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.

 

the hallway is done

 Remember this pretty vintage cabinet that I picked up last month when

I was in Cedarburg, Wisconsin? I told about it here.

Brian had said it'd be perfect for the red wall at the end of the

hallway, and he was right. (For once. Ha!)

Well...here's the completed look!

I found the sunburst mirrors at Pier 1 Imports. They had been out of stock

for a long time, so I was thrilled to find them back in the store.

I think they're perfect on the red wall.

The top of the table got beautified with a trio of cloches.

The little cloche in front with the sparkly musical note pin under it?

That pin was given to me for Christmas by my best friend when we were

only 9 or 10 years old. I love that I still have it. Even better ~ I love that my

childhood friend is still one of my favorite persons in my life.

I added a wicker basket full of books underneath the cabinet and

this little area is finally done.

 Linking up to Cozy Little House Tweak it Tuesday

and A Stroll Through Life: It's a Cloche Party.

thrifting treasures ~ part two

This is a picture-heavy post ~ you've been forewarned!

I've really been on a thrifting roll lately.

And I like to sometimes show not only what I found, but where I'm using those finds, too.

So settle in with your feet up and your beverage of choice - I'm drinking Yogi Green Tea Kambucha - my new favorite.

It was hard to photograph this glass bird - he looks more like a penguin

in the photo! He's much more handsome in person.

 He now nests happily on a shelf in my office, along with that pretty 

little floral oil painting I found the other day ~ which was featured here: 

hit the thrifting jackpot - part one

Thought this was a cute box...it now holds an assortment of teas on the kitchen counter.

 

 Even the side of the box is cute...

Another pretty little painting...

 

 which I used in grouping on the kitchen wall. And instead of putting more nail holes in the

wall, I used those trusty 3M Command strips.

When I stand back and look at the wall, it seems to me that it now needs some kind of

horizontal something-or-other to top off the grouping. Maybe a white ornamental piece?

 

I was thrilled when I found these sterling silver candlesticks!

Only $4.99 each. They'll be so pretty and shiny when I remove the tarnish.

 

 Here's the original price!

 I bought a set of six of these gorgeous Lefton dishes.

They're for my mom. Not sure whether she's going to keep them or try to sell them on eBay.

If I had a dining room (I only have an eat-in kitchen), I'd be keeping these lovelies.

The sterling silver coyote earrings are for a friend of mine, as she loves

jewelry like this. The funky pin is not for me to wear, but I could picture her on

a bulletin/inspiration board or pinned somewhere fun...

like on this vintage fan.

 

When I came home with this big basket and set it on the kitchen counter,

Monkey immediately jumped into it and had to investigate!

When I was carrying this basket out from Goodwill to my car, two women

in the parking lot commented on it. "Ooh, I want that basket!" And, "Someone found a great basket!" 

Household stuff...a two-slice toaster (which will make my son happy - we only had a four-slice

toaster which was too big to keep on the counter, so every time he wanted toast or waffles, he'd

have to drag the toaster out from storage, which wasn't exactly convenient); a Chef'n salad Emulstir (I make our own salad dressing and just kept it in a jar, but we'd have to shake the jar or mix

the dressing with a spoon every time we'd use it, which got messy); an onion chopper (was so happy

to find this, as my mini food processor broke a little while ago); and kind of out of place here...a lime green vase to go in my living room.

 

So here's the lime green vase - on the hanging window ledge display. I like how it picks

up the green in the picture above it.

Aren't these Swedish candlesticks beautiful? Found them for 99 cents each and the

candles for 49 cents. 

 

 Tchotchkes...loving the vintage bud vase (guessing that's what it is; I was drawn to the hand);

a little trinket box with lid; and the cutest little dish with a cat on it. I know I've seen this dish

online before and I'm thinking it was from Anthropologie, but I can't find it online now.

Anyone recognize it?

 Speaking of that little trinket box with lid, I am hoping someone can help me with this.

What exactly IS this thing? It has a slot in the side. I'm wondering why.

The bottom is marked Stowell.

 

Woo-hoo, another stack of books!

 

Oops, more books! Yarn Harlot is for my same friend that is getting the 

coyote earrings, as she's a knitter - and a reader.

 

Cute 99 cent bracelets for a friend's little girl, and a couple of $1.99 necklaces.

Not too sure about the beaded one on the right - it's not like anything I normally wear.

I'll try it when I'm wearing a plain black or blue shirt and if I don't like it, one of

my aunts who likes bold jewelry will be getting a little prezzie.

 

Pretty pink and silver bracelet. Just needs a little cleaning.

 

14k gold hummingbird earrings for a friend who adores hummingbirds and delicate earrings...

 

 Whew, that does it for now! I also found a few shirts for myself and a red Tommy Hilfiger sweater for my husband, but I didn't take pictures of those things.

 I would tell you that I'm going to stay away from

thrift stores for awhile, but a friend of mine asked me to go to Goodwill and

Savers with her next Monday. Do you think I said no? ;-)