First of all, let me tell you how much I love Jellies (and I don’t mean the delicious, purple-flavored friend of peanut butter). I really love Jellies. A lot. So earlier this spring, when I saw a friend wearing the loveliest Jellies ever, I had to find out where she got them. Turns out the answer was Disco Kroger, of all places. So, I headed to Disco Kroger armed with a shopping list that read something like “grapefruit, cheerios, lentils, shoes” to check it out. I sat on the floor next to the Jellies display, digging to find my size. After about ten minutes and some help from a nice employee, I finally found them. Clear, dainty, size 6 Jellies. $4.99. Life was good.

Fast forward a few months, to June. I’m visiting San Marcos with friends, and we decide to go tubing. Despite a hunch that it might be a bad idea, I decided to wear the jellies. I tied them to the tube (or “toob” if you’re  a frat boy), and we were on our way. About 20 minutes later, I realized the rope had come untied, and one of my precious Jellies had been lost at sea. I tried to drown my sorrow by drinking wine from a water bottle, but it didn’t help.

Despite my sadness, I also had a more pressing problem – we had walked to the river, and now had to walk home down a rocky path, and I only had one shoe. I’d been hobbling along stoically for a while, when we came to a clearing near the river. As we got closer to the water, I noticed a lonely tennis shoe. Not my  Jelly, but I wondered if this was some sort of shoe graveyard, where the river dumped lost shoes. My theory seems to have been proven right – there were three or four other lonely shoes on the bank. Someone pointed out a ladies’ flip flop, which was the same color as my remaining Jelly. I decided that mismatched shoes were better than walking on stabby rocks for another 20 minutes, so I picked it up. As it turned out, it was not only the right color, but the right foot and the right size. I wore it the rest of the way home, and even enjoyed the alternating squeak and flop sounds that result from wearing two different plastic shoes. I never did find my lost Jelly, but I am glad that I was able to give someone else’s lost shoe a new purpose.

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thriftstore brandwhore

In case you care, I’ve done a pretty good job of keeping my resolution not to spend too much money on shit I don’t need – but that doesn’t mean I’ve given up on my closet. Recently I’ve turned more to repairing and repurposing – for example, this week I turned an ill-fitting skirt into a badass dress (with bows!), and instead of immediately taking the thoughtfully-purchased yet fugly t-shirts from Grandma to Goodwill, I’ve given them the rockstar cut-up treatment. When I experience crafter’s block, I turn to the DIY section on the Free People blog for ideas. Miss Vivid Voltage and I have tested out a few of these projects, with impressive results. I would tell you which ones, but I’d ruin some of your Christmas presents.

That’s not to say I have the willpower to turn away a good deal when I see one – a few weeks ago I won a Tracy Reese skirt on ebay for 99 cents ($5.99, with shipping).

I still love you,

thriftstore brandwhore

I’m not usually one to make resolutions (why shouldn’t we try to make ourselves better all year, rather than wait until January?) but this year I took the plunge. My focus is quality, not quantity. I always put off purchasing a laptop because it costs hundreds of dollars, yet I buy so much small, cheap crap over the span of a month that it probably adds up to the same amount.

However, that doesn’t mean I’ll ever be able to buy something full price. Like a dieter who binges on a huge slice of cheesecake, I feel like a failure when I buy anything without some sort of discount.

And now, despite what I just said, I have to share my most recent bargain with you. A while ago I earned a Kohl’s giftcard through an online survey. Generally, I would compare shopping at Kohl’s to eating a twinkie – sometimes I go there when I need a cheap shopping fix, but I’m not usually satisfied and I regret it later. Yesterday I was off work for a dentist appointment and decided to use my gift card. I found a cute button-up shirt and a sweater dress ($11.99 and $7.20 respectively), so with $19.00 on my gift card (I’d previously spent six on some tights) my grand total was $1.77. I know I said quality, not quantity, but I feel I can make an exception with prices like that! Even if it immediately disintegrates in the washing machine, its still worth the money (and the compliments I’ve gotten today while wearing both at once).

Hopefully your resolutions – if you must have them – include thriftier shopping, and you’ll continue to join me in my obsessive bargain hunting noble quest to save money.

love,

thriftstore brandwhore

After you pick up a new two-dollar outfit, if you’re in the Houston area, you can also hit up the Houston Public Library Booksale. If you’re a library member and you have your Power Card,* you can get in on the 23rd. Otherwise, everyone is admitted on the 24th and 25th. Check out this flyer for more details. If you’re not in H-town, check with your local library to find out when your local book sale occurs. This is a great place to get books for cheap.

You’re welcome!

love,

thriftstore brandwhore

* Why is it called the power card, anyway? Is it supposed to make the library sound more awesome? Like, OMG, knowledge is totally power! Also, why does it look like an ad for Jamba Juice?

The products inside the basil boxes aren’t so shabby, either. So far I’ve tried the Argentinian Thyme toner, the Egyptian Basil and Mint bodywash, and a facial moisturizer that unforuntately appears to be discontinued, and I’ve enjoyed all of them. It looks as if everything on the website is on sale, so even the direct prices are decent – but I’ve found the best prices at Trade  Secret, one of those mall salon stores. They had several products on sale for 75% off. If you’re willing to wait, they also come up occasionally on Editor’s Closet.

Enjoy!

thriftstore brandwhore

In fact, it was a situation like this that started my whole obsession with discount shopping in the first place. I was always relatively savvy (aka cheap), but the closing of B Boutique on Magazine St. in New Orleans taught me that I could take my cheapness to a whole new level. Betsy, the owner of B, was moving to Atlanta and had to close the shop (see, its not always sad anyway). I lived about two blocks away and would often stop in, but rarely made purchases because everything was too expensive. However, on one of her last few days in business, I got 2 pairs of Miss Sixty jeans, a Juicy Couture shirt, and two other shirts for a total of $125. Actual retail price? Around $530. I still have the receipt.

So, when you see that “going out of business” sign, its always worth stopping in. Two stores that I love in Houston are going out of business this weekend, and although I’m very sad to see them go, I wouldn’t want you to miss out on your last opportunity to check them out. One is Edin, a clothing store located on the corner of Dunlavy and Westheimer. They have both mens’ and womens’ clothing, as well as shoes. The other is Z Bead, a bead shop (clearly) located at 2429 Bissonet. Everything is at least 50% off at both locations. I believe Saturday is Z Bead’s last day, and they’re open until 6:00.

As always, if you know of any other sales, keep me posted!

love,

thriftstore brandwhore

First of all, to put it in SAT analogy terms, I know that 27 is to Sephora as 8 is to the candy store. However, just like the candy store, you should make purchases sparingly. The beautiful packaging of cosmetics makes it tempting to buy one of everything, but Sephora is quite overpriced. Plus, how much happiness will you really get out of having one more eyeliner, and will you really use that $150 face cream religiously? Also, why does any cosmetic product cost over $100, ever? It had better turn me into Scarlett Johanssen for that price. But I digress.

Sometimes, though, you really need something, or Sephora is the only place you can find it. The best way to get your fix is to join the Beauty Insider program. Then, you’ll get emails featuring “specials” (a.k.a. actually selling things at a normal price). You also get a point for each dollar you spend, which can later be used toward extra samples, beyond the three they send with each online order. Their reward levels are steep and laughable – but if you’re making orders anyway, you may as well take advantage.

My most recent purchase? Oscar Blandi dry shampoo (which was previously on special for half price). While this works on the same principle as the old “rub baby powder into your hair when you’re too lazy to bathe” trick, it doesn’t leave your head smelling like a baby’s ass. And that’s something for which I’m willing to pay an extra 800%.

love,

thriftstore brandwhore

you’re welcome,

thriftstore brandwhore

Go get that free snuggie!

love,

thriftstore brandwhore

Now, on to new things. This one comes to you via my lovely neighbor, Arianna. Are you too lazy (or busy actually working at work, god forbid) to check several different websites for the best deals online? Shop It To Me allows you to enter in your favorite sizes, styles, and designers, and sends a customized email to you on a schedule that you determine with the best deals on those styles. The results are clear and easy to navigate, and you can change your preferences at any time. Thanks, Arianna!

Houston friends – don’t forget that Shecky’s is tomorrow and Friday. Tickets are still available (at least for tomorrow) if you procrastinated. I’ll see you there on Friday!

love,

thriftstore brandwhore