You’re reading Jersey Girl Thrift’s bi-weekly newsletter. A quick and fun read, full of swap news, girlhood, thrift store reviews, style tips, local sales, great reads, and a recipe or two. It’s everything you need to live a thrifty and luscious life.

Hello, Swap Friends!

How are we doing?? Miss you gals, for real.

I’ve got some goodies packed into this newsletter, including our next event, some important Montclair news, and an easy dessert recipe that wins every time.

But first! It’s garden season. At least for the community garden at the Oakside Bloomfield Cultural Center.

In my last apartment, I had a big backyard where I built a few raised beds. Moving, I wasn’t sure how my love of growing would evolve. But alas, I found a community garden within walking distance. (The Universe continues to remind me this was the right move).

Orientation was so cute. We gardeners gathered around on a particularly sunny morning, introducing ourselves and nodding along to all the guidelines for the season: don’t water other people’s plots, yes, we have groundhogs, say hello to the bee boxes behind the garden.

I made my first two Bloomfield friends. One of whom, a long-time Oakside gardener, said this: “These people are doers. We have hobbies, we love community, and we show up for each other. You will love it here. People land here on purpose.”

Like!!!!

Most towns have community garden programs, if you’re interested. Here’s more about the ones in Bloomfield. :)

Ya girls are on the Montclair Pod!!!!

Okay, so this is a lesson in just going for it. Kelli and I made a vision board in January for JGT, and on it was a group of women talking on a podcast. I kid you not.

Cut to Kelli and me patiently waiting in the lobby of Lackawanna for an interview with Farnoosh, host of The Montclair Pod (screaming!!!).

Then cut to Kelli power-texting me at 7 in the morning saying, “WAKE UP, WE’RE FAMOUS.”

Between local politics and restaurant recs, this episode is all about shopping and thrifting in Montclair.

It’s our first podcast interview. Our first ON-SCREEN interview (watch it, if you can). It was a huge honor to be invited.

It’s a real moment for all of us JGT girlies, honestly. This community is growing. This party is just getting started. And we are here to meet the moment.

Renter-friendly sustainability at home

I’m so deep into personal sustainability that at this point I can’t not. You know the feeling??!

Outside of secondhand shopping, here are two of my favorite household sustainability practices.

Java’s Compost

In my old apartment, I had an open-air compost in the backyard. I’d toss in eggshells, veggie scraps, banana peels… and magically, it turned into rich soil for my garden.

At my new spot, I needed a new system. Enter: Java’s Compost.

You get this cute bucket, you fill it with your food scraps, and then put it out to the curb for pickup. They handle the rest.

It’s so renter-friendly, I kind of can’t believe it exists. And honestly, it keeps my regular garbage from getting smelly.

Pro tip: I keep my bucket on my back porch. And I keep my scraps in the freezer, then dump them throughout the week. No smell, no drama. Seriously.

~I’m working on a little something for you guys here 👀 stay tuned for a possible discount~

Ridwell

I also started paying way more attention to my plastic use, because something about putting a plastic bag… inside another plastic bag… just to send it off to a landfill felt… off?

At first, I was using those free drop-off bins outside ShopRite and Stop & Shop. But I noticed a lot of regular trash in there, and learned that not all of it actually gets recycled correctly.

So I did a little digging and found Ridwell.

It’s a simple concept: collect your plastics in their pre-paid bags and send them back. They take hard-to-recycle plastics, like film, packaging, plastic bags, wrappers, etc., and process them properly.

This will be my first month using their service, so I’ll update with my experience!

YOUR JGT EVENTS CALENDAR

Kel and I have been busy scouting venues, promoting the brand, researching crafts, and improving our backend process.

So, alas, here’s your 2026 event calendar.

1. Vintage Crawl Drop-Off Table

Where: Lackawanna Station
When: Saturday, May 30 · 11 AM – 5 PM

This one’s a little different.

We’re popping up at the Montclair Vintage Crawl, but as a drop-off only.

So many of you ask what to do with clothes between events, and we heard you. This is your chance to unload, pass things on, and make a little space without waiting for the next swap.

And if that means you don’t have anything to bring to a future swap? Totally fine. Seriously. This is just here to help.

What to bring:
Think pieces you’d be excited to find at the swap—clean, gently loved, and ready for their next life. Clothing, shoes, accessories… we’ll take it off your hands.

We’ll have little gifts for anyone who drops off (because obviously) 💋

Wait, what’s the Vintage Crawl?
It’s such a fun day where you grab a map and hop around all the vintage spots in town!

2. Summer Swap ☀️

Saturday, July 11
Montclair (location dropping soon!)

Okay, we are so excited about this one.

One day. Two sessions. Indoor/outdoor! Peak summer energy.

More details coming VERY soon… but just know this is your mid-summer closet refresh.

3. Fall Swap 🍂

September (YOU DECIDE THE DATE!)

September is always a little chaotic, but it’s also the perfect time to refresh the closet. So, we want to build this one with you.

Take the poll + tell us which weekend works best

4. Holiday Swap ✨

December: Still dreaming her up

We’ve been dreaming about this one.

Cozy sweaters. Holiday outfits. Maybe something a little sparkly.
A swap that feels like a party in the middle of winter.

And this is the year we’d love to make it happen.

Pistachio Orange Rice Krispies Treats

Listen, I’m not saying they’re healthy in any way. BUT I am saying these are a crowd pleaser. Every. Single. Time. They’re also budget-friendly, easy, and low-stress. Like, you cannot mess this up.

What you need:

• 3 tbsp butter + more for buttering dish

• 1 (10 oz) bag big marshmallows

• 6 cups Rice Krispies

• 2 tsp orange extract

• ~2 cups chopped pistachios

How to make them:

1. Melt butter over medium heat until lightly golden

2. Add 1 tsp orange extract + a small handful of pistachios. Let them brown a bit

3. Stir in marshmallows slowly until fully melted

4. Add remaining 1 tsp orange extract

5. Remove from heat + slowly mix in Rice Krispies one cup at a time

6. Fold in the rest of the pistachios

7. Do a little taste test. Option to add another splash of orange extract

8. Generously butter a 9×9 glass dish and your hands. Press mix into dish, cool, cover, done

Serve it like this:
Bring them in the glass dish or cut them into squares and throw them on a thrifted plate for a very “oh, these? just whipped them up” moment.

Last but not least: Montclair Special Election!

Mikie Sherrill previously represented New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, which is a large chunk of Montclair, Bloomfield, and Passaic County. With her stepping into her new role as Governor of New Jersey, there’s now a special election to fill her seat.

1. Check if you’re eligible to vote in this election (only if you’re in the district)

2. Make sure you’re registered

3. Find your polling location

4. Save the date: April 16, 2026

Until next time, Xoxo Larell