I get a lot of comments, mostly on Instagram, about how and where and when and how often I thrift. So I figured I would write a post with my Top 10 tips to thrift by! So, here goes, in no particular order.

1. Know your style. This is something that took me awhile to figure out. It took me while to realize what decades I am drawn to most, what colors and finishes work best in my house and that I often buy things simply because I find them funny. Several weeks ago I bought a planter that is a white pig wearing red suspenders. I actually laughed out loud when I saw it. I had no reason to buy it, but I did. And now it's sitting on a shelf in my Dad's recording studio… and it looks awesome. Before I really knew my style I would have hesitated to buy something so silly.

My style is modern-vintage with a dash of whimsy and mid-century. Brass and anything animal shaped catches my eye. I heavily gravitate towards items from the 50's, due to their beautiful colors (which always match my kitchen perfectly!!) and items from the 60's due to the patterns and clean lines in the furniture. I love anything that's heavily typography based. I have a thing for thin gold frames and Fire King coffee mugs. And like I said above, before I learned these things about myself from shopping at thrift stores for a few months, I would go into every store and feel like it was all junk. I couldn't see past the ugly items and certainly didn't know what I was looking for. But it was worth the time to figure out my style!! Keep track of all of the things you buy at first. Be selective with your first handful of purchases. Then, when you get home, Google them. Read about them. Analyze why you bought what you bought. Learn what you like – so when you see that amazing, vintage, in perfect condition chair of your dreams for a high price, you're not afraid to pull the trigger.

2. Look at shape, not color. Many of the awesome things I find while thrifting are usually a terrible color when I buy them. Lamps, frames, animal statutes, side tables… anything! If it's a decent price, but ugly color, consider spray painting it. Probably gold.

3. Walk through the store more than once. It never fails I find lots of great items my second or third lap around store. It takes my brain awhile to really see everything on the shelves. Especially in the stores that aren't organized or clean.

4. Have a running list of top things you're looking for. While every thrifting trip ends with a few odd-ball items that I just couldn't leave on the shelves, most of my purchases were “planned.” My current list consists of needle point artwork, felted deer, 4×6 frames, linens, anything that screams 'MERICA!!! and (as always) colorful handmade blankets. Knowing what's on my “I actually need this for something” list helps me decide whether to buy an entire vintage wooden ship collection or the handful of frames and linens I could actually use.

5. Shop at the same place again a

nd again. (Unless it really sucks the first time you go.) One of my favorite places to shop is the little thrift place right down the street from me. I have shopped there probably 50 times in the last year. I know when they get new things. I know their price ranges. I know their sales. It's just nice to know several of your favorite stores really well. It helps me compare one store to the next.

6. Always find more places to shop. While it's best to visit the same shops more than once, it's also great to constantly be on the look out for new ones. I have found quite a few new stores by asking the person at the register “Are there any other thrift stores in this area?” More than once they've told me about one that my iPhone doesn't know about!

7. Shop often! This is kind of common sense. The more you shop, the more you'll find. DUH.

8. Don't give up on thrift shopping when you don't find anything amazing for weeks. While I haven't been doing much thrifting lately, the little bit I have found lately has been preeeeettty lame. But that just happens sometimes. People aren't donating. Others beat me to the purchase. I'm not taking enough time to actually dig around and find the best items. But, never give up! Try and try again. You will find that brass unicorn you've been searching for.

9. If you love it, but have no use for it, buy it and give it away. Thrifting has allowed me to give my loved ones small but thoughtful gifts. I found a cooking utensil for $2.00 that was exactly like the one my Mom had, but lost awhile back. She never stopped talking about “that brownie fork”. So when I found it, I bought it. I mean, it was only $2.00! There are things I've snagged for friends and family like books and plates and records. I love giving them items that mean a lot and bring back memories. And better yet when I can find them for only dollars!!

10. Research and compare prices on Etsy. And this is where my iPhone saves the day again. More than once I've been in the back corner of a semi-creepy thrift store, with what I think is an overpriced yet amazing item in hand, and I'll look it up on Etsy. Usually I realize that the price is actually not that bad, and that if I was to order it online and pay for shipping and handling, it would be the same price. Or, I realize that it's over priced and not that “one of a kind” after all, seeing that dozens and dozens of listings are popping up.

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Hope those tips are helpful and that you enjoyed the random photos of my house. Happy Thrifting!

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Here are a few close up photos of my latest finds. A few of the items below will be for sale on my Etsy SHOP soon. In the mean time, be sure to follow me on Instagram for additional updates! ( @tinyanchors @brookecourtney )

Flat Floral Sheet – $3.00
Brass Pineapple Trivet – $1.50
(2) Styrofoam Bunnies – $.75/each
White Ceramic Bunny – $.75
Yellow Typography Juice Jar – $1.00
Cherries Mug – $2.50
Candlestick – $.50
Mustard Embroidery Art – $1.50
Measuring Spoons – $.99
Red, Pink + Navy Afghan – $2.50
Matching Yellow + Brown Pillowcases – $.75/each
Gold Starburst Pitcher/Dispenser – $1.50
Floral Scarf – $1.50

Happy Thrifting!

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Several weeks ago I decided to do something I’d never done before. I posted an Instagram (see below) that said I was going thrifting the next morning and that I had three open seats in my car. Then I waited to see what happened. It was awesome. I got dozens of emails just from people in my area saying they’d like to tag along and go thrift shopping with me! Amazing! I ended up only being able to take two people due to our schedules, but new friends were certainly made.

I met Hilary. She works at Banana Republic, has an adorable dog, and has a soft spot for vinage math and science books. I met Lindsey. She plays the banjo, is one of six (I think?) siblings and purchased several amazing linens and vintage lace collars to use in crafts. The three of us chatted in my car and shopped at four different places in New Holland, PA. Two of which I’d never even been to before!

I purchased a LOT of things. It was a great day for me. But that almost always happens when I visit places for the very first time. I split my purchases into two seperate #thriftingorganizedneatly posts. Here is the first -

Love the color palette! Didn’t even notice it until I got home and unpacked everything!

My second post was much more colorful and fun -

Love the typography on the vintage linen, the “Hows Your Love Life?” mug and the orange poppy flower sugar dish!

The trip was a ton of fun and I’m very much looking forward to posting another Instagram in the next few weeks asking for new friends to join me on a shopping trip!

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I’ll never forget the day I found the Jubilee store in Lebanon. I was at Lebanon’s Goodwill to see their items and on my way out I asked the lady at the cash register if there were any other thrift/vintage stores close by. She told me that Jubilee store was just a few blocks away and I just about ran out the door throwing caution and my newly found brass animal to the wind. I was literally texting T.J. photos of Jubilee as I walked through it for the first time. (Nerd alert.) Ha! It’s really not anything that spectacular, but as far as thrift stores go, it is. Jubilee stores are incredibly clean and organized. It’s amazing. This specific Jubilee location might be my favorite. Although, I have yet to visit all of their locations. Someday… someday. In the meantime, I hope you take an afternoon to go and visit the store in Lebanon. Tell them Brooke sent you. They have no idea who I am. But tell them anyway.

Jubilee // Lebanon, PA // 235 S 12th Street
Phone: (717) 274-3962
Clothing: Yes. All clothing is on the first floor. I’ve only ever purchased jewelry though.
Housewares: Yes. An entire room upstairs is devoted to it. It might blow your mind.
Furniture: Yes! Great prices too! Sometimes I want to buy extra lamps and chairs just because they’re so cheap!
Organized: Clothing – yes. Housewares – yes. Everything – YES. Lord bless them.
Clean: Always.
Bathroom: Yep!
Carts/Baskets: Yes.
Best Section: The housewares room. It used to be called “Discount Land”.
Cash/Credit: They accept both.
Sales: Every week they have something on sale. The sales typically run from Wednesday to Tuesday. In addition to this, they have reduced items which are marked with red reduced tags. There are also in-store non-advertised sales. The last Monday of every month (excluding holidays) is a store-wide sale at 25% off.

Here are a few of my all time favorite items that I’ve collected from Jubilee (Lebanon). And trust me when I say this is only a few… I have purchased SO many things from this store. Dressers, chairs, blankets, etc.

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