Thrifting has ruined me! It's true. I'm ruined. Yesterday, I missed Friend Friday post because at the last minute I had the opportunity to drive to Charlotte with Sweet Baby. After he finished up some things at his office, we went to a mall on the expensive side of Charlotte. My daughter and I checked out Anthropolgy, Macy's, Dillards and a couple of other places. You know what I kept thinking at every store? "$12 for a pair of socks?!" or "$20 for tights?!" or even "$150 for a pair of BOOTS?!?!" I have to tell you, Anthropology is one of my alltime favorite stores. It's FABULOUS, AMAZING, WONDERFUL and EXPENSIVE! After so much thrifting and being thrilled with what I've picked up, when I see $25 tights, I think, "I've spent less than that at my favorite Thrift Store and walked out with 6 pair of shoes and a gorgeous dress!" I just can't wrap my brain around spending that kind of money on TIGHTS. Then, my daughter and I are looking at some adorable headbands (lowest priced - $32, for a HEADBAND!) and I'm listening to myself say, "Oh my gosh, we can make this same headband by hotgluing flowers to a plain Walmart headband!" In fact, that's what I think we're going to do for my daughter to give as Christmas gifts. I even saw earrings and necklaces at Anthropology that could be replicated with thrifted items and some jewelry making supplies.
I love learning things about myself. Even at my age, I'm discovering new things about old Serene! Yesterday, I discovered that I'm a little more frugal than I thought. I also discovered that what really gets me excited...I mean heart pumping, chomping at the bit, wanting to jump up and down and do a happy dance is the creative process. My favorite part of blogging is putting together the outfits and refabulousing found items. The picture taking is fun, but it's not what stimulates me. I've discovered that in my heart I'm an artist and my canvas is the female form. What does your heart tell you about yourself? No matter our age, discovering ourselves is one of life's greatest adventurers (another thing I am at heart!!)
My youngest son and daughter! Numbers 3 & 4!
Shorts......vintage, thrifted and tweaked!
Sweater...... Inherited Cashmere pullover that I refashioned into a cardigan
Shoes......Coach clogs inherited from my mom
White top......had forever
In the mood for the best thing to come out of Columbia! Juanes!
Such wise words. You are wonderful at heart, and that translates!!
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo.
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Thrifting has made me soooo cheap lol Im in Concord at the moment and instead of going to the mall...i went to three thrift stores lol...I was excited because there are three Goodwills in a 5 mile radiois from my aunt's house :)
ReplyDeleteSerene, I am right there with you! It is hard to justify the high prices when there is so much available for less. You should start a business with all of your creativity!! You could sell unique fashions crafted from re-sale items....it would probably be a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteYet again, you write a post that has me grinning ear-to-ear. I completely understand what you mean when say thrifting has ruined you. I went into Walmart (WALMART!) this week and saw a shirt I kinda liked, but it was $5 ($5!!!) and I actually thought to myself 'nah, pass it up. you could get two shirts for $5 at the thrift shop!" haha. I guess I'm a cheapskate at heart.
ReplyDeleteAnd, regarding your comment on my post earlier: It also makes me smile to think that you thought of ME when you were looking at hair accessories at the mall. It's funny to realize that Internet strangers suddenly aren't strangers but pals! I'm glad! And (second post script): Samaritan's Purse is awesome. My mom and I have so much fun picking out things to give. This year, I selected items for a 10-14 year old girl... who will receive lots of pink, feather, glittery accessories (and some school supplies). I hope she's not a tomboy!
I can hardly pay full price for anything. It's painful. I too love Anthropologie, but some of their prices are just over the top especially considering most of their things go on sale within a month of hitting the sale floor! Great outfit and I MUST know how you refashioned the crewneck into a cardigan. I have a gorgeous cashmere cardigan that I love - resale shop for $20 brand new! However, the elbow went threadbare on me a few months ago and I can't figure out how to fix it. I wanted to cut off the sleeves and make it short-sleeved to salvage it but I have no idea how ~ can you give me any advice??? Btw, I'm not seamstress, but I can half-ass just about anything. Ha! ~ Susan
ReplyDeletewww.littlemissfanciepants.blogspot.com
Beautiful pictures, your confidence and spirit just jump off my laptop screen, lol!
ReplyDeleteI need to thrift more!
xo
christine
http://un-stitched.com/
Thrifting has ruined me, too!! I almost can't buy in regular stores anymore. It has to be on deep clearnance for me to buy it!!
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Serene--I'm impressed that you refashioned a pullover into a cardigan. I don't think I could bring myself to cut into a cashmere (gasp) sweater. But I know EXACTLY what you mean about thrifting. There are items I've purchased impulsively because of a fleeting thought I've had while shopping. I'm learning to trust those same impulses and it's wonderful!
ReplyDeleteawww your kids are cute.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the congrats on IFB links it meant a lot to me.
I am loving the clogs in your outfit, the more I see them, the more like them (I may have ordered a pair online last week :0 !
~Em K
Our thrift stores in this area are getting more expensive than the discount stores now--SAD BUT TRUE!!! I still love a bargain and am a cheap yankee at heart! Over 50 must have read your mind~
ReplyDeleteAll of you girlies are absolutely WONDERFUL!! Thanks for such encouraging comments! Viva la THRIFTING! LOL
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