KNIT LOUNGE

Thrift

The Salvation Army thrift store in Key West is perhaps the dreariest and dumpiest one that I have ever seen.   

The walls are a dingy yellow that is almost sickly in appearance. The air conditioning is practically non-existent on a good day. I can only be in there for a short time in the summer before my hair is soaked with perspiration, my nose is dripping from the dust and my eyes start to itch from the mold. How utterly charming.

One would think that this would be a deterrent but I have learned that this is only a minor inconvenience when I might score some high end clothes for pennies on the dollar. 

Quite often I have found Ann Taylor, Liz Claiborne, Michael Kors, Talbot, Orvis etc. hiding amongst the rubbish.

A few weeks ago I popped in and picked up a sporty linen top. I can wear it with both my white and black linen trousers. Though I think it looks best with the white. 

 

As the rummage continued on I found a crinkled linen tank in Eggplant from the Dress Barn. I think it looks smashing with this cotton wrap. Its too bad that I can't convince my camera how pretty it is.

 

By the time my eyes were tearing up and my nose had transformed into a faucet I was ready to take my leave but something compelled me to poke about in the dress rack.

I rarely find anything there because I wear a size 6 and that is the hardest size to come by around here. 

Then squashed in between a wack of boring black poylester dresses was this chic fully lined white cotton and machine embroidered dress from Talbot's in mint condition for $3.50!!!!

 

I almost missed adding this beauty to my wardrobe but I have learned that it pays to push the dresses about to find the gems.  

Yeah, this place is amazing even though it does make me terribly damp and slightly ill when I'm there!

Kismet

Like I said I've been doing my best to stay away from Ross because I really don't need another thing. My closet is beginning to bulge.

Well last week I had to go in there because a *Client of mine needed a few things from there.

As I was walking toward the check out line I spotted a terrific dress hanging on the rack for 12.99. It was hard to keep going without the dress but I did.

The remainder of the week was so full that I completely forgot about the dress.

Saturday morning rolls around and I decided to take Techboy out for breakfast at Goldman's Deli  which happens to be on the other side of the parking lot from Ross.

As we were eating I remembered the dress. On a whim, I thought if the dress is still there I'll take it home with me though I did not expect it to be and if I had to hunt for more than a few minutes I'd give up the chase. 

I go in. The dress is still in the same place on the rack!!! I slip it on in the fitting room. 

It fits. And I found out that it looks like a tunic over my white linen pants that I just happened to be wearing. Two looks for the price of one. How cool is that??!!!

 

On my way out I took a side trip to the shoe department and picked up a pair of $6.00 black flats that complimented the dress! 

In less then 15 minutes and 20 bucks later I scored two new outfits.  I love it when things come together like that!

 

* I am the proprietor of Fetch and Carry Concierge. I run those pesky errands for clients.