Yesterday I had an off day. My mood was blah, my thrifting was pathetic (only one pair of capris) and dh seemed very far away even if it was only 6 hours. I decided that I would take a break from thrifting today, despite my pledge to thrift all week. I dropped the children off at farm camp, arrived back home and enjoyed a cup of coffee while I read some blogs. I called my friend at home and we gabbed for an hour, catching up on all the gossip of home. I felt like I should do something though so I found Jo-Ann's on the GPS and headed down in search of some watercolor paint.
I took a lot of your art advice to heart. I enjoyed reaching each suggestion and in the end I steered away from using an element I wasn't familiar with. Every time I sat down in front of my blank paper with the oil pastels I froze up. In the end I grabbed a pencil, drew out an image that I was familiar with (aprons) and started painting it with the children's cheap watercolor paints. Even though I asked the children to look with their eyes only, the following day I found little Keiran fingerprints on the edges. Sigh....then yesterday while I was trying to finish it, I made another mistake and I realized I didn't want to paint with strange, glossy watercolor paints that were only $2.00. But the good thing is that I started a picture and I'm going to do it over again (sans fingerprints) with better paints. I did find out after being at Jo-Anns for five minutes, that they do not sell watercolor paint.
I decided to try the nearest mall just in case there was an art store. With that decision I had to laugh because I certainly didn't want to go thrifting but something was pushing me in that direction anyway. I left Jo-Anns and not three minutes later did I see a Thrift Store that I missed yesterday. I was turning in the driveway before I even remembered that today was going to be thrift free. And I must admit from the point of view of my feet, it was a very good stop.
First up we have pair #1
Brand: Born Price $8.00
Pair #2
Brand: Dansko Price $8.00 (socks were $1.00 and in new condition)
Pair #3
These were a little more expensive than I would normally pay but these babies are gorgeous. They say they are Coach but I don't know if they are real or not. Any experts know what to look for? The leather is gorgeous and they fit perfectly. They were $14.00. I have such a hard time finding good boots that are comfortable and look nice. I can often spend 6 months in search of a pair. When I found the Born shoes above I felt lucky. But then the Dansko? I couldn't' believe my double luck. When I hit the third pair with these boots I about fell over. This thrift store didn't look any different then the five I hit yesterday.
I also found this dress modeled on the soon to be named dress form (thank you for the suggestions...keep them coming).
This is a Free People Dress I picked up for $14.00. (far more than normal but it's so rare to find this brand at a thrift store for me) When I do make it into the retail world and into Nordstrom's (to shock myself at what some of the retail world pays for clothing) I always linger near the Free People clothing. The styles and colors match what I long to dress like perfectly. I think this dress would look nicer on me if I was a tad taller and skinnier but I think it will be fun to wear in the garden this August when we return home.
A beloved Vera Scarf. I've never seen one like this that is a complete circle. Does anyone know what I can do with it? I did a google search on how to wear a vintage scarf but I didn't find one of this style. I'd love to wear this one but after spending a few minutes attempting to work it out I gave up.
Last item worth sharing is this sweet tank top covered in pink mushrooms. What's not to love about that?
I could only hope every unplanned thrift shopping trip was so successful. I walked out of that store having spent $54.00 in all. Sometimes I feel that when I want something so much, it doesn't materialize. It's when I surrender to the need and let it go, then what I really want just shows up for me. It's part of the magic of thrifting.
wow, those sandals are brilliant, exactly my style, so are the black boots! and i love the mushroom west and am very jealous of your dress form! now tell me, what's your nail polish colour called and where can i get it!! it's so cool!
Posted by: Péitseoga | July 17, 2008 at 12:52 AM
What? Shoes, but no watercolors? Not even a dried out tube for a quarter? What kind of thrift store could that be? I am just shocked, shocked I say!
*LOL*
....well, okay.... Truth to tell, if I found watercolors at a thrift store I would probably assume there was something wrong and pass on them--the same with colored pencils; I would assume the pencils had been dropped and were broken inside, cuz really, why else would anyone let go of them?
Well, guess you know what I value in life now! *sheepish grin*
My experience with kids' watercolors was that the paper made more difference than anything. It sure seems silly that preschoolers are given watercolor paint with newsprint or other flimsy paper to paint on--even mediocre watercolor paper makes an astounding difference in the quality and in the fun factor.
Hope that you find what you're looking for and that it stays fingerprint free this time!
Cath
Posted by: Cath | July 17, 2008 at 01:12 AM
Okay, um *looks around nervously* I am NOT Pietseoga and I doubt I even did a very good imitation of her; my apologies to her, whomever she might be.... typepad had my info pre-printed in the boxes and I trusted the system to get it right... really that was me, Cath.... *blink, blink*
Posted by: Cath | July 17, 2008 at 01:15 AM
...I think that's the magic in most things, not just thrifting. :)
Love all of your finds, especially the boots, what a great deal and the sun dress is sweet as well.
If you make it back to Michael's, take one of their 40% off coupons and buy one of the water colors that are in a pan over in the fine art section. They have them starting at 12 colors and go up. I have a box of 24 and the pigment level is a lot more intense that the cheaper ones. (I bought a box that was 4.99 with 24 colors and you can REALLY tell the difference). Have fun drawing and painting. :) Like most things, it comes easier the more you just do it.
Posted by: lucy | July 17, 2008 at 05:59 AM
Ok, my post got messed up....let's see if I can remember what I said. I love the shoes w/ socks...that is soooooo ME. You must find a great skirt to show them off. Aren't the Born's the most comfortable shoes? Do they have a heel on them?
Posted by: Traci | July 17, 2008 at 06:06 AM
Awesome stuff! I've been thinking - I should start a "separate" thrifting blog - for my buys! I got 3 awesome pr of shoes last weekend - $1 each.
That "supermodel" is just looking great. Hee Hee.
Sandy
Posted by: Sandy | July 17, 2008 at 08:40 AM
Wow, I'm so envious of your good thrifting opportunities. So Cal can't even begin to compare. You find such nice stuff!
Posted by: chrischris | July 17, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Cute shoes and that dress is an amazing find, I love Free People's stuff! Have you ever been out to the Lytton Springs Salvation Army just north of Healdsburg? If not, it may be worth taking a little drive. It's a pretty amazing place.
Posted by: Missa | July 17, 2008 at 04:27 PM
Wow - I want to go to that Thrift Shop! Shoes at the ones in my neighborhood tend to be of the "Payless" variety.
Posted by: Guusje | July 17, 2008 at 05:37 PM
Amazing finds...how fun!
Posted by: stephanie | July 18, 2008 at 05:59 AM
Love the Dansko shoes (don't know that brand here in the UK but they look fabulous), and that lovely mushroom-print top. I've got a bit of a 'thing' about mushroom fabric at the moment.
Posted by: Elizabeth | July 21, 2008 at 04:22 AM
Visiting this post via your recent linkback... what a great great spontaneous haul! Earlier this year when I really started thrifting a lot (I'd always done it once in a blue moon in the past) in order to furnish/decorate my house, I wasn't really interested in looking at clothes but lately, seeking to update and prepare the 'fall' wardrobe, I have been taking home loads like this! It's so fun to find clothes you'll love and know that you got tons for the cost of one-two pieces that some other people get at retail!
About the Coach boots, which I am in love with, who cares of they're real or not if they look THAT GOOD and also are great leather! Which I think, anyway, speaks to the fact that they're likely real. I mean, a knock off I'd imagine would be less pleasant leather...
Circle scarf... maybe you could fold it in half and then tie the points for a head scarf?
Posted by: woodley park-zoo | September 16, 2008 at 12:26 PM
i used to be a used clothing buyer, and based on the picture those coach boots definitely look real. what a steal! im jealous, as i just bought a pair for $300 today!
Posted by: fashion obsessed | September 30, 2008 at 08:37 PM