Movie Time

It has been a long time since I have posted but I have good reasons. I am currently the long-term substitute in a fourth grade classroom; so needless to say, my life has been a little busy and hectic. But I'm extremely thankful that it is. : )

Since I have been so busy I haven't had as much time to thrift store shop as I would like. But today my mom and I braved the cooler, rainy weather in search of some great finds.

One of the thrift stores not too far from my house had all of their books and movies 1/2 price. It was great...I loaded up on books- it was like uncharted territory...I don't think anyone had looked through them because I found some great books.

I also found a movie that was 1/2 price and it was only going to be 50 cents...what a deal, right? Okay, so the movie was Vegas Vacation with Chevy Chase. I have watched it on TV probably 50 times throughout my life and it still cracks me up. But I've never 'really' seen it (that's what I say when I haven't seen a movie but on TV- because something is always cut out for time). My mom always warns me when I buy movies at thrift stores because they are always VHS and she is scared they won't work or it won't be what the box really says. Out of all the movies I have bought at thrift stores, not one has had anything wrong with it. Seriously...the movies always seem to be in perfect condition.

When I got home, my husband and I thought it would be fun to watch Vegas Vacation while we ate lunch and lounged on the couch. So, I get up to pop the movie in, not bothering to actually look at the tape, and let it play. As Christmas music starts to play, I look at my husband and crack up. Inside the box for Vegas Vacation was really a different Chevy Chase movie...National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. No joke. I couldn't help but laugh...so I called my mom and she had a good laugh too. Out of all the times she has told me to be careful about the movies I buy, I still never take the tape out to see if it is really the movie I think I'm buying. Well, that will definitely change after today. We didn't have Christmas Vacation so it all worked out in the end. Gave us a good laugh before we started laughing at the actual movie.

So, a word from the wise...when buying movies at a thrift store, check to make sure the movie inside of the box is what it is actually supposed to be. : )

Livin' on Tulsa Time

If any of you know me personally, I'm sure you have heard me talk about my love for the store 'Ross Dress for Less.' I might like it even more than thrift stores (gasp!). The Ross that is closest to my house is in Tulsa, Oklahoma. On October 8 the Ross in our area is opening! I am so excited but hopefully I don't spend every paycheck there. :)
If you have never been to a Ross let me give you a quick run-down. I compare it to TJ Maxx or Marshall's. It is the same concept, but cheaper. Understand though, that they don't have as many 'name brands' like TJ Maxx but that is how it is cheaper. Check out the Ross website for more info.
One thing I like about the tags at Ross is they tell you the 'compared at' price and often the original tags are still on the items, and often, these tags are even more than the 'compared at' price. It is really easy to total up your savings and see how much you are saving.
So, yesterday my mom and I took a trip to Tulsa to visit a couple of the Ross stores they have there. I found some great items. Check it out:

My finds for the day.
I got the black Worthington dress pants (which I usually find at JC Penny's for about $40) for only $9.99- compared at $36.00. I saved $26!
I had looked at black shoes like these (for work) at Dillard's and I was prepared to pay $70 but I found these for only $16.99- compared at $39.00. I saved $22 or as I like to see it compared at $70 I saved $53.
The rug perfectly matches my living room- $2.99 compared at $6 but actually rugs like this are even more than that even at Wal-Mart.

These two dress I found were both on clearance. One was on clearance for $8.99 and the other $9.99. Now, tell me where you can find beautiful dresses like this for under $10? Both dresses were compared at $60. So, I saved over $100- boom- just like that.

I went in to Ross looking for some tops that I could wear with jeans and found these two tops which I loved! The black and gray top was only $9.99 compared at $24.00- I saved $14. The pink top (just how cute is that pocket!) was $8.99 compared at $28- I saved $19.

In total I saved $185.07 at Ross! Awesome!
We don't only go to Ross on our trips to Tulsa, we also like to stop by the Macy's in the Woodland Hills Mall. We have a Macy's that is closer (Joplin, Mo) but if one is where you are, you might as well stop in. Macy's has really good sales. Their clearance was an additional 40% off. There is a cute story behind this pink sweater I found (for only $14.70!) I went with my sister to New York and Company to shop for her and as we were walking around I found the cutest pink sweater with glitter strands- it was beautiful and totally me- except for the price- it was $50. I tried it on anyways, and unfortunately, it was too big and they didn't have a smaller size. Well, I found an even cuter replacement at Macy's! Get this- the original price was $50. :)


We also stopped by Micheal's craft store- again, another store we don't have (are you sensing a trend?). This candle was on clearance since it was a summer scent- only $2.39! The scent is orange vanilla which really means it smells just like an orange creamsicle. Yum! Also, I found these cute- as- pie Paula Deen kitchen items. The spoon holder cracks me up (totally Paula Deen!) and it was only $2. The cupcake holders are cute- as- pie too- they say 'yummy' and 'enjoy' on the bottom. 50 were only $1. So stinkin' cute!

Well, I know I said I might love Ross more than thrift stores, but that doesn't mean that I still don't hunt to find thrift stores in every town I go to. So, long story short- we had a time and a half trying to find this thrift store, but we finally found it. It's called Value Thrift Store and it is on the corner of Memorial and 11th in Tulsa. Quick word to the wise- look up the location of thrift stores before you leave home...just do it...it will make life easier and save you some gas. It might have taken us a while to find it, but it was worth it! The store was huge and packed! I spent $16 and got all this plus some more that isn't in the picture! It helped that I had my mom with me and it was senior discount day (an extra 25% off!)

I know what you are thinking- why in the world did she buy 3 pairs of brown pants. Let me explain. One pair are capris- $2.98 and the brand is Talbots (original price was probably around $80!). Another pair are full length were also only $2.98 (brand Apt. 9 compared at probably $50). The last pair I'm hoping fit my sister are Old Navy brand and were only $1.98!
The tops are super cute! The black one I'm going to wear as a swimsuit cover-up and it was only $2.98. The green leaf one in the middle was also only $2.98. The last one I look a close up picture of. It's Ann Taylor Loft (which if you've read my previous posts, you know I love) and it was only $1.98.
Oh, and the little bird house was only 45 cents!

I'm exhausted from hunting down all my great finds. If you have a Ross in your area I highly recommend you checking it out. Their company website and Facebook page has a lot of tips for shopping at their stores. Some of my tips are:

• Shop early and often- their inventory changes on a daily basis.
  
• Grab it when you see it because it might be gone if you try to circle back (especially on busy days).
• Have an idea of what you are looking for and if you don't find it- try back in a few days.
• It is a great place to find gifts- they have cute home decoration items and a large kitchen section.
• Don't forget about their clearance racks- do I need to mention my awesome dresses again?

Don't let places like Macy's intimidate you because you see them as 'expensive' places. Yes, the store does have a lot of items that are too pricey for me so that is why I shop the clearance racks and watch for sales on clearance items.
Going on a weekend trip to another city? Look up thrift stores in the area before you go (map out where they are). I knew I'd probably find some good items at a thrift store in Tulsa because it is such a big city- lots of stores= more variety in what will end up in a thrift store.
Well, I have a lot of new stuff to put up! I'm still pumped about my great finds! If you have great finds of your own tell me about them!
Until next time- keep hunting for those great finds. :)

Thrift Store Back to School Sale

A local thrift store, The Samaritan Shop (one of my favs) has been advertising their 'Back to School Sale' with proceeds going towards school supplies and other needs for local students. Since I'm an educator and understand what it is like for a student to come to school on the first day with nothing, I decided I better go check it out. Also, of course, I was in it for the great deals. The store advertised lower prices on clothing and then mentioned 'new' merchandise.
Now, the area of Arkansas I live in is often known as 'Wal-Mart Country.' The Wal-Mart home offices are located here. So, we have a ton of venders in our area and these venders often sell their items at 'sample sales' they have at their own facilities. But lots of times they donate their items. Well, the 'new' items the thrift store advertised were beauty/bath items that were donated by local venders (I am assuming).
So, to state it simply, aside from some great clothing finds, I got a boat load of NEW bath items for nearly nothing.

Here is my loot. Let me explain my great finds and deals.

So, to start off on the left-
Remington brand flat iron for $10- retail $37.99. I saved $27.99.
Remington hot rollers- I paid $12- retail $20.99. I saved $8.99.
There were a lot of shampoos/conditioners/conditioning treatments/hair gels/etc. I got two different sets of shampoo/conditioners from the brand L'Oreal (which I never buy because it is a little too much to pay). At the thrift store they were only $2.00 x 4= $8.00. Retail- $23.88 (at least). I saved $15.88.
I also bought 3 bottles of deep conditioning treatments (one overnight, one for colored hair, and one for deep conditioning). I paid $7.00. Retail- $23.22. I saved $16.22.
L'Oreal mousse (one of those things I always want to buy but never seem to) I paid $1.00- retail $3.47- I saved $2.47.
Ever Straight Brazilian Keratin Therapy Flat Iron Spray- I paid $3.00- Retail $8 (at least). I saved $5.
L'Oreal Collagen Micro-Pulse Total Eye Correction System (anti-wrinkle/dark circle/anti-bag/puffiness cream)- $2.50- Retail $18. I saved $15.50.
I also got Zest soap (20 pack) for $5.00. Toothbrush (2 packs) for 50 cents. Toothpaste (2 pack) $2.00. Loofahs $1.00 each. 625 count Q-Tips for $1.00.

I know it's a lot to take it...it might seem like a waste but it is all non-perishable items that can be stored. I know I don't need 2 bottles of shampoo and 2 bottles of conditioner right now, but I will need them and it will save me from needing to buy them in the next few months.
If you ever stumble upon items like this for such a great deal, grab them up! Especially bathroom items. These seem to be the things that you all-of-a-sudden run out of and can't really go without. Food deals are often perishable or about to expire and need to be used quickly, so tread lightly and smartly with items like that.
I'm excited to try out my new items (like the deep conditioners and under-eye cream). If you live in the Northwest Arkansas area, I highly recommend you stopping by this sale.
As always, happy hunting :)

There are more like me :)

As I was getting ready to write my next blog post about my thrift store finds, I ran across this article on the Yahoo homepage. If you don't believe me by now, read this article. You would think it was written by me, but it's not. :( The author and I do have a lot in common though. Read the article and see what you think. Now, you know it's not just me that thinks thrift stores are so awesome :)
There is the link to the article.
Or you can copy and paste.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/First-Person-Our-5-Favorite-ac-1581336515.html

Flea Market Steals

So, I started this blog post yesterday, but somehow it messed up and everything was underlined and blue so I deleted it and decided to try again today. Really though, it's for the better because as I was looking over my great finds, I was going to name the post 'flea market finds' then I decided to change the title to 'Flea Market Steals' because really, it was like I was stealing the items I found because I got such a great deal on them.
Just real quick, a side note. Flea market shopping is not for the faint of heart. When/If you do go, remember this: flea markets are really antique stores and antique stores are really expensive. The reason for this is because you are looking at antiques and these things are expensive. Since the economy has been down, not as many people are buying up collectibles and antiques like they once were. (That's a whole other story).
Now, I don't go looking for antiques, I go looking for a great (cheap) find. Often times flea markets give me sensory-overload. Usually the isles are small, the booths are usually small (they range in size), and are packed with items, and since it is a flea market there is usually a range of smells. So, if you go be prepared but take your time. Even if you don't buy anything, I think it is fun to look at the items from the days gone by. I see old telephones, magazines, and dishes and think about my great-grandmother using items like them. Also, some stuff is just really neat to look at. A tip as you go shopping at a flea market- have an idea of what you want in mind- it will help, trust me. I told you about getting sensory overload and if you don't have an idea of what you are looking for, you'll never find it because you'll be too busy looking at everything else.
With all that being said, I went to a few flea markets just to look around and get ideas for my house. I had an idea in my head to get red and white items for my kitchen (and possibly laundry room). Living so close to the University of Arkansas, where the school colors are (you guessed it) red and white, I figured finding these colors would be easy; but apparently, it has all already been bought up. :)
I did manage to find some great items and without further ado, here they are:

2 things about this item made it a great find. 1) The booth I found it in was a non-profit booth (not at all common in flea markets but a way for non-profit groups to make a little more money out of the items that are donated). 2) Everything in the booth was 75% off. That made this cute-as-can-be watermelon pitcher only 25 cents. I take that back 27 cents with tax.

Brace yourself for this next find.
Clutch handbags are all the rage. I haven't bought one because they all look the same- black- with or without some flair (like sparkle or a flower). This bag caught my eye because it is vintage from the 1950s (I had to explain to my husband that, yes, it was really from the 1950s, not just made to look like it). I could have spent around $20 (or more) to buy a clutch at a department store but I found this one for only $3 at a flea market.
Vintage 1950s clutch=$3
Standing out from the crowd with a handbag like no one else=priceless

It is even big enough to hold my iPhone and still snap!

I said to brace yourself for the clutch, maybe I should have saved it for this next find.
At another flea market, I found another booth having a 75% off sale. (Just to let you know- this is very uncommon. Sometimes you might see 40% off or 10% but hardly ever more than 50%). I found these white salad bowls and they are gorgeous! The picture didn't pick up all the details. They are shaped like flowers, the petals start in the middle and work their way up the outside. There are 5 small bowls and 2 large ones. A salad is going to look so pretty against the white. Ah, I love them but what I love even more is what I paid for them. Are you ready? You won't believe me. I got all 7 pieces for $4.50!!!!
The small bowls were only $2.00 to begin with, so I got all 5 for $2.50 and the bigger bowls were $4 to start, so those were only $2. Yea, I couldn't believe it either.

The white bowls are going to look great with the rest of my white dishes and can't wait to use them. I still need some red items, but those can wait. That's the thing about shopping like I do (and so many others). You have to be patient and wait for the great items to find you. Flea market finds like this are rare. Please don't be mad at me if you go to a flea market and every dish you pick up is $50. Actually that happened to me at every turn yesterday. I found the cutest bowls that were white with red polka-dots and I loved them but they were $45 each. Um, no. Couldn't do it- but maybe you can.
Just know that if you are redecorating or searching for a special gift and want great deals that you'll have to be patient and don't expect to find everything in one day. That wouldn't be fun at all- I like to stretch out my finds so the thrill lasts longer.
Well, here is hoping that you'll try out a flea market every now and then- you never know what you'll find and the items change all the time so you need to go often. Let me know about your great finds too.
Happy hunting :)

Weekend finds

So, looking back over my blog posts I realized I am a talker, or I guess writer would be a better term...how about this- long-winded...so, here is a short and sweet post about my great weekend finds...

I got to stop by a thrift store I love in West Branson on Friday. I found this beautiful wreath for fall for only $4. One of the pumpkins is a little messed up, but nothing some super glue can't take care of.

These shoes were only $1 at that same thrift store. What? Really? Only $1! I'm not lying.

Back home on Saturday, one of my 'regular' thrift stores the women's tops were 1/2 price. Each one of these tops was only $1.50.

At that same thrift store the ladies had already put out the fall items. (What they do is save the holiday items and only put them out once a year, then box them back up to put out next year.) This cute tablecloth (Be thankful printed) was only $2.

This next item my husband found (yes, my mad skills have rubbed off on him). We have been talking about getting a wireless keyboard and mouse for our computer because (thanks to my awesome husband) we can magically see our computer screen on our TV (I have no idea how it works- some cord- that's his field). So, he found this wireless keyboard and mouse (plus the cord that makes it all work) for only $12.50. We looked them up while we were at the store to make sure it was a good deal, and it was- they are about $30 to $45.

So, I found some great finds this weekend. Hope you all have found some equally awesome finds. As always happy hunting for some great finds of your own. :)

Great find= project time

Well, I know I said before that most of my great finds aren't items that I plan to fix up or make into something else, but I didn't say never...I just said most of the time. Yesterday, my mother and I stopped by one of my favorite thrift stores really quick and I came out with 3 awesome pieces. One of them definitely needs to be fixed, but I got a great deal on it.

Here it is-this beautiful picture I found was screaming at me from the corner of the picture section. Literally, I think I heard it say 'you have to buy me!' I love these flowers (stargazer lilies); I had them at my wedding and I just think they are beautiful. Well, I found this picture for $2 (!!!) and if you look closely, you can see why. The frame is a flimsy, cheap poster frame- about half of the the back brackets are gone, the plastic 'glass' is cracked, and it looks like the picture didn't even fit in the frame to begin with. BUT the picture is still beautiful and unharmed! This is my plan- take the picture out, cut out just the picture portion (aka-cut off the white part) and put it in a new frame. Ta-da! It will be just like new when I get finished. I promise I'll post a picture of the finished product.

Another one of my finds was this punch bowl for $5. I know you are probably thinking it looks a little weird with the holes and all but here is what you do. You string ribbon through the holes to match your decorations. You can change the ribbon for whatever season/celebration/room decor. My mother-in-law gave me a cake stand that this bowl matches (the reason I bought it) so now I can use both together- with coordinating ribbon of course. :)

My last find is actually going to be a birthday present for my mom (yes, she already knows about it because she was there with me when I bought it). It is a vintage plate from the year she was born (don't look close or you'll be able to figure out her age). The plate still had the 'yard sale price' for $5 but on the back was the price for the thrift store- only $2. I looked up similar plates on ebay that were listed for as much as $45.

I know I'm not a major one for finding items to fix up or re-purpose but I think I might need to become one- I'm not that great at thinking out of the box- I have to find ideas first. Check out these articles from Better Homes and Gardens for inspiration- I'm using them. :) I plan to try to do more with items that need a little TLC- we'll see if it's my 'thing'- if not, I'll just forget out it and leave it up to the experts. Just remember when buying items to fix up- make sure it's a good deal. My picture to fix up was a great find at $2 but if it would have been, say $10, I don't think it would have been such a great find. Also, consider the amount of work that needs to be done and make sure you want to invest the time and money. It won't take me that long to cut out the picture and find a frame (I'll probably wait until they are on sale from Hobby Lobby). I'm comfortable spending that amount of time/money. Just be sure you don't get in over your head. :)
Also, don't forget that thrift stores/yard sales are great places for finding unique gifts. Like the plate I found for my mother- you can't walk into Wal-Mart and find something like that.
Well, I'm off to try to cut the straightest lines I can. Hope you found this inspiring and good luck hunting for your own great finds. :)