One of the fun things that we love to do as a family is go thrift store shopping. The key to finding stuff you love at a thrift store is going often, so we usually go to about 5-7 Goodwills a week. We will go a couple weeknights a week and then go on Saturday or Sunday or sometimes both. If we have too many days of not going, we get the itch. The itch to go, not some other itch we could have picked up from the goods at Goodwill. Believe me, this has something that I have been concerned with, but if you can get over the skeeviness of the 'will, you will find happiness there. Its called Goodwill for a reason, ya catch my drift? Just make sure you wash your stuff in hot right when you get home.
The thrill of the hunt is what makes thrifting so much fun. Joe loves going I think just as much as we do. Sam loves to reach out of his stroller and try to pull glassware, tchotchkes (yes, I looked that up), clothes, shoes, etc off the shelves. The debate is always whether I should put him in the Ergo so he can't reach anything (but neither can I) or put him in the stroller. Sometimes I do because I just love to see his little face right there in front of me. When we go in the store, we usually separate and Jeaux and Joe check out puzzles and games. I take Sammy and look for a certain pair of boots, or vintage stuff like linens/quilts, Pyrex, kitchen goods, artwork/needlepoint and recently added photo props to my list. Lately I will look for clothes if I am in the mood. I found a super cute black dress this week. Oh my goodness, I almost forgot kids books! If you ever want to start a library for your kid, hardcover books with jackets in great shape for $3-4.
There used to be a long list of things I wouldn't buy from a thrift store, but the list has gotten smaller and smaller. Still no bathing suits (ick), underwear (although a vintage slip would be a fun find), toddler shoes (unless they looked super new), pillows/comforters/duvets.
It feels good to get something cool and different for a bargain and bonus! it is green. A few months ago, I broke our coffee pot carafe in the dishwasher. I was thisclose to just ordering a new one from amazon for $20. Instead I decided to just keep checking goodwill for one. Within a few weeks I had found one. It was a little grimey looking but I figured for $2, it was worth trying to clean. I soaked it over night and with a little elbow grease it sparkled like new. All without the extra packaging and extra dollars that I would have wasted had I purchased it brand new. Plus I used a carafe that needed a home already. Goodwill gives jobs to people who need them, helps people find jobs and gives a refuge to stuff that might otherwise be sent to a dump. So that is all good in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, I do my fair share of shopping for new stuff, but there is just something about finding awesome, old stuff that makes my heart sing.
Jeaux likes to make up fake slogans for Goodwill. "Have you Goodwilled today?" "Find your fun, Goodwilling" "The thrift of the hunt: Goodwill" "gee-double-oh-dee will." We have mutual laughs whenever we sing that to the tune of the KFC commercials. We're easily amused.
Here are some of the things that I picked up this week:
i grabbed this doll cradle because i thought i might be able to use it as a photo prop. if that doesn't work, back to goodwill it goes.
i have a collection of vintage needlepoint frames that began with one i inherited from my grandmother. this one will hang in the collection near our front door now too.
i grabbed this vintage scale to possibly use as a photo prop for kids. right now it is in my kitchen because it is so cute. i saw it at another shop for $12 and since i got mine for $4, i was kind of excited.
here are some more things that i picked up this week.
tara
xo
