Steve Clark

I go pretty in depth into my personal style and shopping philosophy in this post , but here I wanted to share a few practical ways I’ve made thrifted items the foundation of my wardrobe over the years. Here’s a few pointers to thrift like a pro: Create a wish list in your head for certain items and bring it with you to the thrift store. Smaller or charity-ran thrift stores generally have better deals and contribute to a good cause. Know what you like . Go through your current closet, or better yet your Pinterest board, to see what shapes, colors, materials, etc. suite you best. Browse efficiently by keeping an eye out for color first and fabrics second. For example, I love neutrals. So, when I’m thrifting I’ll do a quick pass, only stopping at colors I’d wear. Then I look at the fabric. I avoid anything that looks or feels cheap (think the stretchy, polyester thin fabric that’s continually see-through and looses it’s shape within an hour from Forever 21). Look outside your typical ...

Thrift shopping is a lot of fun. You can find something for everyone at the thrift stores and the affordable prices are sure to make your wallet smile. There are many other benefits of thrift shopping as well that improve your daily life. Here is how thrifting can improve your life. Save Money Of course, everyone wants to save money. With extra savings, you can afford more things: a new vehicle, vacations, more clothes, etc. Buying designer clothes and other items at extremely high prices is a serious drain on your wallet. By shopping at the thrift store, you can save a lot of money, and sometimes you can find the exact designer item you want at a much lower price. Unique Style Thrift stores have a unique collection of items, especially clothes. If you want to personalize your style, the thrift store is one of the best places to go. You can find vintage, modern, trendy, and all different types of fashionable clothing at the thrift store. The best part is you can create unique outfits w...

Doing everything we can to take care of our mental health can take a lot of effort. Unfortunately, there are many things we do that can harm us in ways that aren’t immediately obvious. Many people struggle with clutter in their homes and don’t realize how much it affects their mental state. It may seem harmless at first glance, but I’ll show you how excessive clutter affects your mental health so you can start to take steps toward making it better. Increased Stress One of the primary ways that clutter affects your mental health is that cluttered spaces make you feel more stressed. Studies show that people who describe their house as cluttered tend to have higher levels of the stress hormone known as cortisol. When your home is somewhere you dread going to because of all the clutter, it’s hard to relax. Mental Clutter Physical clutter can lead to clutter in your mind as well. This mental clutter can make certain things more difficult, especially when you deal with it every day. It can m...

Budgeting is a difficult process for many people. Sometimes, it can mean totally cutting out that extra spending you’ve been doing for years—no more coffee shop coffee in the mornings, and no more weekly shopping trips. Though it’s important for us to outline a budget and stick to it, there are ways to still get in those things we enjoy while simultaneously trimming our budget. When it comes to shopping, trimming the budget can mean various things—shopping less, buying less, and checking out the sales section more. However, one of the best ways is by buying items previously owned. In fact, there are quite a few items you’re better off buying secondhand. I have them listed below—trim your budget, get the things you need, all for a fraction of the typical price! Books Though you may miss the crisp smell of a brand-new book, used books and textbooks are a much smarter choice. Digital books have soared in popularity over the past few years, and because of that, secondhand stores are bursti...

Secondhand shopping is just as good for the environment as it is for your bank account—and just as good as it is for your closet. There are so many benefits to shopping at secondhand shops—you find unique pieces, you add some history to your closet, and you can refine your style in ways fast fashion stores cannot. For those hoping to reap the rewards of secondhand shopping, it’s important to first note the difference between consignment and thrift stores. Not all secondhand stores are alike—learn about those differences below! Thrift Stores There are tons of thrift stores across the states, and some work differently than others. Simply put, most thrift shops in the United States are donation-based, pulling from a charity or non-profit organization. So, for example, people donate clothes and home goods to a local non-profit donation organization, and then those donations are taken to the thrift shop. These items can sometimes be a bit worse for wear, but usually, you will find great qua...

  Secondhand shopping has gained popularity over time for many reasons. Some like the lower prices on the items, while others enjoy the eclectic options that are available. No matter your reason for shopping secondhand, the process can sometimes seem overwhelming if you’re not experienced at it.  I want you to get the most out of thrift stores, so I’ve come up with a guide to secondhand shopping so you can feel more at home when you’re making your way through the racks. The Best Finds Come With Time If you really want to get the most out of shopping secondhand, you’ll want to make going to thrift stores a frequent occurrence. Since they get new clothes and items every day, you never know what you may find on the shelves on any given day. Don’t be afraid to come in often to see if there’s anything new that catches your eye. Wear Something Comfortable The chances are good that you’ll find some clothes in their vast selection that are to your liking. If you are someone who prefer...

  Thrift shopping has become a trend that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere—and that’s fantastic news for a lot of people. A thrift store is a great place to find fairly-priced, quality items. If you’re new to the world of thrifting, the scene can sometimes be a little intimidating. There’s a lot to choose from and a lot to look through before making a buy decision, so it’s understandable if the whole thing makes you a little overwhelmed. To help you feel like you can thrift shop with the best of them, I’ve prepared this guide on how to become an expert thrifter. Once you have these down, you’ll find yourself enjoying your thrift shopping experience a lot more. Don’t Be Afraid To Leave Empty-Handed When you first begin thrifting, it may seem like you’ve failed if you don’t leave the store with something you like. This is simply not true. Leaving empty-handed isn’t a failure, it’s recognizing you didn’t find a perfect fit and you’ll try again the next time. If you go to   thrif...

There’s a lot to get excited about as we creep back into normalcy, like the return of WEDDING SEASON! Coming back to the things we know and love doesn’t have to be exactly how it was before, it can be better. Weddings have a tendency to be pretty wasteful, like the bridesmaid dress you wore for two hours or that cocktail number you bought for function.  We love dressing up for big events but not at the expense of the planet. So why not thrift your next wedding season look instead from the  thrift store in Destin, FL ? Whether you’re a bride, bridesmaid, or a wedding guest, this guide will have major thrifty inspo for you with looks so cute you’ll want to wear ‘em again and again.  1. Pre-Wedding Festivities  If you’re attending an engagement party, rehearsal dinner or bridal shower chances are whatever new item you shop for is going to lead to a one-time wear sitch. Thrift a midi dress instead that is chic and flattering to the body.  For an effortless search fo...

For some people, going on vacation means enjoying lazy days by the pool or taking in historic sites. But for the avid thrift shoppers among us, traveling to a new city brings with it the opportunity to hunt for all sorts of decorative gems and goodies to take home. During my trips across the country, I’ve loved visiting new retailers in search of fun, one-of-a-kind accents for my apartment. Below, I’m sharing my tips for a seamless out-of-town thrifting experience. 01 of 05 Plan It Out If you’re traveling alone and truly wish to make your vacation all about vintage shopping, go for it. But if you’re on a getaway with others, your alone time may be a bit more limited, so you'll want to determine beforehand the most efficient way to hit all of the stores on your list. Not getting any bites? A quick Google search will also direct you to top thrift and vintage stores in a certain city. Given that many retailers these days have robust social media profiles and websites, you’ll be able t...

  A lot of middle-class folks aspire to own branded fashionable labels but are unable to dole out the necessary cash to buy them since they are available for exorbitant rates. Not anymore! Since the last few years, several consignment stores are emerging that sell branded second hand outfits for a fraction of the original retail price. You can get pre-owned trousers or dresses from a high-end label for bargain rates at the thrift stores in Santa Rosa Beach, FL. What are consignment stores? It is a retail shop that specializes in consignment sales. They offer owners a chance to showcase and sell their goods. The store will decide what merchandise they will approve and sell at what rate. Post sale, the consignment shop and the owner will split profits at a pre-agreed price. The product is usually placed at the store for a specific duration. If it does not sell during the time period, then the owner can either choose to take the items back or the store will attempt to sell...

  Spring has sprung, so it’s time to swap out your wardrobe. But what to do with the old clothes you no longer want? In the thrift stores, you have numerous options for donating, selling and recycling clothes you’re ready to let go of. Plus, there are many opportunities for acquiring good quality secondhand clothes for pennies on the dollar or free.  Donation Clothing can be donated to charities, select retailers, thrift stores and clothing donation bins throughout the metro area. Many larger thrift operations also offer pick-up services. And don’t forget friends, family and co-workers who might appreciate the hand-me-downs. If you want to donate your clothes to a charity, contact the thrift stores in Panama City Beach, FL and find out the donation requirements. Be sure to follow these pointers to help ensure that your unwanted clothing has the best chance at a good, second life: Make sure clothes are clean. Empty pockets. Remove lint, pet hair and other detritus. Mak...

  There’s a lot one can say about the concept of minimalism. It’s a trend that has garnered a lot more traction nowadays thanks to our overly busy and cluttered lives. Minimalism is the idea that we don’t need a ton of material possessions to be happy, and enough people make it work that they might have a good point. A minimalist lifestyle can even be a great way to help others if you decide to donate the old possessions that you no longer need. We’re going to go over a few of the benefits of a minimalist lifestyle, so you can see how even small minimalist changes can have a big impact on your life. Less Attachment To Unimportant Things If you look around you right now, what exactly do you see? Do you see a lot of stuff you hang onto “just because?” If you do, you’re hardly alone. People from all walks of life have a habit of collecting things they don’t really need or are just afraid to get rid of for whatever reason. Adopting a minimalist lifestyle is to r...

  Rows and rows of color and pattern hide a funky Hawaiian button-down, a bizarre T-shirt that reads, “Woody’s back! And his name is Jim!” and a red, velvety sweater on sale for a quarter of its original price. These eccentric and exciting items could only be found together in one kind of store: a thrift store in Lebanon, TN. Rather than bundling up in the latest generic looks produced by harmful fast fashion franchises, those in need of warm fall clothing should explore the exciting and environmentally-friendly world of second-hand shopping.  When thrifting, I’m not pressured to keep up with all the latest trends but free to experiment and make my style my own. Digging through the racks of a thrift store can feel like a treasure hunt. Each item has its own story and represents the unique personality of its previous owner, lending to an incredible variety of styles not found among the generic racks of first-hand stores.  On my last expedition, I fell ...