2015-08-20T15:59:57-04:00

A Goodwill In Elmsford Not To Miss – Now Closed :(

August 20, 2015January 17, 2023/ToniOnThrifting.com/Leave a comment

I fell in love with this Goodwill the moment I walked in. It is spacious; clean with an incredibly friendly staff. (Thanks Janae for all your help and patience with me 🙂 you were great). I absolutely love love the layout, you can go through the roomy racks and shop with ease. Of course Sunday is a great sale day at Goodwill (two different color ticket items at 50% off ) and in my opinion, the best day to shop and I did very well for myself. I bought a Ralph Lauren denim skirt for $2.49 🙂 (almost new condition) and Ann Taylor (also almost new condition) slacks for $4.29. 🙂 (FYI – When I mention a label, it is with the intent that I would like my readers to know the quality of the merchandise that I am purchasing. 🙂

What this Goodwill lacks in the casual/work dress selection (my favorite department) – it certainly makes up for in every other department.

The women’s’ section is filled with jeans, slacks, blouses, shirts, skirts, jackets and wide selection of coats. They also had a rack with women’s suits that were reasonably priced. I saw Harve Bernard, Ann Taylor, Calvin Klein, Jones of New York amongst others and all in great condition. The men’s section was equally as impressive with a very wide selection of merchandise. The shoe rack was amazing and if you are a women’s size 10 shoe especially, I would definitely check it out – the shoes were all stylish and quite a few (more than usual) were brand new.

I did not see too much art work, but what was out was in decent condition.

The housewares section was extensive with the usual dishes, glassware, etc. What I did score on was a glass percolator for $7.99 (GREAT PRICE) and it had just got in the store a day earlier (Goodwill dates the items for when they came in). I just love percolator coffee from the stovetop; it is absolutely delish in my book.

All in all, I walked out with 2 pairs of pants, 2 skirts, a leopard scarf, a pair of shorts and my percolator for $23.62. Bear in mind I used $5 in Loyalty Points – but I still did brilliantly well and enjoyed my little excursion. I have a feeling that the store was not fully stocked on Sunday, it seems to be in a high traffic area – it had a nice crowd shopping on a Sunday morning. I can’t wait to see it fully stocked. This Good will is definitely worth a return trip or two or three. 🙂

Goodwill
380 Saw Mill River Road
Elmsford, NY 10523
(Westchester County)
914.347.4376
Monday – Sunday 10am-8pm

Until next time, HAPPY SHOPPING!!

August 17th is National Thrift Shop Day

August 16, 2015August 8, 2019/ToniOnThrifting.com/1 Comment

According to the website nationalcalendarday – August 17th is National Thrift Shop Day. We all know that I think it should be a national holiday. 🙂 I love my thrift shopping – both shopping and writing about it. While just this morning I scored a Ralph Lauren denim skirt brand new (with tags on it) for $2.49 in Goodwill :). It really can be fun shopping for bargains like these. I take great enjoyment out of the “hunt” and I have met some remarkable people along the way. Please remember when you shop Goodwill, Salvation Army, Habitat For Humanity, Angel Street, Cauz For Pauz, Housing Works, Humane Society of New Rochelle and countless others, you are supporting PHENOMENAL causes and helping change countless lives. So on National Thrift Shop Day, please go out and shop, you will be supporting someone in need!! 🙂

CELEBRATE

On National Thrift Shop Day, watch for specials at the Thrift Shops in your area and have a Happy National Thrift Shop Day! Use #NationalThriftShopDay to post on social media. 🙂

Until next time, HAPPY SHOPPING!!

CLOSED – New Rochelle’s Habitat For Humanity of Westchester ReStore (New and recently opened Habitat for Humanity ReStore is at 470 Nepperhan Av. in Yonkers.)

August 11, 2015August 26, 2024/ToniOnThrifting.com/1 Comment

What Habitat for Humanity does is give people affordable housing among many things. The Habitat for Humanity Restore in New Rochelle helps fund efforts for the Habitat of Humanity of Westchester. Last year Habitat for Humanity along with a multitude of volunteers was acknowledged for turning two formerly foreclosed houses in Yonkers into places to call home for two Iraq War veterans and their families in the newly named Battle Hill neighborhood. Also, Veterans Build is Habitat for Humanity of Westchester’s initiative to provide housing solutions and volunteer and employment opportunities to U.S. Veterans, Military Service Members and their families. What better reason do you need than this to go to this fairly new Restore to shop? Plus these stores were “green” long before it was “cool” to be green and did I say that the prices are reasonable.

According to a recent article in the City Review New Rochelle article — In addition to class offerings, community activism and raising money for a variety of important causes, ReStore hires vulnerable members of the community that have faced challenges, including local veterans and fire victims that have lost their homes, and provides them with an honest way to make a living while giving back to the community.

There is 10,000 (yes 10,000) square feet of retail space and it is filled with everything from furniture, lamps, home décor, appliances and so much more. Some of their stock is from the sets of television shows.

The day that I stopped in they had a magnificent array of dinner wares, housewares, lamps, home décor, art work and so much more. They had shelves and shelves of the housewares. The furniture was in abundance and all in good condition and reasonably priced. I saw some wonderful home accent tables. The furniture at the Restore comes in a wide variety of decors so please go take a look. There is just so much to see, you will be pleasantly surprised at what the ReStore Offers.

Whether you are going off to college, moving into your first apartment or just want to update, this is a definite stop you should make!

Habitat For Humanity of Westchester Restore
659 Main Street
New Rochelle, NY 10801
Phone: (914) 699-2791
Hours: 10AM-7PM Tuesday-Saturday
10AM-4PM Sunday

Until next time, HAPPY SHOPPING!!!

A Trip To Long Beach Island That Amazes

July 14, 2015August 8, 2019/ToniOnThrifting.com/Leave a comment

A wonderful friend invited me out to Long Beach Island in New Jersey a couple of weeks ago and it was a spectacular weekend all around – the company was outstanding, the weather cooperated and the food was absolutely delish! And while there, lo and behold 🙂 to my surprise, I found a thrift/consignment shop 🙂 called Coastal Consignment & Salvage Co. Do not let the name fool you – this shop was so good that I am contemplating another trip there 🙂 even if it is just for a day. Their business card states “An LBI Experience” – and it truly was — the layout of the store, the quality of the merchandise, the pricing, the variety, all well above average. I think the reason for this is that they have very strict guidelines for donating/consigning and it shows in the exceptionally high quality merchandise.

They only carry ladies’ clothing and it was all stylish and very much in fashion, the layout of the store was one of the best I have ever seen and the pricing ridiculously reasonable. They had beach themed home decor for sale along with beautiful vases, crystal, porcelain, you name it and all good pieces and high quality. The clothes were very chic and in a wide variety of sizes as were the shoes. All name brands, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Jones New York, Gap, Eileen Fisher too many to mention.There is a good variety of handbags from inexpensive to moderate. The shoe section is on the small side but what they have is AWESOME. They had a nice rack of jeans all sensibly priced. Great accessories as well! They also sell estate jewelry.

I picked up two pairs Vera Wang pajamas in what looked like new condition for $12 each, a gorgeous black lace overlay skirt for $15 and a great Ralph Lauren stretch tee shirt (black of course 🙂 )for $10.

I hope that the pictures do this shop justice because it has definitely made may top ten and I don’t ever see it falling off the list.

So I must tell you if traveling to Long Beach Island in New Jersey, you must stop at Coastal Consignment! It was a GREAT shopping experience. 🙂

Coastal Consignment & Salvage Co.
511 North Bay Avenue
Beach Haven, New Jersey 08008
609.492.9400
www.coastalconsignments-salvage.com
Mon, Tues, Wed and Sunday – 10am-5pm
Thurs, Fri and Sat – 10am-7pm

A note about summer months – for the smaller thrift shops, always call first as most of the those shops close or have shortened hours during July and August (especially those affiliated with churches/houses of worship).

Until next time, HAPPY SHOPPING!!!!!

Using Facebook For Buying And Selling

July 8, 2015August 8, 2019/ToniOnThrifting.com/Leave a comment

Did you know that you can buy and sell your “stuff” on Facebook? Facebook has dedicated groups if you are looking to buy, sell or are “in search of” (ISO). Most groups are geographically based such as Yorktown Mom’s, Bronx Yard Sale, Westchester and Putnam, etc. The groups can contain dozens, hundreds or even thousands of members. Some groups are public which means that anyone on Facebook can join and see who is in the group, the group description and what members post. You can also be invited to join by a member of the group. A closed group is where anyone can ask to join or be added or invited by a member and the only difference from above is that only members from the group can see postings from the group. There are also “secret” groups. Anyone can join a secret group but they have to be added or invited by a member and only current and former members can see who is in the group and what members are posting.

There is an admin(s) who runs the page and approves if you can join the group. Only an admin can change the privacy settings for the group.

How do I join a group? Go to the group you want to be part of and then click Join Group in the top-right corner. Or if you see a group on a friend’s page, you can click on the group.

The great thing about Facebook groups is that for the most part, prices are negotiable. I must warn you that one of the drawbacks is that, occasionally someone is trying to get over or not being honest about their merchandise. That is where the admins come in, the great ones do not tolerate any nonsense or bs and they call out people for their “games”. Most pages also have a set of rules that they expect you to adhere to if you are joining their group. Admins are not paid so they have less tolerance for drama and I don’t blame them. Most admins will post general “rules” for joining their group. One in most groups is that you are contacted in the order that the buyer received the post or message. Things along those lines — one thing that does disturb me is that sometimes people post rather nasty comments when a sale or purchase does not go the way they intended or if they disagree with a price – folks – no need to be rude or nasty – just keep it moving – life is too short. Will what is upsetting you matter in a month or two, I doubt it.

Some of the Facebook groups local to the Bronx area that I belong to are:

Westchester Tag sales
Bronx Yard Sale
Stamford’s Treasures & Tag Sale
Westchester Yard Sale
Bedford Yard Sales
Northern Westchester, Putnam & Dutchess Yard Sale

Above are some of the items that I have posted on Facebook for sale. I have sold many items on Facebook with no issues whatsoever!

One of the issues I have noticed is regarding designer handbags. I have seen a knockoffs attempted to be sold as authentic. Also, please remember it is illegal to sell knockoffs on the internet so buyers and sellers beware. Authenticity can be confirmed with a receipt in most instances. One major helpful tip I can give you is beware of anyone who has just created a personal Facebook page to sell merchandise – that is one major RED FLAG and one that should be taken seriously.

PLEASE NOTE:

There is also a group that helps people in need in the Bronx & Westchester that you could join ☺:

Helping Friends In Need Bronx/Westchester — it is always great to help those in need.

I have many more options to tell you about buying and selling in the coming weeks!!

Until next time, HAPPY SHOPPING!!

A “Unique Boutique” On The Upper East Side

June 30, 2015August 8, 2019/ToniOnThrifting.com/1 Comment

Thrifting refers to the act of shopping at a thrift store, flea market, garage sale, or a shop of a charitable organization, usually with the intent of finding interesting items at a low price. A larger philosophy permeates the act of thrifting which celebrates the recycling of formerly-owned items, finding new use and new love for vintage material goods which had been thrown out, and the thrill of imagining what the former life of the item was like. A zine called “Thrift Score”, published in the 1990s by Ms. Al Hoff, celebrated this lifestyle. Many “resale” shops pull their more interesting items from thrift stores and sell them at higher prices – the premium is because the “digging for gold” has already been done.

This is from Definitions.net – I just thought you would enjoy! 🙂

I always find thrifting much more fun when I am not on the hunt for a particular item. It is because I am going through most racks and I stumble upon pieces that I may have otherwise missed if on a specific hunt. I have also noticed that my wardrobe is becoming much more eclectic and fun because I am mixing traditional with funky or vintage when appropriate. I have received compliments on some of my outfits so it must be working :).

There is a “Unique Boutique” on the Upper East Side that is pleasantly nice. There is a good selection of men and women’s clothes, a decent book selection and the inventory seems to constantly change. They have some housewares and the good news is that they do use the color coded tag system so there are always sales. 🙂

I enjoy this small shop because it is reasonably priced and if you are lucky enough to find items that you like and they are on sale, all the better. They have a great tee shirt section and if you are job hunting and need a suit, the suits are sensibly priced. The shoe selection is not bad and quite often, there are some new shoes on the rack for sale. (I think what happens with shoes is that us lovely ladies buy shoes and then have buyers regret or they are too tight, heel not right, etc. and it is not in the window of returning so we donate 🙂 which works out well for thrifters. 🙂

Unique Boutique
1674 Third Ave
New York, NY 10028
(between 93rd & 94th)
212-427-0077
Mon-Fri: 11 AM- 7 PM
Sat: 10 AM-6 PM
Sun: 11 AM-5 PM

There are two Housing Works that are in the area that are worth a visit;

Housing Works
202 East 77^th Street
New York, NY 10021
212-772-8461
Mon-Fri: 11 AM- 7 PM
Sat: 10 AM-6 PM
Sun: 11 AM-5 PM
Closing at 5 pm on July 4th.

Housing Works (Yorkville)
1730 2nd Ave. (at 90th Street)
New York, NY 10128
212-722-8306
Mon-Fri: 11 AM- 7 PM,
Sat: 10 AM-6 PM
Sun: 11AM – 5 PM
Closing at 5 pm on July 4th.

I must say that I favor the 90^th Street location as they always seem to have a great inventory (both men’s and women’s) and the prices are reasonable. They seem to jam pack some great finds in this smaller space. I think that this is most definitely worth a visit. The 77^th Street is also worth a visit.

I tried to capture the 77th Street windows above – Housing Works does a great job on their windows.

Have a safe and wonderful July 4th holiday and until next time, HAPPY SHOPPING!!

ToniOnThrifting