Thrifting

A few things

January 12, 2016

1. The tree is down along with much of the Christmas decor. Our home feels a bit bigger and lighter.

2. I finally found an antique vanity plateau mirror for my dining room table. I am always admiring the one that my mom has on her table. I like how it dresses things up a bit and reflects the candle light.

3. My mom had two leaf prints (made by Chris) framed and wrapped up under the tree for me.

4. Chris made fun of my most recent re-purposing of an antique cruet set which I filled with bath oil, Epsom salts and dried lavender. He asked if he should carve some salad tongs for my next bath.

5. Nothing like a new succulent and some ranunculus to freshen up the bathroom.

6. Paperwhites and amaryllis bulbs are a January must!

7. The sweetest handmade mobile gifted to Norah from a crafty neighbor home from college.

8. Starting to frame more photographs to be hung in this little hallway space.

9. A vintage quilt rack to hold our collection of quilts and wool blankets.

A few thrifted treasures

April 30, 2015

Because I strive to live by the questions “Do I truly love this? Will it bring me joy?” when out shopping I tend to not buy a whole lot of stuff.

As of late there hasn’t been much that has caught my eye and I have walked out of several thrift stores in the last couple months empty handed, that is, until yesterday.

As far as I’m concerned I hit the jack pot because what I brought home, I absolutely love. Did I need any of it? No. Where any of these things on my “List”? No. But I do adore my new treasures and I did stick a few things in my Goodwill bag to cancel out what I brought in.

There is no guilt in my book if something I bring into my home brings me joy.

:: I actually squealed a little when I spotted a set of those vintage antler candle stick holders. We have quite a collection of antlers in all shapes and sizes around our house all of which were found in the woods by Chris and the girls. These will happily be added to the collection. I just may gift one to my sister for Christmas this year. Shhhhhh!

:: I fell in love with that green glass carafe with the brown leather strapping and stopper. It will look great on the bar with my beginning collection of antique wine bottle coasters.

:: That sweet little studio pottery vase spoke to me. It said “bring me home!” I love it’s shape, pattern and blue hues. It’s new home for now is the mantle.

:: About a year ago I found a shorter version of that same set of hooks where it hangs in the baking area of my kitchen. I love the rustic look of the wood and metal hardware and the hooks swing! This longer one now lives in my bathroom above the tub, perfect for washcloths.

A few new things

January 24, 2015

Just a few new things around the home to share with you…

Chris made me that beautiful coffee table for Christmas which now lives up on the second floor in our loft space. It’s so nice to have a place for our feet to rest upon, stacks of books, a space for board games, and our Downton hot chocolate parties!

My mama gifted me a set of those lovely iron sconces for Christmas this year. She overheard my love for them while we are away at Shehawken this summer visiting here. She’s so sneaky!

I have been on the look out for some new linens and found an amazing lot of napkins with beautiful embroidery work along with that tablecloth while thrifting last week. I will be using my antique wooden ironing board on a weekly basis!

We are off to sunny Florida in a few hours. I will be posting photos here all week.

Have a lovely weekend my friends!

A few of my favorite thrift stores

June 18, 2014

Life has been busy. Busy enough that I haven’t been thrifting for over a month. A record in my book!
I broke that spell this week with a little trip to a few of my favorite spots.

1. Studio pottery bowl, perfect for summer fruits.

2.Wooden handled silverware tray. Just in time for back porch parties.

3. Large cotton madras tablecloth. I plan to use this for summer picnics and for the beach.

4.Blue striped mixing bowl. One of my favorites recently broke so this was a timely find.

5.Wooden handled wire basket for the farmers market and our CSA share.

6.Cobalt blue and grey studio pottery vase for summer wildflower bouquets.

7.Woven basket case perfect for the pool, the beach or as a summer handbag.

For the local folk, as promised a list of my favorite spots…….

Riddle Thrift

Not only the closest in proximity to me but also full of high quality goods. The top floor is full of clothing, handbags, shoes and bags all in impeccable condition and the bottom floor, full of housewares. This place has washed and ironed linens!

Note: Riddle is closed on Saturdays in the summertime.

Neighborhood League

High quality beautiful goods many of which are antiques. Some of my most treasured pieces of pottery and kitchen wares come from here.

Note: Neighborhood League is closed for the summer months and opens right after Labor Day

Pennywise

A great mix of collectables and housewares as well as clothing and jewelery.

Note: Pennywise closes in the summer months but reopens after Labor Day

Bryn Mawr Thrift

Some of the best furniture around!

Nana’s Attic

This one has a bit more “junk” to sift through than the others but I still have found many treasures here. All proceeds go towards the Domestic Abuse Project.

Harry’s Treasures and Collectibles

This is an antique store but the basement is full of 1/2 off treasures. Some of my favorite pieces of furniture have been found at Harry’s.

Ask Yourself, Do I Truly Love This?

May 13, 2014

My all time favorite quote by William Morris is Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful. I live by this rule and it has only allowed for order, appreciation and joy.
I can honestly say there is hardly a thing in my home that I do not love.

It’s amazing how much less is bought or accumulated when you ask yourself at the store or when looking through a pile of hand me downs “Do I LOVE this? I mean do I really, really LOVE this?” And yes this should apply to everything, even a broom or dust pan.

Above are a few things I brought home recently from the thrift/antique store that I truly love. They even give me a touch of the goosebumps I love them so much.

Arrow floor lamp (dining room)
Hand forged iron and brass sconce (dining room)
Unsigned still life watercolor (dining room)
Studio pottery pitcher (kitchen)
Black and gold wood mirror (living room)
Wicker bee skep (garden)

Note: In my Creating Space for Beauty and Simplicity in the Home subscription I will touch more on this topic along with simple practices and ideas on creating spaces that reflect beauty, originality and simplicity in the home.
Stay tuned!

The Beauty of a Basket

March 24, 2014

Can you tell I have a bit of a basket addiction?

I can’t help but bringing just one more home from the thrift.
They are the pockets of my home, bringing order and beauty to the piles of stuff. Messes of toys, laundry and paper look so much prettier in a basket.

I love their texture, their handmade natural, organic feel and that they are both beautiful and useful.

Baskets can be the “jack of all trades” in your home. Think outside of the box and get creative. Give them a job and they will be sure to give a stellar performance.

::Baskets are very inexpensive at the thrift. Collect a variety. Look for different shapes, heights, color and design.
::Hang your baskets. Hang one in the bathroom to hold a hand towel, by your kitchen sink to hold dish brushes or by your desk for pens and pencils.
::Use baskets as artwork. Hang basket lids or trays for texture. Sometimes they can cast beautiful shadows.
::Plants and baskets make a beautiful couple. Hide an ugly plastic pot inside a basket and give your flora a whole new feel.
::Baskets can soften a space. A basket of blankets or books can warm up an empty corner.
::Baskets are beautiful on their own even without a use. Use baskets in your vignettes to become part of a scene.
::Turn a basket into a vase by tucking a glass or ball jar of flowers inside. A basket bouquet!
::Keep a stockpile of baskets stored away. They make the perfect gift full of goodies.

I Believe in the Thrifting Gods

June 14, 2013

i set out yesterday for a morning of thrifting looking mostly for lamps and found everything but.
the thrifting gods were definitely with me and blessed me with quite a haul!

i was overjoyed to find many beautiful pieces of pottery. vases, jugs, pots….and oh that lovely set of mugs.
the pot with the lid has a wire handle which will be perfect for compost. because even your compost pot needs to be pretty too!
i love the wooden string winder and neat little hanging basket with the wooden handle.
i have a little addiction to hanging planter pots and loved the blues and browns of this one.
and i just can’t seem to have enough wooden beaded necklaces. perfect for sprucing up any summer outfit.
and they may just continue to live in that pretty little woven basket that was also found.

i love how everything looks together and didn’t really want to pull this little family of finds apart at first.
but i am having fun as i slowly scatter them around giving them new homes, creating new vignettes (my favorite past time) and even tucking some away as gifts.

A Few Tricks up my sleeve

February 22, 2013

so i have been on a little spending freeze over the last month.
in fact just for fun i actually handed over my debit card to chris just to see what might happen.
now i wouldn’t call myself a shopoholic. but i do like finding that very special thing. etsy, my favorite blogs and pinterest have all exposed me to many beautiful and unique things. and thrift stores, well don’t get me started… i LOVE to thrift. the thrill, the score, having things that no one else has. yes maybe it is a bit of an addiction i admit.

over the last year i have had many opportunities to just stop in to my local thrift shops.
hannah’s ballet class is just around the corner from goodwill and my favorite thrift is in walking distance from the farm where i work three days a week.
sure i have found some amazing things and yes most of it is second hand so that feels good to give something a second or third life but really how many things do i need?

believe me i have no plans of never thrifting or spending again.
goodness no!
but it feels so good to be giving focus to other things when i might have a free moment.
now when hannah is at ballet class i sit at the library and read, write letters or knit.

because i am such a nester (and a aquarian) i tend to feed my soul by switching things up a bit. thrifting in a way helps me with this as i bring in something new to add to the old mix. that feeling of ahhh as i find a new piece of pottery or basket or bowl and come home to replace it with something i was just a little tired of.
oh it’s a good feeling.

so what i have i been doing without any money to fulfill my inner nester?
don’t worry i have my tricks.
not only has giving up the urge to spend saved us a bit of money but it has also allowed me to be a bit more inventive and creative.

just like i used to do with my girl’s toys when they were younger i put my own things away for a little rest to then pull them out and revisit them.
it feels like i have all new toys!
i recently pulled out some artwork that i was needing a little break of a few years back that was stashed away in a closet. when i unearthed it i remembered how much i absolutely loved it when i first found it and how much i still do love it. i hung it up and bam! a whole new look.

the other night i was over visiting with my mom who has many beautiful antiques and unique pieces and who is always looking to de-clutter.
she sent me home with a cobalt blue lamp, a beautiful clay pitcher from ireland and an oil painting by my great great uncle paul.
i felt like i had hit the jackpot. and best of all i didn’t spend any money!!

not spending has even fulfilled my creative self in the kitchen. instead of looking in the fridge or pantry and thinking “oh i better go shopping” when things start to get a bit low, i now am using up everything i have and making more things from scratch. (don’t worry though i have gone food shopping in the last month:)

and same goes for my wardrobe. i have recently brought out some pieces from the back of the closet and bottom of the drawer who were feeling a bit neglected and paired them with pieces i normally wouldn’t.
my sister and i were just talking about hosting a clothing swap. invite some friends over for wine and cheese and leave with a whole new wardrobe!

taking a little spending break has definitely served me well in many ways and when i do decide to go thrifting or shopping again it will be such a treat!

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