.33

Yes. It has been awhile! Hope your holidays were all swell and fine.

Where to begin? I haven't stopped thrifting. But I haven't been buying a whole lot out on my adventures, either. So I thought I would start things back up with a corkscrew that I bought back in August, entirely on a whim.

For a little bit of backstory, let me tell you I hardly know a thing about wines, other than I like them both red and white. I try to spend about $10 a bottle, usually go for something from California, Oregon or Washington; when I'm feeling international, France (which is rare). Prior to *this* corkscrew, I just bought cheap-ola ones you find at grocery stores. Metal, but lacking quality. You know those kind: the classic corkscrews.

Back to August 2008, I am in a Salvation Army with my mom and little sister. Little sister is thoughtfully going through racks of clothes and I am done with that part of it, so I head toward the bric-a-brac. I start picking through kitchen utensils (something I never do) and I pick up this corkscrew. Made in Western Germany. So heavy you would think it could be solid lead. I am sold. And if it doesn't work, no big deal: I'm out thirty-three cents.

But work it does. And it is now an heirloom. Because you have never used a tool that moves so much like butter in your whole life. Drinking wine? Screw it. I am infatuated with opening bottles just to open them. Steve and I fight over it.

.99

Happy Easter, tulips and all...

.69 x 2

I spotted this tray (and its identical twin) and there was just something about it that reminded me of my late grandma, Edna. She was quite the lady.

$2

Before:

During:

In waiting:

After:

Switchplate facts:

• Heavy.
  
• Brass - We aren't a brass people. I may have mentioned this before.
• Steve spotted it at the Goodwill.
• Made in Spain, Lauren.
  
• Teeheeheehee.
  
• Must paint our switches! Or something. They look a touch dingy.
  

$3.95

I realized only after I brought this up to the counter that it wasn't 50% off like I thought it was - but I bought it anyway. It reminded me of my grandma's decor. The back is marked 1962, made in USA, by some gift company...it smells a little like roses, which is better than smelling like poo.

.95

I love copper! I cleaned this miniature tea kettle up with a vinegar and salt scrub. I don't really know why I bought this, other than I just couldn't leave it at the thrift shop. It sort of communicated that to me when I picked it up for initial inspection - Don't Leave Me!

.59

Here is my downfall as a thrifter: I am quite discriminatory when it comes to dishes of any kind! I immediately flip them over and see where they've been made - I love anything USA crafted and/or made in England. I pass up a lot, even if I like it, and it doesn't come from either place. How crazy, right? I'm retraining myself to snag things I like - not for labels, but for their function and design. This little pitcher/creamer has no markings to speak of on its underside, but I thought it would make a sweet bud vase for my tiny roses.

$5

I almost passed these up, but I think I would have kicked myself in the long run, so I bought 'em. I probably shouldn't do this, but instead of hanging them, I think I'm going to turn them into flower pots.

$2

And from above:

Usually the new doesn't speak to me, but this tealight holder was so heavy and sweet that I picked it up, turned it over and saw the original Pottery Barn price tag on its underside: $19.00. Knowing I would never go into a Pottery Barn and pay $19 for this, I thought I should have it for $2. It's in great shape. Nice and clean. If the Goodwill employees didn't write their price with black marker over the Pottery Barn tags, I would have considered giving it as a gift! But truth be told, I sort of fell in love with it. So it's mine!

update

The found frog now has some hair.
I think he looks hawt.

$2.99

I went to a Goodwill Boutique today. You ask (or you don't and I tell you), "What is a Goodwill Boutique?" It's just a plain old Goodwill with ridiculously higher prices. Scammers! I usually never go to them. But I couldn't not buy a few things on today's impromptu visit. This is a box for 2 decks of cards, so if I ever figure out how to play bridge, I'll be able to keep my cards someplace cute. Or my crack. You know.

$0

When Steve and I moved into our current residence, we had a lot of work ahead of us - the house was filthy and dated. Because of the swell deal we got in rent, the landlord gave us the go-ahead to do whatever we wanted with the place. As you can imagine, we have done a lot and our efforts have harvested some strange treasures. Meet the following picture - one of many vintage plastic ornaments we've found around the home:

We found three of these plastic ornaments, or wall hangings, rather, and I thought they might look neat spray painted. So, months later, I've finally come around to painting them shiny bright white. They aren't hanging just yet, but I'm eager to share.

All three of them:


And solo:

.89

How could I not take this home? It's a fabulous place to keep my paper napkins.

.59

Before.

After.

After s'more.

Solid Cherry tip: Spray paint always makes for an easy upgrade. And, I love hooks. I never met a hook I didn't like. Seriously. Things should have a place to hang!

$2...$435?

It was something like a couple of months ago when I first became interested in thrifting brass/gold candlesticks. I saw a picture in a book of a cluster of brass/gold candlesticks holding orange tapered candles and the image was forever with me. It seemed so elegant, and usually I have nothing to do with metals - especially gold and brass. But with the orange, altogether it was such a good color combination. It's now part of my thrifting routine to venture to the brass/gold candlestick section and see what I can find.

Outwardly, there is nothing impressive about these two candlesticks. But when I picked one of them up, I noticed how heavy it was. Since I have a kitten that likes to explore, I like heavy things. I turned it upside down to see how it was held together and if there were any markings (usually all of these types of things are made in India). My eye caught a tiny and well-faded piece of masking tape that was adhered to the bottom side of one of the candlesticks.

$435.00
AOE dsp

The same letters corresponded to others written onto the candlestick. It appeared that these may have come, originally, from an antique mall or shop. That sold it for me. I brought them home for $1 each.

At home, I inspected them closer. They were handmade, folks! MEXI is stamped into the bottom of each candlestick, but Google searches have been fruitless - I can only guess that these were made in Mexico? But then it would seem strange they were once valued at $435.00 if that were the case...I don't know. Also, I made the assumption that they were just brass, but it turns out they might be something else. Gold? Gold-plated? I just don't know my metals. Any ideas would be a great help.

For the meantime, I'm going to keep them and enjoy them and maybe someday I'll get to the bottom of the mystery.