Blogs > Why Not Thrift?

Material things don't matter much to me. That is one major reason why I love to thrift. It doesn't cost much, it's an adventure and you always come away feeling good. So why not thrift?

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Cache' sale items mix well with thrift finds

This white sheer texture sweater has been marked down several times by Cache'. It's original price was $98. Its sale price went from $59 down to the final price of $29. What a deal.
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As much as I enjoy  thrifting, I also enjoy high-end finds which I often purchase at sale prices.
My favorite website for online clothing shopping is Cache'. The clothes are well-made, reasonably priced (when on sale) and very fashionable.
Often, I shop a season behind. Just a few weeks ago, I bought several items marked for final sale that I've already packed away for next winter.
Last winter, I shopped for summer/spring clearance items which are now in my closet with the price tags still on them. I am just waiting for a little warmer weather to wear them. They are sassy, sleeveless and will look fabulous with a pair of dark jeans or skirt.
The sweater above is one of the fabulous previous-season finds I am talking about. I haven't bought it yet, but I plan to.
It's original price was $98. It's been marked down from $59 to the final sale of $29.
If you look at the website and you like what you see, buy the item right away. If you wait, it may not be available in your size.
When you mix the high-end items with a $5 thrift store skirt, it makes the entire outfit look expensive.
The best part is, only you will know what is thrift and what is a good online find.
Shopping like this involves a little planning ahead, but it's totally worth it. Especially when you pull out your winter clothes and find a brand new high-end sweater with a sale price of $29.


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Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Unique Thrift Find: Diane von Furstenberg dress



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In my weekly trip to Unique Thrift on half-price Monday, I scored the best deal in all of my years of thrifting.
I found a Diane von Furstenberg designer dress for $24.50 with the tag still on it.
It was on the new clothes rack which I rarely look at because there is such a variety of sizes on there. When I found it, I couldn't believe it. The original Unique Thrift price was $49.00. That's actually a high price for an item at the thrift store.
Even though the dress was small and there was no where to try it on, I put it right in my cart.
When I got home, I tried it on. It's a little tight, but by the end of the summer I should be able to fit into it.
Since the tag was still on it, I was able to get the style number and search for it on the Internet to find out just how much the dress possibly could be worth.
On E-Bay, the exact same dress was selling for over $150.00. On www.dvf.com, the official Diane von Furstenberg website, I couldn't find the exact dress, but prices ranged from $300 for an item on sale to over $550 for a new arrival.
The dress is sitting in my closet with the tag still on it.
I can't wait to wear it.
The score makes me want to thrift that much more.

- Theresa Neuhoff Audia





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Thursday, May 15, 2014

Head to toe in thrift finds

What a find! Banana Republic sandals for $3.99.
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While piecing together an outfit this morning, I realized everything I put on came from various thrift stores.
Let's start with my Banana Republic sandals which I paid $3.99 for. They are cute, patent leather and red. I just recently started shopping for shoes at thrift stores. In the past, I skipped right by the shoe aisles because I was simply scared of what I would find. I know myself, I wear my shoes until they are basically falling apart. I just figured the shoe aisle at a thrift store was like a cemetery for old shoes.
Then one day, I took a chance and walked down the aisle (really living on the edge, right)?
These were the first pair of shoes I found. They were barely worn and seemed almost brand new. I don't shop at Banana Republic regularly because I can't afford it so when I saw the brand, I put them right in my cart.
I've worn them several times since I've purchased them. The heel isn't very high so they are super comfortable.
I paid $2.99 for the gray Gap skirt I have on. It fits me perfectly. I like shopping for skirts at thrift stores because there is usually a good variety. I don't always shop for solid colors because I figure those are the skirts that are probably worn the most. In my experience, patterned skirts are usually less worn.
I'm glad I took a chance on this basic, solid, A-line classic.
It's cotton so I was able to throw it in the wash and easily iron it. It looks brand new.
Most of the skirts I buy are lined so I have to dry clean them. Often, it costs me more to dry clean the skirts than to buy them.
My short-sleeved, pink and white, abstract, colorful top is from Limited. It's well made with a zipper on the side. It too fits perfectly. I paid $3.99 for it. It's small so it's a little tight, but the entire outfit matched so I'm wearing it (at least for today).
My little sister would kill me for admitting this, but my entire outfit head to toe cost a little over $10.
So please don't use the excuse with me, you can't dress nice because you can't afford the clothes.
It's possible.
My outfit today proves it.









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Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Unique Thrift Find: Vintage Monet charm bracelet

I bought this vintage Monet charm bracelet at Unique Thrift in Willowick on half-price Monday. I paid just $1.50 for it. I'm sure the memories this bracelet are associated with would push the price of this find to over $150.

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In an attempt to do some research for my new blog, I dragged myself to Unique Thrift in Willowick on half-price Monday before work.
In all honesty, I didn't drag myself there.
I woke up earlier than usual and couldn't wait to get in that packed parking lot.
Shopping at Unique Thrift on Mondays has been a ritual of mine for a few years now. I don't hit the store every Monday, but as many Mondays as I can get to.
Why?
Because it's so fun.
You never know what you are going to find.
The first thing I do when I walk in the store is go to the jewelry counter. I'm big on collecting sterling silver so if it's in good condition, I usually pick it up. There was no sterling silver on Monday, but there was this vintage Monet charm braclet for $2.99. The half-price sale made it $1.50.
There are six charms on the bracelet and all are associated with travel in some way or another. There is a trolley car from San Francisco, a flag from the Grand Canyon and a United Nations Building from New York.
One of the charms looks like there is some tarnish on it so I am hoping this could possibly be a solid find?
Even if it isn't, I'm glad this charm landed in my hands.
I appreciate treasures like this because they have such a story behind them. Who wore this bracelet? What did it mean to the woman to visit these different spots? Did she go on trips with her husband for her honeymoon or family trips? What year was this bracelet made?
When I was young, my mom had a beautiful charm bracelet that was completely filled. I always thought it was the coolest bracelet I had ever seen.
Now that I have four nieces, I have bought all of them sterling silver charm bracelets from Neilsen's in Lorain. The first charm on all of the bracelets is always a heart with their name and birthday on one side. The opposite side says: "Love, Aunt Theresa."
I give the girls charms on their birthdays, special occasions and Christmas. When my niece made her first communion this past weekend, I gave her a charm with the date of her communion. I also gave her a cute charm of two roller skates. I hope one day, she thinks of the times we went roller skating together.
Throughout life, some of the most important gifts we are given are our memories.
I cherish not only mine, but memories of strangers I will never meet.




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Thursday, May 1, 2014

Being thrifty is fun


My younger sisters and I at my mom's second wedding. From left to right, are my younger sisters Mary, Kelly, Amy, myself and my mom. On this particular day, we all knew exactly what to wear.
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As the oldest of five children, nice clothes were hard to come by when I was growing up.
It was especially difficult because I had three sisters and a mother who all wore the same size. That meant if you bought a new sweater, chances were one of your siblings or your mother would find it and wear it before you.
It's not that I minded sharing.
It's just that I hated not being able to find something of mine when I wanted to wear it.
My sister Kelly got so angry one time she took every piece of clothing she owned and put it on a numbered hanger. If something was missing, she knew exactly what it was. I think I still have one of her numbered hangers in my closet 25 years later. It always makes me laugh.
That's how I got started in thrifting.
Because clothes were limited, you had to have a knack for putting an outfit together on a very limited budget.
It's the way I grew up and it's the way I still am today.
In this new blog I've created, I'll share with you my thrifty finds, my top places to shops, hot outfits, trends and more.
If you are not thrifty now, I hope you will by the time you have read a few of my blogs.
Thanks for joining me on this adventure.


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