In My Home

My good friend Dallas is a MAD repurposer. He makes things around his own place all the time. I love it.

 

For his birthday last year, another friend and I went looking for 'Garbage' to give him that he could make stuff out of. We knew it would be a big hit.

 

So, we went looking at Mr. Used, Rescued and Restored, and even glanced around the Freelton Antique Mall, but nothing was exactly what we were looking for.

 

I went in to talk to the gentleman that was working in Rescued and Restored and he told me that there was a pile out back to be burned that we could look through. JACKPOT! We found some great window frames and some pegboard that Dallas made into a office organizer, and also a couple pieces of wood that had these metal brackets on them. I had no idea if he would be able to use them, but I thought they were really cool.

 

He made one into a hat hook for his entryway and the other he attached a 'bowl' to. It's not actually a bowl, he found a wooden sphere at Bibles for Missions, hacked it in half and sanded it to look older. Then he gave it to me! :)

 

I now use it as a place for my keys. I tied an old mason jar to the plank of wood with some twine and put a tealight in it. I really love how it looks.

 

 

 

 

 

So, if you are brave enough- first to ask- and then to dig through some other person's garbage, you really can find some fabulous items. The old adage is so true: One [wo]man's junk is another [wo]man's treasure.

 

 

Happy Dumpster Diving!

 

 

 

 

Pinterest-Inspired Thrifty-Chic

Think that fabulous new fall look on Pinterest has to cost you a lot of money? I'll show you how to get the look for under $50.

 

Do you doubt? Take a look...

 Pinterest Fall Look I Love

 

My Version

 

I'm not a big blazer-wearer, even though they are HUGE this season. I personally find them too confining. So I opted for a colourful cardigan. 

 

Cardigan- $6.99 Value Village

 Striped Top- $5.99 Talize

 Black Top (layered underneath)- $5.99 Value Village

 Scarf- $3.99 Talize

 

 

Scarf- gift
 Leggings- $9.99 Value Village
Necklace- $5.99 Value Village
 

 

 

Although that scarf was lovely with the outfit, I was more at ease wearing a similar, but monochromatic look. This outfit was comfortable enough to play with my boys at a local Early Years Center. Love that.

 

 

 

The Moral? No need to break the bank, friends! If it makes thrifting easier for you- go with a specific look in mind. You'll be amazed what you can pull together for next to nothing!

 



In My Closet

Yesterday I met a friend for lunch at August 8, and she agreed to take some photos of my second-hand outfit for the blog. We actually had a great chat about my choice to only buy second-hand, and I was able to share a bit of my journey with her. I also shared some great tips that I have learned along the way for successful thrift shopping. I will have a post dedicated to those soon.



*Please ignore my sushi baby in these photos- I ate WAY too much*





 

Military-Style Coat- $12.99 Salvation Army
 

 

 

 

Jimmy Choo Purse- $19.99 Peacock Chic Boutique

(Consignment store no longer open. I'm so sad) 

 

 

Sweater- gift

Tank- $5.99 Value Village

Skirt- $7.99 Value Village 

 

 

 



 

Scarf- gift

Necklace- $5.99 Value Village

 

 

 

 

Have a great Monday everyone!

 

 



 

 

In My Closet

When I'm out and about, I'm going to get people to take some photos of me in my second-hand outfits. Then I'll post them in My Closet. Then, if you're interested, you can check it out. Simple, yes?






Military-style Coat-$12.99 Salvation Army



Scarf- $5.99 Talize



Coral tank- friend's cast-off
Black tank- thrifted
Jeans- $12.99 Talize
Necklace- $5.99 Value Village





 

* Now- I MUST write a disclaimer...I have large tootsies that grew when I was pregnant with my first son and never went back. I have an EXTREMELY hard time finding shoes- so I usually have to buy those new (*GASP*).  BUT, I only give myself permission to buy one NEW pair a year and they must NOT be made in Bangladesh. The working/ income situations are horribly bad there. (Source: Confessions of an Eco-Sinner )


Here is a list of Thrift Stores in the Hamilton Area. If you plan to go to any of them though, try calling or Google them. I know some of them have moved and couldn't find a more up-to-date-list.

Thrift/Consignment Store List

Happy Thrifting!




Want To Make A Difference In Our World?

A couple of friends of mine just launched an amazing venture that they are calling Just One. The thought behind the name is

 

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one." ~Mother Teresa.
 

 

 

Remember how I said that I do not buy anything new unless it is local or hand-made? Well, this is hand-made with a HUGE bonus! You get to help women in Uganda where an alarming number of woman are dying from HIV, AIDS and childbirth every day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, you ask- What exactly is it that Just One will DO??:

 

-Offer hope. Through the purchase of Just One items, you are supporting someone who is struggling to survive. By offering a hand up - not a hand out - you are contributing to their needs while allowing them to maintain their dignity
-Raise awareness. We love to tell stories - and will share the stories of the artisans who have crafted your purchase and the stories of need and how your purchase is making an impact.
-Create advocates. Because your item is handcrafted - there is just one exactly like it. You will get compliments and questions about it - and by sharing the stories you've learned through Just One, you are also being an advocate for these people.

 

(from the Just One website)








I've already picked out my first purchase. It is FABULOUS! I am in LOVE. :)

The Chunky Wooden Wrap- $17





My friends- stock up for yourselves, your moms, sisters, besties...Christmas is just around the corner!!  Their necklaces are To-Die-For gorgeous! And nothing beats putting on a piece of jewelry that you KNOW helped to make a life better.


Love to all!!

 

Happy Hallowe'en- Thrifty-Style

I just read a very interesting article on the amounts of money people are spending on Halloween.
 

 

'Some shoppers told CBC News they plan to spend as much as $200 on the occasion this year. Consolidated Credit Counseling Services of Canada estimates Canadians spent more than $1.5 billion on Halloween last year.'

 

 

Now, I really enjoy dressing myself and my boys up as much as anyone else, but personally I think that is a bit much.

 

 

Maybe it's just me?

 

 

This year I spent nothing on our costumes. I borrowed mine from my sister, my youngest wore a hand-me down costume and my oldest actually wore his pyjamas as a costume.

 

 

 

 

Happy Halloween

 

 

 

 

He actually had a mask given to him by his Grandmother, but didn't want to wear it

 

Costume- borrowed from sister

 

Yes, his pyjama top actually has a cape

 

 



My boys with my friend's girls. She spent a grand total of $7 on each of their costumes

 



 

My little guy's hand-me-down pumpkin costume

 

 

 

 

 

 

By borrowing, thrifting and re-using we can have a very Happy Halloween- without breaking the bank. 

 

 

Happy November 1st everyone- hope you men out there are growin' those 'staches! :)

 

 

 

 

Oh....and if you simply must wear a new costume every year- now is the best time to run to Value Village and get your costume for next year:

 

 

 

Halloween Red Tag CLEARANCE EVENT!

Nov 1 - 2, 2012
Get 50% OFF

Nov 3 - 4, 2012
Get 75% OFF

 

 

 



On The Hunt For...

Making the decision to buy everything only second-hand a couple of years ago wasn't taken lightly. It wasn't even made quickly. It was more of an organic movement inside myself that I couldn't stop. I knew it wouldn't be easy. There would be no one-stop-shopping. But, once I made the decision, I haven't looked back. And I love everything about it now. 


I thought that it may be fun to post things that I am looking for and then document how long it took me to find them, how many stores I had to go to, etc...



Right now I am on the lookout for:



* Some small wooden blocks for my one-year-old

* Boys winter boots in sizes 7 and 13

* A boy's snowsuit size 5 (or maybe 6)



Let the hunt begin. :)



* Update #1:

Wow, that was fast! I found out that the daycare at my church was giving away a bunch of wooden blocks, and recieved them the very next day.




* Update #2:

Today (Friday November 2) I had some time, so I went into the Bibles for Missions thrift store. I did not find any boots or a snowsuit, but I did grab a few cute shirts to try on:

 

This H&M blouse was only $4! Didn't love it on me, though.

 

 

 

 

I really loved this floral top- but it did nothing for me.

 

 

 

This is the one that I left with. This pic really doesn't do it justice. It is really flattering and is nice and long. I'll post a pic of me in it once I get the fashion section underway...hopefully soon....

 

Black Blouse- $4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here it is on....cute, huh??

After that, I decided to run into the Value Village on Upper Wellington. JACKPOT! I found the size 7 boots, and a snowsuit.

Boys Coat- $10

 

Boys Snowpants- $8

 



Boys Boots- $2.49

 

 

 

 

AND, it's stamp time again. Fill up a stamp card (every $5 spent gets a stamp) and recieve 30% off your next purchase. Can't beat that.

 

 

 

 

As for the size 13 boots, my mother just let me know that she picked some up in Thunder Bay and will bringing them down next visit.

 

Photos to come.

 

 

 



 

 

All in all a very successful hunt. And, I found it all within a few days of deciding to look. Now- it doesn't always happen that fast- but for me, the hunt is half the fun!

 

 

 

Total cost of all the items on my list: $20.49

 

Extras 'stumbled upon': Blouse $4

 

 

Happy hunting to all! :)