…my moment of win / life lessons… (Confessions, moment of vanity)
SPOILER ALERT: I got a new pair of jeans. If you’d like to hear the backstory and/or take a look at my irrational anger issues, keep reading.
Last Sunday, in a fit of “I need to get this shit out of here,” I had another closet clear out. I wasn’t keen on donating everything or listing things on etsy, so I checked around for stores that bought clothing. Buffalo Exchanges in LA are too damn picky and I have way more vintage than trendy, so I packed up three Trader Joe’s bags and headed to Squaresville, one of my favorite vintage browsing spots in Los Feliz.
Lesson #1: Always call a store prior to trying to hock your wares, especially if that store doesn’t have a website. Squaresville only buys Tuesday through Saturday from 12 to 5.
After the mini-fit of rage I experienced (it was hot, I had on heels, the chick up front told me there was no buying even though the buyer was in the back of the store where he usually is when he’s buying, and (AND) I discovered that the shirt I had on was completely moth eaten), dudeguy suggested we go to Goodwill. I obliged thinking that browsing through the racks would cure what ailed me. I dropped off one of the bags because I was tired of looking at it, walked the aisles a bit and bought some silk trousers…because summer’s coming…or something like that.
Lesson #2: Sometimes, buying shit won’t make you feel better. Retail therapy is not the gold standard when it comes to spirit lifting.
When we left, Dudeguy told me he had to go to the store. Still stewing in my pisstivity at the oppression of the policies and placement of salespeople at Squaresville and my lazy ass cats not killing the moths that are clearly infesting our house (ok, I’m probably exaggerating here), I went along for the ride. I’m glad I did because I remembered that there is a Crossroads next to the Trader Joe’s in Silverlake. AHA! I knew they wouldn’t be interested in most of the clothing I had, but I knew they would take the shoes. Those were current; they would have to take the shoes! REDEMPTION was at hand!
I went in, plopped down two bags and hoped that my shit was deemed good enough for resale. SUCCESS! I was relieved of two pairs of shoes, those AA cloud leggings that I only wore to take a picture for the blog the day I bought them, and two belts. In return, I got a voucher for 50% of the clothing’s sale price to use in the store.
Lesson #3: If you’re selling clothes at a resale shop, OPT FOR STORE CREDIT and then look around the store. If you don’t find anything, get the cash. This is that whole “leave your options open” thing that everyone talks about.
I went searching through the racks. I didn’t see anything I liked, which wasn’t surprising, but I didn’t want to lose out on store credit. Dudeguy walked in with a bag and said it was time to leave.
FUCK.
What do I get!?!?!
Thankfully, I remembered that I was in the market for a pair of black skinnies. The F21 pair is starting to show its sub-par construction (read: the seams are popping like Lil’ Mama’s lip gloss) and I wanted to move up to a better brand. Besides, I feel strangely when labeling my photos with products made by one of the companies whose labor policies I don’t quite agree with.
Lesson 4: Premium denim is almost always worth the money. Better materials are used, construction is much better, they last longer, and they wear better than their cheaper counterparts.
Crossroads is usually good about stocking the good ish, so I ran over to the denim racks. In about 20 seconds, I found a pair of Ksubis. They were $25. Game over. I took them, my $9 in “change” from the leftover credit, and the remaning bags home feeling like I’d won the lottery. The new jeans lottery. Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssss.
I’ll be honest. These are the greatest pair of jeans that I currently own. I say currently because the pair that previously held that title decided that they weren’t going to grow along with my thighs. Rude.
thrifted shirt
UO cardigan
flea market belt
Ksubi jeans
Report Signature shoes
—
Squaresville…I’ll be seeing you on Saturday…
*cracks knuckles*
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24 Responses to “…my moment of win / life lessons…”
I love these photos, I really do !
Alicia Reply:
May 6th, 2010 at 10:38 am
Thanks!
My jeans? Also rude. Glad you found some nice, polite ones to replace yours. :3
Alicia Reply:
May 6th, 2010 at 10:38 am
I’m glad you understand. Jeans can be so disrespectful.
I know what you mean about the rude jeans. No fair, right?
But it’s okay, because these look FABULOUS on you! And what a steal!
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Daily Outfit 4/29/10 =-.
Alicia Reply:
May 6th, 2010 at 10:39 am
Right!!! Thanks, ‘Chelly.
Now that exams are done…man o man I’ve got lots of work to do on my closet. I’m basically sick of all my clothing lol.
And all my jeans are rude right now. My thighs must’ve said something mean to them
.-= Carina´s last blog ..Final Exams… =-.
Alicia Reply:
May 6th, 2010 at 10:39 am
I have those feelings often…I’m sure I’ll be reliving this story a few more times over. LOL.
And “RUDE!” to your jeans!
they fit so well…
i’m jelly…
.-= Felicia´s last blog ..Swagg Fashion: Ooh La La DSquared2 =-.
Alicia Reply:
May 6th, 2010 at 10:40 am
Don’t be jelly! =P
I loved your story. Thanks for the life lessons, I’ve been meaning to sell off my clothes too, rawrrr. and AWESOME jeans. (eff eff21. XP)
.-= sui´s last blog ..books, tiramisu, more cakes, raw vegan cupcakes, eating plants, & a friend on my shoulder =-.
Alicia Reply:
May 6th, 2010 at 10:40 am
Do IT! Do IT!
Your story made me feel like I was there with you! The people at Squaresville are a bunch of grouches. As for your pants? What a score!
My favorite part is your white shape modification in these photos!
Alicia Reply:
May 6th, 2010 at 10:41 am
I think I’m gonna do more fun with photoshop type pictures.
And you should have been there with meeeeeeeeeee!!! Next time?
I will jack you for those shoes! lol you look hot!
Alicia Reply:
May 6th, 2010 at 10:47 am
NAY! These are the only crazy colored shoes I have!
soooooooooo…can i get doze?
oh. more jeans comin your way.
cute face!!!
eff eff21 x 2
LUCITE!!!!
life lessons are noteworthy.
job was a bust.
okay, i think those are all the bullet points i had. lol.
.-= pennerad´s last blog ..icky =-.
Alicia Reply:
May 6th, 2010 at 10:48 am
I <3 you for your use of bullet points. I really do.
And yo box is in the mailllllllllll!!!
i like your glases very much..!
i have glesses that styl to, you can see ut un my website
http://studentoffashionolegy.blogspot.com/
.-= natali´s last blog .. =-.
i am LATE to this game, but you look HELLA FRESH with your hair shorn. GREAT MOVE! wo_OT!
KILLER shoes!
.-= Jessica Druck´s last blog ..Blonde’s, brunette’s and red head’s, oh my =-.
LUV these pics! Looks like it could be in some really cool catalog
.-= The Style and Beauty Doctor´s last blog ..Facebook Fan Moroccanoil Treatment Giveaway =-.
love it!
these lesson are great. i’m about to do a massive closet clean-out. because i’m cashed strapped and i see things like that translucent heel on your purple shoe and then i remember why i’m cash strapped, always.
.-= shawn tina´s last blog ..The Art of Losing =-.