Tis the season for flea markets and garage sales. If you've only read a couple of posts on this blog you know I am always up for antiquing and thrifting.

Recently I joined a group on Facebook that buys and sells household goods and antique or vintage items. It's great because you can sell exactly what you're asking for or close to it rather than completely giving it away at a garage sale.The best part is that there are also people looking out for what other members of the group want.

Just the other day I put out a call for vintage thermoses and within minutes I had a few people giving me leads. When I met the seller she said she hadn't even thought about listing them but then saw my post and remembered she had one that was exactly as I described. It made me really happy; how those little things fall into place.

So this week I put up a few items and had a good return on investment or ROI. They were: an old Kraft cheese box, a 1950's butter dish, vintage Pyrex and a globe. These items were literally sitting on a shelf in the closet. It was so much easier and quicker than Craigslist. So if you want a decent return or are looking for something in particular, find yourself a local group on Facebook and have fun!

*The pictures were taken with my phone which explains the quality. They sold so quickly I didn't even bother taking a picture with my real camera. ; )

Vintage baby scale & photo



 

I don't think I ever put up this little cutie's picture. Did I?

I found this sweet baby scale at an antique shop and had to have it. I'm a little picky with props in photos but this one I loved. It was the first one I had seen with an attached basket so I bought it in hopes I could take somebody's picture in it.

Baby Andie to the rescue!

She was the best little baby, letting us mold and flop her around.
The double chin kills me. I wish they were as cute when you get older.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Friday Finds and a week of Randoms

Good intentions to get a bunch of stuff done went down the drain when...

I received a call just as I was about to bite into my chicken Roburrito and was asked to speak in church this Sunday. So all week I have only been thinking, researching and writing about the subject I have been asked to tackle. I have to start this process right away because it seems that all of the thoughts in my head don't formulate and flow the way I'd like until it's crunch time. So today is crunch time. I've been practicing my talk while I am standing at the sink doing the dishes or folding clothes and then something new will come to me so I have to add, omit and re-work the whole topic. It'll come together somehow.

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Speaking of Roburritos, we have found a new favorite. They have about 20 sauces to choose from to put on your burrito. Oh yum.

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Reese took 3rd place in his division at the Pinewood Derby. He was so happy about that. We were very happy for him.

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The flu bug barely touched us, knock on wood. Charley and Reese were out for one day only. Trae had a fever for 4 days but that was it. Blair and Belén have escaped it so far. Time will tell.

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I went to a fun baby shower for a girl at church. I am lucky to have so many great women to be friends with and look up to. I've been lucky in every place that I have lived because there have always been these amazing women to know in each place.

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After the shower, a friend took me to a yarn shop and I saw the most beautiful yarn. I had no idea there were so many different weights and styles. So now I think I have to learn to knit. Afterwards we went to my favorite antique mall and I found myself an old, round wooden frame. I put it up but it looks a little drab so I see some Rub N Buff is in its future. The carving needs some highlights.

As we were cooking dinner the other night, one of the stove top burners caught on fire. I looked to see if there was something burning underneath that had fallen below but soon realized, nope, those were just flames shooting out. I was going to try to turn off the burner when sparks started flying. It seriously shot up sparks like one of those cones you light off on the 4th of July, so I had to run back. Everytime I thought it was done, I went to the stove and the sparks would fly again. Jon laughed at me flailing about. I think I lost a few lashes. The burner let out a big "pop!" and then it died. What a way to go though - in all sparks and glory! We were planning on getting a new stove anyway so the timing is good.

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My toes and hands are constantly cold.

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Oh yeah, I did manage to get to one thing - details later but me likey so far.

Have a good weekend!

 

xo

Laura

I love lamp

As I was out treasure hunting a while back I came upon this little art deco lamp. I loved it and carried it around with me for a while but decided to put it back on the shelf. I do that a lot. I talk myself out of things before I get to the counter. I figured one more thing to re-wire was the last thing I needed. But I really wanted it though.

Then the next day I came across this page in a magazine and there was "my" exact same lamp but with a great antique bronze finish. Who said anything about re-wiring?? So I went back and got it. Now I just need to figure out the best way to get it to look like its former beauty-queen self.

And now a little Anchorman-

Have a happy Wednesday.

linking to Funky Junk Interiors

linking to House of Grace
Somewhat Simple

Friday finds

Back in early February I stopped off at an antique mall on my way home from work. Just as I stepped in the store I noticed a small booth to the left with things placed at random. That's usually a good sign because prices are more likely to be random as well, which = good deals.

I took notice of the botanical art sticking out from behind some frames. At $5.00 it was a great deal and the booth dealer was having a 20% off sale - even better.

Before

After re-framing.

In my research about the print I found that it was originally an engraving from a seed catalog from the late 1700's. There were 12 engravings, one for each month with all of the flowers blooming in that month. The flowers have a corresponding number and name. This just happens to be my birth month, March. See? I was meant to have it. You should be on the look out for yours.

The catalog became so popular that they had to stop printing it in the large size and went to smaller pages. It's a great piece and so beautifully illustrated. Perfect for Spring.

Then last week at the thrift shop I found Blair some more tea cups and saucers for her tea parties. I even found a sterling silver candle holder for $1.99 that I still need to polish so it'll be an extra fancy tea party.

The dishes were only .49 cents each and are in perfect condition and... they are cherry blossoms.

Now I have officially posted about those dang trees for the 3rd time in a week.

Have a great day!

*And for you local friends, I'm thinking of having a "Hunting 101" field trip. It won't require a gun and shooting animals. We'll go to my favorite places for antiques, vintage items and just plain cool stuff and learn all about the hunt. If you're interested, message me.

linking to The Shabby nest

Budget beauty - bathroom

We'll be working on the basement bathroom remodel this weekend. Saturday is really the only day that we have to get anything done and that is pushing it most times. Last weekend we played but this weekend we're all over it. We have accomplished a few things. Take a look...

{The sink is in.}

We found it just sitting in the Garden tool aisle at Lowes a looong time ago, way before the flood. It was marked $25.00. The sink was on a shelf a few feet away. A worker just happened to be walking by and we asked if we just take it to the counter. As an after thought, I asked if there was hardware with it anywhere. He said he didn't think so and then bent down and marked it to $20.00 because of it. We didn't even ask or think of it. Pretty nice of him. I still have to install the knobs.

{New faucet}

Nice and shiny, looks good but was only $12.00 at Home Depot, hello.

{New flooring underfoot}

For $103.00 we were able to put down a hardwood look-a-like. It's rubber backed and does not have to be glued down. So if we ever experience a flood again (knock on real wood) we'll just pull it up, wash it off, dry it out and put it back in. Could it be any easier?

Bathmat - West Elm, $16.00

{New/old accessory}

I found this little guy at an antique mall for $3.00. I like having unique accessories and when they are so inexpensive, they're easier to switch out. But for now, he's a keeper.

When this is all said and done, we will be waaay under budget which is why I have changed it up and am going with a different light, not your standard light. It's going to be cool.

More later.

Have a great day!

Bowl me over - Friday finds

Pun totally intended. It's been a while for this segment because of the work schedule but I was finally able to make a stop to my favorite and best priced antique mall around. Ah, it was fun, even with a 3 year-old picking up everything. We have a rule. He stands with his arms behind his back when we go into a booth and if he sees something he wants to look at, he'll tell me and I'll hand it to him so we can look at it together. I usually have my hands under his just in case. But 5 kids and a million shops later, we've never broken anything. Charley did almost get her eyes scratched out by a cat at one shop which required a trip to the Dr. and a shot for her but that's another story...

It seems weird that I get excited about a bowl, I know. But when I find vintage Pyrex randomly placed at a thrift or antique shop and they're in good condition, I don't pass them up. Do you blame me? They are so cheerful. The newest acquisitions are front and center, the orange with wheat stalks and the beautiful blue. They were $2.00 each. I haven't paid more than $6.00 a piece for any of them, even the large ones to the left. After reading the article below, I think I've been getting a good deal. I have to start washing them by hand so the designs don't fade but no one around here minds that - less for them to load into the dishwasher.

House of Hepworths

Apron Thrift Girl

French Country Cottage

Shelf life - vintage finds

A while ago I mentioned that I was going to clear the bookshelves and look for some new accessories to put up on them. I am always tweaking the shelves, keeping in line with the seasons, rotating items I have stored away or just finding something a little more interesting to display. You know, just a little sumpin' sumpin' to grab your attention - don't you love out of the ordinary stuff like that?

So I went to my favorite antique mall to look for such an item
and came upon a vintage bingo cage. I scooped it up without hesitating.

Its $3.00 price tag only sweetened the deal.

There are seriously good prices at this place, I'm telling ya.

So now it sits on the shelf and no one can resist giving it a whirl

and randomly yelling out a number

just for the fun of it.

What's new on your shelf?

linking to Apron Thrift Girl

Thrifty finds and another project

My mission while out thrift shopping was to find a gaudy and ornate mirror. The first one I saw was too big for the space and the next was too small. A trip to the local Goodwill put me within reach of one that was juuust right. Unfortunately, someone had the same mission and set it aside on the counter while they shopped. Oh, how it tormented me.

But spotting this solid {heavy} alabaster cake stand made up for that miss. Almost. I love the pedestal and veining.

Since I was in the area I drove down to one of my favorite antique malls even with a 5 and almost 3 year-old in tow. That can be dicey but they managed to keep their hands off of most things. And thankfully the shop owner wasn't phased by them.

There I found a cute vintage anagram game with a ton of tiles and a hat for Blair to play dress up or days she wants to wear it to a soccer game, like yesterday or maybe it'll be her choice as an Easter bonnet.

I also spotted a chevron patterned wooden box on a shelf. It was holding papers and postcards so I emptied it hoping to find a price inside. Sure enough I did and that seller's whole booth was 40% off - my lucky day...with the exception of that blasted mirror...

Waiting at home for me was another chevron patterned item, only a little larger in scale.

I've been wanting to do this since I saw it on HGTV's Design Star a while back. I'm finally getting around to it and am hoping to finish it up today. It's not that big of a wall but it is time consuming and involves math. Math!

My mom would be so proud that I am using geometry, even if it is with painter's tape. I know it doesn't look that hard but this takes surgical precision here! Or something like it. Maybe it just takes a glutton for punishment. That's me.

So that's a round up of the latest thrifty purchases. Have you found anything lately?

Tomorrow I may hit the flea market in search of the mirror. Wish me luck!

Have a good weekend!

My favorite find story and antique shopping in TX - Part deux

Not far from my in-laws and located in the Texas Hill country is the quaint town of Comfort.

Along the way there on slow country roads you might spy a longhorn or two. It's always a treat to see them. I yelled when I spotted one which nearly made Jon stomp on the brakes. I tend to do that a lot which Jon politely tells me to stop doing when he's driving. It startles him and he says, "What, what??!" thinking there's going to be an accident or that we left a kid somewhere.

Comfort is known as an antiquing town. Which ever way you turn you'll run into some shops, all with interesting items, unique finds and artful displays. On our 3rd anniversary Jon and I stayed at the Comfort Commons B&B right in town.



Blackbird Antiques - more on that later!


Even a town's typical bank, library and cafe are not so typically done here.

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This cafe, 7th Heaven, had the best tortilla soup I have ever tasted. The owner was so friendly and even opened up their shop (the pink bldg) for me to peek inside.

And yes, the burgers were that good. My kids kept slapping me on the arm to prove it.

Time only allotted us to go into a few stores and upon entering the first, I noticed a small table outside the door. Its heavy slate top immediately caught my eye. I made it a point to come back to see if the table was still there after we looked around the town a bit. It was originally $26.00 marked down to $20.00 but I got it for $17.50.
I knew it would be perfect for the patio and a place to park my pots I purchased at Garden Ridge. (Wow, tongue twister - alotta P's.)

Both of the larger pots were $9.99 each.
The smaller one with the bamboo pattern is vintage McCoy which I found at my local thrift shop for $1.99. I know, crazy good price.

And now for my favorite find story...
The reason the table was $17.50 is because when I went back to look at it, I spied a little chair on the other side of the entrance. You know me finding a child's chair = happy, right?

It hadn't been tagged yet so I asked how much it was and the friendly clerk said he was just marking it $26.50. I asked if that was firm and he said it was since it had just come in. So that's when I asked what his firm price was on the table. He told me to hold on while he asked the boss and came back and said he would give me both pieces for $35.00 total.


SOLD!
And then guess what happened?

I ran back to the cafe where Jon and the kids were finishing up their lunch in the beautiful 80 degree weather and told him it would be easier to drive by the shop on the way out and load the stuff into the trailer rather than carrying it back to the car. major run-on sentence but I get like that when I am excited...
So we did and we were finally on our way back to PA.
A little while later I pulled out my new magazine and began thumbing through it.

AND what did I spot on a page showcasing furniture designer Bob Williams house??

My chair.
Right there. right. there.

And then I yelled and startled Jon again.

Happy Tuesday!

Tomorrow:
Wednesday quotes - thoughts on enduring

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Linking to House of Grace

Coastal Charm

Another installment of garage thrifting

Or should I say storage unit thrifting?
It's a long story but we have a storage unit full of personal belongings and antiques of my mom's and maybe some overflow of ours...

A few weekend's ago we moved those items into a smaller unit. It was an all day event. I did bring back a few bins of things that I wanted to go through a little more closely. And I wanted to bring out my Christmas china that we enjoy using the day after Thanksgiving and all the way to New Year's day.
It's something that my kids look forward to, believe it or not. Funny what traditions that the kids will enjoy and remember.

So, here are a few items that I thrifted out of my garage.

One of my parent's wedding presents 51 years ago.

Perfect as holiday red.

I remember my mom gave me these 5 stockings that she made even before I got married and had 5 kids. I guess it was serendipitous.

The vintage french pots and carrier. A woman that we met who traveled to Paris on shopping trips hand carried this back from one of her travels about 10 years ago. At the time I thought it was expensive but after seeing them now reproduced in magazines and costing more than I paid, I realize it was a bargain.

The pots I bought separately from a lady in Maine. She bought an old house and barn and found a bunch of french pots stored away in there.
The only thing I found in my house were old paint cans they didn't feel like disposing of before moving...

Paperwhites are going in to each pot.

And this I did get from the 2nd hand furniture place. My husband is wonderfully patient with me on the furniture buying. Mainly I buy props for photos. Our garage looks like a prop house. But these are for me and I bought 2 of them for $6.50 each. The fabric will be recovered but I am still contemplating to paint or not. My first thought was a new color but the more I look at them, I feel their natural state is best - minus the fabric. Any thoughts?

Have a great weekend!

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linking to Coastal Charm

Garage thrifting

Since it's not In the plan to get to any flea markets or thrift shops in the next little while, I thought I'd shop the garage. After all, it's free, sort of.

(Although, I am making plans to go a big flea with a friend so I'll document that journey later! Maybe I'll even shoot a video... You didn't think I'd stay away for too long, did you?)

Jon and I have made it a point to go through all of the boxes in the garage and either use what we have, sell or give-away what we don't need. I've already set out 5 boxes of items that were picked up by freecyclers. Love that. Two people came by from Craigslist today and a few other items are heading to Etsy.

It was a tough competition but something had to go. I'm the Paula Abdul of the garage storage and thinks everything has a chance. Jon is more like Randy. "Yo dog, you're cool and all but you're better suited for someone else."

But the following items are what made today's cut.

This vintage tool carrier was from my mom. I'm a sucker for these but they can be pricey. This was found at an antique mall and it was such a bargain, we couldn't pass it up. It held big jars of spices in her kitchen and I may do the same. Flowers would look so good in here too. Or herbs... any thoughts?


Although I don't buy linens as much as I used to, I still like them, especially vintage tablecloths. They are always just a little more fun to use.



I thought the price on these napkins was funny. $12.60 for a dozen of Damask Irish linen. I like it when the original price tags are left on items.

Even though I don't use doilies that much, I do think they are small pieces of artwork and I hate to part with any that were made by my family members. I've often wondered how I could modernize them a bit since I lean toward contemporary design with a vintage mix.

Then one day I was reading an old Country Living article and came across this and my question was answered. Stitch together the doilies and make a table runner. It would look great on a big table, like a large graphic design. I have plenty to work with so we'll see how that turns out.

Last but not least, the Jadeite. I bought 12 of these older cups in North Dakota for $12.00 at an antique shop. I thought I heard the store owner wrong when she told me. Without hesitation, other than being shocked for a brief moment, I took them and added to the collection.

It will make drinking hot chocolate with a {huge} dollop of whipped cream this winter so enjoyable. Can't wait.

** You know how there are "crossover" artists in music?

Well, I am going to be a crossover blogger.

In addition to Enjoying the Simple Things, I will soon be writing another blog called @Home Again. There I will post most of my thrifting and flea market adventures, Etsy sales, re-purposing, crafts and home remodeling projects that are still haunting me. I may have the same post at both if I am having a case of writer's block, though, so don't be surprised at that. Like maybe this one for example!

I hope you'll stop by there too.

Thanks friends!

linking to:

A little Knick Knack

Southern Hospitality

Coastal Charm

Tales from Bloggeritaville

Finding Fabulous