Shabby Chic

Recently I heard that someone was surprised that I buy my kids clothes at garage sales. Apparently, this person can’t see anything WRONG with that, but can’t bring herself to dress her own child in such a fashion.

Poor girl.

She’ll never know the joy of finding a cute outfit for a quarter of the new price, or better yet, a quarter. Her kids will have to settle for the 3 toys that come in a package at the store those few times a year, rather than getting something new every week, like my kids. (Seriously, they think garage sales are like Christmas…in fact, last year, most of their Christmas gifts were FROM garage sales.)

She’ll also have lots of tears as she watches her kid eat or play in that outfit off of which she just took the tags. It will never look as pristine again.

I LOVE to go to garage sales. Maybe not as much as my friend Crystal, but more than the average mom, I’m sure. I love the rush of getting an item for next to nothing, and I love hauling into the house bags of stuff after spending so little.

Also, I really love being able to give my kids new toys and books for no reason and not worry about the cost. Last weekend, I got Leah 4 new puzzles (24 pieces each – the perfect size for her) for $1 each. She also got a fantastic ABC puzzle/game, which has only piece missing out of at least 78. That’s a pretty good track record for any puzzle, new or otherwise, after it’s been in the house for a week.

In addition, the kids got a stack of cool books, a swimsuit & hat for Leah, and a couple outfits, winter outfit and pjs for Ben. Aaron thought the winter outfit (one piece fleece) and pjs (3 piece set) looked worn, but I assured him that those fabrics would look that way after having been washed twice anyway.

Another benefit of second-hand clothes, no matter the source, is that you are less likely to be emotionally attached to them (unless, of course, it was a SUPER good deal) so you are then less likely to hold onto them forever. Kick those suckers out at YOUR next sale!

Speaking of, it’s become my habit to have, or contribute to, a garage sale right away in the spring. Then, the cash I make there (between $80-$200) goes in a baggie as my funds for buying “more useless junk” as Aaron says when he’s trying to get me worked up. He doesn’t argue too much, though – he knows how much I’m saving on the kids clothes alone.

Of course, we’re still debating over whether or not they really NEED all the clothes I find for them.

Since the kids were with me last weekend, most of my “shopping” revolved around them. When I’m with adults only, I like to look through the random piles of miscellany. You never know what you’re going to find, and that’s almost all of the fun. I am also the one who buys crayons & markers at garage sales. I’m a little type A (as I may have mentioned before) and it really bothered me to see Leah breaking her crayons. Not anymore! Go ahead, honey, drop them on the floor as much as you like – that whole bag was 50 cents!