Yours, Mine, Ours: Moving In, Piece By Vintage Piece

My newly acquired vintage watering can.

Since being with my boyfriend James for over 9 months now, and navigating around our respectively busy and often times conflicting schedules (plus one bridge between us), we've come to the realization that living together would be more than ideal. And as that possibility becomes increasingly more viable, I had a thought.

Can my style...become his style....become our style? While James joins me on the occasional thrift trip when time allows, he doesn't actively go thrifting or flea market shopping of his own accord. And aside from finding a few records here and there (my influence, of course)... he's not really into vintage.

At least not like I am. So I've decided that slowly but surely...I'd "spruce up the space." And ladies-who-thrift know what that really means.

I'm not sure which is cuter...this basket tray or The Beverly Bee newspaper in it. 

What that really means is: I'm bringing in my vintage wares, one at a time.  

Like that too cute to be true vintage watering can that will act as a vase. Or this decorative basket that will temporarily house all of the junk mail that needs to be sorted. So far, there have been no complaints. But then again I feel like it would take a lot for James to issue a complaint. 

To be fair, I do ask for his opinion.

Here. Sniff this. 

Take candle scents, for instance. A scent to fill the home should probably be a mutually agreed upon purchase. And while this lovely candle with rope detail wasn't thrifted, but bought on clearance, I like to think that his opinion on what I bring into his---soon to be our---place matters.

I don't want to feel like I'm taking over. Sure, I cook. Sure, I clean. And sure I have this running joke that one day he'll come home to find the place looking like something out of Antiques Roadshow.

But he says that he's more than okay with that---that he kind of expected that to happen as soon as he gave me a copy of the key. 

And to my credit, it has been a slow and controlled process, a process in which he makes decisions with me.  

I mean, look at these. 

Except these vintage daisy glasses. I snatched these up for less than a dollar each, washed them, and plopped them right in his kitchen cabinet without question. 

It's not like he has to drink from them. Right? Right!? I stand by my purchase. 

There he is. Totally immersed in an episode of The Flash. 

And he's not angry about any of this---I swear. And though I have an obvious bias in favor of the secondhand, I think all of these homey little touches adds a domestic element. It's   just warmer, more welcoming. In nerdspeak: it's no longer the Fortress of Solitude. 

James knows the lay of the secondhand land for me, and what that eventually means for us as a couple as we make strides towards our future together. A steamer trunk here. A refurbished bar cart there. 

And I guess time will only tell, as the inevitable question arrises...

Sure, you love me. 

But can you love my vintage?

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Don't forget to enter the 5th Blogiversary Vintage & Craft Giveaway!

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.

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!