One Woman’s Trash…

The streets of Eugene are filled with treasures: free boxes overflowing, Dumpsters unlocked and waiting to be searched, all of it yours for the taking. All you need is a good eye, a little bit of imagination and maybe some rubber gloves. All of these clothes were found in free boxes around Eugene and have been dressed up with shoes and accessories from my collection.

Blue and white polka dot dress

This super cute dress was missing a button and needed a good wash. Sewing on a button is a mandatory life skill that a lot of people lack. You can find some serious treasures that only need one little, tiny fix.

Found: in a free pile on 8th & Van Buren

Belt: Deluxe, $10

Hair bow: goodstuffonly.etsy.com, $6

Shoes: Frye, $150

Bow print cotton button up and denim cutoffs:

I cut the sleeves off the shirt and cut the pants into shorts! Don’t be afraid to cut up found items. You can experiment on them more freely since the cost of materials is nothing!

Found: blouse in a free box at a yard sale on River Road; shorts found on 3rd & Polk

Hair bow: http://goodstuffonly.etsy.com, $5

1960s poppy print swimsuit:

Beautiful vintage clothes often get tossed out as outdated and tacky, something grandma left behind that no one could ever possibly want. Well, I want it! Plus, free clothes give you more money to spend on shoes!

Found: in a Dumpster on 18th & High

Hair bow: http://goodstuffonly.etsy.com, $6

Shoes: Johnny Sole, $77

photography by Trask Bedortha

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!