I'd always wanted a yellow bar cart. One "came to me" this past week at the flea market.
Thrifter's Patience: I used to get impatient and rush to a retail store if I thought I needed a supply. (For example, last year I gave in and bought bookshelves from Walmart.) Now I know to wait. Be patient, make hunting and thrifting your routine and the items you need will find you, eventually.
Retail Lust is Gone: Sometimes I would prowl retail shops and lust for items; especially furnishings from Target and World Marketplace! Now when I visit these stores on supply runs nothing interests me.
Hooked on the Thrift Adventure: Retail shopping is boring compared to the hunt and challenge that comes with thrifting, flea market hunting, curbside seeking, and dumpster diving. I live a beautiful life on a dime!
Rare Retail Purchases are More Special: Okay, I confess. I bought one new thing. I was asked to meet friends in an alien landscape; the mall. While waiting for them at Forever 21 this dress screamed to me. It reminded me of arcade games like Pacman. I had to have it. I guilted over the purchase for days, but this turned out to be my favorite dress. I get many compliments every time I wear it.
Could you go a year without retail shopping? What thrifty challenges do you take?
I'm the same with store fixtures. I'd rather come across some cool vintage furniture to display merch than to spend hundreds on un-original fixtures - they just don't give the same feel! And when I need a display, one always comes into my life at the right time!
ReplyDeleteI did the challenge with clothes. So far I am really loving it! I will admit though...as it gets colder outside, it's getting harder. I love coats, boots and hoodies! My thrift stores never have nice boots. :D
ReplyDeleteSugartown: That's the thing, thrifting offers unique items. Retail shopping can't compare.
ReplyDeleteMarcia: I confess, I wasn't supposed to buy thrifted clothes this year, but I did. At least all of it was super cheap! :) And I won't get more for the rest of the year...
ReplyDeleteI have that same anatomy figure! You press a button and his heart lights up. Killer. I totally get the side effect thing, too--in a retail shopping environment, I'm always thinking "How is this worth $xx? Would they take $xx?". It gets to where you can't conscionably spend the retail money. Good luck on your challenge!
ReplyDeleteLisa: He's awesome, he goes with a non-light-up one I've had for years. My challenge has been easy so far, I'm going to take it to new levels :)
ReplyDeleteOh no, I couldn't do it. But that's also because we don't have a thrifting scene here, and unfortunately vintage is usually more expensive than retail.
ReplyDeleteBut it does sound like something I'd have tried, though maybe not an entire year, had I lived in the US.
Very nice dress, and you are so stunning too!
honestly, i can't remember the last time i bought something significant retail (other than souvenirs while travelling recently but even then i bought things used!) the patience thing is the key - what i love about that is that it changes your whole attitude towards consumerism: if you're willing to wait sometimes you realize you didn't even really need that thing (and in the meantime, you've probably found a few other things you really did need!)
ReplyDeleteOkay, this is maybe the best idea EVER. I am SO doing this! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI did have to go buy another plastic bin that rolls under the bed for my vintage patterns, I had just bought 831 of them and needed a safe way to store them.
ReplyDeleteOnce again that dress is amazing.
I have to stop buying myself, thrifted clothes (won't happen, clothes junkie here) because I have so many and can not possibly wear them all. We have a fantastic Goodwill here with some fabulous and very inexpensive clothes (lots of great boots, too), priced much lower than I have seen at other stores. I found a vintage Leslie Fay 1950s dress in mint condition $5.99. All clothes are From $1.99 to $6.99, most are $3.99. So, if you are ever in Southern Oregon, stop by the Ashland store.
I agree with Angelika, patience is the key ;-)
ReplyDeleteSince I started my own change towards clothes shopping I have also changed my attitude towards a whole heap of other things as well, and most importantly, I think, is that I am happier. I wish you the same (and that dress looks fab!)
Blue: Have your tried curbside hunting in your area to make up the difference? :)
ReplyDeleteAngelika: I've noticed the same thing. Give it time, and you realize how little you need it.
Sarah: DO it, you won't look back!
Victoria: That's the tough part, when you thrift there are great clothes for cheap or free. We'll have to stick to one-thing-in and one-thing-out.
ReplyDeletePenny-Rose: Definitely happier, I don't miss retail shopping. (Snore.)
Awesome Vanessa! You are an inspiration. I have definitely found that when I look around my house I love the items that were a "find" instead of from a mass retailer. Keep it going girl!
ReplyDeleteI think I need to recommit to buying nothing new for 2012. I think it'll be a New Year's Resolution.
ReplyDeleteHa! I love the thought of you (nearly) haggling at Target.
ReplyDeleteI spend so much time at sales, that anything over 50p now feels too expensive.
Kerry: I shall!
ReplyDeleteFenn: It's fun, I love it and won't look back. This is a lifestyle change that I'll only take further.
Lost Property: I came very close! And standard prices are outrageous to me now, too.
Just stumbled across your blog today and I love it! I'm definitely considering adopting this for 2012 :)
ReplyDeleteI love that you made it a whole year with only buying one new thing! I am SO bad about clothes esp. For house stuff, I do mostly thrift, flea or garage sales, and a lot of my supplies come that way. I've realized that I have more in my supply stock than any store around here (esp scrapbooking), so I'm learning to dig in and shop at home first for what I need! This is my year to use what I have and stop buying new! Love the pantry clean out idea too, I need to do that!
ReplyDelete