The Power of a Yard Sale

Could you imagine going to a yard sale, findinga box of old negatives, coming home, printing them, and realizing you just developed pictures of Marilyn Monroe? Goodness... talk about a heart attack.

To me, this story is incredible. Read it here.

The deal of the year.

Greetings! I hope you're enjoying this Memorial Day weekend if you're in the states; if you aren't in the states, I still hope you're enjoying the weekend!

This morning I had a pretty solid to-do-list infront of me comprised of typical Saturday errands (bank, post office, grocery store, etc.). I promised myself a little yardsale shopping or thrifting once the errands were finished up. After all, it's Memorial Day, and I thought the yardsales would be in excess.

Once I finished my errands, I was feeling a little sheepish about stopping at random yardsales and sifting through stuff infront of the owners, so I decided to head to the thrift shop closest to my house.

I am so glad I did! The thrift shop was selling this mid-century modern credenza for a grand total of.... $40! I couldn't believe it. Just the other day I mentioned that I noticed a crendza at the Vintage store in town, but it was a bit out of my price range. Looks like it is no longer an issue! I was only able to snap a quick photo on my cell phone before we had to leave, but here's a little peak!

oh. em. gee.

I can't believe it's coming home to me tomorrow!

So, in order to have it in top shape before we move into the condo, we're going to have Cory's uncle (who builds furniture) look at it. I'm pretty sure the top is going to need to be sanded and refnished, but it will be SO perfect once it reaches our front door!

I did a little research online and here is a very fair comparison to what it looks like in top shape, post-cleaning, non-flourecent lighting.

And hey... it was only $40!

Liz

tea for two and two for tea.

One of my favorite things right now is tea cups. They're so dainty and adorable, let alone fantastically feminine; I really can't get enough of them. Whenever I go thrifting, it's usually the first thing I look for. Unfortunately, I don't have a proper place in my house to display them (as my cats would probably knock them over and make me cry...), so right now, the best tea cups I can have, are the photo kind.

 

How do you manage a love for a specific item or quality (color, shape, design), but limited space? Do you thrift, buy, and store them away until you have the room? Do you leave them at the store? Or do you just figure it out?

I ask because I feel like I never have enough space to display all these amazing collections I WANT to have. I know it's all a want, I do not need them, which is why I do not buy them... maybe I'm looking for someone to convince me to start buying them and just figure it out ;). Who knows! I'm just interested if any of you have a similar perdicament.

Here's to you and to taking a moment to enjoy a cup of tea!

Liz

A little etsy thrifting!

Gosh, I can't get over how many gorgeous pieces I have been finding on Etsy recently. Here are a few that I have my eye on!

(Vintage Brass Magazine Rack from Rusty Vintage)

(Vintage Gold Bookends (that I secretly want to spraypaint teal at Fini Home)

(Vintage Needlepoint Wall decor via Lee Lee's Closet)

(Pretty metal tray via Loved by Time)

(I LOVE this floral tv tray. Perfect for crafting! From Christolphe)

(I actually own this same set of teacups but forgot until I found them on Etsy! Redcomb Vintage)

(This Friendship Cinderella Set is so juicy! At Sassbox Classics)

You know... maybe I'll put all these into a pretty little treasury!

What vintage are you loving on right now?

xo,

Liz

Photos from the Week(end)

Here's a quick glance through the eye of my cell phone throughout the last week!

Last Sunday, Cory and I went to Potter's Bowl (a local fundraiser for the Community Free Clinic).

Local potters donate gorgeous handmade bowls and you get to pick one to use that evening to eat your soup :)

This year I went with a pretty green cereal bowl.

   

We sat at lucky table number 13 so we could have a co-worker as our server for the evening!

Our downstairs couch was covered in yarn scraps and thread for most of the week as I prepared for Taste of Success.

Yesterday, I treated myself to a little thrifting. Here's an impressive doll house I found. It's only missing a few shutters. The inside is beautiful!

And just when I thought my search for gems was over... I stumbled across this amazing Chanel back chair. Cory and I have been hunting for additional "chairs with personality" for our bedroom. This pretty little thing will hopefully be coming home with us tomorrow!

This is my favorite booth at our local (huge) Antique shop.

My favorite booth for vintage pyrex and glasses. I picked up a pyrex medium mixing bowl and a few 1970 4th of July Baltimore commemorative glasses. They are going to be perfect for a summer-themed mantel!

Speaking of mantels, when Cory and I deep cleaned yesterday, I finally opened the framed photos he gave me for Christmas. All of these photos were taken by us of each other or during our travels to the south. Lovely. Also... there's Flip. He loves the mantel.

My very very small pyrex collection so far. See that yellow polka dot beauty front and center? That's my new dish I picked up today!

And, I'm wrapping up the weekend catching up on my magazine reading. As you can see, I'm pretty behind!

I hope you had a great week(end)!

Whew, I'm tired!

(source)

Happy Thursday! Only one more work day for me this week and then I'm off until Tuesday (like hopefully all of you)! Hooray!

This week ends the second full week of school of the current academic year; we have officially had 13 days of school after tomorrow. To me, it has flown by! I genuinely enjoy the personalities in my classes and each of my students seem (although not all the time) willing to learn and improve themselves. I really love teaching 10th graders. They are so much fun. They're at the perfect age to be goofy, but mature enough to know how to diplomatically handle a situation. Also, they seem to be more serious about school (or at least capable of recognizing it's not going anywhere any time soon). This week we learned:  (1) how to diagram sentences, (2) SAT vocabulary, (3) checked out outside reading books, (4) discovered how politicans (both new and old) use rhetoric to develop their arguments. It's been a busy, thinking-heavy week! I'm ready for a little down time, that's for sure!

What has your week been like? Any big plans for the weekend?

I am participating in a community yard sale (trying to rid our house of our pre-marital home goods), attending both a varsity soccer and varsity football game, and hopefully hitting the road with Cory for a little "out of town" getaway for just a night.

Other than that, I'll be crocheting. I gotta! Between Christmas, sales, and shows coming up... I gotta get a move on!

Oh, oh! I TOTALLY forgot! Last weekend Cory and I went on a thrifting extravaganza! We took a little day trip to Silver Spring, MD (only 45 minutes away) and found a gigantic thrift store and so so many goodies. I'll post pictures later. Most of the awesome finds were perchased to decorate our home for fall. I'm finished with the living room, but need to touch up a few others before I can post pictures!

Okay, I'm gonna go grade some papers and get a move on!

What is your FAVORITE thing in your home?

On Black Friday I stayed away from the big-box stores and malls (which was easy since I had an entirely handmade Christmas) and headed to my favorite antique and thift stores. My FAVORITE thirft store in the area was having a major 50% off sale...and I scored an amazing chair for just $10!

Cory walking the chair home (just a 4 block walk...in the rain)

And now, it resides in the corner of our living room with my favorite pillow, favorite granny-square afghan (not pictured), and my favorite kitten!

So, I'm in love with that whole ensemble.

What is your favorite item in your house/living space?

Have a great rest of your Tuesday!