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Thursday’s storm blew away (ooh, bad pun) all my plans for showing you my recent thrift finds. I lost the light to photograph some of them and then, as you can see from the post below, other things sort of took center stage. Now, days later, I’m finding words difficult tonight for no particular reason and I think I’ll take this moment to post a few pictures of my newest treasures. I’m kinda hoping you won’t notice the lack of words.

I’ve had a huge love affair with thrift stores and vintage shops since I was about 13. Growing up poor, labeled clothing wasn’t even an option. I spent my hours sifting through the stacks trying to find interesting and unusual pieces to wear. I was a teenager—so, clothing was foremost on my mind, after boys. I scored colorful little jackets from the 40’s and old military coats. Tweed vests and pure wool sweaters. The men’s aisle was a veritable treasure trove of possibilities. Some of my finds I’d take home and refashion… others, were too perfect on their own and ended up paired with skinny jeans and spiky heels. I might not have been the picture of high fashion, but you couldn’t accuse me of following the trend. Something about embracing my difference made it OK to be different. And my clothes were better made than anything my peers were wearing. Vintage clothing taught me the importance of fine tailoring and the magic of quality materials. These are lessons I’ve never forgotten.

Part of the fun is all the sifting. There is a real thrill to spying something long since deemed pointless and bringing it back into use. A huge joy in finding a “deal” you’ll talk about every time you use it. “What this old thing? You wouldn’t believe what I paid for it!” Something so satisfying in seeing the potential of an item and with a little ingenuity making it completely your own. And then, there is the simple pleasure of beauty found.

Today, my interests run in a different direction. Ok, actually, my expanded waistline has altered my goals (ooh, bad pun, again!). Let’s face it, I’m not likely to fit into those 1940’s sizes in this lifetime ever again. Besides, there isn’t a decent vintage store within an hour’s drive so I content myself with finding other sorts of goodies. Yet, ever the optimist, I’m still holding out hope that the right piece of clothing will serendipitously find its way to me. Until then… I have these:

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