THRIFT SCORE WHORE

Hobos had it right.

A few weeks ago I found myself thrifting without a bag…

I detest those flimsy plastic shopping bags that stores insist you take. When it comes down to it, I really dislike all single use shopping bags, no matter what they are made of.

For the past five years I have been bringing my own bags to transport goods home.  All goods.  From groceries and clothing to personal care items and electronics.  Even leftover food!  No matter where I shop – farmers market, grocery store, Target, Macy’s, Barnes and Noble, the mall, thrift store, high end boutiques – I always check out with “No bag please.”

…Well, even after five years of bringing my own bag, I still sometimes get caught without one.

Not a problem.

On occasions like these, you need to improvise.

If the item – or items – will fit in my purse, in they go!  You would be amazed at what is in my purse at any given moment.  Sandwich anyone?

These can then be removed when you get to the car so when you are paying at your next stop they don’t think you stole that pair of earrings hiding next to your wallet.  I have a receipt for those.

If it is one large item or several that can be easily stacked, I will just carry them out in my arms.  You know, those two bendable things with grabbers attached at the end.  They are wonderful for transporting goods.  Sans bag.  It’s like nature knew what it was doing.

Sometimes an item you are buying becomes the bag.

Use a pretty scarf rather than a plastic bag to transport goods.

This was the case with my thrift purchases.

I bundled them neatly inside one of the scarves I was purchasing.  This makes a much prettier package than a plastic bag!

thrifted goodies

A properly folded scarf takes up very little room in your purse – or coat pocket gentlemen.  Store one in there and you always have a “bag” handy!

The book The Wrapping Scarf Revolution gives you all kinds of ideas on how to package and transport goods using only a scarf.  Look for it at your library or local book store and bring your own bag!

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plaid granny shortsI picked up these granny shorts at Goodwill some time ago. I am not really sure why they landed in my shopping cart, other than they fit my waist really well and I am a sucker for plaid.

I am not crazy about the pleats or the length.  There is not much I can do about the former, but I can fix the latter.

There was a time when I took clothes at face value.  You got what you bought and just had to live with it.  What the hell was I thinking?

I am finally starting to realize that much like cooking and recipes, clothing purchased is just a template.  A basic recipe simply waiting to be tweaked to your liking.

Now I shop with the mindset that if something grabs me, get it.  With a little tailoring, I can have a custom piece, fitted just for me, by me.

You see the altered version here.

Rebecca Jean

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