Thrift Day. Where I Do Damage.

I always get asked where I thrift shop. And I lie and avoid the question. I never went to kindergarten, I don't have to be good at sharing. But today I will share the location of where I find my thrift treasure.. because it's Friday and I am feeling good*. Talize (here)

(Clockwise from top left... Marc Jacobs, vintage leopard, vintage DVF and handmade bubble trench... all Talize)

I would be happy to take all the credit for my thrift finds as I think that I have thrift skills as others have basketball skills. But in a moment of humility, I admit that Talize is a thrift playground full of treasures waiting to be discovered. I have never walked out of there without buying something; usually I walk out with the biggest, orange bag of life... a sure sign of a hoarder in training. Talize is stacked. While their designer rack has a funny mix of Sean John, Apple Bottoms and Anne Klein, I have found Marc Jacobs, DVF, Notte by Marchesa and Jil Sander hidden in the regular racks. There is always plenty of good vintage to discover as well. The prices are certainly not the cheapest in terms of thrifting ($8-$10 for dresses, $5 for shirts, $7 for blazers) but they aren't ridiculous and when I use their coupons and my student discount, they are quite reasonable. The store is always clean, packed full of stock and the people who work there are friendly and helpful. Hands down, this is my favourite place to go thrifting. Value Village (here, here and here)

(Clockwise from top left... silk wrap dress, leather clutch, sequin vest and Tory Burch cardi, ... all VV)

I love to hate Value Village but I hate that, sometimes, I love Value Village. It's no secret that Value Village's ridiculous over-pricing makes me want to throw cats (not mine but yours Merl). My friend saw a wool Banana Republic jacket with 3 missing buttons for $60 last week at Value Village. That's the stuff urban legends are made of. And it's not like their over-pricing affects me so much as it's brands like Guess, Banana Republic and George (...?, I know... don't get me started) that get treated to the highest mark-ups. Vintage clothing and obscure brands escape the crazy pricing but regardless, the principle of their over-pricing has me so frustrated. And sometimes, when I am there, I shop and then seethe and promise to never set foot in a Value Village again but then.... I find something like this amazing skirt that gives me booty or this amazing dress that gives me booty (so much booty) and I weaken in my resolve. Now I only shop there if I have a good coupon or it is one of their 50% off days (they happen at Talize and VV about once every 2 months). It is worth noting that the Value Village in Brantford is not picked over and much cheaper than the one in Hamilton. I just found a silk kimono style jacket for $4... Anywhere.

(Clockwise from top left... boots from Salvation Army in Winnepeg, dress from From the Past(?) Hamilton, skirt from Bibles for Mission and collar from Waterloo flea market)

I know... that is so helpful. Besides Value Village and Talize, I am pretty open minded about where I thrift shop. I often frequent this Salvation Army or this Bibles for Mission. This flea market is great too... it's cheap and big and has lots of good jewelry. I like to walk a lot and I can't resist dropping in any second hand place I come across. Also, any time we travel or go on vacation, I need to check out any charity shops in the area. I know thrift shopping differs based on geographical location but unless the prices are obscene, there is treasure to be found no matter where you live. My dad and I have made a little tradition of going on thrifting or antiquing adventures almost on a weekly basis. We are always on the look-out for new places to discover. Now you know where I go when I am sad... when I am happy... when I am bored. If you are local, reveal yourself! and let me know if there are any good places I am missing. If you don't live near Hamilton, thanks for reading the whole post. I am not on the tourism board yet but I urge you to visit Hamilton sometimes. We have waterfalls, castles and good thrifting. One sweet day this may be the new go to all-inclusive destination... or not. But the thrifting really is good... * It just took me 4 hours to post this due to Blogger and Internet issues... cry. Not feeling so good.