Savers!

I hate shopping. Well, okay, maybe not hate, but I have a lot of issues with shopping. First and foremost, I hate spending money so I'm ridiculously demanding when putting forth my hard-earned dollars. The item has to be perfect or inexpensive. Because I can rarely find that perfect item, enter Savers.

Savers is the king of all thrift stores. Because of the nature of Savers, YMMV. I used to live in Las Vegas and the Savers there wasn't all that, but the one in Springfield ROCKS!!! I think it's because of its proximity to Connecticut and the fact that CT doesn't have a Savers that you can find ridiculously good deals on high end stuff. Seriously I've gotten a Jones New York suit for $14 dollars and a cashmere twin set for about that same amount.

I go clothes shopping there twice a year - once after I've unpacked my seasonal clothing for both warm weather and cool weather. As I unpack the storage container, I separate the things that I didn't wear last year or that just don't fit me anymore and put them aside for donating. Then, when I have a full day to shop (I'm generally there for 3-5 hours), I grab my big-ass bag and head to Springfield.

Because of the rows and rows of clothing that are all one-of-a-kind, it literally takes me the better part of a day to do my shopping. I don't bring people with me, because it's just too much and I couldn't subject my loved ones to such trials. I break it up by doing tops, then dresses, then pants, then jeans. Depending on whether I'm in need of anything else, I can also hit the shorts section or maybe look at suits or outerwear.

I went this past Saturday after attending my little brother, Cody's, 11th birthday party. I got there around 3:00 and didn't leave until 6:30. I could've stayed longer and looked for stuff for Toast, but I was tired. I spent $52.62 and left with a nice sized bag.

I submit for your approval....my loot.

These pants are from Talbot's and a little crazy, but I really like them. They're a soft cotton, almost brushed. They cost $3.99. I haven't figured out where I'll wear them yet.



Cute little stretchy lime-green T from Dress Barn. $2.50.



These beads are heavy. I don't know what they're made of (marbled green stone - anybody know?), but I'm sure they're worth more than the $3.99 I paid for them. Yay!



I got this shirt to wear on June 13th. A woman with whom I work died last week from breast cancer. June 13th would've been her birthday and we're having a thing at work in cooperation with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The shirt only cost $1 and it's perfect. (I'll iron it before then.)



These navy blue pants are from the Anissa line by Liz Claiborne. Perfect for work and only $5.99!



I've always liked the Life Is Good line - so cute and positive. You can imagine how happy I was that they had one at Savers and with a yoga person no-the-less! Life is good! $2.99.



Lately I have been all about comfort. I generally don't wear heels, I don't like the feel of man-made fabrics against my skin and I don't like tight. For these reasons, I have taken to wearing mom jeans. They're comfy, but they look like shit. I've got an ass for the first time in my life (thanks to middle-age weight gain, but still) and I'm wearing droopy drawers. No more! These next two pairs of jeans look sweet! The first pair cost $7.99. I can't tell if they're by Elle or Jeanstar because both labels are inside. Who knows? Who cares? They look good!



This second pair is Todd Oldham! They don't look like they've ever been worn and they were only $5.99! Woohoo!





These pants were a find! They're a beautiful pair of wide-legged, cuffed wool/cotton blend trousers. They're by Michael Kors and they were only $3! (One thing about Savers is that they will charge more for designer labels if they know the designer. You'll pay more for Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, etc., but a lot of the employees don't know some of the more obscure labels, so you can make out, bitchez!)



I love cardigans. My workplace is cold in the winter and it's cold in the summer. Cardigans make me very happy. I went in looking for a white one, but could not find one. However I did find these beauties! The first one is a lovely silk/rayon number from Valerie Stevens that cost $5.99.



This hot ticket was also a deviation from the norm for me. Animal prints?!?! Oh my word. But it's so cute! And it will turn plain ol' black into something funky. Not bad for $3.99!



And now the pièce de résistance! This still had the tags on it. It's mohair/nylon/wool from Banana Republic and it only cost $5!!!!! I just think it's absolutely beautiful.





If you've got a Savers near you, I highly recommend you give it a try. Like I said, the one near you may not be all that, but you might just luck out and find some beautiful, well-made, very inexpensive clothes and you can't beat that with a stick.