Re-Use Stuff – Page 3 – Thrift Shopping Buzz

Thrift Shopping Adventure at the Library!

Where can you find a bookstore that sells paperback books for 75 cents or $1 DVDs? I regularly visit my local library and it didn’t dawn on me until this week what a really good thrift shopping buzz can be found… at the library!

Yes, the Friends Bookstore at North University Community Library had me at the first hello. I shop there regularly– especially for my summer “beach reads.”

North University Community Library
8820 Judicial Drive
San Diego, CA 92122
Phone: (858) 581-9637
Web: www.sandiegolibrary.org

And when my computer was on the blitz– I used the computer room at my local library to write-up my blog posts.

Look at the cute children’s story area. And the computers. On Wednesday night when I stopped by there was a lively bluegrass band– “Old Town Road” playing for patrons. For free.

I noticed there is a knitting group that meets at the library. For free. You can meet your neighbors and learn to knit… at the library. Looks like there are quite a few books on textiles and knitting– more cost-effective to check out the books rather than buying them.

By far my favorite part of the library is the Friends of the Library bookstore- filled with those $1 hardcover books and 75 cent paperbacks.

So… have fun at the library.

Recycled Bike — New to Me & Ready to Ride!

I’ve been talking about getting a bike now for close to a year. Finally on Friday I couldn’t take it anymore and decided to take action. I’d been randomly “bike shopping” on Craigslist for months. (Always the looky-loo and never the buyer.) I had a short list of bikes at the ready and when I got home from work I started calling. Lucky for me a UCSD student answered the phone and agreed to meet near the local mall in a well-traveled parking lot with– you guessed it– a bike! Even more lucky– the bike was in good condition and I decided to just go for it. So… $100 later and I was the proud owner of a blue mountain bike.

This thing seems to be “more bike” than I probably need but I’m slowly figuring out that 24 speeds and gears are all good things. My neighborhood has just enough hills to keep things interesting– and painful. Speaking of painful– I did have a few minor mishaps with the mountain bike. It’s a heavier bike and I accidentally dropped it on my toe (ouch!) and then tried to hop off and banged up my knee and leg (another ouch!). Considering I haven’t ridden a bike since I was in high school– so far so good.

The best part about the whole thing is– I bought the bike off Craigslist which means I got to “recycle” a bike. To me this was much better than buying a new bike. And more cost-effective. I figure if I get sick of this one I’ll just sell it myself on Craigslist and swap out for a different bike. See you on the trails (or maybe the stores or maybe both….) Stay tuned to see if shopping and mountain biking can mix! Cheers!

From Trash to Treasure…bookends from A to Z

Dumpster diving is sometimes viewed as an urban foraging technique.Dumpster divers typically scour thru dumpsters for items such as clothing, furniture, food and…my good luck… bookends… in serviceable condition.

Imagine my surprise and delight when my friend BC found these cool bookends near his dumpster in the North Park neighborhood in San Diego. Location to be kept secret– I have to protect my sources! BC is an avid “dumpster watcher” who is always on the look-out for trash-to-treasure opportunities. What a score!

As you can see, I had books all in disarray in the living room. Well, maybe not this bad but you get the idea, right?

So… the bookends look really cute on my shelf in the living room. And the books look a little more tidy as well. Not bad for a dumpster diving find! Bravo!

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

Marc Jacobs bag at “My Sister’s Closet” in San Diego… 2nd Time is a Charm!

What could be better than scoring a dream handbag at a bargain price? (World peace, maybe. But the handbag is pretty awesome too)

My friend LD was at the right place at the right time- My Sister’s Closet in San Diego’s UTC neighborhood– when she scored this luscious Marc by Marc Jacobs designer handbag at the fabulous price of $295. For sure, the second time is a charm! Here’s the story… LD was strolling through My Sister’s Closet, near closing time and in search of a pair of jeans. Like any smart shopper, she cruised by the handbags to check out the scene. She spotted the lovely Marc by Marc Jacobs dream handbag at the counter not even out on the floor yet. (right place, right time– bravo!) Being the smart shopper, LD knew a good deal when she saw it– and in turn scored a fabulous bag!

My Sister’s Closet
8610 Genesee Avenue #200
San Diego, CA 92122
Phone: (858) 455-0045
Web: www.mysisterscloset.com

This goes to show that by consistently “shopping” consignment shops and thrift stores you can score amazing deals. This same handbag retails for about $428 at the local Mall. (Wouldn’t you rather have an extra $133 in your pocket??)

Like New… previously loved and new clothes

Earlier this week after a quick round of errands I stopped by my fave consignment shop on Genesee Avenue in San Diego. I’m seriously in search of spring and summer dresses and figured I’d see if it was my lucky day.

Like New – a tres chic consignment boutique
4425 Genesee Avenue
San Diego, CA 92117
Phone: (858) 278-1960
Web: www.LikeNewSanDiego.com

The racks were overflowing with cute dresses in a variety of sizes and colors. I found a flirty Jason Wu for Target dress $14.95 that I really liked– unfortunately it was a shade too small. There’s always next time, right? I also found some super amazing high heel sandals Size 8 that would be perfect with jeans $22.95. The shoes were a size too big for me. (I’m sounding like the Three Bears of Shopping– this one’s too small, this one’s too big….) Sometimes it’s the thrill of the hunt and just shopping and trying things on is one step closer to finding what I want.

I always stop by Like New when I’m in the area. The stock rotates frequently and there’s always a rack or two of sale items out front.

Right now– all I can think about is those black heels in Size 8. (I’m probably the only woman alive who wishes she wore a larger shoe size!)

Who Doesn’t Love Helping Animals? And Shopping?

I just love the concept of this particular thrift shop– support the animals!

www.APRL.org

Tonite I stopped by the Animal Protection & Rescue League Thrift Store on Clairemont Mesa Blvd in San Diego. I was pleasantly surprised to see they had moved into a much larger store in the same shopping center. It is much easier to “shop” now and lots more room to move around and find things. The inventory has blossomed to include expanded children’s section, Plus sizes (a very impressive selection of Plus clothing I might add), nice home decor and they even have furniture now! I found a handmade Japanese tea cabinet for $250– it was a beautiful item and if I didn’t live in a small studio apartment I would have snatched it up for myself.

Animal Protection & Rescue League Thrift Store
5583 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92117
Phone: (858)541-0240

Not only have I shopped here but I’ve donated my “spring cleaning”/purge items here too. Like I said, I live in a small apartment and I feel it’s always good karma to donate things to support a good cause.

My big purchase tonite was a gray t-shirt that said “Friend Not Food” on the front with a picture of a pink pig– now I will have a cute new shirt to wear on our next casual Friday at the office. Cheers & Happy Shopping! Always nice to shop & support a cause.

Worlds Largest Eco-Friendly Department Store

The United States is one of the highest “consumer” countries. Yes, we use a lot of “stuff.” Which makes the task of recycling even more important. Tonite I visited EcoMart— a department store of sorts dedicated to helping all of us reduce, re-use and recycle. They call themselves an “eco-friendly department store.” More like a fancy term for a thrift store that stocks everything perhaps?

This place was fantastic! It’s a huge space filled with everything from mountain bikes, surf boards, small refrigerators, furniture to designer handbags and shoes. I spotted a $70 mountain bike, a bathroom sink for $50 and a Coach bag for $35. By the way, the prices were more than fair. Dresses came in at $7 and a pair of designer heels $15. I found a vintage fur wrap for $100 in perfect condition.

All items were in really good condition too. The store is packed with stuff. I got there towards the end of the day and a few things were out-of-order but overall shopping was a pleasure. They even had newer flat screen computer monitors and flat screen TVs.

EcoMart – “Be Eco Friendly”
8199 Clairemont Mesa Blvd #A1
San Diego, CA 92111
Phone: (858) 292-2326
Web: www.eco-mart.us

Eco Mart will take a look at the stuff you bring in anytime and give quotes. They are accepting secondhand clothes, vintage items, furniture, appliances, musical instruments, sporting goods, toys… I could go on and on. Of course, the better condition your items are in the better price you will get. Be sure to also have warranties, paperwork and supporting documents depending on the item.

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!

Girls From The Park Resale Shop

Need a little sunshine in your life? Maybe some retail therapy on a rough Monday afternoon? I found myself in the Point Loma area and in serious need of some retail therapy recently– on a Monday afternoon! Girls from the Park is a contemporary fashion resale boutique now located in Point Loma, California. They offer a great selection of gently used clothing, shoes and accessories by all of your favorite designers.

Girls From The Park Resale Shop
3034 Canon Street
Point Loma, CA 92106
Phone: (619) 226-0043
Web: www.girlsfromthepark.com

A little about the “girls”– sounds like the shop name is a spin on the real life of the owners who grew up in the El Dorado Trailer Park near Lakeside, CA in the 1970’s. Per the store website “you can take the girl out of the park but you can’t take the park out of the girl!” I had to laugh when I read those words in a sea of pink on their website. Let me tell you– this shop was a true treat to visit. I found pretty shoes, handbags and several gorgeous dresses. A true shopping pleasure all at great prices! If you find yourself in need of some retail therapy in Point Loma– check out the Girls From The Park!! Bravo!

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