A good day thrifting!

Last new year my resolutions were two fold:

• to cook a recipe from each of my cookbooks
• to only purchase clothing from thrift stores

While the first didn't stick for very long, the second most definitely did. Before anyone gets too concerned, underwear and swimwear were accepted caveats, but aside from one red satin shirt every item of clothing I bought last year came from a thrift shop. It's been an interesting experience.

I didn't decide to restrict my shopping to exclusively second-hand out of economic necessity, although decreased money spent has been a very welcome positive side effect. I was more concerned about controlling my consumption and ecological footprint. It's so easy to buy half a dozen cheap shirts at Old Navy for pennies, wear them a couple of times before they inevitably wear out, throw them away (or as I do, donate or recycle them) then rinse lather and repeat. I wanted to be more aware of what I was purchasing and why, and the reduce the flow of clothing through my hands. Forcing myself to shop from a limited palette seemed like a good way to do this.

It was a learning curve at first, many of the first things I bought ended up cycling back to the thrift shop pretty quickly but I soon became more discerning. I tried to identify perceived gaps in my wardrobe, kept a list on my phone and paid much closer attention to detail (buttons, seams, general wear etc). I also found the best thrift stores in my local area, generally they are in the most affluent neighborhoods and are the most discerning over the things they put out for purchase. That means higher quality wheat and much less less chaff so time spent in each store is fairly minimal. Finally I go frequently, usually one round of my favourite stores every two weeks. I am also absolutely OK with spending an hour or two shopping and coming home with nothing.

I'm thinking that this weekend I may have reached my thrifting pinnacle. Behold the spread below, purchased for the princely sum of $8. Yes. EIGHT DOLLARS...

Oh OK fine, I'll admit to having purchased a $20 for $40 Groupon for Housing Works, I'm not that much of a miracle worker, but still, less than 30 bucks? Hooray!

 

Left to right, top of sofa:

• Old Navy 0-3mo skeleton onesie (NWT), original tag $12, Housing Works sale $1.
• Talbots 100% raw silk 18mo romper and matching waistcoat, original tag $88(!!!), Housing Works sale $1.
• Ralph Lauren wool sports coat for Adam, original retail ??, Housing Works sale $22.50.

Standing upright, left to right:

• Dotz cable tie organizers, retail $6, Housing Works $2.
• Honey Bunches of Oats, two for $5 at CVS, plus $4 coupon, end price $1.

Laying on sofa, left to right:

• "Spot the Dog" 9mo jeans and shirt set, brand new but no tags, Housing Works sale $1.
• The Omnivore's Dilemma, $16, Housing Works $3.
• The Tipping Point, $15, Housing Works $3.
• Birth Control, CVS, $0. THANK YOU OBAMA CARE.
• Mark Bittman Quick and Easy Recipes, $19, Housing Works $6.
• Ivory Soap, 10 bars from CS for $6.40, minus $2 coupon, final $4.60.
• "Spot the Dog" 9mo dungaree and shirt set, brand new with no tags, Housing Works sale $1.

Obviously not much of this is my usual thrift store fare, only the Bittman is for me, and that's a lot of baby clothes for one baby-less person (again, thank you Mr. Obama), but! Adam got a spiffy new jacket suitable for job interviews while we continue our search for a suit that fits him! I have gifts for my nephew! And my cousin's baby due in August! And a really expensive silk romper suit that I don't know what to do with!