From Nothing For Nothing Rule #2

Gratitude

My last From Nothing For Nothing post was about 

Rule#1 Ditching the Pride 

in purchasing new clothes and finding the fun in relieving your friends of their wardrobe clutter.

Rule #2

Gratitude

Show some love, be enthusiastic!

Even if it doesn't fit, isn't your ‘style’ 

or whatever.

Someone you know gave it to you. 

Act like they bought it for you!

Essentially they did,

 a while ago,

got some use out of it,

and now they have given it to you!

The best part is when they see you wearing it,

In it’s original form or modified,

they will be proud and so should you!

If a generous friend gives you a bag of treasure and mentions a certain item that they held dear, 

but has a tear, 

doesn't fit the same or 

has any other reason for parting with it 

(other than weird painful memories)

Try something fun with it and re-gift it back to them! 

Here are a few ideas for that 'vintage' t-shirt collection you may have inherited from a friend:

Re-purpose it! 

Frame it!

Make it into a pillow case, wall art, oat bag! 

Anything somewhat simple and personal without costing more than you would spend at the thrift shop for said item. 

Maybe try a prototype with a similar item if you can, 

but even if you don’t, 

it was free for you, and your friend wasn't expecting anything out of it anyway!

And even if you aren't crafty 

(all it takes is practice) 

Just keep them in mind while mingling with the lost souls of the thrift shop and something will pop up that fits the bill perfectly.

But really....

All you have to do is be ecstatic that you have received so much for so little from someone so generous!

And maybe wear that something you didn't really like

 (but have styled to look good of course),

when you know they'll see it, 

and express your gratitude with a nice big hug!

Gratitude, without it, you've got nothing!

H.M.K.

More on Building Your Wardrobe From Nothing For Nothing to come!

Nothing ever lasts Forever.

I bet you've been building your wardrobe for a while.

So had I.

About 22 years.

(I will 25 this year)

Okay, so I only really fit into half of it.

Yes half of my life's clothes I still wore...

(I went through a baggy stage early on and a tight stage later on)

Long story short...

We had a house fire, not everything was destroyed.

And then the insurance company had a 'miss communication'

and what was salvageable was hastily thrown out.

(Non of our bedrooms even had a lick of flame come within 10 feet) 

And yes I am still pissed off about it.

Lesson Learned:

Question Everything you are told and never leave it in someone else's hands if you don't know them.

(and don't trust the insurance company - hire a lawyer, your policy should cover it)

Well let me tell you, word travels fast in the Roller Derby community and within a day I had more (good) shit than I had places to put it (obviously).

It was overwhelming, and I didn't like accepting all of these things from friends and strangers.

It felt weird and I wanted

MY

stuff.

They were not my clothes, it was not my style.
I wanted to go buy everything back, 
but none of it was there to buy, 
and prices don't depreciate in the real world only in insurance land.

So
Fast forward about 3 years and my closet is more jam packed with awesome, unique and un-purchasable
clothing than ever before!

I love it all, 
and wouldn't hesitate to cut up, re-gift or share
any of it.
(Excluding my school projects, fabric ain't cheap)

I think I maybe own 6 things
 (not including socks and undies)
that I have bought brand new

And the money I would have spent on clothes?
Has kept me in school for the last 2 years.
And is building a better home for my folks and us!

The point of sharing that story?
Well I could give you a list morals,
and motivational, Buddhist-esque quotes
about not valuing 
'stuff'

But I won't.

Instead I am going to give you some freedom!
Freedom to spend money on other things
(hopefully fun experiences)
and most importantly
Freedom from the mall!
(Yes I am a fashion student that hates the mall)

Stay tuned!
Love what has been given to you
even if you didn't want it
(Kind of like that stray cat you took home)
H.M.K.