The Enchanted World: Seasonally Appropriate Reading

It's like Encyclopedia Brittanica...for ghouls. 

About a month ago, I was browsing around a small Goodwill in Bensalem looking for Fall decor when I saw an older, rather eccentric looking woman examining a set of dusty hardcovers. I usually don't pay other thrift shoppers much mind, but something about the way the woman was poring over the books just caught my attention. That's when I saw what she was holding. 

At the top of the small stack of books was a cover I had seen before...not even long before. It was the familiar burgundy cover of Wizards and Witches of The Enchanted World series. I first spotted the intriguing book at the Columbus Flea Market but the seller was asking far too much for it. And here it was again, and again it looked as if it would go to another reader interested in myth, magic, lore, and the occult. 

But in a strange, fortuitous fashion the woman who had the books in her clutches for what seemed like an eternity...just returned them to the shelf. And in a show of secondhand etiquette, I gave the indecisive shopper a solid five seconds to change her mind before snatching them for myself. 

Odd, right? But at $1 per book, you couldn't beat the price. And who knows? Maybe someday I'll luck into finding the other 18 books in The Enchanted World series. Until then, check out the artwork. 

Colorful illustrations of ghosts, vampires, witches, and more. 

The legends of black witchcraft, vampiric monsters, and ghosts across the globe are featured in colorful detail. And all-in-all, I'd say these terror-filled tales will prove to be an inspiration in the days to come. Hopefully in my anticipated days away, you'll find some special secondhand read. While my occasional absence from Let's Go Thrifting is typically due to medical issues, this time I have a different type of hiatus in mind.

I will officially be participating in National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo for those in the know. During the month of November I will try to conjure up a novel of no less than 50,000 words. And while I will not be ignoring my duties as a secondhand blogger extraordinaire, my focus will be mounted heavily upon a horror/thriller story that I've been weaving in my mind during many sleepless nights. 

So wish me luck. Enjoy your Halloween, your Samhain, your mountains of candy and horror movie marathons. And don't forget to enter the Maple Holistics giveaway! 

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

Let's Get Frugal: How I Got This Craft Cart Entirely FREE

3-Tier Rolling Craft Cart, FREE from Michaels.com 

I first spotted this mint colored metal rolling craft cart in my local Michael's craft store. It was just the cutest, and so functional for someone looking to turn their second bedroom into a home office. It was also $60. Not the amount of money I was willing to spend, unfortunately. So I left it behind. 

About a month later, I got an email advertising a blowout sale on the Michaels website and decided to see if my little mint craft cart was available. It was! And for just $23.99 it could be all mine.

But the thriftiness didn't stop there. I decided to open my Ibotta app and check my balance. I had more than enough to cover the costs. So I made a withdraw and deposited  that right into my PayPal account. 

What is Ibotta? Well in short, it's free money for minimal effort. If you have a tablet or smart phone, you simply download the free app and set up an account. You search for stores you shop at the most, from electronics and home goods, to pet supply stores and supermarkets. And if you buy any of the products or offers listed, you get cash back on your account by clicking a few buttons and taking a picture of your receipt. No scams, no gimmicks. It's like virtual coupons with savings that you can bank for store gift cards or PayPal deposits. 

Don't believe me? 

Just check out my lifetime earnings thus far! I downloaded the Ibotta app in January and have already saved almost $140. Now, that may not sound like a lot to some people. But when you use those funds to buy the little extras in life, the non-necessities, if you will, that extra little income can really can be helpful. 

My advice? To really stretch those savings, use your withdraw on items that are on sale, or that you have a coupon for...or even on items that earn you money back on Ibotta!  

If you'd like to get started, you can download the free app using my referral link. Or download the app and use the referral code: "ejkusoc." You'll get a $10 welcome bonus after your first approved purchase, and I'll earn a bonus too. It's a win-win! 

The perfect FREE storage solution for my jute, burlap, brushes, and more. 

Ah, to have things neat and tidy! I actually got those tin cups from Hallmark after Valentine's Day. They were on clearance for 29 cents each---a total steal. The little jars are for homemade under-eye creams, to be featured on a future post. And since I'm a nerd...I have a label maker, naturally. 

The bottom shelf needs a bit more organization to it...but since Bernie the Beagle is constantly stealing my latex gloves and drop cloth...I might have to rethink their placement. 

Dollar store plastic bins, thrifted baskets, or small wooden crates go a long way when it comes to storing craft supplies. So if you're looking to score your own craft cart for free...and organize it for cheap...you've come to the right place. 

Stay frugal, my friends.

Saying Sweet Goodbyes To Summer

Picket Fence Crate, $3 from Good Stuff Thrift

For some, spirits begin to drop as the temperature does. As that first autumnal chill in the air blows in, many mourn the loss of summer. I don't think I'm one of them, as my seasonal love is for the fall. But nonetheless, the end of the season approaches and I find myself just a little lost. Without boring all of you with the details, I'll say that I've been enduring yet another medical setback. And perhaps my gloom over the end of the summer stems from my feeling that I've done nothing this season but be poked and prodded in search of whatever is causing my abnormal blood chemistry. 

So while I have down time during a medical leave of absence from work, I decided to say my farewells to summer in hopes of greeting the fall with a positive change. I'll soon be changing over my summery fruits and florals for an autumnal color palette. But until then, here's just a little peek at this soon-to-end seasonal decor. 

Starfish from the Seashell Museum. OC Pier photograph taken on last summer's vacation.

I usually keep this photo displayed all-year-round, but for spacial issues may move it into the bedroom in favor of displaying some more seasonally appropriate items. Though I do love this shot, and can still hear the waves rolling to shore when I look at it.

Floral garland, $2 from Goodwill.

As you can see from my Instagram account, this garland was thrifted back in the spring. But I loved how it looked atop our entryway coat closet, and decided to display it through the summer. 

And what do you think of that orange blossom decorative tray? While it does have spring/summer vibe, I like the design enough to incorporate it into our permanent decor.  You'll get a better look at that $3 find in a future post. 

So as we say our sweet goodbyes to summer, let's hope that the fall brings us a welcome change we might each need in our lives. 

Coming up on future Let's Go Thrifting posts...

• A Look At My Quirky Kitchen
• How To Make The Most Of A Small Bathroom
• Let's Get Frugal: How I Got A Brand New Craft Cart Entirely Free