Tuesday, August 18, 2015

fun finds ~ and thoughts on getting rid of stuff

I still enjoy thrifting ~ it's in my blood ~ but like I've mentioned a couple of times this year, I only go once in awhile now, and usually only when I am looking for something in particular. Still slowly but surely weeding accumulated "stuff" out of my basement, working on that minimizing. Sometimes it's a painful process and I hem and haw over donating certain things - like if I know I paid more than a few dollars for something, or if I think it's "too nice" to donate - but I find once it's gone, it's almost a relief because then I don't have to think about it anymore. I have never missed anything that I've donated.

Thus said, here's my few finds from the past couple of months. Everything was only 99 cents - $4, except for the pillow, which was $8. Technically, that wasn't from a thrift store. It was from one of my favorite little antique stores.

A McCoy pitcher...


A handmade pillow whose colors go perfectly in my kitchen...


This is the back of the pillow. Love gingham! I'm using the pillow on "my" kitchen chair. (Everyone has their own spot at the table, right?) Feels good on my back.
 

We really needed these brand-new drinking glasses. My older set has a missing glass from having broken one, plus they're getting worn-looking from so many years of going through the dishwasher.
 

Loved this small woven basket, but I didn't know exactly what I was going to use it for until I got home and started looking around. Baskets can be used for so many things, right?
 

Right now it's being used in the kitchen to hold onions and garlic.
 

 My photo of Clementine fit perfectly in this brand-new wooden IKEA frame. The yellow outline of the frame pics up the soft yellow of the quilt in the photo.



 Couldn't resist this covered Hollie Hobbie dish. Loved Hollie Hobby when I was growing up! From what I saw on eBay when I looked this up, it's either a butter or cheese dish. I'm just using it as decor.


 Lastly, an old framed photo of the Windy City.


It made its way onto the gallery wall, which is still a work-in-progess.


Any fun thrifty finds for you lately, or perhaps are you minimizing, too?
Somewhere in-between? 

Linking up with Tweak it Tuesday.


26 comments:

  1. Great findings indeed, all for so little. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. I've gotten rid of a lot of things and have bought some new thrifty things. I need to do a post. A few decorative items but lots of useful things also. I'm still getting rid of more then I buy so that's a good thing. Love that yellow frame!
    hugs,
    Linda

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  3. I'm still purging. I try not to shop at thrift stores or garage sales, etc. No room to put more stuff!

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  4. Currently I'm reading Mari Kondo's book about "tidying up", and am inspired to get started sorting and getting rid of things. Now that I have a bit more time at home alone, I can purge in peace. :)

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  5. I admire your restraint. I'm terrible at purging -- but great at accumulating. I know what you mean when you say thrifting is in your blood. Now that I've started blogging, I'm more likely to actually do something with the projects I drag home from thrift stores and garage sales, so at least that's something, I guess. :)

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  6. Mel...I'm on the down sizing boat right now. But it's hard if you paid good money for something. And the little things...it's hard to price those, too. I belong to a buy/sell group on FB in my area. I am amazed at the responses people get when they post the smallest things, like a set of Lego's for $1.00. It a winning idea.

    Jane x

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  7. I bring things in and then send things out again, and like you, rarely ever give them a second thought, let alone regret sending them away! In fact I cannot think of anything that I regret getting rid of. I love your new cushion and your Hollie Hobbie dish, that is very cute isn't it! xx

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  8. We got rid of so much "stuff" when we moved a couple yrs ago and it was the BEST feeling...I've not missed even one thing. :)
    Your thrift things are great...

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  9. I've rarely missed anything I've gotten rid of either. I'm in more of a purge phase of my life than an acquire one.

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  10. Hi Mel, Just had to tell you that I have the same handkerchief that your calories pillow is made from...cute idea.

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  11. I love thrifting! And now that I've discovered 50% off senior day at our ARC Thrift shop, it's even more fun;) Yesterday, I found a sweet little table that I'm going to paint for our entryway. A small pie dish, perfect for two of us. And a headboard for the bed in the guest room; another project to paint. I used to buy lots of furniture, but have to pace myself now that we're in a smaller house:/

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  12. I enjoy going out in search of that perfect bargain and it is easy to accumulate lots of stuff. One year I decided that I was spending to much of my life dusting all my stuff, so I had a giant yard sale and cleaned house . . .only to find that in a few years I had all new stuff to dust. I think if we were born with the nesting gene, we just can't stop ourselves from nesting:) Besides that, it's fun, LOL
    Keep smiling !
    Your blogging sister,
    Connie :)

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  13. I love the McCoy pitcher! I don't think I've ever seen one like it. I am much more selective too now when thrifting and more often it's books and linens that I buy now.

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  14. I'm trying to stay away from flea markets, but it's hard. I'm itching to go this week! lol! Love the McCoy pitcher and pillow! Am needing to purge, too, and I did make a start on it, but other stuff called me away. Need to get back at it. Your walls...the gallery wall...looks like the same color I have but yours photographs much better. Mine always turn out grayish looking in photos. Anyhoo...I have a collection of stuff to do a gallery wall, if I ever get to it. Hopefully soon. Your wall is looking great!

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  15. What neat treasures you found!

    I'm not really buying much these days, unless something grabs my eye, or pulls my heart strings. :-) Plus, it has to be 'cheap'.

    Enjoy ~ FlowerLady

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  16. I've been cutting back on my thrifting and yard-saling for a few months but I still buy something now and then if it's really special (and cheap). I love your finds. The little pitcher is especially pretty. I have a basket on my counter for fruit; stonefruits in the summer, citrus in the winter.

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  17. We just went on a little road trip and hit lots of antique shops along the way. I only made a few small purchases because what I really need is new clothes and a new sofa!

    Your little pitcher is adorable and in the perfect colors for your kitchen!

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  18. I had to chuckle at that Calories pillow! Too cute! :)

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  19. I definitely want to minimize but gosh dangit I have so much stuff to get through. Bought the book the life-changing magic of tidying up, but don't think I can do it in one fell swoop as the book suggests. It's definitely going to take time. You found some nice things. My college boy actually loves going to thrift stores. We visited one while in Glenwood Springs, CO. He's totally against consumerism and is pretty frugal. He doesn't like to buy mass produced items. Is always looking for something different. That's my boy! :) Have a great weekend. Tammy

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  20. You always totally score with your finds and what a great way to use that pretty basket. That calorie pillow is the absolute cutest, too. I love the slice of cake with the word danger above it.

    I hope you're having a lovely weekend... :)

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  21. I like the shape of those glasses, but I am in love with that McCoy pitcher.

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  22. Cute, cute, cute!

    Oh and no worries about skipping that recipe, Melanie! I had a feeling you wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole lol I normally wouldn't use those things either, but there's something about childhood comfort food ;)

    And I still love you ;)

    xo,
    rue

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  23. I didn't know McCoy made pitchers. I, once, bought a plant at a thrift store because it was in a McCoy pot. I still have both...can't find them anymore at a cheap price. I am struggling too with purging and donating items....I drop them off at the thrift store and then find other stuff to bring home.

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  24. Great finds and love that little Mccoy pitcher. I am having a huge vintage sale this fall to get rid of so much stuff. Plenty of furniture and so many other things. I can't take anymore, really I cant'. Also closing down my booth too. I haven't thrifted since I bought the vintage trailer

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  25. I'm not a thrifter, but I sure enjoy seeing your finds. I'm trying to get rid of things, not add more. It's a long, slow process, for sure. We love our larger home, but it's starting to be overwhelming, mostly the upkeep. So much space that we never use! Trying to slowly pare down so that the eventual move to a smaller place will be easier.

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