my mum and sister also love thrifting and my husband has also started to enjoy visiting the local car boots. once he had gone and seen all the gadgets on offer - that was it! my sister recently found some teal (i think they are teal - or turquoise) linen palazzo trousers that were still wearing thier French (get me ;) )boutique price tag of 95 euros. my sister paid 50p for them but they weren't quite right for her so she gave them to me - i was thrilled - they fit me perfectly and are just what i was looking for to wear for a party.
this weekend i found a cute dried flower locket from a local charity shop, it's really sweet and only cost me £2.50. i wouldn't find anything like it on the high street - let alone for £2.50. it reminds me a lot of the picture i found on one of my other treasure hunting expeditions.
two of my most treasured possessions is an my old treadle sewing machine from the 1850's and my gorgeous vintage 1930's typewriter that my mum picked up for me from a 'reuse and recycle' shop and a vintage shop nearby. it's so great when my family are into second hand things too - we look out for things we know each other will like.
my three thrifty shopping tips
1. if you really like it - get it. if you don't you can be sure that next time you look for it it will be gone.
2. if it isn't the right size (too big) don't worry. if the material is of good quality then it is well worth taking it to a tailor to be taken in for you.
3. make sure to visit the fabrics/home section. they will often have curtains, duvets and pillow covers at amazing prices. i bought a Laura Ashley cushion for a few pounds and a beautiful new cotton duvet set for about the same price. if you are clever with a sewing machine (or have a relative or friend that is) you can even have them make things for you to wear or for the home at a fraction of the price. you can spend a fortune in a fabric store for material that you didn't even really like.
some links to give you some ideas and tips for your own treasure hunting -
- Mary Portas (Queen of Shops) top tips for charity chic here
- thrifting tips for travellers
- Alexa Chung goes thrifting
- a chic apartment featuring lots of flea market/vintage finds
my favourite vintage loving blogs
- rubyellen's adorable blog cakies
- this lady is vintage through and through
- this lady made a career of thrifting or as she calls it 'junking'
- cool american vintage finds with miss modish
- these guys sell thier finds via an little vintage shop on wheels
- mixing second hand with new sfgirlbybay
for those of you seasoned {cheap} treasure hunters - do you have any tips for bargain hunting for second hand things?
what's your best bargain to date?
what is the most unusual thing that you have come across or purchased?
R x
