Young House Love

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Our (Completely Unofficial) Macklemore Thrift Shop Challenge

Psst- We’re bouncing around the West Coast this weekend with a talk and signing in Portland on Saturday at Rejuvenation at noon (for more info call 503-238-1900). Then on Sunday we’ll be in Palo Alto at 11am at the West Elm on 180 University Avenue (RSVP here). Parking isn’t enforced on Sundays so you can park anywhere, or you can purchase a visitors pass at Palo Alto Civic Center and park in any of their lots all day.

There are two irrefutable facts about me. 1) I tend to fall in love with rappers and 2) I’m a fool for a good thrift shop. So when those two passions collided in the form of this Macklemore & Ryan Lewis song called Thrift Shop, the Internet at large was quick to clue me into its awesomeness, which started around the fall of last year and continues well into 2013. So to anyone who commented/tweeted me the link, thank you for giving me my official jam of 2012 and 2013. The clip below is the clean radio edit of the song (if you’re on a smart phone click here to watch it) but here’s a link to the official non-clean video (warning: it’s a bit, um, saltier).

And now that the song is starting to get some radio play (seriously, they’ve started playing it here in Richmond!) it gave us an idea. As J-Boom and I pulled into a thrift store while it played, I was like “Ooh look at this, it’s so meta, a song about thrifting is playing while we’re going thrifting.” And then John turned to me and said “We should do a Macklemore Thrift Shop Challenge.” And boom. Just like that I fell more in love with my husband.

Macklemore Challenge

Here’s the deal. This “Challenge” is basically an excuse to all (virtually) go thrift shopping together and share our spoils, plus there’s a scavenger-hunt-ish element tossed in for good measure. So it’s meant to be a nice low pressure Friday fun-fest. And just like our little Pinterest Challenges, if you’d like to partake and blog about it, we’ll do a little linky thing next Friday so everyone can share their favorite finds. There are just THREE things you gotta do to play along (well, four if you count blogging about it later, although of course you can play along even if you don’t have a blog).

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. Spend that $20 any way you’d like and photograph your spoils. They can be home related, fashion oriented, kid focused, anything. And you don’t necessarily need to make them over or repurpose them at all (although that’s totally allowed too!). It’s just an adventure in seeing what people all across the country (the world?) can score with a twenty at a thrift shop. And if you don’t find enough items to spend the whole twenty, there’s no pressure to buy weird things to meet that number, so it’s more of a cap than a you-must-hit-this-exact-number thing. This isn’t The Price Is Right.

Oh yeah, and we’ll reveal our spoils with everyone else next week…

Macklemore Dolls

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 Keyboad

If you’re like John and have a terrible time deciphering rap lyrics, we’ve listed some of the items you could hunt for here: clothing with fringe, an all pink outfit, moccasins, a velour jumpsuit, house slippers, a brown leather jacket, a keyboard, a kneeboard, shoes with velcro, luggage, a plaid button up shirt, flannel zebra jammies, PJs with built-in socks, a telescope, and of course… a big a$$ coat.

Macklemore Coat

Feel free to interpret the scavenger hunt items as literally or as loosely as you’d like. The point is just to have some good clean thrift shop fun. Happy hunting! We’ll be back next Friday with a rundown of what we found, and we can’t wait to see what you guys score as well.

Viva la thrift shop!

Comments

  1. Gabrielle Martin says

    I loved that! We are totally going to talk about this video tomorrow :) Yep, this girl’s a sucka for rap too.

    Reply

  3. TJ says

    And… This was the number 1 song of 2012 in Australia as voted for in the JJJ Hottest 100 (which is an Australia Day tradition and today is Australia Day)… You guys are so so onto it! Go team Petersik!

    Reply

  4. Abbie says

    Ooh, love this song! It’s my first time hearing it (so out of touch w/ new music).

    Hmmm, thinking about the challenge… We don’t really have decent thrift stores where I am in Spain. But lots of stuff thrown out on the street. Maybe I’ll take a walk around and see what’s out there. It’s hit or miss, but all free!

    Reply

  5. Amanda @ Serenity Now says

    Love it!! My friend Chelsea from Two Twenty One clued me into the video, and I must have watched it 4 times (while the kids were in the other room) to laugh while he rocked those footy pajamas. Such a fun challenge, guys! :)

    Reply

  7. Kate says

    I don’t know if ya’ll have seen it yet – but there’s a new piece of art at our target – it’s a turquoise square with a “7” on it, and it says, “so lucky” underneath – it made me think of you two!

    Reply

  11. Chelsea @ two twenty one says

    AHHH! This is f’ing awesome! I’m tempted to challenge myself and only going to the Goodwill Outlet for this momentous event. I was probably a little too excited when I saw they filmed part of the video in a GW Outlet.

    PS I’m crossing my fingers that I’ll see a DeLorean in the parking lot of the thrift shop. Because that would be awesome.

    Reply

  12. Stephanie says

    OH MY GOODNESS! I am so excited about this! I too have a passion for white rappers. I have a small trophy for rapping Ice Ice Baby karaoke style! I know, I know my secret passion. HAHA. Anywho, I listened to this song a few times. I even made the hubs check it out. It’s so stinkin’ AWESOME! We laughed so hard. My favorite lick is “the dukey brown jacket”. Got to love that. And ” $50.00 for a t-shirt” that’s my line. Who pays $50.00 for a t-shirt? I love thrift shopping as well! I hope to get in on this challenge and get my crunk and thrift on! Can’t wait to see the finds.

    Reply

  13. smbr says

    Whoa. My husband totally bought the same deer sweatshirt that’s in the video 3 years ago for a Halloween costume from a thrift store. Crazy!

    Reply

  15. Cecily B says

    Ha ha hilarious! My 8 year old son was dancing all the way through that song! Never heard it before, but will all the time now. As far as the challenge goes, I have no decent thrift stores near me – Wa wa wa wahhhhh… :(

    Reply

  16. Melissa M says

    Now that I’ve heard it, and watched the video, I can’t believe I hadn’t seen or heard it before! I LOOOOVE thrift shopping and am thrilled to see this challenge! Just today I spent $12 and got a letter tray, toilet paper holder, a headband, a tank, a cardigan, and a flowy top. BAM.

    Reply

  17. Karen A says

    I love this song. They’ve been playing here in S FL. I could only understand 2 line “$20 in my pocket” and “I wear your granddad’s clothes, I look incredible”.
    Thanks for letting me know who it is =)

    Reply

  18. monika says

    OH. MY. GOD. My sister and I were thrifting two weekends ago–a favorite pastime of ours–and she told me about this song. Of ocourse I pulled out my smart phone and right then and there, in the Sally, we watched the video and cracked up. And now I see it here… We no longer give each other anything new for Christmas, only thrift gifts, and she took the prize this year: she gave me a brand new (with tags) cashmere J. Crew swweater in my favorite hot pink, signature color. And the limit was $20, so I got a J. Crew purse as well. She’s good!

    Reply

  21. Heather Beals says

    I was actually in the thrift store with my sister in law last night telling her about this challenge and we were both cracking up over the song being OUR new song. We both were checking out and both of our totals came to like $19.98 or something and we looked at each other and were like, oh man! We didn’t have a camera or anything! I’m excited to go do it for real next time!

    Reply

  22. L Taylor says

    His coat totally reminds me of Rin & Tin, The Hip Hop Dalmatians, from Brown Sugar.

    I’m not even a thrift shopper, but I foresee this being a future birthday party challenge. Love it?!

    Reply

  23. Melanie says

    Bummer… Korea doesn’t really have many thrift stores, or I would love to do this. They’re very unpopular here. :-( I frequent them as much as possible when visiting the States again. :-)

    Reply

  24. Elizabeth - DIYTheory says

    Challenge accepted! :-)

    I’d never heard this song before today but I have played it at least 6 times, it’s addicting. (Though it hasn’t made it on the radio yet in good ol’ Nebraska, give it 6 more months…)

    Reply

  25. Bonnie @ the pin junkie says

    I’m not a big fan of rap (sorry Sherry) but I do love finding bargains at thrift stores. I’m definitely joining in the Thrift Shop Challenge and will be participating next Friday.

    P.S.-I love your challenges! They’re so much fun!

    Reply

  26. Alison says

    I wish that UK charity shops were more like your thrift stores! I might have to accept the challenge and see what I can rustle up.
    P.S this is the first time I have commented on your blog because today I finally got to the top! I found your blog last Autumn and have been reading all the way through from the beginning. The timing is so perfect because I complete on my first home this week and cannot wait to wield my paintbrushes!!

    Reply

  27. Christine says

    The official video to the song was shot in Seattle’s Value Village and if you are there, YOU HAVE TO GO!!! Consider that a commandment from the universe. It puts the Space Needle to shame, for serious. I used to live there, now live in No. Va., and go to Unique on Gallows Rd. in Falls Church— does John know it? It’s pretty whacked, but I love it!

    Reply

  28. Kari says

    BAHAHAHAHA. I hadn’t heard this song yet (apparently I’m living under a rock in South Africa) but I LOVE it… Friggin hilarious and may have just been busting a move on my couch. Totally made my day, can’t wait to see what the challenge inspires!!!m

    Reply

  29. Susan says

    I really used to enjoy your blog until it became all about your book and your book tour. It was great until then. Too bad. Now when I check in I stop as soon as you mention the book or the tour which is almost always the first thing. I am sure I am not the only one who is drifting away. All the best, Susan

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Sorry Susan! We shared seven posts this week, one related to the book and six about home stuff. This blog has always included whatever’s going on in our life (being pregnant, going on road trips, fixing up our house) and will always have the same smorgasbord-y mix (it’s the only way we know how to blog). It’s actually what we believe got us here, so we’ll always share the real deal about everything going on in our lives :)

      xo
      s

    • Scott says

      Susan might be referring to the fact that so many posts begin with an update on where to buy a book, where to get a signed copy, or where you’re touring at. Maybe you should start a page for just your book. It does get old. Many readers probably already have your book and you’re just preaching to the choir. It looks like 3 or 4 posts last week began with a book update. It also seems like your projects are becoming much, much simpler to accomodate your book schedule.

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Scott. We actually do have a book page with info on it, but we’ve gotten many requests for reminders & questions about tour stops so we’ve tossed in those one sentence reminders in italics which keep the questions/requests at bay and save us time (but feel free to skip right over them if you’d like). As for giant reno projects, we only tackle a few of those a year (in 2012 we did our deck & finished the kitchen, in 2011 we did a patio & started the kitchen). So yes, for now we’re holding off on starting the next big reno project while we’re traveling so we don’t leave the house-sitter (and our daughter, when we travel without her) in construction dust! Although last week we painted a room, which we only do a few times a year, and we’re looking forward to sharing more on Clara’s playroom this coming week.

      -John

    • Alex @ AU says

      I’m often surprised people complain about the content on FREE blogs! Remember we are all just freeloaders/ voyeurs, enjoying the bloggers efforts – it’s not a magazine subscription – so it’s a bit rich to whinge about the content of their blog. Let them be – they seem happy as they are – and if you don’t like this particular blog, there’s a whole intraweb out there.

      Incidentally, I’m not “drifting away” and nor is it getting old to me. I know damned well that if I wrote a book I’d be shouting it out from the rooftops, 24/7. It wouldn’t even have to be a good book. I must say I’m quite impressed by the funny yet humble writing style that draws me in to every article, no matter that I don’t even live in US or renovate anything.

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw thanks Alex! We’re definitely doing our best to juggle this blog, the tour, our bean, and the burgs! We never wanted to leave you guys high and dry while we travel, so we’ve been working overtime to complete projects like painting Clara’s big girl room and doing a bunch of other things to get that old storage room together so we can share those details while we fly around for tour dates. Yesterday we were in three states in 24 hours (Tacoma, Portland, and Palo Alto) so it’s definitely a whirlwind :)

      xo
      s

    • Jennie says

      I would like to jump in and say that I am enjoying your blog as much as ever – I really don’t see any evidence of the content being “all about your book.” Far from it, actually, since you’ve posted numerous posts per week about your home projects, etc. I think it’s terrific that you guys are enjoying success from your book, and the one-liners at the beginning of the post are a useful tool for people looking for information about your signings. The book tour recaps are also great – many of us are curious about how the tour is going, and what you have experienced while touring.

      Sometimes I think people forget that blogs are a free (free!) source of enjoyment – what could there possibly be to complain about? I think you guys do a great job of providing fun / interesting / witty / useful commentary on a regular basis. Personally, I have been amazed at the content you have managed to deliver recently … all while doing a big book tour! In my opinion, you guys are the superheros of the blogging world. You have gone the extra mile to make sure that there ARE posts while touring (and good ones, to boot). That is a huge amount of work, and I’m not sure if people realize how difficult it is to do.

      Keep up the great smorgasbord – never let the naysayers get to you about what you “should” post about. I love to hear about anything from projects to painting to puppies (and Miss Clara of course!) In summation – thank you for writing such an enjoyable blog. It’s something I look forward to reading every day!

    • Courtney says

      I agree… I love you guys sooooo much just the way you are. And I love your book, and hearing all about.. Like alex said, you guys are free to read (and do such a great job). You guys keep doin yo thang!!!

  32. Lauren says

    Hooray for the Macklemore shout out! My girlfriend and I are getting married this year and every time I hear his song “Same Love” it just makes me tear up at how far this world has come! And from a rapper too!!

    Rock on, Macklemore. :)

    Reply

  34. Ashlee says

    Has anyone else said that Sherry totally looks like Rachel McAdams in the pink coat picture? Also, in case you hadn’t seen it for yourselves yet, Target has several bike-themed items in its holiday/Valentines decor. I thought of you guys when I saw it yesterday!

    Reply

  35. Stephanie says

    Sherry, you rock that coat like an almost rock star! Seriously, it reminded me of the time I saw Deborah Koons Garcia (Jerry Garcia’s widow) wearing a mauve puffy (trench?) coat at a conference. She just had this uniqueness and special aura about her that I remebered her in that coat. I couldn’t find a photo of her in it, but this on is somewhat close – http://www.theheirloomexpo.com/speaker/deborah-koons-garcia/. So rock/rap on and I hope you bought that coat. I know it’s not a closet ’10,’ but I think it could be a costume trunk ’10!’

    Reply

  37. Leslie says

    I am totally up for this challenge. I can’t believe my daughter(13) didn’t tell me about this post sooner. Probably had something to do with the raunchy lyrics, but if you can just look past that, its so completely hilarious!! My son (17) thinks I’m lame that I didn’t know about that song. I had to ask him to translate….pop those tags!!! And it cracks me up with the things he’s wearing and how familiar everything looks to a thrift store bargain hunter like me.

    Reply

  38. Jen says

    Does Goodwill store count as thrift?? I love checkin’ out our local Goodwill from time to time and if so, will gladly accept this challenge. Now to find a $20 bill ..(tend to only carry credit card!!) :)

    Reply

  39. ShellyP says

    I have had a baaaaad ear worm all weekend thanks to you $herDawg. “I’m gonna pop tags…. got twenty dollas in my pocket…”
    Granted, I did watch the video multiple times and send it to friends on FB. And listened to it on Grooveshark for about two hours. My bad.

    Reply

  40. sandyjvg says

    We took the challenge…it came at an opportune moment…we were not sure what we wanted to do with a free afternoon for my husbands birthday. We don’t have a blog, but we did post our goodies on our FB page. (Howard-Sandy VanderGriend)
    Thanks for the challenge!

    Reply

  41. Kate says

    I really want to do this here in London (UK). But what to do about the exchange rate? I think I’ll go with £10: I’d have trouble holding up £12.54. I hope I can get to a charity shop (that’s what we call them) after work this week! Hadn’t heard this song and am now a fan. Only trouble is it’s well and truly stuck in my head now :(!

    Reply

  42. Talia says

    I’m from the Philippines and I thrifted for the first time a while ago for this challenge. Yes, you just made the “all across the world” possible. Holla!

    Reply

  43. Melissa G says

    So my hubs totally knows Macklemore. He’s a film director/editor and has done a number of music videos/concerts for Macklemore (Irish Celebration, Bumbershoot, etc…) No – he did not direct “Thrift Shop” though, but his friend did! So…feel free to say there are 3 degrees of separation between you and Macklemore/Ryan Lewis! We’ve been rocking Thrift Shop in our house since last summer….my 5 and 2 year old ask for him by name every time we are in the car! Wish I could have come to your book signing when you were on the West Coast but I had two sick kids and no babysitter:(

    Reply

  44. El says

    I didn’t read the other 500+ comments so I’m not sure if this was mentioned; but there is a fantastic children’s thrift shop song by Dan Zanes. (Who was a former punk musician turned rockin children’s musician)
    http://www.danzanes.com/family-dance/thrift-shop

    Although my kids now love the “new” thrift shop song- we would sing the Dan Zane’s version when they were younger! So I thought Clara might Dig it :)

    Reply

  45. Sarah says

    I hear this song on the radio ALL THE TIME and I had no idea it was about thrift shops?? Is this a spoof on another popular song and they put in different words? I am so confused and also pretty terrible at deciphering rap lyrics.

    Reply

  47. Courtney says

    I got my thrift shop goodies this past weekend, and guess what?! The song came on my car radio as I was pulling into the lot, too!!! How weird. And fun. You’re right, he’s blowin up. I sat there in the car, with my mom, bumpin and singin along until the song was over, before going into the thrift shop. SUCH A FUN IDEA!!! I vote for annual thrift shop challenges, too. :D

    Reply

  48. Amelia says

    So OBSESSED with this song. They were playing it when my husband and I went here (http://rebounderzsterling.com/) this past weekend (completely recommend taking Clara here one day – SO much fun and absolutely exhausting!). Tons of trampolines and awesome music – there is no bad in this equation!

    Reply

  49. T says

    I hadn’t heard this song until you posted it. It’s my new favorite. My housemates and I threw a hoedown on Saturday, and played this multiple times – it was the dance hit of the night! Thanks!

    Reply

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