Thrift Tourist

I’m in Niagara Falls because Mr. Andrew is here for a work thing for a couple of days and I am taking advantage of the fact that his hotel room is unoccupied while he is on the job to give myself a little writer’s retreat. The hotel has a pool so what better way to get some low impact exercise in as a palate cleanser in between chapters than with a little swim? What I forgot to pack was something to wear in between hotel room and fitness center. So I did a little run to the Value Village to look for a robe. I got this Tommy Hilfiger logo poncho and some chambray culottes instead.

I also made some completely unnecessary purchases, including this JC Chasez marionette doll. I actually got this action figure for Christmas the year it came out. I bought him to add to my celebrity doll party project. I didn’t remember how hideous this rendition was. They had a Lance Bass as well but I passed him up because the likeness was so grotesque.

Whilst ambling around Niagara I kept getting lost. I am not good navigating around cities that don’t have a grid layout. I was angry at myself for not bringing my Timex with the watch strap compass. I was so excited, then, when I spotted this wrist compass. It went into my cart immediately even though I’ll be inside working for the rest of this trip.

I got Ossington Bear some suave new duds. And I picked up a few presents for Mr. Andrew, too. First up this Monty Python book.

But the best find was this practically mint Realistic Concertmate 650 which was made by Casio and is basicall a rebranded Casio SK-5 sampling keyboard. It plays like a charm and we noodled around on it in the hotel room until it was time for sleep.

Almost forgot these Brutalist Freeform silver and coral earrings. I didn’t bring a loupe so I can’t completely make out the hallmarks but it looks maybe Polish?