Thrifting Thursday

I hope everyone had an EGG-celent Easter! There was an abundance of thrifting finds this week! I went to several places in search of some good deals (and smaller sizes). I hit all of my favorites; Secondhand Savy, Lighthouse, Salvation Army, & Pendy's closet. 
    First up is my favorite find of the week! (I think it is mainly because the shorts are a size 6 :) I found an UH-dorable ruffle neck navy blue tank top at SA for $3. I paired them with these green Bermuda shorts I snagged for $2 at SA!
  

Thrifting Thursday with Jenn

Life can majorly suck at times, I have learned that first hand. I don't know or understand why things happen and I never will. I took a hiatus from Thrifting Thursday because I suffered a miscarriage a few weeks ago. It was awful, but nothing compared to what we have already been through.
    You know what doesn't suck? Thrifting!!! This week I got myself dressed and headed back out onto the thrifting scene and scored some great deals. I found all of my classy finds at Secondhand Savvy's. It's a "Mom and Pop" thrift shop. 
     As I was scouring the racks, I found this grey & white tank dress. After I tried it on (and LOVED it) I noticed an itsy bitsy hole (that I can easily fix) near the collar. I asked the lady at the counter if she could discount my dress because of this hole. She asked the manager and said she would take half off!!!  This little beauty went from $7 to $3.50!!!!

Thrifting Thursday with Jenn

Since the temperature is getting pretty toasty (at least it is down here in FL) I thought I'd search the racks for a couple new bathing suits. Thrifting or getting bathing suits on clearance in retail stores is great for those of us who want to shed a few pounds before the sweltering months of summer get here. 
  I got this little Kenneth Cole gem for $4 at Goodwill. I HAD to nab this Audrey-esque hat at Lighthouse thrift store for $3 to go with it! I'll be a bathing beach (pregnant) beauty ;)

   This next one I found at Bealls department store, sitting lonely on the clearance rack. I brought it home for $5.

Occasionally I can find nice little numbers at good ole Walmart....this entire swimsuit cost a whopping $3 total. That's the top, bottoms, & the yellow sarong. I don't know about you, but I prefer for these thighs of mine to remain covered, so for $1 why not throw on a splash of color?

I'm an astounding 5'2" tall and any chance I can look taller, I'm all for it! This floral print dress I got on Old Navy's clearance rack for $10. Because I'm vertically challenged and the dress dragged the floor, I paired it with a very tall pair of black wedges I nabbed at target on clearance for $10. (who says pregnant women can't wear heels?)

Next up, my FAVORITE find of the week....my Ann Taylor black cotton dress for $3 (yes, $3) at Lighthouse thrift store. My zebra print heels were existing. I found them at Bealls months ago for about $7 on clearance. (how could I leave those at the store?!)

   I also got a couple homegoods this week thrifting. I found this UH-dorable vase for 50¢. This super cute picture frame for 50¢ too. 

Not only can you thrift clothes and spruce up your wardrobe , you can also give your house a mini makeover with thrifting.
 Hope y'all plunder the racks in search of some stupendous deals this week!!! See y'all next Thursday!!!!

Have you guys been scoring some amazing thrifting finds that you want to share? Send them in to coldhandswarmheartcrafts@gmail.com! 

Each week we will post the best submissions!

Happy Thrifting! 

Thrifting Thursday with Jenn

I suppose subconsciously I wanted to test out my thrifting skills.....I thought it would be much harder to thrift maternity clothes than it actually was. 

(hint hint, wink wink, nudge nudge) 

 They say that by your third pregnancy, your hips and uterus decide they want to expand much quicker than your first go around. As it turns out....they're right ;) 

 This week I set out in search of cute and comfy maternity clothes. I hate the idea of spending A LOT of money on clothes you wear for a very short amount of time. Good thing about maternity clothes? They are usually in great condition because they aren't worn for too many months. Oddly enough, I have A LOT of retail savy finds this week! 

This first outfit I found I know I'll be wearing a lot! The cute jean maternity shorts were $5.99 brand new at Bealls outlet! The shirt I found thrifting for $1; it's not maternity, but it's stretchy....and cute ;). The necklace I got at Charlotte Russe for $5.50. The shoes are another retail find. They were too UH-dorable not to bring home for $9. 

 This next one is my saucy sailor! Found this shirt at Old Navy on clearance for $5. The shorts were existing. For everyone that doesn't have an over abundance of shoes and jewelry like I do, I wanted to use the same jewelry and shoes in several outfits to show how your thrifted wardrobe can go with many things. The shoes and necklace were the ones I nabbed from the previous outfit. 

 For this outfit, I'm using the same shoes and necklace, in the previous outfits, but it gives this one a totally different look! I thrifted this maternity floral printed skirt for $3. The shirt was thrifted at $1.99. 

(I think I just really really like these shoes and necklace). 

 Next is a nice cotton stretchy dress that I figured I could wear for the next 7 months comfortably! I scored this beauty for $2 at salvation army. I'm not sure if you recognize the necklace and shoes ;). I wanted to show everyone you can pair your favorite solid colors up with many different patterns and colors. 

 This last outfit, (don't worry, it doesn't have the same necklace and shoes), is a long flowing maternity skirt I thrifted for $3 & this cute tank top I thrifted for $1. The necklace was at Bealls Outlet for 20¢!!! These cutie patootie white bow sandals were found retailing for $9! 

Since I have so many clothes from my thrifting ventures...I decided to branch out a bit and look in Salvation Army's housewares section. I saw this bookshelf for $3.99. On the back was the original price tag from Pottery Barn Kids for $59.00 (I would NEVER, and I repeat NEVER, spend $59.00 on a kids bookshelf...probably why I'm an avid thrifter ;). It did have a couple dings and missing paint. I saw a solution...I grabbed a can of $1 spray paint at Walmart & touched it up. The finished product, for a mere $5, including paint, I thought turned out pretty good! I even drilled it to the wall myself! 

 I'd say this week was pretty successful at thrifting some maternity clothes. Hopefully all of you mommy-to-bes out there, that don't want to waste a lot of money on clothes you'll only wear for a few months, can go out there and get some comfy clothes for that cute expanding belly!! Until next week...happy thrifting!

*Note from Caroline: How absolutely adorable is Jenn's tiny baby bump?! 

A HUGE congratulations to Jenn on her pregnancy! 

She is an amazing Mom and I'm so happy she is blessed with another little bun in the oven. I'm crossing my fingers for a girl, Jenn! :) 

I can already see you having so much fun dressing up a little girl!

Thrifting Thursday with Jenn

Is the rest of your family feeling kind of left out into week 3 of your thrifting? Well worry not! This week we are doing family finds!! You have to make sure you find stuff for the Fam at fantastic prices! 
    Kyle made out like a bandit this week ( I have to spend some "research" on him so he feels better about all of my "research" I do for myself. ;) 
    Lighthouse had a half off sale on all of their red tagged items. Kyle got so many things. There is too many to even name them all! All of these were $1.50 or under! Men's items are usually very worn at thrift stores. However, I found the men's thrifting gold mine the other day!! 

   The best finds were a pair of Tommy Hilfiger pants, & a pair of Banana Republic khakis for $3 each. 

  He also got 2 brand new pair of Levi's for $3 each!

   I can't leave the kiddos out! I even grabbed Ben a bunch of deals this week!! I got him some never worn brown shoes for $3! (he was feeling kind of left out of the thrifting spoils.) I found a thrift spot that was 50% off the ENTIRE store near my house. This became "finding deals for Ben day".
   I found him an entire Easter outfit 
for under $9!! The pants are Baby Gap (practically brand new), the vest is from The Childrens Place, the shirt is Cherokee & the shoes weren't even worn!! He is going to be one stylish kid on Easter!

    I also found a Brobee shirt for $1 (most of y'all mommas know who this is. It's Ben's FAVORITE show, Yo Gabba Gabba :).  

    He got several other shirts that were either brand new or barely used for $1 or less! 

   Ben also has some bottoms to wear with those fabulous shirts!! Scored all of these savy steals for $1 or less as well!

   I also nabbed Ben 2 pairs of pants for $1.50 each.
  

   Did you think I wasn't going to post my own foxy finds this week?? I grabbed this brand new dress for $5!! It feels so soft and comfy, but still stylish :)

   I thought I'd throw this little gem in there for some giggles! I found my Halloween costume ( I know, I know, it's 8 months early. In the thrifting world, if you don't grab it today, someone else will tomorrow!). I am going to be Blanche Deboreaux from The Golden Girls! I got my dress for $5 and shoes for $2! So far only a mere $7 for the best Halloween costume ever!
 

   Until next week my totally terrific thrifting buddies! Get out there and shop til you drop & score those delectable deals!!!

Thrifting Thursday with Jenn

How was everyone's week? Did you run out and score some super savy thrifting deals? I was so busy this week doing "research" for the blog! I am so excited for the deals I found. I may just use several exclamation points!! 

     It was the week of the shoes. Everywhere I went, I found amazing  shoes.   My favorite pair (might I add, they were a PERFECT fit. Almost as if they were made for my size 7&1/2 feet) an UH-dorable pair of round, close toe wedges. They are red with white polka dots and a cutsie wootsie bow on top. These were brand new, complete with the original box!  I snagged these saucy sandals for a mere $5.90! (you see why I am going to be using several exclamation points?!?)  

    Next up, some gorgeous yellow, vintage-esque sling backs! These are practically brand new! (I am very into yellow lately) I nabbed these beauties for a mere $5! These are perfect to add a pop of color to any outfit. Add a nice yellow flower ring and you will be looking stylish, sassy, & so cute!

     Gianni Bini red flats for $4.99?? Yes please! I couldn't leave these Gems behind at Lighthouse. 

     I saw these gold glitter sparkly sandals at Target on clearance for $5.98 and knew a special little boy in heaven that probably would have given me a stern talking to if I didn't pick these little darlings up. These can be worn with a gold necklace (I wear my gold flower with faux diamond necklace & my airplane earrings I scored at Bealls Outlet for $1.) 

       Wanna look fabulous on that date you've got coming up? These red pumps will make you all that and a bag of chips! (I thought I'd bring some middle school slang back) I got these for $6! 

    Don't worry! I know you are wondering "these shoes are great, but where are all of the clothes to wear with the awesome shoes??" Fret not my friends, down below are my deals of the week, which will be focused on clothes. 

This cute little outfit was $9 total! (Yes, from my head to my toes, $9 bucks!) 

I saw this yellow skirt and HAD to nab it. It was $4 & the shirt was $.50! (shoes and sweater were existing pieces)

This outstanding orange dress? Only $2!!!

Normally I wouldn't dare post a picture of myself in a bathing suit, however, I had to share this $3 deal with y'all! (the top was $1 & bottoms were $2)

Can I just say I love this outfit? The pants I got at Old Navy on clearance for $10, the shirt was $1, the shoes were existing (I bought them at Payless on clearance last year for around $4) & the belt was $1. 

See how much "research" I did? Any day is a great day for thrifting! Get out there & do some research of your own!! See y'all next week!

Introducing...Thrifting Thursdays with Jenn!

    

    I am best known as "MAMAAA", "Mommy", "Honey", or "Baby", 

but you can call me Jenn :)

    I am a Mother & avid Thrifter. 

You may wonder how all of this super savvy shopping began...

Almost 4 months ago, my family was in a horrific car accident on our way to Disney to celebrate my almost 7 year olds birthday. It was the worst day of my life; we lost my 7 year old in the accident. I am still (and probably always will be) grieving and missing him with all of my being. After all of this happened I decided that you only get one life, and I was going to lose the extra weight I packed on over the years. Because I was dropping sizes so quickly I didn't want to spend a lot of money on clothes from the mall. I stumbled upon Salvation Army and their “Half-Off Everything Wednesdays”. After just one trip...I was hooked! Thus, my Thrifting was born!

     I am VERY pleased to tell y'all that Thursday has become "Thrifting Thursday" on Cold Hands Warm Heart Crafts Blog! Now you too can become a Totally Terrific Thrifter! I am so excited to share my finds and different tricks with everyone. Thrifting is great for anyone! If you are on a budget and want to update your wardrobe, losing weight and don't want to pay retail prices, are addicted to finding great deals, you need a hobby, or any reason that you can think of (i.e. “I cleaned the house, so now I get to go Thrifting”).

       I don't just go to Thrift stores; I go to every store I can think of. When I go to a retail store I always head to the Clearance rack first. You can find some great items in the Clearance rack! Because not everyone likes to scour through other peoples old clothes (different strokes for different folks, right?), I will also be putting my "retail finds" in my posts too, just to give everyone some options.

    The key to thrifting? Patience! You have to look slowly through the racks or you are going to go right past that amazing cardigan for $1. Try going to multiple Thrift stores, don't just go to a big chain like Goodwill. Some private thrift stores offer 50% off a certain color tag each week. To start, search online for all of the Thrift stores in your area; pick the ones that are close to you to start. Start small; don't feel like you have to spend 8 hours Thrifting a day. Go to one store at a time, spend an hour or so and see what you can find.

   Some of you may ask what do you do with Ben (my adorable cutie patootie son who is nearly 18 months old)? Well, since I am a SAHM (Stay at home Mom) he comes with me! I pack plenty of snacks and bring his stroller. I try to plan Thrifting around his naptime so he sleeps in his stroller while I'm scavenging the racks in search of a super score. Just find out what works for you!

   What is my wardrobe like? It's very eclectic to say the least. I pick things that I see and instantly love. When I bring a piece home, I put outfits together (including new and old pieces I already had in my existing wardrobe). My philosophy: If you like it, wear it. If I've learned anything, it's that you need to march to the beat of your own drum. I learned that from Ethan (My son that passed away). He used to wear a feather in his hair, skinny jeans, and graphic T-shirts. He was awesome and didn't care what anyone thought. He did what he loved and loved what he did. Everyday I strive to be more like my hero and idol, Ethan.

    OK! Let's get to the part what you have been waiting very patiently for, the DEALS!

Don't worry, I'm not going to throw you in the deep end of the thrifting pool without knowing how to swim! This week will be all about finding pieces that you scored on your thrifting ventures and mixing them in with the existing pieces that you have.  Even if you go thrifting and find only a couple pieces, you'll be able to match them up with your existing clothes. After you become affluent in the art of thrifting, you can put entire outfits together in one thrifting venture.

 This first ensemble combines retail savvy deals, existing clothing pieces, and fabulous thrifting finds. We will start at the tippy toes and work our way up: 

     For my shoes, I am wearing a nude wedge that I found at Sears about 2 years ago. You might have some cute old wedges in your closet that you haven't worn in years because you stick to your flip-flops; whip those heels out, girl! Every day is a reason to get dressed up! 

     Let's move on up...the skinny jeans I already owned. The shirt I scored at Salvation Army last week on “Half-Off Wednesday” for $.50! The necklace is a natural colored bead necklace that match the nude wedges, also for $.50 at Lighthouse Thrift Stores. The earrings (which are a bold yellow that is popping up everywhere) were $.50 at Lighthouse Thrift Stores. The yellow flower ring was a retail find at Bealls department store (this deal is for my “non-thrifters”) for 50% off ($7.50). My sweater was also a retail find; it was 50% off at JcPenny's (which made it only $15.00. It was just so cute that if I would have left it at the store it would have gotten lonely). The cute and adorable smile? Priceless! 

    Are you ready to throw your hair in a ponytail, lace up those dusty sneakers, and get ready to run a thrift store marathon yet? Don't go filling your water bottle and putting on your sweatband just yet... At the bottom of this column are some of my retail and thrifting finds of the week! After you look at those, feel free to get the "Walkman" cranked up with some blaring 80's music & take a 'Journey' to the nearest thrift store and 'Don't Stop Believin' that you'll find those great deals! (I crack myself up)