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| {msL} and I waiting for shoppers |
I promise to let you all know if I participate in another event like this one. I'm considering selling some items on ebay soon. I'll keep you posted on that endeavor.
Happy Friday Real Girls!
Showing posts with label resale. Show all posts
Showing posts with label resale. Show all posts
Friday, November 14, 2014
Frugal Fashion Friday - Shopaholics Suite Recap
I really loved participating in the Shopaholics Suite event, last Saturday. It was hard work but I did pretty well selling my items and it was fun to be out and about with some of my favorite local bloggers. I got to see old friends, meet some new friends, and made some money in the process. Bonus! Here are a couple of shots. Vivi and Kim, two of the organizers posted great recaps. Check them out, here and here.
I can't thank {msL} enough. She helped me haul stuff, brought water for me to drink, kept me company and most importantly, kept me from shopping. I was there to sell, not buy, after all. Thanks Honey!!
I promise to let you all know if I participate in another event like this one. I'm considering selling some items on ebay soon. I'll keep you posted on that endeavor.
I promise to let you all know if I participate in another event like this one. I'm considering selling some items on ebay soon. I'll keep you posted on that endeavor.
Friday, November 7, 2014
Frugal Fashion Friday (and Saturday) - A Great Day for Bargain Shopping
It's only one day away and I can't contain my excitement about the Shopaholics Suite: A Curvy Shopping Event tomorrow! This is my first featured blogger event and I know it's going to be great. It will also be a fashion bargain hunters dream! For the curvy ladies there will be lots of amazing clothing. If you're not a curvy lady, grab your curvy friends and head on down. There will also be great bargains on shoes, jewelry, bags, and other accessories. Great items regardless of size. The amazing and stylish ladies involved in the event will not disappoint. Ticket are just $5 but if you choose the Special Admission ticket, you'll also get a fantastic gift bag with free samples and goodies. There will be giveaways and we have incredible sponsors. Vivi of Heart, Print and Style and one of the organizers of the event, has two posts with lots of details (sponsors/giveaways and bloggers/stuff for sale).
These photos are a very tiny peek at the items I will be selling. I have so much to bring that I actually bought a hand truck to cart it all into the venue!
I'm bringing some big brand names to the sale. I've got shoes from Michael Kors, Via Spiga and BCBG Paris. There are tops from Lane Bryant, Talbots, and Avenue. Pants from ASOS and Talbots. As well as skirts and dresses. You'll be able to snag a great fall trend, Leather (and faux leather)! I even have a Kate Spade bag! That's not even including the jewelry and other accessories I'll have at my booth.
Don't miss this great opportunity! I was giddy just reading some of the items that the other ladies will be selling. But I won't be buying. That just means more for you! A few hours and $5, that is a bargain! I can't wait to meet you.
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| This jacket will be for sale! |
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| I will be selling these ASOS pants. I wore them in this post. |
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| Both of these skirts (Nordstrom) will be for sale. They have only been worn a couple times (blue worn here). |
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| This seer sucker jacket (Talbots) and these shoes (Talbots) will be for sale. |
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| This ear cuff and many other pieces of jewelry will be available. |
Don't miss this great opportunity! I was giddy just reading some of the items that the other ladies will be selling. But I won't be buying. That just means more for you! A few hours and $5, that is a bargain! I can't wait to meet you.
The Shopaholics Suite - A Curvy Shopping Event
Saturday, November 8th (TOMORROW)
11am - 2pm
General Admission tickets (no goodie bag) can be purchased for $5 at the door.
Happy Friday Real Girls!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Tips for the Thrifty
You all know about my love for thrift stores and resale shops. I have to confess that I haven't always viewed them as the storehouse of hidden treasures I do now. I began thrift shopping in my twenties, when money was tight and I knew my creativity would come in handy. Over the years I've developed a strategy when it comes to thrifting and I thought I'd share some of my best tips with you, my blog friends.
1. Go shopping with a plan - Unless you have tons of time, you need to know what you're looking for that day. If you don't have a plan, you could end up buying things you don't need or want, just because they are a bargain. You may want a red, silk blouse. Determine what features are most important. Silk? Red? Style? That leads us to tip number 2.
2. Keep your mind and eyes open - You may have certain style, red, silk blouse in mind. The chances of finding that exact blouse are slim. Determine what parts of that blouse you like most and look for those. By keeping your mind open, you may find something even better. By keeping your eyes open, you could also find a perfect skirt or pair of pants to wear with your new blouse. Classic styles are always in fashion.
3. Take cash - Many thrift and resale stores take credit or debit cards now but some don't. Check their policies by calling ahead. Cash will also help you stick to a budget and keep you from buying five shirts when you are only looking for one shirt. The reason you're thrifting is to save money.
4. Look for quality - A cashmere sweater by a quality label is a much better buy than a cotton sweater by a mass produced discount store. This is where keeping your mind and eyes open comes in handy. Check the seems for tight stitching, Check wool jackets, pants, and skirts for lining.
5. Check items carefully - That cashmere sweater won't be a bargain if you get it home and find a hole that can't be repaired or a stain that can't be cleaned. Check the care label. If you aren't willing to dry clean a garment, don't buy it. Look at the lining of vintage purses. If the lining is ripped and the leather is dusty or if the bag smells musty, it's not in good shape, don't buy it. Check shoe heels, are they loose? If they are, leave them in the store.
6. Try on all clothing - Sizing fluctuates from decade to decade and depending on manufacturer. This is especially true of vintage items. Also, an item could have shrunk or stretched. If your store doesn't have a dressing room (most do), wear leggings and a tank top under your outfit, so it's easy to try something on quickly in the aisles.
7. Accessories are great bargains - Some of my greatest thrift store finds have been bags, scarves, belts, and jewelry. They are usually priced low and can change an entire outfit. You can wear a vintage bag with a brand new dress and give it a completely different vibe. You never have to worry about fit. You can try a belt on over our clothes.
8. Watch out for fakes - There are lots Coach, Kate Spade, and other designer fakes out there. Most thrift stores will sell them for the same price as the real items. If you don't know the difference, you may get duped. Quality is the key difference between fake and real. Check the stitching, logos, seams, lining, hardware and materials. Check labels and attached logos. If they're attached with glue, it's a fake. A Coach bag for $10 isn't a bargain if it's pleather.
9. If you see something you like, grab it - If you walk away to think about an item, it might not be there when you come back. Someone else could grab it. If you change your mind, you can leave it at the store.
10. Wash or dry clean your new clothes before wearing - Even if the item has a fresh dry cleaning tag, it could have been packed with clothes that weren't clean. If an item is difficult to wash, like a tie or hat, I recommend putting it in a zip loc bag and storing it in the freezer for a few days. This will kill any germs or other things (like bed bugs).
11. Learn how to sew - I'm not recommending you become an accomplished seamtress. But knowing how to mend a pulled hem or seam or sew on new buttons, can come in handy. You can make an old blouse or blazer look brand new with buttons.
12. Find a good tailor - You may find a fantastic pair of pants or a dress that needs a little altering. A high end designer dress that cost $300 new, cost $10 at the thrift store, $20 to alter and now fits you like a glove is still an incredible bargain.
13. Visit regularly - If you find a shop you like, make regular visits. You'll get to know the days that merchandise is replenished. Many stores also have discount days. They give a discount of 25% - 50% off of merchandise. You can also get to know the staff. Their tips can be extremely helpful.
Here are a few sites where you can find thrift store listings:
The Thrift Shopper
Goodwill
Thrifty Planet
Salvation Army USA
These are by no means hard and fast rules. They are tips that I've learned over the years. Do you thrift often? What tips do you have to share?
1. Go shopping with a plan - Unless you have tons of time, you need to know what you're looking for that day. If you don't have a plan, you could end up buying things you don't need or want, just because they are a bargain. You may want a red, silk blouse. Determine what features are most important. Silk? Red? Style? That leads us to tip number 2.
2. Keep your mind and eyes open - You may have certain style, red, silk blouse in mind. The chances of finding that exact blouse are slim. Determine what parts of that blouse you like most and look for those. By keeping your mind open, you may find something even better. By keeping your eyes open, you could also find a perfect skirt or pair of pants to wear with your new blouse. Classic styles are always in fashion.
3. Take cash - Many thrift and resale stores take credit or debit cards now but some don't. Check their policies by calling ahead. Cash will also help you stick to a budget and keep you from buying five shirts when you are only looking for one shirt. The reason you're thrifting is to save money.
4. Look for quality - A cashmere sweater by a quality label is a much better buy than a cotton sweater by a mass produced discount store. This is where keeping your mind and eyes open comes in handy. Check the seems for tight stitching, Check wool jackets, pants, and skirts for lining.
5. Check items carefully - That cashmere sweater won't be a bargain if you get it home and find a hole that can't be repaired or a stain that can't be cleaned. Check the care label. If you aren't willing to dry clean a garment, don't buy it. Look at the lining of vintage purses. If the lining is ripped and the leather is dusty or if the bag smells musty, it's not in good shape, don't buy it. Check shoe heels, are they loose? If they are, leave them in the store.
6. Try on all clothing - Sizing fluctuates from decade to decade and depending on manufacturer. This is especially true of vintage items. Also, an item could have shrunk or stretched. If your store doesn't have a dressing room (most do), wear leggings and a tank top under your outfit, so it's easy to try something on quickly in the aisles.
7. Accessories are great bargains - Some of my greatest thrift store finds have been bags, scarves, belts, and jewelry. They are usually priced low and can change an entire outfit. You can wear a vintage bag with a brand new dress and give it a completely different vibe. You never have to worry about fit. You can try a belt on over our clothes.
8. Watch out for fakes - There are lots Coach, Kate Spade, and other designer fakes out there. Most thrift stores will sell them for the same price as the real items. If you don't know the difference, you may get duped. Quality is the key difference between fake and real. Check the stitching, logos, seams, lining, hardware and materials. Check labels and attached logos. If they're attached with glue, it's a fake. A Coach bag for $10 isn't a bargain if it's pleather.
9. If you see something you like, grab it - If you walk away to think about an item, it might not be there when you come back. Someone else could grab it. If you change your mind, you can leave it at the store.
10. Wash or dry clean your new clothes before wearing - Even if the item has a fresh dry cleaning tag, it could have been packed with clothes that weren't clean. If an item is difficult to wash, like a tie or hat, I recommend putting it in a zip loc bag and storing it in the freezer for a few days. This will kill any germs or other things (like bed bugs).
11. Learn how to sew - I'm not recommending you become an accomplished seamtress. But knowing how to mend a pulled hem or seam or sew on new buttons, can come in handy. You can make an old blouse or blazer look brand new with buttons.
12. Find a good tailor - You may find a fantastic pair of pants or a dress that needs a little altering. A high end designer dress that cost $300 new, cost $10 at the thrift store, $20 to alter and now fits you like a glove is still an incredible bargain.
13. Visit regularly - If you find a shop you like, make regular visits. You'll get to know the days that merchandise is replenished. Many stores also have discount days. They give a discount of 25% - 50% off of merchandise. You can also get to know the staff. Their tips can be extremely helpful.
Here are a few sites where you can find thrift store listings:
The Thrift Shopper
Goodwill
Thrifty Planet
Salvation Army USA
These are by no means hard and fast rules. They are tips that I've learned over the years. Do you thrift often? What tips do you have to share?
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