Thursday, March 27, 2014

nifty thrifty finds ~ and getting rid of stuff

  I've been working hard at purging a lot of stuff from my home...I went through my
closet and took down the tops and sweaters that I didn't wear all winter and bagged
them up for donation. I figured if I didn't wear something yet all winter, then I never
would. I also got rid of anything that didn't fit exactly right or that was uncomfortable.

Moving on, yesterday I worked on clearing out some vintage and a few newer items
that no longer serve a purpose for me. These are items that are more "valuable", so
I don't want to just donate them. But yet I don't want to sell on eBay or etsy either.
For right now, I have listed the items for sale on a couple of Facebook pages, but 
whatever doesn't sell, I think I'll list some things here on my blog to see if any of
you are interested.

Needless to say, I haven't been thrifting as much as usual. In the past few weeks,
I've run into Goodwill in passing and only came home with a few treasures. At
least I'm getting rid of a lot more than I'm taking in!

I'm a sucker for small, pretty pictures. This one of the Cosmos flowers looks
like someone hand-painted it on glass.


I thought this small oil painting of the roses was so pretty...


Whoever painted it, wrote a message in Polish on the back...


I passed up this business card holder a few times before deciding to buy it.
I'm glad I did - I love it! So cheeky.


Brian and I both love Sun Tea (usually herbal) in the summer. I'm slowly phasing out
all the plastic in our house, so this glass jug is perfect.


And speaking of phasing out plastic and using glass, I found these two small 
Fire King containers. Great for storing small amounts of leftovers in the fridge.


What about you ~ are you bringing more stuff into your home or getting rid of
things? Or, a little of both? Happy Thursday, everyone. Its a chilly, rainy day here
in northern Illinois ~ but, at least it's not snow!

---------------------------------------
Having fun with ~

 Green Willow Pond - What We Accomplished Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson - Share Your Cup Thursday
Lavender Garden Cottage - Cottage Style Party

42 comments:

  1. Doesn't it feel good to get rid of and clean out? Love those little fire king dishes for leftovers. I can remember my grandmother using those for all of her leftovers. Wonder where they all went? Much better than plastic.
    Mary Alice

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    1. Yes, it does feel good to clean things out and get rid of stuff. I'm going through my plastic today and throwing in the recycling bin!

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  2. I'm definitely getting rid of more than I take in. I've been changing the kids' drawers over to spring clothes this week and filling up bag after bag with winter stuff. A lot of it I can keep until next year because my kids are both on the small side and can usually get a couple of years out of things like jeans and sweatshirts. I need to purge a little in my closet too, I've begun to prefer a smaller wardrobe so I've been getting rid of a little at a time. I did order two pairs of summer sandals for myself last night, though. I'm probably breaking even right now. :)

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    1. I will definitely need some summer sandals, but I don't think I'll need any clothes.

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  3. If I found that business card holder I would buy it.
    You have some lovely things.
    Denise

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  4. I say I'm getting rid of things, but hubs would say I'm bringing in more! What does he know. My favorite flower is Cosmos, so I just love the picture you found. I am so far behind in going through things because of the last year, I feel so very behind! Wonder if I will caught up. I also love the Rose picture, lately I cannot say No to anything with a rose in it. Have a great weekend.

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    1. Don't worry about getting caught up on things...you have to take care of yourself and your health first. Glad you like my little pictures. :-)

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  5. Good that you are able to purge some things. I need to do more of that. You look as if you are buying with a purpose now, which is what I have been trying to do. Not as much impulse buying as I use to do. You found some really nice things. The pictures are great and I especially like the business card holder. I agree it is quite cheeky!

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    1. Yes - that's what I'm trying to do more of now - buying with a purpose instead of just, "oh, that's pretty". It's not so much the cost since it's thrifting and not retail shopping, but it's more of the "I don't NEED this" mentality. Trying not to bring in so much "stuff"!

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  6. The business card holder is adorable. I did some major purging at Christmas...but I could still do more. It is hard though.

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    1. Yes, it is. Sometimes it helps if someone is helping you...husband or a friend.

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  7. Love your little fireking pieces, I could so easily be a real pyrex nut, so I can understand why you love them!! xx

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  8. I've been working on getting rid of plastic as well. Wish my local Goodwill store was as good as yours, but, alas, 'tis not. I have taken Silas a couple of times and he knows just where the toys are now, and told me, "This a nice store!". LOL. Had to buy a couple of baggies of little cars and superheroes today.
    The urge to purge is getting stronger, so I'm planning a big clean-out in a few weeks when I'll have some alone time to work. It's been a couple of years and very much needs to be done...

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    1. Isn't it wonderful when little kids get a thrill out of toys at a resale shop?! I remember when my nieces were little and were like that. Today I will be tackling the plastic!

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  9. Mel...you know I've been purging and I am lucky to have the room to keep the things I love in Emily's old room. I just don't seem to have the luck some of you gals have in finding a Goodwill or thrift store in my area. And I will be honest...I'm not one to like the kitschy stuff in the glass cases, nor so I collect anything specific. And again...sorry, I'm not vintage. If anything, I like a great piece I can transform, especially furniture that speaks to me, and even then, I don't have a lot of experience. I truly love that you guys that can find something that you need or that fits in your home so perfectly. Once in awhile that happen to me!

    That said...I love that retro card holder! I have a make up bag similar to that and I love it. And good for you for purging the clothes. I did that last week and found that I had 5 gray cardigans!!

    XO,
    Jane

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    1. I don't like kitschy stuff in the glass cases, but I sure do love vintage - as you know! I also like modern and some stuff in-between. Yep, I had way too many cardigans and some of them I just didn't even like anymore, so out they go.

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  10. Rain is better than snow . . . maybe you are finally going to get some spring weather . . . I hope so :)
    Several years ago I got so upset because I was spending all my time cleaning and dusting. So, I had a huge garage sale and free myself of all my clutter.
    But, I'm a nester and now it's all back . . . not the same stuff of course, but I love thirfting and collecting. That's just who I am . . . I guess it's in my blood :)
    Here's wishing you a sunny warm weekend .
    Connie :)

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    1. I'd love to have a garage sale, but unfortunately, they don't do well in my area. Thrifting and collecting is in my blood, too...my grandma was like that and so is my mom. :-)

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  11. I'm still doing my "Lenten Challenge" Purging 40 bags in 40 days. It's surprising how many things we can do without. Since I'm trying to live more simply....this goes right along with it. I've never been good with clutter...and now as I am old....it bothers me more. I can't explain it....I'm just more peaceful with a tidy house.

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    1. I totally agree with you, Balisha. I want clean, tidy, and more simple, too.

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  12. I guess neither...not getting rid of anything and not buying..well wait...I did get a little vintage sewing basket at the thrift store not too long ago but aside from that it seems that cold or snow or wind took any shopping desires away from me, I have to go to JoAnn Fabrics today or over the weekend to take advantage of a sale and coupons ..I need to cover porch chair cushions so that will be my spree :)

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    1. But at least that's something you need! :-)

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  13. You found some very lovely things. Have you had the Polish translated? It would be interesting to know what it says. It is hard for me to get out and shop or I would be spending time in thrift shops and Goodwill, and probably bringing too many things home. As it is, I do not have room in my little house for more stuff. I have downsized so many times so there isn't a lot that I can get rid of anymore. But I do have things I should get rid of because I haven't used them for several years. It is really hard to get rid of favorite pie pans even though I rarely make a pie these days. I do have an empty drawer in my bedroom though! I just need to decide what I should store in there as it is a little hard to get at. I have a drawer full of knit sweaters that I made 25 years ago or more. They really don't go out of style but I don't wear them anymore. I gained a few pounds since then. But it is really hard for me to let them go.

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    1. No, I haven't had the Polish translated. I wonder if my friend, Penny could do it? Or, I could type the message into a translation site and see what comes up. Sometimes it's hard to get rid of things for sentimental reasons, I know.

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  14. Seems I am always doing a little of both. I am going to do the same as you when I switch out my winter clothes which I really need to do. I have many things I never wore when it was cold, so definitely need to just get rid of them. Do you read The Gardener's Cottage blog? She has been on a mission to lead a simple life for years and has whittled her clothing down to 30 items. Wow! Not sure I can do that, but it's something to aim for. Love your little purchases. Have a great weekend. Tammy

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    1. I'm not familiar with The Gardener's Cottage blog. Will have to look it up. Thirty items of clothing for the entire year? Wow, that's minimal. I'm not a "clothes horse" by any means, though I do have more clothing than that.

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  15. Oh goodness, I'd like to think that I'm getting rid of things, but before you know it, I'm at some antique store and getting more little treasures! They are little though, that's my story and I'm sticking to it! What great finds! I just love that painting on glass, so unique!

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  16. I love all your new finds. My favorite one is the flowers painted on the glass.
    I am thinking of getting rid of a few things before all the yard sales start and I bring home whole lot of new stuff.

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    1. Thanks, Julie. Good idea to get rid of some stuff before the yard sales start!

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  17. You found some great things! I am in the process of cleaning out at well. You asked about our raised beds, yes we are building them ourselves.

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    1. That's fantastic. You guys are doing such a wonderful job.

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  18. I have an ongoing purge happening here - which has peaks and valleys according to my level of motivation!
    I love those Fire King containers - I have to start using glass and phase out plastic - thanks for reminding about that!

    xo
    Claudia

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  19. I'm definitely taking more things in than out of the cottage... But I'm getting rid of most plastic things in the kitchen as well!

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  20. Thanks for stopping by my blog so I could find yours. I have decided that I either need to set up an etsy shop or quit buying stuff, because the house is only so big :) The problem is that I never think of that when I'm out shopping.

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  21. I've been on a similar mission. I have a new rule for keeping/tossing clothes - If I think it's too shabby to donate to a thrift shop it's too shabby for me to wear. Once I get something I like, it's hard to let it go! And oh! The clothes that 'almost' fit, are 'almost' comfortable! SO glad I visited today. Made me smile to hear someone going through the same process at home! I'm your newest follower. Have a great week!

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  22. I too am doing a little of both. I agree that if you didn't wear something all season long you probably won't. I use that same tactic when downsizing my closet. Love both paintings! Sweet little goodies that you found. I try to take out a little because I love bringing in. lol! Thanks for sharing with Share Your Cup. Happy to be a new follower.
    hugs,
    Jann

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