I say this phrase frequently, with one of the following endings:
A)a yard sale
B)a thrift store
C)the clearance racks
Because finding pretty things on the cheap is what I do. It's what I've always done. My mother schooled me in the value of the secondhand in my early years, as her mother had instilled Depression-era conservation in her. But my mother discovered the fun in "a good find", and taught me to take thrifting beyond the realm of necessity (though with our limited finances, it still was). For us, thrifting is a hobby, a skill, and a point of pride.
The thrill of a good find is exquisite. Sometimes it feels like the item is finding you, peeking out from a pile of dingy plastic toys or stained ill-fitting tank tops, whispering "Take me with you". Abandoned by their former owner, longingly waiting for you to recognize how wonderful they are. This is my mother's favorite realm of thrifting. Rescuing a worn, one-eyed teddy bear or a slightly chipped antique crystal bowl gives her a high that would put illicit drugs to shame. I love these unexpected discoveries, but my thrifting specialty is THE HUNT.
THE HUNT begins with a point of inspiration - an item that ignites material puppy-love yet offends your cheapskate sensibilities with its astronomical price tag - and ends with a better-than-the-original find. First, I scour my favorite magazines and websites, creating a mess of dog-eared and bookmarked pages. Then I head off to Salvation Army with my monthly allotment of $50 and go to town, spending hours going through racks and shelves. This process takes determination, a large chunk of time, a discerning eye, an open mind, and a bag containing wet naps and a full water bottle. But every time I leave with a garbage bag full of awesomeness and a feeling of satisfaction you'd be hard-pressed to find in any mall. And every time I call my mom, proudly proclaiming, "Guess what I found!??!?!?".
Monday, September 21, 2009
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