Friday, March 28, 2008

30 Minute Thrifts Are Impossible.

I managed to take a break from my sewing rampage on Wednesday. Actually, it wasn't by choice. I had a teeth cleaning at 11. I went dim sum-ing with my dad afterwards so I figured I might as well take the whole day off from sewing. I asked him to take me to the thrift store because I haven't been there in soooooo long. I almost forgot the feeling of thrifting.

I told my dad, "The most I will spend in here is 30 to 45 minutes. Don't worry. Go park under the tree and take a nap."

He did. But it wasn't because I told him to. It was because he always takes naps in the afternoon no matter where we are.

I went in and was greeting by the giant "3 for 1" sign dangling from the grey ceiling. To my right were the shoes. Colorful, old, tacky and wonderful, and to the rest of the perimeter around me was a field of treasures waiting to be found. I asked a lady what the 3 for 1 sign met. She told me anything with a white tag is buy one get two free. Sweet.

I went up and down each aisle like a huntress ready to prowl on a prey at any moment. Sweatdrops were skiing down the slopes of my forehead and my arms were getting sore from my plastic basket of smelly old clothing. I had only planned on going down the dress and skirt section but I decided to do the rest of them as well. Plus my dad hadn't called yet so I figured I was still in good time. I wanted to pick up everything that caught my eye but I had to restrain my inner urges. I had to remember it's still money and things add up.

The hardest part of my thrift and why it took so long was because of the sale. I had to find three items, with white tags. I tried to match things according to price but when it came down to it I had four items. Should I go out into the wild again and find two more pieces or take one out?

It took me 30 minutes to decide what to do.

I went with the latter choice and quickly paid. I looked at my clock it was almost 5. I went in at 2:30. Something was made clear that day: 30 minute thrifts are impossible.

I ended up with three bags of stuff. Or more like 2.5 bags of stuff because the lady placed the shoes in a separate bag.

The GREATEST pants I have ever met: $2. I love them. LOVE them. This was the first thing I saw and I immediately knew it would be a good thrift day. I don't know if I should keep the integrity of the pants or shorten them to a shorts/skirt looking thing which would make it easier to wear. Hmmm...Suggestions?






Vintage Summer Dress: $3. It's such such a cute dress. I love it. Too bad it has some obvious stains on the color. I thought it wouldn't fit when I bought it but it does and I am very joyful about it.


LBD, LBCD (little black cocktail dress): Doesn't fit, hence my somber face. Shoot man. I think I might try my hand at ebay this summer.



Silk Shoulder-Padded-Goodness Blazer: Part of the 3 for 1. My price paid was $5 for the leather skirt so it was 3 for $5. Lets see if we divide that...we get...$1.67. I bought it because it reminds me of the Moschino Blazer in the exact same color that I fell in love with but could not afford. This will have to do.


Hat with little feather: $3 The hat is kinda small for my head. But I think I'll wear it like that. Like those little clown hats or those little hats that tightrope walkers wear at the circus? Oh! Circus hats! I want one..
Minnetonka booties: $4



Leather Skirt: $5




Dress: The last piece of the 3 for 1. It's actually quite big and ugly but I will make it cute. I just really liked the details on the front.




But other than my brief thrifting/teeth cleaning/dim sum excusion, I still have been sewing non stop. Last night I went to sleep at nearly 4 in the morning and woke up today around 8:40. I don't know how I even managed to wake up. It seems like I'm not even tired. Weird. Maybe I've been zombie-fied.


More pictures of my collection making in the progress. Oh I'm so excited!





26 comments:

1234 said...

you found minnetonka (sp?) boots for $4???!?! awsome find!! and love the leather skirt. i cant wait to see all of your finished pieces, its looking great so far. keep up the great sewing!

Anonymous said...

Sometimes the only times I get to go thrifting are on lunch hours... it is nearly impossible if bag sales are on.. You just have to pick up whatever you think is half decent.

The minnetonkas are gorgeous as it the jacket... Sad about the black dress though, it looks amazing.

carcar said...

nose noes! it looks awesome :)

and i like your first dress and the boots! we need to go thrifting again :(!!

jellofer said...

Wow talk about great finds! I love the black cocktail dress you found, it's a shame it didn't fit you~

Anonymous said...

woah great eye painting...

Lauren said...

AWESOME FINDS! the pants are very MIA! love them! i didnt kno u were making a collection - so exciting, cant wait to see the end results :D

Sally Jane Vintage said...

Great finds! Especially the Minnetonka boots. They look brand new.

N/OutofFashion said...

Gorgeous, Gorgeous, Gorgeous!

xx

Caroline said...

that is impressive! whatever you are drawing/painting looks amazing

EvaAmarri said...

hey would u like to link?

emsydo said...

my dad is EXACTLY like that. he has a daily sleep in the afternoon and yes, he sleeps in the car while he waits, just like your dad...

i love your pikachu tee shirt. i have one from my childhood that i wont let go of.

i love the colourful pants too!

Wendy said...

I always end up staying at thrift stores for way too long. Your collection excites me!

Michelle said...

I love the first two dresses and the boots. I'm jealous of your thrifting skills.

Linda said...

Very nice. ;D

Isabel said...

Holy kablooie those pants are neat. They even look good with the Pikacu shirt - I never thought I'd give credence to a Pikachu shirt!

So sad the LBCD doesn't fit because its lovely. Sequins! Oh yeah, and the Minnetonka booties and the leather skirt are also very ace. You should turn those crazy pants into shorts. That's be cool. Thrifting in LA is clearly DA BOMB.

Selina (Flying Saucer) said...

those pants- wowza!! can't wait to see you work them, though i like the yellow you've paired them with

A Black Tie Event said...

Those pants are incredible. I love them, and the orange blazer is pretty sweet too. I don't have any good thrift stores anywhere near where I live, which sucks because I love finding really weird, cheap stuff.

Rebecca, A Clothes Horse said...

I'd love to see the pants as a skirt. What an amazing deal (3 for 1). I need to find days like that!

Molly :] said...

Sometimes thrifting is the only great way to find nice things...

Lucky you persuading your dad to come with you! Mine insists on keeping a 2m distance from any 'charity shops' he sees.

Those trousers are a great find- they would look cute as a circle skirt i think...

:) x

Unknown said...

great thrifting trip! That kind of luck is so exhilarating...I'm glad you're so happy!

Anna Pope said...

Oh, that white summer dress is adorable, it looks so cute on you. Also the last black one too.

So many great finds, congrats on an amazing thrift day :)

Alya said...

they're all great finds seriously. i would wear all of them. even the first pic of the pants (except with a plain fitted shirt - but thats just me)

I love the black cocktail dress too! u should do something to fix it and make it fit.

Anonymous said...

wow! there are so many great things you got. especialy the vintage summer dress and the minnetonkas! great!!

AlicePleasance said...

That hat is really nice!

Louise said...

those are some awesome finds, especially the booties! i applaud your thrifting under pressure :) want to do a link exchange?

Annie said...

greatt finds! omg i love the two dresses tho. =)