Treasure

I have no excuse for buying these items, except for some lame, winter doldrum, escapism excuse.

Behold gentle readers, this is what $25 (plus taxes) will buy you at Value Village.

• My best friends are flakes sign, $3
• vintage clock, $3
• vintage Fireking relish tray, about $4
• cloisonee teapot, about $3
• china dish from England, $2
• brooch with blue stone, $1
• pearly earrings, $1
• Two kitties from Peter Rabbit, $8

I was particularly thrilled to find the Peter Rabbit figurine so cheaply.  I collect these suckers.

I'm using the relish tray to organize my hair products in the bathroom.  It's doing a FAB job!!

happy thrifting.

Thrift store furniture makeover, part 2 and 3

Those of you that have been reading my blog (all 4 of you) may recall this laminate wood furniture.  I acquired it from the Salv Army.  I think it was a microwave stand from the 80s (back when microwaves weighted around 100 pounds).

BEFORE

80s faux wood splendour!!


Here is what it looked like after 2 coats of oil-based primer and some paint.

AFTER

Ta da!!

This unit is now living in my bedroom. I'm using it to store my jeans, purses and jewels.  I cleverly put this unit in the only corner that didn't have an electrical outlet, so until I figure out a genius plan, I cannot use the showcase light built into the second highest shelf.

I had to use oil based paint to paint the laminate wood.  Since the choice of colors was limited, I mixed blue and silver to get the color I wanted.

Mixology

Here is the resulting color.

Paint tray

Normal people would have finished painting this cupboard in one night.  I however got severely distracted by Lost (damn you Netflix!!).  The result is that one door, and part of the cupboard didn't get painted.  If that didn't complicate things enough, the paint in the paint tray dried out, and I had to mix a new batch of blue and silver.

This is what happens when you procrastinate.

Luckily, I was able to match the color of the rest of the cupboard, and I finished painting without any other mishaps.

Let the organizing begin!!!

happy thrifting.

When a bad thrift store turns good

Whew!  Just finished unpacking my bags from our little weekend getaway to Duluth.  I've got a mountain of laundry and sorting to do.  So, what's a girl to do when she has oodles of housework?  Why blog about her thrifty finds of course!!!

One of the things I love to do when I travel, is visit thrift stores in other cities.  It gives me a sense of the people there.  Plus you never know what unexpected treasures you will find.

But, what if you do not find a good thrift store.  What if it's a bad thrift store?

Have you ever been to a bad thrift store?  One with poor selection?  One with crappy, over-washed, fast-fashion?  I've visited such a store several years ago, the last time I went to Duluth, MN.  I went in hoping to find treasures, but I came away empty-handed and disappointed.  Even the granny chic clothing (which is usually a guaranteed bonanza of long skirts with fussy prints) was lacking.

This was the Savers (American equivalent of Value Village) in Duluth, MN.  

I was in the neighbourhood recently, so I thought I'd pop into this Savers to give it another chance.

I popped in on Saturday evening, and I found a set of 6 FireKing Lustrewear teacups and saucers.  My opinion of this store immediately rocketed.  Especially when I saw that each cup and saucer was reasonably priced at $3.50 each.

I also saw that Veteran's Day was going to be a 50% off at Savers.  That put me in a tricky predicament, as that was the day that my darling boyfriend and I were hitting the road to return home.  With some careful planning, I managed to squuueaze in a 20 minute shopping spree.  My strategy was to go in, check out the tops and sweaters, then check out the purses last.  I would have no time for pants, skirts etc.

This is my thrift store haul.

Intricately patterned Nordic sweater, $6.50

Nordic sweater

What is old is new again.  The softest sweater with the most gorgeous beading.  You can't buy this quality anymore.

Vintage 80s sweater, $3.50.

Beaded Angora sweater

Glittering bugle beads and seed beads..for $3.50!!

I wasn't sure about this grid patterned coat.  Then my darling bf saw the price and said that for $5 I should snap it up.  I may wear it as is, or turn it into a vest.  Hey, what's that purse?

Grid patterned coat and handbag

Could this clutch be a genuine Celine?  I spotted it amongst the hodge podge of purses.  The horse shoe clasp caught my attention.  The leather does have some damage, but I think it is a keeper.

How much?  Try $2.

Celine bag???

Gorgeous LL Bean mohair sweater, prolly from the 80s.  The funky design reminds me of the Northern Lights.  I'm looking forward to wearing it belted over skinnies.

LL Bean mohair cardigan, $4.50

Funky oversized mohair cardi

Intricately knit cotton and ramie cardi with lilies, $4.50

Summer sweater with lovely lilies

Graphic Nicole Miller blouse for $6.50

Vintage, oversized chambray shirt with FAB block print.

Eddie Bauer $4

Loove the block print on this chambray shirt!!!

Larry Levine ruffled shirt. Bad news, it may be a wee bit too small.  But that's the price you pay when you whip through a great sale without trying things on.  $4.50

Flowy, abstract print blouse $4

Whew, that was a fun thrift shopping spree.  Have you ever hit a great sale, but had very limited time?  What was your strategy?  

Happy thrifting!

99 cent sale thrift haul

Pheaw!  Is it really November?  Where have September and October gone?  I still haven't finished sorting out my new abode, but that didn't stop me from checking out the 99 cent event at the Salv Army.

Here is a list of what I snapped up for a cost of 99 cents each:

1. Vintage 80s maroon/teal broomstick skirt 

2. Vintage 90s lace skirt (made in California no less)

3. Vintage 90s black velvet, tube skirt (floor length stretchy skirt)

4. Grey blanket skirt (Jessica, from Sears)

All of the above skirts were ankle or floor grazers...can hardly wait to style them!!!

5. Black dress pants  (Gap, they fit like a dream!)

6. Club Monaco pin-striped dress pants (need to be hemmed)

7. Men's cotton pants.  Huh?  Why did I buy men's pants?  Well, these pants were never worn, and they were a muted pink shade. I don't live in a fashion forward city, so they were likely a gift to someone who was too hesitant to wear such a bold color.  They are destined to be worn in the summer.

And last but not least,

8. Red, satin maxi skirt.  Destined to get cut up for craft projects.

I found that our 2 Salv Army stores were pretty picked over. It took 3 trips to 2 stores to score all this stuff.  Still, it was a good time, as I like a good rummage.

Total spent, $8 baby!!!

Happy thrifting.

Eeek!!

It was a dark and stormy night.  I ducked into one of the 2 Salvation Army stores in my city.  It had been a long, hard day at work, and I was looking forward to mindlessly browsing through racks of clothing.

Part of the ladies section

Another part of the ladies section.

Ladies jeans

Hey, what's that sign in the distance???

Pinch me.

OMG, a 99 cent event...are you kidding me???  Guess where I'll be on November the 8th??

This is the second such sale where Sally Anne priced certain types of clothing at a low, fixed price.  Last month it was $2 for blouses, dress pants etc.  and I came home with 20 items.  

I think that the Salvation Army thrift stores in my town are really stepping up their game.  They are competing against Value Village (whose prices are too high).  I hope that these once a month clearances continue!!

I only have limited time on November the 8th.  So I scoped out both of the Sallys in my city.  I found about 6 blouses that I loved at one location, and a gorgeous velvet maxi skirt at the other.

I hope to shop at one Salvation Army during my lunch break from work.  And I will shop at the other Salvation Army after work.  I hope the things I like are still there (crossing fingers).

How low do your chazzas go?  Do you deliberately hold off buying stuff that you want, so that you can get it ridiculously cheap?  Do tell.

Happy thrifting.

Random thrifty outfits for the office, travel and Saturday errands

Office

Yellow cardi (consignment, about $10)

Graphic print blouse (thrifted, about $7)

Capris (clearance, about $10)

Outfit total $27

Office Casual

Eggplant cardi (sale, about $25)

Embroidered grey blouse (liquidation centre, $4)

Green cotton pants (clearance, about $10)

Outfit total $39

Travelling

Kasper blazer (thrifted $2)

Yellow t-shirt (clearance $10)

Denim capris (thrifted $7)

Cap (thrifted $3)

Outfit total $22

Fancy shindig

White blouse (hard to see again background, thrifted $6)

Orange pleated skirt (sale, $20)

Vintage pointy toe shoes (vintage boutique $40)

Outfit total $66

Autumn by the lake

Beige cardi and oxblood skinnies (sale, about $35)

Office

Cardigan, blouse, dress pants (all thrifted, about $25)

Saturday errands

Mohair and wool, vintage coat (thrifted, about $6)

Oversized turtleneck (thrifted, about $6)

Oxblood skinnies (sale, about $20)

Pointy toed boots (vintage, thrifted, $5)

Purse (sale, $100)

Outfit total ($137)

Thrift store furniture makeover DIY, Part Une!!

Wood laminate furniture makeover!!

The other day when I was unpacking, I surveyed a pile of boxes containing some of my purses.  I realized I needed to get a storage solution for them.  In a fit of Do-It -Yourselfness (and cheapness), I started trolling charity shops looking for a suitable storage solution.

I found the unit below.  A sturdy, wood laminate item that had been made in the States about 30 years ago.....and...it has a built in light!!  Perfect for showcasing my prized blingy blings.

I liked the built-in showcase light, and the engravings on the top and the cupboard doors.

I envisioned this cuboard unit painted a serene robin's egg blue. Then I checked the price tag.  It was originally priced at $50, but a quick chat with the chazza manager yielded a $10 price reduction...score!!

My darling boyfriend loaded this cupboard into his handy truck and moved it into my home.  I bought oil based primer and paint, and POOF!!  I became a DIY blog!!

This is what the cupboard looked like after my first go with the primer. 

I finished priming the bottom section, then I gave it a second coat.

Zinsser oil-based primer review

I used an entire can of Zinsser, oil-based primer.  There was barely enough to give this unit 2 coats.  As it is, the second coat is uneven.  To be fair, I would have had more primer if I had taken more care not to dribble the primer down the sides of the can.

I heard about this primer from another blog (unfortunately I can't remember which one).  I would definitely recommend this primer if you want to paint wood laminate furniture.  You will need to get the paint store staff to shake this primer up really well.  I had to return a second time to get the primer re-shaken as there was a big, ball of congealed gunk in the can when I opened it.

This 946 ml can of primer was $15.99 at Canadian Tire.

Engraved leaf detail.

It's Saturday!!!

Here are two goofy pics of  me.  It's a Saturday monrning, and darling bf and I are about to go out for Finn pancakes.

Me want pancakes!!!

Check out my shoes!!!

Outfit:
Alpaca hoodie, about $4 (thrifted at the last BOGO sweater sale)
Silk shirt, about $6 (thrifted)
Beige pants, about $10 (clearance)
Vintage oxfords, $7 (thrifted)

TOTAL OUTFIT COST $27


I'm especially proud of the shoes I'm wearing.  They are vintage Eaton's oxfords.  Made in Brazil...they are patchwork leather...do they even make shoes from leather anymore?

Here is a pic of my darling boyfriend, as he slaves over a hot stove making dinner for me.

The pizza was delicious!!!

Stay tuned for Part Deux!!