Who am I? I’m Julie, a graphic designer (see here) from Hamilton, Ontario. When I’m not hunched over my iMac, I’m lurking around Hamilton’s thrift shops, and building a life out of lived-in clothes, art, furniture, and everything in between. I’m one thrifty lady, and I’d like to regale you with tales of my thrifty style. I started this blog because I found myself bragging about my thrift store finds little too much in real life, so now I brag about them on the internet to spare the people I actually know. I’m a gem.
What do I write about? Well, I think it’s fairly obvious that I write about thrifting. This blog really found it’s footing once I made the decision to stop buying clothing at the mall. Forever. I declared the initial year-long mall-free pledge here, encouraged others to do the same here, gave a progress report here, and made the break-up permanent here.
Malls are gross, expensive and souless; while thrift stores are cheap, exciting, and full of stories. Sometimes, those stories lead me to entries on 90′s nostalgia, pop art, Mod Cloth or Dairy Queen. Other times, they are reflections on being the tallest girl in the class, or dinner dates with reality tv stars. Basically, this blog is a mixed bag of humour, pop culture and personal observations, with one thrifty thread stringing all of it together. Therein lies the abbreviated summary of what I’m doing here. If you’re still curious about the why, read on!
Why do I write it?: Why bother, you ask? What’s a graphic designer doing blabbing about thrifting? I’m a girl with many other interests, and thrifting happens to be the one thing that ties them all together. I like fashion. I like design. I like movies, TV, and cats. When I blog about thrifting, I can blog about all those things at once. So, I suppose you could call this a style blog, but it’s really just a chance for me to dust off my rusty English B.A., and write about things that make me happy (Note: that B.A. does not mean I make less typos than your average photo fashion blogger. In fact, I may very well make more). If I happen to awaken a passion second-hand styling in my readers while I write, then that’s the silver lining on the vintage blazer.
If I haven’t sold you on the thrifting life already, I’ll add that it’s also It’s Eco-friendly, social-conscious, and so.much.fun.
Oh, and one more thing: I promise I’m not one of those bloggers who gets all holier-than-thou about thrift shopping, but actually buys from super-fancy consignment shops and vintage “boutiques”. I’m a Sally-Anne girl through-and-through. I like my shirts under $10 and my dresses under $20!
Won’t you thrift along with me?
You’re so cute and funny! And I love Canada + Canadians. :) Looking forward to reading more of your thrifting adventures!
Thank you! I do hope I uphold the reputation of Canadians everywhere :D
Just letting you know that this is pretty much my new favorite blog. Picking apart how we live our lives in design and art is one of my passions, and I love watching other people do it too. Seeing someone do it in a thrifty way is even cooler. Your posts = fabulous. Keep it up! <3
Thank-you! Comments like that mean the world to me – they keep me motivated to keep it up :D
Love your blog. Its so pretty! The creative headlines to your posts made me click on for more.
You are cute as a button…I like your style and the outlook of your blog. Happy Holidays to you and your family!
cong on being freshly pressed………u luk cute, playful n liked ur blog….
happy writing
Thanks all! Being Freshly Pressed was an early Christmas present. I hope to continue to entertain and inform my new followers!
Having an outlet is important. Congratulations on being freshly pressed. Bravo.
Hi Julie- I LOVE your blog! I’ve also nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award! God bless!
My husband got me into the thrift stores when I met him when I was in college. I studied about and worked in the retail business for a few years so I know what clothes should and should not cost. I always joke to my kids that whatever is in the malls will end up in the second hand stores, so I don’t mind the wait. What a great blog you have..I just started d following it :)
Very nicely executed site!
Your blog is so fun! I look forward to lots of inspiration from it!
love your ideas and blog – paying it forward by nominating your blog for versatile blogger award – looking forward to more great reads on your blog.
So happy to find another thriftaholic :) Happy New Year!
Thanks for all the comments, dear readers! Many more thrifting adventures on their way in 2012.
I found your blog today, and I wanted to say that I love it!
Thank you! And a hearty welcome to the blog-universe to you as well!
I think you are right…We are blogger-twins!! Your blog is awesome! How exciting to have met someone who is so far away yet clearly we have a lot in common. Woo!
charitychic…you sound like myself..I said my she feels like my blog-mate…so cute…
Hiya
I loved your blog so much – you write about everything I love! – I shared it with my readers. I hope that’s ok, and you can see it at my website if you’d like. :)
I’m honoured! Thanks so much for the feature!
Hi!
Thanks for stopping by my blog, if only because I got to discover yours. I too, am a thrift-enthusiast, and am very excited to find another blog about the joys of thrifting.
Have a great day!
cheers,
Katie
You….are so awesome. (and Canadian to boot, woo!).
Thank you! We Canadians usually are ;)
Good Morning Julie!
I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award.
Here’s the link:
http://chicenvelopements.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/awards-chips-vintage-campers-and-oil-field-trash/
Beth
I just found your blog and love the whole idea of it!!! I’m always admiring ladies who take a risk on fashion, and make it better by finding clothes at thrift stores! Hoping I’ll get some good suggestions from you :)
Hello Love, You have been tagged!
http://sheilarosebelmonte.wordpress.com/2012/04/06/project-102-tagged-o-war/
Hi! I tagged you in a post so I can learn more about you :) http://lovelytransitions.wordpress.com/2012/04/09/taggin-along-before-zzzz/
Hi Julie,
I noticed you have added a nice button in your sidebar for people to grab. Would you have some time to help me put a button in my sidebar? I’ve almost got it figured out, but I still need some help. Thanks so much!
Beth
omg..I totally feel like I have found my blog-mate…I am a thrift and I,too love design. Thank you for visiting http://www.theabsolutemost.com.
I love the illustrations on your site. Cute!….I look
forward to chit-chatting about things vintage.
Mannie.
A fellow tall girl and a thrifter? Hello! Excuse me while I back stalk your blog.
I hope you don’t mind but I nominated you for the Sunshine Award! http://theartistmakena.com/2012/07/05/sun-shining-with-the-sunshine-award/
Stay Awesome,
Makena
I think you and your blog are lovely, so I’ve nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award! You can see it here: http://alligatortoe.wordpress.com/2012/07/25/one-lovely-award/
Cheers!
Kristi from Alligator Toe :)
As something of a thrifty sister I’ve nominated you for a blogging award here: http://mancunianvintage.wordpress.com/2012/09/04/seven-things-about-me-award/
Hi Julie!
Am not sure if it is proper protocol to notify you, or if I should ask permission or approval to list “We So Thrifty” as a favorite on the blogroll page on my blog. It is presently listed, which you can see here: http://www.tocatchathrift.com/?page_id=159
If for any reason you would prefer to not be listed in such a way, please let me know and I will be happy to take it down.
Thank you for all you do and share on “We So Thrifty”, it is such an inspiration to me! I just love the way you write, and your outfits are incredible!
Best wishes and I hope you have a great day!
Sincerely,
Ashley Burns
http://www.tocatchathrift.com
ashley@tocatchathrift.com
Ashley, this is a little delayed, but thank you so much for the kind words and listing on your blog! I’m always happy to come into contact with another thrifter, especially one as delightful as yourself.
You have an eye for fashion, so anything you find in a thrift store can be treated as a treasure. :) Anyway, you are not the only one in this field… Check out my Marie Claire boots! :D