Ocean Beach, CA – Page 2 – Thrift Shopping Buzz

Pirates, Jewelry & More. Bead Shop Hop 2012

Happy Saturday! Just wanted to share with everyone the great “loot” I collected last night participating in the Bead Shop Hop 2012. The event was sponsored by the Southern California Local Bead Store Association. For my part, I visited The Black Bead in Ocean Beach. They gave me a “passport” and it was time to get busy shopping! As you can see, I collected some amazing pendants while on tour. The blue one pictured above is what I bought last night– $7. (I’m using a black cord that I already had)

The Bead Shop Hop was over three consecutive weekends: September 7 thru 9; September 14 thru 16; and September 21 thru 23. A total of 27 bead shops participated in the three southern California regions. With only one day left, I’m not so sure if I’ll get to visit additional shops.

Rules: I got my “passport” stamped at my local bead shop The Black Bead in Ocean Beach and have to turn the document back in to them by Sunday night so they get credit for my visit. I was also entered into a drawing for a gift basket valued at $100.

Special perks: When I walked into The Black Bead I was greeted by some really cool “pirates” who helped me sign up for the free stuff and get the passport set up. I got a cute temporary tattoo (not so temporary as it turns out… one shower later and I’m still sporting my anchor “tattoo”….) and played a game where I drew a bead out of a bag to win a prize. I won a necklace fashioned out of small greenish/white beads that I hung on the rear-view mirror of my car (looks pretty cool). One last thing, they were also giving away small charms– I picked out a tiny pirate chest charm. It’s something I can either wear on a chain as a necklace or attach to a bracelet– I haven’t decided yet.

If I have time for another stop on the Bead Shop tour…. I’ll post a follow-up. This was a fun and relaxing end to my week. Many thanks to the helpful “pirates” at The Black Bead in Ocean Beach who helped me shop!

Cheers– Jody

Thrift Shopping for Men… Look what $5 gets you!

Hey, check it out! I found another place where you can find quality thrift items for the man in your life. Jeans, belts, button down shirts… all good finds and in decent condition. Better yet everything in the Thrift Trader is $5.99 or 4/$20.

Thrift Trader
4879 Newport Avenue
San Diego, CA 92107
Web: www.thrifttrader.org

Mind you, I’ve been to the “clearance” store for this shop where everything is priced $2. Not that paying $5 is really anything to complain about! Luckily, I was at the Ocean Beach location for Thrift Trader and only two doors down from the “clearance” store called 2Dollar Thrill.

And, for the ladies reading this post– here is a cute $5 dress I found. It seems a little on the sheer side and a bit on the shortie side so I would likely wear a tank top under this and wear it with jeans– due to my advanced age 🙂

Cheers and Happy Saturday! xoxo

Unique Gifts – 4851 Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach, CA

Oh wow– what a treat when I stopped by at 4851 Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach recently. The shop is called Unique Gifts. Of course, like me you will likely want to keep everything in sight for yourself! When I visited, the store was just in process of getting set up. It looks like the idea is for small shops of independent merchants selling their wares.

I found unique items ranging from jewelry to jackets to small plants. This shop was a true pleasure to browse.

Unique Gifts – over 50 different vendors
4851 Newport Avenue
Ocean Beach, CA 92107
Phone: (858) 222-0223

Temptress Fashion Boutique – Classy Sassy… Trashy

Are you looking to channel your inner “Betty Paige”? Just walking into Temptress will make you feel glamorous. They have everything from panties and camis to make-up and dresses. If you’ve ever considered booking a boudoir photo shoot this would be a great place to find outfits for the photos!

Temptress Fashion Boutique
1918 Bacon Street
San Diego, CA 92107
Phone: (619) 224-2284
Blog: temptressfashion.blogspot.com

I’d walked by this shop numerous times and peeked in the windows. (Love their window looks!) I’m glad I finally had the chance to do a little shopping for real. I was definitely intrigued by the idea of a pin-up inspired shop. And did I mention the cute window displays?? They had me at the colorful handbags, shoes and camis. Next time you need some retail therapy on a lazy Sunday afternoon this is your store. Why not grab a glamour-girl dress and some sexy heels?? Way to spark up Sunday!

The staff was really friendly and helpful the afternoon I visited– they were fine with me taking photos and answered all my questions. Love this place and can’t wait to stop by again. Cheers!

The Thrill of the $2 Dress!

It was my lucky day on Sunday when I walked into 2Dollar Thrill in Ocean Beach… and walked out with a fabulous $2 dress! I was there mostly as a “looky-loo” and had a strict shopping list in mind– if I didn’t find what I was looking for no deal. I’ve been in the market for summer dresses and casual jewelry and walked into 2Dollar Thrill seriously hoping to find a dress. And wow– I found a really cute summer dress with a colorful flower print. And at $2 how can you go wrong?

2Dollar Thrill
4871 Newport Avenue
Ocean Beach, CA 92107
Phone: (619) 222-2772
Web: www.2dollarthrill.org

Also, check out the cute beaded bracelet I found- also $2. My good luck… I walked out of there with a bracelet on my wrist and a dress– and spent a whopping $4.31 including tax. Bravo! For sure, I’ll be back!

Azucar – a Cuban Style Patisserie

Have you ever found yourself in need of a sugar fix?? This was me a few weekends ago as I was strolling along Newport Avenue in the Ocean Beach area of San Diego. It was not quite warm enough for the beach and just sunny enough where I felt a strange sense of guilt sitting indoors. Of course, it was early afternoon and a coffee and a few cookies seemed like a great idea.

Azucar
4820 Newport Avenue
Ocean Beach, CA 92107
Phone: (619) 523-2020
Web: www.iloveazucar.com

I saw the inviting sign for “azucar” and stopped in. Wow… what a fabulous place! I was in the market for a coffee (of course!) and a few cookies. I chose what resembled a chocolate chip cookie but what I got was sooo much better! Part cookie and part chocolate perfection it was more than I ever thought a cookie could be! I’m hooked and will gladly be back for more. As far as the coffee is concerned– all I can say is that they had vanilla sugar for the coffee. What more can a girl ask for?! (Joy!)

Wordless Wednesday – April 11

$2 Dollar Thrill – Recycle It & Rock It!

Last weekend I found myself wondering– what can you get for a couple of bucks these days? Turns out $2 buys a whole lot of cool stuff at $2 Dollar Thrill in Ocean Beach. Everything from vinyl records to CD’s to cute dresses and summer tops. I’m not kidding… you really can buy a dress in this place for $2. A super cute dress! When I originally stopped by it was a sunny Sunday afternoon and I was post-beach and completely out of cash (bummer). An especially huge bummer because I spotted a super-fabulous dress and didn’t have 2 bucks in actual cash-only my debit card. (Ahh.. such is life) The good news– I’m planning a return trip next weekend and maybe I can do some damage under $10. Never thought I’d say that!!

$2 Dollar Thrill
4871 Newport Avenue
Ocean Beach, CA 92107
Phone: (619) 222-2772
Web: www.thrifttrader.org

From what I was told, this is the place where the “left-over” stuff from their Pacific Beach store goes. I hear in Pacific Beach the items are priced at $6 (oh… guess this is the high price store-ha). So… recycle it and rock the look! Here’s to recycling and here are some of the cute things I found…

Beach Sweets – Candy, Chocolates & Gifts

Need a little sugar fix? Spent the day on the beach and maybe some jelly beans are sounding kinda tasty? I know how you feel! Over the weekend I was strolling thru Ocean Beach, doing a little people-watching and found myself in need of jelly beans. I guess I was craving Easter candy a little early.

Beach Sweets

5022 Newport Avenue

San Diego, CA 92107

Phone: (619) 222-3322

Web: www.OceanBeachsweets.com

Lucky for me I found Beach Sweets on Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach. Family owned and operated, this local shop offers yummy chocolates, candy and gifts. Other cool stuff I found here:

Chocolate Dipped Bacon
Separate Flavors of Jelly Bellies (you can hand-pick your flavor mix!)
Pop Rocks
S’More on a Stick (no grill required)
Salt Water Taffy
Chocolates topped w/ crushed red pepper & sea salt (I’m not so sure about this one…)

Great location, friendly staff and yummy treats. It’s not all for adults– kids will adore this place. The good news is- the shop is fairly small so your little ones will be an arms grab away if you need to scoop them away from dipping into too much sugar. Have fun and don’t tell the dentist you went to Beach Sweets!!

Noon Design Shop – jewelry, paper & goods

Noon Design is a great place to buy gifts–they are budget-friendly with lots of jewelry between $10 and $30. And if you need to send a cute card or invitations for a special event they have a phenomenal assortment. Gotta love supporting locally owned and operated places too, right?

Noon Design Shop
4993 Niagara Avenue #105
San Diego, CA 92107
Phone: (619) 523-1744
Web: www.noondesignshop.com

Beauty is everywhere in this shop. It’s lovingly packed with items such as hand-etched glassware, handmade notecards and soaps in addition to jewelry that spans from dainty to eclectic. Great news– the prices are incredibly good. I found earrings under $25 (I’m talking crystal, turquoise, mother of pearl, sterling silver handmade earrings) and incredible crystal pendants for the more adventurous.

It was a treat just being in this shop! I found it by accident a few weeks ago on one of my strolls at the beach. I will definitely be back for a pair of earrings. (Sidenote: I’m at home now– perusing the well laid out Noon Design Shop website and planning which earrings I want luckily my wallet is across the room in my purse….)

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