A Rock and a Hard Place: Thriftin' the North Shore

A few weeks ago, my life partner, Chris, and I took a trip up the "coast" (of Lake Superior) to the North Shore of Minnesota. This was a pretty major get-away as it was the first time in the six and a half years that we have been dating where we took a trip just the two of us. Needless to say, expectations were high.

Initial expectations included some thrifting on the way up north, which was thwarted by a later than expected departure time. I know, it seems pretty incomprehensible that moi would pass up any chance to thrift, but sometimes, when you just want to get to the wilderness, you just want to get to the wilderness. Happily, we discovered walking around the tiny town of Grand Marais on Sunday that there was a thrift store a mere three blocks from our hotel*. Unfortunately, like most thrift shops, this one was closed on Sundays, so I had to wait a WHOLE DAY to see what delights awaited!

Given the small size of both the shop and the community, I came away more than content with my finds. First, we have this unseasonable (that just means I have something to look forward to when spring comes again) pair of vintage highwaisted striped shorts. SCORE!

Then, the short sleeved button down sporting one of the most impressively insane patterns I have witnessed on such a piece.

The crème de la crème of thrifting in Grand Marais didn't come in fashion form, but instead in the form of old school pair of snowshoes I picked up for a cool benjamin**. This find was truly serendipitous as they had just dropped the price from $150 to a $100 and I had just been stating that some day I wanted to have a pair of my very own snowshoes.

With these finds in hand, I was feeling lucky. We took off soon after for an evening in Duluth, and, on the way, stopped at a rock shop (I am sucker for huge signs that exclaim "AGATES!"). There I found a precious little rock of labradorite, a mineral I have been coveting ever since Molly told me it had magical powers two years ago. Even though it was $7.50, it was beautiful, and I was on vacation, so I decided to treat myself.

Things were looking up. I had snow shoes, sweet 90's clothes, and a mesmerizing rock. The remainder of the trip I kept the rock close by, alternatively clutching it and cradling it in my lap, should I absorb some of its magical properties.

Then disaster, cloaked in treasure, hit. We stopped to get coffee at a little cafe/restaurant and low and behold, the second thrift store of the day!

Fat n Happy's.

Yes. I KNOW. Can you believe this shit? It is truly too good to be true!

And, unfortunately, it was.

As it turns out, Fat n Happy's was closed (no word on if it will reopen, but judging from the huge "FOR SALE! Be your own boss!" sign on the outside of it, things are not looking up for Fat n Happy's). The larger disappointment?

I was so excited about Fat n Happy's, so unable to contain my excitement, that I leapt out of the car and ran towards it, forgetting about MY ROCK. After figuring out that Fat n Happy's was closed and spending $12 on speciality chocolates, I was so distraught that it wasn't until we were about ten minutes away that I noticed that my rock...was missing. Ten more minutes passed until I, becoming increasingly panicky, was freaking out so much that Chris pulled to a wayside to search for my rock.

It was GONE.

My rock, which must have been on my lap, had been sprung into the parking lot of Fat n Happy's without me even noticing! Chris offered to go back for it, but tacking an additional 40 minutes onto a trip for a rock that may or may not still be in the Fat n Happy's parking lot was just too much. That didn't stop me from mourning my rock for the next day or so (it continues to weigh heavily on my heart***). The only thing that made me feel better was thinking that it was such a powerful rock, it couldn't be held down! And indeed, between all that clutching and cradling, I must have transferred part of myself to the rock, so it was only natural that it would do whatever it could to stay at Fat n Happy's thrift store, thereby permanently leaving part of my soul, a la a horcrux, at a thrift shop on the North Shore.

Not all was lost, however, as we did stop at a thrift shop in Pine City the next day and I found this totally amazing Woolrich patterned thick wool jacket, the only one I have seen to almost (almost) rival the BEST COAT EVER.

 Lesson to be learned: in the sport of thrifting, you win some and you lose some. But no matter what, be sure to keep track of your rocks!

* This wasn't that much of a shocker as everything in Grand Marais is three blocks from each other.

** "A BENJAMIN!? That isn't a DEAL!," You may be exclaiming to yourself. "I was promised deals!" Well, in the world of winter outdoor sports (something I have embraced the past few years to get through the season), a benjamin for old school snow shoes with bindings is, my friends, a deal. 

*** So...if anyone happens to find an oval shaped labradorite rock hanging out in the parking lot by Fat n Happy's, return information can be obtained by contacting me at operationsparkle@gmail.com (serious inquiries only, please).

Gandalf, this one's for you!

A few nights ago, I was up late finishing an article and decided to treat myself with some online television viewing. While I should have launched right into the newest season of Parks and Recreation, I instead decided to check out The New Girl, that seemingly abhorrently awful new Fox sitcom staring Zooey Deschanel. Really, I wanted to see how insulted I could feel. As it turned out, my expectations were fulfilled and it was just as I imagined it would be—sexist, not even vaguely funny, and shaped by television producers' assumptions surrounding the posh/hipness of 20 somethings (more loft apartments, PLEASE!) and the never ending belief that if a girl wears glasses, no one is going to bone her, because, please, that is sooooo dorky.

My biggest beef with The New Girl?

That one of their tactics to drive home just how lame this girl was to have her reference Lord of the Rings. Clearly this was too much for her kind-hearted male roommates who reacted to this action as though she had told them they could contact syphilis just by touching her. Now that I've got that rant off my chest, let's delve into the real matter at hand, shall we?

In response to this blatantly sexist and totally lame assertion by Hollywood that haute chicks can't be down with the LOTR, I present you with my most recent GBC finds, as influenced by all that is "dorky" and "lame" in Hollywood land.

First, totally dorky accessories.

Contrary to popular belief, sunglasses are for dorks. Their cousins, after all, are just normal glasses, made so people can see, which is totally gross. Sunglasses are lame because it means that you are trying to protect your eyes, and someone who is interested in taking care of themselves clearly doesn't know had to party.

So, naturally, I picked up these four pairs. I am especially in love with the second from the top pair.

Big, cartoony buttons are dorky to the max. I don't even need to pretend they are dorky, because that is how dorky they are. These all came in one of those grab bags, along with an uncomfortable one about Jesus. My favorite is clearly the dorkiest of them all, the one that says "Left Handed Genius." I am going to wear it all the time, because its true. I also am going to sport the "Happy Winter" one when I feel like being deeply in denial.

A beautiful metal woven bangle is lame because it reminds people of the Renaissance festival and faerie themed jewelry.

Not exactly "accessories," but still lame, because what kind of cool people drink things like coffee and tea? I made the executive decision to stock up on these mostly 25¢ mugs because Chris is forever taking mugs out of the house and losing them. I picked Gandalf-inspired mugs, a Cathy mug (it says "Woman on the move!") and one that says "I'm Proud to Be a Farm Wife," because those were the dorkiest ones I could find.

Now for the clothing!

This vintage carpety fabric vest is something only a true lover of LOTR would wear. Unless they found a knock-off at Forever 21, which would then make it "cool."

Button-downs?! Come on, SO LAME!

For real though, I've been looking for a chambray and black silk button-down forever, so finding these was like Christmas.

Then we have these 90's dresses that the "dorky" girl would wear once she got rid of her glasses and suddenly became hot.

This navy with little sunflower trim number is extra sweet with its keyhole back.

Polka dots?! Scalloped heart neckline?! Little bow on the back that I will have to slightly fix because one side is detached but it's okay because the whole thing was a dollar?! SO LAME!

Then we have this totally Grandma eyelet blouse. Fewer things are more dorky than Grandmas and eyelets.

Finally, this vintage red dress that no matter what way I spun it, couldn't come up with a way to make it dorky. It's impossible to put this on and not imagine myself on the streets of Paris, probably being photographed from some super tres chic street fashion blogger.

I guess the lesson to be learned is that in even the dorkiest of girls, there is a cool one underneath.

Fall is SO IN Right Now

I always find it humorous when fashion designers/magazine editors/whoever gets paid to espouse their fashion "expertise" declare certain colors are "in" for the season—now it is jeweled tones! Emerald green! And then a bunch of totally early 90's orange and magenta for color blocking! While the concept does bring Meryl Streep's face-punch inducing "cerulean sweater" monologue from that equally face-punch inducing film The Devil Wears Prada to mind, I do have to admit that sometimes these people are on to something.

While I am excited to be contradicting this fall by wearing lots of pastels and white shoes*, I am also embracing a color palette more suited for fall. Just the other day, I celebrated having the day off from work by hitting up Unique's 25% off Customer Appreciation day and it became clear that my subconscious was clearly influenced by the changing of the season. Much in the same way that little 12 year-old Holly prepared for her first day of 8th grade with silk color-blocked button-downs, high waisted jeans and scrunchies,** all in shades of navy blue, forest green and maroon, my fall wardrobe is being peppered with colors that one can most readily find in the Crayola "Bold" marker box.

First the tops.

This almost red-orange top has me freaking out. I mean really. The pseudo short-sleeved/no sleevedness of this top is messing with me in the best possible way.

I found this oversized goldenrod silk top in the men's section.

Can't you tell?

I realized after washing it that it was missing two buttons, but it's all good. The overall bagginess of this whole situation means I probably will just wear it as an overcoat sort of deal. I could always sew on new buttons, but let's be real here. Who has that kind of time?

Now for the bottoms....

You can never go wrong with denim pencil skirts. I would like one in every shade of rainbow, please, but for now, I'll settle for some forest green action.

I was a bit on the fence with this printed mid-calve skirt, but I'm glad I got it. There are pockets this piece as well, so really, there was no question. And no matter what fashion magazines say about how "patterns are so in right now!," patterns always have, and always will be, in with me.

This burnt sienna vintage highwaisted skirt is probably the piece I am most excited about from this trip. I am digging the color and love the cut and the little scalloped action at the top. Pieces like this make the changing of the seasons for me.

And finally, proof that thrifting isn't just for super stylish finds, but that it is also useful for finding practical goods at outlandishly cheap prices, a much-needed rain jacket. This puppy will be perfect while I bicycle on those drizzly fall mornings. The little heart motif is a bit girly for my tastes, but as patterns on the inside of rain jackets always make me a little giggly (little ducks? little umbrellas? love it), I think I can deal.

*Keep your laws off my body.

**I was totally the inspiration for the start of this little company called American Apparel. You are welcome, Dov.

Special Trips! Portage, WI: What is Wedded Bliss Without Sweet Deals?

Just a month ago I had the pleasure of having the excuse of two of my dearest friends, Cortney and Andy, getting married, to book a plane ticket to Wisconsin for a random weekend in August. I love weddings. You get to see old friends, you have awkward run ins with your friend's family members, you get way too drunk (for free!!), and are otherwise wrapped up in the demimonde created by the occasion. You can read all about Cortney and Andy's picturesque beyond picturesque farm wedding in Cortney's hometown of Portage here, but do that on your own goddamn time, because I have more important things to talk about. Those things being deals.

Months before the wedding, when Cortney asked me to help set up the day before and of the wedding, I plead for a two hour leave of absence to explore Portage's thrifting scene. This was an opportunity that I could not possibly let slip through my fingers, not even for friendship. Luckily, my presumption that Cortney a) understands me, and b) would be the chillest bride on earth, proved to be true, and she did not bat an eyelash and said that she would point me towards all the good places.

What I have for you today is the haul I made in Portage on two separate trips; one a power-thrifting episode a few hours before the wedding, and the other, with Holly and her fiance (and my dear friend) Chris, the day after the occasion and a good night's sleep in a pop-up camper.

Firstly, I will show you my favorite find of the whole weekend, this color blocked purse:



The story of finding this purse is one of those moments of thrifting with Holly that I treasure. She was taking FOR EV ER wrapping up looking around while I was trying to get her to try on and edit our finds so that we could get out of the store and back to our friends, who were waiting for us. I camped out by the fitting rooms with our cart in an attempt to get my point across. She left me hanging there regardless, so I started aimlessly digging in the piles of things around me. That is when I found this purse buried deep behind all the rest, nearly invisible. When Holly finally made it over to me, I rubbed it in her face, and was able to see the jealously shooting from her eyes like lasers.

But boy did we turn around from that ugly bout of pride and envy fast! While digging through the massive mound of clothes in our cart, Holly pulled out a KILLER two piece black suede outfit with gold stud detail. It was epic. Beautiful. What one lives to thrift for. Rather than be jealous, I was just sad. But I had a feeling that from the look of the skirt, it might be that tiny bit too small on Holly that is just big enough for me, and that I could perhaps get lucky. I was right, and I managed to convince Holly to keep the jacket (which you will get to see in tomorrow's Portage Part II segment) and give me the skirt. SHARING! Selflessness in thrifting. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen.

This is an epic party time find, without a doubt.


This two piece outfit I kept all for myself.



I think coordinates are classy. Especially ones with printed lace motifs.

Speaking of classy, nothing says GLAM like a metallic top. My favorite aspect of this top is the knit cuffs and hem detail, making this, essentially, a glorified sweatshirt.


You can never have too many tropical/animal printed anythings!



A paint-streak-stripe printed short sleeve button down shirt. This shirt reminds me of what eight year old boys wore when I was in 3rd grade, and what lesbians wear today. But Holly and Chris insisted that it was sweet, so I bought it.


An oversized sleeveless space dyed magenta sweater. Bright colors are so in!


For all those times that I thought to myself, "I wish I had a below the knee acid wash denim pencil skirt, that would go perfectly with this", comes the answer to my prayers:

Below the knee!

Even better is the priceless 80's denim detailing tag, which reads:

1st CLASS
METROPOLITAN
THIS LABEL
ENTITLES YOU
TO TRAVEL IN
THE METROPOLITAN
ESSENCE
BY JORDACHE
ADULT
VALID FOREVER

Which is basically really good poetry.


Although a "single trip" that is "valid forever" seems a bit contradictory...it's probably just over my head.

Rounding out the apparel and accessories portion of my finds is this F-ing beautiful silk scarf that makes up for all the shitty scarves that I have bought over the years wishing they were better than they actually were. The colors are amazing, the pattern, amazing, and it's actually silk.


This find made Holly rage pretty hard too, which is always a cherry on top.


Now, let's swing by housewares on our way out!

A commemorative wedding trinket, to commemorate a wedding:


Cortney and Andy, may your love.....oh wait, nevermind.

There was even a wall art score that day, which I stumbled upon but knew that I could not commit to, and so handed off to Chris. Thankfully, he was able to give it a good home in his band's practice space:


It is bizarre indeed, and a real photograph, of some long lost extra from some indecipherable, long lost Monty Python sketch.

********************************BONUS*BONUS*BONUS*********************************

Those weren't the only sweet finds I got to bring home from Portage that weekend! I also purchased from Holly, at a deep discount, these preselected, hand-delivered castoffs from her trove:


They really make a beautiful triptych.