Hey fellow budget and thrift lovers, Some of you are regular readers and many of you just discovered me due to my Nate Berkus Show appearance yesterday. I'll be resuming regular posts on Monday, but I just wanted to give you an official introduction to the blog.I mostly post about thrift shopping and thrifting tips but I also cover other budget fashion news. Last year I started a Thrifty Threads 365 challenge {a full year where I didn't purchase any new clothing, I just thrifted} and I completed the...

Last year I told you guys about the new Goodwill Customer Rewards Card. It's an awesome piece of plastic that allows you to earn while you shop. All branches of Goodwill are different so the actual rewards may vary, but here in the New York, New Jersey area, when you rack up 100 points {i.e. spend $100}, you earn a $10 off coupon. You simply hand the card to the cashier every time you shop and your points are tallied.I recently redeemed my $10 off coupon and snagged a great pair of flats from one of my favorite Goodwill locations {220 East 23rd St.}. They were only $10 so I walked away with a pair of Sam Edelman flats for free, these clive ballerina flats originally retailed for $134.

I frequently have people tell me that only major cities have great thrift stores. This is one of the biggest thrift myths I've  encountered. I constantly reassure people great secondhand shops can be found throughout the country or the world, it's just a matter of finding a gem. Though I'm in NYC, trust me, I've run in to some crappy thrift stores in the Big Apple.

Last week I was visiting family in Ohio and I found two supersized thrift stores, a Salvation Army and Goodwill. The fam and I made a trip to the Salv {7000 Heisler Road, Mentor Ohio} and I was amazed.

Though we were in the middle of a small town, the store was massive and had a great selection.

Though you guys know I'm a thrifting queen, I love a great deal at any store I go to. So when Loehmann's invited me to their blogger event last week, I jumped at the opportunity to attend. They offer top designer names for up to 60 percent off the original price.

Stylist Felix Mercado gave us the dish on fall's hottest trends {red, sheath dresses, oversized bags}, we met fashion icon and 90 year old fly girl Iris Apfel and they gave us $300 to shop with.

Housing Works is back at it again. You know I love their Buy the Bag sale {you can purchase an entire bag of clothing for just $25} but now the thrift store chain returns with their "Best of" sales. Formerly known as Previews, it's the annual event where clothing, furniture and artwork is just a fraction of the original cost. The already affordable pieces are marked down even more! Starting on August 30, each location will have a specific sale day.

Below are a few of my favorite Housing Works locations along with sale dates.SoHo {130 Crosby St.} This location isn't that big on square footage but it's packed full of high end shoes and dresses. Sale date: August 30, 5pm-8pm