You may remember my post last year about my decision to not buy new clothes for exactly one year. Faced with a shrinking student budget, and just as an interesting experiment, I went on a new clothes fast. Thrift stores and consignment shops were ok, but even those I wanted to keep to a minimum. Well, I made it. I did a decent job with this task, although I cheated a few times. I can count on one hand how many new items I bought, two are, inexplicably, jackets. That's a little strange since used jackets aren't hard to find, but it's just what happened. Overall, I found a lot of cute items out there in the thrift world, and I'm glad I did it. I rarely went shopping last year, but I ended up getting a number of things the five or six times I went.

Here's what I learned (disclaimer: I realize these lessons, one in particular, may be unique to me):

- Thrift store shirts and sweaters are usually a good deal. I've found cute, good quality t-shirts and sweaters out there, and I haven't had any major problems with these.

- Check your items thoroughly for holes and other blemishes before your buy! A few of my purchases were duds when I realized their flaws after arriving home.

- Used jewelry is hit and miss. It's interesting stuff for sure, but a lot of it is cheaply made. Even if a piece looks in decent shape, it tends to fall apart quickly. I don't mind this so much when it comes to fun earrings or necklaces I don't plan to wear forever, but I don't like rings that lose pieces right away.

- I never have an umbrella because I always lose them. I gave up on umbrellas a long time ago, in fact, which I guess makes me more of a true Seattlite. However, I've found that sometimes a girl could really use one, so I picked up a secondhand one I really like for just a few bucks. It's a win-win. I have rain coverage when needed, and I won't feel that bad if I lose it.

- OK. Here is the biggie. Used jeans are not for me! I'll tell you why, but I'm not excited about it, because it's embarrassing. Here it goes. No matter how they fit in the butt (loose, tight, just right, lower riders or up highers) I always end up with holes, specifically in stitching of the back pockets that give a nice view of unders or skin. Yes, I have a problem with thrift jean ass holes! I'm an unknowing peep show in my pants! I don't know why. There is no rhyme or reason for it (except for, you know, the possibility that I also unknowingly have a giant arse!), but I'm afraid the holes go undetected by me for far too long. Aaaaaaaaah, I can't even think about it! So...I'm dunzo with used jeans. Lately I've been fortunate to find a brand of moderately expensive jeans I really like dirt cheap in the clearance section of a local department store, so why would I spend $8 on used when I can get brand new for less than $20? It's just better for everyone.

If I think of any more, I'll add to this list.

In other news, I've planned what I think will be a great little mini-getaway to celebrate TBF's birthday and our two year anniversary later in September! I'm very excited about it, but I can't tell you all the deets in case he looks at the blog. I'm going for surprise. He always does such a great job planning little trips and things for us. In fact, he's normally the planner in that department, so it's definitely my turn. It will be nice to have a little escape right before school starts back up again. Only a month now. Part of me is like, noooooooooooooooooo, but the other part is saying, let's just get this over with.

It's finally feeling like summer in Seattle! Woohoo! I've been on a cooking and exercising kick lately. I guess you could call it a bit of a health kick, actually. I've cut way back on coffee and upped my intake of water. I've cut back on sweets and my portions of heavier foods (most of the time; I am not any sort of saint), and I've increased my intake of healthier options instead. I made yummy lettuce wraps out of tofu salad (kind of like egg salad) one night, and a tasty tortilla soup the other day. Smoothies make a regular appearance at breakfast. I go running three or four times a week, and I'm fitting in other exercise on my non-run days. While I'm feeling good running between 2-2.5 miles, and that is actually a big accomplishment for me, I really want to start increasing that. It's tough. I think my speed on the shorter run is improving, but I haven't made significant strides on the mileage yet. TBF and I plan to go for a hike this weekend which will be good for an exercise shake up.

Since it looks like I'll be in town over Labor Day weekend, I'm considering going to Bumbershoot one day. I haven't been in a few years now, but I'm debating about whether or not I'm up for it. Maybe yes. Maybe no. On one hand, I'd love to see Broken Social Scene, the Kills, and the School of Seven Bells, but on the other....crowds, madness, etc. Normally, I'm ok with braving the crowds, but during a period when I'm trying to keep stress to a minimum, I'm wondering what the smart choice will be?