This is how we goodwill.

First off, I'd like to make one thing clear.

I've been thrifting since before hipsters decided it was cool.

 

I was a goodwill kid. I remember the days of my mom dragging me around the thrift store, praying I wouldn't run into kids from school, and I'll never forget the day she accidentally packed my lunch in a goodwill bag.

Now that I'm an adult, no longer care about anything other than being able to afford starbucks every day, goodwill has become my savior.

I am a shopaholic. & I say that in the way like, Nick is afraid for our future shopaholic.

This being said, now that I have seen the light of my moms ways, I am a THRIFTY shopaholic. So to everyone who follows my goodwill finds on instagram and has asked for my tips, here they are.

3 Tips for entering the further:

-Don't get in the elderly peoples way.

They have been doing this a LONG time. They know what they are looking for, and it is not you walking in front of them. Some of them are kind, but some are testy, approach them with caution. Also watch out for teenagers in Brandy Melville shirts & flannels wrapped around their waist. They are only here temporarily, and they get in the way.

-If you are a beginner, do not go on a Monday.

Monday does not give any shits about you, nor do the people in goodwill. They will hunt down their deals and possibly kill you along the way. Beginners, try a Wednesday, managers special day that everyone hates.

-Use your imagination.

It is rare (depending on your style) that you will walk into goodwill and see a must have thing that everyone is dying to buy. You have to take the item OUT of its surroundings and imagine it in your cute apartment.

For example. In my last blog I showed the before & after of a large slab of wood project. It started out as a mural of jesus...(Speaking of, I have no idea why there are SO many of these at goodwill. Everywhere I turn Jesus is judging my purchase. I think everyone may be getting rid of these large wooden Jesus paintings ever since Justin Bieber came around I really have no idea.)

I painted over the Jesus mural (In the name of the father son, and crafting spirit) and made a chalkboard sign.

These wooden signs will cost you up to twenty bucks anywhere else, but I got mine for a whopping 2 dollars. Hallelujah!


I will also say this. If you have eclectic style, and love vintage things, I'm not sure why you haven't been going to goodwill for your entire life but I am here to help you now. Seriously, some of my favorite home décor items I have found there. Knowing that the item has a history adds a little something special to it.

Some of my favorite things to find at thrift stores are:

 

Bags
 

 

 

 

FRAMES.
 

 

 If you have been buying frames elseware, I am sorry I didn't find you sooner and punch you. My favorite frames ever are from goodwill. They have the best selection of brass, gold, antique looking frames you will find anywhere, most for under 2 dollars. With the oval frame above, it started out as just an oval frame with a painting of a house on it. This is what I mean about imagining it in your apartment opposed to the store. We painted this one for my engagement party, but I decided to keep it up because I love it!

 

jewelry.
 

You can find the coolest vintage necklaces. Again, this depends on your taste. If you are looking for something that says Juicy Mama or something you may have to resort to the mall, but if your style is similar to mine, thrift stores are the way to go. You will always have something different, and I have noticed they have a TON of long pendant necklaces, which are usually my favorite.

 

 photo albums.

 

 

 

I am one of those people that loves printing out pictures, and goodwill always has the coolest old photo albums. I got both of these for 1.50 each.

 

 

 Yay! Hopefully this helps. I think I'll start posting my favorite finds every week. Thoughts?! I'm also planning on doing all my wedding décor DIY, so we shall see how that goes! What are you favorite things to thrift for??

Tiff XO