How to thrift shopI frequently post my thrift store scores on the blog, Instagram {user: LookingFlyonaDime} and Facebook and the one statement I hear over and over again is, "you always find the best stuff" or I'm asked the question, "how do you find the best stuff?"

Though I've done a ton of posts on thrift shopping 101, thrift shopping commandments, etc, I'll let you in on the three secret tips I utilize to always** find great stuff. Well, they're really not secret since I'm telling you and honestly, anyone can utilize them for a great thrifting trip.

thrifty threads 365 challenge, shopping challengeI have a problem. A serious problem. For as long as I can remember, I've rarely, if ever, been able to wear white without getting a stain on it. I always manage to spill a drink, get an ink stain or rub up against something. Due to this, I stay away from wearing white.

But I decided to stop letting that fear keep me from rocking the fresh, crisp hue. While thrift shopping in San Francisco, I found a vintage Adidas tennis skirt I desperately wanted. It fit me perfectly, but it was white. But it was also crazy cheap {the threads at Clothes Contact are $10 per pound}. I bought it and I'm so glad I did.I finally wore the mini with some bright additions while in New Orleans earlier this summer.

how to decorate on a budgetI recently moved in to a new apartment and after I finally found an affordable, safe place in New York City, my next struggle was decorating on a limited budget. But of course a sparse budget hasn't kept me from creating a cozy space.

I've been able to use secondhand pieces and even items from the dollar store to dress up my new bedroom {I'm still working on the living room}.
From a $30 entertainment center from the Salvation Army that I turned in to a dresser to $1 glass jars I store accessories in, peep the video to see how I decorate on a dime.

Housing Works warehouse saleEarlier this week I showed you my recent Housing Works haul from the Buy the Bag sale. But I found so many goodies {63 pieces for $50 equals less than 80 cents for each item}, I had to split the post up over two days. I gave you a glimpse at the awesome coats and tops I nabbed {including a St. John cardigan} and now it's time for the bottoms.

My style definitely leans more towards dresses, flirty skirts and even casual skinny jeans, and I found all of the aforementioned.Peep what I walked away with.

thrifty threads 365 challenge, shopping challengeAnother month down, so it’s time to recap my Thrifty Threads 365 challenge {a full year where I only thrift shop for clothes and accessories, no new items}. My budget for each month is $50 and how much did I spend for the month of July? *drum roll* Exactly $50.

The past two weekends, I ventured to Long Island City for the Housing Works Buy the Bag sale. This is the place to go if you're seeking the most threads for your cash. For $25, you get a brown bag and whatever you can stuff in it is yours. In late July I managed to fit 35 pieces in the bag and on my final visit of the month, I got 28 items in a bag, for a grand total of 63 pieces for $50. That's less than 80 cents for each skirt, dress, top, coat, etc.
Housing Works Buy the Bag haul{my haul, with a tutu on top}
And these aren't just any old items, a few are department store and even some high end labels. Oh, and a cardigan I found retails for at least 500 bucks.
Peep some of my favorite finds.