Happiness: Thrifting

Inspired by this lovely post by Tea and Cookies.

There are people who do not go, who do not know how to go, thrifting. Shocking, I know.

Maybe they are squicked out by "other people's stuff." Maybe they don't have time. Maybe it never occurs to them. I don't know. I don't get it.

But thankfully, I am not one of these people. I have the bug. I inherited it from my mother, who I suspect originally learned to go thrifting more out of necessity than desire, but who now joins me on exuberant thrifting adventures when we get together.

Everyone seems to have their own style when it comes to thrifting. There are those who go religiously every week, on a circuit. There are those dedicated garage-sale shoppers. Then there's my own style, which is to go about once a month or so, when I get the undeniable urge for some retail therapy. I don't need anything... but I like to go shopping. And I'm trying to be more creative with my wardrobe. And I'm trying not to spend too much money on things we don't need. And I like treasure-hunting.

My favorite place is the Oakland Chinatown Salvation Army, especially when they are having their half-off sale ("practically free" is my favorite price for anything). This location is a major drop-off point and it's a huge store, so I usually have good luck there. My second favorite place is the Alameda Goodwill, also, I suspect, a major drop-off place for Alameda. I have found some great scores there, although their prices are higher than S.A.

I like to go when I can spend at least two hours (although I can pack a lot into a lunch hour). I try to go through the entire store methodically, because that is how you find the treasures. I don't like to rush. I first go through the clothing, then the linens, then the housewares, and finally the books and/or miscellany. I totally get into the zone when I'm doing this. It's not a very social activity for me. I need to concentrate.

Here are my own personal rules and/or methods for thrifting.

1. Never buy anything irrevocably stained, torn, or damaged. Unless it's something easy like a missing button, I know I won't go the extra mile to salvage it. I look very closely for stains and tears, and I don't hesitate to put back damaged items.

2. Never buy anything that I could buy new for about the same price: i.e., Old Navy clothes (or Mervyn's, or any other crummy off-brand). It's just not worth it; the clothes are not very high quality, and the buck or two I save doesn't make much difference for a crappy piece of clothing. Possible exception: scarves or kitschy themed T-shirts (if I happen to need kitschy themed t-shirts)

3. If it doesn't fit, isn't the right color, or I just don't immediately love it, I don't buy it. This is highly subjective. I make allowances for if I'm trying a new style, or something ethnic/vintage (lately I'm into India/sari-style tops), or things that are slightly too large. Often these things fall into the 'acceptable' category even though I wouldn't spend the money to buy them new, because I want to experiment or I just happen to love the item. However, if it's unflattering or not my color, I don't buy it, even if it's really high-quality.

4. Check the label. I always do a double-check when I find something from a really good catalog label like Sundance or Lands End or something like that. I also slow down for Banana Republic, J.Crew, Ann Taylor or any of the higher-end Macy's-type lines, or for obviously quality clothing from smaller unfamiliar brands. The fabric is the giveaway: if it's a nice fabric, and a nice color, then I check the label. If it's a good label, then I pull it out to inspect more closely. I always check the fabric content. The size is not as important; often the clothes have enlarged or shrunk slightly but are still completely wearable.

5. Be aware of my own danger zones. I have an unfortunate thing for certain types of ugly patterns and dishes. I don't know why, but I will always pull out a garish paisley or a 1970s-era crockery dish. I love them. I try to indulge in small doses. For example, maybe the paisley urge gets satisfied with a silk scarf, and the ugly pottery gets used for a cat food dish or a small planter. I try very hard not to buy "things" unless I absolutely love it. I'm a little more liberal with clothes because I sort through my closet regularly.

6. I only buy books if it's something I know has very little chance of being found at the library, or if it's a reference book (gardening, or art, or something like that). I don't buy novels unless it's something hard-to-find. This has more to do with not wanting to accumulate books than any sort of pickiness. If I could, I would buy bags of books regularly.

7. Save pants and skirts for a whole separate trip, since these are more difficult to sort through and must be tried on.

8. Before checking out, go over every item one more time to make sure they are all acceptable quality, and that I really love each thing. Recently I put back a brilliant green long-sleeve T-shirt from J.Crew which I loved, but the neckline wasn't right, and a really pretty, soft Abercrombie shirt, because the color wasn't anything special. I've also had to talk myself out of any number of silk bathrobes because they weren't exactly right.

Some recent good finds include:

* a brand-new Lands End fleece nightgown, which I've been eyeing all winter in the catalog but haven't ordered. Now mine for only $4!

* a silk thermal turtleneck for Terri, which she's worn all winter long

* a whole slew of ethnic embroidered tops, which I intend to wear during the summer

* high-quality yoga clothing, which are so comfy for at home or walking

* a lovely collectible teapot, to replace an old one which I didn't love

* a Ralph Lauren black winter coat, which has been perfect this year

I have a few things I'm always on the lookout for:

* a beautiful sugar bowl. I had one that I loved, but it got broken a few years ago.

* a classic, high-quality trenchcoat. I'm being very picky about this one.

* lovely old picture frames

* unusual, large vases or glass bowls for terrariums

* holiday items (this year I found a perfect holiday tree skirt)

* pretty, old sheets (I want to make a soft summer quilt from old sheets)

Anyway. Clearly this is a subject I could go on and on about. I love thrifting. I don't usually go garage sale shopping as an activity (I will drop by if I happen to be driving by a good one) because it requires more driving and mapping and so on, but I do love a good thrift shop. I like it better than discount shopping, which is similar, but not quite as exciting. I like the thrill of the hunt, and I like the relatively small impact on my wallet.

Paying more attention to living frugally has had many surprise benefits, but really going back to thrifting has been the one which I am really enjoying. It's so much fun, for so little money, and satisfies that shopping urge without too much damage to the bank account.

Next up for summer: a few garage-sale trips to the tonier areas of town, and a couple ventures into San Francisco thrifting. I'll find that trenchcoat yet...

It Runs In The Family

Mom and I went thrifting today. Um, wow. So we went to Salvation Army, which was having a 50% off sale. Here is Mom's haul (please note everything is in great shape/quality):

1 set of mismatched but coordinating king size sheets

1 tablecloth

1 king size comforter

4 cardigans

6 pullover sweater/tops

1 Pendleton wool sweater vest

1 pair jeans

1 decorative plate

Grand total: $38.

Hello!!

I got one tablecloth and a Christmas tree skirt, grand total $7.

We had fun.

Grease Monkey

Our second attempt at going to church was foiled by a sore, infected toe and nearly two weeks of extremely poor sleep. We got in the car to go and I looked over at Terri, and saw that she was turning slightly gray. I thought, "Hmm. Maybe this isn't the best idea...." and she said, "I don't think it's a good idea for me to go." So, we went back in the house and will try again next week. She's also trying some new medications which are making her feel funky, so it just wasn't meant to be, although we really wanted to go.

Instead, I decided to tackle the car situation. Terri's car, a beloved 92 Honda Accord, has had it rough the last few years. She (the car) got stolen twice a few years ago and was treated rather roughly by her captors. We were lucky to get her back both times, but she hasn't been the same since.

Lately, she's been sittin' out back on blocks, weeds piling up around her, with a dead battery. Well, maybe not exactly. More like just sitting there quietly in her parking place, waiting for one of us to have enough time/energy/gumption to get a new battery. I don't know if it's just that she doesn't get driven very much or if it's something like an alternator going bad... anyway, the battery was totally dead so I headed down to the auto parts store to get a new battery. The guy who carried it out to my car told me not to set it down on concrete. I'm glad he told me -- who knew??

I was very proud of myself and very thankful for all the times I stood outside helping my dad fix cars, because I was totally able to take the old battery out and put the new one in, with no problem at all. Car started right up. I was so pleased! I know it's not a major fix by any means but anything I can do all by myself makes me happy.

I also discovered that if I put myself in the right frame of mind, I kind of like car stuff. I already knew that I like doing household fix-it stuff, but I've always hated any sort of car issue. It just seemed so big and complicated and troublesome. A giant puzzle. But then today I thought, well, it IS just a big puzzle! That's all it is. You take out the pieces one by one and set them down in order, and then you put them back in reverse order and you're done.

So now, if it IS the alternator or something like that, I'm wondering if I can fix it myself. I would feel like such a stud if I could do that.

I came back inside, all hot and sweaty and dirty, and said to Terri, "Car's fixed. Get me a beer, honey." (joking, of course, because we don't drink... diet tonic water will have to suffice).

As I get older I am so grateful for all the things I know how to do and don't have to pay someone else to do. It's just how I grew up, and obviously some of it sunk in. Thanks, Mom and Dad.

Thrifting: Veddy Proper

Finding myself in a rare moment of being alone AND having nothing I needed to do, I decided to go drop off some stuff at the thrift store and poke around.

The minute I walked in, I felt better. Some people find thrift shops depressing. I find them exciting and inspiring. You can have a lot of fun for $20 at the thrift store. Heck, you can have a lot of fun for $10 or $5. Which is another reason why I love the thrift store. Cheap, creative fun. And shopping! All in one!

And every once in awhile, you get really lucky. Today was one of those days.

A brief history about me and tea things: my grandma had a large collection of beautiful tea cups, all different. When I would go to visit her, one of our rituals would be that we would wash all the teacups and saucers, and then sit down and have a tea party. I always got to choose my teacup, and what a decision that was! I *loved* doing this. Eventually I inherited the teacups. Sadly, they are in my dad's attic, as I have no place to display them.

So anyway, I kind of have a thing for teacups, teapots, etc. I try *very* hard not to indulge this little passion because, again: no room. However, I did need a teapot. I have had a few teapots over the years and either they weren't quite right, or they met an untimely end when one of my shelves crashed down a few years ago. And so I found myself without a proper teapot.

Until today. Behold:

Oooh, ahhhh. Yes, oohs and ahhs are in order. Isn't it pretty? It's all crackly and creamy with pretty gold-and-teal wild roses. It's a Gibson, which apparently means something (it means nothing to me -- as long as it's pretty and doesn't leak, I'm happy).

It was a little more expensive than I'd usually pay at a thrift store: $16. However, it's perfect. I love it. As soon as I picked it up, I knew it would be coming home with me. And, it goes quite nicely with my set of 'good' china, don't you think?

Of course I had to come home and have a proper cup of tea. Veddy proper. Since I now have a lovely dining room table (and dining room) AND a teapot, I will be having morning and afternoon tea more often. Even if it's just a tea party for myself. Although you are certainly invited.

(I think I may have to attempt making crumpets! I don't believe I have ever had a crumpet. I love experimental baking...)

A Cardigan Tale

I don't buy many clothes from J.Crew. In fact, I think I could almost say I buy NO clothes from J.Crew -- although I like their clothes -- because they don't really fit me and they are kind of expensive for the basic things I would like to buy from them.

However, long, long ago, when I first moved to California and shopping by the Internet was a novelty -- oh, about 11 years ago (really? have we been shopping on the Internet for only 11-12 years?) -- I bought a few things from J.Crew that were on sale. They used to have really good sales.

I still have two items from that long-ago shopping spree: a tank top, now relegated to pajama-wear, in a beautiful coral color. And, a black cotton ribbed cardigan.

The perfect cardigan.

I've almost given it away about five times, and every time, I swipe it back out of the thrift shop pile at the last minute, and happily wear it again and again, comforted by its faded perfectness.

By now, it's a bit stretched out in the arms. One of the sleeves -- the left one, near the cuff -- has been mended multiple times because I keep getting holes there for some reason. I almost lost it a year or two ago when I left it at a big event; luckily my friend was still there when I called, and she saved it.

It's the sweater I pull out when I need comforting. When I need to snuggle into something that I know won't itch, pull, confine, demand or intimidate. It's soft and warm. I always feel happy in it.

Today was a 'casual day' at work. I wore jeans, flipflops, a comfy T-shirt and my sweater (and a big Stevie Nicks scarf). I was supremely happy in this outfit. I wish I could wear it every day.

I notice now that the edge of the sleeve is definitely getting frayed -- more mending needed. I'll happily spend the half-hour or so it will take to stitch it up. This sweater, like a beloved pony, deserves some coddling in its old age.

I think this is one reason why I am enjoying shopping in thrift stores so much these days. The clothes have already had a life -- they are loved, broken-in, still ready to make someone happy if you just give them a chance. I've decided my new style is artsy-boho (but without the big floppy skirts and clogs). I need old things, comforting things -- nothing too demanding or hard-edged. My roots are country-hippie-thriftshoppy-artsy. I'll go back to what I know best. After many years of attempting to become a city girl, I throw in the towel. No crisp black suits for me.

The more I draw on my old self -- the one I was before I moved to California, the one from before that, before I lost my way -- the happier and more content I am. Who knew that I had all I needed already, so long ago? I like to mess around with paints. I like funky old clothes. I like to sit outside with a book. I like to spend hours at the library. I like fairy tales and old illustrations. I like the small, and the cozy, and the quiet and the charming. These days, I am ultra-sensitive to harshness and the demands of trying to 'keep up'. I don't want to keep up, anymore. I want to retreat.

So the black sweater stays. She is joined by some new friends: a comfy over-shirt from the Gap, circa 1993. A rayon tunic, still lightly scented with sandalwood. A well-worn-in jean jacket. All are making me more happy than any amount of shiny new clothes, of which I am not sure I would quite measure up to right now. Old and faded suits me better.

Maybe I'll post some photos of my finds? Oh, but that would require downloading photos, which seems to be too much of an effort these days...

Thrifting Fun

Today I was seized by a desire to browse. To shop. To look at new things.

So on my lunch break I went to the thrift store to see what's new. (well, you know what I mean. Old, but new to me.)

I scored! Here's my loot:

* 1 beautiful peachy-orange print summer-weight shirt
* 1 lovely soft rose-pink Ann Taylor spring shirt
* 1 soft blue Eddie Bauer T-shirt for spring PJ-wearing
* 1 lilac 3/4 sleeve T-shirt from Boden for weekend-wearing
* 1 pair Abercrombie and Fitch jeans (which I was astonished actually fit and are, get this, almost too long!)
* 1 pair BRAND NEW (no wear at all) olive-green super-cute pointy-toe kitten-heel shoes
* 1 glass-top canister (either for bath salts or dry beans, haven't decided yet)
* 1 Pyrex brownie pan

Grand total? $32. Yippee! I'm so happy. The best scores were the shoes, the jeans, and the canister and pan. Unchipped Pyrex pans can be hard to find and this one is that nice medium-size, perfect for brownies and such. I only have an 8x8 and a 9 x 13 and this is somewhere in the middle.

I am so glad that I genuinely love thrift-shopping. It makes it so much easier to indulge that whim for "something new" when you don't feel like spending very much money. And around here, there seems to be pretty good turnover so you can get good brand-name items that are still in style. I love it!

That's my thrill for the day. I will try to take photos and update this post with a picture.

The Frugal Series: Skin Care

(this is apparently what jojoba looks like in the wild...)

Because everyone is looking for ways to save money right now... thought I would start a little series and include my own practices.

Today's topic: Cheap Skin Care

I wrote about it last year. I've since refined the process, so here we go.

First, a little about me and my skin. I am very lucky to have pretty good skin to start with. I had very few breakouts even as a teenager. However, somewhere around age 30, my skin started to change a little. I had more breakouts, which manifested as little red bumps on my chin, nose, and forehead (that fabled T-Zone), plus some random inflammation and redness. Also, sometimes I would get an actual pimple, which freaked me out since I had so little experience with them. And I was waaaay too shiny. This sounds like no big deal, but it was stressing me out because the problem just would NOT GO AWAY and was getting worse.

After trying numerous remedies, including at least five different moisturizers (ranging in cost from $5 to $45) which only made things worse, this is what I have ended up with. It's cheap, easy, and best of all, it really works great.

Here's what you need:

* a mild cleanser. I use Trader Joe's Tea Tree Oil Cleanser, but I'm thinking I might switch to watered-down Dr. Bronner's when I run out.

* a loofah washcloth, or use the sugar scrub method (teaspoon of white sugar plus a tiny bit of cleanser)

* a bottle of plain jojoba oil. I get this for about $7 at Trader Joe's, and it lasts FOREVER. Seriously, at least a year. This is the magic stuff: it mimics your skin oil so your skin actually normalizes oil production. Results? Less shine and less breakouts! Terri uses it in her hair sometimes as an all-day conditioner, but I wouldn't recommend this unless you have very thick, dry hair.

* some kind of eye cream, or just more jojoba oil. I generally go with something inexpensive, rich, and natural from the natural food store. This also lasts a long time because with the jojoba oil, you don't need much. You could do without this if you are under 30 or you don't want to mess with it. I like using a bit of eye cream because I'm vain. So there.

* Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunblock, SPF 70. I had been using a natural zinc sunscreen, but this works better for my skin. Plus, the higher SPF, the better, as far as I'm concerned. I'm very fair and need all the help I can get.

* Neutrogena On The Spot if you are breakout-prone. This is a tiny tube, and you shouldn't need much. My tube lasts well over a year and a half.

* Burt's Bees lip balm. The best.

Here's what I do every day:

1. In the morning, in the shower, I wash my face with Trader Joe's Tea Tea Oil Cleanser, using the loofah washcloth. This is my exfoliation, which I can't do without. If I didn't have the washcloth, I would use the sugar scrub. This really makes a difference.

2. Once out of the shower, while my face is still damp, I lightly rub in 2 drops of jojoba oil. Really, just two drops.

3. Dot on some eye cream (if you're vain, like me), or just smooth a tiny bit more jojoba around the eyes.

4. Apply sunscreen. Yes, every single day, whether it's sunny or gray or whether you're going outside or not.

5. A note about makeup: I don't use much, but I found that creamy makeup just made my face worse, so I invested in some Bare Minerals. I bought one tin of the makeup, which matches my skin amazingly well, over two years ago. I am still not even halfway through it. This stuff works really great for me. Just be sure to let your face dry after the sunscreen before you apply it. Here's another hint: instead of buying the Mineral Veil powder to go over it, I just use a *very* light dusting of pure cornstarch. This works great to control shine all day. Do this before you get dressed.

6. In the evening, I wash my face with the cleanser again (but I don't exfoliate).

7. I apply just ONE drop of jojoba oil, plus a bit more eye cream. Because I'm vain.

8. If I notice any little beginnings of breakouts, I use a bit of the On The Spot. They're usually gone by morning.

9. I put on Burt's Bees lip balm before bed, and it takes care of any dryness around my lips.

And that's it. Everything is available very inexpensively (especially if you keep your eyes open for sales on the Neutrogena stuff). Once I hit upon this method, I have completely stopped 'shopping around' for moisturizers, sunscreen, etc., which has saved me money. There wasn't any 'transition' period -- my skin just immediately started feeling better.

If you try this, let me know how it works for you!