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...

A few weeks ago I let you guys in on my big news, I’ll be appearing on The Nate Berkus Show. Well, now I have an air date for the show: Thursday, September 15. So of course I hope you’ll tune in, tell a friend, tell your mama and set your DVR. I can’t tell you how exciting and humbling it was to be a part of the show. Nate was as sweet {and cute!} as he appears on television and the team of producers and assistants were...

Last week you guys had some great suggestions when I asked if and how I should continue my Thrifty Threads 365 challenge. A lot of you thought I should continue my thrift only wardrobe but set a monthly limit for my purchases. And that got me thinking about the cardinal sin of thrifting: overspending. I know some people think, ‘how can you go over budget when everything’s so cheap?” But “cheap” stores are the prime location to go crazy and drop a ton of cash. You’re so enamored...

A reader recently emailed me and wrote, “Patrice, what percentage of your wardrobe is thrifted? I’d love to see your closet!” I’ve been an avid thrifter for a few years and since I started my Thrifty Threads 365 challenge, thrift shopping is my only source of clothing. At this point, I’d say 60 percent of my wardrobe is courtesy of thrifting {here are a few of my favorite thrift stores}. And 60 percent is a conservative estimate. There are some items, like tops and dresses, that I thrift more than others. I...

I’ve been a serious thrifter for years now and people tend to be amazed at the pieces I find {just check out some of my past Thrifty Threads posts} and I always offer to take them thrifting with me but occasionally I get a hesitant reaction. And then the person finally expresses their concern… Is thrift shopping sanitary? Don’t you worry about bed bugs? Do the clothes smell? These questions initially annoyed and kinda insulted me {do you really think I or any thrifter would wear dirty clothes...