Monograms...to buy or not to buy

Okay, so this one might make a few of you feel out of your comfort zone, but that is part of what thrifty shopping is all about!  Let's talk monograms and personalization.  I have come across some EXCELLENT deals on monogrammed items at thrift stores.  I have a bag that I love, love, love...but it has someone else's initials on it.  The thing is, very few people actually pay attention to the initials that are on there, they just notice that it is monogrammed.  When people do notice that those aren't my initials, I just tell them the story of where I got it, and how much I paid for it and we always end up having a great conversation!!  Kind of a two for one deal, not only a killer bag at a great price, but also a very creative ice breaker!

My great bag that I got at Goodwill...I paid $2.50.  By the way this bag is about 24" wide and 18" tall,
so a great size for toting things.

Another monogram issue is kids clothes.  I have bought clothes for my girls that have the wrong initials on them, but that is because I know the options available to me....so let me share those with you. 

1. Place an applique square over the monogram.   Anyone with an embroidery machine can do this for you.  It is simply a piece of fabric appliqued over the monogram.  You can even have your child's initials monogrammed on the applique, before they put it on the outfit.
2. You can pick out the monogram (with a seamripper) and either leave it blank, or have your child's initials monogrammed where the other monogram was.

This is a Royal Kidz dress.  It would be approximately $60.00 brand new.  I have started to pick the monogram out, but haven't finished.  Be aware that this can be a slow process, but worth it in the end.

3. You can just let them wear the clothes with the wrong initials.



A dress I bought at Goodwill with the WRONG initials monogrammed on it :)

I wouldn't recommend number 3 in all situations, but if you came across an outfit that maybe had the same letters, but in different order, that might make it acceptable.  That was our situation with 2 Kelly's Kids outfits that I came across for Cutie Pie a few years ago.  Cutie Pie's initials are mLc and the initials on the two outfits were mCl.  Soooo, I bought them for $1.50/piece and she wore them loud and proud!  Loved them and got lots of compliments on them.  The jury is out on whether or not I will put Miss Sassy in them :) 

Kelly's Kids outfit for Maddy.

Let me know your monogram stories and I would love to post some of them on the blog, with pictures!!!

Men's, Women's, and Kid's Deals Today!

Hi Guys!  It is so funny...everytime I go thrift shopping I come away saying...I have to tell someone what I found today!  I am so excited to now have this forum where I can share all of my treasures that I found! 

Today I swung into our Goodwill here in Frankfort, for just a moment, and I am glad that I invested the time.  I was able to get a like new Talbot's dress for myself, a new with tags Lucky Brand shirt for Handsome Husband, 2 like new Carters school shirts for Cutie Pie, and some brand new Stride Rite school shoes for Miss Sassy :)



This is my beautiful Talbot's dress.  I paid $5.00 for it and it would sell for about $70.00 brand new :)



                                                      

Carters shirt for Cutie Pie.  I paid $2.50 and it would be around $15.00 brand new.

Another great Carters shirt.

Brand new with tags Lucky Brand T-shirt for Hubs.  This was a FIND!! 
I paid $7.50 for this and brand new it would have been around $35.00.

Yay!  Brand new Stride Rite school shoes for Miss Sassy.  I paid $3.00.  These would be around $55.00 in a retail store :)

DEAL ALERT!!!

If you live in the Frankfort Area and need a new purse, Goodwill has a Coach bag for $19.00.  It was a great deal, but if you have read my previous posts, you know that I just got a Louis Vuitton, so I don't need another bag.  That brings me right into my thrifty tip for today...

*Just because you find a deal, it doesn't mean you need it.  This is an important thing to remember, because if you don't you might just find yourself on an episode of Hoarders.  Thrift shopping can be addictive, so learn to recognize when you have enough and when you come across a deal that is too good to resist, either tell a friend about it so that they can take advantage, or send me the info and I will happily post on the blog.  As thrift shoppers we have to be conscious of only buying what we need to buy.  You will find that you are going to come across A LOT of great deals, so be prepared to say no to some of them.  At first, it isn't easy, but trust me when I say, it is a good area to really exercise your self discipline. 

A deal at Kroger in Louisville was reported to me today.  They have all of their summer stuff on clearance, and one of our thrifty friends was able to get 22oz. plastic cups for $.07 and $.10 a piece!!

Feel free to email me if you have any questions!

thriftysparkle@gmail.com

Crocs...at Target???

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Hi Ladies, and maybe some gentlemen...
I found a huge deal tonight at Target!!!  Well, great deal for me, since I am looking for back to school clothes for the kiddos.  I have really wanted to get some Crocs for the girls, but I am not going to pay that price for them!  Well....at Target they sell Jibbets by Crocs, and tonight I found them on sale for $6.48!  I was able to get both of them Crocs for $13.00!! 

 As a reminder, SEND ME YOUR DEALS!!!  I want to hear about what you are finding at thrift stores, and any great sales that you come upon!!!  Share your knowledge and we can all benefit.  You can email me at thriftysparkle@gmail.com.