Hi, my name is Linda and I’m a thrift store addict. 
 

As an adult, thrifting means a day out with friends or family, usually with lunch or coffee to keep us fueled.  A day out treasure hunting with my peeps, what could be better?  And oh, the treasures we find.

Thrift stores are a great place to find the oxfords and accessories that I wear to work, as a bonus, I can go every week and find something cool and different.  Why be a slave to the latest trends?   Quality never goes out of style.  If it fits, is well made, and I can funk it up with accessories, it will usually go home with me.  At least for a while.  

A couple of rules I’ll share that help keep things from getting out of hand:

• ·        Any piece of clothing or accessory have at least 3 outfits that it can work into.
• ·        Take the time to try it on, don’t trust sizes or hanger appeal.  Also  I buy for the size I am, not the size I would like to be. 
• ·        Check washing instructions.  I will spend the money to dry clean a jacket or suit, but not a blouse or top.  If I worked in an upscale business that would be different. 
• ·        One in, one out.  Unless I’m replacing something that has worn out or buying for a special occasion, I send clothes that I’ve had for a while back into the thrift cycle for someone else to enjoy. 
• ·        Can I see this in my home?  That really-cool antique lamp was way too big for my space.  Damnit.
• ·        Do I have a spot for it?  Art is great, but it must have a spot to hang.  I passed up a lovely, original watercolor of hydrangeas last week because I just didn’t have a spot for it.  
• ·        Does it fulfill an unmet need?  A French press that replaces a broken one yes, the punch bowl not so much.  Even if it has all the cups.  And it’s really cool.  It stayed in the shop waiting for it’s real owner.
• ·        Craft supplies and fabric must have a project in mind.  Otherwise the yarn/fabric stash gets out of hand very quickly.  On the flip side, buying inexpensive yarn and fabric is great for learning new techniques or trying out patterns (building muslins).  If I’m not using it in the next year, it goes back into the thrift cycle. 
• ·        I never buy a used gift for a friend without their signoff.  Some people love thrift treasures, some are insulted.
• ·        A bargain isn’t a bargain if I don’t use and enjoy it. 

It’s not just the clothes, I expensive taste and a limited budget.  It would take a small fortune to set up my house if I had to purchase everything new.  French cookware for example.  It’s lovely to cook with but dreadfully expensive to buy new.  With the exception of two pieces, I’ve built a more than complete set of Belgique pots and pans, from the tiny sauciers to stock pots.  I even have duplicates in the two sizes of sauce pans that I use most often.  I didn’t pay more than $8.00 for any of them. 

Crystal stemware, fiesta ware, English teapots and antique teacups are regular purchases (and gifts).  My husband Rod collects Coke glasses and a has an eclectic bunch of martini glasses, all found at thrift stores.  When we have company for Friday night martinis, everyone’s glass is unique.  Much easier than trying to remember which wine charm was which.  

My sister and mom supplied real champagne flutes my wedding, a small affair but no one sipped bubbly out of plastic.  Two years later we reused them for her son’s wedding.  When I have friends over for tea, we use antique or vintage tea cups, tea pots and cake plates.  Much more festive than paper.  

Recently I’ve found several pieces of original art, beautifully framed, by a couple of artists that I’ve admired in galleries.  As a bonus, none of these items end up in the landfill and I’ve reduced, by just a tiny bit, the need for industry to make more and the environmental costs of manufacturing, packaging and shipping.  And I saved enough money to tuck it away for an original piece later. 

Yes, I’m a thrift store addict.  If it’s wrong I don’t want to be right.