Go Outside and Play
over 100 vintage and secondhand things to encourage you to get offline and touch some grass (while looking cute, of course)
I'm back….lately, it feels like I catch every cold that comes my way…
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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: in my perfect fantasy world, you’d religiously read Trash Panic, hit “like,” drop a comment, pass it on to your nearest, dearest, totally coolest friend—and then log off, tap on Do Not Disturb, and go blissfully touch grass.
I hit a breaking point last week after stumbling into one too many threads filled with snippy, snarky discourse about what ✨cool✨ means, who gets to define it, and what is currently ✨cool✨. I then found myself in one about finding the ✨perfect✨ t-shirt and if it really exists and if it is what actually makes someone’s closet and personal style ✨complete✨. Get me off this rollercoaster!
There’s an influx of people pining for the nostalgia of a 90s, pre-internet summer while continuing to seek some kind of external validation from being chronically online. I am here to be the teeny tiny voice whispering to you that relief from the grip of the algorithm is possible —
Go outside and play.
I’ve been feeling the tenderness of time, the weight of memories, and the quiet joy of playful moments with the people I love rising to the surface as personal loss creeps into this chapter of my life.
This is your sign to get offline and make some memories (that don’t have to be perfectly posed and posted!!) There are a lot of tested, working point and shoot cameras on eBay (like this one) looking for a new chapter of life — make your memories physical!
You, of course, don’t need any of the following things. The being with people and having a good time is the important part. If you’re ballin’ on a budget, let this be inspiration for roaming the thrift or rummaging through your cabinets to see what you already have (or can craft.) Get creative!
Let’s get into it.
If you make a purchase through a link, I might earn a commission, which I appreciate as it helps fund this space ✨
Beach Time Fun
moving clockwise-ish (starting top left)
1960s white mod lace dress (vintage fem m-l, see measurements, $142.40 on sale)
this is not technically a cover-up, but it’s also not not a cover-up, y’know?sterling silver school of fish brooch ($69.99, purchase on eBay)
1970s handmade pirates shirt (vintage medium, $9.99!, purchase on eBay)
celluloid palm tree brooch ($22, purchase on eBay)
vintage fisherman smock popover shirt (see measurements, $75, purchase on eBay)
this paired with something really feminine like a lace tap short would be a fun breezy summer afternoon look…shell statement ring (size 6, $34, purchase on eBay)
shell incased in sterling silver brooch ($85, purchase on eBay)
this is very cool and an artist signed piece1940s lucite handle umbrella ($75)
not a beach umbrella, but will be very chic protecting your face from the sun!lucite swirly shell brooch ($25, purchase on eBay)
kodachrome slide of woman asleep at beach ($17.24, purchase on eBay) (honorable mention to these gal pals, and these ones, or this gal next to a boat)
if you’ve been here for awhile you know i love love love an old film slide (i wrote about it here) — buy a slide, have it scanned at a photo store, print it, frame it! i imagine these living in a seaside bathroom like this, maybe framed like thissnoopy frisbee ($19.99, purchase on eBay)
sand block (and snow block) mold ($11.99, purchase on eBay)
challenge your friends to a sand castle challenge, loser has to….vintage folding rattan beach loungers (set of two, $249, purchase on eBay)
talk about beach chicmint condition dusty blue metal coleman cooler ($294.77, purchase on eBay, comes in original box!)
this blue is so good!beach ball wooden paddles ($16.99, purchase on eBay)
hibiscus wooden boogie board ($65, purchase on eBay)
the young sportsman’s guide to surfing ($4.99, purchase on eBay)
christian dior rattan ankle strap sandals (fem 8, very good condition, $500)
1960s mens plaid swim shorts (vintage masc l, see measurements, $34, purchase on eBay)
striped terry cloth cover-up dress (vintage fem m-l, see measurements, $198)
a little pricey but in really great shape as a summer beach/pool/vacation staple pieceloewe round tortoiseshell sunglasses ($335, very good condition)
western outdoor environmental guide to beach birds ($2.99, purchase on eBay)
fish beach towel ($35, purchase on eBay) (honorable mention for this zodiac one!)
1960s cotton lace bikini (vintage fem s, see measurements, $98)
beach towel twister game set ($25.46, purchase on eBay) (a checkers towel here, a clue towel here!)
so many beach towel games floating around eBay! buy a bunch and have a game day at the lakegucci sunglasses ($210, very good condition)
beachcombing the pacific ($18.99, purchase on eBay)
beachcombing feels like a lost art, i feel like diving in to some old books about it would be fun, along with identifying seashellsveja high top sneakers (fem 10, excellent condition, $92)
blue and white plastic woven tote ($48, purchase on eBay)
striped wooden sling chairs (set of four, $425, purchase on eBay) (a cheaper alternative here)
i realized when linking these that they are pick up only (great if you live in michigan) but this is your reminder to check fb marketplace and craigslist for outdoor sets!!sterling silver shell necklace ($99.99, purchase on eBay)
faded fisherman smock popover shirt (see measurements, $159, ships from Ukraine, purchase on eBay)
gold tone oyster and pearl brooch ($32.50, purchase on eBay)
vintage neiman marcus sparkle sequin beach hat ($395, purchase on eBay) (other incredible options here, here, here, and here)
obsessed with all of these hatsthe shell book ($14.85, purchase on eBay)
look for shells with your pals!loewe fisherman platforms (fem 7, very good condition, $267 on sale)
yellow plastic woven tote ($32.97, purchase on eBay)
A BBQ Picnic Adventure
embroidered fruit table cloth (36 x 36, $14.99, purchase on eBay)
the price!!fruit salad screw on earrings ($18, purchase on eBay)
loewe round sunglasses ($200, excellent condition)
bode baseball cardigan (fem xs, $545, excellent condition)
bode is annoying (lol) but this is really cute and feels summer nostalgic to me — nothing says a warm summer afternoon like the echo of baseball on the radio in the other room…tibi green plaid dress (fem 4, $188, very good condition)
giuseppe zanotti floral mules (fem 7, $220, purchase on eBay)
red gingham picnic tablecloth (50 x 43, $70)
vintage red coleman cooler (comes with original box! $179.99, purchase on eBay)
gucci horsebit mule heels (fem 6.5, $195, good condition)
rattan two wine carrier ($16.99, purchase on eBay)
okay, is anything ✨cooler✨ than showing up to the function with your cutie wine carrier? i think not…baseball stitched keds sneakers (fem 7.5, $49.99, purchase on eBay)
wear these to your local minor league team game! minor league baseball is *so* fun and would be a great idea for a night out with friends — bleacher seats, a hot dog, a cold beer and singing along during the 7th inning stretch… nothing! is! better!1950s white high rise summer pants (vintage fem xs, see measurements, $58, purchase on eBay)
jantzen lace up blue striped shirt (see measurements, $60, purchase on eBay)
adam selman x le specs sunglasses ($108.50, excellent condition)
1960s plastic snack and drink set ($48)
there’s a solid, very sad chance there’s BPA in these given the age, but dang they’re so cute!!!working vintage sony portable transistor radio ($399, purchase on eBay)
buy an old radio and support your local radio station! college stations are usually really fun and hosted by various students with a range of musical tastes — i would also recommend looking at cassette players! so many cassettes looking for a new chapter of life at the thrift store. *party idea* invite your friends over but require they bring a favorite cassette of their choice and make it the soundtrack of the evening! (a $40 option here)colorblocked rattan and canvas purse ($75, purchase on eBay) (another bbq festive option here)
vintage striped wooden camping stool ($190.95, ships from Germany) (this set of four is so fun and ships from the USA, shop on eBay)
embroidered floral mesh food cover ($30) (another cute option here)
because no one wants bugs in the snacksfruit clip-on tablecloth weights (set of four, $12.97, purchase on eBay) (this set is also cute)
a sea of tablecloth weight options on eBay and most of them are really cuteportable 3 wine cooler ($35)
i’m telling you, showing up to the function with a wine cooler is just ✨cool✨wooden snail cocktail pick set ($32)
if you don’t, i will…veggie bbq skewers (set of six, $14.90, purchase on eBay)
1970s red flower kitchen apron ($48) (this one is really cute too)
red striped aluminum lawn lounger ($84.99)
heart shaped picnic basket ($40, purchase on eBay)
the liner inside is quilted and so so cuteceramic ketchup and mustard salt and pepper shakers ($18.10 on sale)
oversized dice yard yahtzee ($59.99, purchase on eBay)
lots of big yard games on eBay!woven vinyl picnic basket ($45, purchase on eBay) (similar options here, here, here and condiment caddies!! here and here, all on eBay)
ceramic tomato condiment plate set ($38.40 on sale)
lettuce leaf serving platter ($62.40 on sale)
the abc of barbecue book ($9.99, purchase on eBay)
*party idea* have all your guests make a recipe from an old cookbook and share them potluck style — there are some absolutely wild recipes floating around these 1950s/60s/70s cookbooks…corn on the cob plate holder set (set of eight, $29.99, purchase on eBay)
woven plaid placemat set (set of four, $36)
betty crocker’s outdoor cookbook ($11.25, purchase on eBay)
vintage bbq invitations ($40)
rattan drinking glass set (set of four, $21.99, purchase on eBay)
A Day in the Garden
tory burch white dress (fem 4, $105, very good condition) (another one here) (this dress on eBay is also a killer garden party option)
rebecca de ravenel wood heart earrings ($162, very good condition)
vintage applique quilt ($59.99, purchase on eBay) (unrelated: someone please buy this handmade cat quilt)
vintage mohair knit cardigan (see measurements, $200, ships from Ukraine, purchase on eBay)
1930s metal grasshopper brooch ($94.99, purchase on eBay)
this is so so so so speciallevi’s denim overalls (fem m, see measurements, $49.99, purchase on eBay)
loewe white sunglasses ($356, pristine condition)
quilted feedsack waist apron ($18)
so preciouswoven owl bike basket ($49.99, purchase on eBay)
a festive bike basket!!sterling silver amber flower brooch ($40, purchase on eBay)
vintage bocce ball set ($49.99, purchase on eBay)
invite your friends for an evening of yard games even if you only have a teeny tiny strip of grass!1940s croquet set ($99, purchase on eBay)
ceramic fruit napkin rings (set of four, $13.99, purchase on eBay) (these are insane but also kind of fun)
rubber rain boots (fem 7.5, $45, very good condition)
koret white wicker handbag ($399, purchase on eBay)
applique placemat and napkin set ($16, purchase on eBay) (inserting this hand embroidered daisy tablecloth for consideration, too)
prada green slip on mules (fem 9, $435, very good condition)
hand painted paper lanterns (set of eight, $19.99, purchase on eBay)
my favorite party decor and you can reuse over and over and overfoldable sun hat ($32, purchase on eBay)
kathy hilton chic (on a budget) (she’s wearing lorna murray)anthropomorphic flower salt and pepper shakers ($140, purchase on eBay)
these are highly collectible and one day i will have a pair that sits on a very whimsical shelf in my kitchen (i hear this song when i look at them)lucite napkin rings (set of 16, $49, purchase on eBay)
swirly midcentury copper and brass watering can ($57.59 on sale)
art deco wrought iron bistro chairs ($299.99, purchase on eBay) (if you live in college station, tx these are pick up only and have so much potential!!)
so unique and gorgeous for a gardencast iron ladybug ($7.50, purchase on eBay)
have her watch over your garden or stoop or porch or balconywicker wine carrier tray ($120)
this is so cool and i’ve posted it before and i’m sad it does not have a new home yet — great for a small space and lots of wine!!cast iron hummingbird garden lantern ($99.99, purchase on eBay)
lemon ceramic dish ($20)
herb garden spoon markers ($29.95, purchase on eBay)
you can grow an herb garden just about anywhere - challenge your friends to all start one at the same time and then cook dinner for each other with your fresh herbs!better homes and garden garden book ($24.99, purchase on eBay)
1960s kona woody skateboard ($249.99, purchase on eBay)
Well, there ya have it! As always, let me know if something isn’t linked correctly, as that is the portion of the activity that hurts my brain and ignore all my typos!
Love you, mean it.
Have you bought something from Trash Panic? Reply to this email and show me!!! I love seeing all of your purchases!
Until next time,
xo,
G
In case you missed it…
Honestly my favorite part is just looking at how you collage all the images together. This one was such a visual treat!!!!! As always, thank youuuuu!!!!!!
OMG, the blue Coleman cooler is the exact one I grew up with on our family hikes and camping trips! I love all this happy colour, Glenn, thank you!💕
Sick again? Nooooo…!
I’ve been trying to be offline more this week, touching lots of grass…and rocks!