Tag: Secondi

my first vintage find

Photo by chelseachroniclIt happened totally by accident. It almost felt like cheating because there was really no more patience required beyond what it took for me to get a parking spot right out in front of the building.

Yes, it was that easy.

I had been planning on popping into Secondi (before heading to a #dayjob coffee meeting in Dupont Circle) only to drop off an armful of items that had long gone unworn in my closet. As I waited for the sales associate to ensure she had all the information she needed from me, my eyes caught a glimpse of this jacket. It’s not quite red. It’s not quite pink. It’s slightly cropped and rather fitted. It’s genuine leather. I instantly fell in love.

I looked at the price tag and expected to see something outrageous. Instead I was greeted by the doable $55.00. I inspected the lining for rips (none) and the leather for wear and tear (nothing that doesn’t just make it look awesomer). Then I tried it on and knew it would be mine.

It turned out I had a small credit of $25 on my account remaining from the spring closet purge, which means I really picked up this little number for a mere $30. I’m already dreaming up outfits and looking forward to the next time I can visit one of DC’s vintage stores.

A monster might have been unleashed.

Advertisement

a quadratic equation

I have a confession to make.

As announced to everyone within earshot of me as I made my way to the Cheverly Prom a few weeks ago, I bought Prada shoes.

(No, not to wear to the Cheverly Prom.)

This should not come as much of a surprise to those who know me, or maybe it will come as a shock. It might be the most indulgent purchase I have ever made, which is why I feel a slight chagrin in this admission. But I fell in love with these shoes when shopping for a dress to wear to Kaitlan’s wedding, and as those on the receiving end of my affection know, my love is not fleeting.

I have a mathematical formula in my head that justifies such a purchase. It goes something like this:

Credit for returned Kate Spade shoes + consignment check from Secondi + price differential between black DVF dress and dress I actually wore = Prada shoes

Shoes are the constant.

I knew I wanted these shoes the moment I slipped my feet into them at Neiman Marcus when trying on dresses. (Note: it’s a clever sales trick to bring into the dressing room a nice pair of shoes to ease your trying on experience.) I made a valiant effort to distract myself with non-Prada alternatives. The Kate Spade pumps referenced in the above equation were too pointy. The Stuart Weitzman Platswoons in adobe had a significant gap at the heel. Time was ticking. I had a dress. I needed a shoe.

So now I’m the happy owner of a gorgeous pair of buff patent leather Prada pumps with the perfect heel height and a tasteful platform. They are not my every day shoes. I dread the day a heel gets caught in between the uneven cobblestones of an under-maintenanced DC sidewalk. They will never see the rain or be the guest at a reception held on a carpet of grass. They aren’t quite special occasion shoes, but most certainly are great date night shoes or “I’m having a big day” shoes.

Regardless of whether I wear my Prada splurge walking down the halls of Congress or behind closed doors, these shoes make me feel powerful. And that feeling is worth every penny.