...is another man's treasure

This blog is dedicated to one of my favorite past-times: bargain hunting. Whether it be a thrift store, an antique shop, a flea market, a garage sale, or just a really good sale at a department store, finding something you love for a fraction of the original price is an amazing feeling! Now, in order to go out bargain hunting you usually have to be in a positive frame of mind, with a lot of energy (I usually stop by Starbucks on the way and order anything with an extra shot in it) so you have to have the right timing. This is especially important because if you're really bargain hunting, you usually have to go through a lot of junk in order to fish out some treasure. My mom was always really thrifty so she taught me some great tricks, which come in handy as a college student - especially one who constantly lusts after what's on the couture runways. So here is a small gallery of my favorite thrifty finds I've made lately:

I absolutely love these studs I found a couple weeks ago on clearance at Fred Meyer (of all places). They were originally $32, I got them for about $5.

This bird cage jewelry hanger I found at Claire's for $5, again it was originally $32. I bought one, my mom bought one, and we got an extra to have on hand for a last-minute gift. I was so happy to find this, because I'd been looking at ones on urbanoutfitters.com almost identical to this, but waay too expensive.

both of these frames were found at Value Village in Bremerton, WA for $2 each! They're on my desk, I love the colors in them.

This purse has become one of my favorites for fall, and I found it at a little thrift shop in downtown Bellingham, WA last summer for $4.

The Van Gogh prints I have above my bed I got in a collection from Barnes & Noble this summer. I got them for $10, I think the original price was around $20.

This adorable little outfit for my cousin's newborn baby Scarlet Evangeline (seriously, how chic is that name?) I found at Fred Meyer - everything on clearance was an extra 60% off, so I got it for $5 which is a nice difference from it's original price of $18. Isn't it adorable? The back has a big bow around the waist. I can't wait to see pictures of her in it!

This blue sweater I found at Urban Outfitters at the Alderwood Mall for $10, I believe it was originally around $45. The brand is Luxe, which is one of my favorites. It is unbelievably soft and has the cutest little brown buttons down the front. It was perfect to throw on over a dress for breezy nights this summer.

Okay, this biker jacket from Urban Outfitters is one of my favorite purchases this year. I'd been eyeing it on the UO website for a month or two, so when it went on sale from $58 to $25 I ordered it ASAP. It literally goes with EVERYTHING, I wear it all the time.

This Ralph Lauren petites jacket is another one of my favorite bargains. I bought it at a consignment store in Chandler, AZ this summer (which is kind of ironic, because its a wool coat that I bought while it was 106 degrees out). I don't know what the original price was, but I'm guessing at least $100 and I got it for $17! It fits me like a glove, and the anticipation of wearing it is making me even more excited for Christmas time!

I found this lace top at Goodwill in Bremerton, WA for $3. It looks great with a pencil skirt.

This is another Luxe brand article. I got this dress from Buffalo Exchange in downtown Bellingham, Wa last year for $15 - not sure of the original price, but I'm guessing it sold for around $50 at Urban Outfitters. It's so versatile - I wore it with fishnets, heels, and a black blazer for a dance last year, but also paired it with leggings, boots, and a sweater on a casual day. One of my favorite dresses.

Now, don't get me wrong - I definitely think its perfectly fine to splurge on an item you can't live without. Usually, my outfits are a mix of more expensive articles as well as a few bargains (I also wear normal-priced items, just to be clear!) and my room/apartment is that way as well. But looking for great deals is not only financially beneficial, it makes shopping a little more fun - we all need a challenge every once in a while, right? Shop on.