WRITING CULTURE 2012: Film, Food & Beyond

Philly AIDS Thrift is arguably one of the most fun thrift stores ever. The window displays and mannequins are always provocative and stylish. The walls are covered with art and eye-popping displays. Everyone is sincerely friendly and there are always interesting people to shop or chat with at PAT.

Philly AIDS Thrift

I especially love spending money at PAT since they contribute to 29 different AIDS/LBGT related charities in the Philadelphia area.

Wander around all the different rooms packed with lamps, TVs, furniture, paintings, clothes, jewelry, and records. Nearly all clothing items are under $10, and most are half of that. Pick up one of their neat PAD logo tote bags or t-shirts made from recycled items.  Besides all that, my favorite thing about PAT is that they have A LOT of books.

PAT has more books than a small bookstore. Boxes are piled on the floor because the shelves are often overflowing.  Philadelphia is a well read city and the book selection reflects that. If you’re looking for mass-market bestsellers, try the $1 room. 

The books are neatly organized by genre, Art, LBGT, Politics, Poetry, History….. One afternoon, I spent at least an hour  just looking at art books.

Even if you leave empty handed, you will leave smiling. It’s just a fun place to go. But I usually find something, and often leave with a bag full of clothes for around $20. You can find anything here. They have lots of vintage as well as gently used designer items.

 On this visit, I noticed lots of nice jeans, a few shirts and a French Connection pencil skirt for just $1, but I didn’t buy anything.  I just didn’t see anything I really needed.

Sometimes it’s hard to pass on things that are nice and a great deal, but if you don’t need it, it’s really just a waste. I’ve been thrifting for years, but sometimes I still have to remember to be mindful, and not buy stuff I don’t need. At these prices, it’s easy to do.

Buying stuff you don’t need defeats the purpose of thrifting. You don’t save money or the environment by buying and hoarding stuff you don’t need, even if it is a great deal, and for a good cause like Philly Aids Thrift.

Next post, this “thrift store” has mostly NEW clothes.

Let me explain, I know this blog is supposed to be about NYC,  but I just have to post from wherever I happen to be thrifting.  I will get back to NYC soon, but I must tell you about my day in Philly.

I Love Philly. Photo from Fodors.com

I go to Pennsylvania a lot looking for antiques, and some of my best thrift store finds are found in Philly.

I love hitting up the shops in and around Philadelphia as much as I can. I find they have similar items found in NYC, but at extremely reasonable prices and with less crowds and attitude.

Like NYC, there is so much to do in Philly besides thrifting. I usually eat at the Reading Terminal Market or in Philadelphia’s version of Chinatown or Little Italy.

Philadelphia is a gorgeous city, rich in culture, food, art and of course thrift stores.

You can take a two-hour bus ride to Philly for about $8, and they run nearly every hour. It’s worth the trip.

I highly recommend that you check it out, and I will be writing more posts about my visits.

Philly Aids Thrift always has the best displays.

Next post will be about one of my favorite thrift stores in Philadelphia….Philly AIDS Thrift.

Goodwill

809 State Route 17

Paramus, NJ 07652

Driving home from Albany I stopped by the Goodwill in Paramus, NJ.

Normally, I wouldn’t review a Goodwill since they are everywhere, all similar and most people have most likely visited a Goodwill Store. I only will post about Goodwill if there is something special or unusual at a location.

Right now this Goodwill is packed with wedding dresses, tuxedos and bridesmaid dresses. At first glance, I thought they were used, and there were just a lot of them.  But no, they are brand new.

When I asked why there were so many wedding dresses, I was told this “rare occurrence” is the result of a wedding shop going out of business.

Prices from $69.99.

These dresses are beautiful! If you are getting married soon, I hope you get down there soon and check it out.

Save your money for the honeymoon!

New York is full of distractions.  Sometimes the best way to get anything done is the get away from everything.

Here is what I found along the way.

Habitat for Humanity
454 North Pearl Street
Albany, NY 12204

If you’re looking for house stuff, you’re in the right place, especially if you are BUILDING the house.

Since 1976 Habitat for Humanity has rehabbed over 500,000 houses for families in need and your purchases can help.

Habitat for Humanity Re-Store is a huge warehouse packed with used appliances, kitchen cabinets, bathtubs, ceramic tile, light fixtures, and old wooden doors. Any building material you can imagine can be found here.

Everything appeared to be in good usable condition and is donated/salvaged from people remodeled their homes.  Not only can you save money, but also the money you spend will be used to rebuild the community.

After you finish the construction, you’re going to need some furniture and this store has a lot of furniture. I noticed mostly large pieces for people that live in real houses, so nothing for me.

On this visit I found high-end bunk beds with an attached dresser, lots of desks and dining tables, two art deco trunks ($40) and a lane coffee table ($18). My favorite items were an old porcelain pedestal sink and a pastel pink Jacuzzi tub ($110). I should have bought it!

Prices were reasonable, and if I had a house instead of an apartment I would stop by every time I passed through Albany.

You shouldn’t have to go into debt to buy a dress you will only wear once. Next post I’ll show where brides can find a huge selection of gorgeous wedding dresses that were only worn once.

When I was a kid my grandmother could never pass a yard sale without stopping, nor could my parents. My family didn’t have much money so we often went back-to-school shopping at thrift stores.  At the time, I was embarrassed shopping at yard sales and used clothing stores but now that I can afford to buy new, I choose to buy used. Besides the obvious savings, I do it now for economic, environmental, social and political reasons, and it’s just a lot of fun.

Nowadays, I shop at auctions estate sales and of course thrift stores and I often travel. I have visited countless thrift stores from New York to Los Angeles. Since I’m lucky enough to live in New York City, I regularly visit what I consider the best thrift stores in the country. As I travel and shop I will write reviews to share my thoughts, advice and of course what I find.