Happy (2ndhand) Birthday!!!!

Suffice it to day that our youngest child was SO EXCITED about her birthday that she could barely contain herself! I was astounded at the amount of thought that she put into it this year!!! She wrote an entire book on how her birthday should progress including such tidbits as:

1. Everyone should be peppy

2. No cell phone use on my birthday unless it is about my birthday.

3. Pink plates for girls/white plates for boys

There was SO MUCH MORE....literally pages upon pages of birthday instruction! A few weeks before her birthday, her present list changed from ZhuZhu pet accessories to a hopeless and all-consuming need for Breyer horses. I bought her a Breyer craft kit at a thrift store which happened to come with the catalog. She spent hours paging through it and marking all of her horse desires! I was happy to jump on the bandwagon, until I started checking prices. Those horses are expensive!!!! I steered her towards the less expensive options of the Breyer "Stablemates" (smaller version), and let her check a few options that she might like. I was almost ready to place my online order when I decided to check Craigslist. Lo and behold....there was an ad for a Breyer barn with horses that looked fantastic and for only $75. I immediately called the gentleman and asked if we could arrange a horse hookup! He agreed to meet me in the parking lot of a local Denny's. I was a bit nervous about this meeting, as you do hear all sorts of horror stories about situations like these....but decided to trust in the goodness of the universe and the happiness these things would bring my daughter and went to the meeting. Certainly my life was not destined to end in the parking lot of a pancake house???!!! When he pulled up, I almost fell out of my car!!! The barn was SO BIG it took up his whole front seat. And in perfect condition!!! A huge box of horses and accessories was also included. This was turning out to be one of the greatest deals ever!!!! But what was the icing on the cake was this.....my daughter has a "special friend" named Fathead. Fathead has been the love of her life since she was 2. She has toted around this little horse EVERYWHERE with us. He is definitely a part of our family. Inside the box of Breyer horses was a miniature "Fathead" stuffed animal. I was thrilled!!!! This alone was worth $75, and turned out to be my daughters favorite gift!!! I had no idea that such a small version of fathead even existed...and I though that I was privy to ALL fathead info! She was so excited with all of her birthday presents, and I feel like it was a fantastic deal! Never be afraid to shop second-hand....even for gifts! You can get so much more for your $$$, and the fact of the matter is that something is only "new" until it has been opened.

Also included in the pics....my gorgeous Missoni dress from Buffalo Exchange. Trying very hard to stay out of that place, but it is a difficult venture! Maybe I should have given it up for Lent instead of giving up red velvet cupcakes!??

A Buffalo Exchange 12 Step Program

Vintage tooled leather bag $50 Buffalo Exchange


Smythson Wallet- $6 Buffalo Exchange



Etro moto jacket- $85 Buffalo Exchange




Big, Fabulous cocktail Ring $17 Buffalo Exchange





Manolo Blahniks- $40 Bufflo Exchange


OUT OF POCKET= $0 How could there be a better way to shop??????





I beleive an intervention might be needed, because I am a hopeless Buffalo Exchange addict. It has become so terrible that even the employees are reminding me that I am not supposed to be there! Never mind that I always feel so proud of myself when I go and sell my belongings there and that cash is rarely used....but I never fail to leave with new stuff! Here is my version of the 12 steps....translated for Buffalo Exchange:













1. I am powerless when faced with bargains....my closet has become unmanageable!






2. A power greater than myself is maneuvering my vehicle towards the nearest Buffalo Exchange!






3. I have made a decision to turn my will over to this greater power...therefore absolving myself of any guilty feelings!






4. I made a searching and fearless inventory of my closet.






5. I will admit to all of you the nature of my problem.






6. I have to be ready to remove all defects from my wardrobe (I like this one....does it mean I get to have replacements).






7. I will humbly ask my girlfriends to help me remove my fashion faux pas.






8. I will make a list of all the people who have not benefited from this habit, and promptly rectify by buying them a present.






9. I will make direct amends to them in the form of cute clothing/accessories, unless doing so will offend them in which case, I will buy something for myself.






10. Continue to take a closet inventory and when I have done wrong....I will return to Buffalo Exchange.






11. I will meditate on when enough is enough and hope that this point has been reached!






12. I will try unsuccessfully to tell this to all of my friends who are also afflicted with the Buffalo Exchange addiction!!!













There.....rules to live by! I am starting today.....so all of my fabulous friends at my local Buffalo....be ready to feel my absence (but if anything great comes in....could you please call??)!!!!