New Year's Day Miracle: Salvo Wednesday!

Amazing miracles happen, my friends. I was very disappointed that Christmas fell on a Wednesday this year, meaning that on my first vacation Wednesday, half-off day was a no-go. Realizing that this meant that New Year's would also fall on a Wednesday, I called ahead with great concern to make sure they were going to be open. Fortunately, tragedy was averted: They were open.

I arrived at the Henrietta Salvation Army at 9am. On New Year's Day. Yes, I was the only person there other than the employees. It was miraculous enough to meander down the aisles without having to worry about squeezing around other people. But better yet, the employee at the counter informed me as soon as I came in that they were running a special sale today. Everything was half off - not everything except for one color tag, but everything. Every tag color, clothing, shoes, accessories, the whole store. Ever. Y. Thing. And to really put the icing on the cake, they were ALSO doing a buy-three-items-get-the-fourth-for-free. Three half off items. A New Year's miracle!!

I think all years should start like this.

Forever 21, $3

You can tell if you compare these two pictures that the waist is tighter in the first. This is because the previous owner had decided to take it in to create a waist. The stitches were starting to come out and I wanted to see what it looked like with a straighter waistline, so I grabbed my seam ripper and ripped. I can't for the life of me decide which way is better. I'll probably go with the second way just because that's how it is now. What do you think?

Plush, $2

 It's hard to tell but there's a sweetheart neckline and just lace above it. I love this lace but did not love that the Salvo tag was stapled onto the lace. It's bad enough when they staple it to regular fabric. Why lace? WHY?? 

Suzi Chin for Maggy Boutique, free!!!!

 This happened to be the 4th item that my cashier rang up. He did not trouble himself to check if this was the lowest priced item of the 4, he just said "and the fourth one's free!", and added it to my pile. It was marked at $9.99, which means that at half off it would have been $5. Which was the most expensive thing I got. Ooh, I love free! I also love the fabric-flowery detail on the bodice. This was the first thing I saw on entering the store, and the cashier helped me denude a mannequin to claim it. I like this cashier. 

Express, free!!!

 Looking at the tag for this one, it should have been $3.50 (half off $7), which makes it the second most expensive item in my pile. Also happened to be the 4th thing the cashier grabbed. Express sweater dress, free.... 2014 is starting out very well for me.

Express, $2.50

 Wonderfully soft silky fabric with a purple and turquoise pattern. Love!

Top, Charlotte Russe, $2.50
Jeans, Forever 21, $3

 I bought two items with lace. I bought two items with the tags stapled directly to said lace. Arrrrgghhhh!!

I moved on to the Greece Salvo to find that they were running the same sale.  My free items here were two pairs of unpictured pajama pants (sorry, I am just never going to take pictures of my jammies). 

Ann Taylor, $2 

I swear that someday I'm going to get a better camera for this... or become a better self photographer... but the right side of that top is covered in silver beads. I love a little tasteful bedazzling. I grew up in the 80s. I can't help myself.

Old Navy, $2

 A reminder to myself that even though it doesn't feel like it in the deep freeze we've already endured (and it's just January 1st!) this winter, summer will return. Someday.

NY & Co, $2

 Shimmery white sequins in a swirly design, which I'm sure you can't see.

Mossimo, $2.50

 My hands are not purely ornamental, but actually holding the skirt up. This skirt is going to require just a bit of taking in. Or pinning, the more likely option, as I will probably forget that it needs to be done until ten minutes before I want to wear it. Someone with amazing taste in clothes (tops, skirts, coats) had made a large donation to the Greece Salvo. This person is (or was, judging by how many clothes she gave away) a size large. I am not, and it's the first time I've ever found myself frustrated by this fact. I have particularly been longing for more maxi skirts since I wore my black one a ton last summer. There were three and the other two had a chevron pattern that I know I wouldn't be able to keep intact if I took it in... so I had to satisfy myself with this one. Here's the thing about maxi skirts: Flowy and cool if it's hot, but if the sun goes behind the clouds or someone makes you go somewhere with air conditioning, you're still all covered up. God bless you, maxi skirts.

BCBG Maxazria, $2.50

 You can see that the sleeves are asymmetrical, but you probably can't tell that the bottom is too. It's a light, breathable material, and I just love asymmetrical clothes!



Finally, the coup de grâce....

Coach, $3.50

That's right. Coach purse. Three dollars and fifty cents. Three. Dollars. Fifty. Cents. It's in beautiful shape, too. I really don't have any interest in owning a Coach bag myself... but there are plenty of people out there in the world of EBay who do, and will hopefully pay me well for the privilege. 

Happy New Year to me!!!! And to all of you bargain fashion fans as well!