Monday, January 28, 2013

Thrift Story

2

I haven’t shared my thrift store finds in a while, have I, dear readers?  Until lately, it seems, I’ve been a little down on my luck where earth shattering thrift store finds are concerned.  (Here I have to stop for a minute and laugh-I can see Stuart rolling his eyes at my loose interpretation of the term earth shattering.)

Last Friday, my friend Paula and I made our usual second hand rounds.  We both struck out at the local Saint Vincent dePaul store, although our hunt was at least peaceful and relaxing.  The Goodwill store was another story.  Too many other seekers vying for pay dirt, a small unruly unsupervised child, hunched over a yellow plastic truck, tearing erratically around the aisles-and a pair of the most predatory and intimidating females ever before encountered in any of our many, many outings.

Paula always wanders over to the clothing area first, in search of a jacket. (In the 10 or so years we’ve been thrifting together, she has, bless her heart, yet to decide on one.)   And I always start with home decor and housewares.  Immediately, last Friday, a very cute vintage orange spoon rest caught my eye.  Only 99 cents!  I was on the fence about it though, despite it’s appeal.  I already have way too much kitsch, and I’m really trying to practice some self control.  I left the orange where it was, and moved on, eventually catching up with Paula.  I was shocked to find her crimson faced and flustered!  She recounted how that same nasty pair had physically blocked her access to the rack of jackets, denying her a chance to inspect a promising prospect she’d glimpsed.  That’s right-those women had intentionally stood in Paula’s way!  I offered my chum some words of moral support and continued my perusing, ending up in the linens section where I found a true stunner-this embroidered tablecloth!

1

My photo does not begin to do this beauty justice, but I can tell you that it is in mint condition, the stitchery done by hand.  The colors are vibrant, the workmanship expert, and from the looks of it, an heirloom quality piece that was never used.  It cost a measly $1.99, which is so far below what a tablecloth like this is worth that it easily qualifies as an earth shattering find. 

I instantly started rethinking the spoon rest.  In light of my fruit tablecloth, any piece of ceramic shaped like an orange seemed too perfect to pass up.  Heading back to housewares, I was relieved to see the spoon rest still there, right where I’d first noticed it.  I picked it up, turning it over in my hands so as to admire it from every angle, and at the same time, trying to justify my faith in my ability to find a place for it in my kitchen.  I became aware that the evil twins were now right behind me.  Eyes boring into my back.  Willing me out of the way.  I guess I should thank them.  I fled, hastily deciding in favor of the spoon rest-which, by the way, turns out to be worth more like $15.00!

And what about the promising coat Paula saw? 

There’s always next week.

11 comments:

  1. So glad you got good finds. I love these, and I'm glad you went back for the orange!

    I haven't had a ton of luck lately. Last week I fell in love with a vintage green skirt. My belly was too chubby for it though. In the end, I bought it anyhow and put it in my Etsy shop, in hopes that someone would fall in love with it. It's just too cute to imagine it not finding an appreciative home, you know?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisa-I'm glad I got the orange spoon rest too-it looks cute in my kitchen. That green skirt in your shop is adorable!! I wish it would fit me!

      Delete
  2. Valerie, Valerie! hahahaha, too funny you are! I have had a crazy day already today. Too many interrupting phone calls and it snowed and the neighbors are all out shoveling like it is a party of something. So finally I am here and look at you and your thrifty finds, you! See you never know where your treasures lie. take care, fun friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm always so happy when You stop by Renae! Party or no party, blogging beats shoveling snow any day, too, doesn't it;)

      Delete
  3. Haha, so funny. How rude of those women! At least you got a couple of great items. They are so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Tammy:) Paula and I should not have let that pair unnerve us so much-and I bet we weren't the only ones!

      Delete
  4. okay,, so lets not let GW know that some of the linens they have are really collectible...I had a similar find a couple weeks ago..it was a large white round tablecloth with hand crocheted 4" pineapple lace trim that was pristine...I scoped that from several aisles away, couldn't get there fast enough and it was only $3.99 YAY...that crochet was about 3.5 yards and would have cost about $50 or more if I would have tried to buy it off ebay or etsy..so lets keep the linen thing a secret:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Debbi! Isn't it too bad that the really great finds at GW are few and far between? I remember the good old days, when most everything that is considered collectible now, was just "used" stuff. Your pineapple lace tablecloth was a major score indeed!

      It's fun to see you here again:)

      Delete
  5. Next time you go you will have to wear your fatigues and combat boots, ready for a war against the evil twins.

    I have always wanted to blog my most favorite perfect pair of surf shorts EVER -- found at the Salvation Army, for a steal of a deal. Maybe one day soon. Thanks for the story. I like the orange spoon rest too!

    ALOHA!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I like that idea Lisa! Any excuse to wear combat boots!! I hope you do blog about your surf shorts-I'd love to see them!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh I love your thrift store finds and your stories make me want to join you. Hope a cat comes soon for poor Paula she must be getting cold:) b

    ReplyDelete