6 pro tips resale thrifting courtney mirenzi

Side Hustle: 6 Pro Tips for Reselling Thrift Scores

Fellow Boston to Austin writer Courtney Mirenzi and I have a long shared history of scouring thrift stores in search of stylish treasure for cents on the dollar. We now have a weekly standing “picking” date at the Goodwill Outlet, and I love picking her brain for her pro tips on how she turns her like-new finds into funds to supplement her writing income through an eBay store and other resale avenues. It’s all about that side hustle! Read on for 6 of Courtney’s veteran experiences and pro tips.

vintage boy scout gear goodwill auctions

TGWIF: How to Shop Goodwill Online Auctions Like a Pro

After a few year’s hiatus, I recently started shopping ShopGoodwill again & was thrilled to find that not only is the online Goodwill auction site as good as I remember, it’s even more of a thriving treasure hunt. Some of my favorite recent wins are featured here, and if you’re going to give it a try for the first time, here are 5 things you need to know to bid & buy on ShopGoodwill like a pro.

Shop Local: Bolt Fabrics Summer Sale

If you’re looking for material, or need inspiration, for projects to keep you sane during these dog days of summer, head over to Bolt Fabrics this weekend for their clearance sale! Everything in store is 15% to 65% off (though a little bird tells us some fabrics may be more than 65% off!) now through closing on Saturday, including deep discounts on ready-made pillows, like these perfect poufs made from Texas tea towels.

twice clothes SF headquarters SOMA shoestring

Goodbye Twice, Hello eBay Valet

Just like the clothes they sell, Twice — one of my favorite online consignment shops — will be getting a second life and a new home. In an announcement to customers this week, the Twice co-founders shared the news that they’ll be winding down operations and joining eBay to power eBay Valet.

uptown cheapskate austin sign south lamar

Consigned to Addiction: Uptown Austin

I’ve been buying and selling at Uptown Cheapskate Austin every week since they opened last year, and recently celebrated their 1st birthday with them (and Chelsea and Catelyn) at a little in-store sip & shop soiree. Uptown accepts a wide variety of sizes and styles, all of them current and on-trend, and they’re exceptional at curating quality while keeping the prices affordable. Designer labels right along department store brands, and all for far less than you’d find at thrift stores — in far better condition.

pendleton mill washougal washington made in usa

The Pendleton Mill Factory Store

That’s right: Pendleton has a factory outlet. And you can go on a tour of the mill itself, right where Western dreams have been made, right here in the U.S., for over 150 years. Especially after the series finale of Mad Men last night, I find myself daydreaming about going back and needed to finally share my experience.

distillery market snake necklace golden globes

Copycat: Naomi Watts Snake Necklace

Did you love Naomi Watts’ diamond-encrusted Bulgari snake necklace from Sunday’s Golden Globes? Then you won’t want to miss this vintage “copycat” version from The Distillery Market, which some of you may recognize from our holiday lookbook!

instagram paywithpenny austin shoestring

Goodbye Etsy & eBay, Hello Penny

I teased you about reviving the much-loved Stoop Sales online, launching new vintage, handmade & thrifted items from the Shoestring archives for sale. Well, it’ll be worth the wait. Why? Because now you can buy any item I post to Instagram marked #PayWithPenny just by commenting #Sold and it’s yours! How COOL is THAT?

my secondhand style ethical fashion closet thredup

Shop My Closet on ThredUP

I hope that in 2015 I can inspire at least a few more people to be a bit more intentional and thoughtful about the way that we shop, and the snowball effect that each purchase can have in a positive way. To kick things off, I wanted to share with you a chance to actually shop my own closet. I recently sent 3 HUGE BAGS of gently-worn and new-with-tags items to thredUP, one of many favorite online consignment shops that are the next best thing to swapping with friends.