MySql find data in one table based on conditions of two other tables

Help me out with this query: I have 3 tables with this structure.

items_to_groups (item_id | group_id)

item_to_regions (item_id | region_id)

items [a bunch of columns]

I need to select every row on the item table that has an item_id match on item_to_groups table WHERE group = x AND has an item_id match on item_to_regions table WHERE region = y

Currently the code I have is a horrible subquery with loops and all.

What would be a better way of doing this? I've thought about JOIN and such, but can't really get my head around on how to do it.

SELECT bunch_of_columns
FROM items i 
INNER JOIN items_to_groups ig ON i.id=ig.item_id
INNER JOIN items_to_regions ir on i.id=ir.item_d
WHERE ir.region_id=y
AND ig.group_id=x

Have a look at the JOIN documentation on MySQL. Joins are important for relational databases. As you said you have a hard time grasping joins, have a look at A Visual Explanation of SQL Joins by Jeff Atwood. Maybe it helps.

SELECT colums 
FROM items 
INNER JOIN items_to_groups ON items.item_id = items_to_groups.item_id AND group_id = x 
INNER JOIN items_to_regions ON items.item_id = items_to_regions.item_id AND region_id = y

SELECT * FROM items
JOIN items_to_groups ON (items.item_id = items_to_groups.item_id AND group_id = ?)
JOIN items_to_regions ON (items.item_id = items_to_regions.item_id AND region_id = ?)
GROUP BY items.item_id