I’m hosting a small get together this weekend for the family. Nothing formal, just coffee and dessert. I don’t really have a theme and since I’ve never owned a coffee maker before I didn’t have any coffee-themed decor. I thought about buying some while I was out shopping for Halloween decorations yesterday (read: Halloween Decorations – What’s Your Style? Over-the-Top or Hap Hazard?). But I thought I’d just make do with things I had on hand.
Thrift Store Finds
While I was on my way, I noticed a costumed character standing on the corner waving a sign. It turns out he was there to advertise the thrift store’s Halloween selection. I had no idea there was even a thrift store located in that shopping center so I made a snap decision to take a moment and see what they might have I could use.
The store was a Value Village I think. It’s been years since I’ve been to a Thrift Store but the first thing I noticed is they’re a lot brighter and cleaner than they used to be. I also noticed that most of items were fairly common. Evidently most of the stores caught on to the thrifters who were buying great goods and reselling them. Unfortunately, that leaves a lot of stuff that is dare I say it….is junk.
I decided to check out the soft-goods aisle just in case. I’m always looking for fun props to use on my recipe posts. Even in this department I was disappointed not to find any vintage items. I miss the old days when I could find dishtowels hand-embroidered in the 50’s. I did notice that the store relies heavily on a very popular and easy-to-recognize fabric spray freshener – the smell was sickeningly strong back there and I could wait to get out of there.
But after scouring all the items back in the back I did find 3 towels which were perfect – one with the word coffee in several languages plus a very ornate table runner in coordinating colors that will look fabulous and mix perfectly with the everyday towels. Plus on my way out I found a fabulous red lacquered tray that can hold all the coffee accouterments.
My total? $11.50. Yep, budget decorating. Sure, I would have loved to have found a few decorative pieces or pieces I could have painted or put together – like candlesticks and plates, but there wasn’t a single one in the store. But that’s not stopped me from thinking about going again.
Do you thrift? What’s your best find?
I love thrift stores!
I need to find a few more – it was a lot of fun hunting for items for sure!
I never have good luck at thrift stores. I don’t know why!
I don’t either any more. But I’ve been told I need to go to different stores – I’m going to set aside some time next week to do some research. I live 20 minutes from Seattle so I have a plethora of places to choose from. I just need to find the ones that are worth driving too. I’ll post if I learn anything 🙂
I used to go thirft shopping once in a while but now I just send my daughter if I need some extra silverware or something I don’t want to spend a lot of money on. We live in a small town and have two thirft stores. One has our food pantry in it and the other raises funds for the local hospital. The hospital one has a huge garage sale at the end of summer too. It’s a huge event and raises money for hospital equipment.
The garage sale sounds like a great idea and I do wish this store had had more housewares – it was probably 90% clothes. I’m tall and fat – I didn’t even bother looking.
I love thrifting. Makes me feel so good when I find a great deal. YOU found some amazing goodies.
Shopping malls? Not for me. Department stores, ditto. Thrift Stores! It’s true they’ve changed over the years but they’re still the best place to shop. Recycling at its best. I get most of my clothes there and my favorite is a pair of Gloria Vanderbuilt jeans that were almost new and fit perfectly.
You had me at thrift store…. I love the finds! 🙂
I’m not sure what my best find was, but I do love shopping at thrift stores!
wow, those are some awesome finds!