I’ve gotten several questions about the mysterious mannequin and whether or not she really exists.
She is in fact, very real. I found her about a year ago, buried in the corner of a huge antique warehouse. I was looking for something to help me with my eBay sales (clothes sell about 50% better when displayed on a mannequin), and she seemed like she’d do just fine. However, the store was asking $150 and that was way out of our price range. So I negotiated for a short term rental, and took her home for two weeks at the bargain price of $15.
Miraculously, she and I were the exact. same. size. I mean, exactly the same. So identical that it was almost spooky. Needless to say, I made a big chunk of change on eBay and happily returned her to the store.
Months passed, and it was time to sell a few more goodies. I realized how foolish I had been to give her up; how often do you find an adorable mannequin that’s exactly your size? I returned to the antique store, desperately hoping she hadn’t already been snatched up. The hubby and I searched high and low, but no luck.
I was about to give up hope, when a salesman walked by and asked if he could help us with anything (I imagine I had a look of sheer desperation on my face). I described her in perfect detail, and he got a faint glimmer of recognition in his eye. He climbed up to a storage crawlspace and dug around for about 10 minutes . . . when he returned, he held in his arms my beautiful mannequin.
Of course, I still wasn’t willing to pay $150, so we haggled him down to $45 (!). That was about 8 months ago, and not a day goes by that I don’t feel totally and completely thrilled with the purchase.
The hubby and I have been married almost two years (wahoo!). In those two years, we’ve always lived in a one-bed/one-bath apartment. And in those two years, there have been more than a few days when I’ve thought, “Must. Move. Now.”
Since the day we got married, I’ve been craving a two bed/two bath apartment. So bad. I sometimes daydream about what it would be like to have glorious space to spread out and hang clothes and just be. I know, without a doubt, that we would both love it. Looooooove it.
But until we can find a two bedroom for the price of a one-bedroom, in basically the same location, we’re determined to keep sticking it out. The days we feel cramped are outnumbered by how much we love putting a big chunk of change in our savings each month.
So let me be the first to admit that it’s hard sometimes to make living large choices. But at the end of the day (or in our case, 18-month lease), it’s totally worth it.
photo by nz alex
I was reading my free subscription to Glamour last night, and I happened across a Kmart ad for spring dresses. And I really liked some of them. And that surprised me a little.
I’ve been a big fan of Target since, well, my first trip there. But Kmart has always fallen short of the “chic” allure that Target (pronounced “tar-jhay,” obviously) hits so easily. But maybe a change is coming? Maybe the recession has sent designers hunting more anywhere to showcase their work?
Only time will tell, but for now, I may get this adorable white spring dress. (I am a sucker for any cute shirtdress in white or navy.) If you’d like one too, make sure you visit Kmart.com/fashion-able for a free $10 coupon.
Posted by Monica on March 31, 2009 at 7:36 pm in living large
Due to a crazy day of missed flights, I returned home late last night from our trip. Which means our mannequin sat all alone yesterday . . . just hoping she’d get to try on a new top, but no such luck. Don’t worry dear - your time is coming.
While I get caught up from the weekend, I wanted to say a quick “thank you” to my lovely readers. In the past few weeks I’ve received an assortment of emails & comments with suggestions for the site. I want you to know I appreciate each and every one, and I’m busy working to implement your fabulous ideas.
Excited for us to keep saving money together . . .
