Thursday, June 4, 2009

Dithering in the Dressing Room (And a Giveaway!)

I am spoiled.

Utterly, totally, completely, irrevocably and quite happily spoiled by thrift stores.

I used to be a great fan of consignment stores and I still am to some extent. However, I was in a great consignment store a couple days ago and found myself dithering in the dressing room over a simple, plain shirt. It was a color I needed to go with a certain pair of pants but it cost eleven dollars.

Now I realize that eleven dollars is a whole lot less than what it would have cost new. But I just had a feeling I could find something similar at a thrift store.

So I decided to desist in my dressing room dithering and I took off for a thrift store. And yes, I did indeed find a similar shirt--for only three dollars!

As I said, I'm spoiled.

And since we've been unemployed for seven months, thrift store shopping is not just a joy, it's also a necessity. (Well that is, if I want to purchase any "new" clothes.)

Now some of you may be reading this and thinking, "Thrift stores. Yuck. Don't they just carry a lot of tacky, dirty, out of style, old clothes?"

Well yes, I'm there are some that do. But in our area we have several great stores where most clothing items are just a couple dollars.

And to prove my point about it not all being junk, I am going to do a Thrift Store Show and Tell and display for you some of my recent bargains--ALL of which cost less than three dollars. I hope to encourage YOU to be a Fellow Thrift Store Shopper.

Are you ready?










You may recognize this particular bargain from our family photo; I bought it at our local Salvation Army. (Which our family has nicknamed, "Sals.")


And here, ladies and gentlemen, you will see one of the lovely Smith ladies (joined by a handsome Smith man) modeling a cheerful thrift store ensemble.


And let me just also mention that thrift stores don't just have clothes. No sirree, they also have books. Books, books, wonderful books!

Although I already own this book, I still bought it because I knew I could find someone to pass it on to who appreciates really great writing.

And guess what? This book is the first of two give aways I'm doing today! It's just slightly used (with a few markings on the inside) but to me that just means that the book has been well loved by someone.

The subtitle of the book is: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality.

Publisher's Weekly says, "Miller is enjoyable clever, and his story is telling and beautiful, even poignant."

Christianity Today says, "Think of Donald Miller as Anne Lamott with testosterone."

Another reviewer says, "Donald Miller writes like a good improv solo--smooth, sweet, surprising, uplifting, and full of soul and fury and joy."

To win this book, just sign the guest book and tell us the title and author of one of your favorite books. We'll do a random drawing from those entries to choose a winner.

And my last Thrift Store find? Well, it is the subject of my second give away!

I found a set of 10 note cards and envelopes; the front of the cards have kind of a "raised velvet" feel and the cardstock is thick and expensive feeling. The cards come in their own little matching holder and are so gorgeous I was almost tempted to go out and change my name to Kim or Kathy so that I could legally use them.

Feast your eyes on these lovelies!



If your first or last name starts with a K, please sign the guest book and tell us three things about yourself. (The guest book is all about us getting to know each other.) I will do a drawing from all of the "K Folks" and will send the winner these absolutely fabulous and gorgeous note cards.

There now. Wasn't this fun?

If you have yet to visit a thrift store, run (don't walk) to the store nearest you. I promise that your "dithering in the dressing room" over high prices will immediately become a thing of the past.

Enjoy the adventure!

25 Had Something To Say (Just click here!):

Anonymous said...

Wow. What a fun giveaway! :D

3 things about myself:
1. I also love Thrift stores..
2. My husband's name is Keith
3. Our son's name is Kirby.

~Kim in Tennessee

Anonymous said...

I LOVE Thrift stores too. Our nearest "good" one is 50 miles away, which is probably a good thing! It's like a treasure hunt when I go there. Plus, it's good stewardship. May the bargains be with us! God bless.
jenny in Idaho

Anonymous said...

Fun!! Let's see....

For contest #1:

It's impossible to pick an absolute favorite, but one of my favorites is A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving.

For contest #2:

1 Last month I bought my first ever vehicle. It's a bright yellow Jeep Wrangler.

2 My cell phone is advertised as shock- and water- proof. I've owned it for under two weeks, and already know both of these things to be true. Which may explain why my old one stopped working.

3 On Sunday, I flew an airplane (with a lot of help!) and I'm contemplating taking lessons to get my license.
----------------

It's harder than you'd expect, coming up with three interesting things about yourself!

-Kristina in AK

Chill said...

Don't get mad at us, but we have two stores within two blocks of us. His House Mission, and Goodwill. I do not shop there much but love to donate. They are a blessing to our community which is speedily becoming what is referred to as Little Mexico, and believe me they are blessed by it. Our Goodwill store only charges by the pound. One dollar a pound for clothes. When you guys land that good job, bring a fist full of dollars and we will have a shopping spree beyond belief!!!
Love you guys. praying for YOU!
Tom

Chill said...

OK, I am ignorant about this whole contest but here goes:
As far as I can tell, I was;
1: The Youngest member of The Full Gospel Businessmens International @ 18, Local Chapter

2: The Youngest Member of the Gideons International and youngest President, Vice President of Local Camp

3; Been called the best trim carpenter in my State, by most of the cntractors I worked for in my 25 years in construction with my Dad's family business.

Ok, now I am also a nut, and proud of it!!!! Love God my Church, My Family, and to laugh with Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory to my God's praise!
Love you guys
Hope to see you soon. If you come back to South Carolina let us know, we wuld love to see you guys.

Anonymous said...

I LOVE giveaways. I must be in on this...I love to read and my name starts with a K, so this is perfect!

#1 Giveaway:
My favorite author is Robin Lee Hatcher. I started reading her books many years ago as she writes historical romance, which I love. About 10 years ago, she found Christ and now only writes Christian based books. Except for a couple, I have read all of her books.
I also like to read Mitch Albom, I love his books!

Giveaway #2:

3 things about me:
1. I love pro-wrestling...WWE and TNA. I just attended live events for both of them here in Boise within a week apart!
2. I am WELS Lutheran. I love my church and am very involved...nursery manager, softball manager, Sunday School teacher, etc.
3. I am currently addicted to Mama Bella's brand garlic bread. It is amazingly good. I even have it for dinner, only the bread =)

I hope you have a great day!

Blessings~
Krista Harris
Boise, Idaho

Guerrina - Ledyard, CT said...

Book(s) by one of my favorite authors?

Black by Ted Dekker
Red by Ted Dekker
White by Ted Dekker
Boneman's Daughter by Ted Dekker
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien
Shogun by James Clavell

Just to start the list! :)

Anonymous said...

Sounds fun! First time leaving a message, lack of time!

1) we have 5 kids and one on the way 3 boys and 2 girls (and soon to be another girl)!!

2) Second hand stores are my passion!

3) I love K-D!! (sad but true)

Just thought it would be fun - not looking for the prize

Kim

krueth said...

how fun to have a giveaway.
3 things, Hmmm! I am an avid Nascar fan, a daycare provider for 21 years and a mother of 3, grandmother of 2...My last name starts with K. Thanks for the giveaway.

Ann Martin said...

You get some really cute items at the thrift stores. I haven't been to one but have been to a children's consignment shop.

My favorite books are Barbara Johnson's. Any of them are great and keeps you laughing.

Lisa Cunningham said...

Wow, my daughter could write a note rather than e-mailing!
Her name is Kacey!
3 things about her:
1. She is 12
2. She plays the trumpet
3. She wants to be a nurse!

Hope this qualifies to enter the contest!

Becky, UK said...

Hi Becky,

Can I just ask the difference between a thrift store and a consignment store? In the UK, we have charity shops and then value clothing shops, like TJ Maxx or (used to be) Woolworths, but I'm not sure these are the same as what you mean?

Also, just for fun (I don't want to be entered in the book draw because I'm in the UK); I have a lot of favourite authors, so many, in fact, I can't choose just any one. J K Rowling (Harry Potter series) James Herriot - author of a series of English vet books set in Yorkshire; if you guys like reading about England and vets and animals, I highly recommend him, as he writes about his own life experiences as a vet in a way that allows you to be there with him. Erm....V C Andrews (Dollanganger series), Enid Blyton (Famous 5), Patricia Leitch (Jinny series). Stephen King as well, but only really IT and The Stand out of his books. There are also some one-off authors I like, such as Stephen Foster - Walking Ollie & Along Came Dylan, Colin Dann - Just Nuffin and Richard Adams - Watership Down. There are many, many, many more and if I had my bookcase in front of me I could go on for hours. However, I had better stop rhapsodising about books and get on with my work.

Love the colourful outfit.....

Beth said...

My daughter and I absolutely love going thrift-store shopping. It's addicting! Once you get hooked, it's hard to shop anywhere else.

Anonymous said...

I think sometimes I am the only person who can go to my local thrift store and find myself thinking that maybe anything over $10.00 would not be a bargain. I love thrift stores. After the death of my husband, with two children to raise, I found myself buying all my clothes at "Thrifts". They are like going on an adventure to see what you can actually find. I love your blog,,,,,

Anonymous said...

Fun!

3 Things--

1. My mother named all three of her kids K names. Karen, Kevin, and myself, Kris.
2. When I was growing up I went to camp every summer and LOVED it.
3. I love Pizza!

Kris in Iowa

Anonymous said...

So much fun :)

3 things about me:

1. I am a pediatric nurse practitioner & think that this is the BEST job in the world
2. My children, Andrew & Kate, never fail to amaze me with their unique and fun perspective of this world we live in
3. I knew within the first 5 minutes that I met him that I would marry my husband. 12 years later & I am still as in love as ever.

Kelly in PA

Anonymous said...

3 things about myself:

1. My first and last name start with a "K".

2. I love scrap booking and any kind of arts and crafts.

3. I am a "tweener" caring for my two kids and my 60 year old mom with Alzheimer's.

Anonymous said...

I am currently reading The Shack by William P. Young

3 things about myself:
1. Besides thrift stores, I love yard sales as they call them down here in the south. I believe up north they are garage sales. Being a single mom my daughter grew up wearing yard sale clothing.
2. I met ya'll when you played at Oakland Assembly of God in Ft Walton Beach FL.
3. The only one in my household whose name begins with K is my chihuahua, Kira. Since she can't write, she doesn't need the cards, as beautiful as they are!!
The book looks very interesting though!!
Debbie

Anonymous said...

I don't get to thrift stores as much as I would like. I do drop off at our Goodwill store pretty frequently and it is always busy. I sell my childrens clothes in a bi-annual children's clothing consignment sale that is huge! www.kidseverywear.com
I have gotten into reading Jodi Picoult books and loved My Sister's Keeper, which is coming out as a movie this month. I'm sure it won't be half as good as the book.
Last comment, your family is the most photogenic family EVER!

Hope
Raleigh, NC

Laura G. (Missouri) said...

The best book EVER is Beach Music by Pat Conroy. It takes place in Italy and the US (the Carolinas!). The descriptions of the beauty of both locations creates a perfect picture in your mind of where the story is taking place. Oh, it is amazing.

Laura in Missouri

Anonymous said...

I LOVE thrift stores, too. One time,I found a very new pair of Osh Kosh jeans for my son for $1.50and when I got home, I checked the pockets before washing them, and I found a $20 bill! Woo-hoo!

It would be fun to know what your best "find" was at a thrift store. I've found a Coach purse ($4) and Longaberger dishes. Love the hunt - ! L in Alaska

McLeod Family said...

My favorite book is anything written by Karen Kingsbury! My favorite would have to be Redemption (the whole series was awesome)!

Hope you are feeling a little less down and enjoying some nice family time.

Heather McLeod (friend of Morgan Barnes family)

Kate said...

Fun! Okay...three things about myself.

1. I love to dance in the rain.

2. My favorite snack is vanilla wafers and marshmallow creme.

3. Every Monday I buy myself a rose.

I won't count this as number 4, but I recently discovered the joys of thrift stores and consignment shops. Both are wonderful. I'm pretty sure my apartment could be decorated fully for under $20.

-Kate in Iowa

Kim said...

Hi Becky! My name is Kim and I would love those notecards--very classy.
3 things about myself:
1. I visit my thrift store at least once a week.
2. I am going to get my first grandchild this November!
3.My child #2 (out of 4 total children) will be graduating from college next Saturday and I am so proud! We will have 2 college grads in the family--with hopefully 2 more to come.

Love you blog and love hearing about your family...
*smiles*
Kim

Angie said...

I absolutely LOVE thrift store shopping...and as a matter of fact, I'm going "thrifting" tomorrow! Just wanted to tell you that I attended a wedding this evening (the bride's name was even Sarah!) and saw the very same skirt that you got at the thrift store! I even told my husband that I know I'd seen that skirt before and I couldn't remember where. I even complimented the lady wearing it on how pretty it was. Then, I was re-reading this thrift post and saw the skirt! I had to post a comment! I love when I see some of my favorite finds out on someone else. I always wonder how much I saved by buying it second hand compared to what the original price might have been! I'm hoping to find some treasures tomorrow! I've been on a bit of a book hunt lately as I always have more time to read in the summer (we have a pool and my girls love to swim -- I always take a book to read while they splash and play). I'll let you know if I find something fabulous! :)