it's a good thing I like it here, because I can never leave.

Shoe

I dislike shopping and do it as little as possible, clothes shopping especially. Some of this stems from being cheap, but a lot of it has to do with me knowing exactly what I want and being dismayed that I can't seem to find what I want anywhere, at any price. Vermont generally can be bad for consumer options and my little region is often worse. I'll go visit my sister and hit stores that run more to my tastes when I'm in the big city. Otherwise I just wear what I've got until I realize that, for example, my pajamas are so shabby and holey I couldn't wear them in mixed company, or I've been swimming so long I no longer own a pair of sneakers. Also, moths ate every wool sweater I had, which wasn't many.

My next big city visit is a ways off so I went to my favorite little consignment shop -- the place I buy swimsuits which wear out with shocking regularity -- to pick up a few things. It was strange. The place was empty and dreamlike, every rack or shelf seemed to have something that was on my list and fit me perfectly. I tend towards lists in my writing. Here is the list.

1. Nearly new Airwalk sneakers
2. Gently used Redwing steeltoe boots, same size as my existing 13 year old pair. Made in USA!
3. Woolrich wool jacket, red, shiny buttons
   
4. Flannel pajamas in one of my favorite plaids.
5. Three wool sweaters

- J. Crew baggy tan v-neck
- Maroon pullover something
- Purple cardigan made partly of "rabbit hair" according to the tag

So, I think I'm set for whatever is left of "winter" this year. Oh, and the reason I can never go anyplace else, why I'm rooted to the spot here in the land of trees and rivers? I mentioned before that I was cheap, or perhaps thrifty. When I paid for the needs-two-arms-to-hold-it bag of stuff, I gave the woman at the counter $30.

And she gave me back change.

Comments

[Vix Smackey]

Nothing better than thrift shopping and finding perfection at every turn. There's a place by my house where I do all my thrifting (which accounts for about 85% of my clothes shopping, in general) and I love to call my cousin who is a fellow thrift-store lover afterwards, read her the entire list of what I got and wait for her to excitedly ask for the total of the bill. The boots sound like an amazing find!

[vj]

I love thrifting for wool sweaters. I don't have the dislike of clothes shopping that you have, but I do find it really hard to a) decide what I like, and then find it. In the last two winters, since I've been bicycling and scootering in all weather, I can't have enough wool. I just try to buy it faster than the moths can eat it. My neighborhood goodwill has been really good for cashmere sweaters, and I love getting one for $10.

I envy your list of clothes! Good on you! Happy New Year.

[thegrumblebunny]

Yay! for new stuff!

I love thrifting for wool sweaters.
My favorite boiled wool jacket (cropped, soft pink, little silver buttons) was $5.00 at the Sal. 

[Adriana]

as much as i dislike clothes shopping, i must say that this consignment shop sounds amazing.  can i come visit and go shopping with you?

[the harvey girls]

There's always something rather dreamy and beautiful about a perfect day of thrift scoring.  I haven't had a day as good as yours in a long time, but my favorite ever was searching through the deep discount racks at a department store for something to wear on my own (fairly casual) wedding day.  I found a formal gown that fit me perfectly and it was marked down something like 90%.  Yes, I gave the woman at the counter a $20 for my wedding dress.  And she gave me back change.

[The Ez]

Score! Nicely done.

[Step]

Hey--what size shoe/boot do you wear? (and hello!)

[jessamyn]

hi! I wear a 5 1/2 mens and usually an 8-81/2 womens, but I have little flintstone feet so wide is usually better.