Three More Patterns

I refrained from getting too many patterns the last time I went thrift shopping. The selection wasn’t as wide as it often is, so I just picked up three patterns for $0.75.

The first pattern is from 1966 and has a skirt, pair of pants and jacket. I thought they were all cute classic pieces. And I love the drawings.

The second pattern is a dress from 1971. I like the simplicity of the silhouette; the high collar and long sleeves makes this pattern different than most of the dress patterns I have. While I like the option for a ribbon around the neck and waist area, I do not like it in the skirt portion that makes it look like you’re wearing an apron.

The third pattern I couldn’t find a date on, but it’s clearly from the 1980s. I like the pleated skirts and the skirt with godets. I have a few skirt patterns, but none like these so I thought it would be a nice pattern to have. To me, skirt patterns aren’t as exciting to look at (compared to dress patterns), but they’re more useful because I’m more likely to make a skirt than a dress. I find skirts are often more versatile, easier to fit and quicker to make than a dress.

Quote: True Friends Stab You in the Front

This quote just makes me smile.

Two Cashmere Sweaters

Recently I went thrift shopping, and as I was going through the racks, I noticed an unusual number of cashmere sweaters—as though one woman (with expensive taste) had gone through her closet and done some spring cleaning. I’ve never owned any cashmere sweaters before (and doubt I would ever buy any full-priced), but was happy to get two sweaters for $8 each.

The first is a short-sleeved, off-white and cable-knit sweater from Saks Fifth Avenue. Truthfully, I’m not really into cable-knits. [Pause.] I like them on other people. I don’t think I’ve ever owned any sweater with a cable pattern. But I thought the fit was pretty good, the color would go well with just about anything, it was cashmere and cozy, and for the price, I thought, “Why not?”

The second sweater is from Milly and I like it a lot. It’s a short cardigan that feels very 1950s. I love the cut of the sweater. I think the crystal buttons that go down the front are adorable. I appreciate the attention to design—like the little eyelets along the sweater edges. I don’t generally wear a lot of green, but I do like jewel tones and like this deep green color. So I’m quite happy with my sweater purchases and still have a little bit of time to wear them before spring hits.

Celebrate with Crap

Does anyone ever want a stuffed bear holding a heart? Does anyone ever want a Santa mug? I’m guessing for a vast majority of us, it’s a resounding “No.” Most of us don’t need more stuff that will just sit around accumulating dust—especially seasonal junk. Yet holidays in particular seem to be overwhelmed with junk you can get your friends, family and significant other. [Pause.] It’s depressing.

This is the type of “gift” that people open, take a deep breath in to give themselves a moment to think and then say in a falsely happy voice, “Oh! You shouldn’t have!” And think to themselves, “Seriously. You shouldn’t have. What am I going to do with this?” [Pause.] “It’s going to Goodwill.”

Ideally, the purpose of giving a gift is to give something that the other person will like, not just giving a gift for the sake of giving a gift. But I suppose people often give obligatory gifts, and that’s where these crappy presents come into play. It’s the most selfish of gifts to give because you’re not thinking of the other person at all. You’re not taking into consideration their likes and interests, you’re just picking the easy thing that’s right in front of you at the department store or supermarket or convenience store. It’s lazy. And wasteful if the present isn’t used.

No one is really excited about giving or getting a one of these mass-produced and utterly unnecessary items as presents. So don’t waste your money on crap that will go unappreciated because it’s not worth being appreciated. It’s supposed to be the thought that counts…although you wouldn’t know it from all the crap out there.