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Alright...I might have a slight problem. And...it might be thrifting a little too much. The thing about thrifting is...you have to do it a lot to find the best stuff. Since all the 2nd-hand stores I know of put new things out daily (sometimes a few times daily)...it behooves a person (such as myself) to visit often. Or more than often...like every day...like a couple times in a day. *Ouch*...that even hurt me to admit!

Anyhoo...my frequenting of the Goodwill's and Salvation Army's of the greater Des Moines area has lead to some fantastical finds!

Now...I must say...this waytoocute board game from the 1950's did not come from a thrift store, perse...but from an extremely random estate sale. I say it was random b/c it was literally held by 2 women, selling all their hoarded possessions (read: me in about 40 years), in a 19th century house that was completely torn down to the studs. So...not only was I surrounded by decades of really cool stuff...but I was pretty much in heaven in this dilapitated structure. *sigh...*

I couldn't snatch this beauty up fast enough when I spied her on a side-shelf at Salvation Army. I had almost given up hope on this trip (on which I dragged 5 other people who do not enjoy thrifting)...thinking I wasn't going to find any treasures. And then...I saw a yellow dish. At first I thought it was plastic...it was so shiny! So...I reached out a pensive hand, only to be so wonderfully surprised! Pyrex!! Not only Pyrex...but a 1950's hostess dish...including the lid! Eep! I have my grandma's red hostess

(sans lid)...so I was thrilled to be able to find this on intact. Oh yeah...she was only 99 cents to boot!

Now...this trio (sadly missing the 2nd biggest bowl)...was another last-minute find at Salvation Army...only a different location. It was actually the first time I'd ever seen the Americana (harvest colors w/ a white band around the top). The bowls aren't in the best condition...but I was able to snag all 3 for less than $5. I'm pretty sure I can get 'em all cleaned up...getting rid of some of the scuff marks.

I am really super excited about this thrift. We're basically redoing the main level of our house...painted walls, cupboards, and

built-ins...plus new flooring. So...I'm wanting to change the decor up a bit too. I don't necessarily have any kind of a budget for that, though. When I spied these battery-operated paper lanterns (originally from Pottery Barn) at Goodwill...I knew they would be a great addition to the space. They were still in the boxes...and all work (had my fingers crossed on that part). I got a lot of style for under $8!

I know that thrifting isn't for everyone...and it takes a bit of consistency and effort...but I totally think it's worth the time. I've found so many things that (with a bit of elbow grease & lots of soap), have helped me to make our house a lot more stylish...w/out spending a lot of money. I also like the thought of giving really cool things a new home...a new purpose.

~Hilary~

MyCityAntiquing

So...as you all know...I love to treasure hunt for fabulous, rusty antiques. I also happen to love traveling. What could be more helpful, then, than a handy-dandy website that is full of the best antique stores in cities across the U.S.?? Well, a mobile app...that's what!

That's where MyCityAntiquing.org comes in. It's a website you can visit to see where all the cool kids are finding the best treasures in many different cities. Not only that, you can add your own special info...if you're willing to share your favorite spots. ;)

So...if you haven't already...check this site out! For sure download the app...it's free...you shouldn't even question it!

Happy treasure hunting!!

~Hilary~

On the Cheap

The hubs & I had a b-day celebration for his dad waaaaay back in May. It was just supposed to be a laid-back get-together (b/c our house has been torn apart from projects since late March)...but I couldn't leave the table naked. So...I pulled together a few things I've thrifted recently and a few snippets from our yard.

The table cloth (a vintage sheet) and the crystal cut glasses are all from Salvation Army. I picked up the super-de-duper frog @ a flea...I couldn't resist his wide-open mouth and chippy green paint. Back in the day (when we first got married) I was very into Fiesta...the s&p shakers are remnants from then. I should probably put those dishes back into my regular rotation...what a waste, otherwise.  Last, but not least...the "flowers." We don't really have much for pretty flowers, etc (we will next year!!!)...but I do have quite a few hosta. A couple leaves from those...and cuttings from a purply plant (how scientific)...voila!

The total cost of this table scape...less than $5. :)

~Hilary~

Ummm, yeah...

Miss Addy has pretty much the coolest aunt...ever! Oh wait...that's me. Awkward?? Not if it's true. ;) I've been getting a super-de-duper cute room ready for her over the last few months...
and it's finally done!

So...without further ado...the room!

I love how the wall art pieces turned out (although...I'd be lying if I said I won't be looking for additions). I thrifted all of these for less than $1.99 each...bam! I was going to paint all 3 of the chalk pieces, but the hubs said the colors on the flower basket were too pretty to cover up. Awww.....

Heart-shaped cork board *swoon*! I picked this beauty up from my favorite Salvation Army for only 99 cents...ohmygoodness!! Now...it just needs some pics on it.

My heart skipped when I spotted this embroidered lovely @ the flea market...and at $2...it was a steal! Other thrifty finds...the yellow ginham metal basket was only 50 cents...and I found the Ikea pendant lamp for $2 @ a garage sale a couple years ago.

I needed a little space to set odds & ends...so was thrilled to find this bench @ the flea market for only $25...made out of reclaimed lumber. The mountain scene painting was picked up @ Goodwill for less than $2. I found the cuter-than-cute tea set @ a second-hand store. I especially love it b/c it's not saccarine sweet pink...but my favorite shade of green.

Storage space is pretty limited in this baby-sized room...so I snagged this chippy, white cabinet @ a re-sale shop to solve that problem. For Addy's things, I bought storage boxes w/ lids...and jewelry organizers to hold some of my things (see my accessories story here). The stacking blocks on the floor are something from my childhood...vintage from Germany.

 This bed is pretty much my favorite 'story' of this whole project. One day I was trolling Facebook...as I do (too often)...and a lovely lady from my church posted she was giving away a picket fence twin bed frame. Did you hear that?!? FREE!! I couldn't reply fast enough! Bonus...someone else saw the post and had a free mattress. All we had to buy was a box spring. How amazing! The bedding is a mish-mash of new and thrifted + a vintage chenille bedspread. Another freebie...the nitestand...holds a vintage lamp my mom had bought for me a long time ago (plus thecutestever tiny box of tissues & a bowl full of succulents). Last...but not least...in this corner of the room...a vintage straw bag I discovered @ the Goodwill.

Just one more pic...b/c I am 'completely, and perfectly, and incandescently happy' w/ the results. (Just a little play on a quote from one of my most favoritest movies, Pride & Prejudice).

Now...if only she were old enough to stay the nite in her big girl bed. Guess I'll just have to enjoy the room for now...

~Hilary~

Flea Market Fabulosity

Last week, it was finally here...the What Cheer Flea Market. I'd pretty much been looking forward to it since the last one in October. My posse for this treasure hunt, Sister & Chelsea, were equally excited...although, I feared Chelsea might not be joining us...as she's ready to have another cutie-pie baby very soon. She was a trooper, though...and came along for a flea adventure.

We brought the 'big rig' for this trip...all of us felt the itch to buy. Good thing, too...b/c Chelsea made the day by finally buying a big piece of furniture (she found one last time that was sobeautiful...but didn't buy).

Boxes & boxes of lovelies like this. Oh my...so much rusty goodness! Things really just aren't made this beautifully anymore...

Sisters!!

A much-welcomed peanut butter & chocolate shake after a morning of buying...and trapsing through the mud (did I mention it had rained 4 inches 2 nites b/f this??). Crazy business!

What's the big deal? Just a dude cruising town on his riding lawn mower. He was very observant of traffic laws. :)

Chelsea's our own little diva...queen-bee chair & an ooh-la-la fan. J/k...she is just really a great sport posing for all my pics.

Broke out my favorite new-to-me tie-dye tee from Salvation Army for the day. I had a lot of color happening...including my crazy-patterned cross-body bag.

It never fails to amaze me how creative and talented people are. Taking everyday, cast-off items and making the most beautiful things w/ them. The wind chimes made from a mish-mash of vintage items...amaze. We've all seen the lids to pots discarded at the thrift store...or the bin of silverware...never to be used by anyone. Well...this lovely lady put her thinking cap on and made sweet 'music' w/ them. The tiny village made up of this'n'that items...so magical.

Some tired (and muddy) feet after a great day. Thanks, again, for the fun, ladies!

~Hilary~

**P.S...pics of my treasures to come.

Thrifting Gold

I've had so much luck thrifting lately...I don't even know where to start. Some things have been perfect as is...and others are going to be tweaked a bit b/f they get used. Here are a few of my newest finds...

*I have recently been selling some of my stuff on a Facebook page (imagine a giant online garage sale). I sold quite a few pieces of my milk glass to a girl who is doing her whole hutch in white...so when I spotted this little gem...I had to send her a pic to see if she would be interested. I have a lot of milk glass...and have seen a lot of it, too. This was a really different piece...and, of course, she was so excited! For only $1.99...it was a steal.

*I first saw the cookie jar of this way adorable set. While I was admiring it...one of the workers @ my favorite Salvation Army said there was a s&p set to go w/ it. Now...this isn't my thing...but a friend of mine's sister really digs the whole 'shroom style...so I picked the set up for only $3.99.

*These 2 pictures do not include anything I bought...but gave me a huge chuckle. I mean...how can there possibly be so many flippin' denim short overalls?!? I was transported back to a simpler time...the year, 1993...it was a lovely journey. :) Who wore these...where did they come from? Next...was a dvd devoted to the Scrabble tourney circuit. I didn't even know there is such a thing. What I did know...is that the hubs and I constantly have what we've dubbed "word wars"...usually involving the definition of a word...or even the question of its actual existence.

*I scored this cute set of sheets (which I promptly washed on the hottest setting...and dried hot too). I will either use them as actual sheets on Miss Addy's bed...or they will be perfect for a scrap wreath.

*These are a few of the beauties I also picked up on this magical thrifting trip. I love, love, love the wreath topiary. I thought I was going to paint it...but all I just popped the purple flowers off...and she was good to go. I added a bit of blue ribbon for the changing vignette on my cabinet...and it is thriftingly perfect. The embroidered picture is probably going to get a coat of paint on the frame...or possibly some yarn wound around it. I was drawn to the cork piece...and when I spied it was a heart...it had to be mine. It will most likely get a bit of white spray paint and go into Miss Addy's room. I score these 3 treasures for only $.99 each...bam!

I'm hoping to get some time to work on my other finds...and find them homes...very soon. Pics to follow.

~Hilary~

I was doing a little thrifting w/ Sister the other nite when I happened upon the coolest sweater! It's gray cashmere w/ a really long cowel neck type thing that wraps around to make the whole sweater really comfy, cozy.

*tank, shirt, & leggings: old navy, sweater: thrifted; boots: fashion bug.

Found the sweater @ Goodwill for less than $4...and it's originally from Banana Republic...yippee! Although...the day I decided to wear this...it hit about 70 degrees outside...I was toasty. It'll be perfection for fall/winter next year, though.

~Hilary~

P.S...try to look past the dust covering my mirror. Might be time to clean... ;)





Thrifty Goodness

You just never know when or where you'll find thrifty treasures. That's why you have to be willing to get out there and look! Not everyone enjoys the thrill of the hunt...I know...that's what makes thrifting buddies even better. It's great to know that whoever's w/ you really enjoys it. Then you can spend all the time you want wandering the aisles...coming together @ the end to compare your finds.

Some of my recent scores...

This mirrored pedestal thingy is perfect for my main-floor bathroom. I'm always trying to find something for the counter (I really just need to redo the whole room...this'll do in the meantime)...that has good height. Can't decide if I want to put something on top of it. Maybe a bowl, a candle? Any suggestions??

I love this planter! It's plain white...but dimensional...adding interest. Maybe it'll give my sad little plant a new lease on life...

Snuggly jammies. Not just any jammies...but a matching set. How cute! Oh...and there are hearts...lots and lots o' hearts!

It's getting to be spring...any day now. Time to do some cleaning and rearranging of the house. Can't wait to give some new life to the things I already have and to the treasures I've been lucky enough to find lately.

New, Freebie Wreath...

Got home Sunday nite and just really wanted to do a project. I've been thinking about a new wreath for the front door...so I went searching for some supplies in the ol' crafty archives. I came up with a wire wreath form I had used for an old project (so...I took it apart) and a bunch of fabric remnants from my frame project (here).

All that was left to do was cut a bunch of strips of fabric (they were b/w 8-14 inches each) and then knot them around the wreath frame. Sorry I didn't capture any pics of the process...I had about an hour and just wanted to get done. It's so easy, though...just tie each piece of fabric around the frame (double knot) and then continue all the way around. I tried to get the fabric as close together as possible and also varied the knot being toward the top, middle, and bottom of the frame.

The finished project is justsocute! The colors are "spring-y"...and also remind me a bit of my childhood...hello, dusty rose and country blue. ;)

 I totally want to make more of these wreaths now...especially for our side door. Gonna have to hit up the remnants @ the craft store...this takes quite a bit of fabric.

~Hilary~ 

My Thrifty Valentine

Spent a wonderful morning thrifting w/ a couple of friends & Sister the other day.

*Fueled up for the day at Mullett's w/ a superdelicious b'fast. I enjoyed a b'fast taco w/ eggs, bacon, cheese, & chorizo + pancakes and hashbrowns...yikes!

*Picked up this sweet heart lamp @ Salvation Army for $1.99! Added a Fiestaware vase I already had and 3-$1.50 snapdragons.

*Decided to finally use the cute heart-shaped pillar candle I bought on clearance @ Target like 2 years ago after Valentine's Day. I have a verybadhabit of not wanting to use stuff like that. I mean, what am I saving it for??

*Red crock ($15 @ Antiques for Freaks and Geeks)...couldn't resist adding it to my Valentine vignette.

*Love, love, love both of these little beauties: table runner ($1.99 @ Salvation Army) and vase ($15 @ The Attic). I just whipped up a tissue paper flower to add a little punch of color.

*Okay...so this cabinet wasn't necessarily "thrifty" perse...but it was still a great deal (@ The Attic)...and will be perfection in the soon-to-be finished bedroom upstairs! Miss Addy will have the cutest place ever for her clothes & treasures.

*I normally don't decorate for any holidays (other than Christmas), but I really like the way this Valentine display turned out! Might have to be a regular thing...emphasis on might.

 

*Last, but not least...this is Roger...the sweetest little dog @ one of the stops on our thrifting adventure. Soooo cute! :)

A very successful shopping trip I'd say! Treasures & girl-time...can't beat that.

~Hilary~

 

Cozy Sweater

Thrifting...I love it! Ventured in to Goodwill recently, hoping to find a grandpa cardi (no luck)...but did walk out w/this super long, comfy & cozy grayish sweater. At $3.95...it was a total score!

*sweater: thrifted; shirt: old navy clearance; leggings & boots: target; necklace: lia sophia

You just never know what you'll find when you roll up your sleeves and dig in to the thrifting world...

~Hilary~

Pyrex Love

Pyrex...marries my love of vintage w/my extreme need for function.

Now...I'm not talking about the clear, utilitarian kind we all have in our kitchens (although those things are important), but the beautiful, wildly colorful pieces of decades passed. It is wonderful to me that everyday pieces can be lovely AND have a purpose in my life. It's a win-win!

My collection...includes some pretties from my grandma's kitchen and a few I've been given as gifts. The little red squarish bowls are very close to my heart...whenever we'd visit my grandma...we'd always eat our morning cereal out of them. Now they live at my house! :)

This set is from the hubs...it's displayed all the time. So pretty...like the inside of an artichoke, I think...

I seriously make use of my collection every day. These lovelies hold: candy & goodies (yumm!) and treats for our little furry friends.

As always...there are some other tempting colors, patterns of Pyrex that I'm coveting (strong word, I know...but it's true).  Etsy...go here...has so many gorgeous examples...it was hard to pick just a few...

*Ohmygoodness!!! Nesting bowls galore...polka-dots, flowers, and snowflakes. :) The last pic combines 2 of my loves: Mad Men and Pyrex...*sigh...*


~Hilary~