Happiness and Goodwill

You know that feeling of elation you get when you walk into Goodwill & score big? You look through the clothes and it's like someone with your exact measurements & style unloaded a closet full of clothes that you wish you had bought? You wander past the furniture and there's a retro table & chair set begging for you to take it home? Or, maybe {just maybe} there's something that you can envision yourself sanding, painting, placing in the perfect place in your home and admiring daily.

That's the exact feeling I've had the past few times I've gone into my local Goodwill. It's one of the few stores I have been in where sometimes I go in and have no interest in anything but I keep going back. The thrill I get when I find something I love with the 50% off color of the week barb is nothing that can be put into words. Let's suffice it to say I do a little dance where I strut like a bird, chanting the sale price and then I bust through the next aisle like the Kool-aid Man.

But, what about the books, you ask? Oh the books. Treasures galore. I love the Used Book Superstore for their books, but I always check out the Goodwill's selection. That's where I get my best vintage sewing books. On my last trip, I walked into someone's donated teaching collection. Goodbye reason, goodbye sanity, goodbye moolah, HELLOOOOOOO new, professional mini library.

But enough talk. Let's play a game of show or tell. I'll show/tell you my thrifted goodies & you show/tell me yours. It'll take my mind off the $2 diamond-in-the-rough shelf that I didn't get because I had no room in my car after picking things up from my storage unit.

Gund Bianca Peacock {stored in a bag for weeks, of course} retail: $24.99. Goodwill: $0.99

Ah! A cupcake jewelry/trinket box. Retail: Free with a $150 purchase. Goodwill: $0.99

Marc by Marc Jacob jeans. Not exactly like the ones pictured, but similar. Retail: approx: $200 Goodwill: $4.99

Old Navy 3/4 Trench Coat Retail: who knows. Goodwill: $14.99, but 50% colored barb

Confession: I didn't buy this when I saw it because I didn't really think I needed a coat that didn't have long sleeves, but you bet your sweet patootie it'll be mine if I ever find one again.

Learning Resources Cash Register. Retail: $25-$35. Goodwill: $2.99

Ann Taylor Loft Skirts Retail: varies. Goodwill: $4.99

Don't even get me started on my brooch collection. <3.

If I weren't so tired/lazy I would take a picture of some of the apparel goodies that I've found over the past week. Maybe that would be a good feature for the blog. I can post all the cool things I see {but don't necessarily buy} from local thrift stores. The wheels are turning.

Speaking of turning... it's your turn. What are some of your favorite thrift purchases or finds?

P.S.

Sooner or later, I'm going to divulge my love of all things peacock to you anyway so now seems as good a time as any. Check out the pretty little thing that's on its way to me. This Anthropologie peacock ring

Oh My Goodness

I really, really, really wish I owned these. Not instead of bunny slippers, of course, but in addition to them.

I don't have much else to say but that. :)

Pants on Fire

I fibbed a little. My intention was to talk about red lipstick, but I haven't tried enough to give enough of an opinion yet. In fact, yesterday I managed to get a little of it on my teeth. In front of a group of 4th graders. It's a good thing one of them was kind enough to tell me about it AND keep it top secret. :) Crisis: averted; Nightmare: realized.

Instead, let's talk about one of my favorite retailers in zee universe (a.k.a the places I have visited) Target. I just can't get enough of this place. When I go in for one or two staple items, I always leave with at least 3 things from the $1/$2.50 section, and some accessory or shoe. It's not that I'm a shopaholic. Oh no. I can't accept that label. I am; however, most certainly a Targetaholic. I love that I don't get blasted by obnoxiously loud music as soon as I walk in (ahem, Abercrombie & Fitch) and that I don't have to try to push my way past clutter in every aisle (ahem, Walmart). If there were a craft section in the two I visit regularly I'd never leave. Sometimes I buy things just so I can brag about how Anthropologie-esque they are. I should petition my congressman for a Super Target. He has nothing better to do than listen to me talk about retail stores I love, right? I knew you'd see it my way.

Adding to my love of all things Target, they are celebrating 5 years of their Go International line this year. I can't even believe it's been 5 years since I first learned that I could buy toilet paper at the same place I could buy designer apparel. Suh-weet sassy molassy. So, here are a few of the things that I will be eyeing. Will I buy them? Well, that's for me to ponder and you to wait to find out about {with bated breath, bien sur}.

from left to right: Libertine, Erin Fetherson, Alice Temperley

From left to right: Tracy Feith, Rodarte {I burn for this one}

Check out all 34 of the looks here:
http://pressroom.target.com/pr/news/photo.aspx

In case you were wondering, I'm a little saddened that Anna Sui's collection isn't making a trip down memory lane. I really wanted some of her Gossip Girl inspired fashion. This Thakoon dress should also make a comeback. Guess I should start saving my pennies for the rainy day when our paths cross again...

Anna Sui & Thakoon for Target. Me wants.

I'm a Filthy Slacker

Sigh....

I had the best of intentions when it came to The Peanut Gallery. I wanted to create a header & update daily. I wanted to take more pictures. Heck, I wanted to accomplish the 30 for 30. Unfortunately, school has taken up a lot of my time (that's not a complaint, just a statement) and when I'm not at school or working on things for school, I'm exhausted.

The weather here in good ole' New Hampshire has been crazy. Two days ago, it was sunny & decently temperate, until a few minutes later when it was practically a white out, and then it went back to sunny. I never know how to dress anymore. My classroom is also at least 80 degrees, so the way I dress for work makes it uncomfortable to stand outside in the snow.

Bah.

So, this post is my apology for being a filthy, rotten slacker. I promise to be better to you. Pinky swear!

For tomorrow: red lipstick. Do we love? I think we do.

P.S. Oh yeah... I have bangs now. <3