Thrift Score June

I found these lovies my last trip to drop off donations.  I'm super excited about the PYREX S/P Shakers, especially since i didn't realize they were PYREX until after I got them home and was ready to fill them.  The branding is an etched glass very small towards the bottom.  they work great, actually the only set of shakers I've brought home that I've actually used. 

The farmers tin is perfect for our flea market money box and the tulip dish goes (well mostly) with my Japan Tulip Canister set that I have in my bedroom.  They are both stamped Japan, have the same coloring, but  but the tulip pattern is different...I was so close.

I found this green Hoover beauty on a local FB Yardsale page and I'm loving how well she still works.  I need to order new bags, but outside of that I don't regret my purchase. 

This guy has an funny store as he almost didn't even make it home with me.  I walked by him twice at a local church's annual flea market my mom and I participated in.  After some debate I realized I wasn't even spending a dollar on him and if I found that he would have no purpose in my home that I would just simply resell him for what I paid so I happily paid for him and took him home.  

He was useful for about a week as a place to store extra change, but then decided to use him as part of my staging to sell my IKEA BESTA TV Stand and I've had multiple buyers interest in him.  I should seriously start a bidding war for him.  Highest bidder gets the whale! 

Happy Thrifting!! What kind of goodies have you found???

THRIFTY FINDS FEBRUARY

I've been having a lot of fun lately on my thrifting adventures and thought I would share what I've found.

Some Time Ago Find

 

I found these a few months back and wasn't sure what I would do with them, but for $2.50 for the pair I figured I would find a use.  They currently, are living happy at the base of my bed housing my workout shoes and attire for the next day.  

I {heart} this scarf.  I can't believe I went through the whole store and never knew it existed, luckily they had a scarf bin at the checkout table and I just happened to browse through it quickly while waiting in line to pay and I when I saw it my eyes lit up.  I couldn't wait until it was cold enough so I could wear it.   

Last Week Finds

I found this a few weeks back, and it took a week once I bought it to finally get it washed, but I knew when I found it that it would be the perfect addition for my bedroom as my bedside throw.

I love the vintage feel of this deer photo and even at full price I had to take it home.  I love the purple undertones and that it reminds me of feeding and watching the deer when I worked up in Huntingdon.

All, I have to say is wow, this purse had me written all over it.  It's so vintage chic.  I couldn't image why anyone would give this up until I got it home and tried to use the coin zipper and the inside was stuck together.  Luckily, I don't really need that part and it gives me time to clean it up.  Plus, the other two pockets are fine, which I'm pretty sure it's meant to hold a checkbook.

I have a small growing collection of coffee mugs, so needless to say I felt a bit guilty buying 3 more, but I took them home anyways even at $1 each.  I did  go through my collection and decided to part with my 4 IKEA white and green ceramic mugs as these really have the unique and vintage look I want for my home. 

Tuesday Store 1

I just adore the warm feeling of the colors of these s/p shakers and I just had to have them for my collection.  I know there not genuine mcm, and their color tag was not on clearance I took them home anyway.

Even after buying the last throw I couldn't resist this beautiful reversible quit.  I couldn't find a brand tag, so I'm not really sure if I over paid, but it's so lovely and adds a warmth to my room that makes me glad I didn't leave it to the fates & wait for the day they have everything 50% off.

Tuesday Store 2

I was elated when I saw this piece, a ceramic and wood Trivet with a lovely pattern.  It's perfect for my living room.  I had to take the feet off and need to attach some command strips before I can hang it.

I couldn't resist buying it, even though I really don't drink.  I loved the wood like material and mcm feel and I knew that at some point I would have a glass of wine that will need a cork screw. 

I had actually purchased a plate set at Store 1 prior to coming to this store.  I had seen the last set the previous Thursday, but wasn't willing to pay the 12.99 price tag.  I was glad to see it was still there, but strangly had a hesitation about buying the set, and knew when I saw these that was why.

They are exactly the size and style I was searching for and after finding them for $17.50 each on ebay I pretty much made out.  Since I don't need both sets I added the Desert Rose pattern by Royal China / Jeannette Company to my newly started etsy shop. 

Sneak Peak

I had this mirror in a few locations and finally found a home in my bedroom as part of my morning art wall, noted in my January Cure Update post.   Finally, when I painted my kitchen I managed to take some time to give it 2 coats of High Gloss spray paint since after bleaching it for about a week to attain the crips while color I wanted for the project. I also spray painted the RI for RISE, and also the same week I made it back to JoAnn's to return my letters from MORNING and some fabric and purchased the SE letters.  They are awaiting to be spray painted. 

Kitchen Progress & Vintage Finds

I'm so uber excited to show you my updated shot for this counter area, even though the counters have yet to be updated, because of my new-to-me canisters I scored at the Salvation Army last night for $6.  I couldn't believe my eyes last night when I saw these, it was love at first sight, seriously.  The more it was meant to be proven moment was that this wasn't even on our docet for the night.  We had actually planned on only going to the Community Aid, but traffic was ugly even at 6:45pm, so we detoured here and donated some our unwanted household items that we've been stacking up for the last month.

before post at  Kitchen State of Mind 

At the moment their empty and serve no other purpose, but looking amazing on my countertops, but I have some time to think about what I want to store in them.  I do have to be careful what I store in them, since they don't contain any seal so any dry ingredients that aren't individually wrapped will have to be stored inside a ziplock.   

Resources of Note:
paper towel holder: tj maxx
Venti -20- Mug: Marshalls
Towel rail: IKEA BYGOL

Thrifty Finds: 
Owl spoon rest
owl votive holder
measuring spoon / cups

Whole 30 Week 3

So I’m pretty excited, because I decided to weigh myself and it said 148!  Wow, haven’t been that light since April and that didn’t last but a week before I sprung back up to 152lb.  This last year I’ve been less than 155lb, which has been nice, but since starting the Whole30 Challenge I’ve never felt healthier & satisfied with what I’m eating.  It’s amazing when you don’t rely on processed foods how quickly your stomach can communicate with your brain that your satisfied even before you finish you place.    It’s also been nice no needed a cup or two or three of coffee a day to keep me going, and I’m really thinking about not going back to coffee.  When you’re on the Whole30 challenge they don’t recommend you weigh yourself, because it’s not about weight loss, that’s really only an extra benefit that comes along with eating well.  However, I hadn’t weighed myself in a while and wanted to see where I was at especially since my clothes are getting looser. 

I’ve also been drinking more water.  I’ve not been totally on with the no sugar no gluten as last night I did have some graham crackers with peanut butter and honey dipped in unsweetened Almond Milk, but I could only eat 4 small pieces (= 2 full sticks) before I was sick to my stomach.  I ended up giving the rest to my dog who enjoyed them far more.  It’s funny how sweet and nauseating they were after not having sugar & gluten in my system for a few weeks.  I’m glad I did eat try to eat them, because now I know they make me feel sick, and blah feeling and super groggy in the morning.  I feel better and have more energy when I’ve had at least 7 hours of sleep and no gluten. 

I love actually how my sleep patterns have improved doing the Whole 30 Challenge.  I’m ready for bed between 10pm and 11pm and sleep through the entire night!  It’s been several months of waking up around 2am or 4am and then it would take me a while to go back to sleep.  Plus, I’m finding time to read.  I’m not much a  reader, but I’ve been working on the ‘It Starts with Food’ book based on the Whole30 Challenge and it’s been very helpful in understanding why the foods were selected for the challenge and why it’s been so hard to lose weight in the past.    I read about a chapter a day, but break it up depending on the number of pages.  The past day or so my reading has been delayed, but for good reasons.  This morning I’m excited to say that I finally, finally tried on a large banker’s box full of clothing + a small bankers box worth of blue jeans that I’ve been procrastinating for the last several months now.    It felt really good to finally get that done and now I have two nice size piles, one to donate and one to sell, and 2 pants for snow removal and 2 workout pants for running outdoors and 3 pairs of jeans I can wear right now.   I currently have several boxes that I need to write up so I can take them to be donated.  That’s on my list of things to do this week.  Once that’s done my living room will look less like a storage unit.  Though I have brought more items in, I’m still okay with that since I’m also taking things out and the new items work better with my overall concept design and have designated uses.  

I took a few photos of my latest thrifty finds, but they will have to be posted later this week.  I also need to set up a time to look at an old 1950s white table so I can have it ready for guest for Thanksgiving and also send out the invite for dinner to a few people.  It will be small maybe 5 or 6 people, as I can’t seat any more then that at the table. 

List of Recipes I’ve tried – liked – won’t make again.

LIKED:

Breakfast
Paleo Egg and Veggie Muffins
{I combined two recipes, but didn't add bacon: one / two}


Snack
 Coconut Milk Ice Cream
apple's soaked in orange and lemon juice.
 
Lunch / Dinner

Spiced Tilapia filets

Chicken Veggie Meatballs with Pesto Zucchini "Noodles

Paleo Coconut Nuggets w "BBQ" Sauce {these are my favorite so far}

Almond Crusted Stuffed Chicken {very very delicious}

NOT A FAN: 

chicken salad made by mixing avocado

Egg and Spinach Muffins

{60 minute} Red Owl

It's been an exhausting, but productive weekend of cleaning out.  Yesterday during my morning reading I had some inspiration to change the layout of my living and dining room and it's made such a difference.  My living room just by switching my amazing IKEA walnut finish bookcase and my 1970 metal shelf how open my living now feels and how functional my bookshelf is now.  I'm finally able to use my chalkboard that I purchased at IKEA a few months back.  I've been hesitant to hang it up on the wall, because I've just not found the right location for it, but so far I'm pretty satisfied with where it's at.  I even hung up my white board next to my bookcase, which has a list of projects I need to take care.

I moved my dining table to the kitchen, which will be replaced hopefully this week with another table with real legs.  Currently, it's being held up by sawhorses.  My elliptical is being stored in my dining room and has been for many months.  It's gone back and forth from my living and dining area, but so far it works best in the dining room.  However, it's super tight since I live in a townhouse so I have it listed on craigslist and  hope that it will sell soon. 

I also purchased a new table lamp from the thrift store that I LOVE!  It's a nice mid-century style lamp that has been added to my 1970s bar cart.  It works great and gives a landing spot for my roommates papers and bags. 

Once I finished up I headed to a local used furniture store, which had a few pieces that caught my eye, but nothing that I felt I needed to purchase right now so I just snapped a few photos and headed for my run.  Since I hadn't run in over a month I decided to do a run/walk (2 min run / 4 min walk).

In the evening my roommate and I headed to our local thrift store and I came home with a few more purchases.  They are currently still residing in my vehicle, because of all the cleaning out I've been doing.

Sunday we bathed the dog, I made eggs and turkey bacon for breakfast, and read for a bit.  Afterwards I took my vintage metal cabinet outside to begin removing the rest.  I used this DIY for vintage items, but thre is still more rust left on the cabinet then I'd like so I'm going to try this DIY.  Here is what it looked like before, but the after isn't much different with the first / natural process.

I also painted my 70s wall decor red to match my bedroom.

I used two light coats of the primer and then let it dry inbetween cleaning the basement.  Then I sprayed 3 light coats of the red and rotated my spray paint tin (I used a deer feed tin we had on hand) around so I could get all sides for an equal coat.

Thrifty Mid Century Finds

I’m so excited, yesterday after work I headed out to one of our local thrift stores as they are 50% off EVERYTHING on Wednesday’s, including home décor items.  I had some ideas in mind when I went, but didn’t come home with anything on my list which included: * Herringbone / Chevron pattern * Frames 8x10, 4x6, 5x7 * spice jars *bed side table. 

What I ended up with was * 4 table lamps (1 / living room 2/ bedroom 3/ office 4/ hand held for when taking photos)

* String of wooden apples that spell out ‘welcome’

Plan: Remove the current yard attachment and spray paint the apples, then restring.  They kind of look like owls, so I’m going to try to make them more owl like once they are sparyed a color to match my kitchen.

* Rattan food tray

Plan: Add several pieces of picture wire across then mount on wall.  The plan is to use it to hang my earrings from, instead of using apicture frame. 

* Metal card file box

Plan: Host all my new favorite Paleo recipes in.

* Milk glass vase/cup

Plan: make up brush holder

* Translucent green glass decorative bowl

Plan: store my dish rags when not in use.

* Red shower curtain (still in its original packaging)

Plan:  Use as bedroom curtains

* 6 min owl trivets

Plan:  I’m not sure yet, but I couldn’t resist because they were owls and only .99 cents

* Red frame with canvas

Plan: Was to use for jewelery, but I may just add a photo to use for wall art.

* ‘Nose’ glasses holder

Plan: Spray Paint!  This thing is super ugly so for .50 cents it’s worth testing my spray painting skills on a high gloss item and use it to store my sunglasses on in the Living Room.

* Banana hammock

Plan: We really need something to hang our banana’s on, but I haven’t found anything I really like.  They are either wire and black or wood with a traditional look.  This one was perfect – white and had a bit of a vintage feel to it and for .99 cents it was a steal.  It looks great ontop of my bread box, which is a white metal faux metal vintage bread box.

* big red caddy. 

 I definitely left with a vast array of things and some are just to test my painting skills on, but this is why I don’t go there on a regular basis.   It’s also a good idea not to shop here after perusing pinterest for craft /DIY ideas, because you want to spray paint everything. 

After my adrenaline rush from there I decided to hit another local favorite thrifty store, which tends to carry more furniture.   I was highly disappointed there in my search of a mid-century bed side table that I could modify.  I don’t want to pay a lot for one, because I want to spray paint it red so I thought finding one there might be helpful.  I found one online for $25, but it’s not exactly what I’m looking for and I’m not sure I want to spend $25 on something that will take more time to make pretty.   What I did end up bringing home was * a red/white large floral print table cloth * black and cyan pillow case set * 5 large juice cups with a modern / retro design * milk glass vase * crotched pear *

Most of what I brought home had a retro / mid century feel or was actually from that era.  That’s one reason I love thrifty stores.  It helps me to bring home accessories that I love without breaking the bank. 

When I arrived home I sorted everything and took off all the annoying price tags and goo-goned any residue left behind ad then sorted my glassware either in the dishwasher or washed the rest by hand.  Then I got out some spray bleach cleaner to brighten up my living and bedroom lamp.  The living room has more of a mid-century danish flair and I even like the shade since adding it to the end table.  The other one has more of a retro chic flair and I think it’s a perfect addition to my “Rock the Retro Femme Flair” theme I’m working on in my bedroom.  There was no shade for this one, but the option to add one.  Thinking about buying a cheap one that has the shape I want and then adding a new fabric to match my décor. 

I made sure to put everything in their appropriate rooms so to look as if I didn’t bring anything in and straightened up a bit. 

Goals this weekend

- Clean up metal file cabinet

- Clean pendant

- Wash fabrics