Thrifting with Discipline: Single Item Finds and Enzo Angiolini Riding Boots

        When I leave the house on a shopping trip, my roommates never know what I’ll return home with.  I may bring a huge haul filled with too good to be true deals I just couldn’t pass up, or it may be a single piece that made my day.  While coming home with a bag of goodies is always fun, oftentimes a great day thrifting is all about finding that one piece you needed or that you know will be the perfect addition to your wardrobe and stopping there.  I had the luck of finding such a piece this week at Bloomin’ Deals!

         

Equestrian-style boots are everywhere right now.  You hear them talked about in all the fashion blogs, see them advertised in every magazine, and find them displayed in every store window.  Designer brands feature highly styled pairs with gorgeous leathers and hardware detailing, but can ring up anywhere from $100+.  Luckily, if three digit price tags make your stomach do flip-turns, just about every discount retailer from Kmart to Payless has their own version of the stylish classic.  However, why not get the best of both worlds?  I did when I walked into Bloomin’ Deals the other day and found a gorgeous pair of Enzo Angiolini Riding Boots for a jaw-dropping low price of $2.50!  They were a perfect fit and exactly what I needed to put together some great fall outfits.  I left the store with exactly one item and feeling like I’d just hit the lottery.  My only complaint is that they didn’t have a second pair in brown!

                                                     ~JSH

Item Profile:

Brand: Enzo Angiolini

Item: Riding Boots

Color: Black

Material: Genuine Leather

Retail Price: $179

Purchase Price: $3.12

Total Savings: $175.88

   All Ready For Fall --->

The Past, the Present, and some Thrifty Info for the Future (New Orleans best thrift shops)

Background:

Originally from an upper-middle class neighborhood in New Jersey, I grew up “keeping up with the Jones.”  We had very few thrift stores, not that I’d ever dare buy something used.  I’d heard stories from friends living in other areas about the fabulous finds hidden at stores like the Salvation Army and Goodwill, but had never seen them for myself and quite frankly wasn’t interested.  High priced department stores, like Bloomingdales and Nordstrom’s, were my haven; plus, how embarrassing would it be to buy something used?!   Looking back now, the thought and the money wasted during those years make me sick to my stomach.   These days when I travel home I’m always disappointed that I won’t be able to score an awesome find or catch a great deal at a store offering one of those specials thrift shoppers crave, a bag day or 50% off everything sale.

So What Changed?

When I moved to New Orleans everything changed.  The selection of department stores was limited; I remember asking myself how a city survives without a Bloomingdales.  At the same time, I started living off a college student’s budget and perpetually scheming ways to save or make money.   Luckily, I quickly found an answer: thrift shopping!  I started off small with trendy, chain resale shops like Buffalo Exchange and Plato’s Closet, but soon made my way down to where the real bargains lay at charity shops like Blooming Deals and the Salvation Army.  What started as an experiment became a lifestyle and nowadays, thrifting is not just the most economical way for me to shop, it’s my favorite way too. 

Top Choices:

      Thrift stores are everywhere down here and almost all of them are home to some amazing bargains.  Here are my top three in the area and some tips and tricks to score big!  (This list is by new means exhaustive of all the thrift store options New Orleanians have to choose from.) 

1.     The Salvation Army Family Store

The Salvation Army is my favorite place to thrift.  The store is packed full with amazing finds at great prices.  While my favorite finds are usually designer pieces at rock bottom prices, often new with tags, I’m constantly finding amazing vintage items in the bric-a-brac section.  Even better, every Wednesday the store offers all clothing at 50% off the ticketed price and all other items at 25% off!  I’m here about once a week.

2.     Bloomin' Deals

Bloomin' Deals is another amazing choice that’s close to home.  The store is run by the Junior League, which makes regular donations to the thrift store a membership requirement.  Although their prices are higher than some stores, their designer treasures make it worth it (..can you say Tory Burch Corduroy Blazer for $10?!).  This store is my favorite for finding great deals on suit sets for the office and pre-packaged gifts for a variety of occasions.  Twice a year they host a bag day, which is an experience like none other.  Participants pay $9 to fill up a 33-gallon garbage bag with anything in the store.  Shelves generally get cleared within 2-3 hours and the store takes 2 days to restock completely.  The week after always feels like Christmas with an entirely new selection of merchandise to shop from!

3.     Red, White, and Blue

Although a little farther from my house, this is one of those stores at which shopping becomes an all-day event and therefore is worth the drive.  Red, White, and Blue is housed in a giant warehouse in Harahan that contains anything and everything you can possibly think of.  This store is sorted by color with individually priced pieces usually a bit higher than other places.  However, something is on sale every single day.  They usually choose 2-3 colored labels to mark 50% off, but get lucky and you’ll walk in there on a day the entire store is 50% off!  They also have a senior sale every Wednesday where the whole store is 50% off for people over a certain age.

Ta Dahh!  So there you have it, my favorite thrift stores in the New Orleans area.  Make sure to take some time and explore, shop, and enjoy; especially if you’ve never thrifted before.  You’re sure to find something you’ll love, at a price retail could never beat!  Remember, thrifting is a great way to save on things like Holiday decorations and gifts as well!

Let me know what you think about this post.  

Leave a comment and tell me about your favorite thrift store!

~JSH

Get Ready For: Thrift Shopping, Couponing, Crafting, and More!

Hey y’all, I’m Jessica. 

I love clever, crafty things and make a regular sport out of thrift shopping, couponing, and saving big!  However, I don’t do it for the savings; for me, it’s all about the thrill of finding that special steal you never saw coming. I tend to gravitate towards high-fashion finds, but have never been known to pass up a good tchotchke or piece of bric-a-brac either. My 3 college roommates have long since gotten tired of me goading them with my latest my fabulous finds so I’ve taken to the internet because some things are too good not to share. 

Expect to laugh at my shopping addiction, lust over my steals, and maybe even purchase a thing or two (..if I decide I'm willing to share).  You can also look forward to some cool DIYs, inspiring designs, and so much more!

Feel free to contact me at seejsave@gmail.com, 

I’d love to hear of your own thrifted treasures and see some great ideas!

~JSH