Getting up at 6am (by choice) is not my cup of tea,
or should I say coffee (extra strong please).
As a result, yard sale-ing is not on my list of favorite things “to do”.
I have several friends who are avid yard salers and score some amazing things.
or should I say coffee (extra strong please).
As a result, yard sale-ing is not on my list of favorite things “to do”.
I have several friends who are avid yard salers and score some amazing things.
But, I’m lazy.
There, I said it.
L~A~Z~Y.
I’ve driven by the store for 15 years.
“What could I possibly want in there?”, was always my thought process.
But recently I’ve been shown the glorious world of thrift store find possibilities!
So I found myself pulling into the parking lot. My palms were actually sweaty as I exited the car.
I hesitated.
“Am I overdressed?”, I asked myself.
“Get a grip Kim, it’s a thrift store! You are allowed to shop in it.”
I opened the door and it was what I expected.
It’s a thrift store.
“What could I possibly want in there?”, was always my thought process.
But recently I’ve been shown the glorious world of thrift store find possibilities!
So I found myself pulling into the parking lot. My palms were actually sweaty as I exited the car.
I hesitated.
“Am I overdressed?”, I asked myself.
“Get a grip Kim, it’s a thrift store! You are allowed to shop in it.”
I opened the door and it was what I expected.
It’s a thrift store.
I was a ready-to-wear retail store manager for years,
so my OCD urge to merchandise the racks and displays was in overdrive.
“Ok, FOCUS!”, I told myself.
You have to know HOW to look for things. I scanned the shelves of dishes first.
There were amazing sets of wine glasses!
so my OCD urge to merchandise the racks and displays was in overdrive.
“Ok, FOCUS!”, I told myself.
You have to know HOW to look for things. I scanned the shelves of dishes first.
There were amazing sets of wine glasses!
Oh, how I love wine.
Move along, move along…
Move along, move along…
then I saw him.
He stood against the wall inconspicuously.
He looked a little rough around the edges, neglected.
But he was unique, something special. My fingers reached for him.
I saw his hidden beauty, his potential….
He looked a little rough around the edges, neglected.
But he was unique, something special. My fingers reached for him.
I saw his hidden beauty, his potential….
Alright, I’m reading WAY too many Nicolas Sparks novels.
You judge for yourself…..I knew he was a keeper when I saw these words embossed on the bottom!
FEDERAL LAW FORBIDS SALE OR REUSE OF THIS BOTTLE.
(cue music) …bad boy, bad boy, watcha gonna do…
You judge for yourself…..I knew he was a keeper when I saw these words embossed on the bottom!
FEDERAL LAW FORBIDS SALE OR REUSE OF THIS BOTTLE.
(cue music) …bad boy, bad boy, watcha gonna do…
After some Internet research on old bottles, I discovered he was a 1957 I.W. Harper bourbon bottle.
For 98 cents, I think he cleaned up rather nicely.
Then I saw this great ORB basket for $1.98.
If anyone knows what those rings are on each side and what its real purpose is,
please let me know!!!
Then I found this table.
I went back 2 more times before I purchased it.
It needs some TLC and a makeover.
I really would LOVE to have your suggestions for this table makeover!!!!
Please submit your ideas in the comment section.
Now I’m sold.
I’m a junkie.
A thrift store junkie that is,
and lovin’ it!!!!!
KIM
Hi, Kim, welcome to the dark side! ha-ha, I’ve been a thrifter for many years & the thrill is still there. Good for you, so glad you got out to check things out in your area. I have found so many great things out there. My preference is the yardsales & yes, you have to get up early, but I’ve found SO many treasures that it’s a rush now to see what is out there. I don’t need another thing in my house though, it is totally full.
Welcome to blogging! So happy you took the plunge along with your sis. We have a lot of fun in blogland. I think you will fit right in!
Thanks again for that dip recipe. I’m going to make it this afternoon for our party tonight!
Oh…maybe WE are sisters. I have to be in the mood to thrift and yard sale. I think it also comes from having a toddler and the idea of dragging him around…well…the picture is not pretty. I have started though to be more focused. I sometimes get the “overwhelm” feeling when I go andI know you are not suppose to look for specific things…but I do. Sometimes I need that focus. A scale…a piece of milk glass….I need the direction. I also have a mapped route…we have 6 stores within 5 miles. It is insane. 🙂
Come visit me whenever you get a chance. I would love you thoughts on a project here and there…you have darling taste.
Cheers~
e
http://beautyintheattempt.blogspot.com/
great finds…..not sure what the basket is could it be for napkins and the circle things hold salt and pepper? the bench you got is going to look great after a make-over and is verisable for any spot you put it…….i love benches
Ha!! Welcome to my sickness!!! Mr. Hubs says our house is beginning to look like a thrift store threw up in it! I a so addicted, I stop every time I am out and about. Great Finds!
lifeofperks.blogspot.com
Well written, amusing, great pics, and engaging ;)! You got it girl! As far as the bench goes, where is it going in your house? The FROG?
It’s not a bench but maybe a console table? It’s as tall as my kitchen table. Right now it’s in the kitchen/eating area. Should I paint it crimson? Black? Name a color.
The basket is from Southern Living at Home and you got a steal! I think I paid around $40 for mine. The rings on the side came with small glass votive holders and they swing out to the outside of the basket. I only rarely put candles in mine. I wish I could take them off.
Oh girl, watch out! You have down decended into the abyss known as “thriting” and there is not getting out! Lol! And yes, that is a good thing! Amazing things are to be had out there, and I betcha before the end of next summer you are going to get into yard sales, even a little! The rush of finding those fabulous things you didn’t know you couldn’t live without is too much to resist!
LOVE the bottle, and as far s the table, I would hack the legs off under the shelf and turn it into a bench…maybe it would still be too high?? Can’t wait to see what you do with it…
Mary
By the looks and sounds of it, you’re going to be heading back for more!! lol! Have fun!
I am a new follower and I really enjoy your blog! I am a total thrift store junkie! I love thrift stores, antique stores and flea markets!
tai @ taidye original
Hmmm…let’s see. Do you have a hallway or entry area that you could put it? It really could go anywhere! Have fun moving it around. By the way, welcome to the dark side of thrifting. 🙂
What thrift store did you go to??? Also, me personally loving farmhouse style, I’d keep the table as is and beat it up a bit more. However, knowing the crisp clean edges in your home, I’d give her a good sanding and some wood fill and paint that bad girl black.
That basket looks to me like a cracker or chip server and the rings in the center may have held porcelain cups for dips
Yup, that’s the Southern Living at Home Acanthus Votive Centerpiece. It did come with glass cups that went in the side rings that fold out and in, you can also use those for serving dips or whatever out of. It retailed for around $40. You got quite a deal. The top handle comes off but the outer rings don’t. I’d really like to figure out how to get those pesky outer rings off, it’d be a lot more useful as a basket if I could.
PS. I used to sell SLAH stuff. Till I figured out it’s just made in China junk that no one really needs.
After a fabulous paint job that table needs to go behind your sofa with a little lamp and some cute decorations on it… 😉
Congrats on your first trip into the depths of a thrift store! You found some great stuff, and I’m really excited to see what you do with the table. You aren’t an official home decor blogger until you blog about spray painting something… maybe this can be your first spray painted project? 😉 I’m a new blogger myself and am looking forward to following your blog! Happy holidays!
You have entered dangerous territory. I used to “turn up my nose” at the thought of even entering a thrift shop. A couple months ago I finally got my courage up and shopped our local thrift. Now they can’t keep me OUT!!!
Have fun.
Oh, now that you have entered the dark side of both blogging and thrifting…come on over. You’ll never be the same. YEs, AVID thrifter here. Did anyone answer your question? Side rings on that Southern Living basket are for for votive candles. Any thrift store will have them for under a dollar. 🙂
I started thrifting several months ago and it is addictive! I TRY to limit it to once a week. But sometimes my car just heads in that direction against my will! I have found some great stuff and will stay in there sometimes 2 hours! The guys that work there know me now too,how said is that?
I swore that I would never enter a thrift store again after the bed bug fiasco. Not that they came from there – just the possibility. I bought a boy’s brown velvet Gap dressy holiday jacket thing on ebay last week, and it is in a ziploc bag in my freezer right now. I live in fear.
Really cool finds, though. What is it with you girls? I love all three of your blogs! You are amazing. Love you girl!
I think the basket holds votive holders.
Thats what it looks like. I would slap some paint on the table and rough it up to make it look old.
You are so amazing Kim. I am glad you did this. Great outlet for you. I saw the pics of your old bathroom on Carlisle and it made me miss you more! Megan
I love your comments everyone! They really make my day when I read each and everyone! I would love to respond back to each one of you personally so PLEASE make sure your google acct has your email visible so I can thank you for the bloggy love!!!
Thanks so much for your nice comment on my post over at Beth’s blog, Kim! I really appreciate it.
So, now you’re hooked, aren’t you? : ) I remember when I first went into my Goodwill. I thought someone was going to tell me I didn’t belong there! You found some great items, too! I love that bottle. I have a bottle here that I’m waiting for a year now to be finished so I can just have the bottle. Maybe it will be emptied Christmas! Great basket and table. I haven’t bought any furniture for myself, but my son came with me once and found a brand new storage ottoman with the Target tags still on it for #25.00!
I had to read the post when I saw the title! Thrifting is ADDICTIVE! Yard sales are OK…on a pretty Saturday morning, bright sun, warm breeze, haggling the sellers. Otherwise, take me to the thrift store.
Kim,
I too started thrifting or “junkin” about four months ago, after years of donating, but never buying. I am so addicted now…I go every week. It’s such a creative outlet to turn some of these dog eared finds into pieces of art and the hunt(itself)for new treasures is exhilirating! I love your sister’s blog and think I’m going to feel the same way about yours!
The Southern Living at Home piece was called the Acanthus Votive Centerpiece. You can buy replacement glass votive holders at a craft store like Michael’s or Garden Ridge. I used to use it as a bread basket (lined with a linen napkin). I would put butter or jam in the votive holders. I love to thrift, too. I’m still reeling over my August find– a Krups Dual Espresso and 8 cup coffee maker for $4.99. I’m pretty sure it was unused or used very lightly. Ran a little vinegar through it and voila, better than Starbucks! Happy hunting!
I Know this was posted a long time ago but that “orb” basket was a nice find. It ia a Southernliving piece that was around $45.00 if I remember right and those rings flip out to hold votives for candles or filled with condiments, toothpicks small flowers etc
Hi Susie!
Yes, it was a great find. I get so much use out of it. 😉