Today I welcome my first guest to the blog!
Trina Holden
I had the privilege of meeting Trina at Allume last fall... Can I just say, She is a riot! She is everything this introvert isn't... and I kinda want to be like her when I grow up (even though I'm pretty sure that she is younger than I am).
When she released her new book, Embracing Beauty this month, I was blessed to be part of the launch team which meant I got an advance copy of the book! It was an awesome read and I want to tell you all about it, but I also want you to go get a copy of the book yourself! (you can win one at the end of this post) It is that awesome! It's a very easy read and I learned a lot reading it... It covers everything from what God says about beauty, personal style, pregnancy, and thrifting! but today, Trina gets to do the talking... and she's here to talk about thrifting!
Thrift shopping with kids is a challenge, do doubt. But I grew up in a thrifting family, and now clothe my own family of 5 almost completely from the thrift store, so I know it can be done. Here's three strategies that can help turn thrifting from a chore into an adventure the whole family will look forward to:
1. Turn it into a Treasure Hunt. If you're kids are old enough to dress themselves, they're old enough to help shop for their clothes. Before you head out, make a list of each child's wardrobe needs (is it socks, shoes, or dress pants we need this month?) and assign them each a list or at least one key article of clothing to look for. Start 'em young, and by the time they're in their teens, you can take a divide and conquer approach at the thrift store--each child shopping for their own wardrobe, leaving mom free to shop for herself!
2. Invite Friends. Thrift shopping is always an adventure with unexpected surprises--why not turn it into a fun field trip with friends? I love to invite friends along with me when I go thrifting--first, because I love having another girlfriend's opinion on my outfit, and second, because our kids love the chance to hang with each other! If you've got some older kids in the mix, they can keep an eye on the younger kids playing in the toy section, leaving the mommies free to shop fast and try things on easily.
3. Bring plenty of food. This is my key strategy for keeping everyone happy at the thrift store. Pack plenty of snacks to combat boredom and low blood sugar. I recommend tidy snacks like cheese sticks, dried fruit and nuts, and don't forget hand wipes and a few water bottles to complete your thrifting picnic. With enthusiasm and a good plan, you can turn thrifting into an activity your children look forward to, and create a legacy of frugality with your family!
For more tips on thrifting with kids, avoiding buyer's remorse, and steps to finding your personal style, Check out my new book "Embracing Beauty: Practical Style for Every Shape and Season of Motherhood"!
Trina has also graciously offered a PDF digital download of the book to one of my readers! To enter the giveaway, check out her page and let me know which chapter you are most looking forward to reading. Share the giveaway on twitter or facebook for an extra entry!
A fun post! Thanks for this giveaway. Being only three months post-childbirth, I would look forward to reading the chapter about my ever-changing figure! :)
ReplyDeleteYou will love it... and the whole book!
DeleteI don't have the patience or the style skills to navigate a thrift store. I get so lost!
ReplyDeleteand that is why you take a friend! Try it one, you might like it! :)
DeleteI love thrift shopping but the thought of doing it with my littlest ones gives me a twitch.
ReplyDeleteMy best deal: I bought a wedding dress for my oldest daughter for.... drumroll, please....$1. Yep, one dollar. A friend of ours who owns a dry cleaning store had it cleaned and altered as his wedding gift to her.
I get the twitching... I usually try to go alone.
DeleteAnd GREAT job on the wedding dress!!
Oh I'm lucky because we have a "trendy" thrift store close by and now my oldest boy want to go with me and get some deals :) Would LOVE to get Trina's book. I think I'd be most interested in Chapter 4: A Personal Statment of Beauty {Finding Your Style} because I tend to stick with basics and would love to find my "style".
ReplyDeleteLoved that chapter... I find myself referencing it often. And have come to embrace my tans and blacks with a splash of color thrown in!
DeleteI love, love, love thrifting. I am a fan of upcycling and in my mixed media art, I like to buy fabric that was someone's clothing rather than go to a fabric store. The stuff always tells a story.
ReplyDeletePerhaps one of my favorite finds (and I actually spent more than usual for it) is this really cool child's rocking chair made from a small barrel. I researched the company - which is out of business - but the chair had to be created before 1965. When I took the covers off the cushion, it was like being on an archeological dig.
I was originally going to paint it, etc - but now, I can't bear to do anything to it beyond changing the cushion to exemplify this decades style choices.
* WoW! A $1 wedding dress? That must be a record!*
Most looking forward to reading about how to find my style. :]
ReplyDeleteYay! I was just looking at this book yesterday! It looks fantastic. Chapter 4 and 9 are the top 2 that I am most looking forward too.
ReplyDeleteAs for thrifty shopper....ugh...that I am not. Hardly even know where to start. I am kinda thrifty when buying groceries though, does that count??
We have to start somewhere in the thrifting! Trina's book will definitely help you start!
Deleteand thanks for the follow! :)
ps:: YAY! I am follower 100!!!
ReplyDeletechapter 12 but the entire book entrigues me!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to read chapter 7, with chapter 9 a close second. This is my first pregnancy that's lasted beyond 6 weeks and I feel a little lost with the wardrobe switch. I'm trying not to think too hard yet about the challenge of nursing clothes!
ReplyDeleteblueskyandsunshine2006 at gmail.com
Oh, Trina's book is so helpful in the pregnancy/nursing department! and congrats on the pregnancy! Praying for your little one today!!
DeleteIt sounds great! Chapters 2 & 11 sound especially relevant. I love shopping the local thrift store for clothing that can be reused as fabric for other projects! A recent good find for clothing, though, was pants from the gap and ann taylor for 25 cents each!!
ReplyDeleteStephanie
sloakley at hotmail.com