Thrift Trip Magic

It's been a while since I took any photographs of my thrift finds. I don't usually have the time for this sort of thing anymore, but because my work was randomly closed on Friday, I was able to hit up a really good estate sale and come home to photograph all my buys. This sale was probably the best I've been to in the past year––at least as far as my taste goes––packed with lots of 70s western things. Their were toy guns, bell bottoms, tooled belts and bags, lots of music gear and records, and plenty of old country and Western movie memorabilia (their posters have always been my favorite for typography and layout). 

I rounded up most of my purchases for pictures, but I didn't photograph all of the clothes. I got Jake a few vintage western snap up shirts and a pair of black Levi's like the ones he always wears. For me, I got some bell bottoms and a pair of 70s cutoffs, some aprons, and a few dresses. I'm sure they'll all make an appearance on here soon enough.

I'll be leaving town this afternoon on a slightly unexpected six day trip that I've only known about for two weeks but am entirely too excited and nervous about. It has nothing to do with fashion, which is good because I think I need a break from that right now. Anyway, I'll be on a mountaintop in very good company, and I plan to tell you lots more about it when I'm home. Have a great week!

Thrift Trip Magic

My latest round of thrifting was inspired by American Apparel and their overpriced cable knit pullovers. I spent some time on their site the other day, trying to exchange a dress for something else I liked, but the only things I saw were incredibly overpriced or out of stock. Frustrated by $70 pullovers and 'out of stock' signs on the only colors I wanted, I opted to ask for a refund instead. With all that extra money in the bank, I decided to take that inspiration to the thrift store. I was on a mission to find an affordable cable knit pullover.

Who knew I was about to find so much more than just that! It was on the first rack I went to at Goodwill, along with a white Lacoste cardigan. Then I found that J. Crew gingham button up, and the chambray button up tank (that's layered underneath the pullover in the first photograph). The chambray blouse is great because it's sleeveless: no more worrying about bulky sleeves underneath my sweaters.

I also lucked out and found a couple other button ups, too. My favorite of those is a men's plaid, wool shirt, perfect for the days when I want to look like I borrowed from the boyfriend. In the accessories aisle, I found a beautiful navy Dooney & Bourke satchel and a YSL brown leather belt!

Needless to say, it was a lucky day of thrifting.

Thrift Trip Magic

I thought I wasn't going have anything to post today, until I remembered these photos that I took last month. I thrifted all of this stuff around the same time that I went to that 50% estate sale, but I refrained from posting them then because I didn't want y'all to think I had a terrible thrifting habit. I guess by telling you that I defeated the whole purpose anyway, but somehow I think you guys were already on to my bad habits.

The camel coat is my new best friend now that the weather has started to get chilly, and I'm just waiting for the perfect sweater to come along so I can wear my new, fuzzy peter pan collar. The 30's butterfly dress is probably my favorite thing here. I almost bought it on the first day of the sale, but I decided to wait because it had a few stains and holes in it. Despite the minor flaws, I couldn't stop thinking about it all weekend! It's probably the main reason I went back to the sale on the following Sunday (when I bought the 60's orange coat). I was so happy that no one else had snatched it up before I got back! Now I just need a butterfly net.

Warehouse Antiques: Cosmopolitans from the 20's!

These are just a few photos from the warehouse sale I was referencing all month. I don't know much about the owner other than the fact that his name is James Smith and he's an incredible collector of paper! Their were more magazines, books, comics, paintings, and postcards than I've ever seen in my life. It made me wonder how he acquired all these publications and why he chose to hang on to him for all these years?

I'm glad he did though. It gave me the opportunity to rummage through the 20th century! I went to his first sale in October of 2009 – he had one sale per month for a year –but I didn't make it back until his final sale this past month. I wonder where all the unsold stuff will go once he leaves the building?

One things for sure, if that Wood Burning game still had its pen, it would've been mine! And if the Cosmo's had been a little cheaper, I probably would've gotten one of those too – though I really have no need to buy anything else for this house!

Thrift Trip Magic

Here's a few more items from my thrifting adventures last week. I've been attracted to really preppy things lately! I'm not sure how orange and preppy mesh together, but that's just my changing fashion mood for ya.

I don't know when, where, or how I plan to wear that equestrian bolo clasp, but I've got a few ideas up my sleeve.We'll have to wait and see if they work out! The corn cob pipe was a styling prop purchase, though I might have to break it out in February if we get a good snow. You can't have a Frosty without a corn cob pipe, right?

The Ralph Lauren sweater came from Saver's, new with tags, and surprisingly wasn't hanging behind the cashier counter with a $35 price tag. They're usually real funny about taking what they thing to be designer items and marking them up to sky high thrifting prices. Nine times out of ten, they're knock off pieces anyway. 

The shoes are by far my favorite purchase of the day. I've been wanting a pair of two tone flats for a very long time now. I considered buying this pair from ASOS – they're actually quite affordable – but I wanted something that felt a little more vintage. I found the leather and canvas loafers below on Etsy and thought they were great. Unfortunately the size 8 fit like a size 7, and I had to get back out there and search for another pair. Luck must have been on my side, because just a few days later I found those Etienne Aigner loafers at Saver's.

If you're interested in getting this pair off my hands, let me know! You can find all the measurements here. I'm selling them for $34 since that's what I bought them for with $5 shipping.

Thrift Trip Magic

It's about time I did another 'thrift trip magic' post. I don't think I realized it until a couple of days ago, but these are my absolute favorite kinds of posts to do. I don't usually like to go back through my archives – I hate re-reading all the random things I talk about – but re-visiting my thrifted treasures always puts a nice big smile on my face!

I bought enough things at the last couple of estate sales to make an enormous post, but I decided I'd spread them out over a few days instead. Today I'm showing some of the prissier items that I picked up!

1. I found this magazine at a really great warehouse sale near the Capitol downtown. It's the same place that I found all those great items for my very first giveaway when my blog was in it's early stages. The couple that owns the warehouse has been holding a weekly sale once a month ever since the last time I went and I had no idea until I talked to them the other day. Unfortunately, this is the final week. A warehouse full of old Cosmopolitan magazines, photo albums, war jackets, and movie posters will be sold off to a pair of doctors who plan to use it as a warehouse for their software something-another.

I made off with a few special things and this magazine is without a doubt my favorite. I was very patient when I went, sifting through almost every publication in the building, making sure not to miss anything. My fingers were gray and dusty by the end. This magazine, Show: The Magazine of Film and Arts, was hiding under five other editions. As soon as I saw the cover, I knew it was David Hamilton! Two pretty girls standing in tall grass with pretty hats and an umbrella. I felt so lucky to have discovered it! I'd like to scan in the photos and small article from the feature soon.

2. At the estate sale I went to last weekend – the one where I bought the 60's coat and the kitty bag – there was a lot of really great vintage lingerie. Most memorable was this pair of rayon and lace shorts and a pair of printed cotton shorts with a matching cotton bra. The set instantly made me think of something a teenage girl would have worn at a slumber party, circa 1960! Unfortunately, it was one of things that I left behind on the first day. It wasn't there when I went back.

3. The headband came from the same warehouse sale as the magazine. I really don't have much to say about it other than the fact that I love it. It's simple and elegant and reminds me a lot of something a Spartan queen would have worn.

4. This was another dress I went back for on the estate sale discount day. It's got a few troublesome stains – please tell me your secrets as to how to get rid of those –  but it's such an exquistie piece with a great print and the most gorgerous flutter sleeves that I figured I'd at least attempt to rescue it.

5. The floral dress came from the same estate sale and has a few less stains than the other, but it's still in need of a little help too.

6. The last dress is without a doubt my favorite. It reminds me of the mustard-colored dress from the Orla Kiely fall collections, mostly because of the big velvet bow! My goal is to loose an inch from my hips so I can wear it for Christmas.

My estate sale sweater

 Vintage Sweater: Estate Sale
Vintage Swimsuit: Estate Sale
Skirt: Brown Bag Vintage on Etsy
Socks: F21
Shoes: Madewell
Petal Hat: Flea Market
Lace Tablecloth: Saver's


I was working on a 'thrift trip magic' post for today, but unfortunately the photos didn't turn out like I would have liked. What a shame too, because I shopped more this past week than I've shopped in the past two months combined! I'm excited because I got lots of great fall pieces for under $100. I think I ended up with something like 20 items – dresses, jackets, glasses, collars, headpieces – and if I can get around to it this weekend, I'll give the photos a second try.

One of the few photos that turned out from my 'thrift trip magic' attempts was the one of the sweater I picked up at an estate sale on Friday. I actually skipped French class to go to this sale because the preview email looked so good! I'm glad I did too, because an Aztec print sweater has been at the top of my fall wish list for a while now. This one is even better than I could have imagined. It's big and cozy, and the perfect thing to curl up in once the weather gets real cold. Plus, I love that the sleeves flare out at the bottom!

I had to go get some swimsuit photos for a project that I'm working on – I'm lucky it was warm that day – and this is what I wore on my way to the river's beach. I really didn't put much thought into the outfit since it was just a cover-up for my swimsuit, but I'm glad Corey took a photo of it. I actually like how insanely quirky it is!

Thrift Trip Magic

When I first thought about writing a post of this weeks thrift finds, I thought man, they're going to think I'm such a hypocrite. After a total consumer breakdown and all the bitching I did about material things, it's hard to believe I'm shopping again, but I justified it by dropping off a bag to the Goodwill donation center. For now on there's a new rule around here, if something comes in the house, something else has to go out!

♥ First up is a set of playing cards I normally would have walked right past if not for the pretty sunflower design on the front. The box came with both this set and another set you'll see later in the post, and I thought they'd both make a good prop in some photos somewhere down the line. For only a dollar I figured why the heck not!

♥ I've been casually looking for a feather headband for sometime, just because they're one of the few hair accessories that looks decent on me, and I fell in love with this one if only for it's vibrant reddish orange color that reminds me of the leaves in the fall.

♥ I feel like I need to do a dance for the sunglasses seeing as I've practically gone the whole summer without having any. I guess that's not completely true since I do wear those red ones every now and then, but I really haven't had a staple pair for the sunniest months! I knew I wanted some before NYFW though, and when I spotted these and fell in love with the shape, I knew I had my pair. $1. . . what what!

♥ This is a tough call since I found so many great things this week, but I think I'm going to have to say the shoes are my absolute favorite. I've been looking for a pair of brown sandals with chunkier than normal heels, and this is almost the exact pair I've been picturing in my head. I think I may have even been stalking Topshop and Urban in search for something similar to them which you guys know is totally out of character for me, but luck be with me the thrift gods put them in my hands last week and for the amazing price of only $5!

♥ So I know I can't call this my favorite since I just granted that title to the shoes, but if I traveled a whole lot or needed a Mary Poppins sized bag for any other reason, this would be my favorite! I don't know what it is with me and brown leather bags, but I've got a pretty wild collection going on. It's far too big to take on any overnight trip and it's far too small to take with me on my NYC trip, but for now I'm going to hang on to it and see if it doesn't get used sometime in the near future. More than likely it'll be for photos!

♥ I get just as excited about wall decor as I do for any clothing item I find, and both of these pieces made me smile at first sight! The mirror is actually rather small, and I still haven't figured out where to hang it yet. I love the frame and the fact that it only cost 50 cents, so even if I only use it for some photos and then get rid of it, it won't be too much sweat off my back.

♥ The painting, on the other hand, already has a home hanging by the front door. I'm always searching for frames like this, and it was such a treat to find one with a painting already in tact. As much as I would rather it be a herd of girls dancing around that carriage with flowers in their hair and streamers in the hands, I actually don't mind this set of boys. There's so much movement and life to this painting, and I love the fact that the one boy is sitting with his umbrella enjoying the imaginary ride! Something about these kids reminds me of Lord of the Flies, a story that will always hold a special place in my heart; R.I.P. Piggy.

♥ I found these snap on neck ties at the estate sale I went to on Friday in a little bag with 'girl scouts?' written on the front. The salesman didn't seem too sure of himself based on that question mark, but if I had to guess I'd venture to say they were from a girl scout, as well. I feel in love with the print on both of them, and the back of my head kept reminding me that neutrals and military inspired colors were going to be in this fall. 

♥  The basket purse came from the same estate sale, and I mostly bought it for the fact that it was only $3. I like that it says Portland 1978, and of course I instantly thought of all my friends who live there. Hey Annie, Anja, and Rachel! I was a little bummed when I got to the car and realized it had some Greek fraternity letters in the kite, mostly because of my years spent being around fraternities and sororities in college and the deep dislike that grew in my heart for any such organizations, but that's another story for a different day!

Another Hot Springs Thrift Roundup

Can you believe it's only been a couple days since I announced my shopping ban, and I've already slipped up on a couple items? I'm weak when it comes to the subject of shopping and even worse when it comes to thrifting.

A couple of friends and I took a day trip down to Hot Springs yesterday to pick up a few supplies for some jewelry I'm working on for the shop. I've had a couple of requests for the skeleton key necklace that Katy wore in the Fly Away! collection, so I figured I'd make a few to sell instead of giving up my very own. I meant to ask if anyone else wanted one before I picked up the materials, but it's okay because the thrift store ended up being closed anyway. It was a bummer driving 45 minutes just to find that the thrift store is closed on Monday's, but I guess it all worked out since I forgot to ask if anybody else wanted one! I plan on selling them for $20, so just email me and let me know if you're interested so I can pick up enough supplies. (actionisthefruit@live.com)

The day wasn't a complete fail though. We ate some tasty Mexican food, saw a tiny chipmunk, and visited a lonely highway thrift store. I got this beautiful, sheer tulle skirt for $2 and that amazing Gladstone-style Dooney & Bourke bag for only $18. I think the oxfords came at the best price though. They were in a free shoe box out front! This marks the 5th pair of weaved oxfords that I've owned, but for some reason, I've got a bad habit of wearing them out to quick. Guess it's a good think I keep finding them!

This is just a simple, mounted magazine article that was posted in The Ladies Home Journal in 1917. I love that it's all about recycling fabric and showing women how to transform old, dated pieces into new, fashionable ones. Seems like something we're all kind of into now, huh?!

I suspect that this will be the most uninteresting of all my items to you guys, but by now you have to know how much I love magazines from the 50's and 60's. This is a huge set of around 30 Arizona Highway magazines from 1955. I bought them for both Jake and I to use on some art projects!

Collector's Books

I'm feeling a bit like a hermit again. My outfits have been less than interesting lately, and I've been spending a lot of extra time editing shop photos and putting together a film project that Hannah and I are going to shoot on Monday. I bought a pretty 50's sundress at Blue Suede Shoes the other day, and I'm hoping to get out and photograph it later today. Miss Hootie fixed up my hair and gave me a fresh fringed bang cut in exchange for one of the swimsuits from my shop, and I'm really excited to share it with you guys. Today's post is going to be nerdier than most and probably as uninteresting as any outfit I could've posted, but it's one of those non fashion related things that I'm really into and thought would be nice to share.

After talking about collector's books at a house warming party on Tuesday night, I decided to make a run to my local used bookstore. It's a really great place with dirt cheap prices, and I usually end up walking away with too much. You can't beat the prices though. I think the most expensive book I bought was $7, but most were sold for under $5.

Copyright 1951

It thought this one was a must read for any little boy (or girl) out there. I wish I would've learned how to use tools when I was a child!

Copyright 1956

Ever since taking that art history course last semester, my eyes have been opened to all kinds of  different paintings. I'm sure this is no surprise, but lately I've been drawn to the ones with soft colors and young girls wearing pretty dresses. They've been an immense source of inspiration.

Copyright 1977

So, yeah, I'm a super dork. My neighborhood was built between the 1700's and the 1900's, and I'm  always fascinated by the different architectural styles I see. I usually have trouble finding the proper terminology for things when I write about them, so I thought this book would be a great reference to help me learn the jargon.

No copyright date.

I say I bought this one for Jake, but I really got it because it was old and interesting. He usually acts real uninterested when I buy him things like this, but he always ends up using them at some point. It's 200 pages worth of music terminology and noteworthy musicians, and in my opinion, a pretty neat reference for someone who's always looking for good, old music to sample (ahem, Jake).

Copyright 1881

This was just one of those good collector's items that I couldn't pass up for $3. My house is full of old books that I love to use in my photos and passing it up just wasn't an option. Maybe one day I'll be rich with a big, manly library full of old books and paintings and mounted antlers hanging on the wall. 

 

Copyright 1866

Another Collectible.

February 1989

I wish the library had more old magazines, but sadly this was the only good one I could find. There's a great article on photographer John Vachon in there with lots of priceless photos to match. I liked this one of Marilyn Monroe; the caption reads:

"Marilyn Monroe, accompanied by Joe DiMaggio and her entourage, escaped to the Canadian Rockies, sprained an ankle, and pouted for Vachon, who'd been told to treat her "like a fellow out with a girl". (1953)"

Copyright 1919

I'll admit I was really drawn to the unique cover design and crumbling old pages of this book, but I'm actually very interested to read it now. Written during the controversial prohibition era, it follows one doctor's studies over a ten year period on the effects of alcohol on the human body and mind and it's effect upon society and nations.

Copyright 1901

This was the expensive book that I'm probably most excited about. As soon as I saw it I fell in love with the green suede cover that the author and title were embroidered on, and then I saw it was written by Elbert Hubbard! I actually have one of his other books, The Notebook of Elbert Hubbard (copyright 1927), and ever since reading it last summer I've idolized his positive outlook on life. He was a very self aware man who was a great force in business, art, literature, and philosophy. I was curious as to his relation to L. Ron Hubbard (no, I don't practice Scientology), and after looking it up I found that Elbert was actual L. Ron's uncle. L. Ron Hubbard admired him greatly, and even dedicated one of his Dianetics to him. I was trying to find a little more information about the book I thrifted when I found this really great quote that explains it all. 

"I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill, but TIME and CHANCE happeneth to them all."

Copyright 2001

Finally, finally, finally --I told you I always buy too much-- I found this documentary on director Stanley Kubrick, narrated by Tom Cruise. Hello, A Clockwork Orange, Lolita, The Shining, Full Metal Jacket and many, many others. Jake and I are both big fans of his work, and I'm always looking to learn more about directors and their creative processes since it's kind of 'what I want to be when I grow up'. His work is much darker than anything I ever care to do but it's fascinating none the less.

I told you I'm a big nerdy dork who sometimes cares more about books than dresses. Hopefully this was enjoyable or inspiring to someone out there!