More Buy 2025
Issue 127, featuring an interview with Annie Holmquist
February is here, and I think I’m finally over the horrible illness I’m dubbing “Inauguration Influenza!” If you missed the most recent newsletter, find it here.
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More Buy 2025
I’ll admit that “No Buy 2025” has a nice ring to it… but as long as I can find cozy sweaters and cute jeans at the thrift store 10 minutes from my house, I will be participating in “More Buy 2025” instead.
If you’d like to join me, check out this list of my favorite online accounts dedicated to thrifting. I find so much inspiration from these ladies and their love of the hunt!
I know that many of you readers are already avid thrifters – so I’d love to feature some of your finds in my next newsletter! Send me photos (with captions) of your favorite recent thrift finds by replying to this email.
[1] Nina Lucia
On YouTube and Instagram under the handle @ninaluciaw, Nina Lucia posts fun “thrift with me” videos and shows us what ends up in her cart (as well as what almost ends up there!). Nina clearly has a love for both fashion and style (they’re NOT the same thing), so that makes it really fun to see how she evaluates pieces in the thrift store. I especially enjoyed a video she did where she showed pieces from a recent The Row collection and then found The Row-inspired items at her local thrift! Plus, Nina actually knows the meanings of the fashion terms she uses, so I often learn things from her videos.
[2] Nicole Adalina
Nicole Adalina is a fashion designer and avid thrifter with timeless style. The New York City-based brunette beauty frequently shares her vintage and vintage-inspired thrift finds on her TikTok. If you find yourself gravitating toward neutrals, you’ll want to give her a follow on Instagram to see how black, white, and brown can be anything but basic.
[3] @Lillyybearrr
If you gravitate towards flirty Y2K looks, then you’ll love TikToker @Lillyybearrr. Her thrifting vlogs are addicting – it’s a mystery how she can find an entire date night outfit in one trip to the thrift store, including pieces from brands like Levi’s, Free People, Calvin Klein, and Stuart Weitzman. The girl has a heel collection to rival Carrie Bradshaw’s and a plethora of oversized leather jackets that could make any F1 girlfriend jealous.
[4] Madalyn Newell
My favorite thrifting accounts are the ones that can teach me something, whether it’s about finding great bargains or understanding garment quality. Madalyn Newell, a former fashion authenticator for The Real Real, shares thrifting tips and tricks on her Instagram (yes, you can find designer pieces at Goodwill!). According to Newell, familiarity with labels, a few insider tips, and a little luck are all you need to build your dream wardrobe.
[5]
Also known as her online moniker @claggie, Kristine Claghorn has an eclectic style and a love of monochromatic outfits (including bold red combinations!). Plus, she just has a really soothing aura, which is always a nice change from most of the overstimulating content you find online. Claghorn has a love of natural fibers like linen and cotton and has managed to curate a wardrobe that mixes and matches in unexpected but harmonious ways.
[6] Krista Lavrusik
Krista Lavrusik, who calls herself a millennial mom with Gen Z style, might be the most upbeat person on the Internet. She enthusiastically shows off her thrift finds and how little she spent on her TikTok. She can dig through a Salvation Army and emerge with comfy, cozy brands like L.L. Bean, Eddie Bauer, and more to go with her laidback style (she frequently jokes about participating in Jane Birkin Summer). And if you love the idea of a capsule wardrobe, you’ll love her style videos – she frequently does something called the “333 challenge” to show how versatile her finds can be. Her husband does occasionally make appearances in her videos to show off his #OOTDs, so if you’re looking for some style inspiration for your man as well, you’ll want to check out Lavrusik’s Instagram!
[7] Jeanine Rechtman
If you love outfits that are both feminine and funky, you’ll want to follow Jeanine Rechtman on TikTok. Rechtman’s Instagram bio declares she is “over 50 and wearing clothes that bring me joy” – isn’t that what we should all aspire to? If you want to learn to think outside of the box when it comes to color and pattern combinations, you should definitely follow her. Rechtman’s daughter also makes appearances in her videos to show how she would style pieces differently from her mom!
[8] Dina of Dina’s Days
If thrift hauls and try-on videos aren’t enough for you, did you know there are entire podcasts dedicated to the art of thrift shopping? I have enjoyed the Thanks, It’s Thrifted podcast for a while now. Even though co-hosts Dina and Shannon are taking a break right now, I highly recommend listening to past episodes and giving Dina a follow on TikTok or Instagram! Dina loves blazers, bold colors, and ironic retro finds (including troll dolls, long-forgotten board games, and more).
[9] Rebecca Woods
It’s one thing to post a video showing some cool stuff you found at your local Goodwill. It’s quite another to have a working knowledge of vintage and retro fashion, fabric types, and current trends. That’s why Rebecca Woods’ long-form thrifting videos on YouTube are so fun — she heads into the store with a goal (thrifting only items with a certain theme, whether that’s ‘70s-inspired or balletcore) and actually makes it happen! The viewer ends up learning a lot along the way.
[10] Bridget Brown
If you love classic silhouettes mixed with truly unique pieces, then Bridget Brown is your girl. She frequently documents her trips to the thrift store on her TikTok and posts her #OOTDs on Instagram. The definition of thrifting has broadened thanks to sites like ThredUp and Depop, but to me, Brown’s curation process is the essence of thrifting. She is the kind of girl who will scan every single top at Value Village and come away with amazing vintage finds that make your jaw drop.
Interview with Annie Holmquist
In today’s newsletter, I’m introducing you to writer and editor Annie Holmquist! Be sure to check out her Substack Annie’s Attic, where she writes about faith, beauty, history, and more.
What does your life look like right now?
I have worked in the public policy arena as a writer and editor for over 15 years now. I started as an intern for the popular webzine Intellectual Takeout right out of college and rode the ladder up to the editor’s position. That position led to other opportunities, and today I write for the Life and Tradition section of The Epoch Times. I have also just started an exciting new position as the lead editor for The Fred & Rheta Skelton Center for Cultural Renewal, a project of 1819 News. This project will seek to encourage average Americans to rebuild the foundations of our society, such as family, church, education, and other cultural elements.
After reading the above, it probably seems like I’m the ultimate career girl, but the truth is, I’m not. In fact, had my life’s path been up to me, I would have gotten married and started raising a bunch of children years ago! Nevertheless, I’ve learned to accept the place God has given me to fulfill in life, and I’m grateful for the platform He has provided to encourage my fellow Americans to exercise common sense and appreciate the traditional values so many take for granted these days.
My church takes up a good chunk of my non-work time. Located in the inner city of Minneapolis, my church seeks to minister to a number of kids from the neighborhood. I teach the 3-to-5-year-olds Sunday School class alongside my parents and younger sister, and the antics and comments of the little ones keep life interesting for all of us! (Picture a taste of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever pretty much every Sunday of the year!)
When winter lets up each year, I enjoy working in my large vegetable garden, walking or biking — particularly if my forays lead me by big Victorian houses — and doing various fun activities with friends.
What are your favorite topics to research and write about?
Family, culture, and education are the three areas I regularly delve into with my articles. I especially love when I find a quote from an old author or thinker that spans the decades and perfectly applies to the issues we face today.
This love of the old is probably also why I love digging up old curriculum used in schools of yore and comparing it to today’s education. I find it intriguing to hunt for the secret to why American children once had a stellar education — even if they only completed 8th grade — and I love to challenge myself and others to strive toward a higher standard of excellence and love of learning.
In general, though, I just love writing articles about the ordinary, average things of life that fascinate me — from male-female relationships, to raising children, to drawing people’s attention to the truth and beauty that’s left in the world.
What's the biggest life lesson you learned in your 20s?
Hm… well, this is a lesson I began learning in my 20s, but one I have continued learning in my 30s! It’s basically to take the opportunities God sets in front of you, even if you’re scared to go forward or don’t necessarily want to do them. I feel like God has opened so many doors of opportunity for me, and often, I went through them kicking and screaming, but they turned out to be wonderful blessings in my life.
Coupled with that is the lesson to avoid resisting the suffering God allows in your life. Suffering is not fun — particularly if you did nothing to bring it on — but I have seen time and again what a blessing it can be. Experiencing deep hurts, betrayal, and other difficulties has done much to strengthen my relationship with the Lord, while also deepening the thoughts I’ve channeled into my writing, causing those difficulties to be used for good in the lives of others as well.
What is your favorite book (or books) you've read in the last year?
This year’s winner is Being Elisabeth Elliot, part two of Ellen Vaughn’s authorized biography on the famous Christian missionary and speaker.
I remember listening to Elisabeth Elliot on the radio as a child, but I wasn’t a fan. In fact, she kind of intimidated me! Going through some difficult situations in the last 10 years or so have endeared me to her writings, however, particularly those on suffering, hence why I picked up Vaughn’s biography of her.
There were many negative reviews of this biography, particularly as it burst a bit of the saintly bubble surrounding Elliot. But I actually had one of C.S. Lewis’ “You too? I thought I was the only one!” moments when I read this book, because E.E.’s introspection reminded me a lot of myself. I especially appreciate the quotes from her journal entries, where she was unafraid to ask the hard questions about life, but was always quick to circle back to a deep trust in God, even when life didn’t make sense.
Lest you think I just like the deep, serious works, let me assure you that I’m also a big fan of classic children’s literature! This year, I picked up Edith Nesbit’s The Wouldbegoods and read it aloud with several family members. I somehow missed this book as a child, and I’m glad I did, because I laughed until I cried over some of the chapters! This is one of those books, to paraphrase Lewis again, which can be enjoyed just as much by adults as by children — and I would contend that the former will probably enjoy it more than the latter.
What’s your best crowd-pleasing recipe?
I love baking, so I’ll leave you with the recipe my co-workers often requested that I bring for their birthdays! I created it for a dessert contest at a July 4th party a number of years ago, pulling together two separate recipes to combine my love of chocolate and raspberries.
Annie’s Raspberry Brownies
Filling:
1 cup mashed raspberries
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
½ cup water
Brownies:
1 German chocolate cake mix
¾ cup melted butter
1/3 cup evaporated milk
8 oz. chocolate chips
Directions: In a small saucepan combine sugar and cornstarch. Gradually add raspberries and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 1 minute. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, combine melted butter, cake mix, and evaporated milk. Spread half of mixture in greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 6 ½ minutes. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with chocolate chips. Spread raspberry filling over chocolate chips. Crumble remaining cake mixture on top. Return to oven and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Cool 5-10 minutes, then refrigerate 4-8 hours. Cut in squares. (I prefer to eat them when they are still slightly chilled, but they’re fine at room temperature as well.)
The Haps
FAA Limits Flights To DCA After Tragic Crash
It was an absolutely shocking story that still hasn’t sunk in for many people: last week, an Army helicopter strayed into the path of an American Airlines jet bound for DCA, causing a crash that killed more than 60 people. It was the deadliest air crash in the U.S. in two decades. Flights to and from Reagan National Airport have resumed, but on a limited basis as determined by the Federal Aviation Administration. Read more at WTOP.
The Age of New Media Is Upon Us
Many historians are already calling 2024 the “podcast election,” so it makes sense that President Trump’s press team is prioritizing relationships with new media. “[T]housands of new media requests came in after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on Tuesday that the White House is making room for “new media” in the press room, allowing nontraditional, news-related content producers to directly question the press secretary and other administration officials,” Mary Margaret Olohan reports for The Daily Wire. (Congrats are in order for Mary Margaret as well — she was just promoted to White House correspondent for DW!)
Here are more links to what I’m reading and listening to lately:
Do LLMs Dream of Electric Muses? (Contra):
talks to about Barney’s lightning-rod Vanity Fair story, book review rejections, artificial intelligence, and more.In Conversation: JOSH TILLMAN (Jokermen): Josh Tillman, a.k.a. Father John Misty, joins the podcast to talk about his work-in-progress alien rock opera (no, really).
Restoring Childhood Magic With A Waldorf Education (Culture Apothecary): Host Alex Clark interviews the founders of Acorn School about why your kids should play with beeswax and silk scarves.
Reflecting on the AI Crisis in Higher Education (Fusion): In a timely post in light of the California State University system’s decision to give students access to ChatGPT,
dismantles the arguments that AI is necessary for today’s college students.
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Oh my gosh! Thank you so much, Evie! ♥️♥️♥️