Poppin' Tags

Vintage Burberry polo (Salvation Army, Houston, TX)

and vintage Ferragamo oxfords (eBay)

It's not warm enough yet in New England to wear short sleeves - except for in a picture like this. Perhaps not the most flattering picture of me, but it was a challenge to fit both the collar and the shoes in the same photo. And they clearly had to be paired, because both are new to me...

We returned a few days ago from a wonderful trip to Houston to visit family, meet extended family, celebrate my daughter's birthday, and attend the annual Livestock Show and rodeo. But no trip to Texas would be complete without a trip to its thrift stores, where I've scored big in the past. So, a few hours before we needed to leave for the airport, we ventured to a nearby Salvation Army and Value Village for the hunt. 

First find was the vintage Burberry polo in the photo above. For $2.75. It's a little on the small side - I wish polo shirts didn't have such a tendency to shrink up. But I do mean vintage. Check out the label:

Of course, that was only one of several finds. Nothing else was quite as spectacular, clothing-wise, although fun (e.g., a quilted burnt orange faux-silk UT vest with the Longhorns logo!). But there was one non-clothing find that demanded attention:

Vintage BA travel bag (Made in England!), $3.99.

Being at least somewhat practical - I knew, realistically, that it was unlikely I'd ever carry it - I walked away. And then, perhaps experiencing non-buyer's remorse, I told my daughter's 13-year old cousin about it, and we wandered back through the store together. He loved it. I bought it for him as a belated birthday present. It fits his laptop, and he's thrilled. So am I, knowing it will have another life. 

There's never enough time - or money, or room in our suitcases - to look thoroughly, but it just means I'm that much more motivated to go on the hunt next time I'm there. 

We all belted out "Thrift Shop" on the drive back to the house, high from the thrill of a successful hunt. (For the few who haven't heard this, the language is NC-17, but the sentiment is fantastic.) No, there were no broken keyboards, seat blankets, or kneeboards purchases, but we popped some tags all right. (And yes, I realize that I sound ridiculous using this kind of slang.)

Sayonara,

Kelley