New Sparklies, and the Old - Secondhand Treasures

I love Goodwill. (And for clarification, "Goodwill" is like Splenda is like Kleenex, I use it for all secondhand/thrift stores that aren't fancy-schmancy boutiques - not that I go to those places.  But anyway.)  When I was a teenager, back before there was a real internet or such a thing as Hot Topic, we went to Goodwills and Army/Navies to find clothes and accessories.  I can't tell you how much I wish I knew how to use a sewing machine back then!

I love antique stores, too, though I find Antiquing to be more of a Blood Sport, and the stores themselves to be overwhelming.  I'm great in the first hour, bu after that I pfffft out.  (The last time I antiqued, the store already knew about the flour sack trend, so that was useless.) But I do like buying buttons and costume jewelry at these places.

One thing that I think it is pretty pointless to buy new, unless you absolutely love it, is kitchenware.  We having mixing bowls from IKEA, because I fell in love, but I would have done just as well going to Goodwill.  Glasses, serving trays, plates, teacups, mugs, silverware - no reason to pay full price.  It's already been fully established that these things don't need to match, and I've found that if you get things you love, they tend to go together, anyway.

So here are some recent aquisitions from Goodwill:

Wishbones or Antennae?

I find that I always need mid-sized glasses, as they tend to meet an early death.  I loved these because they are totally simple except the very mysterious insignia thereupon.  I really thought they were wishbones at first, which made me think why? Where did these come from?  There's no mark on the bottom of the glass, so who knows what the purpose is.  Then they kind of looked like butterfly antenna, which is even more baffling.

I'd be happy to hear any theories as to why these glasses exist, and what they mean.  I'm willing to humor any crazy theory, really.

The glasses in this photo are in front of one of my favorite things I've found at Goodwill:

I think it is actually a letter holder, but I use it as a napkin holder.  One buck for porcelain that you will never see in anyone else's house, ever.  So what if it looks, um, sideways a little.

I also have this theory that you should use your wedding or nice china if you have it.  Admit it - it's not HRH Royal China or a Presidential Dining Set, it's stuff you liked enough to beg your family and friends for, and it's probably replaceable if for some mysterious reason you DO need that 8th dessert plate.  I drink my coffee, every day, out of a cup & saucer, and even my Goodwill finds match.  Here's a cup & saucer from different sets (neither is my wedding china) living together in harmony:

The saucer is a vintage Mikasa that was part of a set that I picked up for ten bucks, but inexplicably it came with 20 saucers and no cups.  You can't even find the cups online! 

These are easily the most beautiful cups I've found at a Goodwill, so these break my I Wouldn't Cry if They Broke rule and therefore live in the Pie Safe.  I'm thinking about buying up more cups and saucers as part of my soon to start etsy venture.  More on that later!

This my final find from the last trip to Goodwill.  Lamp bases are either ugly or too expensive, andI had looked everywhere for a lamp base for the Artifact Room aka the Second Bedroom, and we found this beauty of a crystal base for a song at Goodwill!

 

 

Isn't it gorgeous?  I couldn't be happier.  The side table is one some of you may remember from several years ago from Urban Outfitters, and the cinnamon roll candle is from a local artist here in MN.

I was going to go into my favorite stuff from Valentines Day, but this entry is long enough on its own, so that and my newly completed scarf will have to wait.  I'll leave you with Scrabble enjoying her favorite home made toy!

Scabble tells the toy not to give her any of that crap

Wonderful Gifts

by Kimberlee

(And I'm annoyed that I still haven't found the cord that allows me to upload photos into the computer.)

To be honest, I was sort of not looking forward to Valentine's Day, just a little. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE V-day, despite my tendency to be a cynic, but I had chemo scheduled for that day, so I was feeling pretty sorry for myself.  It generally stresses me out to go out to dinner on V-day evening (too busy), and I had felt too punked to go out the night before.  So yeah, I was feeling pretty sorry for myself.  But the atmosphere in the clinic was very festive; there were Valentine's presents being given out, and one of the patients made cookies!

Since it usually takes a couple of hours for the chemo to really set in, we stopped at the Goodwill on the way home.  I love second-hand stores, as I am sure most of you do!  I wish I could show you the lamp base and glasses I scored! (Soon!)  My husband found and pointed out the small pattern section to me, and wow did I hit the jackpot.

In addition to being a second-hand store junkie, I am also a Ren Faire junkie, and just this last year I finally made my own costume, so I have been on the lookout for this year's, and I found it in the discontinued Simplicity 8735, which was inspired by the movie Ever After, the costumes in which were in turn inspired by the drawings of Albrect Durer.

Simplicity 8735

The "Breathe" Dress, pattern A 

The dress I really want to do is Dress C, the one in the upper right-hand corner.  I fell in love with it immediately, although I guess it was the least popular, as I was not able to find any finished costumes representing it online. I've had a lot of fun looking online at Jacquards and Tapestries - I usually don't have a reason to!  By the way, if anyone knows a great and inexpensive place to buy those fabrics from, I'm open to suggestions...

We also found this Edith Head Vogue pattern from 1972, and I had to snatch it up, too:

Very Easy?  I'll be the judge of that!

I adore this pattern.  The dress is an absolute classic, and the kimono jacket is perfect, and it was a dollar.  How much better can you get?  I like the longer version, personally.

OK, I have been pining for this piece of furniture at Target for over 2 years now, and I was going to wait to show you all how it goes into my decor, and I still will, but I can't wait to show you!  This was my big Valentine's Day gift:

Art Deco!

Isn't it adorable?  The bedroom is decorated loosely in an Art Deco/French style, and this fits very nicely into that.  To be honest, I tried to find a place in the living room that it would fit so I could look at it all the time, but had to give in to where it wanted to live.  I can't wait to show you how it looks all accessorized and in its home!

It's just awesome to wait so long for something that you love, and to be totally satisfied!  After 2 years, we kind of got the clue that it was never going to go on sale, much like the Converse tank tops (I know Target, LOL).

The last thing I can tell you about without needing photos are my plans to open an Etsy shop!  I'm at the pricing/gathering supplies stage right now, so we are a ways off, but I'm totally excited about the products I have decided to make and sell.  I don't want to get into too many details, but it will be a mix of affordable beauty products and handmade goods, as well as a few gift baskets because I think gift baskets are the finest things, ever.  I'll have to do a post sometime about how much of a sucker I am for gift baskets - I even like the ones the grocery stores have (fruit and nuts).

Well, since Scrabble was such a hit last time, I thought I'd start winding up posts with a photo of her.  Take care, everyone, and talk to you soon!

Scrabble on the Patio

Sometimes, the Nest Gets Messy...

by Kimberlee

 ...and things get misplaced!  I have had several things to show you lately - progress on my dress, the first successful knitting, some new ideas for frame decals, a cute valentines project, a new pillow,  a furniture consultation...BUT I can't find the little cord that connects my camera card to my computer!

So either I've misplaced it or the cat mistook it for a toy tail and has hidey-holed it somewhere.  So I am sorry!

Until I find it, I'll entertain you with a picture the other love of my life, Scrabble:

Our little trickster, Scrabble