What I bought: August 25, 2012

On a recent trip to one of my favorite thrift stores (St. Vincent De Paul, Mt. Washington) I found some great buys.

In case you didn't know, this is my M.O. when it comes to shopping:

If I can't see where I would wear [insert item], I don't purchase it.

 Usually that means I can wear it to work as I work five days a week. Often, I have an idea of what I'm looking for before I enter a thrift shop. This time, I was inspired by various fashion magazines' September issue.  One of the fall trends I've been most excited about is the come back of the full skirt.

BLACK FULL SKIRT WITH WHITE FLOWERS

$3.99 

Bold yet totally work appropriate.

TOMMY HILFIGER PINK BUTTON-DOWN

$4.50

Love the texture and delicate buttons.

I always love a good work basic.

FULL SKIRT MADE OF GRAY WOOL

$3.99

The cutouts begin just above the knee to show some skin.

The length of the skirt is below the knee.

Love the modern detail.

Tan Blazer

$4.50

The flower is removable -- can't decide if I should keep it.

Later on, I'll show you how to make these pieces work with the pieces you already own.

Have a great night!
:) Amy

An Easy Fix: The Leather Purse

A couple of weeks ago I snagged this black leather Coach purse for $6.99 at St. Vincent De Paul in Mt. Washington (2300 Beechmont Avenue, Cincinnati), one of my favorite thrift stores in Cincinnati.

Black leather Coach purse.

Coach.

It was roughed up, and so I thought to myself, "This will help me harden up my look." (Side note -- I try to make my personal style a juxtaposition of hard and soft.)

Close-up

While the cashier was ringing up my purchases, she noticed my "great find" and that it would buff right up with a little polish.  It turns out she was right! It still shows the wear, but not the scratches, and has that lovely used look to it. :)

Leather wipes I purchased at Kroger in Hyde Park.  Approximately $4.

Reasons to Thrift

In college, my good friend's mother was shocked to learn that her daughter enjoyed thrifting.  When this "terrible secret" was revealed, the conversation went something like this:

"Sweety, if you need clothes, I will buy you clothes."  

I think the mother had some horrid vision of her daughter, caught in a thrifting lifestyle, digging through trash in a 1992 maxi floral dress.  I assure you that this was not that case and that she did, in fact, always look fabulous. :)

So for all the naysayers out there, these are my reasons to thrift.  Feel free to comment with your own thoughts!

Real price tag from a recent purchase.

1. Price

 Let's be honest --if that used black pencil skirt was $20, we'd probably just go to TJ Maxx and buy a new one for the same price.






 

2. Charity 

    Many thrift chains (Goodwill, Salvation Army, St. Vincent De Paul) all come from a non-profit organization.  Your small donation generally gets recycled back to impact your community.

My 1960's vintage dress.

3. Uniqueness

    "Oh my gawd, I have that same shirt!" just doesn't happen.  And thank gawd for that. :)

 4. History

     True, every piece of clothing ever made has some sort of history, but frankly, I don't want to know where [insert superstore]'s shirt was made.  It's exciting  to think of what kind of life a piece of clothing or jewelery had before you.

I purchased this locket at a thrift store in my home state of Nebraska.

Inscribed are the initials "HDM."  I like to pretend this person was the Nebraska version of a Jane Austin character, because, why not. :)

5. Entertainment

   If have to admit that thrifting is cheap entertainment for me.  I could go to the movies and spend 25 dollars ($11 per ticket, $3 for parking) or I could drive 5 minutes, shop for 2 hours and take home a five dollar blazer...tough choice.




Cincinnati Thrift

Welcome to Cincinnati Thrift!

Why, hello there!  Welcome to my blog. I've lived in Cincinnati for a little over a year now, and while the city has been good to me (glorious parks, endless festivals, and friendly people) I have yet to find a concise resource on all that is the Queen City and her thrift stores.

 ENTER THIS BLOG. Cincinnati Thrift

While I'm the one currently typing this post, this thrift maven needs you to make this blog breathe.  After all, isn't that what thrifting is?  A complied collection of clothing, trinkets, memories, etc. all at a guilt-free price? I plan to share my thrifting knowledge, and I hope you do the same.

Together we thrift!

:) Amy