February 3, 2012

Window Shopping / March 2010 / The Numbers Game

The Numbers Game

A lot of us don’t share money matters with one another, and rightly so: For most it doesn’t matter/isn’t imperative to tell how much we spend on an item (rent, handbag, Christian Louboutins) if it’s necessary and/or makes us happy.

I grew up in a household where my parents would extol the virtues of saving money. My brothers and I were taught to manage a personal savings account, my mom would bring us to the consignment shop near my grandpa’s barbershop, we’d eat “Lucky Stars” (the generic brand of Lucky Charms) instead of the actual thing, and my mom would clip food coupons weekly (she still does, and sets aside coupons for me, too!). Needless to say saving money is in my blood: I often wonder, if I had a celeb’s salary, would I balk at spending $4,500 on Valentino’s Ricamono Shining Flower tote or $3,385 on Emilio Pucci’s sequined mesh dress? Or would I still look long and hard at spending that much on one item?

Methinks I wouldn’t care (nearly) as much that that Marchesa gown cost as much as a used car. But part of me thinks I’d still be the same old critical shopper (P.S. One of my favorite well-written shopping columns is in fact called “The Critical Shopper,” which appears in The New York Times. But, I digress). That’s why I love the thrill of a good bargain: It’s almost as exciting as that feeling when you step off of a crazy roller coaster or (for me) seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time. Weellll, maybe not that exciting. But, damn, it feels satisfying to snag a well-made item for a good price.

I’m also a bit different when it comes to sharing how much an item costs, especially when it comes to shopping. Frequently people ask either where I bought a particular item I’m sporting, how much an item costs that appeared in the magazine (it says in the photo credits but some people don’t see it), or how much an item is that’s temporarily in my work area, waiting to be photographed for the magazine. I’m different because I’ll happily share how much something costs by virtue of my job as a style editor. You see, I’m supposed to tell people these things, especially if it sends someone to a local business to purchase the item! And of course, part of me loves sharing the excitement of a stellar bargain or simply an item that’s a good price.

So in case you’re wondering: The gray and black zebra-print tank I’m wearing today? Eighteen dollars (or thereabouts) from The Purple Goose. The gold chain link bracelet I’m rocking? $2.99, HospiceCare Thrift Store. And my newest find? This sharply tailored, one-hundred-percent wool blazer that I’m dying to wear (which I put on for this photo to show all of you)—it was a whole $7.99 from the HospiceCare Thrift Store. I share this of course because I always encourage you to shop local, and right now especially you can find some fun late-winter deals as well as cute new stuff for spring!

And shout-out to my mom, the original bargain hunter—thanks for those brand-new nude crocodile-print peep toes you bought me a while back from the consignment store near you—that $8 was well spent!

HospiceCare Thrift Store, 122 Junction Rd. 833-4556.