a guide to thrifting in Dallas

Hello thrifty lovelies!

2011-11-14T16:20:00.004-06:00

The beginning of the school year is always so exhausting that even thrift shopping seems like too much work. I'm going to try to get back to posting now that I'm finally settled into the year. I'll start with sharing some of the fab thrift finds that I put in our "new" dining space. Yeah, yeah... not so new anymore. We've been here a year. But my grandma's house is an ever-evolving project and

Mexico Lindo Bazaar: next on my list

2011-08-16T00:06:00.000-05:00

From nbcdfw.com: This rambling spot is always a trip and can produce as many laughs as it does good finds. What to Shop: Textiles, furniture that’s ripe for refinishing, and a wide assortment of clothing that usually yields an interesting swimsuit cover-up or bohemian top. The Details: 10724 Garland Road; store hours are Fri. – Mon. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Salvation Army... wait, really?

2011-08-15T07:58:00.002-05:00

In my efforts to create the sweetest digs possible at my new apartment, I've been scouring the Metroplex for good deals. This recently included my first-ever trips to the Genesis Benefit Store, St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, and Salvation Army Family store. Genesis: really good deals on some pretty dang nice clothes! They had a few pieces of furniture out front and some inside, with

Alston's Old Home Place

2011-07-29T15:29:00.001-05:00

I accidentally stumbled across this Garland gem while browsing through Craigslist for dining chairs. The owner posted these mid century "school chairs" that were used in Dallas Theological Seminary in the 60s and 70s. (Not a big fan of the school, but I am for SURE keeping the DTS plaques at the bottom of each chair because that is rad.) They JUST SO HAPPEN to be the

thrifted map art

2011-07-25T17:35:00.000-05:00

Maps are cool. They're meaningful. They're graphic. Here's one way you can use them. Step 1: Go thrifting for frames. Easy breezy. Frames are falling out of the sky, I think. Step 2: Go to a used bookstore (or a thrift store that has a book section) and buy an old Atlas or large travel book. I found a 2008 Atlas for $1.50 at "Thrift Shop" on Garland Rd and Peavy. It's not listed online, but

Habitat for Humanity [Restore]

2011-06-15T10:11:00.006-05:00

Cabinet Doors for a Dollar? Yes, Please!Melissa wrote in recently to remind us of the great deals that can be found at Restore, the discount home improvement store that benefits a great humanitarian organization, Habitat for Humanity:"Calling all weekend warriors. Habitat for Humanity has a great offer: $1 cabinet doors perfect for updating kitchens, baths or office cabinetry. The doors are

Goodwill Dallas has coupons?!?

2011-06-09T16:36:00.000-05:00

So apparently Goodwill Dallas has coupons that you can print out and use.....Why didnt I know about this???? I figured I would share the knowledge and put the link down below :) Enjoy!!!! http://www.goodwilldallas.org/sites/GoodwillDallas/SpecialsDetails.aspx

my thrifty summer sale blog

2011-05-24T20:11:00.001-05:00

My wee little resale business is running along smoothly. Obviously I can't sell as much or dive into as many projects as I want to while school is still going on, but it's nice experimenting a bit before summer. I decided to share the link in case any readers are interested. Merch is constantly changing, as I don't showcase sold items, but I wish I had a little list to the side with all the old

on the subject of bulk trash.

2011-05-22T13:52:00.001-05:00

Barring total and utter homelessness, rifling through the trash for food and bits of well, trash, is probably not an acceptable activity. What I am condoning, however unbecoming you may appear from passersby, is to view that time of the month (of bulk trash pick-up in your community) as a potential opportunity to get really awesome stuff. Like cool wood to use as a canvas for art. Or a retro

Writing Desk for Sale

2011-05-16T18:19:00.009-05:00

Remember this desk, my pride and joy that was featured on CasaSugar last year?Well, we are moving in two weeks, and sadly, this desk must go. If you are interested in this desk or perhaps know of someone who might be, check out my Craigslist ad and drop me a line. I'll offer ten percent off the price of the desk to anyone who mentions this blog!

POLL: What's your favorite secondhand store in Dallas?

2011-05-05T18:00:00.000-05:00

A.) We here at thriftlady would love to know if we're missing out on a great place! Yes, it's possible that we don't know every nook and cranny in the metroplex. B.) We'd also like to know the most popular, best rated thrift stores in the area so that we can compile a list for a future post. So if you have a favorite thrifting haunt (even if it's already been mentioned on this blog), please

Ahab Bowen - Dallas' Vintage Hidden Gem

2011-05-05T17:25:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of stopping into Ahab Bowen. Set in Dallas' oldest home (which is still on it's original foundation - pretty cool!) the store is located in a charming little building with a covered porch and is easily accessible off Highway 75 in Uptown Dallas. Covering a wide array of styles and eras, the store offers pristine vintage dresses, coats, skirts, shoes, boots,

Buchanan Market this weekend!

2011-05-05T10:38:00.002-05:00

This weekend in fair park is Buchanan Market! Im excited about this and it will be the first time to check it out. The website had this today: Note: The May 6&7 show is a Garage Sale with the Set Up on Friday May 6 from 8am-2pm and the Show goes from 2-7pm. Saturday May 7 the show is from 9am-5pm with breakdown after 5pm. Garage sale is ALWAYS a great word for me and I'll be out there bright

Other Thrifting Blogs

2011-05-03T14:18:00.005-05:00

Apparently, we are not the only crazy people out there . . . Check out these other thrifting blogs for more tips, inspiration and fun!Thrift and Shout!Mr. Goodwill HuntingThings I Found (at the Thrift Store)The Thrift Shop RomanticRosey Little ThingsKitschy VintageChic Modern Vintage - Another Dallas thrift store lover!Parsimonia (Secondhand with Style)Thrifted | Gifted

Dallas Observer Best Thrift Store Winner = Value World

2011-04-28T16:00:00.007-05:00

Some bigger-name thrift stores have, over time, become less and less of a place to find an actual good deal. (A dress that originally sold at Target for 20 bucks...and you want $12 for it? A hideous '80s prom dress for $34.99? Dream on.) Value World, on the other hand, continues to have good prices on clothes, shoes, books and housewares. Also, the selection tends to be better (read: less

old vanities make great computer desks

2011-04-26T18:02:00.001-05:00

My antique computer desk was the feature of a post on ApartmentTherapy's Small Cool Book, and I thought I'd share it to inspire you to think outside the box when it comes to how you use secondhand furniture to fit your needs. This desk by itself, with a traditional mirror, wouldn't have worked in my bedroom, but like the author noted at the end of the article, the juxtaposition of the antique

CitySquare Thrift Store (formerly Central Dallas Ministries Thrift Store)

2011-04-11T22:19:00.010-05:00

Thrifting world, meet CitySquare Thrift Store . . . CTS, meet the thrifting world!Okay, I know we've blogged about CitySquare Thrift in the past, but it occurred to me recently that we've never done a proper review of them. So I went down there this weekend to do just that. Also, I needed a brass tray, and Goodwill was not yielding any, but really, ya'll, my motives were primarily altruistic.

the fabbest find to date

2011-04-02T08:11:00.005-05:00

(Fabbest = most fab/fabulous. Duh.) It was 1/2 price handbag day at World of Goods Catholic Charity Resale, and I had popped in on my way to Kroger. In my dreams, the perfect purse is good quality leather, neutral in color, medium sized, rectangular, a tad slouchy, and maybe a leeetle bit of brushed gold detailing- what I call "classy bling". Immediately, the store manager informed me it was

my first auction

2011-04-01T09:16:00.001-05:00

My dad and stepmom know a guy who runs an antique auction every Friday night in east Dallas. We scoped out the scene a few weeks ago, and a WHOLE NEW WORLD was opened up to me. It was ridiculous and crowded and cut throat, but super fun. Didn't buy anything but I can definitely see myself trying next time. I mean, these are bottom line deals before stores jack up the prices to make a profit. And

Egg-cellent Easter Decorations

2011-03-26T21:41:00.013-05:00

(I am painfully aware that today's title is tasteless and cliched, but I couldn't help myself.)I love seasonal crafts. Plus, creating them with my daughter gives me major Mom points, points I hope to cash in when she's a teenager for a day without eye-rolling or fights over mini-skirts and fishnet stockings. (She is NOT wearing MY mini-skirts or fishnet stockings!) So for this year's Easter decor

Two Stores... nothing to buy

2011-03-05T18:33:00.000-06:00

I am sorry to say that my introductory thrifting post here is not to tell a successful story. But, I told myself that I would write even about the unsuccessful shopping trips so that at least I remember where not to go again. First I went to Recovery Resale located at Spring Valley and Coit in Richardson. I hate to give them a bad review since they give their profits to a good cause. So, all I

I Love You, Vintage Rose-encrusted Milkglass Chalices

2011-03-03T18:12:00.009-06:00

How could you not feel like a completely self-indulgent diva sipping out of those outrageously gorgeous wine glass/goblet/chalice thingies? I love them!I scored these at the Salvation Army (Harry Hines & Inwood) last night. On a related note, if you are a brass junkie (like me) you MUST hit up that store soon. They had some very classy (and very heavy) brass fleur de lis and elephant bookends, a

I tried it!

2011-03-01T14:56:00.002-06:00

I took Kerri's advice and tried DOT's Closet today, and what a find! First off, some of the stuff in there was new, which is always a good sign, and they really had some very nice labels represented. When a shop gets donations from that kind of clientele, you can bet you'll find something grand.I showed up hoping to find either a cardigan or a knitted item that I could refashion. I did find a

World of Goods Catholic Charity Resale

2011-02-20T09:17:00.007-06:00

Next to Kroger at Northwest Hwy and Plano Rd. Go for furniture- there's a pretty good selection that is always changing. (Psst, Fridays are furniture sale days.) The art is overpriced and the clothing is reals outdated. This is all I have to say about World of Goods.

The Week of Living Thriftily by Rod Dreher

2011-02-08T21:30:00.000-06:00

When did “thrift” become a granny word? That is, when did Americans stop thinking of thrift as a life-giving virtue worth emulating—after all, it derives from the word thrive—and start treating it as an antique concept as relevant to contemporary life as Model T Fords and Lawrence Welk?It’s hard to say for sure, but sometime around 1966 is not a bad guess. That was the last year America observed