a guide to all things vintage
Tips and tricks on how to thrift for different items, plus reviews of thrift stores in Northern California, particularly thrift stores in the Bay Area and the Central Valley.
As the patron saint of germaphobes, it’s kind of a miracle that I more or less exclusively own a secondhand wardrobe. Let’s be real: There’s kind of an ick factor with thrifting clothes. But we’re only humans—we eat, we excrete, we get things dirty. While I skip pieces with obvious stains at the thrift store, … Read more
Throughout my thrifty adventures over the years, there’s been one sweater material that I’ve actively avoided: wool. It’s scratchy, it’s hot, and it’s notoriously difficult to take care of. But I also hate how stretched out and odor-trapping acrylic sweaters get, so my go-to layers for sweater weather have always been cotton knits and crewnecks. … Read more
As an avid trinket collector, I adore stocking stuffers. I also have a difficult time buying just one thing for each person on my Christmas list, so I love the idea of gifting multiple presents in a cute giant gift sock (which you can very easily find at thrift stores this time of year, FYI). … Read more
I love thrifting for clothes during the fall and winter — even though winters aren’t terribly cold where I live, the creative possibilities open up for layering and styling when there’s even the slightest chill in the air. And only at the thrift store can I find pieces that are affordable, stylish, and high-quality. What … Read more
Hi friends – here’s a quickie blog since I’ve been feeling a little achy and groggy this past week. Last weekend, I stopped by the Great Valley Bookfest for about an hour and lugged home a bunch of goodies. I thought I’d share this little adventure since it fits right in with my blog’s thrifty … Read more
Of the frivolous vintage wares that I love to collect, trinket boxes have made it all the way to the very top of my list of favorite thrifted finds. Like gorgeous dresses with pockets, they’re as beautiful as they are functional. Featuring ornate embellishments and hand-painted motifs, they also serve a decorative purpose as they … Read more
When I first started avidly thrifting in college, I mostly paid attention to clothes. This singular focus continued throughout my mid-20s. Clothes, I figured, I could resell or donate again, but thrifting home decor like sentimental trinkets and kitchenware felt more permanent, like I was settling into place. For the first few years that I … Read more
While I’ve never really identified as a hat person, I’ve taken to hats this year, incorporating them into outfits beyond my backyard gardening getups. Throughout this past summer, I alternated between a navy Cal cap and a bow-embellished straw hat to keep cool beneath the oppressive San Joaquin Valley summer sun. With time, I grew … Read more
Do you feel extra pinched for money these days? I almost wept while picking up a carton of eggs at Save Mart the other day. The inflation struggle is real, and even thrift store treasures can cost a pretty penny if you don’t know how to score the best deals. I’ve cut back a bit … Read more
Beyond the thrill of a great deal, there’s a lot to love about thrifting. Of course, there’s the fact that buying secondhand leaves a smaller carbon footprint. For me, personally, I love the idea that a vintage item at the thrift store had an entire life of its own before I crossed paths with it. … Read more
