My best thrifting haul, ever! {and my best personal tips}

Thrifting is a finicky thing. 

You can go into the store, scour it from end to end and come out with nothing. 

It can be frustrating and exhausting, so why do it?

For days like today.

I figured this would be a good time of year to go thrift shopping, because after Christmas we all have the urge to purge. Organize life, donate the rest...blah blah blah.

I've also heard that Tuesdays & Wednesdays are the best days to go to a thrift store because people drop off items late in the weekend or on Mondays after doing a weekend purge-fest and the store prices them and sets them out mid-week.

So everything is lining up here for a great trip to the thrift store.

Let me show ya what I got.

(And no, there's no crazy awesome furniture that you'll see me refinish like many many other blogs...I'm going simple thrifting here)

Ruffles? check

Aqua? check

My size? check

Quality brand? check

LOVE them

Now, they were $10.99

*little* steep for a thrift store.

But they are ALDO shoes, which often run for at least $40 and these have clearly never been worn.

And honestly, how could I not?

Next up...

This was so beautiful and completely perfect for spring decorating, so for $2.99 I was SOLD

This next one could be the most ironic/meant-for-me/perfectness around.

It's a birdcage jewelry display.

I know what you're thinking...WHEN am I EVER going to use this?

It's not like a have a jewelry SHOP with the word BIRD in the title.

JEEEEEEZ

*ahem* it was $2.99

squeeeeeeeeal

I love a good wreath hanger. I've looked at ones similar to this for usually around $10-12, this was $1.99!

Another ALDO item..this gorgeous purse for $9.99

(with the hearts that are removable but I'm not quite sure if they are cute or ugly...we're temporarily sticking with cute...thoughts?)

This bag showed NO signs of wear...BUT, I found a plane ticket stub to London, England and a receipt for something expensive inside.

It's like having a piece of something from someone with an exciting jetsetting life. haha.

So the grand total for this haul?

about $30

HOW happy am I?

very very very.

(all money was my birthday money too - stretching that stuff as far as I can!)

So, for my own personal (not expert) 

advice on thrifting:

• like I mentioned, shop mid-week, mid-day if you can (that way staff has had time to display some items you may be scouting)
• Look up HIGH and down LOW. I almost walked right past the bird jewelry display until I stopped, turned around and looked up. It was too tall to be at eye-level!
• Remember spray paint fixes a lot. Find a great item but it's the wrong color? spray paint it. Works, often.
• Be patient and pay attention. Don't rush through the store expecting the good stuff to catch your eye. It's not a retail store that has matching beautiful displays and catchy methods to get your attention. 
• Go through the aisles twice. I almost always miss things on the first time through.
• If you see an item, but you're not sure and think about coming back...forget about it...it won't be there...and you'll regret it (and no, I'm not saying buy everything...but just don't lose out on a piece with this method).
• Browse thrift stores enough just to know value of items. You CAN overpay for a thrift store item. Like a McDonalds happy meal toy for $3. Saw that today too.
• Don't plan to go shopping in a regular retail store after thrifting. You'll have sticker shock at regular prices!
• When shopping for tops, look in your own size, and a size up...sometimes there's a killer shirt that can easily look great with the magical work of a belt. Trust me. You also will get over the complex of going up a size when you see how big it fits on you pre-belt.
• Put things in your cart even if you are just "thinking" about them. There are others shopping too...often with the same taste.
• Go in with low expectations. Don't go looking for specifics or with a price in mind. Be open-minded and enjoy yourself. Otherwise, it's NO fun.

Hope you enjoyed my haul for today, and these little tips too.

Don't be afraid to thrift. It's super fun, and really rewarding!