's Go Thrifting! I have been asked to lend my thrifting expertise in a special section of Macaroni Kid, a national newsletter and website for kid and family-friendly activities. In the near future you can expect to find tips, tricks and other thrift-related news, all written by your truly. I'll be sure to post links to the articles when published.
• Over the past two weeks, I've scored some quality finds from the thrift. Vintage exercise equipment, books, clothes and decor. I've even won a wonderful prize from a fellow thrifter! The details will follow tomorrow, along with some lovely pictures!
• We also have a small assortment of new photos that will soon be added to the Collections page and new thrift-related books to add to the Resources page. Fun and informative!
• I knew I would someday convince my sister to join the blogosphere. I'm just so glad she's also thrift-minded, that I might link my readers to her site without that guilty pang of shameless plugging. But my little sister (and by little, I mean age 21...still "little" to me) has started a blog about her love for fashion. She's always had an eye for color and style and couture. But...she also loves finding unique pieces at the thrift. Which, of course, I also convinced her to try. Right now, her blog is in the beginning stages, as she is a newbie and is learning the technical aspects. But you'll love her. I know I do! So stop by her blog I, For Fashion.
•  And lastly, we are 7 followers away from our first freebie, The Big 5-0 Giveaway. So, tell a friend. Then go thrifting.

Stay tuned for the next exciting installment of Let's Go Thrifting!

To Etsy or Not to Etsy?

Don’t you just love when you find a deliciously vintage item that you just can’t pass-up? Yup, me too.

Most recently, it was this little ceramic kitchen canister from the 1978 Sears & Roebuck line.
Price: 2.50





Isn’t it lovely? I just love how many toadstools this piece has. The entire canister is a toadstool. There’s a colorful pair on one side, a brownish toadstool on the other. And the lid has the cutest little fungus that ya ever did see.

Well, this…this…is just a secondhand seller’s dilemma. I bought this because I obviously have a love for vintage toadstools. Now I know I’m not alone in this strange fascination with toadstools and could list this on my Etsy store and likely sell it rather quickly.

But look how cute it is!

Okay, maybe I can hang on to it for now. Maybe even show it off a little. Admire it.
Then…maybe…maybe I could part with it.

Any thoughts?