| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010 12:38 pm |
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Living 
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Learn some secrets of secondhand shopping from an expert Selena Cate learned the art of thrifting at her mother's knee in the 1970s.She didn't find shopping at the Goodwill trendy as a teen, but as an adult she fell in love with English "boot sales" and German flea markets when she lived abroad. Today Cate, a 36-year-old mother of two, runs a Web site, Apron Thrift Girl, from her 1920s cottage on Bainbridge Island. The site, visited by 5,000 a week, is packed with her tips for finding thrifty treasures. There's a section on thrift decor and a thrift boutique where she sells vintage finds. She estimates she buys 90 percent of her family's household goods secondhand. Apron Thrift Girl shared some of her favorite places to find back-to-school clothes. Buy for the future: Apron Thrift Girl keeps plastic tubs in her attic for each of her children labeled by age. She buys the good finds when she spots them and stores them away. When she shops, she usually brings a notebook so she can keep track of what she still needs. Choose higher quality brands: She tends to buy higher quality brands such as Gymboree or Stride Rite at secondhand shops. They tend to be cuter and better made, she said. Shop the thrift store sales: For bigger savings, hit the secondhand shops when they offer sales. Goodwill offers sales like clockwork, she said. Show up early for the best selection. Buy a season ahead: In June she buys winter clothing. The availability is better and people have often just cleaned out their winter closets. Stop for yard sales: Neighborhood yard sales are the best places to find children's clothes. Prices are usually affordable and the quality tends to be good. She recently scored a new name-brand backpack for $5 for her daughter. If you see a boatload of items in your child's age range, haggle a price for the lot. Host a swap party: Invite friends and neighbors to bring their used clothing. Everyone dumps their bags into the center of the room and people dive in and start swapping. Other parties are more organized, with clothing stacked into sizes to make it easier. Any unwanted items get sent to a clothing bank at the end of the evening. Check freecycle: An online group for posting and searching for free items. Many communities have freecycle groups, including Snohomish County: groups.yahoo.com/group/freecyclesnohomishcounty/ Swap with friends: A friend with a child a few years older than yours might be willing to share used clothing. Source: www.apronthriftgirl.com Reporter Debra Smith: 425-339-3197 or dsmith@heraldnet.com |
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(10) - Vote on school levies by Tuesday (9)
- Everett police officers cleared in 2008 shooting death (5)
- 1949 travel aid shows how few places blacks were welcome in Washington (4)
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged (4)
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries (4)
- Three politicians who want Gregoire's job in 2012 (3)
- Toyota has powerful D.C. friends (3)
- Snohomish County's bargain housing won't last (3)
- Life story: Man fought depression courageously, family says (3)
- Edmonds educator, famous announcer dies
- Mill Creek to appeal ruling on annexation
- Through the air, with the greatest of ease
- E-W thriving under new coach
- The path to citizenship
- EUUC puts on ‘Pants & Shoes’
- Wolfpack wins the ‘Battle'
- Lynnwood’s annexation plans OK’d
- Arlington's Cascade Valley Hospital celebrates expansion, national award and 100 years of service
- Business Licences Feb. 2010
- Technology tips for launching your own business
- Business Events Feb. 2010
- Tech Talk: No excuse today for going without a Web site
- State already raising fees and rates that restrict business growth
- Some legislators again targeting people’s initiative petition rights
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