thrift

Recently, I started going to thrift stores again. I started going on my own when I was in high school and for years and years and years afterwards. It was the only way I ever got anything interesting. Even when I was in college and in a completely different area, I would go constantly.

When I had a "real" job working in an office, I got a lot of my clothes from thrift stores- things I never would have been able to afford and still pay for silly things like rent, my car, ..food.

I thought about all the great things I would find for Lily once she was born, but then I never even looked. I started using coupons instead and watching sales and clearance deals.. getting into the reward programs at stores. (And don't even get me started on Target.) I was saving just as much money, if not more, on brand new things for her.. and myself.. and whatever else.

So there it was. I stopped with the thrift stores. The number of times I was in a thrift store in the first five years of her life could probably be counted on one hand. But, I never even really thought about it.

Until recently. I just went. I didn't go to look at clothes, but then there I was suddenly.. in the kids section. Not only that, but the very first item I happened upon.. on the end of the rack, facing me, with about 6 feet of open space next to it.. was something I knew Lily would love. A pair of pink corduroy Crewcuts (J.Crew's kids line) pants with little orange dogs embroidered on them. In her exact size. For $7.00.

A few pants down the line was another pair.. from the Gap. Really cute, plaid- perfect for "real" school in the fall- 50% off for $3.00.
I looked through Noah's sizes too and found a lightweight jacket also from the Gap. The cuffs and pockets are perfect- looks like it's brand new. He won't be able to wear it for at least another year, but for $3.00 (also 50%) I couldn't leave it.

Then I went back for one more thing. A small bag of Little People animal toys, about half of them on wheels. (Noah is insane for anything on wheels.) I had seen them when I first came in and thought about his birthday coming up. Used toys as a birthday present? (And that is why I hadn't picked them up.) But, you know.. he's never going to know. And once they get a nice bath in some warm soapy water.. good as new. And what difference does it make any way?

It was $15.00 for all four things. So apparently I am rehooked.