It was a dream come true I tell you.
This afternoon I walked in to our local Goodwill store and made a b-line for the shoe rack like I always do {looking for garden boots of course} and there it was.
The most gorgeous dress in the world.
Holy crap that is awesome came out of my mouth so loud, the lady who was looking at a $19.99 coffee table {also an awesome deal} looked up with “your’e a total psycho” eyes before I could shut my mouth.
Oh, and I also scored another cool pair of garden boots too!
I love thrift stores!!!
~Mavis
P.S. What is the best thing you’ve found at a thrift store lately?
Frustrated with the prices at thrift stores lately? Well you’re not the only one… Check out the post Am I The Only One Who Thinks Thrift Store Prices Are Getting Ridiculous? The comments are eye opening.
Modern Mia Gardening says
That’s a fantastic dress!!! It’s perfect for you.
Heather says
Ooooh, so enchanting! Princess Mavis…I bet your Garden Gnome is happy!
Heather says
Oh, I forgot to add…I scored a like new Rowenta iron at our Goodwill for $8! I even plugged it in to see if it worked before I bought it…worked! Much better then my old, leaky iron I had for years!
Amanda B says
That’s gorgeous! It’s like a Disney princess dress! Mavis the gardening princess? 🙂
Mari says
Woooow Mavis, you look gorgeous. Whats the occasion?? Or is that your garden fairy outfit?
I have started a SWIM program at the local pool. I did the rounds of shops looking for a swim suit. OK I am a plus (‘n probably several more plus’s too) so it was not an easy task. Then I found a pair of cycle/sport tights that fit very well and a singlet top that had a ‘shelf bra’ in it (so I didn’t get two black eyes when aqua jogging ;)) . Both cost me $8NZ. I raced off home and shortened the tights to above the knee and off I went swimming. 5 months later, I am still using them and losing weight and gaining fitness so will treat myself to a nice new pair next summer.
Janae says
Oh.My.Word. Love it Mav!
Peace out girl scouts.
Lynn says
I cannot believe this post…I too went to the Goodwill in downtown Everett. I scored a never worn sweater that is very pretty…and only costs $5.99. I also picked up 2 Nora Robert’s books and a “How to Machine Quilt” book. It was a glorious lunch break.
Erin says
I love the dress, and the boots are pretty swanky too! Recently I got the husband a brand new heavy weight button down from Field and Stream for $3.99 and a fresh-from-the dry-cleaner North Face sleeping bag for $9.99.
Erin M says
OMG Mavis, I love you. You would so totally fit in my crazy family. I’m always asking “and why the hell don’t I have my own reality TV show!?, I’m hilarious?!” I really hope I meet you some day. LOVE the dress and the boots. You are rockin it.
I am SOOOO putting a link to this post on my Facebook feed!!
You Can Call Me Jane says
Oh, honey. You are so much fun:-).
Grandma PattyB says
Oh Miss Mavis. All you need are wings! =)
Amber B says
Love the dress!!!! I really do. The boots are almost as cool.
Just last weekend my 10-year-old was asked to help at a huge annual Western Art Auction raising funds for art education at a local museum. She wanted cowgirl boots and western wear. Of course, she’s outgrown anything “cowgirl” that she had when she was little. We called a friend and asked to borrow duds, but she had just handed her’s down to another little girl.
So, we headed to the thrift store on Saturday morning, and by Saturday evening, my girl was decked out in black cowgirl boots, a denim skirt, a CUTE denim jacket and a red and black plaid shirt with pearl buttons – all for $12.25. She and 6 other kids helped raise $129,000 for art education programs.
There were a lot of very well-dressed and well-off generous donors in attendance, who were also there to buy western paintings and sculptures. I told my daughter that she may have had the “thriftiest” outfit at the entire evening’s festivities! Then she proceeded to buy her very first original oil painting by negotiating with the artist – got it for $30 down from $125. I am a proud mama.
Mavis says
Wowza! Way to go!
J says
I bought a plaid orange and grey polyester 1960’s or 70’s pant suit a few weeks ago at a thrift store and thought of you. Where are you going to wear that dress?
Mavis says
I guess you’ll just have to wait and see. 😉 Where are your going to wear your pant suit? 🙂 🙂
J says
Halloween. But the person at checkout thought I could pull it off anytime… Funny
Francesca says
Mavis!
I think I am about to become a groupie of yours. Your blog is so perfect. I have been searching for one like this for so long, and you were here all along. I am sooo darn inspired by your work, damnit I can cut that stupidly high shopping bill. Thank you. Francesca.
Mrs. Fisher says
agreed!
Patty says
Love the dress! I think you should wear it the next time you are out giving away free carrots!
Christine says
Salvation Army has 10 books for a dollar on Wed. I get books for the whole family. Also I got our daughters name brand t-shirts 6 for three dollars. I love a good deal.
Eileen says
We have a Goodwill clearance that sells EVERYTHING by the pound no matter what it is! It’s $1.19/pound during the week and half price on Sunday. It’s not separated and hung up on hangers like a regular GW, you have to dig through huge bins. I found a dozen cute baby clothes for a friend with a new baby for less than $2! And some still had the tags on!
Kathryn A says
That dress looks perfect for handing out carrots on the street. I’m not sure how it fits with a a theme, but I’m sure you can figure it out 😉
Pat Giaquinta says
That dress is absolutely gorgeous and it looks so nice with your boots!!!!! I do all of our clothes shopping at our local Goodwill Store and I watch for the barb color of the day so that I can get things 1/2 price. I get great shirts & jeans for myself & my husband for $2.50 (when I can get the 1/2 price sale) and I have found some nice plates & bowls for under my houseplants for $.50 and $1.00.
I love shopping there!!!!!!!
Lisa says
Thanks for the idea about the boots. We just had to toss a pair of our rain boots, so I’m in a need of another pair. There a new Goodwill store just 10 minutes from my house so I better go check it out!
Lisa says
Composting in chiffon is the BEST!
Sarah says
LOVE the dress, especially with the boots (I would totally do that!)
The best deal at a Thrift Store recently was this past weekend and it was a wooden “Boston” Rocker in great shape for $19.99
I have been rocking away every evening since 😀
Rita says
I Sooooooo love your site, as much for you as the cool info, thanks for the great energy lol, and you look fantastic in the beautiful dress in your beautiful garden. I recently heard a beautiful young singer do an acoustic remix of the hit song “Thrift Shop”, you can hear her on YouTube @ SincerelyPaisley, if you aren’t concerned with swear words; she also makes me smile. Have a great weekend! I’m off to cook up a mess of 33 cent lb Romas into sauce, and start some free saved seed plants, thanks to you. = )
Halle G says
The boots totally sell the dress. LOL It is actually pretty in it’s own retro way. I love Goodwill! I shop there at least once a week now that it’s only a few miles from home.
Lisa Scott says
I love GW Fashions!!! That’s what I call it when I go to church and they love my outfits and want to know where I got them. “Why, I buy as much as I can at GW Fashions, don’t you?” They just walk away scratching their heads wondering where in the world is GW Fashions! LOL
Helen in Meridian says
In the past month I have found two All Clad fry pans; another Banix immersion blender with all 4 blades; five finger shoes, Keen shoes, 2 pr of Clark sandals, the whole set of Kaya and Josefina American Girl Book, and Costco Kirkland Supima Sheet set in King Size.
Angela says
luv your dress and boots. I soooo love thrift shopping too. You all are so lucky to have great thrift stores. I love on Kauai. I’m thankful to live here, but our goodwill store inventory looks like its ready for the dumpster already.
Brandi @ Savvy Student Shopper says
I got some awesome vintage Pyrex (I mean, really, you can’t have too many bowls), canning jars, vintage salt/pepper shakers, and some cheap textbooks that I re-sell for $$. I love thrifting. I probably go to stores or flea markets around 6 times a week.. at least! :O
Brandi @ Savvy Student Shopper says
Oh, and not thrift store related, but I found a pile of pallets by a dumpster on my way home last night. I took 2! They were set out for the trash so I figured they wouldn’t mind! 😉 They barely fit in my car!
Janine says
It’s a beautiful dress and looks good on you. Your little “Lucy” is so adorable. I’d love to pick her up and hug her. Keep up the good work.
Mavis says
She is the cutest dog ever! 🙂
Charla Echlin says
I love the dress!!!! The best deal I ever got was a pair of BRAND NEW, tag still on Timberland boots- for less than 10 bucks. 7 years later, they are still my favorite boots to wear when doing heavy work in the garden. Love them.
Mavis says
Isn’t the best. I love that store. 🙂
Audrey says
Don’t toss those rubber boots make a bird house out of them with a used car tag on top. My birds love the ones my husband made for us. Cute!
Dot says
Your dress is beautiful. Wehave a Goodwill and a thrift shop. I start at the thrift shop. Their prices are liwer than Goodwill. Shuets are $1. I like shopping at these stores insread of running all around town. Mavis I have followed you for several years. Have learned so much.