I can get swept up into trends just like anyone else. A word of warning, though, some trends can be super short-lived. If you're not careful, you can end up spending a lot of money on clothing or home decor that will be "out of style" before you're even done paying off the bill for them. As always, I advocate shopping secondhand first. That way, you'll have no guilt if you're over the trend before the next thing even comes onto the scene.

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Every time I share a thrift challenge, I like to reiterate some good rules of thumb when shopping second hand. These are just helpful ways to not accumulate too much and to be more intentional with the things that you're buying.

1. Look at what you currently have. What's missing? What needs to be replaced?
2. While you're checking out your stash of goodies, look for things you can donate--and actually take them!
3. When you're thrifting, think outside of the box. In the case of Fall Trends, even if you don't find something exact, does it at least have the feeling you're going for? Also, be sure to look in all the departments at the thrift store. You can easily incorporate sweaters, belts, and scarves into home decor! 

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ANIMAL PRINT

If you're worried about bringing thrifted "soft" items into your home, I don't think there's anything that a good washing can't handle. I swear by the MOLLY'S SUDS products to clean without harsh chemicals. I love the whitening powder and use it in every load that I do.

I genuinely don't believe that animal print ever goes out of style, but even just last year, I saw a couple of bloggers talking about how dated it felt. To me, (most) animal prints act as a neutral and can take an outfit from "meh" to wow"! The same, obviously, can go for your home. Not sure what a space needs? Maybe an animal print is just the ticket to make the room even more fabulous than it was. It can also work to tie together patterns and colors that otherwise feel "not quite right".

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BURGUNDY / WINE

Want a little more guidance when it comes to thrifting? My THRIFTING GUIDE is a great place to start, with tips to have your most successful thrift trip yet! 

This trend definitely gives me late 1990's vibes. Do you remember CLINIQUE ALMOST LIPSTICK IN BLACK HONEY? That's what this trend makes me think of...all wrapped up in a tube. After years of gray and beige being all the rage in home decor, darker colors are definitely making their way back in. I actually just painted our bathroom a bricky-red color and absolutely love it! After my red kitchen in the early 2000's, I never thought I would have found my way back to that spot, though. The great thing about this color is that a little goes a long way, so you could pepper it in to your home decor with something very small, if you're feeling pensive.

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OLIVE GREEN

Another neutral, olive green is a perennial favorite and I'm not sure that it could ever fall out of favor in terms of fashion. In the home, green is so great at making a space feel fresh, especially if you're able to bring it in with a few live plants as well! Green can represent new beginnings and growth...what a great color to incorporate into your life in any capacity!! 

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^PLAID

You cannot get more classic than plaid. I love the richness that it can easily add to an outfit or your home. There is definitely something about it that feels like it's meant for colder temps, too, so it's the perfect addition for fall...and will continue to transition into winter decor as well. You can play around a lot with plaid in terms of the colors, too, depending on how traditional you want it to look or how much of a statement you want it to make.

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FUR / FAUX FUR

There is just nothing more luxurious to dress yourself or your home in than fur or faux fur. I actually think you'd be surprised at how many real fur options there are to be found secondhand, if that's your thing. I absolutely love the softness that fur can add to a home. I've found several throws and rugs at the thrift store that add warmth and texture to our home without a lot of extra color that's going to compete with the other surrounding pieces. Fur is also so good for layering; I'm always trying to add as much interest as possible.

It's always fun to hit the thrift store, but honestly, you might even be able to shop your own home for some of these trends-I did that for several items. There is nothing more satisfying than creating new and fresh looks in your home using items you already own. I'm always amazed at what I can come up with when I do a sweep of the house and my decor stash to see what I can style together in a different way.

When you're thrifting for your home, you don't necessarily want to go too far outside of your normal style, even when incorporating trends. Otherwise, whatever you bring in will likely stick out and you won't end up liking it, even for the short term. A WHOLE HOUSE COLOR PALETTE can help out tremendously with this process!

I hope this has encouraged you to think outside the box when it comes to shopping for your home. There is so much potential at the thrift store...you just need to know what to look for! I'd love for you to take this thrift challenge too, if it sounds like fun! Share a pic of your finds on Instagram and tag me so I can see: @hilaryprall.

*Want to help out a teacher (or two) furnish their classrooms this year? Check out my post of Amazon Teacher Wish Lists!