Better than they look

Ok, I know these look kind of trashy, but really its just my bad picture taking. These are Keen's in pretty good shape, which retail for around $50. Its so easy to find little girl shoes that I get excited when I find some good boy shoes, especially ones that may actually last through my 3 boys! These are in my eldest son's upcoming size and cost $3.99.

Sewing essentials

I am an amateur seamstress. Although I really enjoy it I am not good enough to invest serious money in it and all the supplies add up fast. So, when I see them at the thrift store I buy them to save for whatever project comes next. Above you can see 5 packs of machine needles. I don't know much about which ones to use on which fabrics, but at least now I have the supplies when (if) I figure it out. A bonus in the bag of supplies was the Coach measuring tape. Why Coach makes a designer measuring tape is beyond me, but I am hoping to make some money with it on Ebay. I saw one recently for sale for $40. That definitely would reimburse my $1.99 investment in sewing supplies.

Pyrex Fun

Pyrex has become my most recent collectible obsession. I have admired it for awhile and bought several pieces in the past, but its only recently that I have begun lurking on Pyrex collector's websites and learning the lingo. I still try to resist unless its a piece that I am really interested in since there is almost always some piece of Pyrex to be had at the Goodwill. The first piece pictured was one I was excited about. You can see from the pic below that I had another matching piece. The bottom picture is one that I was on the fence about. I don't love the color, but the size is great and the lid that goes with it was a nice feature. I paid $3.99 for the yellow bowl and $2.99 for the green casserole.

Vintage love

I love dressing my daughter in vintage dresses. As she gets older it gets harder to find ones in good shape (or at all for that matter). I hit the jack pot the other day. Someone either off loaded some long-held-on dresses or another vintage collector donated some of their collection. All three were right next to each other on the rack and all are size 6, the next size up for my daughter. Plus they were each 50% off making them $1.99 each.

Collectibles

I really don't like the "collectibles" section of my local Goodwill. Seems like they take all the good stuff and price it so high its no longer worth buying. Also some things in there are just way over priced in general, even though they are not really that great. I saw a Starbucks water bottle for $12.00! That is approaching the new price and trust me it was not in new condition. However I do usually browse through and look at the jewelry. Recently I found the above Pyrex dish in that section. It was priced high ($15) but I decided to splurge because I loved the color.

I am a big believer in balance bikes. My son got one for Christmas when he was 2 1/2 and by the time he was 3 he was amazing at it - cruising around, turning corners, stopping well. Once my daughter saw how much fun he was having she insisted on one as well, even though she was older. I didn't want to pay retail for a balance bike for her since she would only use it for awhile, but thought it might help her get onto a regular bike sooner. I found this one at the thrift store for $4.99, which seemed like the right price. Its not the best quality bike, but well worth it for $5. We have since found another one which adjusts to a level that better fits Hannah so I am planning on selling this one.

New Year

Yoga supplies new in the box at the thrift store. Includes a strap and block, which I being a newbie, am usually in need of. I usually prefer to take my classes at the Y, but recent events have made it more difficult to get there. I have yet to open the box (as you can see) but I think I could get into yoga at home. Plus they match my mat, which is just a bonus. You can almost make out the price tag in the picture - $1.99. Not an amazing deal since they retail for only about $10, but its new and I didn't have to go to Target to get it.