Thursday, May 31, 2012

Helpful Tips for Thrift Store Shopping

Hello Fellow Thrifters and Friends,

   
     I just love thrift store shopping, and people sometimes ask me what some of my tips are for finding great deals and fun treasures. So I decided it was time to unleash my secrets and share them with the world. Ok they are not really secrets, but I have never written them down so here I go.


#1- Search ALL of the aisles. 

I can't tell you how many awesome treasures I have found because someone stuck it in the Christmas Section. Remember you are not in a department store, so move stuff around to see whats behind those cute mice Santas. Things are NOT going to be put away nicely or properly so it is your job as the treasure hunter to go and find those treasures.


#2 - Just because you have never seen that item before does not mean you should buy it

Ok I know that finding that one of kind item is very in style right now, but there are many items at the thrift store that should be left at the thrift store. I think that is all the advice I can give on this subject. (Plus the picture above seems to prove my point for me)



#3 - Always check the new carts that come in with new stock

If your like me and you go to the Thrifty stores often the cart that comes from the back is like gold. It's the stuff you have never seen before. When I see a car being brought out I instantly hop over to the cart to see what "new" treasures just arrived. 



#4 - If you like it hold onto it

If you see something that you love but you are not sure if you are going to buy it, pick it up anyways. If you put the treasure back on the shelf and walk around and decide you love it by the time you go back ITS GONE! Trust me I have learned this lesson the hard way so many times. Remember you can carry your "maybe" treasure around and then change your mind that you don't really love it. Then you don't lose it to the lady who looks like she lives in the thrift store. 



#5 - Figure out the Discount Schedule

I know at my local Good Will every Saturday a new color is chosen and any item with that color is 50% off. They also choose shorts, shirts, or pants, etc. that go to a lower price.I try to go the day when the colors change to see if I can find some new treasures at 50% off.




#6 - Shop Often

People think I found all of my treasures from one visit to a thrift store. That is so far from the truth.  I have to visit a thrift store sometimes 10 times before I find a "Treasure." Keep going and be patient because you might eventually find that item you love. Also go to those thrift stores that you have previously not found anything at because one day that shop might surprise you with the item you have always wanted or didn't know you wanted. 


#7 - Think outside the box

Use your imagination when you are shopping. Try to look at items and see what their potential is. For instance when I saw the spice jars pictured above I had a flood of ideas come to mind. Some of the things that came to mind were, I could take the labels off and put jewelry in them for a present,  I could use them as little vases, I could keep store office supplies such as paper clips inside of them. That is just one example of the great ideas you can do when you think outside the box.


#8- DONATE!
Donations benefit the thrift store and help clear up clutter in your house. But the best part of donating is seeing how much they are going to charge some other treasure hunter for your junk treasures.


Most importantly have fun, and laugh at all the weird stuff that shows up on the shelves.

Smiles,
The Joyful Thrifter

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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

My Weekend DIY Flop

Hello Fellow Thrifters and Friends,

  In the world of refurbishing and crafting you are bound to have a flop now and again. It just happens. Well this weekend I had a complete flop. I decided since it was the long weekend it was the perfect opportunity to paint my new shelf a pretty yellow color.


Here is the pretty yellow color I chose. 

Look at that focus. I was determined to do a great job painting my shelf.


Unfortunately my spray paint either went bad or I am horrible at spray painting. Not sure, but I am definitely leaning towards the paint was bad because it makes me feel better. The reason I think the paint actually went bad was because it was dripping out the bottle instead of spraying out of the bottle. We may never know


My hand got a better paint job then my shelf!


So what is the plan for my cute new shelf? I will suck it up and sand off all that gross paint, and then I will buy new spray paint and try again. The memory of my project will forever be in my parking spot. (Don't tell)

It was a fun experience, and now I get to laugh about it.

Have you had any DIY flops recently?

Smiles,
The Joyful Thrifter

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Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Iced Coffee Mocha You can Make at Home

Hello Fellow Thrifters and Friends,

  Because Mr Joyful Thrifter used to work at a coffee shop he knows how to make yummy drinks at home. Its so fun when he brings me a drink that would normally cost $4.00 at Starbucks and at home its like $0.50 (give or take) Well anyways we had so much fun making coffee drinks this weekend I thought I would share the fun with you all

Ingredients:

- Whipped Cream
- Chocolate Syrup
- Milk (cream would be so much better, but we did not have any on hand, so milk works   too)
- Ice
- Brewed Coffee that has cooled down



Step #1- Add milk. If you like a creamy taste add more milk, but if you prefer a more coffee flavor use less milk.


Step #2 - Add Chocolate Syrup. Again the amount depends on personal preference. I like mine sweet and creamy, so we put lots of milk and chocolate syrup. 
 

Step #3 - Add the coffee. Remember to leave room for your whipped cream.


Step #4 - Add Ice and STIIIIIIIIR. (please ignore the yellow paint on my hands. I could not get it off. That paint is a DIY project that will be posted tomorrow)


Step #5 - Top with whipped cream and Syrup


Step #6 - ENJOY!!!!



I hope you take the time to make a yummy drink, and enjoy the day!

Smiles,
The Joyful Thrifter Pin It Now!

Monday, May 28, 2012

A Joyful Adventure!

Hello Fellow Thrifters and Friends,

  Today was a lovely day! My sweet Mr Joyful Thrifter had to work, which meant I had an entire day off to my own devises. Now that is a scary thought. I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do all weekend, and then late yesterday it hit me. I should go and wander around the Huntington Library. I have not been since I was a little girl, so it was great fun to go there again. Plus Mr Joyful Thrifter is not the biggest fan of museums, so it was the perfect outing for me to go on while he is working. Enjoy seeing pictures of my lovely afternoon.

The entrance got my excited about my day ahead



There was an awesome light display in the museum. 



Like my new look?


The gardens are so beautiful


HELLO!








The Pinkie! (took me forever to find, so I had to document it )


I hope you all had a lovely day!

Smiles,
The Joyful Thrifter

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Sunday, May 27, 2012

Joyful Decorating - New Shelf

Hello Fellow Thrifters and Friends,

    I promised yesterday that I would show you how I decorated my new shelf. Here it is all decorated and cute.






I think the shelf looks so cute and cheerful. Did you get to decorate some fun new areas in your home this weekend?

Smiles,
The Joyful Thrifter Pin It Now!

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Treasure Hunt Finds

Hello Fellow Thrifters and Friends,

   It was such a lovely day for the sales! I have really missed not going the last couple of weekends. I was only able to find a few treasures, but it was so much fun. I love being at the swap meet and hearing two people calling my name super loud, and when I turn around I realize it's my parents! Such a fun surprise. However when I go with my mom I need to be extra quick when I spot a treasure because we like very similar stuff. Here are the treasures that came home with me this week.

Vintage Calendar towells. I have seen other treasure hunters find these and I was excited to get six of them for $1.00

Hare are someclose ups of my favorite towels




I got so many fun ones all with different themes. 


This shelf caught my eye as we were driving past a garage sale, and I stopped to see how much they wanted for it. He was only asking $1.00, so I brought it home and it is already hanging up in my kitchen. ( I will show you pictures tomorrow of what I put in those cute little cubbies)


I bought this vintage book because I thought it was a pretty color and I liked the design. Plus it was only $0.50. 




I do hope you all had a wonderfully thrifty week!

Smiles,
The Joyful Thrifter

Here are the lovely sites I enjoy linking up with. We get to share more fun that way:



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Friday, May 25, 2012

Happy Things on Friday

Hello Fellow Thrifters and Friends,

  Yep I am here to announce it's FRIDAY!!! Wahoo!! I am so excited about the three day weekend ahead. It will just be lovely to have three full days in a row off. Mr Joyful Thrifter and I don't have specific plans for this weekend other then to relax and catch up on house to do's. It will be so perfect to relax and have some fun at the sales if there are any this weekend. Now onto the happy things I found snooping around the internet this week:

I would love to carry this granny square bag around. The colors are so cheerful, and it looks very roomy. I am a big purse gal. I can't help myself because I just love having a little bit of this and that with me at all times.


(image Via Dutch Sisters )

This outfit got me inspired, and I am thinking how I could reduplicate it with what is in my closet.


(Image Via Style Me Pretty )

This camera strap is so awesomely pretty! I can totally imagine myself boppin around taking pictures with my camera hanging around my neck with this mint green fluffy strap. Its a lovely thought, but this beauty is sold out, and a bit out of my price range. Still fun to admire and dream about. 


(Image Via Bloom Theory )

Finally, I plan on having a weekend where this is all I worry about


(image via Pinterest )

Again Happy Friday to you all! I hope I have some treasures to share with you all this weekend!

Enjoy You and Yours!

Smiles,
The Joyful Thrifter

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