$0 : the mirage

This is a no-photo post to let you know about all of the good things coming.

I was driving around over the long weekend and discovered, of all things, a Goodwill store I did not know existed. Hooray for pop-up suburbs. They yield unique fruits, like Goodwill stores.

Later in the weekend, Steve and I returned to said Goodwill and spent $28-ish on heavenly things, including a brand-new copy of Jeffrey Eugenides' Middlesex. This particular store was outrageous in its asking price for furniture, but as far as knick-knacks & gadgets, it was so reasonable I couldn't believe our good fortune. Plus, the cashier gave us extra "it's the holidays, and I like you guys" discounts. Hooray for good cheer.

I have been painting a $25 bookshelf in my spare time - I need a place for all of my books and "goop."

Also, I have been crafty. I have been making gift tags for the holidays. I might post them here, so I remember what I've been so busy doing!

More to come, darlings. More to come.

Happy Thanksgiving

Of course, the thrift shops are closed today, as they should be.

I'm *not* going to go shopping on Friday.

I would rather bake, photograph, do projects, paint, write, bike, walk.

(I am doing my best to make my holiday gifts and to buy resale).

the sweater couch

Yes, this is a picture of a couch - a partial picture, anyway. And no - this didn't come home with us (it was too stained, and when we say too stained, you can trust it was beyond repair), but I loved the design and the color combo. Olive and periwinkle? Lovely! I think it would make fantastic wallpaper or a sweater for these chilly Florida nights.

$12

My mom collects vintage state plates; I have to admit, it's ridiculously fun to collect state/city plates if you're at all interested in kitcshy Americana. She used to collect only blue and white plates, but as of late, she confided that she loves all colors (red, green and brown are of the most popular, aside from blue).

Lately, at the local Veteran's thrift store, there have been endless state plates. At $3.95 a piece, it would be insane not to snatch them up - in antique stores, they are usually minimum $10. Wouldn't you know, I met my mom in New England this summer; we visited MA, NH, ME and VT. As luck would have it, I found state plates from these four states recently. Can you say, instant Christmas gift with sentimental value? Try finding that at Crate & Barrel, mmmmkay. Bonus: My $12 goes to the VFW.

Bonus for you: I just observed that everything in this photograph has been thrifted at one point: that kitchen nook table? Also $12 (I bought it two years ago - so those really sad water stains are mine - I think I can get them out with mayonnaise?). The chair? Free. It and two others like it were curbed for the trash guys, I just helped myself.

(We've got some before and afters coming, no worries...)

$9

Working typewriter; font is Script (how fantastic). In our quest to celebrate all that is analog, this makes a perfect addition to our collection.

$8

Before.


















After.













*You do see Jane Kitten, don't you?

solid cherry

Two thrifters, both alike in dignity,
In fair South Florida, where we lay our scene,
From Pier 1 Imports break to second-hand dreams,
Where thrifting makes civil hands unclean (trust us).
From forth the spare coins of these two heroes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers change their life...

I was completely prepared to do the entire prologue, but forget it.
You get the picture.
And besides, this is no tragedy.

Back in June, we (Madge & Steve) moved in together after having dated for a substantial period of time. Skip ahead a couple of months and two burglaries later, and we had to move our nest. We took the opportunity to also build our nest, as it was lacking in some areas. We didn't have a lot of cash to buy new, so we considered our options. And that is how we became die-hard thrifters (oh hell, who am I kidding? I've been thrifting since the fourth grade). We like quality. We like made-well. We like the thrill of a hunt. We love to thrift. Steve has immaculate vision when it comes to the big stuff (i.e. furniture), and I have decent vision when it comes to smaller things (i.e. housewares). I'm a shy bargainer, but I am really good at getting Steve to bargain. He is really good at bargaining.

Steve loves E-Bay, I hate E-bay. Losing auctions to tricky last-minute bidders? Shopping should not be so cruel! And what the fuck is up with those INSANE shipping prices?! The deal is awesome, until you have to sell your first-born to get said deal shipped to your house. I have to use all my senses when I shop, and I hate paying for shipping. For the most part, there will not be E-Bay goods/stories on the Solid Cherry.

Steve loves craigslist, I love craigslist. There will be craigslist goods/stories on the Solid Cherry.

We haven't done too many garage sales, but they are definitely in the forecast.

And so is the Under $500 section of the Palm Beach Post (don't see $500 and gawk, see way below $500 and grin).

It's hard, really, to say what we will and will not feature on this blog - we do a lot of before and after gigs with what we thrift, but sometimes we don't touch a thing.

Basically, we love to thrift. And we love photography! We hope you like to watch.

Also, what is the significance of Solid Cherry you ask? Are we perma-virgins or something?

No!

My desk is solid cherry. It cost $35. $35! Total thrift score. It does need some TLC. You'll see.