Oldies but goodies.

These aren't anything I've thrifted recently, but are a favorite find of mine.  I use these every year when I decorate for Christmas.  I got them at the Mennonite thrift store near the old house.  I think I paid $1 a box.  I love the age patina on the silvery ones and the cracky/peely surface on the aqua ones.

I even love the old boxes.  The Shiny Brite brand box is in worse shape, but it's not terrible.  I saw an old Shiny Brite ornament box used for a sweet little Christmas diorama once.  It gives a girl ideas!

I didn't pay much more than the original purchaser, who brought these beauties home from Ole's for 75¢.  I wish I knew what year they were purchased.  I'm glad someone way back when had my same love for nontraditional colors on the tree.

So crackled and fun!  I couldn't love these more if they were prefect and brand new.

 The silver is quite hazy and antique-looking, too.  I use these all over the house to up the "vintage Christmas" look.

Thanks for indulging my penchant for shiny things!  We need to get out and thrift soon, ladies!  New year?  New treasures to find!  Let's go get 'em!

Just Like Nana's

Not exactly thrifted,  but while Mandy and Violet were out and about in Escondido recently Violet noticed some china “just like Nana’s” at  Deborah’s Next-to-New consignment store. They gave me a quick call and after a few exchanged photos and a check on line Mandy kindly made the purchase for me.

I’ve always loved blue and white china and I’ve had a basic set of Blue Danube for many years.  I never did buy all the various serving pieces, mainly because they are so expensive.  Over the years a few of my pieces have been broken so I’m thrilled with these lovely additions.  I checked on line and  the replacement for the serving platter alone is listed at $99.99 - that’s half what we paid for all these dishes!  Thanks Mandy and Violet, you certainly know a bargain when you see one! 

A little shopping in Beaumont

Martin had an errand to run in Beaumont, so we decided to make it an outing.  There is main street that has lots of antique shops with the little booths which all belong to different people.  There's gotta be a name for those, but I don't know it...  Anyway, Sarah helped me pick a couple of things. She seemed very determined that we would take these things home.  Who am I to argue?  She has great taste.

We found a child-sized rolling pin and a sweet goat bell.  I love the bright yellow paint and wee little scale of the rolling pin.  The bell is metal, and although it looks like it would be loud, it makes a nice little *ting ting* when rung.

From the top of the bell, you can still see the brassy/coppery color of the original metal.  I can almost hear it down in the meadow!  After shopping, we had the best Thai food!  What a lovely day! Thanks, Martin!

Fun stuff!

I find some of my best stuff when I go into a thrift store to make a donation.  Maybe I should just drop and run!  Anyway, I found some enamelware coffee pots and a pair of tiny wooden shoes at a shop in Sun City.

Kinda fun!  I'm thinking about mosaic-ing (is that a word?) the clogs, which are souvenirs from Holland.  I think they'll be adorable in the garden.  Not sure about the camp coffee pots yet, but that never stops me!  I have some ideas, I just have to narrow them down!

Martin and I went to a show with lots of vintage vendors and found more stuff.  The first thing was a silver over copper pot of some sort with a screw cap (lined with cork) on the end of a short spout. When we asked the vendor what it was, she said she'd tried to research it but still had no idea.

We got it for a steal and when I researched it, I found out it is a fancy-schmancy martini pitcher.  Of course, that is the last thing we need, but I will find a way to re-purpose it.  It was just too cute to leave behind.  We also got a few ridiculously charming old drawer pulls shaped like cherries.

I'm not sure why, but these remind me of my childhood.  They ring a vague, far-off bell, but I can't place where I might have seen them.  I love the hand-painted finish and the chippy, used patina.  So sweet!  Again, no concrete plans for these, I just knew I'd be sorry if I passed them by.

Well, that's all the "stuff" for this time.  I think I got pretty lucky with this latest batch!  What do you think, ladies?

Some beautiful finds

 Some really wonderful finds lately. Mostly pieces of art/home decor type things. I come across them and they're just so beautiful I can't pass them up! This beautiful hand created wood jewelry box was made by "Rich". I looked for it online and came across these, which are made in the UK. Not sure if that's where it's from but definitely inspired by it. I put some orange oil on it and it looks so lovely. The boxes are lined with a soft felt. I only paid $15 for it at the American Cancer Society Discovery Thrift shop in Rancho Bernardo. Love that place, so many beautiful things there and it goes to a good cause.

This beautiful and unique little metal hand painted peruvian looking horse I found at the local St Vincent de Paul's thrift shop. They don't have a store specific website (this shows all their stores, though), but here is their Yelp page. Never mind the bad ratings, I think it's a great store. I've always had nice, helpful volunteers helping me there and there's a wonderful selection, the store is clean, and nice product, also, nicely organized. Don't miss out back where they have patio furniture and other outdoor stuff. There's some other stores in the area, but I like this one best. Lots of great books, usually listed at 50% off. Their collector's books are quite pricey.
**correction, just remembered I got the horse at Deborah's Next o New consignment shop, more about that shop in another post

I think I found the above Kokopelli hand crafted & signed plate at Sally's. (Salvation Army Thrift shop) in Escondido. They've recently been having numerous 50% off sales as they tried to liquidate much of their stock before a remodel. They even had a 75% off, but I didn't make it down there. I recently also saw a Living Social coupon for the SA stores, so keep your eyes peeled, they're always having great deals!!!

This beautiful, hand carved walking stick I found when I was out and about with my mom in Murrieta. Found this at the Angel View Thrift shop out there. It's a wall decoration (has a hook on the back) but I rather like it as a walking and talking stick. We've been using it at our family meetings!  If you look close it has an alligator on it!

As you can see, I really love earthy, multi-cultural, colorful earthtone kind of pieces. Sometimes I get more practical things, like clothes or kitchen ware. But I love when I find unique artsy, craftsy type home decor items that I otherwise wouldn't spend the big bucks on.

Have a great weekend!!!


Mandy

New shops!

My Mother-in-law, Ellen, got me out of the house the other day in an effort to cure my cabin fever. We recently moved much closer to Ellen and Mandy, so now, thrifting together will be much easier to do!  Ellen showed me a few of her favorite shops in the area and naturally, we came across some things we couldn't live without!

beautiful old books!

cast iron ducky with bonnet!

                                 

milk glass and tiny colanders 

There were also some unbelievable, intricately-carved toothpicks that I couldn't get a good shot of for the life of me!  Each one was different and amazing to see!  I'll have to see if I can put Martin to the task of getting a good photo or two.

Thanks for the fun day, Ellen, and for sharing some of your good poking-around places!  Can't wait for our next day together!

Robin

Treasures from Sally's

My first post.  Ever.  So with encouragement from my girls, Mandy and Robin, here goes...

One of my favorite stores is Sally's - or The Salvation Army Thrift Store.  I hardly ever come home from there empty handed, but I really do try hard not to buy things I don't need. Then there are times when something catches my eye, calls out my name, and I've just gotta have it!  That's what happened today when I saw this cute little one-of-a-kind pitcher.  I walked by it two or three times.  Picked it up, put it back, was ready to leave, went back and grabbed it because...as my hubby reminded me... I'd probably regret it later if I didn't buy it now.

The name inscribed on the bottom is Cama Deruta, which  tells me it was made in Italy.  I love the colors, the simple design, and the feel (the white dots are raised) of this little pitcher.  It holds just over a quart and with its pointy little spout will be just right for watering my house plants.

Speaking of plants, I also found this nice flower pot for my succulents which were badly in need of re-potting.

                                                    

Well, that's my first post.    Hopefully I will eventually overcome my "paralysis of analysis". Mean- while, Happy Thriftin'!