Welcome to What’s Left
Hi! I’m Virginia Chamlee, a People magazine staff writer and the author of the best-selling book, Big Thrift Energy. I have worked in digital and print media for nearly two decades, with stints at Buzzfeed, Eater, and more than six years as a magazine editor under my belt.
But I’m also obsessed with thrifting and vintage shopping and began selling my finds about ten years ago. Since then, I’ve become a six-figure earner thanks to my side business, have written a book about shopping vintage, and have been featured in The Economist, The Washington Post, Ipsos, and more.
I am not only passionate about shopping vintage, but about teaching others how to do it, too. That’s where this newsletter comes in.
What is What’s Left?
What’s Left is the newsletter I wish I had when I first started buying vintage. Frankly, there just aren’t a lot of resources for those interested in thrifting items for their home (and far fewer for those interested in reselling)! There are plenty of people on Instagram teaching you how to “flip” furniture found on Facebook Marketplace, though those projects require far more time and skill than the short videos would lead to you to believe. And there are hundreds of TikTokers who will tell you they make a few hundred bucks buying and flipping trinkets at garage sales. But there is nowhere to go for guides on how to shop, where to shop, and what to buy if you want to get really serious about buying vintage.
Through thoughtful guides breaking down interior design trends, and interviews with other people who have found extraordinary things at thrift stores, I am building an essential tool for anyone interested in shopping for or selling other people’s old things.
What does a paid subscription get you?
A paid subscription gives you full access to past issues! Here are a few worth checking out:
Access to more than two years worth of archives, including my thrifting-focused city guides for places like Atlanta, Jacksonville and Greensboro
Comprehensive how-to guides on shopping vintage, including tips on how to determine a thrifted item’s value and how to shop an estate sale
Tips on what to thrift to get the look of big-name celebrity interior designers
Monthly Ask Me Anythings, where I chat about everything career advice to Botox
