Quivering puddle of goo

A couple years ago I wrote this post:

I’m not entirely sure when it happened, but somewhere within the last six years I’ve made a transition from wanting brand new things directly from the department store, to enjoying the search for something used at a second hand store.

It’s kind of like a scavenger hunt, and when I find a pair of designer jeans that slip on like they were made for me, then look at the price tag and see that it’s a fraction of what they’d cost on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, I can’t help but do a silent cheer.

I remember when Zoe was just a toddler and every other word out of my mouth was Baby Lulu. I could not walk past a children’s resale shop without going inside and quicking scouring the racks in search of a anything Baby Lulu. (Those Baby Lulu moms are willing to pay top dollar on eBay for any shirt, dress, leggings and/or hat in order to complete an outfit.) One day, I hit the jackpot and found a coveted pair of discontinued Lulu leggings, mint condition, for only $2.75. I grinned the entire way up to the cash register, hoping that the clerk would not look at my purchase and realize that I was getting gold for mere pennies. The next week I sold them on eBay for $32.

When we moved into our new house last July, we had to switch grocery stores. Our new grocery store is right next door to Marshalls Home Goods, and I must admit that I had never really spent all that much time in Marshalls before. However, now I can’t seem to stay away. Ralph Lauren Polo cargo shorts, a fancy plate for my plate collection (the one that I decided that I’m going to start), a bamboo cutting board, etc…..  Oh my gosh, the deals are endless!

But, if you go just a couple miles further down the street, you’ll find my new favorite favorite FAVORITE place of all! Once Again Consignment Boutique. I walked in on Saturday and felt like I had found it. It. The place where I know I’ll be scouring the racks every chance I get in the search of the my own traveling pants, or the perfect purse.

What am I specifically looking for? Just like any good scavenger hunt, when I find it, I’ll know.

Keeping that post in mind, you’ll never guess what I’m going to be doing today. I’ve been invited to a sneak peak of the newest AJWright store in Racine, WI (which is a retailer in the TJX family of stores)! How can I resist?

I can’t. The fact is that I can’t resist a Marshall’s or a TJ Maxx to save my life. This will be my first visit to AJWright, and I expect that I’ll be overwhelmed by being first to see all of the brand new merchandise, as well as the value.

My sneak peak came with a challenge too: How well can I budget $100? 

I don’t even know where to begin with that. Spend $100? On whatever I want? Oh gosh. That is going to be quite the challenge. Handbag? Shoes? Yoga pants?

You might find me a quivering puddle of goo by the end of the night.

You can follow me on Twitter to see how I did in the challenge www.twitter.com/msindigo.