My love for thrifting started a long time ago and it involves the amazing women in my life. I spent many mornings, waking up early and driving around town in my grandmothers white Buick. I honestly can't remember what Mary Ann would pick up but I vividly remember being able to rummage through a strangers box of unwanted goods and being so ecstatic over a 25 cent sticker price. What a deal! The incredible and unique finds to be found.
My mother would take me with her to consignment shops and I loved browsing through all of the racks of clothing. In my mind I remember them being massive warehouses of endless garments, spinning carousels of color. Hope decorated our home with the most insane finds from yard sales and Craigslist, a time before Facebook marketplace existed. I specifically remember an aztec printed couch she brought home to our quadplex. I still dream of finding a piece like that to this day. This woman had style and I'd like to think that some of that passion and love for all things unique, trickled over into my world.
As I got older and began navigating life as a teenager, I jumped at a chance to go dig through shelves and racks at the local thrift stores. My style was a bit eclectic and you wouldn't find me leaving the house with out a vintage piece of clothing. The moment I walked into my senior prom with my date, the staff looked us up and down and said, "I feel like I've stepped back in time, you're wearing my outfit from prom!" My date in his brown corduroy suit with the ruffled lace top and I, in my vintage wedding dress that had been altered in a Molly Ringwald from Pretty in Pink fashion.
This person continued to thrive. Two newlyweds moving from Tennessee to Colorado with a hatchback full of stuff had nothing to furnish an apartment and you know what we did? A lot of scouring Facebook marketplace and driving around town to find the freebies sitting on the side of the road. I can't say we had the nicest stuff but it worked and we were on a budget.
As I've have gotten older and with more experience, I've been able to perfect a thrifting technique and have learned to be patient. But it's not a hobby at this point, I feel like it's a personality. A necessity to be smart with my money and understand that there are beautiful and unique items that have a place in our home and also recognize that items that still have life left. It's important to me to preserve these treasures that hold memories for others or capture a moment in history.
So let's talk about my why. Not only does the experience of thrifting hold a special place in my little world but it gives me great pride to preserve, repair, and share special finds with the world. Not only are these goodies staying out of our landfills but we have this opportunity to shop more sustainably and stay away from big box stores that influence us into buying things that are poorly and cheaply made. Even if you're not shopping with Wild We Roam Co., I hope that you understand that taking the small step to source at thrift stores, estate sales, or small vintage shops is a better way to support your community and planet.