Sorry in advance, for this long post...

I went to Goodwill this evening in hopes of finding some costume pieces I need for an upcoming photoshoot. $40 and change later, I walked out with a treasure trove of things. I don't have photos yet, but will post some tomorrow.

I got, among other things...

1. A brand new, tags-still-attached Parker pleated leather miniskirt for $4.94. I have never heard of this brand, but when I googled, this is what I found...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Parker.....47#vi-cont

2. I also got a brand new ruffled satin bolero jacket to where for performing flamenco, with the tags still attached... $2.94

3. I got a vintage Joseph Ribkoff sleeveless ribbed black jumpsuit and it looks sharp! In pristine condition, but with that smell of storage. Laundering it as I type. Photos coming tomorrow...

4. A pair of brand-new black waterproof/rain pumps. That's right. It's a rain shoe AND it's a dress pump! By a brand called Sheikh. I don't know what it retailed for, but I paid $5.95 tonight. I was hoping to find some rain shoes - we have had a ridiculous amount of rain the past month, and a surprise flash-flood warning last night.

5. A black lace Forever 21 swingy casual dress that I plan to wear until it falls apart. Not new, but in pretty good condition for $4.94

6. Zara Trafaluc Crochet Dress. Not new, and shorter than it is on the model. And missing the slip. But at $4.94, it is the loveliest swimsuit coverup. http://www.polyvore.com/nwt_za.....d=64645175

7. I got an XS Banana Republic fitted white L/S tee in jersey rayon for $4.94. Obviously worn, but in excellent condition.

And finally....

8. The piece de resistance, though, is a genuine depression-era dress. It is made of an impossibly dainty and lovely ecru daisy-lace sewn against some sort of mesh backing, and the 'belt' is yards of the same daisies. The cut is so elegant, and the attention to detail is humbling. As I was hand-laundering it and marvelling at all the detail in this dress... I suddenly realized.... this was someone's wedding dress. And I paid $5.95 for it. Once I get photos posted, you will understand. This dress has the same painstaking sewn-by-hand craftsmanship that my grandmother's Edwardian-era wedding dress had. And this dress is in gloriously clean, sturdy, wearable condition.

It fits perfectly, and I wish I'd had this dress when I did a monologue and sang Simple Little Things at a variety performance a few weeks ago. I am going to put a slip under it and wear it to something nice, for sure. It is ecru/tan enough that it could go to a wedding or garden party.

I came away from this shopping trip thrilled... and humbled. My reality check is this: it's all stuff. The beautiful stuff at the NAS. The glorious stuff at the boutiques online and the mall and the consignment shops. Some woman owned and cherished that beautiful dress. She probably wore it just once, on the happiest day of her life, before storing it away lovingly. And then, 80 years later, someone else came along and dumped it off at a Goodwill, and I got that treasure for six bucks.

I used to spend so much time agonizing and wanting things, or making impulse buys. I've really come a long way with that, and even though I still have far more things than I need, my purchases fit my 'plan'. This shopping excursion made me realize that what matters, is that we all wear our beautiful things, and don't wait for some occasion that might or might not ever arrive.

I am going to wear the heck out of all of these pieces!

Again, sorry for the long post.