This could have been a better post

I found the best gift for someone at the thrift store yesterday. I wish I could post it, but I have a sneaking suspicion that the recipient reads this blog, so I resisted. I will say though that it only cost me 99 cents and I think the recipient will enjoy exponentially more. In place of what would have been a great post I decided to post a rather average find:

Two tins that were cute, cheap and unnecessary. I have a similar one of the smaller size which I use for loose tea. I think this smaller one will have that same function. As for the larger one, well they matched so I couldn't separate the set. In other words I have no idea what I will use it for yet. The cost a total of $3 and I loved the colors (you may be able to tell that I like turquoise blue by the matching lamp in the background).

Fiesta Time

I have had a fondness for Fiestaware ever since I was introduced to them at the Bon Marche (now no longer in existence) while registering when I was engaged. They're cute, they're colorful and they can handle a pretty good amount of dropping and related abuse. (That last reason may be the main reason why they are our dishes) Occasionally I see Fiestaware in thrift stores, but it is usually way over priced and in the "collectibles" section. The other week at Goodwill I saw some priced at almost twice the retail value. (and I'm not talking about vintage pieces in retired colors) Last week at my local Lifelong AIDS Alliance thrift store I saw these bowls:
I loved the turquoise color and they were $2.99 each, which isn't a fabulous deal, but at least its around 50% off retail. I snatched them up and paid before I changed my mind. As I left the store I had a tiny bit of buyer's remorse since I am trying to avoid filling our home with too much stuff too soon, but once I got them home I decided I was glad I bought them. Plus today is our anniversary and I figured it was nostalgic or something to continue to add to our wedding "china".

Green Tags are $1.29

Yesterday I enjoyed a rare baby-free morning, which I used to go to the thrift store. My excuse for going was to drop off a pile of stuff collecting in our basement, but really I wanted to shop.
I found this bag:

It was a green tag special day so I got it for $1.29, which I thought was a fair price. Now I just need to ditch the diaper bag and start carrying some of my many purses again.

Recently a friend was doing a shift cleaning out his son's preschool for the end of the school year. He gave me a call when he saw a large pile of usable stuff that was going into the dumpster. This is one of the advantages of cultivating a reputation as a trash picker. I have gotten numerous calls alerting me to great free stuff. And just the other week (month?) my brother-in-law carefully unwrapped his birthday present so he could save the wrapping paper for me. How thoughtful. Anyway, one of the things they were going to throw out was this baby stroller (the cabbage patch kid was mine from childhood):
DD is obsessed this these things. She can get a little feisty about them when we go over to a friend's house who has one. I thought maybe having one of her own would relax her a little bit and she would be more able to share when we are out and about. Now ,of course, when any friend comes over she has a hard time sharing hers and anyone who dares touch it is met with a round of "NO MINE, MINE, MINE!" So this free find gives us many wonderful teachable moments. Bonus.

New Hobby Anyone?

I have a hard time resisting free stuff even if I don't need it or already own it. Such is the case with the below book about knitting:

I actually already have a copy, but this one was in almost new condition and was just sitting in a box on the side of the road on my way to the library (maybe I was in a book mood at the time). I started imagining it getting rained on and ruined and I just had to bring it home. I am on the look out for someone to give it too now. Unfortunately I think the season to take up knitting, especially in Seattle, is not summer. I may have to hold onto it for awhile until someone starts knitting again. Let me know if you're interested.

Weed Control

DD's feet are growing like weeds. (as are the actually weeds surrounding our garden.) Just recently we were given a pair of new Keen sandals for her. They seemed really big so I considered exchanging them for a smaller size. Now I am pushing to get them on her feet. This occurrence has necessitated more kids shoes. I am starting to think there is a conspiracy to get parents to spend lots and lots of money on shoes. Sizing seems intentionally random. We have some potential kids shoes in her size (in theory at least) waiting in the wings*, but they are too big. I found these cute kid shoes at Goodwill for $2 and got them with the hope that they would fit.
They are leather and seemed solid even if a little warn. Plus they are "boy" shoes. I know this is a silly designation, but I like getting boy stuff so I can use it when baby #2 comes around. I have this premonition it will be a boy. (I also had this with baby #1 and was completely wrong, but I have a 50/50 chance so I am going with it.) Anyway they fit/look cute this week, but no promises about next week.
*thanks Kara

Tuck this one away

Recently I was back at the old apartment building visiting a friend and gathering mail. I got nostalgic to see free stuff in the entry way and helped myself to the complete 1st season of the show Nip/Tuck, a show about plastic surgeons.
Since we don't have a TV I am pretty much open to any and all TV on DVD I can get, but I should have known that this show wasn't for me when it was described on the box as "utterly fearless." I have admittedly watched some HBO shows that could be described that way and enjoyed them, so I figured, why not. Well I will tell you why not- they show footage of people GETTING THEIR FACE CUT OPEN! (I had to resort to the internet equivalent of yelling there. Sorry, but that is how gross it was) We're talking knives, blood, fat, hospital gowns, the whole bit. I got about 10 minutes into the first episode and had to admit that I was not fearless enough to watch this show. If anyone else is interested let me know and I will pass it on, but you've been warned.

Don't look if I've ever given you a gift

I often give gifts I have bought at a thrift store and/or found in a box on the side of road. Sadly some people think this is tacky/cheap/weird, etc. Usually I try to avoid letting others know about my second hand gifts, but who am I kidding, most people have probably already figured it out anyway. Below you see a very cute little purple teapot. It was so cute and only $3. Unfortunately it in no way matches my decor and I happen to have plenty of teapots already. (actually I have a ridiculous amount of teapots already) I decided I could get it and save it for a gift. However since I have just posted it on my blog I may have to keep it for myself now.

Recently I took my annual thrift shopping vacation and spent three days driving up the I-5 corridor and scouring all available thrift shops. It was a lot of fun and I even managed to reach my thrifting limit, which I haven't done in a long time. Over the next couple of days I will post some of my best finds from my trip. Today's feature is more Pyrex:


I've blogged about vintage Pyrex before, but I just can't pass it up when I see it. Above is a rectangular baking tray in white with a turquoise design. Very cute (and very unnecessary). I got it for $2.99 at the Mt. Vernon Goodwill.