I love to raid the clearance racks at upscale boutiques and jump up and down for joy when I find a literal steal at 80-90% off. I don’t know if that’s more of being “cheap” (!) or just being practical. As the lotto prize has continued to elude me, I have to be a reasonable shopper. (Or at least I try.)
Do you ever find yourself wading through tons of gorgeous outfits on the clearance floor, only to find out that you are running out of time because the hubby and the son have called to say they’re waiting for you outside? (Sounding patient, but trying very hard to be.) I had grabbed this gorgeous cardigan (again.. I told you it was a favorite..) only to realize later at home that it was lacking a button. * SIGH * Alas, it was one of those sweaters which had a fancy button the same color as the fancy yarn the knit was spooled from. So I had to go looking for a suitable button to replace ALL THE BUTTONS with. (Makes me miss Carolina’s in MegaMall which was my favorite “go-to” place for those buttons before.) Couldn’t find the teal, but you can never go wrong with gold.
I did find a fancy set in, of all places, one of my bead suppliers here on Sixth Avenue. (It is, after all, the fashion center.. supposedly.) Tonight’s the night I’m putting those buttons on. Tomorrow, I wear the cardigan!
Buttons have always had an appeal to me like candy in a candy store. I always seem to gravitate towards the notions section of most dollar stores I visit — looking for fancy colored plastic buttons of the regular type. I put them in a tiny ziploc bag in my sewing case, ever ready for that all important different colored button I cannot find the spare button for.
Incidentally, I keep all my spare buttons and threads (from the sweaters) in a specific box to make it easier for me to find when the need arises. One of these days I will make something different with those buttons I have — maybe a fancy headband or what not. One of these days.
Pinay New Yorker 