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.

Creative Cosplay and Costume Thrift Tips From Angie S.

Angie as Gender-Swapped Ash from Evil Dead.

October is finally upon us! And with it comes apple picking, horror movie marathons, candy, and costumes. Of course if you're Angie S, costuming isn't just reserved for October 31st. 

Angie is a longtime cosplay aficionado, friend, and fellow thrift shopper. And she's here to share her wisdom on costumes, cosplay, and how thrifting can help bring it all together.

Q: So Angie, how did you become interested in cosplay? 

"I've been really into Halloween forever, and at 14 I started making my own costumes. After I got too old to trick-or-treat. (True story, I was 22... I'm 5 feet tall, so really, it's not like I can't pass for a  kid if I need to). But I still had that need to prance around in a costume. I knew people cosplayed for Otakon, but I somehow didn't realize that people cosplayed for practically EVERY kind of nerd con until I started dating my current boyfriend. He had done a few cosplays in the past. I thought about it for a couple of YEARS before one day, I suddenly felt like I really needed to dress up like Ash Williams. Now we go to every con we can feasibly attend!"

Gender-Swapped Joker & Harley Quinn from Batman. 

Q: Can you explain the creative process behind this couples' costume?

"These costumes are gender-swapped 1930s Public Enemies Harley Quinn and the Joker from Batman, which started when my boyfriend, Rick, wanted to be a gender-swapped Harley Quinn, and asked me to be the Joker. Since I had already started on the vest for his costume (two thrift store shirts sewn together), I kind of thought about the entire theme of his costume and realized that we could pull off an almost Bonnie and Clyde style Joker and Harley. My skirt, blazer, and blouse are all from a thrift store, mostly altered. (I still wear the skirt because it’s awesome!) His hat, vest, and tie are also from the thrift store."    

Q: What's your average cost per costume and the average time spent looking for thrifted supplies? 

"For the thrifted items, I typically spend between $15 and $35. The rest of it is either purchased online or compiled of stuff I already have. It never really amounts to more than $100, which is a bargain in a niche where people sometimes spend in the thousands on one costume alone. And it really depends! Sometimes I find mostly everything in one amazing trip, and sometimes I spread it out over the course of a few weeks so I can keep searching for just what I want."

Angie as Tiny Tina from Borderlands 2 

Q: Do you have any tips for secondhand Halloween costumes or cosplayers looking to make the thrift store their primary resource for supplies? 

"If you can, definitely give yourself a few weeks' time for finding stuff, because new things will show up often. If you don't find it the first time, you could potentially find it the following week! Also, if you can't find the right color and style combination for an article of clothing, try finding it in white, or a lighter version of the color you need.  Dye can make all the difference! Another thing I've found, particularly if it's not something you're going to be wearing a ton, faux leather can be painted with a flexible fabric paint. I've painted a belt and a pair of boots with it---and it's a real lifesaver. If you have mad sewing skills, the world is really your oyster in a thrift store; you can alter clothes to your heart's content! You can even go through the home furnishing section for fabrics. The main thing I took away from the movie Gone With the Wind is that you can make a fabulous dress out of curtains if you have some imagination." 

Q: Do you go thrifting recreationally for other things besides costume supplies, and if so do you have a favorite thrift store? 

"Definitely! My dresser is thrifted, as well as my favorite combat boots... I found them brand new in the box! There are also some cosplay items that I wear in real life just because I like them so much.  I also made myself a clutch for a wedding out of a pink sequined tank top. I didn't really know what I was doing, but it actually turned out pretty cute.  My favorite thrift store is the Feasterville Impact Thrift. It's massive, and it's right near Michael's Craft Warehouse and Five Below. (And it's also across the street from Starbucks. Close enough for when you need it, far enough to avoid temptation when you don't)."

Angie as Alabama Worley from True Romance. 

Q: And who might this be? 
"This is Alabama Worley---a southern girl who meets her husband while working briefly as a call-girl. She is sweet and a lot smarter than she seems. And a total badass! The thrifted items are the belt, which I painted, the fabulous leggings, and the bag. I had all of the characters in mind when I went to the thrift store… however, this Alabama costume is a SECOND costume. I had a costume based on the first thing we see her wearing in True Romance, and was out looking for shirts for my boyfriend’s costume, when I came across the hot pink leopard leggings. What are the odds?! When I found those, I HAD to make a whole second costume based on one of her later looks in the film. That was quite the happy accident. I'm also currently using Alabama's hot pink purse most of the time!"


Q: So what's next for you? Any future costume plans? 

"I'm working on a few Halloween costumes at the moment. A friend and I are being Blanche and Baby Jane from Whatever Happened to Baby Jane... I'm trying to track down the perfect dress or top and skirt combo. It should be a blast!" 

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To see more of Angie's creative endeavors visit her online art portfolio where you can purchase her work. Also check out her super fun Tumblr here.

Many thanks for sharing your secondhand cosplay creations, Angie! 

Here's What's Coming In October On Let's Go Thrifting!

Harvest time.

In just a few short days, I'll be basking the in the glory of my favorite month of the year. And while officially on the calendar Fall has arrived, it doesn't seem quite autumnal enough for me until the first of October.

And with that in mind, I've decided to publish a little teaser post all about the fun fall-themed things in store for this wonderful month. Because it might be 82 degrees here in Philadelphia today, but I know that delightfully crisp Fall air is creeping in. 

So what can you expect on Let's Go Thrifting this October? 

Craft projects!

Well you know I have plans for pumpkins. But I'm also thinking some paper crafts, Mod Podge miscellany, jewelry crafts... the works! I'm so glad that I saved 9 days of vacation time for just this occasion.

Adventures!

...And of course vintage photographs to add to the virtual gallery. But just look at this guy. He's having a good ol' time. And I will be too. It's not even October yet and I already have penciled the following into my calendar: a Japanese Flea Market at the Shofusu House, a trip to Styer's Orchard, a work outing to Terror Behind The Walls at Eastern State, the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, and more!

Did I mention craft projects?

Yes, I'm mentioning craft projects twice. Because...why not?  I'm also excited to be featuring some tips and tricks from cosplay and artist extraordinaire, Angie S, on how to achieve the perfect costume, plucked right from the shelves of your local thrift store. 

This much and more is coming your way in October. Also...mark your calendars. Exciting things are in the works for October 5th...as I celebrate my 5th, and golden blogiversary.

Happy almost-October, thrifters!

The Impact Thrift Stores Fashion Outlet Grand Opening

The day prior to the grand opening extravaganza. 

Impact Thrift Stores has set up shop for the fifth time here in Pennsylvania. Its newest location officially opened for business today at 208 Commerce Circle in Bristol, PA. And while this is the fifth time around for ribbon cutting ceremonies for the ever-expanding Impact, this is the company's first foray into secondhand fashion specifically. 

Cute and colorful wares, carefully organized.

And by the looks of things, the transition was seamless. With this location formerly housing a Fashion Bug store, Impact seized the opportunity to use the lighting, fixtures, and space of the previous occupant to their full advantage.The 10,000 square foot sales  floor  is organized by garment type, size, and color, with fashion choices for men, women, children, juniors, maternity, and plus sizes.  And of course... it's not fashion without the shoes, accessories, and jewelry. 

Bright costume jewelry? Yes, please. 

Come to think of it, I could use a new handbag...or two.

In the upcoming days to the official ribbon cutting, the Fashion Outlet quietly held a soft opening to give the retail operations a test run. And a good thing for me, too, since I'd be physically unable to snap these photos of the merchandise in the swell of the crowds snatching it all up. Don't believe me?

After the celebratory cutting of the ribbon...

...The crowd came a'piling in. 

And while every volunteer, member of the store staff, corporate employee and CEO aided customers in getting shopping carts, finding fitting rooms, and getting rung up...no amount of workforce could prepare them for that turnout. While I'm awaiting word on the sales totals, I'm sure it was an impressive figure. And this is an especially worthwhile effort, considering that 10% of the day's totals went to Advocates For Homeless & Those In Need (AHTN).

Your dollars at work! 

But all the fanfare aside, The Impact Fashion Outlet is a bright, organized location...and a great starting place to bring that one friend who is always impressed by your secondhand style...but seems skeptical at the process. And don't forget to keep a lookout for those daily colored tag sales.

Bargains...on top of bargains. Well color me frugal! 

With the powers of thrift... I scored a drapey black blouse, a sleek black bubble dress, an autumn inspired striped sweater, and a floral print kimono jacket with fringe...all for about $20. And all which will be styled and photographed in due time. But for now... get yourself to the Bristol Commerce Park Shopping Center and find yourself some new-to-you style at the Impact Thrift Fashion Outlet. 
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Ribbon cutting photo, courtesy of Jill Tarabar.