Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy
@scarymommy
Latest posts by Jill Smokler, AKA Scary Mommy (see all)
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I have always been grossed out by thrift stores. Although I am super thrifty and go to extraordinary measures to save a few bucks, used clothing stores have never appealed to me. Not knowing who wore it, shit in it, puked on it… blech. I love hand me downs from family and friends, and am unfazed that some of those items may have originated from a second hand store. I just don’t want to go and dig through worn clothes myself. Doesn’t make any sense, I get that.
Anyhoo… We’ve been planning on going to this black tie family event next weekend. The original plan was to have a sitter stay at the hotel with the kids. As it got closer, I began to get nervous about our plan. Even is super clingy to me these days, especially at night. The notion of the kids stuck in a tiny room with Evan screaming his lungs off for 6 hours with a sitter they don’t know was making me insanely crazy slightly nervous. After a weekend of driving my husband nuts going through every possible scenario with all of my family, we decided to bring the kids, along with the sitter, to the party. The kids could dress up and join in the fun and pass out in the lounge when they’d had enough. Perfect.
The only problem was finding black tie attire for three kids on a few days notice. I went to the department stores. To Marshalls. Cruised the net. My mom hit Loehmann’s and Filene’s Basement. Jeff went shopping on his lunch break. Nada. J Crew’s Crew Cuts proved quite successful, that is if I wanted to spend $600 to outfit my children for an evening. I did not.
So, I did what I had to do. I drove to the “Second Time Around” by my house. I’d seen it before, situated between the supermarket and Parcel Plus, but vowed never to enter. Until today. And guess what? Mission accomplished. Within moments I had a perfect 18 month Kenneth Cole button down shirt, vest and pants for Evan. The original tags were still attached. A white chiffon flower girl dress for Lily in a size 4 was spotless, beautiful and waiting just for me. Ben got a button down, vest and tie. My total, you ask? A whopping seventeen dollars. For all of it. I was willing to spend that on a bow tie. I was giddy, and I’ll definitely be back.
As I wrote early this morning, never say never with children. (I’m a wise, wise woman, if I do say so myself.) Here is Ev alone in his snazzy little outfit, because he’s the only one who didn’t throw a fit when I tried it on. Isn’t he a stud? I cannot wait to see them all dolled up. I see a pretty annoying mommy with her camera come Saturday night. Stay tuned.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
hahaha… never say never.. and yes Evan is adorable in that outfit. Take lots of pics.
And cause you admit that we all do things we said we’d NEVER do, cause your blog rock, there’s an award over at mine for you, so pick it up when you can. (scheduled to post tomorrow – Tuesday)
We have a Second Time Around where are you from! I have never thought about who else wore the clothes, I guess because it is a store. Now I will have those thoughts next time I go. I always come home and it goes strait into the washer before anyone touches it! He looks so cute can’t wait to see them all together. Much Love
I have a hang up about second hand stores myself. I think it is the smell, they all smell the same. A little musty.
We have a consignment sale two times a year put on by a local couple. I usually take items to sell, but rarely buy anything that doesn’t look brand new. Guess I expect some one else to buy my handme downs, but I don’t buy theirs.
I never saw a second-hand clothing shop until I came to Europe. I don’t think they exist in Trinidad. And I have also been not-too-enthusiastic about checking them out. Maybe now I will!
Evan looks ADORABLE! I’m sure they will be much much happier partying with you than being stuck with a stranger in a hotel room. And you won’t have to spend all evening worrying about them.
i thought they looked cute naked, but can’t wait to see them in their new dress up clothes!!
That is an awesome deal! I too have avoided resale stores until recently. My husband is still not fond of the idea.
He looks darling!!!
OMG girlfriend where have you been. Once you “accept” second hand stores you will be able to pick and choose which ones are good and which ones are bad. Some *DO* stink (literally) and I usually stay away from those. But some are well put-together, and the clothes are orgnized. I frequent a Goodwill store near us and I have gotten many items from Gap, Gymboree, Land’s End, and the Children’s Place, just to name a few. And for a fraction of the cost. Plus, at Goodwill, the money is going to a good place.
Also, once your kids get old enough, it is good for a lesson: Here’s $25 to spend on clothes for school. You can go to the mall and not even get one pair of jeans, or you can go to Goodwill and get 2 or 3 complete outfits. They learn quickly the value of a dollar!!
That is so great! I’ll have to remember that next time I need something like that for the kids, it’s worth it.
What great deals. He’s so cute. I’m with you. Never say never.
Adorable! I’m OK with used clothes. I just give them a good washing and we’re good to go.
He is a stud indeed! Love it!
I think my problem with second-hand stores is the stigma that people go there because they HAVE to, because they can’t afford anything else, and that everything there is trash that someone threw away because it’s worthless. Having just finished a move where I donated several bags of clothing to Goodwill, I know the latter isn’t the case; and as for the former, that’s a ridiculous notion altogether, although I do remember walking around a second-hand store in my nightgown the morning after my house burned down in the middle of the night at 11 years old.
I go to thrift stores to search for vintage china. Recently though, I had to help with costumes for several of my daughter’s plays, and I discovered what absolutely amazing clothes you can find second-hand.
We’ve popped in when we needed an emergency black skirt for her for a funeral and found a gorgeous one for pennies. I don’t think I’d regularly shop there for myself but it was a godsend when we needed it.
This is the cutest picture I have ever seen! I can’t believe how big he is getting! It makes me so sad :(