Steal From Your Mother

I shop. A lot. As most of you know. So you would assume that my closet is a never-ending carousal of clothing constantly being rotated in and out as fashions fade. Call me annoying but for important events, I enjoy me a new outfit. So sue me. Nevertheless, there has been one article of clothing that has, and will remain, in my wardrobe cue for years: my cream wool hooded sweater.

I got this sweater from my mom's closet in high school because it was always freezing cold when I left the house at 7 a.m. each morning. After hoarding it for a while, I think my mom gave up her efforts for a permanent return and accepted that she was mine (yes, my sweater is a she). It wasn't until I'd worn the crap out of it that my mom turns to me one day and says, "Do you know how long I've had that sweater?" Uhhhhhh, no. But I have a feeling you're gonna tell me. "Forever," she says. Turns out she got it as a birthday gift from my dad either when she was in high school or shortly thereafter. The nostalgia automatically intrigued me.

I cannot tell you how many people compliment me on this sweater and ask me where I got it. It's an interesting story and great conversation starter. Even more than telling the story I love that inquiring fashionistas are unable to obtain this exact sweater.

Due to my sweater's overwhelmingly positive response, I decided to tool around my mom's closet and jewelry box a little more. Turns out mama-dearest had a ring, that she also has had since high school as well. Made out of the handle part of a spoon, it was engraved with a cursive "C" (Mama's name is Connie). I peg my obsession with finding anything and everything with either a "C" or "Carrie" on it to this very moment. After narrowing down the best excuse for requesting the ring be mine, my mom was happy to give it to me. She never wore it anyway.

Every now and then I ask my mom if I can fish through her jewelry box with her (which pisses me other sisters off) and I often find some gems. I highly recommend you all look through your mothers' stuff and starting a vintage family collection of your own. Afterall, your mom's trash could be this season's treasure.