Big Thrift Energy

Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting Virginia Chamlee as she launched her new book Big Thrift Energy: The Art and Thrill of Finding Vintage Treasures—Plus Tips for Making Old Feel New. She brought amazing energy to our shop as well as many tips and tricks for how to do your best thrifting. Her book functions as an avenue that continues to do the same work with visual examples of how a good vintage find can enhance both your home and life. 

If you’ve ever been thrifting yourself, you know that walking into a Goodwill can be very overwhelming. One of my favorite things about Virginia Chamlee’s book is that it gives you advice for every step of your shopping—including how to prepare before you ever walk into a store. Some of this has to do with defining your style, which is crucial for honing in on items that fulfill you while shopping. There’s also advice that guides you to the best stores and Flea markets in the U.S.

Another element of thrifting that she offers advice on is when to say no. Thrifting is a thrill because it hits three big goals: it’s sustainable, cheap, and adds an authentic element to your style. Because it sometimes feels too good to be true, it’s easy to buy everything in sight. Two dollars for a lamp? Say less. But the last thing you want is to buy blind, which means without a vision for the item in mind. Virginia Chamlee offers us a path to this mindset that also covers when an item is damaged beyond repair. 

This book is your one-stop shop for how to thrift with purpose. It’s an elevated and fun guide that supplies tools for a new lifestyle. And if you won’t take our word for it, here’s what Danielle Blundell from Apartment Therapy has to say about the book: “Vintage shopping can be super tricky…With this beautiful and thoughtful book, though, you’ll feel like you have a guide for furnishing your best home ever with pre-loved, storied stuff.”

And in this quote is the ultimate goal for your thrifting: To tell a story through the items that you find. This book is a great way to start the journey of making your home feel more like ‘you.’ It makes a great gift as well because it’s as gorgeous as it is knowledgeable. We like to think that everyone could use a little Big Thrift Energy in their life.

Enjoy with: A pretty summer sipper. We have two bottles of rose that would look stunning sitting next to this book: Liquid Geography (Retail $15) and Wolffer Summer in a Bottle (Retail $27).