Plato's Closet and Prior Attire

A weekend ago I stopped by two stores, one a thrift store and one a consignment store.

My boyfriend suggested Prior Attire as he saw the name once somewhere. So I went to the store on 95th and Nall, next door to Sushi Gin (a decent sushi place). I never noticed the store before when I dined at Sushi Gin, so I think it recently relocated there from somewhere else.

My first impression when I entered the store was that it was a consignment store due to the quality of the items there. But it was a thrift store that accepts donations and then resells them to donate to charities instead. According to its website, it donated over $90,000 to over 40 KC charities in just last 4 years! Impressive. I am impressed with the items in the store, but I did not seem to find what I liked that day. If you like Coldwater Creek, Land's End, or Chico, this store may be for you.

The next store I went to was Plato's Closet. I discovered that it is a chain of stores everywhere in USA. My mom told me a Plato's Closet is opening in MN that will have three floors! I must check that out when I visit my family in Saint Paul next time. When I first entered the store on 135th and Quivira, first thing that I thought: "This is every teen's haven". Aeropostale, American Eagle, Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch... there were so many clothings I did not have a chance to look at them. They do have a very decent selection.

Which consignment or thrift store shall I check out next? Maybe Savers on Santa Fe/Murlen and 95th/Nall. Just realized I missed the opportunity to stop by Savers when I visited Prior Attire. I did visit there before, just for books. Their book selection was amazing. I am not sure about their clothing. Stay tuned...

Revisiting used clothes

Lately I have been hitting the consignment and thrift stores. So far I like Nu2You in Leawood and Ditto in Overland Park/Lenexa. Nu2You seems to be geared toward older women in 30s and 40s, and have many good choices to wear for work. Ditto seems to be for teenagers to 20s/30s and mostly fads. Both are consignment stores which mean they can cost more than at any thrift store, but quality is much better.

I also visited Savers on 95th and Nall in Overland Park and was shocked at the book section. I could buy everything there! I think I bought 6 books there.

I also asked for friends' suggestions on Facebook. One of them strongly recommended Goodwill in Overland Park (135th and Hwy 69) and another one said I should check Plato's Closet out.

At first I was uncertain if Goodwill by Hwy 69 and 135th street is good, since I have not had any "great find" at any Goodwill store. I met the friend again the next day, and she still swore by it. So after work last Thursday, I decided to check that Goodwill out.

And... I was stunned. She was right. Banana Republic, Express, Limited, Tommy Hilfiger, Talbots, you name it. And those clothes were clean and most were even ironed. I spent two hours at that store and I was not finished! I will go back again soon. I also found awesome books, for only 99 cents each. I also found my best find ever (besides finding that Armani jacket at Ditto last week):

I have the exactly same pair in black, which I bought for $29.99. I was thinking of buying another one in a different color since I am in love with my black pair. Then tada, this cotton pink crocs for only ... $1.99!

The nice thing about Crocs is that you can wash it easily. Naturally this pair of pink Malindi's is very dirty when I found it at Goodwill, but there's nothing that soap and water can't do.

I am sooooo excited! I even texted my boyfriend and mom about it :)

Next stop: Plato's Closet. I have not checked it out but I will do soon.

Got any cool consignment/thrift stores you think are worth a visit?

A New Look! FICO First...

I have been maintaining this blog since 2006, so I figured this blog needs a makeover. Well, I used one of those blogger templates again. Perhaps someday I'll not be lazy and customize my layout. Oh yeah I need a new profile picture too...remind me next time :)

I also thought of changing the quote at the top to "First FICO, then sex", quoted by Suze Orman, but maybe that would scare off some readers.

I love that sentence and it certainly makes sense, although I admit I don't abide by that rule. My two former boyfriends have lousy FICO score but yet I dated them. When I found out about their financial background, I was already attached.

My latest boyfriend, Paul certainly has a good financial background and I asked him many questions before I decided to date him.

Remember, before you start to get serious with someone, make sure that person is in solid financial shape or else you may get yourself into financial trouble.