vintage finds – This is my hobby.

The Day Vince Gave Goodwill a Chance — and Immediately Regretted it.

One of my proudest accomplishments in life has been converting my husband to thrifthood.

Vince is known for his bougie nature and has historically paid full-price for brand new items, but over our 13 years together, I’ve whittled away at his resolve and he is now willing to visit thrift stores with me.

He actually shops quite well and finds treasures!

Wearing a v expensive, non thrifted shirt. To be fair, it was a gift from me. 😉

Try as he might to embrace my lifestyle as his own, though, he has always struggled with the Goodwills, friends.

Perhaps it’s the general odor, the flavorful clientele, or the fluorescent lighting. Whatever the reason, he tends to avoid a Goodwill trip.

I did, however, drag him into a Goodwill in Wellington on our way home from lunch with his aunt recently, and I want so badly to tell you the visit changed everything and he’s now super comfy with my favorite store.

Though he did find and purchase several pieces without my guidance or prompting, this trip only solidified his prejudices toward my precious GW.

*le sigh*

Unfortunately, friends, the spicy patrons of this particular Goodwill were wild and ready the fateful Saturday I dragged Vince in.

We actually *almost* made it to the check out line when the incident occurred.

As we stood taking inventory of our cart near the dressing rooms/making final decisions on things we’d keep, we began to hear a low gasping sound.

That gasping, which was coming from a dressing room stall, turned into loud wailing interrupted by bouts of what sounded like retching.

I wondered if we should grab an employee to assist!

My eyes, the size of dinner plates, looked into Vince’s unmoved and unsurprised face.

“We’ve officially outstayed our welcome,” he said. “This is why I don’t come to these places.”

Oooof! Goodwill!!!! We were so close!!!

Turns out, the person in the dressing room was a middle-aged man who was not ill or injured — he just thought it would be funny to scream like a woman in distress.

He was chastised by the staff and Vince escorted me to the car, never to return to this store again.

In a happy twist, Vince did accompany to my friendly neighborhood Goodwill last weekend. Thrift haul coming soon!

Last week’s thrifted ‘fits:

Secondhand necklace from a nonprofit show room (my toddler broke it later that day)

Top from Goodwill West Palm Beach, Skirt passed on from a friend

Easter Table Details

I hosted an Easter lunch for my family and friends and naturally covered my dining table in thrifted springtime goodness.

I love layering fabrics and patterns on a tablescape.

I pulled out a gorgeous embroidered tablecloth I found at Goodwill for only $7 — it’s a bit small for the table, but I layered it overtop a larger white table cloth to make it work.

I also pulled out an embroidered tea towel (placed under the water bottle) and cross stitched napkin (placed under the bird house centerpiece) sourced from The Nearly New Shop in West Palm Beach.

I purchased the birdhouse from the Dollar Store last year.

The floral stoneware dinner plates were found at Community Thrift Store in West Palm Beach and the salad plates are from The Cozy Cottage in Lake Worth Beach.

All of my candlestick holders are secondhand, and I used my recently found Fitz & Floyd shell plate (Goodwill) as a bunny candle holder.

Never not obsessed with this wall sconces found at Goodwill.

One of my best non-thrifted recent purchases is the six foot fold-out table I got at Costco. I don’t know how I went so long without one.

Now that Elaine is old enough to have a little social life/have her friends over, it makes the perfect kids’ table for special occasions.

I covered the Easter kids’ table in Dollar Store finds — don’t sleep on the Dollar Store!

I’m always going to advocate for shopping secondhand, but for party purposes, the Dollar Store always has a top-notch collection of themed decor.

I snagged a tulip print tablecloth, matching paper napkins, and paper plates with a pink gingham pattern for the kiddos.

I ended up using the paper napkins for the grown ups too!

I also sourced all my Easter basket goodies from the Dollar Store, including egg decorating kits and little craft activities for Elaine.

I hope this inspires you to shop secondhand for your next special occasion!

The embroidered tablecloth is my favorite Easter tablescape feature — which is yours?

Last Week’s Thrifted ‘Fits

Anthropologie skirt from Goodwill West Palm Beach

Strappy heels thrifted from a local nonprofit showroom

Button up from Goodwill Denver, Tote from Goodwill West Palm Beach

Cole Haan pumps from Goodwill West Palm Beach

Always Follow the Garage Sale Sign

A typical Saturday morning routine in the Moss house includes a stop by Dixie Hwy Donuts for an apple fritter the size of your head and half-a-dozen assorted treats.

I was assigned the task of pick-up last Saturday, and after securing the package, was dutifully driving back home when a bright green garage sale sign caught my eye.

I can’t go, I thought to myself. The donuts might melt in the car and my family is hungry.

But…I could just swing by for a few minutes. Pop around a bit and then head home — yeah!

My poor, sweet family.

No regrets, though, obviously (at least for me). I pulled up to the best garage sale I’ve seen in recent memory and left with several treasures:

Can you believe I snagged this gorgeous needlepoint art for $10?!

I love this so much! Instantly hung in our living room.

Another vintage needlepoint for $10. This one is for Elaine’s bedroom. It reminds me of our carousel rides at the Palm Beach Zoo and on cruises we take.

I found this vintage rattan lampshade and placed it on our bar lamp, which I sourced from Goodwill last year.

Y’all know how I feel about shells. This statement necklace is quite a statement indeed and I can’t wait to style it with an outfit.

Another fun necklace with a pressed flower pendant.

Garage sales are always fun to visit but let’s be honest, they’re usually full of junk.

This sale was truly impeccable, so I had to chat up the seller to find out how she curated so many beautiful things and was not surprised to learn that she used to own a boutique in Northwood.

We exchanged numbers and she’s going to hit me up the next time she has a sale — hell yeah!

In closing: the donuts didn’t melt, everybody at home forgave me for the detour, and I had my apple fritter and ate it too. 😉

Last week’s thrifted ‘fits:

Comfy dress from Goodwill West Palm Beach

Sadly, the sleeve of this dress ripped, so this was my last wearing of it — found at Goodwill West Palm Beach

Dress and bag from Goodwill West Palm Beach. Vintage chintz charm necklace by Sarah Bray Bermuda.

This massive shell ring isn’t thrifted but I’m obsessed with it — found it in Gaudeloupe.

Top and Bag from Goodwill West Palm Beach. Pants thrifted and gifted from a friend.

Love this vintage vase pendant that I found at a Trashe Vintage rummage sale. My pink ring is from the West Palm Beach Antiques Festival.

Last Weekend’s Goodwill Haul

I popped into Goodwill last weekend after a brief hiatus, so I’m sharing my haul with you (never mind the wrinkled jeans – never ironing anything is my toxic trait):

I love a good button up and couldn’t pass up this long, lightweight one — picturing it with linen shorts for our spring break cruise next week. $7.99

As soon as I felt this jacket, I knew it was high quality, and I always love an embroidered detail. $7.99

Here’s what it’s priced at online:

I’m picturing this silky House of Harlow top with black slacks for work. $6.99

I found this cute basket to add to my collection:

I almost didn’t get this little plate because it has some damage, but I flipped it over to see that it’s vintage Fitz & Floyd. You know I love a shell moment!

This hand painted wooden picture frame is absolutely adorable. I’m thinking of adding this to my gift stash and giving it to someone for a birthday or special occasion.

Elaine’s room has a thrifted toy bakery stand, and I’ve thrifted toy fruits, veggies, breads, etc. for her to play with. I’ve also thrifted vintage straw baskets to hold all her produce (photos of Elaine’s room here).

I found these gorgeous baskets to add to her play area:

I’ve been wanting a new travel backpack that is cute enough to wear all day during vacation outings (I always haul wet wipes, a change of clothes, etc. for Elaine).

The thrifterverse provided: My best find this Goodwill haul was a brand new Vera Bradley travel backpack — and inside was a matching purse! I paid $20, which is a bit more than I usually like to spend on a thrifted item, but it’s totally worth it.

I thought these chairs were adorable, but I don’t have a need for them, so they stayed at the store. The embroidered detail is so sweet — with a good scrubbing, they’d look great.

Last week’s thrifted ‘fits:

A fave comfy dress from Goodwill West Palm Beach

J.Jill Linen Dress from Goodwill West Palm Beach

Baskets for a Better Life

My husband is the type of person who likes things in extremes.

For example, if he finds a pair of shorts he likes, he gets them in every color.

He’s really into baseball caps, so we have a plethora. He buys them everywhere we go.

Right now, he’s having a major sunglasses moment.

He discovered that for about $40, he can get an entire box full of sunglasses on Alibaba.

I don’t know anything about this site and am not endorsing it — y’all know I’m a thrifter/secondhand champion, so this sunglasses-in-bulk business is not my vibe.

I prefer to source cheap sunglasses from Goodwill.

We are aligned, however, in the general concept of cheap sunglasses for him, because he’s lost several expensive pairs, including on airplanes and in the ocean.

When the sunglasses box arrived, I immediately knew I was in danger.

With each pair Vince tried on, the previous was tossed to the side, and my kitchen counter was soon covered in sunnies.

A future flashed before me that was full of sunglasses — surfaces throughout my home covered in them — all the same pair in different colors.

The horror.

BASKETS TO THE RESCUE.

I’ve thrifted two baskets from Goodwill that are now full of sunnies.

These baskets are keeping me calm.

These baskets are keeping me sane.

These baskets are good for my marriage.

: a poem.

I recommend baskets for a better life.

A lil Collecty

The older I get, the more collecty I get.

As a younger person, I didn’t collect anything and didn’t really see the point. It didn’t seem like a practical thing to do.

Now that I’ve settled into a family home, I like having more stuff around me and genuinely enjoy staring at my shelves and walls full of collected things.

I’m sure there’s science behind the benefits of just….staring in this overstimulating world.

Lately, I’ve been collecting home design books.

Owning this type of collection serves two purposes — it’s easy and fun to style shelves and surfaces with books, and I glean lots of inspo from the pages.

I love cracking one open on a Saturday morning with a cup of coffee after a busy week.

I’ve also started collecting pins.

I thrifted this old Dooney & Bourke canvas purse from Goodwill years ago, and have given it new life by sticking vintage pins on it that I’ve found while thrifting.

I love the shape and size of this purse, but it has some imperfections (stains on the leather). Adding the pins has gussied this old girl up!

I recently purchased a Lands End canvas tote for beach and travel, so now I have even more real estate for pin collecting.

Accessorizing bags, hats, and sweaters with pins is adorable! Why wasn’t I doing this before?!

Old collecty me is all about it.

Last week’s thrifted ‘fits:

Top from The Nearly New Shop West Palm Beach

Button Up and Linen Pants from Goodwill West Palm Beach

Mom’s entire outfit is Goodwill West Palm Beach – Top, Skirt, Sandals, and Bag

Top and Bag from Goodwill West Palm Beach

Cardigan from my Swap Brunch Party, Pants passed down from a friend, Tote from Goodwill West Palm Beach

The One Item I Don’t Thrift

One clothing item I rarely thrift is denim.

I’ve found a pair or two of jeans in Goodwill over the years, but I don’t usually peruse the pants section, mostly because I don’t like trying things on in the store.

I thrifted these Madewell jeans last year…the only denim thrift purchase I’ve made in years!

At this point in my life, I can eyeball a piece of clothing and tell whether it will fit me well, so I can usually avoid a Goodwill dressing room.

Nobody cherishes going into a Goodwill dressing room.

People doo doo in there sometimes.

Pants are one of those items you have to try on, even if you know your body type and sizing super well, because fits vary dramatically depending on the brand and cut of the pant.

It has taken me years, but I’ve finally found the denim brand that works best for my body — Madewell.

My size is consistent in all their styles, so I can easily wait for a sale and order online — no try ons necessary.

I’ll be a high waist pant girlie til the day I die, and Madewell does it perfectly. Their high waist hits me just right, doesn’t cut off circulation to my cooch, and flattens my fupa quite nicely. Plus, all denim cuts I’ve experienced cradle my butt cheeks respectfully.

I haven’t found another jean as flattering! (but if you have a go-to brand, let me know – I’m always down to explore)

Here are my fave styles of late:

I just purchased these for $50 — The Curvy Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jean

I love that wide leg jeans are having a moment. These are incredibly comfy.

I’ve been wearing these non-stop this winter, and was influenced by a friend to purchase them — Flared Wide-Leg Crop Jeans

A super dark wash that feels classy/easy to dress up — The Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jean in Airy Denim

I’m good on denim at the moment, but if I were in the market for more, I’d be eyeing:

The Cleo Straight Jean

Love a white pant.

The Emmy Wide-Leg Jean

Into these pockets.

What’s your favorite denim brand?

Last week’s thrifted ‘fits:

>> Goodwill thrift haul reel on my Instagram profile!

Sweater from Goodwill West Palm Beach; also wearing my new $50 Madewell jeans!

Sweatshirt from Goodwill West Palm Beach

Express shirt and vintage jacket from Goodwill West Palm Beach

Mom found a pair of chucks – a nostalgic purchase! When she got her first job at 14 she saved up to buy a pair.

Mom in a gorgeous dress found at Goodwill West Palm Beach

Things I left at Goodwill:

This dress looked so pretty, but I’m cutting myself off on dresses for now.

Trashé for Moi, please.

Palm Beach County’s thrift community is made up of the best, most generous and creative people.

As an avid thrift shopper, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know several local shop owners, and I’ve come to discover that folks who curate and collect have the warmest hearts. It’s just a tried and true combo.

I’ve known the owner of Trashé Vintage, Heidi, for many years. Our sons were elementary school friends, and when Heidi and I first met, her store was called Stitches and Rust.

Her eye for curation is impeccable, and her prices have always been within reach for the average shopper. The style of her shop has evolved over the years, which I think is a reflection of her own evolution as a person — a very cool thing.

Heidi hosted a community-wide rummage sale in the parking lot of her shop over the weekend and it was fun to see that, much like her artfully collected shop, she’s curated a community of people who love shopping secondhand, eating tacos, and singing karaoke in the middle of the day.

The Cozy Cottage table had items exclusively $5 and under

Mom snagged a free pair of sandals from the clothing swap section.

Baby chose her own outfit for the outing — head to toe black was an aggressive but respectable choice.

The rummage sale prices were insanely good. I spent $15 and came away with an awesome haul.

I also got to catch up with Denise, owner of The Cozy Cottage in Lake Worth Beach, who gave me a bag of clothes she’d collected that reminded her of me.

See what I mean about this awesome thrift community?!

Here’s my rummage sale haul:

Goodies included these wreath earrings (so tempted to wear these all year round) and a little vintage vase pendant. I’m picturing this on a long chain! Love unique finds like this.

I also grabbed two pins – I’ve been adding pins to some of my purses, and have been accessorizing sweaters with them this winter.

We ended the afternoon with a trip to Goodwill. Naturally, I left with a few bags.

Thrift haul coming soon to my insta profile!

Things I left at Goodwill:

I know someone was JAZZED to snag this side table. So good!!

Last week’s thrifted ‘fits:

>> Dominica souvenir hauls on my instagram profile! <<

J.Crew sweater from Goodwill West Palm Beach

No tag sweater from Goodwill West Palm Beach

Nike windbreaker from Goodwill West Palm Beach

Sweater from Goodwill West Palm Beach, J.Jill linen button up from Goodwill Denver, Pin from Trashe Vintage’s Rummage Sale

Linnette bag from Goodwill West Palm Beach

Treasure and Bond Boots from Goodwill West Palm Beach

A Thrifted Christmas Table

This year, our boys were out of town for Christmas, so Vince and I hosted a small Christmas dinner with just baby girl and our moms.

I’ve been collecting items for my Christmas tablescape for several months and am sharing here all the details of my completely thrifted, gifted and secondhand Christmas table:

-White Dinner Plates – Goodwill West Palm Beach
-Green Cloth Napkins – The Nearly New Shop West Palm Beach
-Napkin Rings – Thrifted and gifted from a friend
-Silverware – Wedding Gifts
-Milk Glass Goblets – Passed down from my mom
-Candle with Glass Christmas Tree Charm – Goodwill West Palm Beach

-Taper Candles – Thrifted from Goodwill West Palm Beach or gifted
-Crystal Candle Holders – Wedding Gifts
-Table Runner – Goodwill West Palm Beach

The table runner originally had tassels on either end, but they fell off after I ran it through the washing machine, so I tied ornaments on either end to replace them! The vintage wreath ornaments were sourced from The Nearly New Shop West Palm Beach.

-Brass Candle Holders – Passed down from my mom
-Small White & Green China Candleholders – Goodwill West Palm Beach
-Glass Christmas Tree Votive Holder – Passed down from my mom
-Christmas Holly Candle Holder – Goodwill West Palm Beach
-Cake Stand – Garage sale find
-Wooden Nativity People – The Cozy Cottage Lake Worth Beach

Now that all my Christmas gifts have gone out, I’ll also be sharing details on most of the items I thrifted for friends and family this year — stay tuned!

I hope you had a cozy Christmas full of warmth and love, friends.

—

Last week’s thrifted ‘fits and treasures:

>> Mom and I visited the Rust Market in Lake Park for last minute Christmas shopping – reel on my Instagram profile! <<

Sweater and MANGO tote from Goodwill West Palm Beach

Ring from A Timeless Treasure West Palm Beach

Sweater from Goodwill West Palm Beach; Madewell Jeans from Goodwill Boutique in Boca Raton

Hightop chucks from Goodwill West Palm Beach

J. Peterman jumpsuit and leather belt from Goodwill West Palm Beach

Anthropologie skirt from Goodwill West Palm Beach; Amazing necklace made of vintage fabric, charms, and shells sourced from thrift and estate sale trips made by Sarah Bray Bermuda

A closer look at my stunning Sarah Bray Bermuda necklace!

Baby girl’s dress from Goodwill West Palm Beach

Mom bought me a pair of tassels from the Rust Market in Lake Park – they are on our end tables in our bedroom for now.

This stunning handmade, one-of-a-kind dress made from a hand stitched vintage tablecloth is from a Rust Market vendor named Marcia. She doesn’t sell online/has no digital presence and more people need to know about her!! This dress is one example of many gorgeous designs. I highlighted her in my recent instagram reel – check it out!

Vince and I brought a bottle of wine to dinner with friends and I popped on this vintage ornament sourced from a collection I found at Goodwill West Palm Beach.

Elaine’s set from Goodwill West Palm Beach

White Elephant Exchange

Every year, my office gathers for a holiday lunch and white elephant gift exchange.

Since my thrifting habit has been insatiable, and I constantly seek excuses to be in the shops, I decided to create my first thrifted basket of the season for the holiday lunch.

We have several animal and nature lovers where I work, so I’m hoping someone enjoys the items I found — brand new and unopened (!!!) — at Goodwill.

I’m always snagging baskets when I find them, so it was easy to pull one from my growing collection in which to place all the white elephant items.

I think, ideally for a thrifted basket, I would arrange the items cutely and tie a ribbon on the basket handle — kind of like a typical fruit or gift basket.

But, the whole point of a white elephant exchange is that nobody can see what the gift is before selecting it from the pile.

So, I decided to tie up all the items in a thrifted scarf.

I don’t love the look, but it got the job done.

I found a fun dog puzzle and wild flower field guide — both great gifts for the animal and outdoor lovers.

Our white elephant gift spending limit is $25. This puzzle would’ve almost reached the limit, had I purchased it elsewhere.

I don’t imagine anyone is going to pull this field guide from their back pocket whilst traipsing Mounts Botanical Gardens, but I think it’s a fun thing to have on a table or bookshelf.

I added this beautiful glass ornament I found at the Nearly New Shop in West Palm Beach.

To decorate the basket, I tied on a bow of holiday ribbon (I found a collection of ribbon at Goodwill a few weeks ago), and another ornament found at Goodwill.

I’ll never tell you I’m good at wrapping gifts or tying bows. It’s a skill I have sadly not mastered, but I did my best and I think it looks kinda cute!