For the past year or so I've had a job that I'm not entirely loving, in an office located in a very affluent suburb. Added to that, there are a number of op shops or thrift stores within lunch-hour-walking distance of my desk. The haze of work-induced depression invariably makes a perusal of the rails of St Vincent de Paul in search of a vintage "pick me up" seem like an excellent idea... almost every day.
Excellent for wardrobe choice, terrible for the bank balance. Yes, you can shop yourself onto Struggle Street by purchasing from charitable organisations.
Take yesterday for example.
I started the day with a jog on the beach, which meant I was able to justify the trolley loads of fat and sugar that come with Small Bondi Meal from Oporto. The route to the aforementioned fast food chain passed the Neutral Bay branch of Vinnies. I barely have two pennies to rub together at the moment, but of course I had to go and just check... you know...
Hark!
What is that I see?
Do my eyes deceive me?
Can it be?
No!
Yes!
A Chanel suit!
For the measly sum of $80!
!!!
I reminded myself I had no money. I was strong. I walked away. I told myself it just wasn't meant to be.
Then of course, over my Small Bondi Meal, I strategised about how I would juggle my finances and in fact purchase that suit. And purchase I did.
Now I just have to wait for colder weather to wear it.
So, those are the highs of op shopping in Cremorne. The lows? The person who manages the Mosman branch of Vinnies is a total ninny and has "cleaned up" and "winterised" the store. This involves stripping back all the clutter that does make a fabulous op shop and taking away all the dresses, with the exception of those that can be described as "winter dresses."
We live in Sydney. It's not that cold. People will still be interested in shirtdresses in April and May and all the way through to September.
Grrr.
I suppose it doesn't matter really... I am finishing up at this serotonin-depleting job on Friday and departing for lands less fertile in charity shops. Hopefully this means more room in the closet and more money in the bank!
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