In Praise of Childhood Memories

Tonight, I made out like a bandit.

Maybe I should back up a step or three. 

You see, I have a slight obsession with Lisa Frank. You know who I'm talking about- the woman whose collection of bright, glittery, neon creatures invaded the hearts and minds of every little girl in the '80's & '90's? 

That's the one! 

My initial love of art and introduction to color theory can all be traced back to the days I spent scouring the aisles of Rose's with my grand-dad, Dude. He was a sucker for his cute, little grand babies so all it took to get myself some free stickers was to say the magical sentence, "Doood, will woo take me to Wose's?" And BAM! off like a shot we'd be there and back. Me proudly parading down the hallway of our house, my little arms filled with swag, Dude chuckling at me. 

Which brings us to tonight! Now, Dude's not around anymore so I kind of have to buy my own stickers. But to be honest, buying your own stickers just isn't as much fun. Plus at the ripe old age of twenty-eight, I think my sticker collecting days are pretty much over. Tonight though- tonight was the exception. 

I hadn't seen many Lisa Frank items around anymore. Especially not the traditional Lisa Frank, the best Lisa Frank. These days little girls have to settle for lamer things like Bratz. Yeck. 

But I'll let you in on a little secret- if you want to find some Swag of Yore, git thee to thine Dollar General! (Or whatever your run of the mill, last stop on Desperation Street dollar store in your area.) And head to a back wall, that's where all the good stuff is. That's where all the Lisa Frank the loose change in your piggy bank will buy you. 

That back wall is not a depository for battered, beaten, used goods. No. That back wall is salvation! It is a shrine to our Lady of Glitter– Lisa.  

That is where I made out like a bandit. And proudly toted my Swag Bag back home. 

This is going to be a fun weekend. ;)