Spring Thrift - Week 1

I can't remember the last time I went thrifting, which is quite a change from my once habit of going every week.  With a busy work schedule and seemingly something always coming up, it's been hard to find the time.  On Wednesday the sun was shining and warm, I had the day off, and my sister-in-law is in town visiting... there couldn't have been a better opportunity.  I lucked out on my first major score of the season, picking up some new Spring bedding, two pairs of Italian leather shoes, an Easter basket and decorative bowl, some vintage pyrex,  and this delight of a set you see above.  I was intitally on the fence about it, but then my enthusiastic three year old insisted it was "really cool" and the colors were "pretty".  It's official - I can't go anywhere without him.

Stitching Score

During the process of making my first quilt for my son's birthday, I discovered the part I loved the most was hand-sewing the binding.  I spent the better part of an evening doing this while watching the movie Stepmom, and found myself so enjoyably consumed that I was actually slightly disappointed when I sewed the last stitch and the binding was done.  Suddenly I began craving any opportunity to pick up a thread and needle; mending my husband's jeans held me over for a little while.  So imagine my excitement when I came across this kit during my latest thrifting.  It's full of cute iron-on patterns and also comes with a simple instruction book.  Unfortunately the floss and hoop were missing which I imagine were easily swiped out of the unsealed box.  But no matter; I can't wait to get started on these projects just as soon as I pick some up from the craft store.

Sweater Fever

In my 20's I had a lot of fun with fashion. I mixed high and low, new and vintage, and topped it all off with thrifted treasures. When my son was born three years ago I discovered that although I was looking cute, it wasn't so comfortable taking care of an infant in some of my get-ups. I was more than happy to sacrifice comfort for style; that is until I had a thirteen pound baby hanging from my hip, and his doubly heavy, all-this-is-necessary diaper bag. Suddenly I was faced with a circumstance I hadn't even considered before giving birth ('I am not going to be a mother who gives up her style') and found myself in mourning for some time. Four inch wedges were traded in for flats; my favorite Via Spiga sandals were packed away after I nearly tipped over in them at a wedding (while holding my eight month old son); and saddest of all, vintage dresses were taken to consignment. Now after some time has passed and I'm no longer carrying my child everywhere the opportunity has risen for me to re-introduce some of my favorite pieces into my closet; only now my tastes have changed. I've actually become quite accustomed to these new modern, somewhat utilitarian styles. Where I used to shun brands like J. Crew and Gap for the more obscure boutique brands and less obscure vintage brands, I am now seeking them out more regularly. As a mother there is something to be said for an item you can make a snap decision with, knowing making a mistake is fairly limited. I can't spend hours and hours shopping like I used to and I never try anything on,  especially with my son in tow as he most often is. But with all these changes one thing has remained the same, my love for thrifting. I get almost as excited now finding these name-brand items as I did when I would find incredible vintage pieces, which is what happened this week when I came across two very cute, much needed sweaters at my neighborhood Goodwill (that to my delight is just a handful of blocks away, making it perfect for weekly walks in the crisp fall weather). I especially love the tan one with the brown yarn detail, and they both leave a little room for belly growth this winter.

thrifted Gap sweater

thrifted Liz Claiborne sweater