Tuesday, February 17, 2015

staying out of the thrift shops - kind of

Believe it or not, this die-hard thrifter has been staying out of Goodwill. When I started 
cleaning out the basement last year (and I still have a long way to go), I decided I
 wasn't bringing in any more stuff that I truly didn't love or didn't have a use for. Since last fall,
 I've only been in Goodwill maybe three or four times. A record! From those few times, I did
 find three things that I have a use for and have a secret little crush on, too.
I've always wanted a mini Bundt cake pan but I certainly wasn't going to pay $25+.
So I was excited to find one made by Nordic Ware ~ and bonus that it's vintage,
in good condition, and a pretty color, too.


Now to find some delicious bundt cake recipes that aren't heavy on the sugar!


There's two finds in this photo below: the lamp with the clear glass bottom and the large 
basket in the middle. I don't know about you, but I can never have too many baskets to help
with organizing just about anything. This one's perfect for holding magazines and the
Sunday newspaper. I've seen similar baskets at places like Hobby Lobby and Michaels
and they're about $25. This one is better quality - it's so sturdy! - and it was only $3.

Now, about that lamp. The Goodwill that I go to gets donations from Target. When I spied
this brand-new Target lamp for $12.99, you'd better believe I snatched it up! I put it in
my cart and then went to a more open area where I could examine it to make sure nothing
was wrong with it. It was perfect. Now I just have to decide what to use to fill the base. I saw
on Kate's Place blog that she turned her clear lamp base into a faux terrarium. I'm still
thinking about that option. Any other unique ideas?


Here's the best part: When I was in Target a couple of weeks ago, I saw my lamp.
I could not believe that it was on sale for $44.99. Original price $49.99. Did I score
a deal or what?!

Have you been thrifting lately? If so, any good finds?

Joining Cozy Little House Tweak it Tuesday for today's post.

 

34 comments:

  1. Mel - great buy on the lamp and the bunds pan. I love the idea of a terrarium.

    Judy

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  2. Well, Melanie, I found a chair for my little sociable dog at the Sally Ann for five dollars. Putting it into the car, I saw a lable underneath..googled it ..and found
    the very same chair, "vintage Danish Modern", on Etsy for $1000.00!
    Will I try to sell it? No way, that's Gussie's chair!

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    Replies
    1. Wow, lucky you! Vintage Danish Modern chairs are gorgeous...can't believe you scored one for just $5!

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  3. Love all three of your finds. I'd fill the lamp base with wine corks, though i do like the terrarium idea.

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    Replies
    1. Ooh, I love the idea of wine corks! I have a bowl full in my family room, but there wouldn't be enough to fill this lamp base. It's bigger than it looks in the photo. Maybe I should start drinking more wine?!

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  4. I don't thrift much anymore. I am still getting rid of things. Just don't have the room.
    Brenda

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    Replies
    1. I do have the storage room, but it gets overwhelming filled with too much stuff.

      Delete
  5. Great scores! I haven't been to thrifts much either, I try to go to the one with low priced children's clothes once a month but not the others. I would of bought that lamp and basket both if I'd seen them. I already have 4 little bundt pans. The grands like to use them, 1/2 a box cake mix fits them perfect. I don't imagine you do box mixes though. They aren't my favorite but they are easy and fun for the little ones.

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    Replies
    1. You are right, Rhonda - I don't do boxed mixes because of the chemicals and preservatives in them. I'll find recipes online. ;-)

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  6. Great finds. Love them both. A person has to shop. I've decided to get into minis now. After all they are minis, hah.

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  7. You found some great things! I rarely find anything good at the 3 goodwills we have here. I think the antique dealers have them put things aside. Jerks :p

    On the other hand, I do find some pretty neat things at the other thrift stores, but at the moment I'm drawing a blank as to what LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This one particular Goodwill store I go to has the best stuff - although they used to be much better. They have a lot more junk now.

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  8. You did good girl, see it pays to visit GW. I went thrifting today and bought a set of dishes I so don't' need. I just spent a whole months organizing my dishes and now I have more, ugh. GW always has great baskets. I'm headed way up north tomorrow for my dentist appointment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I saw your dishes on IG. :-) You're headed way up north tomorrow...maybe by me? It'll be too cold to go anywhere though! A friend of mine from the city was supposed to come out here tomorrow and she cancelled.

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  9. Well done you for being so restrained, and well done on that lamp! I guess that someone must have bought it and lost the receipt so could not return it, but it is so nice I would have found a place for it! It will be lovely either with the base filled with something or just as it is! xx

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    Replies
    1. No, this was not a return. At this Goodwill, you can only return clothing items. Target donates their leftover stock to this particular Goodwill. A couple of years ago, I got a brand new side table for $10 that had the original Target price tag of $70 on it.

      Delete
  10. What a lovely lamp. Ideas? Well, you could fill it with mini-battery operated fairy light. (Double the lighting!) Or faux flowers for spring? Or colored beach glass? (Quite heavy!) O sea shells?

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    Replies
    1. I love the idea of little lights inside! It would take a ton of beach glass to fill up that lamp - and beach glass is expensive (the authentic stuff). Seashells in the summer would be a pretty look. Thanks for the ideas!

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  11. Wow! You really got a great deal on that fabulous lamp, Melanie!

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  12. I donated all the wine corks I had collected and now of course wish I hadn't. If you do decide you want wine corks, let me know and maybe I can search again. Give me a reason for shopping. :-)
    Mommy

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  13. Well I never knew there was such a thing as these pans...how cute it is with your quilted piece underneath! :)

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    Replies
    1. I just propped the pan up on the chair for the photo. Maybe I should leave it there...be eccentric? ;-)

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  14. You found some great things lately! I especially love the mini bundt pan, that's going to fun to use. I haven't thrifted at all lately but I'm planning to have a look in my favorite shop on Friday morning. I've been trying to cut back on the stuff I bring in the house too, but it's been a good few months so I think I can let myself take a little peek again. :)

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    Replies
    1. Absolutely! After a few months, I think you're due. :-)

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  15. I am so impressed with those finds. I would fill the lamp base with some seasonal objects that don't weigh a lot. I have not been in a thrift store since Dec, & I have a big box filled with stuff for the charity thrift store I support. I find it easy to give up thrift store purchases because they are inexpensive. I enjoy them for awhile, then donate or consign them.

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    1. I filled it with wine corks but I don't have near enough. I'd better have my friends and family start saving them for me.

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  16. Great finds. I'm totally crushing on the mini bundt! I have no lamp suggestions. I know I've seen tons of cute ideas I'm just drawing a blank right now. What a steal though. Our Goodwill also gets Target donations.

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    Replies
    1. I think instead of keeping that cute pan tucked away, I'm going to somehow use it in a display in my kitchen. It's too pretty to be stuck in a cabinet!

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  17. I'm totally in love with your lamp! Great deal!

    ReplyDelete

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