Wednesday, November 20, 2013

$5 Thrifted Soup Tureen to Fabulous Planter!

I know you usually expect to see thrifted fashion from me, but I'm an equal opportunity thrifter so today I'm going to show you an awesome planter I found!  I picked up this gorgeous pedestal soup tureen from Goodwill the other day for $5.  I first passed this gem up because it was missing its ladle and lid.  After making another pass though, it hit me.  This would make a great planter for my succulents!

So, $5 later and 5 minutes of replanting time and I have this gorgeous centerpiece for my patio table.

Just another reason to think outside the box when you're thrifting!


Monday, September 16, 2013

True Treasure Hunting at Goodwill Today!





I ran across an awesome score at Goodwill today!  I found this amazing, hand-colored print from a steel engraving, circa 1845!  The print itself is in fabulous condition although it needs new matting and glass.  For $7, I think it qualifies as a major score!

By the way, this is the EXACT style my house is decorated in so it's going to look fabulous once I get it repaired!

Thursday, September 12, 2013

“The Fabulous THRIFT SHOP Challenge!!!!!!!” ”O” MAGAZINE ~ vs ~ TOO CHEAP BLONDES Maxi Skirt

"O" Magazine Thrift Shop Challenge ~ Maxi Skirt is $895.00 Retail vs $6.99 Thrift Store Style
“O” Magazine Thrift Shop Challenge ~ Maxi Skirt is $895.00 Retail vs $6.99 Thrift Store Style




Once again, Jen and I are pushing ourselves to recreate looks from “O” MAGAZINE at a local Goodwill store.  We printed up several looks and set out for one of our hardest challenges yet!

We found this MAXI SKIRT for only $6.99 (plus at this price you can afford to throw in the chartreuse blouse priced at only $4.99)!

From "O" Magazine:
  • Wearing a maxi for day is a very fashion-forward look. But the skirt needs to be long enough—it should be no shorter than half an inch from  the bottom of your shoe. How to Wear It: Choose a style that is  streamlined but has some movement, and pair it with knits and booties or  menswear-inspired flats. If You’re Short: It may seem  counterintuitive, but a long skirt can make you look taller. Make sure the hem  of your top doesn’t hit much lower than your natural waistline. If You’re  Tall: Experiment with layered tops, like a sweater and vest or loose,  diaphanous tees. What to Avoid: Pointy stilettos, knee-high boots, or  anything too dressy. “Rugged shoe styles are fresher,”. Sweater, Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, $325. Blouse,  Marciano, $168. Skirt, Moschino, $895. Belt, Longchamp.
Read more: http://www.oprah.com/style/Skirts-for-Fall-How-to-Wear-the-Latest-Skirts/5#ixzz2ecbXMFvJ

Remember to Always Donate and Pay it Forward! 

Jen and Pippa are virtual volunteers working to promote non-profit Thrift Stores in the Houston area.


Jen Meneely www.shopjenscloset.com

Pippa Williams www.shopwithpippa.com

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

"The Fabulous THRIFT SHOP Challenge!!!!!" "O" Magazine ~vs~ Too Cheap Blondes Chambray and Lace

Jen and I have decided to do our own personal challenge, recreate an outfit all from a thrift store!

Maybe that sounds easier than it is, but we only went to one store!

Today we printed up several looks from “O Magazine” and went into a thrift store to style a similar look.  This DEFINITELY pushed both of us out of our comfort zone … we thought outside of the box and didn’t quite hit the mark on a few looks but we will show you the ones that we are quite proud of!



O Magazine ~ Turn lace into a daytime look!   $258 Retail vs $12.98 Thrift Store Style 
O Magazine ~ Turn lace into a daytime look!
$258 Retail vs $12.98 Thrift Store Style

Pencil Skirt

Even in a va-va-voom shade, this pencil skirt is more casual than cocktail  party: Flats, a scarf, and a rolled denim shirt complete the weekend look.
(Shirt, Talula for  Artizia, $70. Skirt, Joie, $188)

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/style/Daytime-Lace-Spring-2013-Trends#ixzz2ecdH4y7s

At a local Goodwill Store we found a boys XL chambray shirt for $3.99 and a red lace skirt for $6.99!   At these prices we can be generous and throw in the scarf $1.99 and belt $2.99 for a complete look priced at only $17.96!

Remember to Always Donate and Pay it Forward!

Jen and Pippa are virtual volunteers working to promote non-profit thrift stores in the Houston area.

Jen Meneely www.shopjenscloset.com

Pippa Williams www.shopwithpippa.com

Sunday, August 25, 2013

The Women's Home reNew and reDux Fashion Show

Pippa and I were so excited to attend The Women's Home's reNew and reDux Fashion Show on August 21st.  I've wanted to attend this event for the last couple of years and for one reason or another have been unable to.  I'm so glad I made it this year!

Envision this, a New York Fashion Week-quality runway show featuring the latest fashion trends.  After the gorgeous models finish walking the catwalk, their couture outfits hit a clothing rack that is then rolled out into the audience.  Next, it's first come, first served to grab the coveted pieces, most ranging from $30 to $150.  Hold the presses...Chanel, Prada, and St. John (many with tags still attached) for less than $150?  You read that right.  This isn't your average fashion show, it's like walking into your favorite thrift shop, fully stocked with gorgeous, high-end items, and having a catwalk right in the middle of the store!  I think that I may have cried a little I was so happy.










I can't express how much it warms my heart to see women in their high-end cocktail dresses and Christian Louboutin's thrifting!

What a fun evening that in the end raised money for a great cause, supporting the operations of The Women's Home.  The bonus, Pippa and I scored some beautiful pieces such as the Tory Burch tunic and brand new Oscar de la Renta dress below!

photo from Houstoniamag.com


I can't wait until next year! 

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Goodwill Houston Gift Card Giveaway!!

Exciting news!  TooCheapBlondes.com, a joint blog between Shop Jens Closet and Shop With Pippa, is proud to announce our first giveaway!  We can't think of a better prize than a $50 Goodwill Industries of Houston gift card (good for Houston-area stores only)!

In order to enter, follow these simple steps:

1.  Go to Facebook and "like" Goodwill Industries of Houston's Facebook page.  Click here.

2.  Come back here and enter your name and contact information into the drawing by clicking here.

That's it!  Contest ends August 12th at midnight. 

Skeptical about what you can buy for $50 at Goodwill?  Check out some of our favorite finds!

Brand new Ash boots for $9.99!
Four brand new Billy Reid men's shirts for $5.99 each!
Mary Ching evening gown, $9.99!

  Good luck!







Monday, July 29, 2013

Why I Shop Thrift...and Yes, Occassionally Sell Some Items.

While the majority of the feedback that I've received due to my recent television appearances has been positive, there are a few people who have expressed concern about what I do.  Specifically, people ask why I shop thrift stores if I can afford not to.  They also ask why I take all of the "good stuff" from people that really need it.  Let me address each point.

First of all, I grew up poor.  Destitute.  I spent my entire childhood shopping thrift out of need, so I know how it feels to have thrift shops as your only clothing option.  While I now can afford to shop retail, old habits are hard to break.  I simply don't like overpaying for things.

Second, while I never felt embarrassed to shop thrift even when it was hard to make ends meet, I know that others wouldn't be caught dead in a thrift store.  Maybe I'm crazy, but I'd like to think that my TV appearances are helping remove the stigma.  I'm actually proud of this.

Third, I specialize in vintage clothing.  Last I looked, you can't find a vintage blouse at Macy's.

Fourth and most important, the money I spend at thrift stores is helping people.  If people like me don't shop thrift for "moral reasons", Goodwill's revenues decline.  It's that simple.  In fact, check out their mission statement.  
  • MISSION STATEMENT: To help change lives through the power of work. Goodwill provides career training and placement assistance for employment.  We support our programs through profits generated through the sale of donated goods.  Nearly 90 cents of every shopping dollar we receive help fund educational programs and services that assist people in finding better jobs and building careers.
Note that their primary goal is to generate funds to help people train for and obtain employment...not to provide clothes to those that can't afford to pay retail prices.

Finally, let me address whether or not I take all of the "good stuff".  There are thousands of thrift stores in the U.S.  On average, I sell 3 to 5 items per month.  I really don't think I'm emptying the shelves.  Finally, I don't think I'm buying items that are in high demand from the disadvantaged.   I certainly didn't shop for vintage clothing when I was looking for a job and couldn't rub two dimes together.
I do admit that a minute percentage of people will suffer as a result of my actions.  They won't get that Hermes scarf or Chanel skirt because I found it first.  On balance, however, I sleep well at night knowing that my actions are contributing to charitable efforts and convincing the up and coming that there is no shame in shopping thrift. 

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Road Trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

My husband tore his calf muscle while playing tennis Fourth of July weekend.  Because of this, our vacation plans that we had scheduled for Mexico got canceled and we decided to take a road trip.  Translation, I got to do all the driving.  

We wanted to escape the Houston heat so we headed up to Santa Fe, New Mexico, about a 900-mile drive.  Did I mention I did all of the driving?  Anyway, of course I can't visit a new city without checking out the thrift scene.

Santa Fe only has one Goodwill so this was an all-or-nothing trip.  I honestly didn't have high hopes based off of the horrible 1-star rating that this location received on Yelp.com.  But, I never accept online reviews of thrift stores as true representations since many of the reviewers are not seasoned thrift store shoppers and can be easily scared away if they don't score on their first trip.

I hit the Santa Fe Goodwill on a Sunday morning.  The store was easy to find and had plenty of parking.  Once I walked inside I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was well organized and clean.  I spent about two hours going through the racks and I think that I hit on some major scores!  According the the Yelp reviews, this store had nothing but cheap, out of style clothing that was overpriced.  After looking at my pictures, I'll let you be the judge and decide if these reviews were on target.





Issa London dress!!  A favorite of Kate Middleton!  Retails for around $500+.  Goodwill price $7.99.

Lamarthe leather purse.  Made in Italy.  Goodwill price $6.99!

Hickey Freeman, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Hermes silk ties!  Goodwill price, $2.99/each!!!!

Strapless silk Ann Taylor dress.  Retails for $150+.  Goodwill price, $7.99!
Ralph Lauren khaki shorts.  Goodwill price, $2.99!

Twinkle by Wenlan skirt.  Retails for $200+.  Goodwill price, $6.99!

New with tags Ann Taylor shirt, John Varvatos men's shirt, and Coldwater Creek jacket.
Great shoes, $6.99-$7.99!  Isaac Mizrahi for $6.99!!!!  These are the real deal, not from Target!
So, what do you think?  Does this store deserve these reviews:
  • "This particular Goodwill seemed to pull from perhaps a lower-income donation base. A lot of the clothes were brands that come from Wal-Mart, Target, Penney's & the like. You're probably not going to find a Valentino dress hiding in the racks, but you never know :-)"
  • "I was sooooo disappointed with this Goodwill.  I guess I'm spoiled by the ones in my home area - possibly because they pull from high-end neighbourhoods and always have great stuff to find.  Sadly, this one in Santa Fe just wasn't that way.

    It was medium sized, and had a lot of shoes.  Sadly all those shoes were worn out looking.  The clothes were very much "old lady" clothes for the most part.  Mum and I did find a few cotton gauze skirts (in NM in the summer we found we *really* hadn't packed enough lightweight clothing!), but I couldn't find any tops that I even liked."
  • "One of the worst Goodwill shops I've seen in terms of stuff for sale. I even saw a rusted grater on the shelves -- seriously people??!!  I did see one Staffordshire china cup for 99 cents (hideous) and an occupied Japan serving bowl for $3.99. Where do all the wealthy people of Santa Fe donate their stuff???"
The lesson for the day:  Don't judge a book by its cover!  I'm so glad that I stopped in to this store.  The employees were absolutely delightful and the store was packed with great finds!

Shop Jen's Closet on Live Well Network's Mirror/Mirror!

I am beyond thrilled with how this segment came out!  I was lucky enough to style Mirror/Mirror host Rebecca Spera at Goodwill last month.  Along with styling Rebecca, I also go over some key thrifting tips.

Be sure and check it out!


Monday, June 3, 2013

Jen and Pippa on Fox 26 Morning News!

Pippa and I were featured on Fox 26 Morning News in Houston this morning.  We shared with viewers some of our favorite thrifting tips, as well as showed some trendy summer looks.

Check it out!


http://www.myfoxhouston.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=8951886

You can find Pippa at Shop with Pippa

Friday, May 31, 2013

Jen & Pippa More Friday Thrift Shop Finds!

It's that time again!  Check out the latest installment of "Jen & Pippa Friday Thrift Shop Finds" on Shop with Pippa's blog!  

In this post Pippa gives a sneak peek at one of the dresses I styled Rebecca Spera in for a segment on the Livewell Network's Mirror/Mirror show.  The show should air sometime in July.  So excited to see the final product!


ABC show Mirror/Mirror host Rebecca Sperra .... Suzi Chin Dress (NEW w/ tags) @ Goodwill for $9.99!  Watch in July when Jen gives her tips for Thrift Shopping!


Thursday, May 30, 2013

Monique Lhuillier Runway Dress vs. Thrifted Dress.

Just a quick post today to show off the gorgeous red dress that I scored at Goodwill yesterday!  The designer is Mary Ching.  I've never heard of her and could only find an accessories and shoe designer by the same name.  The quality of the dress is great.   When I first saw it, with its jeweled neckline, it instantly reminded me of the stunning red dress Monique Lhuillier showed on the runway this year.  I think it was a great find for $9.99!  What do you think?



Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Weekly Shopping Trip with Pippa from Shop With Pippa!

One day while I was shopping in Goodwill, a lovely Houston blogger named Pippa stopped me and asked if I was the the lady that had been interviewed for a research project by Rice University MBA students.  Indeed I was.  Turns out she had been interviewed by these same students and therefore had learned about me.  Fast forward to a week or so later and "Jen & Pippa's Friday Thrift Store Finds" was born!  



Every week Pippa chronicles our visits to different thrift stores in Houston, taking pictures of the amazing treasures that the shops in our city hold.  If you love thrifting, then I encourage you to follow Pippa's blog, Shop with Pippa.  She offers great tips and will blow you away with the things she pulls out of thrift stores that I had initially written off as "bad."

Check out this week's new blog post.  We found AWESOME stuff!

Jen & Pippa Thrift Store Shopping Finds in Houston, May 29, 2013.

Facconable Velvet Jacket, a rich, refined take on a casual classic.  The irresistible texture of velvet transforms jean-jacket styling.  RETAILED  for $525 ... at Houston Thrift Store for $9.99

 

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Road Trip! Thrifting in Dallas.

Last weekend, my girlfriends and I made a trip to Dallas for a girls' weekend.  Of course, I couldn't go to another city without checking out the thrift scene.  We decided to visit a few Goodwills, since I'm pretty partial to them.

Our first stop was the Goodwill located in Garland at 1661 E. Northwest Hwy.  

 
I found this Pins and Needles cardigan from Urban Outfitters for $2.99.  That's it.  After two hours.  Not exactly the haul I was looking for.  On to the next stop.

Pins and Needles cardigan, retail - $45, thrift price - $2.99!




Our second stop was also in Garland at 3106 N. Shiloh Rd.  



 
This store was enormous so I was really hopeful that we were going to be lucky.  I left with two items this time, a Ralph Lauren blazer for $9.99 and an Original Penguin silk dress for $5.99.  That's it, after several hours combing the racks.  Not to be deterred, we headed to one final location before they closed.

Ralph Lauren blazer with crest and fab gold buttons, retail - $300, thrift price - $9.99.
 



Original Penguin silk dress, retail - $250, thrift price - $5.99.


At this point, I'll have to admit, I was feeling quite discouraged.  I knew that there had to be a Goodwill in the city where the good, name brands ended up.  There always is.  The problem was I only had one day to find this elusive Goodwill.  So, I pulled out my top secret thrifting notebook and...I'm kidding, I just asked the cashier where the best Goodwill in the city was.  Luckily, she was kind enough to steer me toward their corporate store at 3020 N. Westmoreland.  After the dismal day we had had, I have to admit that I didn't hold out much hope for this location either.  Maybe Houston really was an enigma and the thrift stores in other cities just weren't going to be as great.  



We pulled up to the store one hour before closing.  I usually need two+ hours to thoroughly shop so I was going to have to be strategic and quick.  Within the first five minutes I had hit the mother load!  I had finally found the "good" Goodwill in the city.  Over the next hour I pulled high-end label, after high-end label off of the racks, Carolina Herrera, Juicy Couture, Robert Rodriguez, Escada, Lilly Pulitzer, Christian Louboutin (really bad condition), etc., etc.  Now, not everything was in tip-top shape so they didn't all come home with me, but quite a few did.  

Juicy Couture corduroy blazer, retail - $225, thrift price - $4.99!

Escada denim skirt, retail price - $380, thrift price - $2.99!

Lilly Pulitzer Eliot blouse, retail price - $118, thrift price - $2.99!

Brand new Robert Rodriguez raffia jacket, retail price - $525, thrift price - $4.99!

Anthroprologie We Love Vera blouse, retail price - $88, thrift price - $2.99!
So, in the end, it was a GREAT thrifting day, but it didn't come easy.  We shopped from 1:00 to 7:00, non-stop and looked through massive amounts of clothing to find these few gems.  The lesson of the trip was to not get discouraged if your first few outings don't pan out.  It's thrifting, and it's unpredictable.  Eventually, if you have enough patience, you'll score a major find...and then you'll be hooked like me!