Three Dresses: A Thrift Story

While visiting The Family Jewels Vintage Clothing, I was drooling over this 1920s era blue print dress, with its adorable red trim and red buttons on the back. I even admit to going back and considered purchasing on it. The price: $109, less 10 percent off.


I didn't. Party because those cute red buttons would be impossible for me to button by myself. I could just see myself knocking on my neighbor's door asking for help in the morning.

Buttons aside, I passed for another reason. I've bought many $100 dresses in the past. I used to think I was "treating myself," worked hard and deserved nice things. But eventually, I've tired or don't fit into every $100 dress I've purchased. I've donated some to thrift shops, brought others to the clothing swaps. With almost all of them, I experienced regret over the money I spent (especially when adding it all up).

Well, I knew the thrift world would deliver more budget friendly options.

White cotton dress, $8, from Our Thrift Shop in Westwood, New Jersey, which benefits a local arts school. It has the label cut out, so I'm not sure of the brand.

Forever dress, $8, from Revived Attire, a consignment shop in Hillsdale, New Jersey.

Once you catch the thrift bug, it's almost impossible to go back to conventional retail or justify paying high prices in vintage shops or for eco-fashion. The Sierra Club's The Green Life blog had a post about $180 organic jeans. I pay $5 at my local thrift shop for jeans, and think those jeans are just as good, if not a better, choice as a shopper mindful of the environment.

I no longer get seduced by ads showing models in rustic farmhouses or lush fields. I don't buy $500 vegan coats or $200 vegan shoes because Natalie Portman or Emily Deschanel does. I don't listen to female bloggers telling me I should covet these things. I scoff at the term "must have." I don't ask relatives or my sweetheart to spend their hard earned money buying me these things for birthdays or holidays. I don't feel I'm depriving the economy, as I'm still supporting businesses like consignment and thrift shops as well as local charities. Above all, I feel no personal deprivation. I only feel empowered as my bank account and sense of financial security grows.

Find a consignment or thrift shop the ResaleShopping.com, or a charitable thrift store through TheThriftShopper.com.

Spared from the Landfill, a Second Life

An update to Disposable Nation, a Photo Essay.

Most of the books are now at the book swap organized by a co-worker. I kept a few. Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" is now in my reading queue. So is "Little Children" and "The Memory Keeper's Daughter."

In addition to a few of my own shirts, I donated the new martini glass/tray set to the C.A.T.S. Resale Shop. It was lovely, but I already have martini glasses that I use for desserts.

Among the items we found destined for the landfill were a large and small laundry basket. I filled them with the now fresh, clean baby and boys clothes I found along with some toys and brought them to Our Thrift Shop in Westwood. I held on to just a few of the warm fleece items and a Halloween baby nightgown and will donate those in the fall. Remember when donating to small shops to donate what you would be shopping for. Fall/Winter items aren't in demand.



They also accepted the baby car seat. One of the volunteers had a navy stroller-like concoction with no seat, so she hopes this will fit it perfectly.



Our Thrift Shop benefits a local art school in Demarest. But shops like this benefit so much more. The community, which can buy things for a fraction of the cost of traditional retail. And the Earth. All of the items are spared from the landfill and no new production is needed.

Spotted outside the shop. I'm glad the parent of this bike's driver decided to donate it after use. Check out the streamers! The park this weekend was filled with enthusiastic young drivers.

No need to go to a craft shop, Marshall's or other retailer for seasonal fare. Thrift shops are brimming with Easter and spring decorations. Great bargains are to be found, and charities to benefit.

What a precious bunny. Can you imagine if everyone's stuffed animals were thrown out? Just put in a pillow case, wash in hot water, dry and it's ready for endless snuggling for a new guardian to enjoy.

And the move toward a reusable nation continues.

Winter on the Calendar, Springtime in My Heart

People, and dogs, went without their winter coats at the park. The first picnic lunches were had. The playgrounds were packed. Sleds were left at home. Robins were spotted. Spring is indeed coming.

Snowdrops peeking out of the ground at my parents house.



No Alice in Wonderland movie for me...yet. But I did have a tea party for two: me and my mother, at Harmony Tea Room in Westwood, NJ.



I had the Singulari tea special: soup or salad with a pot of tea, $8.95.

My black tea: Icewine, with notes of pear, and a touch of berry and caramel.

African chickpea soup. This was so good. The ingredients, simple and wholesome: chickpeas, diced tomatoes, peanut butter, fresh spinach and a hint of cayenne pepper. Make it at home.


Tea time, and warmer seasons, were on my mind when thrifting at the C.A.T.S. Resale Shop. Hydrangea cake plate, $6, cheerful blue coffee mugs, 50 cents each, and blueberry print tea pot, $3. One of the mugs has a crack on it, so I'll repurpose it as a planter.

My usual weekday breakfast fare is something like Trader Joe's organic corn flakes with almond 'milk', so on the weekends, something special: vegetarian zucchini bread from Old Hook Farm with fresh fruit for Sunday breakfast. Veganize zucchini bread at home. I thrifted the daisy plates (six for $3), from Westwood's Our Thrift Shop, which benefits a local art school.

I couldn't resist a bunch of daffodils, $1.49, from Trader Joe's. Perfect in a lovely Irish vase.

Happy (Soon-to-Be) Spring!