defeat

I never ever ever ever use eBay because I'm just not wired for the stress of competitive shopping (and those shipping rates = no thank you). We lost an auction last night for a little camper (Florida weekend getaways, eventual Oregon getaways, le sigh) and I, being the sore loser I am, belly-flopped onto our bed and cried like a baby. Maybe more like a toddler. It was that bad.

How do you deal with eBay defeat? Other than avoiding it or throwing tantrums over it like me?

$1

and



Scored this pair of sunglasses at the Salvation Army. They may have been less than a dollar, but definitely no more. And let me tell you: they rule! The frames were made in France, the lenses in Japan. I swore to myself once I would never wear any shades with white frames. See what living in south Florida will do to a girl?

$1

You could say one of these things doesn't belong here and it would be the postcard of Matterhorn Mountain in Disneyland. Otherwise everything else is fabulous Florida. Remember when trailer parks were tourist destinations? Me either. But apparently those were the days, folks.

.69

These are popping up everywhere! So, I thought I would make my own with this teacup I picked up Saturday. If all is successful, I will share.

Just look at the shiny handle, so dainty and masculine all in one punch:

$7

Something red hot to start off the month of loooove, cupids, groundhogs and presidents.

I am a little addicted to blankets (see $12) and have been since I was born; I only stopped cuddling with my baby blanket a few years ago. And miraculously, because I don’t know what I would have done otherwise, it remains in one piece. I am indebted to Gladys (RIP Gladys!), the kind neighbor lady down-the-street that crocheted a gender-neutral afghan (pink and blue and white) for my homecoming in late October 1979. Her gift of warmth and comfort has been with me now decades.

Recently, I’ve been on the thrifting prowl for blankets and scored this one (made in Scotland) over the weekend. Tried and approved: it is one warm and cozy new friend. Fabulous, no?

.69

You know how much I adore my little creamers and this one is the first I've ever seen in black; I'm calling it ink.

The stats:



update: my color choice, ink, doesn't really hold a candle to it's true name: matte black.

$6

We took these clubs to the local driving range last weekend - they came up to about my neck. I hit only one ball out into the distance that I was actually proud of - my first time doing this, mind you.

$12

Ignore the red sheet with white flowers on it! (It is actually covering a big comfy thrifted chair that we are trying to keep somewhat "nice" and free of paws!)

What is really going on here is that quilt that has enveloped all but Jane's head. I bought it maybe two years ago, but I don't think I featured it. I was unsure of it and thought I spent way too much on it. But I tend to splurge on handmade things. There are stains on the backside and it is not in great condition, but that's the nature of something that has been loved. After handwashing it (or rather, using my machine's handwash feature!), any doubt I ever had on why I bought this is gone. Disappeared. This quilt? It is the warmest, snuggliest blanket you could ever hope to find on a cold night. The print is charming and the material is all once piece (aside from the backing). Not a lot of handiwork, but just enough to be both utilitarian and pretty all at once.

.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.

$14.99

Two years ago, a really bad thing happened. Steve´s truck was stolen and so were all of his cameras inside it (I think I mentioned this at the onset of this blog), one of them a Holga. His Holga was by far the least valuable and easiest to replace, but there was something about the camera theft that left him too blue to just go buy another one. So he didn´t. And it´s a good thing, since he spotted these two today, still in their original boxes, at the Goodwill we often don´t even go to because it never has anything (you know what I´m talking about). Holy Holga! He taught me how to use it and he´s developing our first two rolls as I write this post. Wind. Click. Wind. Click. 100% plastic fabulousness.

[edit: see some photos from my first roll of film below]

$5 plus shipping

Steve is addicted (yes, Steve; you are!) to Goodwill´s online auctions. Usually, he´s winning obscure camera parts but he looks out for me, too. He found this solid-as-a-rock paper cutter for me us last week and it arrived yesterday. The size of the thing (8.5¨ x 8.5¨)is pure delight - wonderful for getting straight cuts on those smaller, slippery papers. I love it! The plastic behemoth paper cutter at my job doesn´t even come close to the quality of this little vintage baby.

$1.50

I first found this Walker China pattern at a Goodwill last year, and I felt so lucky to find 3 more pieces at another Goodwill last weekend, for a mere .49 each. They just happen to be bread and butter plates - my favorite size.



It has taken me long enough, but I´ve stumbled upon the whole wide world of date codes - the numbers and letters used by companies to date their products. In this case, the 12-42 on the back stamp pictured above means these plates are from December, 1964. Ohh, delight! [source]

.49 x 6

I´m still never sure which spelling of gray/grey I prefer. According to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th ed., grey is a variant of gray; gray having the far healthier definition (: of or relating to an achromatic color of any lightness betrween the extremes of black and white, etc.). At any rate, it´s a fabulous color with two spellings that has stolen my heart in terms of vintage bread and butter plates. Last year, you might remember I found a small steal of gray/grey Fiestaware bread and butters for fifty cents each. The color was so inspiring, in fact, that we painted our interior walls with it in mind last year. Long story short (or short story long, at this point), it dawned on me that I should look for other makers of vintage ceramic plates in gray/grey glazes. Hello, new collection. I found six pieces of the Harkerware plate photographed above on my latest thrifting excursion - and oh, I love it! Also, it looks great with the Fiesta.

Two questions:

1. what spelling of gray/grey do you prefer?*
2. do you know of any American china companies that used a gray/grey glaze, 1940s - 1950s?

*to me, gray seems like the feminine, grey the masucline

$1.60

Steve and I were on our way out of the most eccentric local thrift shop but before we slipped out the door, I decided to dig through the overflowing scarf bin. I unearthed this small treasure and was intrigued. A hand-woven scarf from Kentucky? I´m sorry, did you say fireside weaving? Oh, delight! Look, the artist even signed the original tag:



It´s called a snow white scarf and I just adore it:



What´s most wonderful, though, is what I learned about where this scarf was woven. Take a look at all student crafts. So cool.

.29

Usually, this wouldn´t be my thing. But? It was goofy and irresistible. And, it just may have stumbled into the wrong hands!

$2

A rare pattern...in terrific condition!

$5

I have a lot of thrifted clothes that I don´t share here because they are sort of boring, utilitarian. Jeans, for example. Who cares about my jeans? You probably don´t. You might be intrigued in this lovely red SONIA RYKIEL sweater, however, so here you go! It is like, brand-brand new. Possibly the greatest thrifted clothing gem of my career, folks.

And, Happy Labor Day! My most favorite American holiday, ever.

a present

I think one of the greatest things that has happened since I began collecting Pyrex was when family and friends started looking out for me when they´d go thrifting. My mom found this piece for me; it´s in excellent condition and the pattern is a new favorite. Black and white looks good with anything anytime of year, but I think I´ll find some bright orange candies to fill it with come the Hallowe´en season! It seems like something a cool witch would have in her home. ;)

$6

Lucky me! I found the striped and pink bowls for $2.95 ea.; my mom surprised me with the aqua bowl when she recently came to visit. My Pyrex collection has turned into a pastel paradise. What more could I want? Oh, just that: more!

$16.96

5 thrift shops, 2 hours, 6 pieces, $17 = glee.

What can I say? Patience is a virtue, especially if you collect Pyrex exclusively from thrift stores. While there have been many misses lately, today was one hit after the next. I spent the afternoon thrifting and found all of these pieces. But who's counting! The important thing is, I finally picked up my first red + yellow bowls in good condition and my first piece of the Frost Garland pattern. I haven't been this lucky in months!

$4

Another non-Pyrex round of thrift shopping...boo! But I did find this font-happy bag today and I love it. Such a crazy assortment of Florida cities and towns. Yes, it has your token spots: Miami, Tampa, Palm Beach. But all in the same breath, there's Bradenton, Hallandale, Pompano, Hollywood, and Lakeland (of all places). Anyway, perfect for toting library books to and from work. Plus, it's navy...my latest favorite color.

gift

My mom gave this to me when I was in Portland last month. Yes - we all know she's a thrifter, but I think she found this at an antique store for $3 - not a bad price. I love Butterprint and 501s; they are the perfect size and shape. And when I get them for presents? My heart sings and sings and sings.

picture

Lately, the thrifts are not providing me any treasures. I bought a green pair of pants on Saturday that didn't fit me when I brought them home and tried them on for the first time. I like to think I gave the Salvation Army a charitable donation of $4.99, nothing more. Damn! The pants are so cute. But way too small in the waist. So when the thrifts dry up, I take out my Pyrex and play with it. See above for the results. Almost as satisfying as finding really great Pyrex for dirt cheap prices.

$1

Another piece of Pyrex I found in a Portland Salvation Army last month, only at first I didn't believe it was Pyrex as I had never before seen this shape or pattern (which doesn't mean anything, I suppose). It pays to be a curious bowl-flipper-turner-over type of thrifter. This is Pyrex, made in England. Apparently there's some discussion on the same exact piece here, at this Flickr page. Anyway, here's a sight you don't often see:

NOT MINE!

I was staying at a condo on the Oregon Coast last month and happened to find this in the cupboards. Christmas in July, anyone? It was harder for me to leave this behind than the ocean. Sad, but true! I am still waiting to find black snowflakes in the local thrifts...maybe since I didn't steal this, I'm due some good Karma...!

$1

When I was in Portland, this Pyrex pattern was everywhere! I left most of it behind, but since I like this size, it came home with me! Not without getting some fresh air first.

.65

Sometimes, the littlest pieces of American-made china (in this case, Syracuse) bring me the greatest joy. I found this in a Portland Goodwill last month - the things we pack in our carry-ons! I love the black on white, the fleur-de-lis, and the Gothic shout-out. Perfect for espresso, coffee, tea...

$55

My mom collects a Staffordshire pattern called Liberty Blue; she has since it debuted in 1976! It was promotional where she worked and leftover pieces were chucked into the dumpster. You bet she got right in the trash and rescued what she could. She collected it over the years at garage sales and thrift shops (we're related, can you imagine?) but since her dumpster diving days, prices have skyrocketed. I found the lot pictured above at a thrift store last weekend for $55. It would have cost me well around $700 if I bought the same pieces here! What caught my eye first was that pitcher. The ever-elusive pitcher! She has been trying to find one since 1976.



What a deal! When I told her about it, she squealed!

(More pictures here...)

$2.99

Okay, confession: I already have this exact piece and when my collection began to spill out of its designated cabinet, I had to put a stop on duplicate pieces. But yellow? In such good condition? With accompanying lid? You cannot leave such things behind when you spot them!

$1.49

Since I ditched my traditional desk for a table, I find it tough to keep my unsightly papers hidden (e.g. receipts, that jury duty summons, my speeding ticket, etcetera). I bought this old tackle box as one solution - the solid click it makes when it slams shut is a complete bonus.