Deep Pockets and Dragonflies

A couple months ago I was out thrift-shopping around, and I came across the most excellent little teapot.  It has dragonflies and swirly colors and is, well, whimsical.  I don’t shop at the regular department stores, why would I, there being no money to speak of?  I rarely buy anything new that I can get for 2/3 of the price at a second-hand store.  I found this sensational little pot at a thrift store for 2/3 of the price it most certainly was when it was on the shelf of whatever little specialty shop was selling it first.  During the same trip that I found the teapot, I also found The Sweater of Many Colors.  It is a marvelous sweater and very warm. It has deep pockets and can double as a jacket in the spring and summer in Western Washington which we all know can be harrowing to try to dress for.  So, I was wearing this fantastic piece of knitted wonderful and someone remarked on how great it was.  Of course the next question was, “Where did you get it?” 

Her: “Where did you get it?” 

Me: “Second-hand store.”

Her: Crinkle-nose, frowny-face, “Oh. Well it’s beautiful anyway.” 

Really? I say to you sister, it is beautiful because.  I’m certain it was fabulous when it was brand spanking new, but I can tell you it was most certainly out of my price range, and probably overpriced to boot.  I spent 6 dollars for it.  Did I mention that it’s very warm and has deep pockets and has many wonderful colors woven throughout?  I suppose it would be lovely to be able to shop around at all the big name department stores, but I just don’t have that kind of money, and  since I have never really had that kind of money, I don’t really have a basis for comparison, but  that’s okay by me.  I’ll wager that I enjoy my finds just as much if not more than if I had bought them in a fancy-shmancy store.  Why?  Because it takes effort to shop this way.  I have to work for my finds.  They are frequently hidden away behind the detritus just waiting for a discerning eye to spot them and carry them off.  Most of my wardrobe has been purchased this way, and I am unashamed.  The pieces are of good quality, but I paid half of what they would have cost me elsewhere.  Did someone wear them before me?  Yes.  Do I wash them up before I wear them?  Of course I do.  Do I wear second-hand underpinnings? Of course I don’t. So why the nose crinkle and the frowny face?  I am grinning.  You see, I didn’t have to choose between the sweater and the teapot.  I got to carry them both off with me for less than ten dollars.  Now, if that’s crinkle-nose and frowny-face worthy, I concede.  Meanwhile, I will wrap myself in the many colored sweater and have a lovely cup of tea.  

Thank you Renee for reminding me of this particular bit.