These Boots Were Made For, ah you know...

It's funny how sometimes happiness can come in the most random or simple form. For me, this week, happiness is a new pair of cowboy boots.

I should verify with my parents, but I vaguely remember having a pair of cowboy boots as a little girl. I wouldn't bet money on it, but I think they were of the knee-high light brown leather variety. But, I may just have that image in my head because a great majority of the pictures of kids who grew up in the late 70's and early 80's, like me, feature them wearing brown leather cowboy boots. Ah, I digress...

That I stumbled on these boots seemed like fate, or at least it's how I justified the purchase. I had been thinking lately I would like to own a pair of cowboy boots. Not because I'm a western gal, or because I'm in an upcoming rodeo or anything, I just thought they were cute & fashionable. Around the same time I also read an article in a fashion magazine about how cowboy boots were making a fashion comeback. The article was complete with pictures of various celebs sporting their boots. I'm sure we all remember how much I cared about the celebs I shared my pink Razr with, so when I saw celebs were wearing cowboy boots, that sealed the deal for me- I needed them.

A few days later I was in TJ Maxx looking for some shower gel when I decided to quickly browse the shoe section before leaving. Y'see, I'm a gal on a budget and I'm trying really hard NOT to spend money- I should be saving every penny for my impending move across country. But, sometimes shoes talk louder than my budget. I was in luck when I perused my size and nothing caught my eye. Then, I thought, I better check clearance, just in case! And there they were- my gorgeous new Guess brown leather cowboy boots. I tried them on, and they fit like a glove, and for the price I didn't even have to debate whether or not to buy them. I am proud to tell you that this gal on a budget found these particular boots for a whopping $14!!!! That's right! They retail at over $200, so I got them at what, a zillion percent off the retail price?! Though it was a minor blip in my budget, I'd say they were worth it, wouldn't you?

to do #284: own a pair of cowboy boots

Maps

Nope, this isn't a post about the Yeah Yeah Yeah's song by the same name, it's a post about my cool new map! Though I suppose the lyrics could be relevant:

Wait, they don't love you like I love you
Wait, they don't love you like I love you
Ma-aa-aa-aa-aa-aa-aa-aa-aa-aa-aa-aps

Does everyone love gigantic maps? No. Do I? Yes! Okay, that was a bit of a stretch, but every time I look at the title 'Maps', I think of the song. Anyhow...

I decided to disregard my previous advice and visit my new favorite Goodwill store a few weeks after my last visit. As was expected, my friend and I had cleaned out their stash of cool stuff in our last visit and they had yet to replenish it. I was breezing through the aisles when I noticed an art section against the back wall that I hadn't seen in my previous visit. Closer inspection revealed countless pieces of bad art destined for their resting place on the Goodwill shelves from their very conception. I was about to leave the aisle as quickly as I'd entered when two large rolls of paper caught my eye. Could it be? No, no way could these be old school maps. Or, could they?? Indeed, they were! I was giddy. I could barely contain my excitement.

I began to unroll the first and revealed a gorgeous wash of faded turquoise and aged cream. I was in heaven. I unrolled the entire map and found just one small tear, no big deal. I had even higher hopes for the second, but found instead a garish mix of map pinks and yellows and pale greens. Yuck. And there was a sizable tear along the bottom dowel. Though I didn't know when I'd run across another find like this, I decided to pass on the second map. The aesthetic just wasn't right for me. But the first, I wasn't going to let that baby out of my sight! I carried it around the store as I made my final inspection, receiving lots of odd glances and nearly decapitating several people, and then I headed to the check out. I dare you all to guess what I paid for the map. Go ahead, guess. Did you guess $3.99? If you did, you're correct!!! Can you believe it?!? I couldn't even use my cheapskate 20% off coupon because I hadn't spent the requisite $10.

I hurried home, plotting the whole way on where I might hang this gigantic find. I finally settled on the most logical wall in my apartment, and after taking some measurements and making some calculations, I hung it here. I think you'll all agree it looks pretty damn cool. And if you don't, then I suppose you are the one they were singing about. You really don't love maps like I do, do you? With another successful Goodwill trip and a gigantic map of L.A. and Orange County, I'll cross #74 off my list: start a map collection.

Goodwill

For most people, Goodwill is a place to drop off castaway clothing, unwanted housewares and dilapidated furniture, and pick up a nice little tax write-off on the way out. But for a few people like me, and a good friend of mine, Goodwill is a treasure haven waiting to be explored. We relish picking through the relics and the junk in hopes of finding something perfect for us and something that henceforth we can not live without.

Recently, in a conversation with my fellow Goodwill treasure-hunting pal, she recounted some of her latest Goodwill finds, among them a set of Johnson Bros ironstone dishes. As she talked my mind began to wander to our favorite Goodwill in the posh area of town, and I tried to recall how long it had been since my last visit. Then she revealed her latest score wasn't from our favorite Goodwill, but from her new favorite Goodwill, a store they had opened on our side of town a few months ago! I knew about the new store, but had paid it little mind since I assumed it couldn't stack up to my tried and true favorite. But my friend insisted it was better: cleaner, larger, and best of all- within minutes from both of our homes. With our blood now pulsing for bargains, we quickly agreed to drop the coffee date we had been planning and meet up at the local Goodwill instead. In thirty minutes. We aren't gals to waste time when there are bargains to be had.

She was right. The new store was cleaner, and much larger, and it proved to be home to some new-found treasures for the both of us. After nearly two hours of rummaging, her finds included (another) set of brick red French country dishes (shhh, don't tell her husband), an adorable little single serve coffee pot, a small CorningWare casserole dish and a gorgeous glass fruit bowl. As for me, I've taken the time to photograph each of my finds for you, and am willing to reveal the prices I paid, all in the hopes of convincing you to start some Goodwill treasure-hunting of your own!

I started out with small and large glass Pyrex mixing bowls, the small was $2.99 and the large $3.99. Next was a lovely white quiche /tart dish for $2.99. I found a large cream serving platter for $2.99. A whimsical set of eight turquoise drinking glasses for $7.99. A large white soup tureen for $5.99. And my most prized find, a stainless steel hot & cold server, complete with little embossed penguins all around the dish, for $3.99. I have no idea how often I'll use this little gem, but I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it. The total for my purchases was a whopping $23.62. If you're doing the math at home, you've realized the numbers don't add up-okay math whizzes, I will now share with you a secret so shameful that if mentioned to me on the street I will vehemently and unequivocally deny it: I used a 20% off coupon. Yes, that's right, a coupon at Goodwill. How low can you go, you ask? Hey, we're all on a budget, especially yours truly! I'm not sure if you've ever noticed, but on the bottom of your donation slip is a 20% coupon. How wonderful and tacky is that?!

Now, if I've intrigued you, I should also warn you that there is a bit of science involved in Goodwill treasure-hunting, so these guidelines should be kept in mind: One, the quality of the goods is directly proportional to the area in which the store is located. I hate to be the one to say it, but in the wealthier parts of town the treasures are far more plentiful than in the less wealthy parts (aka where I live). So, you may have to travel a bit, but it will be well worth it. And two, don't visit too frequently. If you check in regularly, you might luck out and find something great on the day it was put on the shelf, but more often than not, you're just going to come across the same old junk you've already picked through. I like to wait a few months between trips in order for the stock to completely turn over. This could just be a personal quirk though, so feel free to visit as often as you like if that's your thing. And one last thing, don't forget your 20% off coupon! Don large sunglasses and a cap if you must, that extra 20% is what makes this a real bargain! With that, I cross of a tri-annual #282: shop for bargains at my new favorite Goodwill.