Thrift Store Phenomenon

When purchasing shoes at the thrift store, make sure you have two shoes of the same size. And it would be helpful to have a left shoe and not just two righties.

DUH! Good thing my mistake only cost 90 cents.

In my defense I must note that boys' sandals have a deceptive way about them. Don't they look matching from the photos below?

Can you tell I'm trying to justify the wasting of 90 cents?

Seriously though, in all my years of resale shopping this is the first time I've seen this. A pair of shoes exactly the same brand, style and color only a 1/2 size apart. I'm wondering what other customer went home with our matching right sandals!

In general I whole-heartedly LOVE thrift store shopping. It's like a treasure hunt with precious (and cheap) jewels just waiting to be discovered.

Anything like this ever happened to you? Happy thrifting!

Reluctantly buying retail

For good or bad, I take a certain pride in knowing that I buy almost all our family's clothes second-hand. I truly enjoy thrift-store shopping, repurposing, and using clothes until they are worn or no longer fit me. Thrifting is like a treasure hunt for me!

Also, our budget requires us to be incredibly frugal with our clothing purchases. Add to it that I have the world's fastest growing daughter and buying second-hand is imperative.

As Chloe is growing older and taller, I've found it increasingly more difficult to find used clothing, shoes and outerwear in her size. Shoes are the worst! Chloe has inherited my clod-hopper feet and is already in a size 13 or 1. It was so disappointing this fall to open up her bin and see 11's and 12's I had bought ahead of time that were hopelessly too small.

Hence, my quest for a winter coat for Chloe began. I searched all the thrift and kids' consignment shops in the area to no avail. In fact, I was utterly appalled at how much consignment shops charge for USED coats! Hello, $30 or $40 for a used coat?!? I realize supply and demand is at play here but that's utterly ridiculous.

I turned to ebay next and was equally disappointed in the price and selection.

Reluctantly, I tried Target. Turns out for 20 bucks I scored a super warm lined puffy coat for Chloe in her fave color blue. I had a $5 gift card and since the 6/6x was a tad snug I went with a bigger size so the coat will (hopefully) last two seasons.

It felt strange to buy Chloe something brand spanking new but I must say I'm pleased with the bang I got for my buck. Yet another wonderfully satisfying Target experience. :)

Where do you find affordable outerwear for your kiddos?

Disappointed in post-Christmas sales

Is it just me or do the after Christmas sales stink this year?

Maybe I didn't get out early enough or maybe it's just the outworkings of our ailing economy. I've been to at least 3 stores thus far on the hunt for post-holiday markdowns (I always snag next year's cards on the January clearance shelves) and have come away with very little. No cards and only a few little ornaments and stocking stuffers to use as small gifts for next year.

I'm hoping to hit Kohl's soon to see if I can at least find a "Baby's 1st Christmas" ornament for Clive. I know it's after the fact but it's for posterity anyways. I'm fairly certain he wasn't upset about not receiving a memento ornament on Christmas morning. :)

Have you noticed these sad sales too? Where do you shop for after-Christmas bargains?