Doesn't that sound like the name of a deeply introspective Italian novel?
But seriously, my thriftee buds...
Has anyone else here been "binning"? There's a GW bin store about 30 miles from my home, and when we need to be in that neck o' the woods, me and the mate pop in.
For those who have yet to bin, the GW bins is a store where stuff from the the regulars stores is dumped if nobody buys it. The clothes sell for $1 a pound, and handbags are .50 to a buck, and the household items are sold by weight.
You just get in there and DIG! And remember your manners
I've met a lot of interesting people in there.
Every time we've been, the place has been a mob scene. It's dusty and crowded and makes me sneeze. It's cold. But still, like a sailor being called to by sirens on a rocky reef, I must return. Why? Because it's the thrill of the hunt! As Big Daddy himself signs off: "You never know what you are going to find next". And so it goes. I don't. But here's one item I found that rocked me:
I found a next-to-new Francisco Biasia purse. Inside was the sales receipt from Saks Fifth Avenue, which stated "Francisco Biasia", the item number, and the price: $450. My price was $1. The bag was lovely. It was purchased in 2004 (according to the receipt.)
I guess whoever bought it originally used it a few times and put it away. How it wound up in the bins I'll never know. It wasn't my style, so I cleaned it up a bit and sent it to my aunt, a genteel Southern lady who lives simply and elegantly on a small fixed income. She loves
it. She also knows where I got it and thinks it's a hoot!
Some of my other great bin finds over my absence from your bright presence:
1.Dolce y Gabbana jeans that fit me perfectly, $1
2. Fabulous handmade Leather handbag, drawstring, made in Morocco, .50. I get compliments on it whenver I carry it. It is definitely distinctive. It has that 60s bohemian flair.
3. A Johnson Bros. England china plate for Marshall Fields (now defunct) of "Chicago" for .34 Minty condition. Me mate found this one.
5. A wonderfully soft "Jacob's Pillow" tee-shirt,LS, .25 It has two very teeny holes in it, which I plan to embroider-over with little yellow suns. For now, I still wear it. It's got a great vibe, and I have no problem claiming credit for the holes
6. Two simply wonderful over-sized flannet shirts (one of which I am wearing right now), .50 apiece. One is by "Guess" Again, that 60s bohemian flair thing.
7. A "Loop New York" Andy Warhol "Knieves" totebag for .35. It was at the bottom of one bin and looked like it had been through a war. I took it home, laundered it, and it looks very gently used now...almost newly purchased and used a little. Apparently these are sold at the MOMA? I love AW, and this piece is a cheerful shade of blue. But I never would have paid full price for it or gotten it even on sale, 'cause the workmanship on it is lousy. But for .35, it is great.
8. Justin cowboy boots. I think these were .75 At 6.5, they are a little big for me, but maybe I will try thicker socks. Oceangurl, what size are you? These took work to clean, but they are so funky.
So, thriftee buds, any bin experiences you want to share?
See you,
SeSo
