Montreal Thrifter

I'm a newly minted thrift store shopper. Here are my finds in and around Montreal.

[mtlthrifter]

Value Village prices way too high, Winnipeg vintage retailer says

Winnipegger and "professional thrifter" Kali Martin is joining a chorus of complaints about high prices at for-profit retailer Value Village.

This is an interesting article on the increasing prices at thrift stores. Do you find it the case in your area?

[mtlthrifter]

10 Rules when Thrift Store Shopping

What are my guidelines when I go thrifting? Since I’m not a flipper (aka reseller), most of the items I buy are personal things I would use on myself, or things I think friends/family could use. Obviously I use a lot of discretion.

1. Always try on the item.

2. Make sure you check seams, buttons, fabric, zippers for any tears, rips etc.

3. Don’t be afraid to sew or alter the clothing (if you are so inclined). For me, if it fits, and there is a loose button, I’m not afraid to buy it and fix it. (Ask for a discount too!)

4. Bring more money than you thing you may need.

5. Never leave your cart/basket unattended.

6. It’s ok to leave the store empty-handed.

7. Check clothes that people have left in the dressing rooms or racks. (sometimes you can find something nice!)

8. Don’t buy items with stains/smells on them.

9. If you don’t love it, don’t buy it!

10. Clean your items before using/wearing!

Well, these are my guidelines. What are yours?

[mtlthrifter]

Olive green Burberry cashmere sweater for $5

So after a two month hiatus, I finally went shopping yesterday at the Salvation Army. Wow, I’m a lucky girl because I found some awesome stuff!

I found this beautiful olive green Burberry cashmere sweater! It was genuine and in wonderful shape! For only $5, it was a steal! Heck the sweater even has silk woven into it!

[mtlthrifter]

A long break

I was gone for awhile for various reasons:

- No buying mode - Life changes - Getting sick - Finally recovering

So, now that this is all over, I’ve finally went shopping today! Will be posting my new finds soon. The Fall-Winter edition.

[mtlthrifter]

Cleaning your Thrifted Finds

Here’s something you never really want to think about when purchasing things from a Thrift Store. Nothing is cleaned prior to it arriving on the floor. Nothing.

Yes. When you think about the years of grime, or perhaps previous owner’s sweat, skin cells and what-have-you all over your precious finds, it makes your own skin crawl.

Solution? Clean it!

My own personal arsenal of cleaning supplies?

Goo Gone (for those price stickers)

Murphy’s Oil (for wooden furniture, or other wood items)

Jewelry Cleaner (or toothbrush with dish soap is great)

Dawn Dish Soap

Leather cleaner (like Saddle Soap), Moisturizer and Protectant

Laundry Detergent, Bleach, Baking Soda, Vinegar (for clothing)

Bleach and hot bath for Toys

Rubbing Alcohol (for inside of shoes, jewelry, and other things)

Vacuum (for inside of bags, furniture)

There are items I generally avoid (like plushies, or fabric covered furniture, carpets). These are things that could be hard to clean and I personally do not want to invite bed bugs into my home.

As for dry clean only clothes, I also avoid them, unless its something I really want. Then it’s off to the dry cleaners for a cleaning.

After thrift store shopping, I always allocate time to clean each and every item. (As well, immediate washing of the hands too!) I spray goo gone on all of the sticker-ed items, wash things, start laundry etc.

What do you do with your thrifted finds? Do you also clean them immediately?

Here are some other places for those cleaning tips:

https://thingsifoundatthethriftstore.wordpress.com/2011/02/26/how-to-clean-your-thrift-finds/

http://www.racked.com/2014/10/27/7571855/thrift-store-vintage-clothing-stain-removal

http://dearwallet.blogspot.ca/2011/10/how-to-clean-your-thrifted-clothes.html

http://www.thebudgetfashionista.com/archive/how-clean-thrift-store-clothing/

[mtlthrifter]

Spice of Life Salt & Pepper Shakers

I laughed when I saw these.

First, both of them were still filled with their respective spices. (Eww and I washed the crap out of them.)

Secondly, they match my other corningware items! http://mtlthrifter.tumblr.com/post/125091980190/a-corningware-piece-in-the-spice-of-life-pattern; http://mtlthrifter.tumblr.com/post/124400767640/on-this-round-i-found-vintage-corningware-grab-it

More info on the Spice of life set from the 80′s :http://www.corellecorner.com/chrome-top-guide/80-gemco-ware.html

[mtlthrifter]

Ralph Lauren Oxford Shirt (Men’s Edition).

It was in good shape. I am not sure if it’s still in style, but I thought that button up shirts are pretty much always in style. Heck, for $6, I think I will just chance it.

[mtlthrifter]

Vintage jadeite glass. 

A new find at the store! It was cute and will hold my other jewelry. I love the lotus flower look!

Jadite Green Vintage 8" Fire King Lotus Flower Plate/Dish and matching bowl by Anchor Hocking.  This high quality vintage plate is in the shape of a flower blossom with a textured leaf design on the top, and measures approx 8" across.

Links on Jadeite (for those who are curious)

http://www.marthastewart.com/266055/jadeite

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jadeite_%28kitchenware%29

http://www.secondhandwithstyle.com/2012/04/vintage-101-jadeite.html

[mtlthrifter]

Finally, after a long drought, a new find! 

 This is a red patterned t-shirt from Reitmans. I found it at Salvation Army.

[mtlthrifter]

I'm on tour all the time, so I stop at thrift shops. The minute we hit a town, I'll have my assistant Googling thrift stores. I have him go check beforehand; then we go there

Travie McCoy

[mtlthrifter]

Weirdos at the Thrift Store

Holy crap. I was taking the day off (which is such a nice break for me - considering the craziness that is coming) and I decided (between errands) to check out the thrift store. 

Other than the overwhelming waft of thrift store “smell,” I found the store to be nicely organized by size and by colour! I have to say, because of this, it made my search quick and easy!

Anyways, while perusing the boot and shoe section, a man comes up to me, only to mention that the shoes I picked were certainly too large for me. Then he proceeds to check it by touching my feet. So gross! I didn’t want to upset them, but I just said, they are fine. Then he wanted to buy them for me. What am I, a thrift whore? 

Eww - so disturbed.

[mtlthrifter]

Thrift Stores in Montreal

Hmmm. What can I say about them. Since I have generally been staying within the Montreal area (West End or Sud Ouest), I have found them --- meh, it’s ok so far.

I guess my problem is that the stores I usually go to are pretty picked over and busy. I sometimes feel that the employees literally put price tags on everything they receive as a donation and drag it out on the floor. Meaning, a lot of things are broken, or in really run down shape.

I wonder if its because of the season we are in (back to school).

Over a brief conversation with my colleague, who literally thrifts every single outfit she owns, she said there were only several times throughout the year where there are decent finds. I wonder if I should venture out to the West Island? I hear there are some decent shops there. As for the East End, I don’t think I would head out there (it’s slightly too far, and I would imagine their stores similar to that of Verdun).

[mtlthrifter]

A belt.

I just started to look through the belt section. It’s not that bad actually. Some of the belts are very worn (what’s up with thrift stores here in Montreal?). I saw some nice name brands, but alas, not in my size.

[mtlthrifter]

A dry spell for me and apparently today is Thrift Store day!

I’ve been heading to the thrift stores lately, and I have to say, it’s been dry for me. Either the clothes are in supremely poor shape, way too used, or ripped. I’m not sure what is going on. Or, the kitchen ware is terrible. So far nothing is “exciting” me when I look over the items. I think I will need to start heading to different locations.

However, on to the good news! It’s National Thrift Store Day (in the US - which basically extends to Canada anyways). I’m sure that today may be crazy in terms of people shopping - but I hope to head over after work. :)

https://www.valuevillage.com/shop/national-thrift-store-day

https://www.yahoo.com/makers/its-national-thrift-store-day-heres-6-tips-to-126695303855.html

[mtlthrifter]

Teal sheath dress.

A Lori Michaels dress, usually sold at the Hudson's Bay Company. It's comfortable, and perfect for work.

[mtlthrifter]

It was a blue day.

Recent fashion finds from various thrift stores. The first one (left to right) is a Mexx Metropolitan top with cap sleeves. The middle one is a Dex knit top. The right one is a Reitmans knit bat-wing top.

All neutral enough for work and works with my pale skin tone. Each top varied from $5 to $8 each.

[mtlthrifter]

Black Anne Klein T-Shirt.

Went to Value Village over the weekend. I found a couple of nice shirts. This one is a nice cotton t-shirt with ruffles over the neckline. A good deal for $8. (I find that Value Village in my area prices so much more than Renaissance.)