Newbie from Maryland

[Sibella]

Greetings!

I spend lots and lots of time in thrift shops. Wherever I go, I look for them. I've thrifted in Victoria, B.C.; the Haight-Ashbury district in San Francisco; Hurricane, West Virginia; Las Vegas...the list goes on and on. I practically had to buy a new suitcase for all the charity-shop stuff the spouse and I lugged back from England last month. (A Gromit mug--39p!)

My mother lives near Roanoke, Virginia, and I've found the Goodwill stores down there to be particularly choice.

I have yet to find all the best thrifting places in my area (south of Annapolis, Maryland)--I miss Village Thrift, up near Laurel, where I once lived.

As someone who wears plus-size clothing, I find thrift stores especially useful. I love vintage looks, but vintage stores tend to sell teeny stuff at non-teeny prices.

My biggest complaint--and I'm sure this is discussed elsewhere here--is the high proportion of cheap new clothing at places like Goodwill--you know, end-of-the-season Target wear, etc. Which is not to say that I don't buy some of that stuff as well! Thrifting's great for ephemeral clothes--the trendy stuff you won't like in a few months anyway.

I buy a lot of clothing, occasionally shoes or other accessories, CDs, books, oddball glassware and ceramics, textiles (all my guest sheets, throws for the sofa, etc.)...the spouse is into higher-priced stuff like furniture and musical instruments.

I'm an Anglophile with a serious '60s bent--I love paisley and hippieish things--and also '70s kitsch, really weird stuff, Indian and Middle Eastern stuff, Fiesta, Mission, stained glass....

I'm headed to Paris in a few weeks, so I'm about to hit the forums here and search the Wide Wide World of Web for info, but if anyone has any suggestions, I'd be glad to hear them.

So glad y'all are here!

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

Hi and welcome! You've got a great wide range of interests! I can't wait to hear about some of your thrifting.

I'm actually a bit of an Anglophile mysef-- just thrifted the other day a Harrods biscuit tin... I have fond memories of wandering around Harrods on the first day of my vacation to London, so finding the tim was so fun.

Who'd've thought it would have ended up in a Goodwill in Pittsburgh, PA?

So exciting about your upcoming trip. You'll have to let us know what all you uncover!

[Good Buddy]

Welcome Thriftster!
(new term for me anyhow)

[Sprocket]

I'm headed to Paris in a few weeks, so I'm about to hit the forums here and search the Wide Wide World of Web for info, but if anyone has any suggestions, I'd be glad to hear them.

Have a great time in Paris...there are some cool thrifty shops there, but you have to take the Metro out of the city to find the best ones.  I know you'll explore and find some wonderful treasures!

-Sprock