Living with Fashion, Giving with Style.
Tim Gunn is one of the best things to happen to American fashion in decades. He has impeccable taste to be sure, but coupled with his sincerity and genuine desire to see people looking their best, he’s a rara avis indeed. Tim Gunn’s 10 Essential Elements for women is a beautifully handy guide. With these [...]
I think we all share a fantasy about winning the lottery or inheriting an unexpected fortune; finding cash on the street or a goldmine at a garage sale or thrift store. Especially now, as so many are struggling, these thoughts can turn obsessive. Before I fall asleep, often I’ll find myself thinking, “maybe I’ll win [...]
Psh. Make fashion work for you! As the economy slowly begins to show signs of life, hundreds of thousands of us are left having taken on the chin an enormous financial hit. Talk shows and websites are alive with advice on how to roll over your 401k, how to prepare a proper budget, and basically [...]
Hello, dearhearts – First, let’s be frank – I’ve fallen off of the thrifting planet completely. Don’t get me wrong, I still THRIFT, but I haven’t been writing about it. For starters, my web guy decided to go awol, which exacerbated what I’d been feeling for quite a while – like a lone woman on [...]
Good morning, thrifters! A recent article in the Daily Bee of North Idaho really has me jazzed about spreading the word about this idea – twelve local businesses in North Idaho have banded together to create a one day “Tour de Thrift,” in which shoppers receive special passports that they can fill up at each [...]
Lifehacker, one of the great sites in this World Wide Web, suggests using kitty litter for getting that “musty” smell out of thrift store and other clothing. Read the full article here. (If anyone tries this, let us know how it works for you!) Lifehacker is so keen – I could spend days trolling around [...]
A retiree living in Georgia bought a painting for “a few bucks” from a Georgia thrift store. He brought it to a taping of Antiques Roadshow, who estimated that, should it be restored, it would sell for around $50,000. He decided to leave the condition as it was, and it fetched a whopping $190,000 at [...]
In a move that many branding experts believe to be damaging, Nordstrom Rack has begun selling refurbished, returned items. As thrift store shoppers, I think we can all relate to the bias they’re receiving as a result of the move. In the insightful article written by Stephanie Landsman of CNBC, one expert refers to the [...]
Hot off the presses, the Salvation Army of NYC has announced the dates for their 2011 Coat Sale, an annual event that pits fashionistas against die-hard bargain hunters in the race for the most fabulous coats of the season! Prices are ridiculously low, the competition is high, and, most importantly, real people in need benefit [...]
I’ve got this complex “chance operation” generator that I use to pick the music I listen to on daily basis. This method involves a pair of dice, a set of Scrabble tiles and a bunch of playing cards and it’s really, really geeky. Recently, this music selection method informed me that I needed to listen [...]
Richard & Ellen DeFeo (of DeFeo’s Manor and The Selective Eye in Jim Thorpe, PA) are back again with more great tips for judging age and authenticity of older items: Dear Nicole: This is another tip for your Thrift shop Fans from the Selective Eye: When shopping for items you can have a clue as [...]
Yet another thrifty sister who refuses to stay down for the count, Jenna Isaacson has used her creativity to turn the recession into her playground, embarking on a project that I find terrifically inspiring. All Thrifty States is a cross-country trek to document America through what we give away, and Jenna and her little rented [...]
If you’re not familiar with Apartment Therapy, it’s an absolute treasure trove of inspiration and how-to. Their active community is opinionated and inspired, and offer solutions for readers for everything from revitalizing an old dresser to kitchen renovation and redecorating an entire house. I’m over the moon that they’re covering second-hand items, as we all [...]
