COLUMN: Thrift-style and letting the deals find you

  • Melissa Herrera (COLUMN)
  • February 17, 2014
  • 383
                        
COLUMN SUMMARY: Are you a thrift store snob only shopping at thrift stores? Open it up and find the deals at department stores because you've been missing out. I wish I could take my favorite thrift stores and combine them into one giant store in my backyard. That way, whenever the itch strikes I can walk out my door and meander through aisles of junk to my heart’s content. Alas, this is not the case so I will have to make sure I hit them when I can. This winter that has been few and far between which tends to make Missy a little on the annoyed side. Save & Serve is my hot spot and I don’t think I’ve been there since 2014 was ushered in. I was there numerous times right before Christmas because we all know that’s the place to go to find unique Christmas decorations. My tree has been (partially) adorned by them since 1990. Last fall I found a Steve Madden purse hidden on the racks, its yellow leather playing peek-a-boo with my eyes. That was a find and one I turned for tidy profit. I’ve become super selective as I’ve grown older and my eye has matured. When I was a newlywed, I wanted to furnish my home and buy things to make it pop. Now I will wait until I find just the right thing for just the right place before I buy it. Refined simplification – that’s my new motto. I find, though, that treasures aren’t just found at your local thrift store. Treasures can be found at the end of aisles at Target, nestled in the back corners at World Market, and especially found right out in the open at places like Marshall’s and T.J. Maxx. I have brought home numerous curiosities from these stores like a huge # (hashtag or number sign), if you will, that has become a talking point in my home and at work. I paid several dollars for it and the red pop it gives adds dimension to my kitchen. Don’t overlook stores that you think may be out of your reach because they too have merchandise that needs to be moved. Things that take up space need to be marked down and that’s when you swoop in and find just the find thingamabob for that unfilled space. Sometime last fall, though, I found a piece at Save & Serve that has become the focal point of my kitchen. Nestled in the back of the store by the lights was a blue wine bottle, frosted with crunchy glitter, and wired with lights. I stifled a scream of glee and picked it up, found the plug, and voila – beautiful lights gleamed blue and twinkly. This homemade project was straight from the pages of Pinterest and as I turned over the price tag and saw the $1.50 my heart did a little thump. I snapped up this treasure and it has held reign over my island counter since I bought it. Since we re-did our door people say they notice it from the road and it is big conversation piece. Thrifting isn’t about finding everything to decorate your house. Take your time and see what finds you. Some people become thrift store snobs and shun the department stores like they are the plague to be avoided. They are thrift purists that lean on the glory of their purchases. I am an equal-opportunity thrifter that likes to find pieces that talk to me, pieces that have a past and can combine with what I’ve gleaned to make my house a home. I’m not much of a person to move things around a lot – I tend to decorate something and enjoy it for a good long while. If I find something that fits into the vignette I will nestle it in and see if it fits. A good deal can come from the trash pile, on the clearance shelf, and even on the regular shelves. Don’t become a purist to any one thing – love what you love and your style will find you.


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