travel – Page 4 – Thrift Shopping Buzz

Closet – Ocean Beach… style on a budget

Style on a budget for the budget conscious beach babe in all of us. Yes– that’s what I found when I stepped into the Closet this afternoon in Ocean Beach. The weather is starting to warm up and I was looking for some cute dresses and spring t-shirts. I was thrilled to find a table with colorful t-shirts priced 3/$10. And the dresses are priced at a wallet friendly $15 for those of us who can’t afford to shop at Bloomingdales regularly. Jewelry– they have lots of it– fit for any jewelry emergency you might be having. I found trendy & fun rings and bangles priced between $2 and $5. Colorful summer shorties priced at $9.99 and jeans $15.99.

Closet

4949 Newport Avenue

San Diego, CA 92107

Phone: (619) 222-2999

Facebook.com/ClosetSignature

Cheap, easy, fun & disposable clothes– can’t beat that when the price is right. A word to the wise- be sure to try stuff on in this place especially if you have “womanly curves.” Some of the clothes are cut on the slim side.

Huge selection of shoes and handbags in this place too. I seriously stood in front of the “wall of shoes” for a good 20 minutes just taking it all in. I had a great time shopping here! It’s easy retail therapy for well under $20.

Buffalo Exchange – Hillcrest

Need something fun to wear? Need an infusion of hip & cool in your wardrobe? Definitely give Buffalo Exchange a try. It’s a thrift store with oh-so hipster fashionable inventory. From what I understand they are a bit on the choosy side about what they take in– which is fine because the stuff on the floor is pretty much awesome. I found some fantastic wristlets and fun shoes. Everything was color coordinated and fairly organized considering this place was packed with clothes! The day I was there it was hard to move around because there were so many shoppers in the store.

Buffalo Exchange – Hillcrest

3862 5th Avenue

San Diego, CA 92103

Phone: (619) 298-4411

Web: www.BuffaloExchange.com

Of special note– on April 21st….

SAVE OCEAN ANIMALS AT OUR DOLLAR SALE!

All Locations Apr 21, 2012

Save ocean animals while shopping for hip used clothing at a bargain. In celebration of Earth Day, Buffalo Exchange is recognizing the work of The Humane Society of the United States, the nation’s largest animal protection organization, and its international arm, Humane Society International, in helping to protect ocean animals. All proceeds from the sale of items offered for one dollar each at your local Buffalo Exchange on April 21 will go The HSUS and HSI.

CupCase Your Bra

CupCase Your Bras™ is a stylish protective travel and storage case for your bras. Protect your bras from crimping, crushing and creasing while you travel with CupCase. Bras have evolved from providing function to delivering high fashion. Price increases for these beautiful undergarments necessitate a greater need to protect them while you travel. CupCase Your Bras™ “butterflies-open” with one easy zip and stores up to three bras with additional safe storage for hair ties, jewelry, and other small accessories. Choose from Hot Pink, Pretty Purple, Spot on Leopard or Charming Cheetah.

Charming Cheetah – $19.95

This has got to be the most awesome invention ever! How many times have you travelled and had to crush your bras and panties into your suitcase- all the time hoping during the airport process your undergarments would remain intact in your bag?! (this was my dilemma over Christmas break last year…) This case holds not only your bra but also other tiny essentials like hair accessories and bracelets. Seems like it might be good for swimwear too. Spring break travels?

Seriously, I know nothing about this product until I connected w/ them on my Twitter account. Like I said, I wish I had the CupCase the last time I travelled. I hate the idea of my bras and accessories crushed in my suitcase. Next time I’ll travel with CupCase!

CupCase Your Bras™

Founder: Erin Wilson
Phone: 317-870-1978

Web: www.cupcase.com

DIY – Wooden Cigar Box Transforms into Jewelry Box

Do you have too much jewelry and not an organized place to keep it all? I found myself in a similar situation– jewelry stashed in random places to the point I had to “search” for what I wanted to wear. Well, I came up with a stylish DIY project last weekend while strolling thru Kobey’s Swap Meet in the Point Loma neighborhood of San Diego.

Tucked in the midst of random odd household items I found the I Liquidate table featuring some fantastic cigar boxes. You read that right– cigar boxes. I purchased a total of 3 wooden cigar boxes and the owner threw in a freebie– I spent $10. I figured this would be an excellent was to re-use something that might be thrown in the trash. The boxes were surprisingly sturdy and of good quality.

I Liquidate (“you call, we haul”)

Ramona, CA 92065

Phone: (619) 770-9921

The stack of boxes looks really cute tucked in my living room cabinet. I secured some felt to line the boxes (price: Free) so my jewelry will be protected. This was a super quick & easy project. It took maybe 30 minutes to line the boxes with the felt. Probably the biggest time-consuming part of the whole thing was deciding which jewelry would be placed in which box (decisions!).

Frills Boutique

Do you need a trendy dress or jewelry for a party but just can’t bear the thought of battling the parking lot at the Mall? Well, do I have the place for you! I found Frills Boutique tucked in the Ralphs Shopping Center in San Diego’s Hillcrest neighborhood. Good finds for me included fun accessories and little gifts like candles, earrings and purses.

Another huge benefit of this place – they only get a few pieces in of an item so you don’t have to worry about some other chic wearing your dress at a party. You won’t be able to walk in and not fall in love with at least one of the handbags. I certainly did– you can see a few of my faves below.

I really like how pretty and colorful everything was in this boutique. This makes me realize I need to step away from the black clothes! Check out the gorgeous handbag in the 2nd photo. Better yet it’s not black!

Frills Boutique

1020 University Avenue

San Diego, CA 92103

Phone: (619) 497-0458

Facebook: www.facebook.com/frills.hillcrest

Bluestocking Books – San Diego – open 7 days!

Welcome to Bluestocking Books! For 44 years the 3817 5th Avenue address in San Diego’s Hillcrest neighborhood has been home to independent bookseller Bluestocking Books. Open seven days a week, they stock used as well as new titles. I also found “bookish” gifts, stationery and magazines. Customers may trade used books for store credit towards a discount at the register. And– they are willing to Special Order also.

“What you don’t know would make a great book” –Sidney Smith

Bluestocking Books

3817 5th Avenue

San Diego, CA 92103

Phone: (619) 296-1424

www.bluestockingbooks.com

This store was a total delight and a real treat. In a way, it was like stepping back in time. Everything from the fully stocked shelves floor to ceiling to the wooden chairs strategically placed. The contentment of reading has been around for centuries and seems to be alive and well in the modern world too courtesy of local Bluestocking Books. However, the fact remains we cannot simply love our friendly little shops and bookstores, we must also purchase things in them. Money does not make the world go around: it creates stability by paying employees, landlords & vendors. Bottom line- visit Bluestocking Books for the charming ambience and be sure to spend a few bucks while you’re there. (I noticed they have a wonderful website as well!) Cheers and Happy Reading!

Mint – shoes! shoes! shoes! – Hillcrest

Are you looking for cute shoes on a budget? I was thrilled when I walked into Mint in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego. Definitely a shoe-lovers paradise. It’s a small space but the selection is mighty amazing! Everything from cute little flats with attitude to rockin’ heels.

Mint

525 University Ave.

San Diego, CA 92103

Phone: (619) 291-6468

www.mintshoes.com

As you sashay down the narrow aisle to pay for what will for sure turn out to be your new fave pair of shoes, don’t miss out on the accessories they have strung along the back wall— and do not pass up the sale section. (It’s like browsing for the candy & gum that you know you don’t need, but just want, as you’re standing in line at the grocery store).

Bravo! Here are a few pictures from my retail therapy experience at Mint:

eCosway – Color Your World – Fine Products at Fair Prices

eCosway offers the worlds finest products at fair prices. While browsing in Hillcrest this weekend I found the local eCosway retail store. What a fabulous surprise! I knew nothing about this product line and was excited to hear about the yummy smelling laundry soap ringing up under $6 and the exceptional organic foods. eCosway (launched in 2002) is a rapidly growing international company with headquarters in the prestigious golden triangle of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and thousands of Sales Centers located throughout Asia, Australia, UK and US.

eCosway stores are easily accessible and usually placed in high-density residential areas, supermarkets and shopping malls with heavy foot traffic. eCosway sells a wide range of exclusive, quality products carefully sourced from established manufacturers and researchers from all over the world. They keep abreast of trends and come up with new and exciting products to give clients the best products.

eCosway

1295 University Ave.

San Diego, CA 92103

Phone: (619)295-3900

www.ecosway.com/ushome/US100055

Bottom line– this is a great place to stop- whether you are looking for a chocolate bar or a mini-microwave cooker or some laundry soap. Something for everyone! My fave– Laundry Soap. Cheers and happy shopping!

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SAVE OCEAN ANIMALS AT OUR DOLLAR SALE!

All Locations Apr 21, 2012

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