Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

| By | | 252 Comments

The Macklemore Thrift Shop Challenge

The day has finally come! It’s about to get thrifty up in hurrrr. Here’s the deal. This “Challenge” – which we issued last Friday – was basically an excuse to all (virtually) go thrift shopping together and share our spoils. Plus there was a scavenger-hunt-ish element tossed in there for kicks. And just like our little Pinterest Challenges, if you guys wanted to partake and blog about it, we have a little linky thing at the bottom of this post so everyone can share their favorite finds.

There were just THREE things we asked folks to do in order to play along (well, four if you count blogging about it, although of course you can play along even if you don’t have a blog).

Macklemore Challenge

Step #1. Go to a thrift shop with – just as the chorus of the song says – “$20 in your pocket” and take a picture.

Macklemore Twenty

Step #2 was to spend your $20 any way you’d like and photograph your spoils. They could be home related, fashion oriented, kid focused, anything. And you didn’t need to make them over or repurpose them at all (although that’s totally allowed too!). So here’s the part where we’ll share what our 20 spot scored us:

Stuff We Bought

  • A nice solid wooden doll’s cradle: $11
  • A woven doll’s chair: $5
  • An Aladdin book that Clara picked out herself: 65 cents
  • A wooden flower wall hanging: $1
  • Total: $17.65

And here’s what I did to the little wooden wall hanging. I just painted it white and added it to Clara’s frame wall (two small finish nails are holding it up).

Painted Flower

I have big plans to spray paint the chair (glossy red I think…) but I haven’t gotten there yet. Thankfully it’s still a big hit among all the dolls, even in its current state.

Doll Chair

The cradle is the big winner of the group. Clara is having the time. of. her. life with it. She likes to tuck her dolls in. So first comes the hug…

Hug1

… then the kiss…

Kiss2

… then they get snuggled under the blanket…

Tuck3

… and they get another kiss just for good measure…

Kiss4

Pretty much the cutest thing ever. Oh but I also have plans for the cradle. I want to prime and paint it a bright color (yellow?), sew a cushion for the bottom, and maybe even make a little quilt like Clara’s for her dolls (remember this one I made for her with her weekly fabric?). Dude, I’m even thinking about how cute a little fabric banner (like this, only mini) to drape over the head of the crib would be. Yeah, $herdog is about to pimp this cradle. Big time.

In the meantime Clara is definitely having a good time with it as-is. She’s really into being the mommy and calling her dolls her babies, so rocking them and tucking them in is up there with changing their diapers on her list of favorite things to do (also, Burger is sometimes her baby – but he has successfully avoided the cradle and any diaper changes thus far).

Oh yeah, and we can’t forget the last step…

Step #3: Find a pirate ship bed. And lose your freaking mind over it. (Seriously it was amazing). 

Pirate Bed

Just kidding.

Step #3. Find one item (or more) referenced in the song and snap a pic. Here’s the scaveger-hunt-ish element that we tossed in because we’re weirdos. And you get bonus points for doing something ridiculous with the item in the photo. After all, Macklemore has some pretty great confidence when he’s rocking those footy pajamas.

Macklemore Coat

Macklemore Keyboad

Now here’s the part where we tip our matted faux-fur thrift store hats to you guys and invite you to share all of the fun Macklemore Thrift Shop finds that you’ve dug up in the last week (right along with us, well at least virtually with us). If you’ve already blogged about it, just:

  1. click on the blue “Add Your Link” button with the odd cartoon head at the bottom of this post (you might have to do some scrolling, depending how many projects are added)
  2. add a link to your specific blog post about your project in the url field (not your home page)
  3. where it says “name” write a short description of your bounty (ex: “Big A$$ Frame” or “Best Purse Ever” or “Kitchen Stuff”) as opposed to your actual name
  4. we’d also love if you could quickly link back over to this page so it’s a nice two-way link-fest (feel free to use our Macklemore Thrift Shop banner too!).

And if you’d rather just link over to your project in the comment section of this post, feel free to do that – or even add a link to a free photo sharing site like Flickr with your pics if you don’t have a blog (remember to set the gallery to public so we can all see it). We’re crazypants excited to see what you guys have hunted down!



Comments

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hahaha, it was giant! Might have fit in our master, but not any of the other rooms! There were about 4 feet of “boat” on each side of the mattress, so it was around 14″ long!

      xo
      s

  4. Brittany says

    Loving your finds, especially the wicker chair! I think it would look great red, but as is it’s awesome too. I think I did pretty good with the challenge myself. It helps that my local Goodwill is priced reasonably, I get a student discount, and we don’t have tax in Montana :)

    Reply

  5. annabelvita says

    I’m not in the never-ever-paint wood camp but I think that cradle would look great as is in Clara’s big girl room! All rooms need a bit of wood (that’s what she said!)

    Reply

    • Steph says

      I,too, think wood sometimes needs/deserves a nice clean coat of paint, but I think that doll cradle is perfect as is! With a colorful little bunting and a quilt, I’d go with the wood – so cute!

    • YoungHouseLove says

      There are some parts that are stained/burned looking, so it probably looks misleadingly pristine in these pics. It’s definitely not a definite yet, just leaning towards paint. Can’t wait to see where we end up!

      xo
      s

    • Sarah says

      Totally agree with leaving some wood pieces natural, to help balance a lot of the existing brightly painted stuff! They are cool finds, and it’s so sweet how in love she is with the cradle. :)

  6. jennT says

    so fun!! i had just returned from a thrift store outing when you posted this last weekend. I found an AWESOME braided leather belt (think 70s skinny not late 80s wide) and a coolio pair of pants that I bell-bottomed with some found fabric for a 1969 theme partay! :)

    Reply

  7. Anna-Lisa says

    That doll cradle is lovely as is! Such pretty wood. So jealous of the stuff you guys always manage to find, I wish my local thrift stores were that cool!

    Reply

  8. Karah @ thespacebetweenblog says

    Woo Hoo!!! What a fun idea for a challenge … considering I just moved to a new town, I’m not sure my thrift shop antics helped me get any closer to making new friends, but I sure had a good time regardless, velcro shoes and all. Thanks for the fun!

    Reply

  9. heather says

    I didn’t do the challenge but I love that not only did people do it, they’re posting the *projects* they did with them too. It’s like a Macklemore Pinterest Thrift Challenge love child!

    Reply

  10. Chelsea @ two twenty one says

    A pirate ship bed!? And it’s even called the ‘Black Pearl’?! That’s every Johnny Depp fan’s dream (boat).

    Clara’s so cute with her doll bed and chair. I laughed when John told her she was doing a good job and she let out a breathy “yes”. Thanks for hosting this awesome challenge. Can’t wait to see what everyone scored!

    Reply

  11. Linda says

    What. Is. That. Bed?!? I’m sorry, yes I loved the thrift store finds you got. (The cradle is so sweet!) I adored the video. (I love that we get to watch Clara grow with you guys.)

    BUT THAT BED. I’m floored. I almost want to drive to RVA to buy that and make it *my* big girl bed.

    Reply

  12. Christi says

    I love this challenge, however I did not have time to play! I did score an Emeril Lagase (sp?) saute pan for $11 a month ago!

    I wanted to tell you guys that your book in the library system has only Sherry listed as the author! Sorry J-Boom!

    It is the New Mexico way!

    Reply

  14. Jillian says

    Please tell me you’re going to post the link on twitter and tag him. Although if you do you may crash the server. lol

    Reply

  16. Amanda Lankford says

    Where did you get the adorable whale picture? We are doing our nursery in whales! I looked on the “where we got it?” link but did not find it. Just wondering because it is super cute! You probably made it, I am sure. :)#loveit

    Reply

  19. Nancy says

    So fun. Your finds are great. I had a similar cradle myself.

    Sadly many of the link ups are blocked by the filter at work, but i look forward to browsing through them this weekend. I’m already a little jealous of the vintage pyrex pic.

    Reply

    • Meredith says

      Our filter blocks ALL of the links; they don’t even show up. It’s so annoying. It’s not like I won’t find other ways to procrastinate! Like reading this blog (which isn’t blocked)… :) I can make it through the day as long as they still let me have personal e-mail and YHL!

  20. Christine says

    I had so much fun participating in this challenge. I am a stay-at-home-mother on a very tight budget. This little challenge gave me an excuse to get out of the house (kid free, I might add) and do some thrifting. So fun! I think you may have just found a new, weekly feature!

    I adore the cradle you found for Clara. I did the same for my daughter Clairisse (whom would have been named Clara, had she been born on 12/24 or 12/25, thanks to my dance background and love of ‘The Nutcracker’ – but she popped out 3 weeks early). Here’s my cradle that I scored for $10 from a friend: http://decorumdiyer.wordpress.com/2012/09/25/rock-a-buy-baby-doll-cradle/.

    Thanks for hosting and have a great weekend!

    Reply

  23. Steph says

    Not that I’m in the market for a gigantic pirate ship bed (!!!!) but out of curiosity, how much were they selling that thing for?!
    I feel like the thrift stores around here are severely lacking after seeing that.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hmm, I don’t remember. Maybe $90? It wasn’t super cheap, but I remember thinking for a bed with a big footboard and headboard and pirate flag it wasn’t too crazy expensive.

      xo
      s

  29. Tara says

    Awesome! That cradle is SO cute, and I love that flower painted white! I looks so sweet.

    I plan on thrifting this weekend, but I’m probably going to spend a little bit more than $20 – I’m trying to find an old armoire to turn into a baking command center a la this photo (http://bit.ly/VsF14t) that I’ve been obsessing over.

    Reply

  31. Amanda says

    I wasn’t able to do the challenge but I did learn that I shouldn’t read YHL while nursing. My poor child was dead asleep and I had the hardest time controlling my laughter when I scrolled down to that picture of John. So funny.

    Reply

  33. Yvette McKenzie says

    Such a fun challenge! Thanks!! OK, need you help. Newbie here accidentally linked to my blogger edit page! How do I delete my link from your party? I’ll re-add. So wet behind the ears.

    Reply

  34. Becky S. says

    Did you guys change your photo service? Today is the first day that all the pictures are showing up as red X’s! Oh no!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh no! Nope, nothing has changed on our end, but on rare occasions the Amazon servers we use have brief regional outages so hopefully they come back quickly. So sorry!

      -John

  35. Maria says

    I went thrifting last Friday but didn’t have time to buy anything, while we were at the store my Aunt fell off and broke her wrist so I had to spent the weekend at the hospital with her =(

    Great findings! I still have to watch the video and I can’t wait to check out what the others found!

    Reply

  36. Julie says

    This was so much fun! I only spent $9.14 of my $20.00, but I scored three books for my classroom library, a shotglass, a large silver penguin (he’s adorable), and a funky white candy dish/candle holder that I am going to plant some succulents in. I don’t have a blog, so you can see my picture here http://instagr.am/p/VMYjKUk5zB/
    Thank you for such a great challenge!

    Reply

  38. Kristen | Popcorn on the Stove says

    Haha that pirate ship bed is AMAZING. Who makes that stuff!?

    Also, growing up, we had a human-sized version of that doll chair you guys took home. It was deemed the “Birthday Girl Chair” and for all of my sister and my birthday parties at home, the birthday girl got to sit in it (after it was obviously decorated in pink streamers).

    Reply

  39. Kristen Swift says

    I didn’t get to participate by the deadline, but I’m hoping to hit up some thrift stores this weekend to see what I can score for $20. Love that you guys did a challenge that revolves around my favorite song :)

    And Oh My Goodness that pirate bed! I’m considering making the trip to RVA to complete the challenge and buy that bed. I don’t know where we’d put it, but it’s almost too awesome to pass up.

    Reply

  41. Jennah says

    OK, mine looks dumb bc the thumbnail I picked is totally different from the description I wrote. But I got a vintage enamel cast iron pot and vintage suitcase in one trip, and a vintage high chair and pitcher in another. (Yes, I did it twice!)

    I’m dying over that crib, but I really like it wooden. I know you’re a spraypainting fanatic, though!

    Also, I’m looking for a new bed for the master bedroom. That wasn’t a queen pirate bed, was it?? ha

    Reply

  42. Robyn in Chicago says

    Awesome!!

    Everly is getting a cradle for her 2nd bday coming up in March and I can’t wait for her to get it. Also, thought I would mention that there’s a Little Golden Book from the 50s called “Little Mommy”. It’s one of Everly’s favorite book. It’s adorable….however, it is from the 50s so daddy goes to work in the city while the little mommy stays home and cooks and cleans. Ha. Old fashioned, but I think it’s darling. Check it our for your “little mommy” at home!

    xo

    Reply

  43. Myrna says

    PLEASE don’t paint the doll cradle! It is beautiful just as it is. It was probably lovingly made by some father or grandfather for his special girl.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I’m definitely considering leaving it as-is along with painting it. There are some parts that are stained/burned looking, so it probably looks misleadingly pristine in these pics. Can’t wait to see where we end up!

      xo
      s

  44. Jackie says

    This challenge was so fun! Seriously, why didn’t I see a pirate ship? I am working on a pirate playroom for my boys and they would have begged me to bring that ship home! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply

  47. Rachel H says

    I’m going to go ahead and put in my 2 cents re: the doll cradle. Disclaimer: I LOVE all your ideas about painting things awesome colors. HOwever, the wood of that doll cradle looks so gorgeous! Not having seen it in person, maybe it just needs some love. Like a little sanding and teak oil (or my personal fave, Jacobean stain) and some satin poly? So charming and full of character, but still modern with its wicked clean lines. And Clara is BEYOND adorbs tucking in her doll! Your blog in general is reverse-birth-control for me ;)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I’m definitely considering leaving it as-is along with painting it. There are some parts that are stained/burned looking, so it probably looks misleadingly pristine in these pics. Can’t wait to see where we end up!

      xo
      s

  49. Amanda s says

    I usually love when you spray paint wooden furniture but that cradle looks so good as it is- please don’t spray-paint it! Your other ideas for it sound awesome though!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I’m definitely considering leaving it as-is along with painting it. There are some parts that are stained/burned looking, so it probably looks misleadingly pristine in these pics. Can’t wait to see where we end up!

      xo
      s

  50. Crystal @ 29 Rue House says

    I didn’t do the challenge but it is fun to see everyone else having a blast with it! Since it is the end of the month and bills are due, we ended up challenging our selves this week not to spend more than we had in our wallets (which was $12 for me) so I avoided all stores like the plague since I know I can’t go in without spending money!

    Reply

Stuff We Love

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *