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Young House Love » Shopping & Thrifting » Our (Completely Unofficial) Macklemore Thrift Shop Challenge

| By Sherry Petersik | January 25, 2013 | 575 Comments

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!

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Comments

  1. Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:07 am

    You guys are awesome. Now I must start looking for the best thrift stores because everything in our area is ridiculously overpriced the 2nd hand places I go.

    Reply
  2. Katy @ The Non-Consumer Advocate says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:07 am

    Okay, that is F*¢qing awesome!

    My sons and I have challenged ourselves to learn all the lyrics to that song, so we get super excited when it comes on the radio.

    Car trips just got a whole lot better.

    Katy

    Reply
    • Vicki says

      January 25, 2013 at 2:43 pm

      Ah! Two favorite blogs coming together under one roof…er…url…
      And Thrift stores! I might pass out from excitement. Or just get my A$$ to the sto’

  3. Kara says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:09 am

    I’m in!
    Thrift shop… this can mean Salvation Army, Goodwill and Volunteers of America stores too, right? I don’t know of any indie thrift shops here, nothing awesome like yours!

    Reply
  4. Molly says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:09 am

    I LOVE this challenge and will prolly go out into the freezing temps to complete it here in KY! Stay tuned… ;)

    Reply
  5. Jess @ Little House. Big Heart. says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:10 am

    Oh, it’s on like Donkey Kong. Dallas thrift stores, get ready: J-Bizzle is on her way. #didIjustgivemyselfarappername

    You were right, Sherry. I did like today’s post. :)

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 25, 2013 at 10:12 am

      Yessssss!

      xo
      s

  6. Alison says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:11 am

    This. Is. Awesome.
    I cannot wait to go to the thrift store this weekend!!!
    I love the big a$$ coat!!!!

    Reply
  7. Julia @ Chris Loves Julia says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:12 am

    I hereby accept this challenge. I haven’t been thrifting in forever. Also, that coat. Hahahahaha. That COOAATTTTT is swallowing you.

    Reply
  8. Louise says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:12 am

    This is so awesome. Count me in! LOVE this song. You guys rock!

    Reply
  9. Bethany says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:12 am

    My boyfriend was the one to clue me in to Thrift Shop and we both love it. I’m definitely going to convince him to do this with me!!

    Reply
  10. Fran Siefert says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:12 am

    Will you share an email address with me? I want to forward some “OLD” ideas that I just received in an email – clever ideas for OLD things you your YOUNG HOUSE LOVE….
    Fran

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 25, 2013 at 10:18 am

      No way! Our email address is [email protected]. Thanks Fran!

      xo
      s

  11. Kelley says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:13 am

    OMG I’m dying right now! This song is my jam.

    My day is MADE!

    Reply
  12. Kristen | Popcorn on the Stove says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:13 am

    This is the best thing I have ever heard! The hubs and I love this song (at first we were like “what is this?!” and now we crank it up. Hopefully I can find a thrift store this weekend so I can participate :)

    Reply
  13. Robin @ our semi organic life says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:13 am

    Love this! Will have to watch this when I get home (how did I miss this soon to be all time greatest hit?). I’ll probably hit up Love of Jesus as well. Shall the creepy dolls be mine?! j/k no. I did grab an awesome H&M coat there once for $5.

    Reply
  14. Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:14 am

    Hahahaha! This is awesome! Love it!

    Reply
  15. Sarah says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:14 am

    Sherry,

    As a girl from Texas, the picture of you in the big a$$ coat is what I think someone from Jersey looks like… A mob wife for sure. I hope you bought that coat and added some gold sparkles!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 25, 2013 at 10:17 am

      Haha, the funny thing is that as soon as I put it on I saw myself in the mirror and I was like “wait, I look like my aunt. I think she actually has this coat.”

      xo
      s

    • cc says

      January 25, 2013 at 7:50 pm

      I think that actually is the same coat my mom had– in the eighties, in the Midwest. Jersey may actually have been optional in this case. ;)

    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 25, 2013 at 8:29 pm

      Hah!

      xo
      s

  16. Cora says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:14 am

    This is such a cute idea!!! I love it!

    Reply
  17. Brenda says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:14 am

    Hahaha! I love this! My cousin introduced me to the song a month or so ago, and I’ve just started hearing it on the radio the last two weeks here in the Twin Cities. And my favorite line of the song is the keyboard one, so the pic of John makes me super happy!

    Reply
  18. Lindsey says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:14 am

    That coat looks good on you $herdog! And bonus points… it looks a little granny-ish so it totally works with the song (“Is that your grandma’s coat?”)

    Reply
  19. Claudia says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:15 am

    This is so awesome! I made my husband watch the video last week and he’s been playing it ever since! I just emailed him a screen shot to tell him my favorite bloggers are doing a thrift shop song challenge and my life is complete.

    Reply
  20. Tovah says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:15 am

    Oh my god. I love you guys! This is my favorite song right now!:) And the challenge! Awesome idea!!!

    Reply
  21. Kayla says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:15 am

    Oh snap. I have a new favorite song – and something to do this weekend. As Barney would say…Challenge….Accepted!

    I’ll be the book signing in NYC next week – so excited!!!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 25, 2013 at 10:16 am

      Wahoo! So excited for that!

      xo
      s

  22. Alice H says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:16 am

    This is hilarious!! I am up for the challenge!

    We love that song. Even though my 3 year old now says piss! I guess our radio version didn’t block that word out. Oops!

    Reply
  23. Katie says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:16 am

    This is pure genius.

    Reply
  24. Shannon Burke says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:17 am

    I’m so in!

    Reply
  25. Gabriella @our life in action says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:18 am

    Lol!!! Thrifting with you guys would be a blast!!! Love the big a$$ coat.

    Reply
    • Gabriella @our life in action says

      January 25, 2013 at 10:21 am

      Oh and hell yeah I’m in

  26. Elizabeth says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:18 am

    My husband is OBSESSED with this song! I can’t wait to show him this post.

    Reply
  27. Melissa Irvin says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:19 am

    In the words of the late Whitney Houston, “hell to the yeah!” No, she wasn’t a rapper, but still a music icon! If you were an exhibitionist/flasher, that big @$$ coat could qualify for an all pink outfit. :)

    Reply
  28. Kat says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:20 am

    Challenge accepted!

    I made the mistake of sharing “Thrift Shop” with my co-workers this week and unknowingly played the “salty” version, so very, very awkward. O_o

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 25, 2013 at 10:26 am

      Haha! Oh no.

      xo
      s

  29. Brad @ Mr. Write Away says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:20 am

    So… I’ve never heard this song before and now it’s going to be in my head the rest of the day. Which probably has something to do with the fact that I watched it 2 times in a row, okay, maybe 3 but it’s catchy.

    Reply
  30. Brooke Buckingham says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:20 am

    Macklemore is from Seattle (my town) so crank him up while you’re here for the book signing! :)

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 25, 2013 at 10:25 am

      Woot woot!

      xo
      s

  31. Diane says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:20 am

    I have the big ass Nanook of the North coat in black! Comes in handy in Buffalo winters.

    Reply
  32. Marcie says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:21 am

    is it strange that thrift shop came on the radio halfway thru reading this post. I feel forced to accept the challenge!!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 25, 2013 at 10:25 am

      Haha, it’s fate!

      xo
      s

  33. Lauryn says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:21 am

    HAHAHAHAHAHA OH MAN. I LOVE this blog post. Maybe the most ever. This song always gets me pumped.

    Reply
  34. Vanessa says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:22 am

    I now have weekend plans – totally doing this!

    Reply
  35. hollyloo says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:22 am

    h triple is in! fun!!
    http://www.myrapname.com/

    ps—why no super cute bangs?? did you change your mind?

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 25, 2013 at 10:25 am

      They come out for special occasions but get pinned back if I’m running around town doing errands in the rain (humidity = bang enemy).

      xo
      s

    • Tam says

      January 25, 2013 at 6:02 pm

      Sher Dog–

      Those bangs will be DOG GONE at the rate your lovely locks grow–soooo, more pictures please!!! Just sayin’ :)

      xo

    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 25, 2013 at 8:34 pm

      Haha, the bangs will come down when I have time to do them and it’s not all crazy and humid or raining. Otherwise I’m a girl with a brillo pad on her head :)

      xo
      s

  36. Melissa says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:23 am

    Ha, this is beyond amazing!! I am obsessed with Mackelmore, the entire album is so good. So bummed I can’t see you guys at the Tacoma Dome today, but I did have my high school graduation there….awesome! Have fun!

    Reply
  37. Krystle Clark says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:24 am

    L.O.V.E It! You two are hilarious and I loved the video. Thanks for starting off my Friday with a laugh :-)

    Reply
  38. Sayward says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:25 am

    Omg I’m dying. Challenge accepted.

    Reply
  39. Amy L. says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:25 am

    Is that Ving Rhames?

    Reply
  40. Brady says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:25 am

    LOVE IT!

    I will totally be doing this.

    Reply
  41. Jenn says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:26 am

    This song is my husband and I’s jam right now! Also, I am totally chair dancing with my earbuds in at the library…yes, I am THAT cool.

    Reply
  42. Jo @ Let's Face the Music says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:26 am

    My first thought was to slap a “thrift store” sign on my house and start shopping. I’m pretty sure we already own the entire list of things(and more)from the song. Jo @ Let’s Face the Music

    Reply
  43. Anne @ Planting Sequoias says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:26 am

    Viva la thrift shop indeed! I’m roping my husband into this and he WILL enjoy it. I need a cameraman, right? (He is going to be so embarrassed. And rightly so.) I can’t contain myself.

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 25, 2013 at 10:27 am

      Haha. Get it, girl!

      xo
      s

  44. Wendy @ New Moms Talk says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:29 am

    Love this! Will you make this a regular (say quarterly) challenge?

    My hub is a big fan of thrift shops. Some days he’ll randomly ask, “do you want to go to thrift hunting today?”

    He has his sections and I have mine. We pass the baby off in between and compare!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 25, 2013 at 10:44 am

      Yes, if everyone seems to enjoy this we’d love to have to pop up every once in a while.

      xo
      s

  45. Holley says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:29 am

    2nd blogger (of the 4 that I read) in two days to include this video in a post! You and Sarah at the UggDuck! :)

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 25, 2013 at 10:44 am

      Haha, no way! Macklemore is blowin up.

      xo
      s

    • karla says

      January 25, 2013 at 10:06 pm

      So funny, I read Sarah’s post last night and she bought 3 things. then I saw this and thought it was so ironic! :)

  46. AnnMarie says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:30 am

    Scored the most gorgeous ikat throw pillows last night (ok, not at a thrift store) but they were only $15 each and I’m still soaring high from this “Sherry moment”!

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 25, 2013 at 10:43 am

      Amazing!

      xo
      s

  47. Crystal @ 29 Rue House says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:30 am

    I haven’t heard it yet but I love it now! I’m on it!!!

    Reply
  48. Susan says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:30 am

    Oh my gosh! This is hilarious!

    Reply
  49. Sarah says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:30 am

    BEST. POST. EVER. (No offense to the other great posts, though. I think I have to accept this challenge. And tell everyone I know about this song. :)

    Reply
  50. Cyndi says

    January 25, 2013 at 10:31 am

    Hazards of having teenage sons as well as a toddler – our 3-year-old kept asking “Is that your grandma’s coat?” every time I had my jacket on. I was a little offended until I heard the Thrift Store song. :)

    Reply
    • YoungHouseLove says

      January 25, 2013 at 10:43 am

      Hahahahaha!

      xo
      s

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John and Sherry Sitting On Woven ChairHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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