frugal

A Frugal Wench’s Top Buys of 2024: A Non-Frugal Guide

Blog

In 2024 I spent all of my money… no, literally all my money. But don’t worry, it comes back. Let me tell you about the best things I spent it on!

  1. Blundstones : By far my most-worn clothing addition to my wardrobe this year. I bought them in Melbourne because I knew that buying them closer to Tasmania, where they are originally from, coupled with the Australian exchange rate heavily in our favor, was perfect timing. They go with absolutely everything and take me one step closer to my ever-present nature girl goal.
  2. Silver spoon cuff : Found this absolute gem of a bracelet at the Eumundi markets and the artisan resized it to my arm. It quickly became one of my most prized possessions and my favorite piece of jewelry.
  3. Afends polka dots dress : I scored this at a sample sale for the brand in Byron Bay. It fits like a glove, got it for a steal, and I’ve worn it so many times. 
  4. Peach linen pants from Captains Helm : Need I say more!
  5. Tulip painted umbrella from a museum gift shop in Switzerland : What’s better than an automatic open umbrella with a quality handle? Truly, it’s the little luxuries of life. 
  6. Aesop body balm for a hand cream : Sampled it on the street and my jaw dropped. I couldn’t stop thinking about the smell. I put it on right before bed and it became a sort of Pavlov’s dogs trigger for me.
  7. A box of Crayons : Such an accessible way for me to make art because no set-up or clean-up is required and they are literally 5$ for the big pack, which makes me feel like the coolest kid in class. 
  8. Mother of Pearl phone case : I bought on Jan 2nd for a little over $20 and has lasted me until today, making me happy all year long. 
  9. Yellow painters jumpsuit : I love a one stop shop when it comes to an outfit, getting ready has never been quicker. 
  10. Cappuccino Mug : I found a stall that was selling a man’s handmade pottery collection from his assisted living home after he passed. I’ll give you a moment to wipe your tears. Although I bought multiple pieces, this espresso cup makes me look forward to coffee in the morning. 
  11. Silverware organization tray for makeup storage in my room : The biggest hack for me this year, couldn’t recommend enough. This one was $9 from Marshalls.
  12. Little blue purse from poshmark by the same brand that made knock-off coach bags but with genuine leather in the US : I can’t get enough, Dorcelle for the win!

How We Thrift!

Blog
Top: thrifted Shorts: Captains helm Sandals: Madewell
Thrifting is a mix of things, dedication and luck. My friends often get frustrated when my only answer to “Where did you get that?!” is, “A thrift store!” and I totally get it. When I hear that response from someone that I ask, I know it’s nearly impossible to get myself because this person bought the only one in existence. But that’s the beauty of thrifting- a sense of individuality. A lot of my thrifting could be attributed to luck and the abundance of options in my size, but I have also been thrifting regularly since 5th grade. Which leads us to some helpful strategies we’ve adopted to make us better thrifters: 
1.You can’t expect to walk into a thrift store and find exactly what you’re looking for, like a perfect pair of vintage jeans. But don’t be discouraged either, that of course could happen but when it doesn’t, don’t give up! We often keep a running list of styles or ideal pieces we are looking for in the back of our minds (or written down if you’re organized like that). That way, every time you go to a thrift store, you might not find the ONE thing, but you could find something on your list, and you won’t forget what to look for next time. 
2. The secret is fabric. Things often jump out to me based on the quality, color and pattern of the fabric. I find this strategy is most effective when looking through tops, but it applies to all sections of the store as well. When I walk into a thrift store, I head straight to the tops. Tops, I find, are the easiest to go through because sizes are the most liberal and I go through every single one at lightning speed. My arm is literally sore by the end, that’s how fast I go. Same thing goes for denim and other bottoms. 
2a. If you can try things on, pull anything and everything you think might work. Sometimes magic happens when a piece comes off the rack and onto your body. And if it’s the opposite, at least now you know. 
3. If you end up trying something on that you absolutely love but doesn’t fit right, consider tailoring! I have had several pieces adjusted by our favorite local tailor and it was totally worth it. The main thing to consider before frequently opting for tailoring is budget. It’s not always inexpensive to tailor something so consider how much the item costs plus how much the tailoring will be to decide if the item would be worth that price if it fit perfectly. 
4. Bring your metaphorical magnifying glass to check for stains! This may seem obvious but some stains are not always visible when you’re looking on the rack. Pull everything out and change up the lighting to make sure there aren’t any permanent damages to the item like stains but also holes. 
5. Another important tip is to check tags for the care instructions. If you’re low maintenance and don’t like to dry clean anything, that could help you decide if the piece is right for you. If there’s one thing we’re serious about it’s following the care instructions. It definitely adds to the lifetime of a piece, especially something that is pre-owned! 
If you post if any of your thrifted finds, tag #frugalwench to show us what you’ve found! 
Happy thrifting. 
-Audrey