Day 9....................Northern California -> Southern California

Eek!
Sorry for the delayed posting on my last day of the trip. I usually post the next morning, after my full day of adventures, but the exhaustion from this massive solo journey all hit me last night. I got into Hollywood around 11pm, and unpacked my car, and then I slept for about 14-16 hours. Thanks for sticking around! Here goes...9-17-09
Day 9 of 9
Thrift Store # 13
R.A.D. Thrift Store in Bakersfield, CA

I walked into this store with less than 3 mintues to shop before they closed. I immediately got a cart and went to the shoe section, frantically grabbed about 8 pairs of totally amazing boots and shoes, then some purses...and then they turned the lights out on me, and I was forced to check out. Sad! But honestly, at this point I was so close to my final destination that (for once) I wasn't too bummed about it. Well that, and my car was so full of stuff it was bordering on dangerous.




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Etsy Vintage Seller Interview #8
Violet from violet64
Sacramento, CA
---> Everthing in Violet's house is vintage. Seriously everything! It was like traveling back in a time machine, with plenty of warped, sweet 50s - 60s decor. Her collections are drool-worthy and awesomely odd: mannequin heads (and hands!), very old little stuffed animals, perfect vintage box suitcases, huge sign letters and other oddities.











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Etsy Vintage Seller Interview #9
Karli from KarliHearron
Bakersfield, CA
--->This creative girl has talent, drive, and a knack for refurbishing old wood furniture, and turning it into funky, pretty pieces which would look gorgeous in anyone's space!








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And now... what do I do with myself?!

* I'm finally home again in LA, taking a breather.
*This trip was everything I wanted it to be, and more--
I'm so glad you guys are following me!
Seeing how many people viewed this every day made me want to say 'to hell with you, ADD!' and keep blogging.
*Please check back often, as I sort through my bounty and take photos of my traveling treasures.
*I'll also be putting together an article about the vintage collectors whom I interviewed along the way. I have lots of great material! Who knows where it will end up, but I hope to get it published this fall/winter.
*I love your comments, so please let me know if you enjoyed this blog so far, and any suggestions you have for what I should do next!

“I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself.”
Maya Angelou

Day 8......................NEVADA -> NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

9-16-09
Day 8 of 9
Thrift Store #10
St. Vincent's in Reno, Nevada

Thrifty Goodness Rating: 10/10
I'm not sure if thrift stores get any better than this. Even though I went with my interviewee, Heather (below,) I walked out of there with no less than about 30 things (mostly very small)... but so did she! It was like no vintage shopper had ever set foot in this massive thirft warehouse! Yet she insists it's always that good!

The place was overflowing with amazing stuff: 50's fabric samples, very old board games, totally weird crafting paraphernalia, etc. All of which I bought, along with so much more. In fact, I was so overwhelmed that I forgot to take photos, so what you see below is just a teeny tiny smattering of my goodies. More photos to come in the next few weeks (as I shop through my own car.)

I bought a bowling ball, people.

A BOWLING BALL.

In that gorgeous, mint condition purple case (above,) with adorable matching suede bowling shoes IN MY SIZE. I go bowling maybe once a year, but this was a must have at $2. TWO DOLLARS! Worth every penny, even if I never bowl again and it just sits on my shelf and looks pretty.

Really loved these flower needlepoints, but they were huge!

Oh lover, thank you for giving me this sterile fake rose in glass jar as a valentine. Ah, nothing like the 80's.

Dish perfection. I bought a set of 2 large and small plates, and two huge mug cup/bowls.

A little piece of me died when I realized I couldn't fit this $10 beautiful piano bench in my car. I sat on it for a while and cried inside.

You can spin the slot machine for a chance to win a discount on your next purchase! Only in
Reno...
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Thrift Store # 11
Thrift Depot in Reno, Nevada

Thrifty Goodness Rating: 10/10
I was running out of time and really needed to hit the road, but I was told this place was so dingy and gross that of course I had to check it out. Indeed, I felt dirty just standing in there, and as I walked under the unnaturally low, drooping ceilings, I felt like the floor might give out from under me. I loved every second of it!

In all, Reno had THE BEST, THE CHEAPEST, and THE MOST thrift stores of anywhere I've ever been to in this country (or the world, for that matter.) It's only 8 hours from LA, and you better believe I'll be going back really soon--with a Uhaul.

This photo is a little blurry, because I think I was shaking with excitement.

Awesome. Bought it.
More really large fantastic things. That lamp! That 50's wood dancing girl! Damn it, car!

I love maps and globes (and traveling, can you tell?)
This says: "Cool Your Hot Butt In My Old Tub." Wow.

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Thrift Store #12
Goodwill (sorry!) in Roseville, CA

Thrifty Goodness Rating: 8.5/10
This was the most packed thrift shops I've come across on this trip. All the breakables were piled on top of each other on the shelves, so that you have to move ten things out of the way just to get to something in the back of the shelf. The hilarious 80's music was punctuated by sounds of things breaking left and right, as people shuffled around and dropped the merchandise.
Old Poloroid cameras just look so much cooler than our current smaller-is-better digitals.

Chotchke heaven.

This is most of the stuff I got... didn't have time to take too many pics, so I piled it all up in the dressing room and took this before checking out!
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Etsy Vintage Seller #7
Heather from RushofWings
Reno, Nevada
---> I think I'll be seeing more of this lovely (and very pregnant!) gal and her adorable home, since Reno is my new favorite thirfting destination in the country. She gravitates toward colorful 70s pieces, and hand makes kids clothing out of vintage fabrics and pillow cases, as modeled by her adorable and slightly rambunctious 3 year old daughter.









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And now.... driving south through California to my new (actually old) home, Hollywood!