Sunday, April 8, 2012

Thrifting with kids

Thanks in large part to the wonderful thrifting bloggers I have had the pleasure of discovering recently, I am now a little bit addicted to the thrift store hunt.
And that’s why a recent trip to a café with the kids became another thrifting adventure.
I took my two biggest treasures for some ice cream after school one day, because, let’s face it, school can be difficult for the little ones. Tests, presentations, basketball try-outs, social pressures—all of it can play havoc on a kid’s emotions.
Here they are enjoying some ice cream, while I had a nice cup of green tea. Of course, once they finished their ice cream, they wanted to go, go, go. I had to switch my tea to a paper cup.
I hadn’t planned on visiting the Salvation Army store next to the café (or had I?) until I saw the sign announcing 50% off of kids’ clothes, that day only. Clearly it was meant to be.
The kids had fun trying on some hats.
My daughter found a beaded necklace kit. Turns out the string that came with it doesn’t fit through the wooden angels. But, I found some other jewellery cord at home that does fit.
My son liked this cool multiplier board—a fun and fascinating version of a calculator.
Here he is playing with it while wearing some of our other discoveries—a Brasil t-shirt (50 cents), a Tony Hawk hoodie ($2) and some corduroy pants ($2). He also got a brand name spring sports jacket for $4.
My boy spotted these curly laces. He remembered that the foot doctor had once ordered some so he wouldn’t have to tie up those pesky laces while he was busy playing at school. He thought another pair might come in handy one day. Smart kid.
He also found this dinosaur paper mache kit.
We found a load of clothes for my daughter, including this H&M dress for $2.
The Easter Bunny may or may not have found this jewellery box at another thrift store. It is perfect for the fun Forever 21 jewellery she also got from the Easter Bunny.
She is wearing a cupcake necklace from Forever 21 here.
We also found this purple striped hoodie at the Salvation Army for $1.
My girl snapped up this tie dye shirt and wrap sweater, for 50 cents and $1, respectively.
She styles herself by the way.

We found many more great brand name clothing items for my little girl, but she will only put in so much modeling time in one day. Maybe I’ll show you the rest another time.
How about you? Any great finds to report? I would love to hear about it! Drop me a comment!
Linking up with these wonderful blogs: Her Library Adventures and Apron Thrift Girl and Cap Creations

26 comments:

  1. def LOVE all the hat pics!!!
    and those curly shoe strings are the best!!!

    http://infinitelifefitness.com
    http://mscomposure.blogspot.com

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    1. Before the doctor got us those shoe laces, I thought there was only velcro or tied. ;) Gotta love this option!

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  2. Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier; I was excited to find yours! Great finds...and so nice to start the kiddos on the thrifting habit early. ;)

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    1. Thanks for coming by Heather, and for following! It will be interesting to see if the kids share my love of vintage dishes and things. I hope one of them does!

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  3. Sweet deals! I got quite a few things for Ruby the other day for only 5. Our SA does 50% off clothes (of certain tag colors) every Wednesday. The place is always packed!

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    1. Now that you say that, I have to look into it, Laurie. Possibly it is a regular thing at our SA too, and I just don't know it. Thanks for the tip!

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  4. What amazing finds! The thrift stores (charity shops) in this country don't ever seem to sell such lovely things, unless of course they get snapped up straight away! I love the H&M dress! We actually manage to get some fantastic bargains in H&M at Sale times!

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    1. It is amazing how different the offerings are from place to place, even from one city to the next town. I have to hit the stores in my sister's city next and see what I can get. I am shocked by some of the vintage things people get at thrift stores. Ours seem to be mostly newer items.

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    2. I used to get some fantastic clothes when I was in my teens! That was before "vintage" took off. My grandmother also kept all her clothes - lucky for me, I had so many fantastic 20s silk blouses, skirts and suit jackets but I wore them out :(

      I still have one dress which I gave my daughter, a black Summer frock with brightly coloured flour border around the bottom and around the capped short sleeves, it's awesome (even though a little faded now).

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    3. How great that you were able to make use of your grandmother's clothes! The dress sounds lovely, Vicky. My mom had some clothes left, but they are not my size. I wore some of her coats when I was younger.

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  5. Nice finds and the hat pics are sooo fun. Looks like they had fun. I also bring my daughter and she has developed an eye for things too- sometimes I do worry that I buy her things too easily since prices can be so cheap. I guess everything in moderation. her H&M dress is very cute.

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    1. You are so right. I basically throw anything she likes into the cart! Probably not a great message. ;) They had fun, but we kept the visit brief. They don't last long without complaining.

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  6. Great finds, fantastic stuff! Thanks for visiting me and for your nice comment :)

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    1. Thanks for coming by! Happy to visit your blog. The strawberry jam looks yummy!

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  7. Great finds! My daughter loves to come along with me and search for "treasures". :)

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    1. I think it will become a habit for us as well, Julee!

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  8. Such cute kiddos, and great finds!

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  9. That is great that your kiddos love to come along. They can pick up tons of neat things for the price of one item at a regular store. Great job! Thanks for linking up at Cap Creations, love having you.

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    1. That's so true. Toys and clothes are a fraction of new cost. Thanks for hosting again!

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  10. Your kids are super cute! Great finds - now I want a paper mache dino making kit! (too cool!) :)

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    1. Thanks Wendy! Now we just have to find the time to make the dinosaur. You know how that it is!

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  11. great to get the kids thinking about thrifting...they will soon realize a dollar goes a lot further in a thrift shop! =) some great clothes!

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    1. I think I recently just realized that too! Thanks Leah.

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