It can be in a flea market, sidewalk, yard or garage sale, or even an auction ~ I love poring through used stuff. And with the popularity of the charity thrift chain Housing Works, I get the distinct impression I am not alone in this passion.  Once I discovered their Chelsea shop (which I believe could unofficially be referred to as their “Flagship Store” by the many who have treasured it since its origin), the fantasies of how I wish I could live in NYC were born.  A capacious, airy apartment adorned with personal mementos and randomly assembled eclectic (yet tasteful) furnishings resides in the dream cloud of my imagination.  And I touch down there whenever I perambulate the creaky, planked floors of any Housing Works location.  Ephemera only remotely imagined is on display and available for purchase, inspiring the “what ifs” of a visualization that is the home life we’d hoped to establish in this city chock-a-block with cramped spaces.  Size does matter, if only we could have landed a few more square feet for the buck….

Okay, shaking that one off…we’re here and living with what we’ve got.  And no matter how little space there is left on our floorboards, shelves and hangars, we can always find a good reason to support the mission of these stores:  “…to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain our efforts.”  Here, here!

But TODAY, and for an undisclosed amount of days into the future, we can donate $10 to the Housing Works SOHO location (it’s on Crosby Street just south of Houston – west side of the street) and receive not only $10 worth of credit toward a vast offering of books on topics unlimited, but also a FREE LUNCH!!  Woo hoo!  Catch up on your summer reading while you take time out to dine.  How perfect on a hot afternoon!

How does one partake?  Why, through the fabulousness of SCOUTMOB.  And it’s high time you signed up with those guys, anyway!  (UPDATE: this was posted in July, and it is now September, but this deal is STILL going on!!!)

Now go and have a fun lunch for a good cause!  : )

Photo Credit:
Housing Works website