Try, Try Again

I've been thinking a lot about patience lately. It is a virtue I greatly admire but sadly lack. I think many of my "life lessons" (if you believe in that sort of thing and I do) have been about patience. I'm constantly reminded that learning to wait well is not only a challenge but one worth conquering. 

Yesterday I found myself with an inexplicable 2 hours of alone time. I hit my favorite shop and after 60 minutes of scouring with little more than a whisper of air conditioning, I walked out with nothing. Sweaty and defeated I realized that thrifting is all about patience.

Since you've been ever so patient with my rambling I"ll get to the good part. Long story short, (another virtue I lack) I went to a store I rarely visit and found the below treasures. Try, try again. 

• Magnificent red bohemian decor that my husband instantly banished from our home. $7.99
  It's okay, I bought it with a very special couple in mind. Little do they know I am building their wedding gift to monstrous proportions. If only they'd get engaged!
  
  
  
  
  
• 2 tops: Sparkle & Face tank which is originally from Urban Outfitters & an Yves St. Clair striped blouse with dubious origins. Is it vintage? Google has failed me. $3.99 and $5.99 respectively.
  
  
• Books were buy one, get one free. I immediately spotted "In Defense of Food" by my boyfriend Mark Bittman and clawed my way  through the throngs fighting for the New York Times bestseller.
  Then I was stuck because I obviously needed a second since it was free. I hunted and hunted but nothing jumped out. On my way to the register I spotted a book face down and grabbed it because I still needed a book. That accidental purchase ended up being a book that's been on my "to-read" list for more than a year - "The Weird Sisters." $2.99 for both!
  
  
  

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Little Bunny Shoe Shoe

I am in love with the bunny-esque pose my brown thrifted boots have decided to pull. They are slouchy, cowboy loveliness and found me at a time when I was seriously doubting thrifted shoes.

(Salvation Army $5.00)

My first pair of thrift store shoes were from American Way and I still think about them. They ended up in the closet of my dear work friend because they were too small for me. Cut-out, leather booties. Should I say that again? Cut-out, leather booties. Alas, that's the issue with shoes. You can make too big or too small clothing work but shoes are either right or wrong. 

Then I went through a phase where I cut out shoes completely. Nope- I wasn't even going to that section. 

Until I found my bunny boots. 

Since then I've acquired exactly two pairs of thrifted shoes. 

• Black Peter Pan boots (which were purchased in a haste with my husband literally holding open the Goodwill door and shouting, Come on!)

• Beautiful wedges found this weekend for $3.50. I've worn them every moment since. 

Ugly Sweater Contest

There is not an ugly sweater contest anywhere on earth that I couldn't win. 

(Presenting below exhibits A, B, C & D of many...)

I don't know if it's my adopted Scottish blood or my inner-granny but, if it's woolly and patterned you can bet it's in my Goodwill shopping cart. 

My penchant for monstrous knitwear has even become a parenting threat of sorts. When my best friend's son begged to stay with "Auntie" rather than his home  (which fair enough is full of rules and bedtimes) his mother told him he was free to go but Auntie would make him wear ugly sweaters. 

Suddenly bedtimes didn't seem so bad. 

As luck would have it, I've been gifted with my very own wee boy to put in as many ugly sweaters as I please. 

 (A) Purchased on an out -of-this world trip to Goodwill. I owe this store an apology. For years I claimed I hated it and would grumpily dig through their wares only if it were the last geographic option (any thrifting is better than none!) My heartfelt apology to you.
Yes, those are hearts. Eek!

 (B) Fact: Those are baubles hanging from the sweater.
Baby loves to play with them. So does mommy.
It doesn't hurt this 1980's masterpiece is the most brilliant blue color.

 (C) From my first and only trip to Savers.
I don't have a Savers near me so this was a true treat on my recent trip to Arizona.
It was the same trip I somehow stumbled out of Walmart with a Tony the Tiger shirt.

(D) From Old Navy, fair isle meets tribal? 

It has short sleeves which sort of seals the deal, don't ya think?

A Story for Everything (and a blog for me)

I am a firm believer that everything you own should have a story. This snazzy little number was purchased from the Salvation Army for a cool $3.99. I was with with my mom and I still chuckle a bit when I think of her abandoning me at the register, mid-check out, to dig through an old pile of records at the back of the shop.

Originally from Forever 21, it's found a home in my matchbox closet and the much exalted title of "Sexy Mama" dress because it's a tad too short but a tad too cute to care. Evidence here:

A teeny tiny post-script, welcome to my blog. Adventures in thrifting through my 29th year to follow.