by the firelight

Want to make your backyard deck cooler than your front porch?  I think all you have to do is make sure it has a fireplace and some homemade jam jar lanterns [also my photo source] and you're good to go party out back.  I'd try to make some jam jar lanterns, but the instructions scared me away.  It's probably a lot simpler than it reads...

it seemed like a good idea at the time

We decided to try out the Lake Worth Flea Market today.  I'm not going to lie: we had some expectations.

The granny panties were not part of them.  Or anything else.  Thumbs down!

everything below i love

I'm pro-chalkboard.

If you have a chalkboard, please make sure there are messages or doodles on it at all times.

Scanned from a ReadyMade - I'm not sure which issue?

blast!

I was thrifting this morning and happened upon a woman with a cart full of Pyrex.  It was the worst morning of my life!  I met my match, except she had a lot of crap in her cart, too.  Things yours truly would never buy.  But clearly her intent was to buy the Pyrex-look.  And sell it on eBay or something. 

so good together

I really can't tell you how much I love that there's a light bulb in this cabinet. Easy enough to do. I'll let you know if I ever thrift a cabinet and make it work.

[photo from August/September 2008 ReadyMade]

do something creative tomorrow

School has just started here in Florida and I've been remembering the happy art days of kindergarten. I'm not sure if you were into the Berenstain Bears like me, but remember Sister Bear's classroom in the Berenstain Bears Go to School? It was a happy art place.

[photo from August/September 2008 ReadyMade]

going outside

Too many succulents? NEVER! Take a look at this wall, featured in Sunset (April, 2009)!

For more on the story, see this.

$9.99

For all you die hard Solid Cherry fans, the original version.

I picked up those pillows at the Goodwill over the weekend. I regret I'm not sharing a detailed photo of the handiwork, because the stitching is amazing. I love these pillows so so so much -- a huge plus? They don't stink and a good lint-rolling turned up hardly anything. The message is so sweet (attention all you Mary J. Blige fans: Real Love. It's possible). And aren't those names charming? Partly why I thrift: I love to know I'm taking care of something someone once really cherished. At least I hope so.

The chairs were thrifted too -- but a ways back. They are my favorite.

booking it

Good idea from ReadyMade [October/November 2008].

Wait a minute...that looks familiar! We use these exact book carts in my library and they are so stubborn to wheel around!

Maybe using them in a more permanent role and not what they were originally intended for - the heavy-duty carting of books - isn't such a bad idea...they do come in some great colors (of course, at my library we had to go with institutional beige).

cooling down

What else could a girl in Florida possibly wish for in the height of summer? Everything I want right now is in that picture.

Here's what I love about it:

1. the light dusting of snow
   
2. white twinkle lights (all year round, please)
3. the Airstream as studio/guest house
4. that warm yellow glow coming from the windows
5. big freaking evergreens mixed with deciduous brown -- lovely!
6. and the essence of camping out
   

[photo scanned from the February/March 2009 issue of ReadyMade]

you can format that artwork quickly

From the inside jacket of The Art of Fine Lettering (Lesiak, 1965). I found it at a used book sale.

for your walls

Hmmm, I'm crazy in love for this. Perfect baby gift? Coming from a librarian?

Get one here, and make it fast!

$2

The lady ringing me up at Goodwill said, "You waited in line just for this little guy?" We then agreed he was worth it. Walker China...a good weight and good size. He was pretty scuzzy and soaked a long while before he became good as new!

$3

A creamer pitcher!

The details: thrifted for $3, Jackson China Company, and so heavy it could probably be used as a stand-in weapon for the game of Clue.

...dreaming of...

It would be delightful if I could find this Eames Lounge & Ottomon second-hand. I don't browse the thrifty webs (i.e., craigslist, ebay) at all; perhaps I should start...

Some of the best things are black, white & wood grain, don't you think?

$2.99

After two years of my Pyrex collecting...I finally found a piece of Balloons! It is in excellent condition, woohoo!

the last lot?

My latest thrifting adventure happened on Saturday and I have nothing to show for it. In the Pyrex Department, there was a blue snowflake divided dish but it hadn't been treated very well in its former life, so I left it behind. A co-worker of mine gave me the above trio of Town & Country from her mom's estate. It could be the last Pyrex I get in a while, with my lousy luck!

changing focus

I thrift less these days. But I miss it here -- so, I'm back with a completely different focus.

Less stuff, more ideas. You'll see.

.89

I never met a piece of Syracuse I didn't like...this pattern made me all giddy inside and that turquoise color blends with my other restaurant ware pieces really well. Time for some coffee!

$3.99

Went through my cabinets yesterday; wondered how in the world this piece managed to escape the blog? I scooped it up maybe in late '08 - I had drooled over this exact bowl at an antique store for $40 because I wanted this color/pattern so fuh-reaking badly and was almost willing to pay out-my-ass crazy for it. So glad I held out as this one came in a fraction of the price, supremely fine condition (not to mention charming and dashing) and looks good with green salads to boot.

$4.99

In regards to my collecting Pyrex, a couple things have happened:

1. it has become exceedingly difficult to find
2. it has become exceedingly overpriced; I've seen it "behind the counter" at a few shops

Steve says, "it became hard to find because you blog about it!" I only wish I had that many readers; I think it just became popular here where it wasn't so much before...I've never met my match in a thrift store, so whoever you are, scooping up all the Pyrex in South Florida...you must have quite the collection by now! Or, are people holding onto their Pyrex in these economic dire straits? I can't blame them.

Anyway, it has been very hard to find Pyrex in *excellent* condition here for whatever reason. This Butterprint Cinderella bowl was sitting on its own today, atop a glass cabinet (holding really tacky china trying to pass as "expensive"). I couldn't believe it! I might have said come to mama! which is neither here nor there. And the price wasn't too bad, either - so what, a little inflated since my infatuation began, but I was willing.

Do you know how long it has been since I've seen decent Pyrex? Yes, obviously: I haven't blogged about it in ages!

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.