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

wedding SZN is (still) here…

We hope you enjoyed last week’s guest feature by our JGT gal Devon Johnson! This has been a big wedding season for me personally with multiple family members getting married this summer, including my sister whose wedding was beautifully coordinated by Devon! I’ve been in the thick of all the revelry these last few months, with every weekend bringing a new event to dress for, decorate, or think of gifts for.

from the closet

One thrifted piece I’ve gotten a lot of use out of? An H&M dress I bought for a vacation like new on Poshmark that was the perfect piece for my sister’s July bridal shower. Every time I didn’t know what to wear this summer, I broke this easy breezy dress out.

This green little number I got from a JGT swap, and was the perfect light breezy piece for a beautiful Maine wedding at the lake — though I did make a vow to myself to put less polyester pieces in my closet after an ember from a fire pit flew onto my dress and seared a giant plastic hole in it faster than you could say “OMG” - they are NOT kidding when they say keep away from flames, gals! One more reason to stay away from these fast fashion brands is they are a major fire hazard!

my go-to engagement gift

Bridal shower gifting is easy, thanks to the registry, and for weddings you also usually do cash, but engagement parties are harder. You want to show up with a little something for the happy couple that’s thoughtful but also inexpensive- more of a gesture.

This custom stamp on Etsy is my perfect go-to engagement gift! You can have it customized with their last name and address, which is not only adorable but will be incredibly helpful when they get to the stationary part of their wedding invitations, bridal shower thank yous, RSVP cards, the list goes on! (It also makes a great house-warming gift!)

something new, a lot borrowed

As Devon mentioned in the last newsletter, hitting up friends to borrow items for wedding season is key. The centerpieces at my sister’s shower? Mason jars I borrowed from my friend. The baskets to hold the games? Borrowed. The fairy lights I strung around the dessert table? The shawl I wore to multiple events? I called on upon my village and the girls came through - cheaper and less waste!

spare time

There wasn’t much of it- but what free time I had this summer was spent in thrift stores all over the Northeast. I went to one of my favorite Goodwill locations in Rockaway, Vintage Emporium in Newburgh NY, Oldies in Newburyport Mass, American Thrift in Passaic. As captured on IG- Beacon, NY proved to be the ultimate thrifting destination, with a vintage, antique, or consignment store roughly every 50 feet. I was recently in Rhinebeck, NY and also popped into one of my favorite antique barns, Beekman Arms Antique Market, that is two glorious stories and chock full of curiosities. Don’t sleep on the Hudson Valley, Jersey Girlies!!

To the west, I also had a great time antiquing at The People’s Antique Store in Lambertville which I could spend literally hours in. While I was there I had to pop across the bridge and stop in one of my all time faves- Love Saves the Day in New Hope, which is another great day trip destination that will be especially dreamy when the leaves turn this fall.

farewell to summer

I feel like I hardly knew ye. I typically have a hard time with the transition from summer to fall, and long for the bright sunny mornings and pool days the moment it’s over, but this year I am really trying to embrace the fall. I’m ready for a chill in the air, a hot cider, and a cozy sweater. I’m pulling out the fall decor early, and I’m already on the hunt for the perfect brown suede bag to fill out my fall wardrobe.

We’ve got a lot to look forward to this fall Jersey girlies…so stay tuned 😉