Low Class

Okay so here's something you need to know about me. In most categories, I have a "high class" and a "low class" favorite of most everything (and I bet, if you will be honest with yourself for a minute, you do too).

Don't know what I mean? Examples. 

1.  My "high class" favorite dessert: New York Cheesecake with fresh raspberries. My "low class" favorite dessert: Oatmeal Creme Pies
2. My "high class" favorite clothing store: J Crew or Banana Republic. My "low class" favorite clothing store: Ross.
3. My "high class" favorite TV show: Discovery channel's Planet Earth. My "low class" favorite TV show: Sister Wives. Yes, sister wives. I really can't explain that one.

You get the idea. 

So when it comes to home improvement or housewares stores, you better believe that I have high class and low class favorites. Maybe I'll focus on my high class favorite some other time, but my low class one is the subject of this post. 

My absolute favorite low class home goods store is....Ollie's Bargain Outlet. Never heard of it? Not surprising. Just imagine a store like Big Lots, and then bring it down about 12 notches. If it helps you get a visual, here's their logo and slogan: 

I LOVE this place. Love. It. It's like a treasure hunt. Most things are old, broken, smell weird, or just generally give you the heebie jeebies, but then, in the midst of the ickiness, you'll find gold. And it'll only cost you $3. 

Now, before you get all, "Kathleen, seriously? This sounds gross. Why in the world would you shop here?," I dare you to go there and see if you're not completely blown away by how cheap stuff is. I've found name brand house items 75% or 80% less than I saw them at other stores. I bought some wall hangings at Target for $25 a piece, and saw the SAME ONES at Ollies for $5. Think Walmart's $5 movie bin is a good deal? Ollies has $2 movies. Y'all. You gotta go check it out. 

I'll have to do another post and show some of the things in our house that we got from Ollies. It's incredible.

You might have to wash your hands afterwards, and you might end up in the shopping aisle next to someone in a dirty tank top talking to themselves (actually happened), but you can't beat the prices. 

Side note: Theoretically---if, while loading your trunk with your Ollies purchases in the parking lot, someone compliments you on your sandals, don't stop paying attention to what you're doing, put your keys and phone temporarily in the trunk so you can shake their hand, and then close the trunk because you're distracted by conversation. You'll then find yourself waiting, in Ollies, for 45 minutes while your husband comes to pick you up. And who knows what you might encounter while you're there.