Last week, I was searching around the island ENDLESSLY for yarn. Mother's Day was coming, and since my stepmom Lynda recently took to knitting, I wanted to buy her some fun, summer like, Hawaii colors.
It was harder then I thought.
You see, I guess a lot of locals don't really knit around here. (It makes sense. Why would you want to knit using heavy material when it's always 80 degrees?) I finally found three knitting stores advertised online.
The first one took most of the day to find. It was a little hole in the wall type of yarn store located in the business district. To my dismay I found this sign:
"Due to illness, my yarn store will be closed starting March 29th. I hope to be back open in July. I apologize for the inconvenience. Mahalo!"
Discouraged, I got back on the bus. As I was heading to Waikiki, I noticed we were passing a giant building that read THRIFT STORE. I immediately pulled the cord to let the driver know I was getting off. My mom used to scourer thrift stores all the time in hopes of finding good deals and treasures. Garage sales and yard sales were a sport as well. There were plenty in Ohio. Not so much in New Jersey, but I realized quickly that I inherited my mother's love for crap. You always go in and hope that you find that one special treasure. I figured I might find yarn there. I didn't, but I found just about everything else. Like a kid in a candy store, I pawed through shirts, skirts, and shoes. None of the shoes were small enough, and pants, shorts and skirts were too big. But once I got to the shirts and tank tops, I was in heaven. Most of the shirts/tanks were never worn and had tags still on them. All were $3-$10 dollars each. I haggled gently, telling the seller that I knew the clothes were last season's fashions, (they really weren't) and that none of the shirts were worth ten dollars. I got all of my things for $3 each. All fit well. I knew the red shirt would look great with my leggings.
These two tanks below were from Express. I usually see them for $40.
The final top below I just guessed would fit me well. It did.
Not bad for under $20! Now THAT'S how you get clothes while traveling on a tight budget. And y'all at home wanted me to get clothes before I left. HAH.
I did eventually find a yarn store, and Lynda did get her Mother's Day gift today. Win, win for all yes?
Mom would be proud.
