Three Cheers for the Red, White & Blue



 Ali MacGraw [with Ryan O'Neal in 1970's Love Story], wearing camel. She captured classic chic, and now camel is coveted again. I found an amazing Michael by Michael Kors sweater for Figgy, $9.95! Thank you, Anne and Elly, for sharing your secrets.

Today was my girlfriends' excursion to the Red, White & Blue Thrift Store on River Street in Paterson, NJ. Anne and Elly are passionate about the place and took Barbara and me along. We were gone for about three hours but we might as well have flown to an island and back for tropical drinks, it was so much fun. [Okay, maybe it wasn't that much fun.]

I was skeptical. I love to rib Anne, tell her to please get a life. She gets so excited about yard sales and thrift shops. [Her husband, Michael, also loves yard sales, estate sales and auctions.] I try to make her see things my way--Tory Burch and Lilly Pulitzer boutiques, with everything new and of the moment--but she proves again and again that she can unearth great stuff on her treasure hunts. She once introduced me to eBay, and taught me how to shop for labels there.

If it makes me cringe sometimes to think of wearing someone else's castaways, it makes her cringe to think of spending full price on fashion. Her little daughter is incredibly well-dressed, head to toe, and Anne has found amazing things for herself in her travels, too, from a leather jacket to Tod's shoes and great boots. She kills me.

Oh, but now I have drunk from the fountain of bargains, too. I loved this place! For a grand total of $55.55, I got:

1. Ribbed, fuchsia J. Crew cashmere V-neck pullover, which Figgy stole from my pile. It's okay--my XL looks snug on me, cutely belted on her. $5.95.
2. Beautiful turquoise cashmere cardigan for her, with M.A.G. [by high-end Magaschoni] label. I've seen Magaschoni cashmere sweaters for hundreds and hundreds of dollars. Perfect condition. $14.95.
3. My favorite find, since camel is hot this fall. [I saw something at Tory Burch that I loved and want at Fashion's Night Out.] Short-sleeved, lacy-knit, Michael by Michael Kors long turtleneck sweater/sweater dress for Fig. $19.95 but 50 percent off today, so $9.97.
4. Second favorite find [well, tied] UGG blue suede purse, so cute and cozy it makes me long for winter so I can use it. I can't take credit, Anne found it for me. Priced so low on the red tag that the cashier called the manager over to check it. I took a deep breath. Manager okayed it. I thought Figgy might want it, but I hate to tell you, Mom, but anything but boots by Ugg is kind of odd. I don't care, not one bit. In fact, I want Uggs, too.
5. GAP compact umbrella for Fig. We only have one umbrella for the family right now, and she will most definitely need one. $3.95.
6. Navy cardigan for me. $5.95
7. Pretty, flowing blue patterned scarf that Elly handpicked for me. $1.95
8. Vintage juice glass. .95
9. Parisian rose coat hook thingy to mount on wall. $4.95

Now I know that my anxiety dream last night about missing this outing was not unfounded. Here's the link: http://redwhiteandbluethriftstore.com/  I checked with Elly before posting it, but forgot to check with Anne....it's their favorite fashion dig. The store is very well organized, with clothing divided by color. And next time, I'm making a beeline to the designer items in the glass case first. [Noticed the Coach tweed mules when leaving, on sale for $10!!!! but not my size. Heartbreak.]

Good night.