Its that time again!   Friday Thrift Store finds with Jen and Pippa.  

Jen and Pippa are virtual volunteers working to benefit nonprofit organizations by

helping promote thrift stores in the Houston area!

If you are not yet doing so, consider DONATING for the nonprofit organization of your choice today!

Alberta Ferretti jacket … thrift store find for $9.99

This is the WINNER of the week …..

Alberta Ferretti Jacket, retails $1000+ at Neiman Marcus and found at Goodwill for only $9.99!

THRIFT TIP:

•    Wear a tank top so you can quickly try on jackets, sweaters or blouses.

JCREW sweater for $5.99 and Paper Denim & Cloth for $6.99 at Thrift Store

Rebecca Taylor Blouse Retailed for $235 …. thrift store find at $5.99!!!!

Thrifted Rickie Freeman Suit for $9.99

Shoshanna Dress for $9.99

Brand New … Pink NICOLA BERTI Leather Jacket for $9.99 … still has partial tag

ECCOCI cashmere/wool jacket with leather trim … $9.99

Badgley Mischka Tweed Skirt for $5.99

True Religion Western Denim Shirt for $5.99 … Retails $138

Anthropologie Top at Goodwill for $5.99

This tiered tray was only $4.99 at Goodwill Thrift Store

Harley Davidson Leather Jacket at Goodwill for $24.99

Cool Needle Point Belt

MUBB shoes found for $9.99

Tabitha for Anthropologie Dress Retails for $168 …. thrifted for $9.99

There were a bunch of faux fur vests for $5.99 this week!

Darling TSE skirt for $6.99

Large Vintage coin purse found for $1.99

A cute nutrcracker to add to my collection

I have never seen a “Pippa” tag before … just had to take a picture!

Umbrella for $4.99

Cute Vintage Dress!

Vintage Gown

Here is the ugly item of the week …. Double Knit Polyester Suit!!!!!!!!

Our fabulous lunch after shopping!

Goodwill store in Houston

When you DONATE to Goodwill you are helping jobs be created and making a difference for a  veteran!

Goodwill is the #2 employer for veteran’s in the Houston area.

“Changing Lives through the Power of Work!”

This week we shopped at the following stores in Houston:

• GOODWILL
• SALVATION ARMY

You can find Jen at:

• Facebook: ShopJensCloset
• Pinterest:  Doodlehearts
• Instagram:  ShopJensCloset
• ebay:   Doodlehearts
• Website:   ShopJensCloset

Here is a sneak for the week …..  Tons of High End Name Brands!

Jen & Pippa Friday Thrift finds Houston .. its going to be an AWESOME post this week!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jen and Pippa are virtual volunteers working to benefit nonprofit organizations by

helping promote thrift stores in the Houston area!

If you are not yet doing so, consider DONATING for the nonprofit organization of your choice today!

You can find Jen at:

• Facebook: ShopJensCloset
• Pinterest:  Doodlehearts
• Instagram:  ShopJensCloset
• ebay:   Doodlehearts
• Website:   ShopJensCloset

You have to admit that it is hard to resist a .99 Dress SALE at a Thrift Store!

When I first saw this “matronly” looking dress I wasn’t sure if it could be made-over or even worth the time to try.   Luckily just hemming it and adding a belt made all the difference for this simple Makeover!!!!!!!!!!!

This was a simple yet dramatic makeover!

THRIFT STORE FINDS:

• Blue Floral Dress:     (San Antonio Goodwill)  …………… .99

Goodwill San Antonio Dress Makeover!

Cut off a few inches and adding a belt was all this dress needed!

Cute Goodwill Dress!

• The Pleated Poppy- What I Wore Wednesday 
• Kiwi Woman’s Style- Wardrobe Wednesday
• Rolled Up Pretty- Whatever, Whenever, Wednesday
• Transatlantic Blonde- What I Wore Wednesday  
• Because Shanna Said So- Random Wednesday
• Style Elixir-  Style Sessions

Similar Banana Republic blouse found at Goodwill for $5.99

A Khaki School Day

A neutral color khaki blouse is easy to wear with jeans, white pants and most prints!   This darling Banana Republic Blouse was found at Goodwill for $5.99.   Similar is retailing now in stores for $79.50.

THRIFT STORE FINDS:

• Banana Republic Blouse ………..  (Goodwill)   $5.99

Cute School outfit … style on a budget!

Thrift Store Blouse

This GAP denim jacket was $7.00 at a thrift store

The Essential Jean Jacket

A jean jacket is a must have for every closet!     This GAP denim jacket retails for $69.95.

I think that white jeans also fall into the MUST HAVE for any wardrobe!

GAP jacket retails $69.95 …
Thrift Store $7.00

THRIFT STORE FINDS:

• GAP denim jacket   (Assistance League)   ………..  $7.00
• Striped shirt   (Goodwill)   ……………..   $5.99
• Leather Belt   (Goodwill)   …………    $2.99
• DKNY white jeans   (Goodwill)   …………..   $6.99

Denim Jacket, white jeans and leather belt all thrifted

Jean Jacket: a wardrobe essential

Thrift Store

JCREW thrifted sweater

This grey and white leopard cardigan sweater from JCREW was found while thrifting for only $5.99!    Even though it is a wild pattern it can be treated as a neutral to wear with any color.   This sweater is definitely one of those items that the sisters fight over … I mean share!

THRIFTED FINDS:

• JCREW sweater   (Goodwill)   ………….  $5.99
• Leather belt   (Goodwill)   …………   $2.99

JCREW sweater found at Houston Goodwill Store

Sorry, to wait to post this so close to Mothers Day, but both my mom and mother-in-law read this blog so I wanted to wait until the last minute to post this.

I am so excited about my Mothers-Day gifts this year!   All in the spirit of being Thrifty and Frugal, both my mother and my mother-in-law, have been the perfect example of how to not only thrift but save money.

After reading a review on this book I couldn’t wait to get it for my mother-in-law (the queen of thrifting).   Of course I always try to find it re-purposed first and bought it from Goodwill/Denver (how fitting)!

Tossed & Found: Where Frugal is Chic

“You Can Be Frugal, Fashionable and Fabulous!

Tossed & Found dishes up a generous plate of intriguing stories pulled from the frugal adventures of a newly thrift-conscious nations. Barb Tobias, America’s Thrift Talk Diva, is the Mistress of Thrift showing the adventure seeker how to find the treasures beneath the tarnished.

Tossed & Found takes the reader on an amazing journey with tales of treasure; it reveals how to clear the clutter from the home and resell it; and it uncovers the secrets to decorating and dressing with fantastic results. From first-time apartment dwellers to transitioning baby boomers, Tossed & Found has something for everyone.”

For my mom, I found this handmade pottery serving dish …. when I first found it (4 months ago, I have been waiting patiently to give to her) I knew I had to get it for her!  First of all the quality is incredible, it is hand crafted and probably weighs 3 pounds!   She grew up on the Oregon coast so it is perfect for her with the seashell in the center.

Jen and Pippa are virtual volunteers working to benefit nonprofit organizations by

helping promote thrift stores in the Houston area!

Its a journey to find the perfect pair of shoes, vintage fashion, stunning dress or a classic sweater.

Join Jen and Pippa this week to see our hauls, spoils, and treasures that we found in local Houston thrift stores!

(once again, we always leave a lot of these treasures behind for you … support your local non-profit thrift stores)

Jocelyn Sweater Retail is $144 @ Saks Fifth Avenue …. Houston Goodwill $5.99!

THRIFT TIP:     

• Get over the “used” factor!  …. At a hotel you sleep in sheets someone else has slept in (they have been washed), you shower with used towels (also washed before you use them), then you slip into the hotel robe (umm, again, its been worn by someone else)
• When you go thrift shopping just wash the clothing before wearing it!  You probably don’t even do that with BRAND NEW clothing …  you remove the tags and wear it, without knowing how many people have either tried it on, worn it and returned it.

Manalo Blahnik $12.99 and Miu Miu $9.99 @ Goodwill

Silk/Cotton Blend CHICO’S Camp Blouse for only $5.99!

Abercrombie Polka Dots for only $3.99!

French Silk Equestrian Les Copains Blouse for $5.99!

JCREW pullover $188 retail … $5.99 at Houston Goodwill

WOW … Stunning Cashmere Coat @ Goodwill $14.99

Nanette Lepore Floral Summer skirt for only $5.99!

Vintage Fur Jacket at Houston Goodwill for $19.99

Hand Knit Fisherman’s Sweater for $5.99!

On Parle de Vous … Blouse from Paris for $5.99 at Goodwill!

All Anthropologie … $5.99 short, $6.99 pants @ Goodwill Houston

Mens Sperry Shoes found at Houston Goodwill Thrift Store!

POLO Ralph Lauren found at Houston Goodwill Store for $5.99

Always gotta throw in the ugliest thrift find of the day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JCREW wool / angora blend sweater for $5.99

Cute Boutique Sweater Tank @ Goodwill $5.99!

CUTE Brand New Shoes found at Houston Goodwill Store

TOMS for only $9.99 @ Houston Goodwill!

Shopping can be deadly … with Jen & Pippa!

I always have to find some weird item at Goodwill! This little skeleton was $2.99 … can’t wait to use it for Halloween!

Remember what a difference you are making in people’s lives by both shopping and DONATING to Goodwill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

When you DONATE to Goodwill you are helping jobs be created and making a difference for a  veteran!

Goodwill is the #2 employer for veteran’s in the Houston area.

“Changing Lives through the Power of Work!”

This week we shopped at the following store:

• GOODWILL RIVER OAKS
• 2030 Westheimer
• Houston, TX 77098

You can find Jen at:

• Facebook: ShopJensCloset
• Pinterest:  Doodlehearts
• Instagram:  ShopJensCloset
• ebay:   Doodlehearts
• Website:   ShopJensCloset

Crazy Expensive Shoes such as MIU MIU and Mahno Blahnik

This made my day and its why I blog!

Blogging is sometimes a lonely hobby.  Other than seeing the “hits” move up the charts, you don’t always hear from the readers and what they like.  This week I got the most amazing comment from a reader and I had to share it with you!

Hi Pippa …the finds are amazing and so is the presenter I wanted to write to you to thank you  to encouraging me to start thrifting. I always thought places like Goodwill/salvation army have crappy used clothes and only meant for the less fortunate people. I always donated but never shopped there.  I have been on a budget from last 10 years. I occasionally shopped in the mall during my student days (that too mostly sales) and even when I started working I still stuck to sales (well had the big loan to pay off). But in the last 2 years I have found new love for shopping and all things pretty. AND I have been shopping!! A lot!! Sometimes, I am ashamed of how my month end bill is on clothes. But I have been put on a budget since Jan again, bz we bought a house. But what to do with my love for shopping and fashion. I came across your website while I was looking for some color combinations and read your FULL BLOG! I could not believe some one could find  such amazing clothes in goodwill? It took me 3 months of constantly reading your blog to step in a goodwill. AND I AM GLAD I DID!! In the last 2 weeks I have gone shopping 4 times and spend $100 but guess what I got – 3 silk dresses (1 banana republic and 1 Ann taylor) , 8 silk tops, 2 shirts (1 j crew), 2 cashmere sweaters (again j crew), 2 blazers (DKNY and banana republic), 2 purses (1 is Kate Spade) and 2 clutches and 1 stone bracelet. The banana republic dress alone is $100 in stores! You taught me the basics of thrifting and Thank you so much! You made me appreciate the importance of recycling and that I am a convert now. I will be packing half of my closet (stuff that does not fit me anymore or I am bored with) this weekend for donating, they need a new home. Love your blog and keep inspiring us

My Reply:

This JCREW sweater was found at Goodwill San Antonio Thrift Store

This JCREW cardigan retails for $85 in the store and was purchased from a Goodwill San Antonio Thrift Store for only $3.99!

So we can either buy it for 95% off the full price or we can buy 21 sweaters x $3.99 = $83.79!

Woo Hooo …. Shopping at Goodwill definitely helps the budget!

If you gave me one word to describe this cardigan, it would be Sunshine!

This happy yellow color cardigan is simple yet eye catching and seems to match almost everything.    This sweater certainly adds a bright spot to whatever she chooses to wear it with.

JCREW retail $85 or 21 Goodwill sweaters (21 sweaters x $3.99 = $85)

Goodwill Thrift Store Sweater

JCREW cardigan

Goodwill’s vision is to afford every person the opportunity to achieve  his or her fullest potential!

The organization served more than 4.2 million people through employment and  training courses in 2011 alone, and spent 82 percent of its total revenue on  these programs.