Thrifty Thursday

I was looking for a tray in a local thrift store, any color because I was planning on painting it. I never see good trays.

I did come a way with a few goodies on the cheap.

The blue and white bowl is most likely on its way to my bedroom which is pale blue and white.

It definitely needs an infusion of Chinese blue and white porcelain.

These fetching little things are staying close by in the kitchen. I use little bowls like this for condiments regularly.

I got two of these hammered brass vases.

I like the repetition of the orb theme in different textures.

I believe everything was under $10 bucks combined.

I just wish they had a tray!

Do you like hunting for goodies in thrift stores?

Thrifty Thursday

I went to a local church thrift that often has accessories and after regrouping when the cutest vintage bamboo dresser was sold, I looked at the smalls.

I grabbed the silverplate Revere bowl on principle. I wasn't sure exactly what it would corral. Right now it sits on my little bar table full of corks that are awaiting some Pinterest project.

It joins another recent thrift find, the julep cup trophy that now holds straws and one lone swizzle stick.

I grabbed this tray after looking at a few others.

I had planned to paint or do some sort of makeover but I kind of like the patina its got. It is not exactly glam but it holding a variety of un-glam things like bills, rejection letters and a few sketchy report cards.

Have you "thrifted" anything good lately?

Thrifty Thursday

Check out this little cutie I found in a local thrift. It is only about 4 inches tall but in perfect condition and at 50 cents how could I resist?

I debated using as a container for some sort of daily use item but I think I will just let it be its pretty self.

I did not have a chance to get flowers for this pewter trophy but I think some pink peonies would be perfect. The other side is engraved. It is a golf trophy from 1992, LOL! but it works for me and the equestrian look in my dining room.
Have you grabbed a great goodie lately?

Thrifty Thursday High/Low

Horchow's Moroccan Garden seat is listed at $455 HERE

West Elm has a white alternative

$129 HERE

Horchow aslo has this wooden garden seat

$455 HERE

West Elm to the rescue again

$199 HERE

Horchow's Antique Garden Stool is a staggering $760 HERE

Wisteria  has a fine substitute for $279 HERE

I really have nothing against Horchow so let's see what we could get by shopping low.

If you bought all three accent tables at Horchow the bill would be $1670.

If you chose the West Elm and Wisteria versions that total would be $607.

The savings of $1063 would buy both of these fabulous mirrors at Horchow. YAY!

$495 HERE

Also $495 HERE

Thrifty Thursday

Happy March, my friends.

On the table above you can see my latest finds. The footed milk glass urn was $1 at a local thrift and it has a big sister, who is already holding a plant. Its a digression, but the plant is well over a hundred years old and by some miracle I have managed to keep it alive. Neat, huh?

The other item is from Etsy but it was $7 so I think it counts. It is a vintage Lucite tortoise shell tray and I am absolutely ga-ga over it. I found it at the Etsy shop Folding Chairs. I could swear my grandmother had one when I was little. These two won't be staying where you see them. I actually don't really know what they will do in my house but there it is.

In other news...

not really
but here is my latest painting.

It is not on Etsy because I am going to enter it in a regional juried show.

 Love it? Hate it? Want to set in fire?

Any ideas for a title?

I had a few but I'd love to hear your ideas.

Thrifty Thursday

That window was open and we sat inches from it.

The weather was so warm and wonderful, at 70 degrees here yesterday, that I insisted my husband accompany me to downtown Fredericksburg.

We ate lunch at the Capital Ale House and people watched. It was lovely and I got a few peeks in some of the never ending antique shops.

Oddly, our stop at the Salvation Army store on the way, just inside the city limits, was most fruitful.

I was taking my own advice and searching for more lovely containers. My little girl has a collection of kid sized paint brushes that she loves to look at when not painting. It is in it's original packaging (ugly) and often dumped out everywhere. So container searching I went.

I found the tiny ginger jar first for $2.

There was also a collection of blue and white vases. Tempting, but they did not come home with me.

Next I found this, to die for, vase. 

It looks and feels like vintage McCoy but no mark and at $3, I just love it.

My husband loves thrifting, rarely buys anything, yet takes forever to rifle through everything. I must always remind myself that at least he is a willing partner in crime. Even if he is a slow and thorough one.

Yesterday it paid off...

I found this portable French style easel while he was examining something else.

Please excuse the clutter and sleeping child, I was excited

It was, apparently, never used. 

New, they are between $90 and $ 200.

This was $ 15.

So for twenty bucks I got some great stuff,  although no paintbrush container.

I also had a fun lunch with my family and a walk around one of my favorite towns.

Frederickburg, Virginia April 2010