THE LADY IS TRAMP LAMPS
Kelly Butler Can Light Up Your Life
by Cookie
Tramp Lamps is the creation of Kelly Butler, a 30-year-old artisan living in Nashville who started experimenting with lamp making after receiving an interesting bucket lamp for a gift. After working with several different types of objects, Kelly finally found that lingerie and lighting made the best match when she fashioned a push-up bra into the first Tramp Lamp.
Her business really took off after being featured as Yahoo's site of the day three years ago, and Kelly now sells an average of about four lamps a day. The entire process of creating a Tramp Lamp takes about a week, starting from when Kelly leaves the house to search for garments until the finished product is posted on her website, Tramplamps.com. Each week Kelly spends hours scouring thrift stores for lingerie that can be transformed into a Tramp Lamp.
Through trial and error, Kelly has created a secret "seasoning" mix that the lingerie soaks in. After this step, the garments are ready to be sprayed with a stiffening solution. Balloons blown up to various sizes are used to create a female form inside each garment, and beads, flowers, and ribbons get attached later. Each Tramp Lamp also comes with its own matching, hand-sewn hanger cover that Kelly fashions from leftover fabric. The completed lamps or "ladies" are assigned names like Bunny, Rosie, and Mona.
Merry widows and corsets make the best Tramp Lamps, Kelly says, because of their boning, contours, and vintage appeal. If your wedding corset is spending its best years hiding away in a box, why not have Kelly make it into a Tramp Lamp for you? She takes special orders, and you'll pay less for a Tramp Lamp if you provide your own lingerie. Kelly also now offers Tike Lights, which are lamps made from children's clothes, dresses, and costumes. All of Kelly's lamps are fire resistant, and prices range from $135 to $155, even less if you are providing your own garment.
Below are four gorgeous lamps made by the very talented Kelly
Fiona
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Babette
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Angelica
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Parker
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Since a big part of her job is rummaging through underwear at thrift stores, I recently contacted Kelly to find out her thrift shopping habits and get her thoughts on thrift shopping in general.
TheThriftShopper.Com: How often do you go to thrift stores to find the garments you use for your lamps?
Kelly Butler: Once a week I hit all the thrift stores in my area looking for new garments.
TTS: Do you have favorite thrift stores that you frequent more often than others?
KB: I am quite loyal to the Goodwill and the Salvation Army,
as they generally have great things to choose from and the prices are nice.
I like the daily specials at the Goodwill and the selection is always fresh.
TTS: Is it difficult to find what you want in thrift stores, and do you have to resort to paying higher prices at vintage shops when you can't find what you need in thrift stores?
KB: I think thrift stores can be a mixed blessing for my needs because people are reluctant to purchase used intimate apparel to wear for themselves. This can be to my benefit and my disadvantage. I might find lots of great items because no one else is purchasing them, or I may not find anything because the store knows that intimate apparel doesn't sell to the average shopper.
If I resort to a vintage shop, I usually go to one particular shop in my area that knows me and likes my lamps. The owner always cuts me a deal on the goods. I can't pay too much for an item because of the time it takes to convert each piece into a lamp and the price of the supplies I need. I must balance out my initial costs.
TTS: Are you a regular thrift shopper aside from looking for garments for your lamps?
KB: Yes. I may see something for myself more often than not. I would say that the majority of my clothing is from thrift stores. I find it very hard to buy new items due to the cost and the knowledge that with just a little hunting I can find great items at the thrift stores so much cheaper.
I travel quite a bit with my mom, and whenever we go out of town, I always find where the thrift stores are. It's more fun for me to shop there than a souvenir store. I think that I am a bit addicted to thrift store shopping.
It is more appealing to me than a mall.
I am very frugal now that I am self-employed, and I hate spending too much money on things, which is such a contrast to how I was when I was a teenager and materialism was so much more important. I think I will always be a thrift store loyalist. I used to make a lot of money at an old job I had, and even then I found I enjoyed buying things used.
Thrift store shopping isn't for everyone and it can be a bit of a strange experience to a novice shopper. I usually go out in the morning already knowing which stores I want to explore. I take my music and headphones with me, as sometimes the music offered over the store's speakers is not my favorite.
Being comfortable while shopping is ideal. I always wear comfy clothing and freely allow myself to try something on that I may want for my own closet.
TTS: Do you have any collections that you've amassed through thrift shopping?
KB: I try not to collect too many things nowadays, as it has been known to get out of control. But in the early years of my thrift store experiences, I bought a lot of Fisher-Price toys from the mid 1970's, such as the A-frame playhouse and the vacuum that has colored balls inside and pops when you roll it. I am a child of the 70's, and these toys were always ones I wanted and didn't have.
I am trying to avoid collecting things these days. The older I get, the less it appeals to me. I just end up taking stuff back to the thrift store in a few years. My boyfriend and I are avid video gamers, and I am always snatching up old video games for our vintage consoles. I suppose that is a definite collected item in this house.
TTS: What are some of your favorite thrifted finds?
KB: I bought a three-piece stereo set for my computer recently that was $10.00, and it works great! I like buying used kitchen items as well. I have a tea steeper that I love to use with my loose-leaf tea that I got at the thrift store. I have lots of great clothing in my closet, all of which I paid very little for. I like costume jewelry, and I have found some adorable pieces in thrift store counter displays for under a dollar. If I had been in an antique store, the same piece would have cost $15.00.
Oddly enough, I don't purchase any used lingerie for myself. I sometimes get strange looks from fellow shoppers when they see my buggy filled with nighties, bras, and teddies of all sizes and not much else. Sometimes the cashiers can't help themselves and they ask me what I need all this underwear for. I don't mind telling them I'm going to make lamps out of them. The reactions are varied and quite humorous!
To contact Kelly and view more of her lamps online, go to www.TrampLamps.com.
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COLLECTING CHARACTER GLASSES
By Michael Gold a.k.a. Good Buddy
I first started collecting character glasses back in 1994 right before I moved to Tempe, Arizona. I had been noticing Welch's jelly jar glasses at thrift stores for a while, but I just hadn't bought many yet. Arizona is a thrifting bonanza because of all the retirees living there, and I never had trouble finding great stuff. I finally decided to start really collecting the Welch's glasses because they reminded me of the old McDonald's glasses and the Star Wars Burger King glasses I collected when they came out in the late 1970's. From 1995 on, I started amassing a collection of character glasses that I found in thrift stores, and I ended up with 400 over the course of four years.
Character glasses became a popular advertising medium in the 1930's when affordable screen printing on glassware was finally made available.
A rare 1930's Cream container glass.
Disney was the first to take advantage by giving away Disney milk jugs and cream
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glasses that were delivered to homes with characters like Ferdinand the Bull and Pinocchio on them.
Many people associate character glasses with the Welch's jelly jars that became a drinking glass when emptied. Welch's started advertising with Howdy Doody and Davy Crockett glasses in the 1950's.
1953 Howdy Doody Glass
There were over 750 glasses in some sets because each glass had a different face embossed on the bottom, and the sets came in eight different colors with eight different styles of graphics.
One of the 8 different bottoms for one of the 3 Howdy Doody sets.
Later on in the 1970's, McDonald's and Burger King offered character glasses featuring popular movie themes like King Kong and Star Wars.
The Star Wars glasses that everyone once had.
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Some of the most expensive type of character glasses are the Disney glasses from the 1930's, both the cream glasses and milk jugs.
Welch's glasses can be worth between 50 cents and $10.00, depending on the age of the glass and the character image. BAMA, a sister company to Welch's, also put characters on their jelly jars so they would be kept around the house and used as glasses when emptied.
One of the many styles of glasses Mobile put out.
In the 1980's, Mobile jumped on the character glass bandwagon and put out NFL team glasses in sets of six. The glasses were available in the areas where the teams were most popular, and you'll often come across a complete set of six glasses from one team when you're out thrifting.
If you're serious about collecting character glasses, I'd recommend looking at a few books on the topic. A couple of popular ones are Tomart's Price Guide to Character and Promotional Glasses,
Collector's Guide to Cartoon and Promotional Glasses by John Hervey, and
Pictured above |
McDonald's Drinkware
Identification & Value Guide by Michael J. Kelly.
Don't pay more than $2.00 or $3.00 for each character glass that you find in a thrift store. The market for character glasses isn't really hot right now, so you should be able to find some great bargains. I found a Howdy Doody glass from 1953 at a thrift store for only 25 cents. When I looked it up online, I found out it's worth $10.00. I got a great deal, but if a character glass that's 53 years old isn't worth more than $10.00, think about what the glasses from the 1970's are worth. Not much. If you're just starting a character glass collection now, don't be discouraged about what it's worth. Changing trends and the passage of time could turn your collection into a gold mine some years down the road. The point is to enjoy your collection and not let it become a burden. If you only collect items because of their value, your collection won't be nearly as much fun to acquire.
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MY OLD FRIEND THRIFTING
by Debra Anderson Loven
Debbie in her favorite Goodwill
Thrifting has been a long-time friend of mine. Oh, I've never called it that until recently. I used to go flea-marketing...what did that ever mean? I loved garage sales and yard sales. I acquired many treasures there, not always so much in value as in "pricelessness". These were things that one could not find anywhere else. Once I found this lovely carved wood and inlaid backgammon board on one side and checkerboard on the other that also hung on the wall like a work of art. I paid a whole whopping $3.00 for it. I still have three quilts that I got at a yard sale for $5.00 each.
I much prefer the term thrifting. It has a wholesome ring to it. I have my favorite spots, too. Depending on where I have lived, I have discovered all the best kept secrets. I know all the places to go where you can find the best bargains and the widest selections. For example, in Jacksonville, Florida, I never missed the weekend flea markets, the old House of Bargains on Blanding Boulevard, and the huge Ramona Street flea market. I made the rounds every weekend. Occasionally I would go to the one on Pecan Park Road up near the airport. It was great for perfumes and furniture.
But when I was really serious, I would go to Daytona. It was an hour and ten minutes to the biggest outdoor sales ever. I would load up on fruit and look for interesting jewelry in its many indoor shops. Then I could go down to the beaches and check out the swimsuit shops. Daytona was always interesting, especially the boardwalk area. You never knew what you would see there. We also frequented
the Salvation Army store on Blanding. It was quite
Inside Debbie's new home away from home
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large and had its share of treasures, but the organization was poor.
On the other side of town in the Arlington area, I would go to a thrift store on Merrill Road as often as I was in that neighborhood. For books, there is no place better than the Chamblin Bookmine near the Roosevelt Mall where you can trade in your old stuff and peruse their huge collection of books.
In Mountain Home, Arkansas, the best place to go was the local Salvation Army. If you missed a week, you probably missed something good. I bought the best wood-burning stove there. It was a Kodiak for only $75.00. For years we marveled at what a great stove it was. I found one of my best vacuums cleaners and a washing machine there also. And you could always get appliances, jeans, bicycles, and great coats, even building material. Kitchen stuff was plentiful and there were lots of books. It just seemed like what ever I needed, I just thought about it and it would turn up there. I just had to get there first. One time I saw my intended push sweeper walking out as I walked in.
The Humane Society out on 201 North was second best. There were always appliances and great shoes and kitchen stuff. There were a few other places to go, but these two always paid off. The other places had rented booths, and sometimes the price was right. The other thing that I enjoyed there were the salvage groceries, one in town and one near Bull Shoals, Arkansas. I miss finding the unusual spices and foods of other cultures that turned up there. We just fell in love with Adobo seasoning. Who'd have thought?
"Would you like fries with that donation?"
Now I frequent the Goodwill store on Ambassador Caffery Boulevard here in Lafayette, Louisiana. They have that store completely organized by color and size, even by sleeved or not, and so well lit . You can literally walk in and find something in the color you want in a matter of minutes. The drawback to that store is that it is primarily clothes. To find good exercise equipment or furniture, you have to take a little side trip to nearby Scott, Lousiana, and visit their Goodwill store. There are more Goodwill drop off places here than Burger Kings! As you can tell, I've spent a lot of time thrifting here and there. It's time to hear some of your best buy stories. I can't wait to read about your favorite shopping spots.
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CRAFTY THRIFTER PROJECT
Wind Chimes from Thrifted Silverware Tutorial
By Michael Gold a.k.a. Good Buddy
I got the idea to make these silverware wind chimes from a guy at an arts and crafts festival a couple of years ago. He made everything out of silverware, including some incredible jewelry. I started looking for silverware in thrift stores shortly thereafter so I could make my own wind chimes and give them to friends as gifts. There's usually an abundance of silverware in any thrift store. Interesting pieces of good silver make the best wind chimes. You should be able to find single pieces of silverware starting at around 15 cents each. Some forks are delicate and might break when you start bending them, so buy extras just in case you need a backup fork. Don't bother looking for shiny silver or trying to shine up the silver you buy. Remember that this wind chime is going to hang outside in all kinds of weather, and it will just get tarnished eventually. Start to finish, this project should only take you about 20 to 30 minutes.
Materials Needed: Four forks, one spoon, needle nose pliers, regular pliers, and 20-pound-test fishing line.
Tools Needed: Electric drill and 1/16 drill bit. |
They look neat and sound ever neater. Click on the image to view the tutorial.
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THRIFTER OF THE MONTH
I Just Don't Do the Garage Sale Scene Anymore
By Wendy Hankins of Black Cat Collectible Jewelry
Hi, I'm Wendy Hankins, owner of Black Cat Collectible Jewelry on Ruby Lane.com. I mainly sell vintage costume jewelry on my website. However, I have been an antique and collectible dealer for 20 years, and I sell other items on e-Bay under the name blackcatcoll.
I have been married to my husband Ron for 30 years. Between us, we have five children, ten grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. My Hubby is nine years older than I am. For the first ten years of our married life, I worked in our electronic manufacturing business. I was the
bookkeeper and office manager.
When we sold our business, I rented space in an antique mall, and started buying at auctions, estate sales, and garage sales. Back in the 1980's, the estate and garage sales in the greater Orlando area were phenomenal. These days, all I ever find are toys and baby clothes. It isn't worth my time and gas to get up early and drive all over town. Also, since I have scaled back on my inventory buying, I just don't do the garage sale scene anymore.
I think I have always been a thrifter of one sort or another. My Mom could pinch a penny tighter than anyone I know. She used to go to
rummage sales and estate sales when it wasn't fashionable to do so. When I was a kid, I would get embarrassed if she bought something
while working at a sale for one of my school organizations.
I think the first time I was in a thrift shop was about 38 years ago when my daughter was a baby. There was a Goodwill store in North Dade
County, Florida, near where I lived at the time. Mom and I would go there and buy baby clothes. After I moved to the Orlando area when my kids
were small, I started buying their clothes at |
consignment shops out of necessity. I also bought clothes for myself.
I sort of got out of the thrift-shopping mode after our business became successful. I didn't get back into it much until I started in the antique business. I used to be able to buy some good older items at Goodwill, but not anymore. I really started going to thrift shops in earnest about ten years ago when I started focusing on vintage costume jewelry. Since I didn't find any jewelry most of the time, I would then look at the clothes.
I also buy gift bags and wrapping paper, greeting cards, fabric, chair cushions, sheet sets, comforters and numerous other items. I have to restrain myself, as I am getting overloaded on wrapping paper, gift bags and greeting cards. I also don't need any more clothes. I have been buying clothes for my granddaughters in Virginia, but they don't need any more either. I also buy some clothes for my mom who is in an assisted living home. She doesn't need any more, but likes the T- shirts I find for her.
I recently found a framed needlework fruit picture for my kitchen, and it looks great in there. So while I still look for the elusive collectible jewelry, I mostly buy and look at clothes and other items. Thrift shopping is fun and relaxing and a great way to save money.
I always get compliments on my clothes. I also have about 20 thrifted bathing suits that I wear to my water exercise class. I am the only one who doesn't complain about the chlorine wearing out their bathing suits. I find $90.00 bathing suits in excellent condition for $2.00. Now my whole wardrobe is from thrift shops, consignment shops, and rummage sales. I have three closets stuffed to overflowing with clothes.
I currently volunteer in a small church-run thrift shop one day a week. I do not belong to that church, but my Homemakers Club helped them set the shop up. Since I am a thrifter at heart, I just kept going back each Saturday to work. I love it, and sometimes I find some great clothes for my grandkids.
My friend and I are obsessed with getting this shop organized. It is time consuming but fun. I did find a few salable items when we first set up shop. I also found lots of old lace and sewing trims for my friend who uses vintage materials in her sewing. Lately, I have been buying fabric remnants to make tote bags. I use the bags for gifts.
My family is full of thrifters. My mom was a thrift shopper until she got too old to go, and my daughter, stepdaughter, daughter-in-law, and stepson are all thrifters. My hubby likes to buy and sell old ham radio gear. I am trying to get my nieces to become thrifters. They think they have to buy expensive brand name clothes that they can't afford, but I think my one niece started thrifting a little bit when she had to work in the Junior League thrift shop in Atlanta.
I now consider thrifting to be my hobby. I usually stop by a shop at least once a week. I have a few favorite shops and I frequent them the most. I even thrift while on vacation!
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CHARITY SPOTLIGHT
Housing Works in New York City
Housing Works is the nation's largest community-based AIDS service organization serving more than 17,000 people with HIV or AIDS in New York City. With their "luxury thrift" concept and high-end boutique feeling, the Housing Works thrift stores in New York City are attracting a more upscale market.
Matthew Aquiline was hired as Housing Works first visual director in 1999, and he decided to bring the standards of Madison Avenue shops to the thrift store windows. Designer Donna Karan was so captivated by Mr. Aquiline's talent that she recruited him to be her visual director in 2004. Mr. Aquiline now serves on the board for Housing Works.
Emily Hull Martin is the creative visual designer currently responsible for the eye-catching thrift store windows in each Housing Works thrift store. With a next-to-nothing budget and no advance notice of what they'll be working with, Ms. Martin and her two assistants manage to put together ten dazzling window displays every two weeks from random items donated to the thrift shops.
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At the end of two weeks, the items in the window are auctioned off to the highest bidder through an online Housing Works auction. The idea for doing an online auction seemed natural after the Housing Works thrift stores had several inquiries from shoppers wanting to buy individual items in the window displays. Since picking apart the window displays to sell the items one by one would ruin the overall effect of the design, Housing Works decided to auction off the window display items every two weeks.
For the benefit of locals, each thrift store features a computer kiosk so shoppers can bid electronically immediately after seeing the merchandise on display in person. The total amount raised from Housing Works' online auctions hovers near the $1 million mark, and 25 percent of the bidders live outside of New York. Bids come from as far away as Dallas and San Francisco, but the majority of online bidders are from New York State, New Jersey, and Connecticut. As long as their bid is active, shoppers receive e-mails each time they are outbid.
The popularity of the online window display auctions prompted Housing Works to offer an art auction, which raised more than $2,500 on its first day and more than $25,000 in two weeks. Housing Works plans to focus on jewelry in future auctions. The outstanding reputation of the brick-and-mortar Housing Works thrift shops is responsible for the success of the online auctions. Out of the $40.8 million raised by Housing Works in the 2005 fiscal year, revenues from the six thrift stores generated more than $8 million of that total.
Visit Housing Works online at www.housingworks.org
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ZODIAC THRIFTER September Horoscope |
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Virgo September is a great month for Virgo to focus on relationships. You'll be busy with someone special and will experience a deep, intense connection with them at the beginning of the second week in September. If you're single, a brand new person may enter your life in the last few days of the month. Look for partners in different places or seek out a different physical type. If your relationship is in a rut, this is the perfect time to make a change and shake things up. This could be a turning point or fresh start for you. It will be particularly hard for you to curtail spending this month, but you must because if an offer seems too good to be true this month, it is. Satisfy your urge to shop and spend by selecting several thrift stores in your area and giving yourself a spending limit for the day. |
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Libra
You're feeling more introspective as you ponder big questions about your life this month. Now is the time to get ahead in your career by taking some certificate courses to beef up your resume. The universe is already on your side when it comes to learning something new in September. Your work life might be altered by a sudden revelation, and an unexpected outburst is possible. Thrift a few new business outfits to give your spirit a lift. Others will notice a new you just by your demeanor. You've let go of the past this month and you're ready to fulfill your own desires. Get ready for a social whirl by mid month, and make sure to keep yourself energized
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Scorpio
Your dream of a major life change might finally come true this month, Scorpio. You'll receive the help you need to make the change easily. You might want to leave town around the third week of September when you get good news from loved ones who live far away. The trip will be all the more tempting with the recent "closure" you just achieved in the romantic department. Don't get bogged down with details of the past. Remind yourself that everything happens for a reason. You will only grow by leaving a bad situation. In fact, a friend will turn out to be more significant in your life than you expected, but you'll have to be patient because they're not totally free just yet. |
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Sagittarius
You'll have to use your intuition when discussing delicate matters at the beginning of September. Relationships will be strained at that time and tested. Stay detached and keep your eye on the bigger picture. Repay your old friend who needs your time this month and be there for them as they have been there for you so many times in the past. You could meet someone new and wonderful when you're strutting your stuff this month. You'll have so much in common that the age difference won't matter. Re-evaluate those you trust and be careful that private information doesn't show up in public. |
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Capricorn
Long-distance friends and lovers will take up a lot of your time this month, so be sure to get rid of distractions and fully enjoy their company. You'll get some great news from someone far away, too, possibly involving an old school chum you've been searching for. If you're thinking of changing jobs or careers, it's best to wait until October when a successful interview and higher salary are more likely. Think things through instead of responding immediately. Unexpected dealings with a family member will have you wanting to run in the opposite direction, but resist the impulse. The universe will provide you with an alternative. |
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Aquarius
You might inadvertently become the leader of a whole new group of friends this month, and you can plan on exciting and entertaining conversations. The potential for a new source of income can be explored through these acquaintances. A trusted loved one might offer some advice on this issue and tell you to stop being a rebel without a cause. As difficult as it may be, heed their warning. Be on guard for someone trying to steal your job towards the end of the month. For Aquarians who get their sense of worth from money, September will be a roller coaster ride for you. |
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Pisces
If you're going to gamble or play the lottery this month, do it between the 3rd and the 5th when luck will be on your side. You might all of a sudden find yourself in a deeper and more intense association with someone you've been interested in for a while. Even though you live far away from each other, you both might be considering ways to bridge the gap by the middle of the month. Don't make any long-term work commitments until you know if you'll be moving. You're going to feel restless and crave new experiences. |
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Aries
Since you'll be busy socializing in September, make sure to squeeze in some exercise whenever you can. Park your car far away from the door of each thrift store you visit to get some extra walking done. Every little bit helps, and your efforts will add up over time. Around the first week of September, someone will surprise you with a revelation about their feelings. Keep your calendar open until the middle of the month for an invitation from a long distance connection. Toward the end of the month, opportunity will come knocking. Are you ready to change your job? Ask yourself if you're really happy where you are, and go ahead and take a chance if you'd really rather be doing something else. |
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Taurus
For Taurus, September means rebirth and transformation, a time when negatives change to positives. A discussion with a friend or relative about relationships might have you turning a deaf ear, but in the first week of September, pay attention to what they're saying. The deeper meaning behind their words will become apparent within days. Someone new and exciting will challenge your comfort zone in the middle of the month and provide some refreshing enjoyment. Try to let go of an obsessive attachment later in the month when you'll be able to shake it more easily. Wait until the end of the month to sign papers so details and situations can work themselves out peacefully. |
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Gemini
The direct path to achieving your goals will present itself to you in razor sharp detail this month. Unexpected declarations will have you feeling unstable and edgy. Change is on the horizon, whether it's a new career or an entirely different life path. Keep that famous flexibility of yours handy because you're going to need it. You'll have plenty of admirers right before the end of the second week in September, but wait to choose one of them until after the 24th. Problems might arise before then, but everything will work itself out, as long as you don't make any impulsive decisions. Old emotional patterns will push to the surface and end the cycle. |
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Cancer
Work projects will be stalled for financial reasons as early as September 1st. Even though you're a homebody, get ready for the possibility of travel. A trip this month could change your life. A whirlwind romance is on the horizon in a distant place, and you might even be ready for commitment before the month is over. Don't go overboard with food and drink, Cancer, but take time to enjoy life. You'll feel like cleaning and greeting guests before the second week of September is over, so why not take advantage of your urges and have a party? You'll be happily surrounded by your home, family, and creature comforts at the close of this month. |
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Leo
You know that amazing person that just walked into your life, the one that seems a little dangerous and exciting? Be careful that true danger isn't lurking underneath that wealthy, powerful exterior you're so taken with. You'll be profitable in business this month and will probably receive a long-overdue bonus or raise. Married and committed Leos can expect control issues to surface in your relationship, but don't do anything crazy to free yourself emotionally or financially right now. By mid month you'll know how to confidently make your point. This is not a good time to rehash old battles. The 25th will bring a surprise of some sort: possibly a gift, a visit from a friend, or even love at first sight. Look for gradual improvement in your self-esteem. Help those in need by volunteering at a thrift store near you. It's sure to boost your mood, too.
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THRIFT KITTEN TIPS
Some Clothes Buying Advice
When buying clothing always inspect every button and seam for defects. Many thrift shops don't take returns. As you look over each garment carefully you can judge whether you want to replace a button or mend a seam.
Also look over the entire garment for "oil" stains. I'm speaking of a discolored patch of the cloth that may look like it's wet. This type of inspection affords the shopper to judge whether you think a stain might come out.
Always wash something before you wear it.
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THRIFTED RECIPE
Beef Noodle
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Ingredients:
1 lb Sirloin Tips
2 Cans Cream of Mushroom Soup (10.75oz. each)
1 Packet Lipton Beefy Onion Soup Mix
2 Cups Water
1/2 Tsp. Cumin (Optional)
1 lb Cooked Egg Noodles
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Mix together all the ingredients in a 13" x 9"
lasagna pan and bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes covered with foil. Remove the foil and bake an additional 30 minutes.
Mix well with 1 lb cooked egg noodles. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Submit A Thrifted Recipe Here |
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