This is my hobby.

Thrifting into the Holidays

It’s hard to believe the holidays are nearly upon us. After October it’s basically Christmas, so buckle up, folks.

One of the challenging things about being a mama is that holiday gifting for the kids, family friends and extended fam usually falls on your shoulders.

Baby girl and I stopped by A Timeless Treasure in Northwood to start our holiday gift hunting. This store has treasures in every nook and cranny and also sets up a booth at the Lake Park Rust Market!

My husband is in charge of arranging with Santa the big gift each kid will get, but there’s still stockings to fill and smaller presents to find — all while attempting to maintain some semblance of a budget and keep the spending even among all kiddos.

There’s also sharing gift ideas with extended family — you have to keep straight what you’re getting the kids vs. what you recommend the family gets for them.

*Parents, take note:* Last year, my genius idea was creating a Pinterest board for each kid and sending out links! It worked great.

We scored several perfect, vintage gifts at this shop! And, naturally, a few things for ourselves as well. 😏

Lucky for this mama, I love gifting and shopping, so sourcing holiday gifts is mostly fun.

It’s going to be even more fun this year because I was inspired by an influencer I follow, Margo Roth, to gift thrifted baskets.

The Goodwill by my house always has a variety of cute baskets to choose from, so I’m collecting them and filling them with thrifted items that remind me of the people in my life.

Baby girl’s favorite thing about the shop.

I can’t emphasize how primo (often brand new) the items I find in the shops are. I’ve already started collecting and will eventually share the details on each basket I make.

Gifting this way gives me an excuse to be in the shops even more than usual (twist my arm), and also allows me to share about my obsession with thrifting and its benefits with my people.

It’s been so much fun searching for things that are personalized — can’t wait to share what I’ve found with you soon!

Last week’s thrifted ‘fits & treasures round-up:

>> VIDEO THRIFT HAUL HERE <<

Sterling silver shell necklace from Jupiter Medical Thrift

Shorts and shoes from Goodwill West Palm Beach

BCBG heels – BRAND NEW, $9.99! – found at Goodwill West Palm Beach. Perfect for holiday outfits.

Goodies found at A Timeless Treasure in Northwood.

Can’t wait to layer this shell necklace with others.

Not thrifted, but a pretty poolside moment this weekend – love the light and how beautiful this thriving Crown of Thorns is!

Thrifting in Denver

I stayed in Denver for two nights last week for work and, though my schedule was packed, you know I had to squeeze in some thrifting time.

Maybe my new thing is visiting a Goodwill in every city I visit?

Thrifted conference attire – I got this jacket at the Rust Market in Lake Park, Brand – Love Sam

I was staying downtown, so I typed in Google maps “Thrift Store Near Me,” and a Goodwill popped up 2 miles away.

Conference sessions didn’t end til 6:30 pm but that wasn’t a problem – this Goodwill stayed open til 9!

I pulled on my sneakers and walked over to the largest and most organized Goodwill I’ve ever been in (the walk was also a great way to see the city at night — sorry, mom).

Threw on this sweater for my walk – The Drop, Source: thrifted and gifted from a friend.

First of all, look at this place.

All the clothes were organized by type, color, and size (!!!!) and the shoes had sticker sizes on each pair.

There were two levels and the first floor had a little bookstore section at the back!

Shook.

I only had about an hour to shop, but by now you know that ain’t a problem for me.

I’m like that classic story of The Princess and the Pea when it comes to sniffing out a cute top — I can just feel it in the piles of stuff.

I spent $55 and came away with a pretty good haul:

Almost left the picture frame but decided I could safely transport it in my backpack.

I only brought a backpack and a small carry on, so I had to be judicious in my selections.

Here are items I was sad to leave behind:

I wanted this so badly for baby girl! Imagine collecting thrifted minis for this.

Love a tiny chair! So sad to leave this!! There was also a pine chest I didn’t snag a photo of that would be perfect as a coffee table – they were selling it for $29!

Several Denver natives told me the truly good thrifting is in Boulder.

I’ll be back, Colorado!

Last week’s thrifted ‘fits:

Baby girl and I both wearing dresses thrifted from Goodwill West Palm Beach. Mine is Universal Threads.

Clearly was having a moment with this belt last week. 😜 Dress thrifted and gifted from a friend.

Ring from West Palm Beach Antiques Festival

Baby girl’s shorts and shoes from Goodwill West Palm Beach

Janie & Jack Swimsuit from Goodwill West Palm Beach

Cat Toys Be Gone

A special thing about my home and decor is that I have a lot of items that friends have gifted to me.

One of those items is a gorgeous pine cabinet that sits in our dining area. For years, it has held my boys’ library books and…cat toys.

Yes, all those drawers had cat stuff in them. Why? Because until recently, our cat Gloria was the most spoiled girl in the house.

One of my husband Vince’s love languages is gift giving, and all the girlies in his life benefit from it, the cat being no exception.

It’s unclear whether Gloria thinks Vince is her boyfriend or father, but either way, he belongs to her and up until my daughter was born, she was in charge.

Now that our (very bossy and commanding) little girl is here, Gloria has settled into her rightful place in the pecking order, but the cabinets have remained full of toys that she’s honestly too chunky to play with. The girl gets winded after 2 minutes with a squeaky mouse, God bless her.

So, it was time to repurpose the cabinet and fill the drawers with items more appropriate for the dining area.

I’m now proud to share that I’ve organized our napkins, place mats, table cloths, napkin rings, and taper candles in the cabinet – such easy access and so satisfying!

These are actually the only drawers in my house that are organized.

I’m doing great.

Last week’s thrifted ‘fits & treasures round-up:

Plant pot, leather western-style belt, shell wall decor, Source: Community Thrift Store West Palm Beach

Ralph Lauren Button-up, Source: The Coastal Consignment Boutique

Purse – Dooney & Bourke, Source: Goodwill

Top – Eileen Fisher, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach, Pants – gifted from a friend

Tory Burch Pumps, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

Dress – Printfresh, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

Dress – Universal Thread, Source: Goodwill, West Palm Beach

Minnie Mouse purse and Ty unicorn backpack, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

Doll highchair in the background also from Goodwill West Palm Beach

We bought these fairy wings at Community Thrift Store West Palm Beach, and realized when we got home that there were no straps for Elaine to wear them so now they are wall decor.

I found a basket just like this at a different Goodwill in West Palm Beach years ago! Vince uses it under his desk as a trashcan. Cool to find another one.

Another basket from Goodwill West Palm Palm Beach

Pretty bowl for holding shells, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

Fall napkins for an upcoming party and cute taper candles, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

Pretty dish that we’ll use as a plant tray, Source: The Community Thrift Store West Palm Beach

Floral stone dinner plates, set of 8 (!!), Source: The Community Thrift Store West Palm Beach

Picturing this on a beachy vacation, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

Tunic – BCBG Maxazria, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

Picnic basket, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

Earrings (each pair less than $3!), Source: Community Thrift Store West Palm Beach

Top – , Skirt – UNIQLO, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

Thrifted Gifting

Our daughter is besties with the little girl who lives across the street, and any time our families get together, the kids run around and scream and the parents drink wine.

So, inevitably, wine glasses break. When my neighbor had a birthday recently, I decided to go in search of a nice set of wine glasses — fellow thrifters will know that it’s hard to find 6 or 8 matching glasses, much less quality ones.

I don’t want this to jinx me or anything, but I truly feel that the thrifterverse has my back. I found six gorgeous Italian wine glasses and (bonus!) two fish-shaped stone serving dishes, glazed in a pretty blue color (wish I had taken photos).

I shined everything up, packed them in tissue paper, and gifted them.

This was the first time I’d thrifted a gift for someone who isn’t family (me, my mom, and mother-in-law all love thrifting and have a shared understanding that secondhand gifts are more than welcome).

So, I felt the need of course to disclose that I’d thrifted the items and say, “…I hope that’s not weird?”

Girly girl with her thrifted suitcase and heels. 💅🏽✨

This led me to wonder how people in general would feel about receiving a second-hand item as a gift.

I think because most people who know me understand that thrifting is *gulp* (whisper) my life, they probably wouldn’t be surprised or offended to receive a thrifted item.

It would be curated by a careful and practiced eye, of course, and cleaned prior to gifting.

Baby girl in a beautiful top found at Goodwill West Palm Beach

The more I’ve been in the shops — which has been weekly lately (coping mechanism? these times we’re in are trying) — the more I’ve thought about how important and ideal shopping secondhand is.

First of all, the stuff is FANTASTIC. I live in a place where people give away pristine, quality, high-end pieces. But also, shopping secondhand offers a way to scratch that pesky consumerist itch without breaking the bank and harming the environment.

A short list of the benefits of thrifting:

–It’s affordable (still screaming over my $60 chair/ottoman set…will be riding that high for the foreseeable future).

–It’s sustainable: Thrifting keeps usable items out of landfills and reduces demand for new manufacturing, making it one of the easiest ways to live more sustainably.

–It’s fun: I can’t fully describe the high I experience when I find a high-end item for a steal. If I could bottle it, I’d give it to you for free.

–It supports your community: I frequent charity shops that donate a percentage or all of their proceeds to a cause.

–It keeps things interesting: Thrifted finds spark creativity and give you a reason to switch things up in your wardrobe and rearrange things around your house.

I’m considering practicing mostly thrifted gifting for the holidays this year. What do you think? Would you be skeeved to receive a thrifted gift?

Last week’s thrifted ‘fits & treasures round-up:

I took my kids to Resource Depot in West Palm Beach and, let me tell you, we had a time.

We did not buy this hat, but it felt right to wear it while we sifted through shelves and bins.

We got a nice collection of things for only $22 and explored the super cool art exhibit.

Most of last week’s haul, sourced from Resource Depot and The Nearly New Thrift Shop West Palm Beach. Can you tell which items baby girl picked? 🤪

Purple dance costume, Source: Resource Depot West Palm Beach

Loved the “M,” not sure what I’ll do with it yet. Source: The Nearly New Shop West Palm Beach

Heart shaped pillow, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

Top, Jennifer & Grace, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

Seagrass wall basket, Source: The Nearly New Shop West Palm Beach

Seagrass mat, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

More Dining Room Upgrades

Since I found that amazing chair + ottoman set at Goodwill last week, I had to rearrange several chairs throughout the house, leading to more changes to the dining room.

That’s one of the fun things about thrifting — when you find new treasures, you have to make room for them, so you’re constantly reconfiguring your spaces and expressing creativity.

A chair that was up in our loft (found a few months ago at Goodwill, naturally), and a chair that I thrifted for our wedding in 2015, were relocated to the dining table to become host chairs (chairs at either end that are different in style from the rest).

Chair found at Goodwill a few months back. Pottery Barn pillow found at Furry Friends Thrift in Jupiter.

Chair thrifted in 2015 for my wedding (maybe Faith Farm?), Pillow thrifted from a vendor at the West Palm Beach Green Market several years ago.

I often see home designers set up matching host chairs, but I think this mismatched look jives with the rest of my eclectic style.

A dear childhood friend helped me source thrifted furniture then reupholster and paint them for cocktail hour vignettes at my wedding.

Last week at Goodwill, I found these wooden wall sconces (which I’ve been manifesting!!), and they’re now flanking the lattice backdrop in our dining room.

The taper candles are also from Goodwill.

I can’t wait to light these up and add more romantic lighting to our everyday dinners.

My final dining upgrade of the week are these clip-on rattan chandelier shades! This was an impulse purchase from Amazon that I’m obsessed with. It’s a subtle change that elevates the room and integrates with surrounding decor.

I chose a shape that matches our kitchen island pendant lights.

Evolving a space with thrifted treasures brings me so much joy and creates a home that feels collected and personal. You should drop into a thrift store this week to see what inspires you!

This milk glass vase is another wedding artifact that now sits on our kitchen bar! Given to me by my mom.

Last week’s thrifted ‘fits & treasures round-up:

Office Outfit! Shirt, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach, Pants, J.Crew, Source: thrifted and gifted from a friend, Necklace, handmade from repurposed items, Source: Stone Button Studio Northwood Village

The shirt detail and necklace deserve a close-up.

Gym Outfit. Choose Kindness Tee, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

Tank Top, Source: Secondhand from a friend, Skirt, UNIQLO, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

Tunic, J.Crew, Linen Pants, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

Vintage stoneware. Five dessert plates, one dinner plate, one serving plate, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

Glass Animals for Sally

I now understand why grandmas have so much stuff in their house. As I age, the compulsion to collect and display tchotchkes grows stronger and stronger.

A penchant for thrifting supports (and exacerbates) this compulsion, but I try to be measured in what I bring into my home.

I do identify as a maximalist, but I must resist hoarderdom.

I have a collection of glass yogurt jars that I pull from to fill with the new things I find.

A glass terrarium displaying some of the first shells I ever collected after moving to Florida.

I’ve shared that I collect shells, but I don’t count that against my collecting limit – there’s always room for more shells! All you need is more baskets for them (reference my previous post here).

A collection of sea glass in a hand painted jar from Stone Button Studio in Northwood, West Palm Beach, on top of a collection of my husband’s favorite childhood book series.

Last year, I decided to start collecting miniature glass animals.

I don’t particularly like animals, but I was in a Jupiter thrift store one day and found a little chicken, swan, and pig in a display case.

I was instantly reminded of Sally, a family friend who was like a grandmother to me and my sister growing up. Sally had saved all her children’s toys and would let us go wild with them when we visited.

She was the type of woman who always had her house smelling of warm cookies (quintessential grandma behavior), and though she collected beautiful things, she cultivated a space relaxed enough for little children to run and play without fear of breaking things.

On a table in her dining room, Sally displayed miniature glass animals on a little cake stand with a mirrored bottom.

I remember being mesmerized by how delicate and beautiful this display was.

It was whimsical, no doubt why I was drawn to it as a child, and beautiful, and for some reason left an impression on me that has stuck all these years.

I loved Sally, and when I saw that glass chicken, swan, and pig I just had to have them.

My mom very sweetly bought them for me — in remembrance of Sally — and now I keep my eyes peeled for glass minis when I travel and thrift.

I suppose it makes sense that we collect more as we age. Collections are tied to memories, and memories tether us to the people we love.

I found a jar full of tiny paper cranes at Goodwill a few weeks ago and couldn’t resist them. I have no idea what I’ll do with all of them (🤪), but some are now displayed in this yogurt jar on my entry table.

Last week’s thrifted ‘fits & treasures round-up:

Dress, J. Crew, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

Cardigan, J.Crew, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

This one is a true PRIZE, I’m sharing where I’ve found it online below. I paid $25 for this at The Nearly New Thrift Shop, West Palm Beach.

Earrings, Unknown, Source: City Girl Consignment

SCREAMING at this gorgeous, brand new, set that I found at Goodwill one hour before closing time. $60!!!

I also found this beautiful lamp for our bar, same trip. It had a larger white shade on it; I swapped it for this one I’ve been saving. Got two dresses and some clothes for baby girl too – will share when we wear!

The weather has been so overcast so the lighting wasn’t great for these pics, but here she is on the bar.

Baby parks here in the morning for a very important job – helping make the coffee.

Comfy blanket, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

And here’s baby girl wearing an adorable terry cloth set from Goodwill! 💕

Basket my life, baby.

Living with a lot of people means you’re also living with clutter. It just builds up — even if you’re not a maximalist like me. 😉

My solution?

BASKETS

I might have a bit of a basket problem, tbh.

I’ve embraced that at this stage in my life, toys are part of the home aesthetic. I know that one day, I’ll look around and wish there were toys on the floor, so I accept it with my whole heart. Toy Basket Source: Stone Button Studio West Palm Beach, Mini Rattan Chair Source: SoFlo Finds Delray Beach

It started with my daughter’s toys. The two baskets I got for the living room quickly overflowed, though, which actually made things look more cluttered, imo (my solution for that further down).

Baby Girl’s Shoe Basket Source: Stone Button Studio West Palm Beach

This kid has a lot of toys but it isn’t entirely her mom and dad’s fault.

When you have a baby (especially one as cute as mine 😏) people start bringing toys every time they see you or visit, it just happens!

Anyway, back to baskets.

Magazine Holder Source: The Cozy Cottage Lake Worth Beach, Basket Source: Nearly New Thrift Shop West Palm Beach

I’m married to a recovering clutter bug.

You can track his movements throughout the house based on the trail of items left on counters and floors.

Until a few weeks ago his bedside table was…atrocious.

Upon it sat a mountain of the miscellaneous: remote controls, books, snacks, cups, glasses, etc. etc. etc.

My solution was this cute lil basket! Now, instead of me worrying about putting the items back constantly, they’re thrown in here so I don’t have to look at them!

It has honestly done wonders for my peace in our room.

I basket up toys, stuffies, piles of books the toddler pulls from at will, blankets…

I found this perfect toy chest at Goodwill to better store my toddler’s plethora of toys.

Love that I can just toss things in there willy nilly and close the lid. It’s also an extra seating option, and has wheels for easy moving!

Kinda wish I could put my LIFE in a basket, ugh, sounds so cozy.

This week’s thrifted ‘fits & treasures round-up:

Top, Max Studio London, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

Dress, Ileen Girl, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

Shirt, Unknown, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach, Bag Source: Thrifted & gifted from a friend

Baby girl in an adorable matching set from Goodwill West Palm Beach

Janie & Jack Top Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

This lamp!!! Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

Here it is in its new home. I love it so much.

Woven Grass Table Mats, Source: Goodwill West Palm Beach

Had to do some rearranging to welcome in the new lamp. I think this vintage tulip lamp is better suited here anyway, it was getting lost in the plants in the old spot. Here, it will get the attention it deserves! Source: Jupiter Medical Thrift – the lamp still had the original shade, which was in rough shape, so I found this gorgeous alternative in the store same-day!

Woven mat under the lamp is from The Nearly New Thrift Shop West Palm Beach

A Modem Emergency

There’s a corner of my living room that has never been cute, right between the couch and the wall where the subwoofer sits.

In addition to hosting a big black box, the corner has collected a cat scratching post (Gloria the cat is too chunky and chill to actually use it) and a tangle of charging wires.

Prefers scratching couch in a horizontal position

I’ve had in the back of my mind that I want to do something to that space, but it became an emergency last weekend when my husband decided he needed to purchase a $600 ghastly modem for our home and it could only reside in that corner.

I am not being dramatic when I say ghastly. Look at this thing!

It’s giving alien spider.

So, you see, the sirens were wailing and something had to be done.

Thank goodness for my trusty OfferUp app – in the span of 15 minutes I’d found a gorgeous wooden screen that had grown dusty and unappreciated in some dude’s house (it was his great aunt’s, he said).

For $100, I now have a beautiful backdrop to what was once a plain wall and cluttered corner, and a screen to hide our new alien spider from the world.

Another thrifting triumph!

Last week’s thrifted ‘fits & treasures round-up:

An old favorite dress – Anthony Richards, Source: Goodwill

T-shirt – Ralph Lauren, Source: Goodwill

Wrinkly as always, Shirt – FLAX, Source: Goodwill, Glass Bead Earrings – Thrifted and gifted from my mom, Source: Stone Button Studio

Another old fave dress – C & C California, Source: Goodwill

Interrupting the usual flow to note that I celebrated my bestie’s birthday this weekend and she loves to thrift too, so after a b-day brunch, we hit the shops (match made in heaven, us two). ✨

This fab dress is not thrifted but a gift from my husband, he picked it up at a boutique in Cannes, France on a work trip. The guy knows what he’s doin.

I’ve been watching a new consignment shop come up on Dixie Hwy. on my daily drives, so I was dying to go in.

The owners are a sweet couple who grew out of their spot in Boynton Beach — welcome to the neighborhood, The Coastal Consignment Boutique!

I ended up with only one piece, but it’s a goodie!

Oversized Ralph Lauren short sleeved button up for $20. I’m picturing this with a pair of white wide-leg pants.

Of course we headed over to Goodwill next, and your girl never walks out of this store empty handed.

Pair of stone candle holders 🤌🏽 I love to have candles on the table all the time, it makes week night dinners feel cozy and fancy.

I always snag the vintage pyrex — this one is giving fall vibes!

Was drawn to this sporty number — I prefer carrying small bags. PETA + JAIN

Btw, the earrings I wore for this b-day outing are thrifted from The Church Mouse on Palm Beach Island.

Love these reversible table mats, perfect for placing hot dishes or our cast iron skillets down when serving brunch and dinner.

Eclectic Charm

The best compliment I’ve received about my decor lately is that I don’t decorate to be “on trend,” I just fill my home with things I love — whether they “go together” or not (thanks, Becky!).

Macrame Garland gifted from my mom, Source: WPB Green Market

It’s not that I don’t care about trends, I’m not that cool. I do care and pay attention to what’s current.

I’m influenced by trends all the time, but I also know I won’t ever have a consistently themed home (like cottage, bohemian, modern farmhouse, mid-century modern, etc.).

Examples of my decorating flair are the garland, mobiles, and charms I hang everywhere.

I love to adorn our plants and hang them from the ceilings and in our windows.

Indian Bird Charm, Source: Jupiter Medical Thrift

I collect my charms and garlands while thrifting and traveling, so there’s usually a story or memory attached to them.

Handmade Shell & Glass Bead Charm, Source: Stone Button Studio

Ignore the dusty leaves – this lady doesn’t like to dust!

Vintage papier-mâché Vegetable Garland, Source: The Nearly New Shop, Shell & Woven Palm Leaves Mobile gifted from my mom, Source: Mom & Co. Curaçao

Handmade Agate Charm, Source: Stone Button Studio (the very first charm I hung in the house!)

Woven Palm Leaves Bird & Fish Mobile, Source: A little cafe in Guadeloupe

Shell Charm, Source: Trinkets & Treasures Lake Worth Beach

Tassel Charms, Source: Stone Button Studio, Wooden Bird Mobile, Source: Roadside shop in Guadeloupe

Bohemian might come closest to my style – what do you think?

This week’s thrifted ‘fits & treasures round-up:

Shirt – Bella Tu, thrifted & gifted from a friend ❤️, Wooden Parrot Necklace, Source: WPB Antiques Festival (Pants aren’t thrifted but are from a vendor at the WPB Green Market!)

Vintage Glass Fruit Earrings, Source: WPB Antiques Festival

Sterling Silver Shell Earrings, Source: Stone Button Studio

Swimsuit – Tommy Bahama (reversible!), Source: Goodwill

Hand Painted Italian Serving Dish, Source: Goodwill

My PRIZE at $3 from Goodwill – gorgeous shell wreath

Terra cotta pots and boxes of taper candles, Source: Goodwill

Vintage Ice Bucket (has little “m” on top!), Source: Goodwill

Dining Details

We’ve upgraded our dining area with a bargain box store deal and thrifted find, and it’s lookin’ pretty cute 💅🏽.

We moved into our new build, cookie cutter house in 2020, and all I wanted was to thrift my lil heart out and fill each space with vintage and eclectic character.

Couldn’t do that in 2020. But we still managed to find an awesome dining table on Wayfair — the distressed wood is perfect for having kids and pets, the marks and scratches just blend in.

Our original chairs were also from Wayfair and we liked them, but they were falling apart from, well, kids and pets.

We found eight chairs that I’m pretty sure are like…event chairs?…on OfferUp for $120 and snagged them for our dining area.

I’m sure you’ve sat in a chair like this at a wedding at some point.

Six around the table + two extra for when we have guests = ideal.

The brown wood vibes with the table and our new rug, which has its own story.

My mom was exploring the Wellington Mall a few weeks back and found a huge jute rug for $99 at City Furniture.

This steal was nestled in a section where they sell marked down show room pieces.

It blends perfectly with my style – I love it!

My husband hates jute, which is rude, but I appreciate how natural and forgiving it is.

The backdrop of our dining area is a plant project/idea of my husband’s. He installed the wooden lattice and hung two pothos to create a low-maintenance living wall.