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Thursday
May172007
Because I don't write about money enough
May 17, 2007
For YaYa's birthday, I knit her a little purple dready hat--my first hat ever. I was really happy with the way it turned out, but neglected to sew the brim up and the ends in, because my life is not stressful enough without a little bit of compulsive procrastination thrown in. The other day I finally picked the thing up and finished it. When I did, I felt a weight like a barrel of bricks lift off of my back and disappear into the blue. Not really, but that's a nice thought isn't it?  I spent about $5 on the yarn, borrowed the needles, and got the pattern free online. I loved making her a birthday present.Â
The other day I was in the little town to the north, and I ducked into the thrift shop for a second, because this thrift shop is the tiny golden egg of all thrift shops, and I pillage whenever I can. Bottom line is that people have some nice clothes around here, and then they drop them off in perfect condition, just waiting for you to go and pick them up for a few cents. I found YaYa a very cute summer shirt for $1.50 and a pair of pants for the same amount.Â
I guess I'm writing about this because people often tell me that they love the way I dress YaYa, and I think it's so great that I can usually point to what she's wearing and say that it cost only a few dollars. My boys have always been easy. You find a few striped shirts and some oversized shorts and voila! But girls seem to notice their clothes from birth, and even though YaYa is not particularly fashion conscious (like myself), she likes to "look pretty".  Thrift shopping is time-consuming, but it is a bit like the hunt, without the blood (hopefully). You return to your spot, again and again, you hold your breath, you stalk your prey, then you make your kill. It is also like a treasure hunt. It's fun, exhilarating, even. Although it is time-consuming, it's possible to consume less, materially, by re-using things, and in my budget, it's not even an option to buy new. Honestly, though, I don't ever waste time wishing I could, I try to commit myself to living frugally and simply.Â
(Okay, maybe it's a little much to say that I NEVER waste time wishing I could buy things new. But not much beyond the occasional yearn, or a brief sigh.)
So there you have it! The thrill of the hunt, recycling, low-cost, and the cutest little hippie girl... in the world:
Â
The other day I was in the little town to the north, and I ducked into the thrift shop for a second, because this thrift shop is the tiny golden egg of all thrift shops, and I pillage whenever I can. Bottom line is that people have some nice clothes around here, and then they drop them off in perfect condition, just waiting for you to go and pick them up for a few cents. I found YaYa a very cute summer shirt for $1.50 and a pair of pants for the same amount.Â
I guess I'm writing about this because people often tell me that they love the way I dress YaYa, and I think it's so great that I can usually point to what she's wearing and say that it cost only a few dollars. My boys have always been easy. You find a few striped shirts and some oversized shorts and voila! But girls seem to notice their clothes from birth, and even though YaYa is not particularly fashion conscious (like myself), she likes to "look pretty".  Thrift shopping is time-consuming, but it is a bit like the hunt, without the blood (hopefully). You return to your spot, again and again, you hold your breath, you stalk your prey, then you make your kill. It is also like a treasure hunt. It's fun, exhilarating, even. Although it is time-consuming, it's possible to consume less, materially, by re-using things, and in my budget, it's not even an option to buy new. Honestly, though, I don't ever waste time wishing I could, I try to commit myself to living frugally and simply.Â
(Okay, maybe it's a little much to say that I NEVER waste time wishing I could buy things new. But not much beyond the occasional yearn, or a brief sigh.)
So there you have it! The thrill of the hunt, recycling, low-cost, and the cutest little hippie girl... in the world:
Â
Reader Comments (13)
Beautiful hat, Rae, I'm impressed.
And is that the outfit you recently found at the thrift shop - unbelievable! I need something like that in my size.
That is almost more cuteness than one can bear. Really, you do have the most beautiful children.
Thrift shops are the way to go, especially for kids since they grow so fast. I just wish they had more big-mama sizes in clothes that are not hideous-for me of course, not the kids. :-)
Great job on her hat! She looks so happy in it too-maybe even the happiest little one *in the world*!?
too, too adorable!!
Mary
My eldest daughter and I love thrift store shopping, too. It's funny how territorial I am about "my" stores, though.
Your daughter is so beautiful. Good job on the hat and the bargains.
That hat is so adorable! We love thrifting too...whenever someone asks my 3 year old DD about her clothes, she always replies with "I got it at the thrift store!". She's passin' the love around :)There just isn't a reason to buy new kids clothes...there are so many adorable used ones out there!
CUTE!
When I scrolled down to the picture, I actually said 'Oh my goodness how cute!', disturbing my husband in the process who had to have a look aswell to discover what all the commotion was about.
Just gorgeous.
She is adorable. Beautiful hat, beautiful crochet summer top, beautiful girl. Well done Rae on all counts!
Just too cute. She is adorable.
I love her clothing as well. Love the hat!
Good grief, she's so beautiful! Also, a LOT bigger than the last you time you posted a pic, at least it feels that way.
Fabulous hat.
Oh, she's definitely a 3 year old. Boy has she grown!! The hat is gorgeous, but so is the girl - i already told you that!!!
Good job on the knitting and it gives one a sense of achievement - i still have not picked up wool or needles being in the midst of moving etc. I'm not as disciplined as you!
Wow. She is wonderful.
Really she looks so big in this pic. Great hat!