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

TGIF: Thank God It’s Feb…

Well babes….Kelli here. We made it to February. WHAT A Y E A R it has been. I don’t know about you, but at this point I’m being held together solely by aquaphor, the Olivia Dean album, and old episodes of Schitt’s Creek (RIP to the brightest light of them all, Catherine O’Hara).

The world at large has been a tough place to live in. A few silver linings last month though?

🎞️ Early Saturday nights in catching up on my Oscar movies, such as a couple of my recent faves One Battle After Another and If I Had Legs I Would Kick You

🔮 Manifesting with friends what we want the next year to look like for us on our annual Vision Board day

📕 Reading Wuthering Heights for the first time alongside a friend in anticipation of Emerald Fennell’s new take on it

🪩 Scoring tickets to the next Harry Styles tour, which felt like planting a little seed of fun for our future selves to enjoy 8 months from now

🔥 Heated Rivalry….I don’t need to say more 😉 

Last but not least…we spent a Friday working out of the gorgeous RecRoom space at Lackawanna amongst other members of our badass Montclair community!

There are conference room tables, plenty of amenities, a private restroom, a phone booth, and more! The people you will meet that are all doing incredible, creative things is reason enough to grab a day pass and work there for an afternoon!

With that in mind, we are thrilled to welcome this month’s Guest Contributor, the Co-Founder & General Manager of RecRoom, Michelle Ward!

If you’re coming to our next swap or new to Jersey Girl Thrift: this one’s for you!

A JGT Girlie For Life

I’m Michelle, coworking co-founder, community builder, Montclair local, tween mom & musical theater nerd -  and I need to confess something:

Jersey Girl Thrift has completely ruined regular shopping for me in the best possible way.

Honestly, it is the only way I want to shop now, unless I absolutely need something very specific - like pink Doc Martens. Don’t we all need those?

And it is not just about clothes - even though I do snag name brands often and leave with a haul every time. Here’s why I won’t shut up about it:

✨ Jersey Girl Thrift has made me way more body positive. I keep a bag in my closet ready to bring to the next swap, and I happily fill it when clothes no longer fit (thanks perimenopause!). It’s like a judgment-free purge party for my wardrobe, getting me excited about what I’ll replace it with while thinking about the person who’ll happily snag my too-tight pants. 

✨ I’m having fun with my wardrobe again. I’m trying things I would never normally pick, like a navy pleated midi skirt (I am usually not a skirt person) and a long button-down white tuxedo shirt. I wore the skirt for the first time this week, got multiple compliments, and had fun creating a new outfit. When I paired the long button-down under a sweater and over some wide-leg jeans, it was something I wouldn’t have thought to do and I felt so cool. And the best part? If something I picked at the swap just doesn’t feel right in The Real World (I’m looking at you, Hunter rain clogs*), back in the bag it goes for the next swap. No pressure, all joy.

✨ I’m thrifting almost exclusively now. Local faves include Academy St. in Glen Ridge, 2nd Street in Montclair, and American Thrift in Passaic. Sustainable, affordable, and helps keep the wardrobe fun + body positivity alive between swaps. I love being a sustainable superhero and doing my part to make a dent in fast fashion + capitalism.

✨ Jersey Girl Thrift swap = ultimate self-care. Swaps feel as good as - or better than - a spa day. I always go with a girl friend and it’s like a BFF date,  a soul lift, and a wardrobe refresh all in one. Larell and Kelli set the perfect vibes: friendly folks, tasty drinks and snacks, fun activation stations, calm energy…can you tell I’m obsessed? Because I’m obsessed.

✨ The swaps led me to the Whering app. Plan your outfits, see everything you own and what you actually wear, even style your own wardrobe like the Clueless closet - but on your phone! I love it and it’s free! If you wind up using it, too, add me as a friend, ‘k?

I have already bought my ticket for 2/28 and cannot wait. Plus, RecRoom - the coworking + community space I co-founded & manage - is giving away a pack of 5 day passes worth $150! You just gotta be there to enter, see you then!

💛Michelle

* Hunter rain clogs were pink + red and a size 10. The lack of a back of the shoe in the rain was not for me, but if you wanna try ‘em, keep your eyes open at the next swap!

Want to share your story with the JGT community?

We already love swapping outfits. Why not swap stories too? Share your thrift tips, NJ musings, or spooky-season style ideas by filling out our contributor form below. We’ll help shape it and make sure your voice shines in a future newsletter. It’s the perfect way to promote your brand, project, or passion to the JGT community.