I’ve hinted a couple of times that I’m taking a trip soon. Well, in a few weeks, guess where I’ll be?
I can’t wait! I’ll be going with about a dozen of my closest friends and we’re all quite stoked (We try to take a big trip together every two years). So, while everyone else is shivering in their parkas, I’ll be sipping frozen mojitos in the Bahamas.
There was just one problem. I needed some stylish new cruisewear for my trip! As I’ve already spent a pretty penny on this vacation, I didn’t want to spend a great deal more on a new wardrobe.
It was a good week, friends.
Not only did I find most of what I need for my voyage, I found it for super-cheap!
Only one of those dresses was $6.5o. The rest were 50 cents apiece!
For a closer look at my sweet haul, check out my post on The Good Life Blog right here.
*NOTE: Goodwill’s site is down temporarily, but should be back up this evening. I’m really sorry for the inconvenience. :(
But that wasn’t all I found! Since I’ve been working at Riggs, I’ve noticed what appeared to be a tiny antique store across the street. I finally walked over the other day for the first time and discovered that, much like the TARDIS, it’s much bigger on the inside! I only had time for a few minutes of browsing, but left with these lovely items:
These items were also shockingly inexpensive.
The Ones That Got Away…
Of course, not every item I find in my thrifting adventures is a keeper. Here are a few things I found that just didn’t make the cut.
This purse is made from old food wrappers that have been cut into strips, folded, and then woven together. It seemed like a no-brainer for me until I took a closer look.
The handle was coming undone. :( I looked at this bag for about 5 minutes, trying to figure out how I could repair it. Sadly, I failed. Such a bummer.
I love gardening. In England and the U.S. during WWI and WWII, people were encouraged to grow their own veggies to lessen the strain on the public food supply. Their gardens were called Victory Gardens and were seen as a way to fulfill their patriotic duty. This poster would look awesome in my kitchen. IF I had any wall space at all for it.
Actually, now that I’m looking at this again, I might see if it’s still there. I can make room for something this awesome right? Whaddyathink?
This grosses me out. There are few things worse than buying something at the thrift store, sticking you hand in the pocket, and finding someones crusty snotty kleenex! Let this serve as a PSA to you. Check your pockets before your donate!
So, what’s the grand total this week?
Awesome Cruise Clothes: $9
Sweet Clutch: $4.50
Necklace: $4.00
Not bad for $17.50!
Cheers!
LOVE the Victory garden poster. I’d suggest making room for it :)
I was just looking at cruises the other day. Really want to go on one for my birthday! Hoping that the skies are clear and that you have a super awesome time (I’m sure you will). I am loving everything I see!
They’re so fun! I also think they’re a surprisingly good deal for everything you get (depending on which cruise line you use). :)
My computer won’t allow me to visit your blog because it says that it is infected with a Trojan. Sorry & don’t know how you’d delete it.
Anything that is compared to the T.A.R.D.I.S. has to be awesome. Love the garden poster. Go for it!
LOVE the necklace. Lucky girl.
What a haul. And I vote yes make room for the framed poster!
The link to your blog says it’s been suspended :-(
Please go back and buy the Victory garden art! I love it! You can treasure it for years to come as a piece of history!
Does this mean that Doggie Douglas will be in charge again? Hope he gets his paws on some woofing refashions!!
Bon voyage and enjoy!!
Yes, yes, yes to the garden poster!
But no, no, no to the Good Life Blog – I get a message that the account has been suspended. :-( I so wanted to see what you did with the cruisewear. Maybe you can post it at Refashionista after all?
Ack! I’ve notified their webmaster!
I also cannot access the good life blog, I used to be able to, but now my service provider has blocked it as a phishing site. :(
But sometimes you get the garment home, throw them in the wash machine, and pull them out only to find $65 floating around with the clothes. Which means that someone left MONEY in the pocket! Whoo hoo! I’ll take dirty money over dirty tissue anyday!!
I’ve found money in stuff too, but usually just a few bucks. I had a friend once who found a $100 bill, though.
I just got back from my first ever warm weather winter vacation and I scored big at the thrift store on everything that my hubby needed for the trip. I’m in awe of all your scores and the prices. Where I shop, the prices start at $3.99 and average about $6.99 per item. I’ve gotten some very expensive items like a wool Calvin Klein coat but things like that tend to set me back at least $15-20.
The Bahamas cruises are amazing, and I agree with you about the price being incredible for what is included if you go with the cheaper cruise lines. It’s the only way I’ve ever been able to afford to travel outside of the US; we always leave from the Charleston port as we are in Asheville, NC. Been twice with several friends, and we also try to do something like this about every two years. We are due again end of this year; not sure if it will happen but I’m keeping my fingers crossed! Also wanted to say that I love your blog and have been following for a long time. I plan to eventually submit a reader refash to ya when I have one that’s worthy. I have my own blog now and do some sewing and refashioning posts there. You’re one of my biggest inspirations fo sho. :D
I can’t access your blog post as it says it’s suspended
I think the like to your post on The Good Life Blog is broken, I’d love to read about all your finds!
You MUST get that garden poster! Sometimes when I really want something I don’t have room for I do an energy exchange – one thing must be given away to buy a like item so I don’t get overcluttered and I love what I own.
The recycled purse…I was a counselor in a prison and the inmates would make these all the time. It’s a flashback to a job that I loved.
Very cool! My mom volunteers in prisons teaching workshops in how to be non violent. It seems to be good stuff too!
Jillian, I read a design book once that said to alter your art with the seasons. That way you can have more than just what will fit and refresh your look from time to time too. I say, go for the poster, too, if it’s not too late. Otherwise, think about it as someone else gets to have it. After all, we can’t have everything. Bummer sometimes, but it’s true.
Oh, and as for the purse, I’m being it could be glued?
I too am in LOVE with that Victory poster – OMG you must get it! As for the recycled handbag, I have looked at those in the past as well but none have found their way to my closet. But…they are pretty cool and some great designs out there. Your haul looks amazing and I know you’ll have a great time. I’m in awe of the fact that you have SCADS of friends, well done Jillian!
You HAVE to get that garden poster! SO cool!
I, too, am not able to access your blog. Have fun on the cruise.
It’s all fixed now! :) Sorry about the delay!
you could always attach the poster to your fridge. They now have sort of velcro thingys that command came out with for pictures. They work great and you can remove them when you move. Why couldn’t you just attach another strap to that purse? A belt maybe? just a thought
Forbidden
You don’t have permission to access /set-sail-with-goodwill/ on this server.
I just got this when I tried your link at 1:37 MDT
I’ll try back later. I can’t wait to see your haul up close and personal, lol.
Your beautiful pastel purse is quite old. It is from the 30-40’s and usually is in black. I have never seen one like yours. The purse with the recycled paper….when I was in H.S.(mid 70’s) it was very popular to make chains like this with juicy fruit(?) gum. The wrappers came in yellow, green, red, maybe orange? I never made the chains, I would rather sew an outfit than make a chain.
I can’t access your blog, even after u said it was fixed Love your posts!
Fabulous score! You will love the cruise, would love to go on one too, yeuch to those tissues and grab that picture – it’s awesome! Karen x
I did not think I could like your blog any more and then you reference Doctor Who and I find a whole new level of enjoyment. Keep doin’ what you’re doin’ lady! (…and yeah the victory garden print is a total find I would love one of those in my kitchen.)
I tried the link for the Good Life blog and it said I was Forbidden to see it. Wahhhhhh…..
You’re going to look so fab on your cruise!!! include some pics here so we can all see just exactly how fabulous they looked on the ship and on the beach…
At 4:24pm EST, I got this message when trying to click over: “Forbidden
You don’t have permission to access /set-sail-with-goodwill/ on this server.
Additionally, a 403 Forbidden error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.”
Can you publish the material here, as well?
Another question: would that recycled paper purse work as a clutch? It really is in line with your philosophy, and looks like something you would enjoy using with different outfits.
Loving these posts, Jillian.
I am getting the same message. :(
I get the same message as Nancy above. Would really like to see them
Link not fixed: says its “Forbidden”
When you go back for the poster you should pick up the recycled wrapper purse(especially if it’s a Nahui Ollin) and see if you can take the strap off and use it as a cosmetics bag or clutch or put a new strap on it from an old belt, purse or beaded necklace.
I just bought a candy wrapper purse with the same handle problem & I just cut it off to make a clutch I LOVE yr blog keep up the great inspiration!!!!!!
I love your blog, its inspired me. All thru college and the start of my grown up life i thrifted. I didnt know how to sew, but I’m trying my hand at it….not quite sure what im doing but doing it any way…
Thanks….any words of advice to help?
We looked into cruises, too, but decided that even though the price is good for what you get, sadly, they are so bad for the environment that we just didn’t feel comfortable going on one. ☹️ I hope you enjoy your trip and come home refreshed!!
the woven bag, i see them everyday here in the Philippines. if your just within reach, i will help you with it…. have a great voyage girl,,,
Pretty sure that bag made of recycled wrappers came from Mexico because some of the words are Spanish and they are sold in some areas of Mexico.
How wonderful about your getaway – sounds like so much fun and relaxation. Love the cute clutch!
I just love that unusual clutch bag. A wonderful find!
I have one of those woven wrapper purses…..I found the handle quite uncomfortable, so I took it off completely and put a woven cotton strap.
I attempted to go to the blog page and it came up assuppended. Am I doing something wrong?
I can’t believe someone would donate that poster! That has got to be a collectible, it’s part of America’s history (I’m in Canada, but I would love to have that poster). You have to run back for it!!
I bought a jacket once at a Salvation Army store. There was a tiny hole in the bottom of one pocket and something clanking around in the lining of the coat. Dug around and found a really lovely gold ring set with a real pearl. I took it back to the store, but was told their merchandise often comes from a different location and they would have no way of knowing where it was donated. That was a pre-Facebook find. Today I’d just take a pic an post it. Don’t even know where that ring is now, but I’ve often wondered who was missing it.
So sad I can’t read more about all the lovely dresses, but the link still isn’t working. :-(
I tried on a pair of jeans at Express, felt something in the pocket, reached in and pulled out a pair of underwear. And promptly threw it across the store and started OMG-ing.
Hope it’s still there what a great find, a piece of history!!! You did awesome! I remember we used to make all sorts of things with wrappers as a teen of the 70s! But I have no idea if I’d still remember how to do it? Like Macrame we used to make all sorts of things with that, but I’d have to sit a moment or hour and figure out the basics once more, sad when I think of that. I should do that and teach the Grandkids. I LOVE LOVE the necklace your found!!! I am surprised the store didn’t catch that used tissues, just ewww…..here in Michigan, all items donated have to be clean before you turn them in, or they go straight into the bin.
I always enjoy your blog. But I wish you could have seen my face when you mentioned the TARDIS. Can’t keep a good Whovian down. :)