I am no stranger to sharing my thrift finds on the internet. I’ve been doing it since the 2000s (I used to have a blog about my finds, which no one read other than maybe two of you reading this now and my first Instagram post ever was in a thrift store!) Back then, thrifting wasn’t what it is now. Heck, even four years ago — when I pitched Big Thrift Energy to major publishing houses — I heard a lot of, “I don’t know that there’s a market for new content about old things.”
Well, there was, and it’s growing. Due to the sort of content I post, I am whacked in the face every day with “come thrifting with me” and “thrift haul” content, and I eat it up with a spoon. But, due to the time restraints of Instagram and TikTok, and the attention span of most social media users, that content is generally quick and to-the-point.
The great thing about Substack is I don’t have to adhere to time restraints or appeal to the largest audience possible. You are reading this because you want to be, so I trust that you might want a little more info about why I buy what I buy! With that in mind, I’m diving deep into my recent finds today, sharing both video footage and detailed descriptions, along with some inspiration images that I referenced when I bought the items.
Thanks, as always, for reading. I’ve been feeling somewhat emotional about the little community I’ve cultivated here, in my favorite corner of the internet. I am so grateful that I have met so many who share my passion for finding beauty in a thrift store.
I never thought I would be the type of person to buy a velvet Elvis painting but this one was too good. The colors are great and the skill of the artist also very apparent. The folk-arty frame makes it even better. I get that the above painting on the left is nothing like the velvet Elvis but I reference that image a lot. I like that the oil portrait is styled in a space that is completely unlike what your first instinct would tell you to do. It’s with sexy, marble, Italian stuff, rather than fancy antiques. I think Elvis could be styled similarly. Alas, he sold within 24 hours of listing so he’s off to a new life already. We hardly knew ye.
I paid $2.99 for this little Italian hand-painted dish (hand-signed, “Italy” underneath). I love the idea of displaying it on a wall, in a grouping with other decorative plates. It looks very Majolica-esque.
This 1990s pottery dish is stamped on the bottom with “JUCAS,” though I have no idea what that means. But I love the colors and the shape and never turn down a little bowl or dish (ideal for hair tie and key storage, or as a means of displaying some fun matchbooks). These sorts of vessels are excellent on a built-in, too. I paid less than $5 at Goodwill.
I love the size and shape of this postmodern mirror — and that it has a little built-in shelf. Would be fun over a bed, as above, or in a tiny powder room. I paid $30 for this one at an estate sale.
I never say no to vintage art books but I was surprised that this $2 Warhol Diaries books is actually a first-edition, and it’s going for hundreds online. The cover is great — metallic silver and black with a punch of neon orange. It currently sits on my coffee table, exactly where it belongs.
The size and scale is what did it for me with the above large bust (around $50), but the smaller, plaster-like bust ($40) is also great. You can always find a place for a head. I do like the idea of displaying the larger one on the floor, as in the above inspiration image, because it is so huge.
Another thing I’ll never say no to for the right price? Black and white photography. Of the naked man variety? Even better. These are very Mapplethorpe-esque, were professionally framed, and they were just $10 a pop!
I created a micro-trend! Remember how I wrote about my love of ugly-chic (i.e. “jolie-laide”) interior design? Living Etc. saw it and interviewed me about it! From their article:
The "ugly" in this trend really just refers to unique decor items that speak to something deep within our soul. We first heard about the style from writer, artist, and thrifting expert Virginia Chamlee, who explained in an Instagram reel that "ugly, in this sense, is used as a term of affection — a painting that is a little jarring, a sculpture that is maybe a little gaudy, a wooden chair that, on its own, might be a little ugly."
Huge thanks also to Adam Oestreich and David @ Design Talk for echoing my “love of the ug” in their own newsletters.
I will be in Vancouver this week to speak at the Vancouver Fall Home Show! If you’re in the area, please come see me. I’ll share my tips on finding gorgeous things at thrift stores and styling them in your home. I’ll be speaking on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 4 PM and Sunday, Oct. 27 at 2 PM on the Main Stage.
This hand cream is everything. I slather it on at night, before bed, and already have it stashed in my purse ahead of my trip this week. Great, simple packaging, no sticky residue, and moisturizes very well thanks to a vitamin BCE complex. I use the Monaco scent (I also love their deodorant in this scent) but I imagine any would be great.
Did you watch the latest Chicken Shop Date? Man, oh, man was it ever good. I love how Vulture writer Jason Frank summed it up: Amelia Dimoldenberg and Andrew Garfield “clearly have chemistry. But what’s unexpected is that their Chicken Shop Date is largely about them trying to figure out what to do with that fact.”
and I’ll leave you with this….
Where to start? I just devour your content I love your approach (your book sits proudly in a coffee table stack BTW) I love the way you break everything down and provide the Inspo so if you were to take us on a live where we could ask you questions that would be amazing. So keep it coming! PS you need to go thrifting in Vancouver there are so many great thrift stores and the consignment is also amazing! West Van is a hot bed and check out Wildlife thrift on Granville street.
I'd love to see a series on YOUR house! :-)