I went to the Salvation Army thrift store yesterday in search of items for our celebratory Valentine's Day table. The store staff had wisely grouped many items at the front of the store related to Valentine's Day - there were lots of little Valentine's Day cards (the kind the kiddos give out at school) and plenty of plastic hearts. I found these cute heart plates, which I thought were perfect for putting out chocolate treats on Valentine's Day. They were made in China and they have a dollar store look about them, while still being priced at 99 cents each. Having just donated items, however, I had a coupon for $10 off on a $25 purchase. So of course I went looking for more items to ensure my purchase would add up to $25. Not as easy as it sounds, because I'm much more picky about what I take home than I used to be a few years back.
This pair of red glass candle holders helped me get to $25. They were marked $3.99 each. I couldn't resist them mainly because they are red and therefore perfect for my Valentine's Day table. But also they are just such a great novelty item.
When we visited my sister-in-law on New Year's Eve she had some interesting candle holders on the table. They were silver and appeared to be just ornate candle holders at first, until I realized they were Avon cologne holders. You could take off the top parts and still smell the original contents inside. We all had a good chuckle about it. My husband and his sisters shared a few stories about the Avon lady and how often she would come to sell stuff to their mom. Apparently she got so comfortable she would even walk in the house uninvited. The silver candle holders were one of my mother-in-law's purchases from decades ago.
So when I saw these red glass Avon candle holders (still completely full of Skin-So-Soft bath oil by the way) I had to have them. I'll admit the smell is driving me a bit nuts, but the glass is actually very pretty. It makes you wonder what's in the bath oil though when the scent lasts for 40 years. I don't know if I should just dump the contents. I believe these Avon red candle holders are from the Seventies. They are marked Avon Chandelier Cape Cod Collection on the bottom, made in Pointe Claire, Quebec.
I found several more items to get me to the $25 threshold - almost. I ended up at $24.85 and had to buy three plastic bags to get to the right total.
Did your mom buy from the Avon lady? Do you? Have you thrifted anything for Valentine's Day?
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Hi Joann, we didn't buy Avon way back in 'those days' but I always pick up the Cape Cod pieces when I find them. Emptying the contents and getting the scent !! smell removed is the first thing I do. Thank you for Bliss Tuesday 68.
ReplyDeleteJoy
Hi Joy, Great to hear that I'm not the only one interested in these pieces! And not the only one bothered by the scents...;) Jo
DeleteI didn't buy much Avon, but I did collect those pieces & still like them. Mine were probably donated when we sold our house.
ReplyDeleteThe smell in Ivana's candle holder was so familiar to me, we must have had it around!
DeleteHA I used to be the avon lady and now you can do it online which is totally awesome. My DIL lives in another province so I was able to get some bubble bath delivered to her from her local avon lady, and she even gift wrapped it for me
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome that you WERE the Avon lady! Online means no more walking into the house uninvited too. ;)
DeleteHah! I really don't know if I have ever thrifted anything Valentine related!!
ReplyDeleteAvon has some really ornate containers, your candle holders are very pretty!
You were too busy looking for Christmas stuff. ;) Thanks, I quite like the candle holders. :)
DeleteThanks for hosting and you found some beautiful Valentine's Day goodies for your table. sb
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping by Sharon! Have a great day!
Deleteyes, the Avon Lady reached down here to Melbourne too. Love those plates and candle holders!
ReplyDeleteSo funny you guys had the Avon lady too! :)
DeleteThe red candle holders are perfect for Valentine's Day along with your plates.
ReplyDeletexo Dianne
Thanks Dianne! :)
DeleteI love your Valentine's Day candle holders and yes we did have the Avon lady come to our house. What a lovely find! A trip down memory lane.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Jenn! :)
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