Thrift Share Monday: Weekend Thrift Finds

When I manage to go thrifting, I see tons more that I want than what I actually end up buying. Sometimes it is price or condition, other times I am concerned I am just acquiring too much stuff, I am not a ReSeller (yet) so I don't normally buy 'good deals' to sell, nor are artistic notions the goal for my junk. And then there is the constant relocation. The many, many moves I seem to be doing in my adult life (oddly enough I grew up in one house that my parents bought when I was 10 months old-the one my mom still lives in today) can really curtail my behavior whenever one is eminent...like now. I dread all the de-cluttering and packing!

Alas, I still manage to find something to share almost every week! Above is a spring related groupings of tchotchkes (all oddly priced at the magic number of 0.50) I found this past week (well, except for the two winter skaters): a cute ewe (too bad her once chained babies are MIA); a flower print that matches the two bird prints I found a couple of weeks ago; and a duck planter that was made by Avon (!) in 1984 (usually avoid the 80's look, but his guy looks even older vintage than '80's and it is even a teeny bit chipped). My mom was an Avon fanatic and even sold it successfully in the '60/'70's. I always used to look through the catalogs, but I do not remember this mama duck and babies. I would have been 13 if it was released the spring of 1984-must have been too cool for school for it then...two years later I was totally into thrifting, but probably still not into Avon! Recently, however, I have found not only the ducks, but a bunny candle holder. Times do change! ;)
Found the woolly "Handmade in Wales" money box ram at the GW. I know I said I resisted temptation on buying any vintage clothing yesterday, but I forgot about this wonderful pleated tartan skirt I found. Oh, and not pictured, I also found a great vintage kelly green wool cardigan with little gold shell buttons-all at thrift store prices (different thrift than the one I mentioned)!

Oh, one more picture of the cute ewe! I love these two tiny prints with the black detail (sorry about the flash). I think they will look good with the silhouettes I plan to group on a wall some day. Also (barely pictured) are three books: a Hardy Boys series, 1st edition Tale of Despereaux, The Children's Hour: School and Sport (this one has great graphics, I love the little Boston terrier peeking out beside the locker).

And, last but not least, another temptation I lied about yesterday (because I forgot!). A gorgeous Calvin Klein blazer. Yes, this is my cheesy attempt at a self-portrait. Obviously need to practice a bit and clean that blessed mirror! (I am really camera shy!)

Check out thrifty fun across the globe at both Apron Thrift Girl and Her Library Adventures. ATG also is donating proceeds from her Little Shop (an online thrift of sorts!) for Japan earthquake relief. So scary and tragic what is going on over there. I plan to donate to Red Cross, but maybe I will buy something from Selena as well! Also, if someone wants those Pyrex cups (the Trade Me Up ones) and is willing to make and show me the donation receipt as a trade (to either Japan Relief or for an animal rescue agency-another tragedy I read about yesterday that brought me to tears), I will send them out to you pronto (first come, email on side bar)!

Thrift Share Monday: March Roars

First up for my Thrift Share Monday show and tell are these boring soup mugs. The weird thing is I was thinking a couple of weeks ago that I wanted a matching set to replace all our odds and ends bowls. These were $1 each and fit the bill for our soup. Oddly, though they look new, these babies are almost 20 years old (made by Westwood in 1993). Realizing these mugs are almost 'vintage' makes me feel a bit old.


OK, I spent way too much for one of these items (hint, a very iconic item from the late 70's/80's). Definitely more than the 90c it originally cost someone. I used to steal my older brothers Mad magazines and fold the back pages! These will probably be gifts for both my brothers. I actually found 46 of them in perfect shape and in the end I couldn't just pick a couple (I bought them all!)


A whole bunch of odds and ends stamps (sadly, not a complete set). They are scattered on a great, unmarked chick transferware plate I suspect is not vintage.

The sweet, wooden bird art was handmade in Somerset, KY. I love it. The little squirrel was a 79c bargain that had to go home with me for no particular reason. The Asian pot is missing its lid, but I plan to put a succulent plant in it anyway.

Lately, I have been finding silhouettes. This one has "circa 1880 P. Wolf" on the bottom. I think they mean the image as there is no possible way this is that old. Cute, nonetheless, and when I find a third one I will hang them somewhere (I have a girl with poultry somewhere around here).

I also found a great hippy sundress by a designer called Bila. Unfortunately, I did not try it on and it looks horrible on me (I was with youngest child so in a hurry; the dress makes me look like I have another on the way). And, not pictured, are the great vintage rabbit planters I found and made into a springtime display at the IN house (forgot to photograph). Chocolate eggs fit perfectly inside them! ;)

(Excuse typos tonight...tired and spellcheck is being a bear!)

Check out Apron Thrift Girl and Her Library Adventures for more wonderfully amazing thrift/flea market scores.

Crazy Busy (What Else is New)

Busy week, I have been holed up at a really nice hotel near Cincinnati for work projects. Lucky for me, one of my great co-workers and friend was sent here for the project as well and we have had a magnitude of fun after work. She likes to thrift too and we found both a GW and an antique mall only a few miles from the hotel. I missed Thrift Share Monday this week (but I will save something really sweet for the next one), but I will link up to Coloradolady's Vintage Thingie Thursday (check out all the other great vintage thingies-it's addicting!!)

Mother and Father tea cups

Large Mexican tray with interesting embossed design (not sure age)

Betsy Johnson skirt (not vintage, but fun!)

Vintage bird prints in wooden "bamboo" frames

I also spotted a really great cat print at the Goodwill on Wednesday. I picked it up several times. It was only $3, but, in my attempt to not buy too unreasonably, I ended up opting out of the purchase because I couldn't picture where I would hang it. Tonight, my friend and I walked through the antique mall by the hotel. Upon entering one of the aisle, H. says, "I think we've been down this one; I remember that cat." I looked at where she was pointing and, lo and behold, it is the same cat print. I check the back and it was definitely the same print I saw the day before at GW. The new price...??? Twenty.Five.Dollars!

Thrift Share Monday: Found Fashion

So, we are 10 days into the New Year and I couldn't resist running into the thrift store next to the grocery. At least the grocery store prints coupons for the TS on their receipts!!

I did use some restraint, however, and did not buy the lovely lusterware on the shelves (amber and priced higher than ideal, but still reasonable). I also put back the cute Ralph Lauren black sweater dress (where would I wear it and I do not have time for the reselling thing just yet).

About a year and half ago, I finally did something about the "baby weight" I had gained in the two years after the last one was born. I started working out regularly and followed a fairly simple diet (after researching them all for simplicity and how realistically I would be willing to follow it). I chose one with the initials SB and, after six months, I shed fifty pounds. I actually weighed in and returned to a size I was before the first one was born. The best part (well, after finally getting rid of the heartburn caused by the extra weight on my 5'3" frame) was that I could actually find clothes at the TS that fit. And, my selection increased three fold! I'll admit I had been shunning thrifted clothing (or new for that matter) other than necessity like new jeans or wool sweaters.

Now, I am slowly revamping my wardrobe (that is if I don't stop putting weight back on...I have gained 10+ pounds since October!) I am really ready for winter to be over now. Tomorrow, since I am done with travel until end of month, I am hitting the Y.

I have never been the trendy sort and, in fact, have always mixed and matched vintage and modern. I started this back in high school (cough...um late '80's) and even still have a few fave items from back in the day. I like the "Anthropologie" or faux classic vintage look. I can be both tomboyish and feminine (I mean I am an entomologist!) and myy tastes in thrifty clothes lean toward this style. Bottom line: I like the unique!

OK, I'm rambling...here are a couple of my finds from the quick TS "run-in" on Sunday. I love them and can't wait to wear them (if the sun ever returns) this spring. I also found a sweater coat I left up North. I have plans for alteration and will post about it at another time. Sorry for the bad photographs-my apartment is a 'shotgun' house and is on the dark side.

(Love this chocolate brown blouse)

(I think this one will be cute with jeans)

(My favorite weekend find: Vintage Lily peasant blouse)

I am linking with other Great Thrifty Minds at Apron Thrift Girl.