You want to know who spends almost $100 at Unique Thrift on half-price Monday?
Me.
I loved every minute of it.
My receipt is pretty long. Overall, I bought 26 items which averages out to be $3.84 per item. The top item I found was a White House/Black Market dress which cost $7. Luckily, it was in my size. It looks like it's been worn once so as soon I get it dry cleaned, it will be good to go.
I think the key to getting so many good items was arriving early. The store opens at 7 a.m. and I arrived around 7:30 a.m.
The first thing I usually do is hit the jewelry counter.
I buy up all of the silver I can find. Even if it doesn't have a marking on it, I still buy it if it's tarnished. Luckily, I have a younger sister who I can share all of my silver jewelry with. I love seeing her wear something cool I've found.
I checked out the shoes, but didn't have any luck.
Next, I hit the purses. I found a vintage, black leather bag for $5. It is the perfect size to carry my I-Pad. I also found a small back, going-out, Guess purse for $5.
Ultimately, I left with two large bags full of items.
The fun will begin when I get home and start separating everything so I can throw it in the wash or take it to the dry cleaners.
A new spring wardrobe which includes a fancy dress, matching purse and jewelery?
I'll take the ensemble plus a few more items for $98.17.

***

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

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.

***

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.