Woman in Real Life

If you have been reading this blog for any time at all, you know that I head straight to the vintage dishes whenever I enter a thrift store. I don't often take the time to go through clothing, pick through purses or browse the jewelry counter. Last time I was at the Salvation Army Thrift Store, though, I had a coupon that required spending $25 to get $5 off. (It was an old coupon. You can now get a $10-off coupon when you donate clothing or housewares.)

I didn't find quite enough glasses, plates, etc. to reach $25. But I did spot this floral-design straw tote bag. I got the idea from Design Mom to keep a "summer bag" packed and ready to go for summer excursions - you know, with sunscreen, towel, hand wipes, sunglasses - that sort of thing. So when I saw this thrifty bag, I knew just what I would use it for. Of course, being the hasty and kind of unobservant thrifter I am, I didn't notice the name stitched on the bag.

When I got home my daughter was like, "Why does your bag have a name on it?" Oh well, I'll just pull those stitches out! (Dianne says it's a country name and I can leave it on. I'm not even sure what it's meant to say. If it's Suyana (or Sullana), that is a name and a Quechua word meaning faith and hope. Sullana is also the name of the capital of the Sullana Province, in the north-western coastal plains of Peru.)

I did a quick bit of thrifting at the Salvation Army Thrift Store yesterday after picking up groceries. Well, it was supposed to be quick, but this one couple in line at the thrift store had about a thousand items and then they also encouraged their friend to cut the line. Not cool.

I was waiting in line to pay for these must-have dishes, haha. With summer approaching, we all need side plates for corn on the cob, no? (My husband gave me a dirty look when I showed him these.) Sure we have nowhere to store them, but I also spotted a nice buffet and hutch at the thrift store. It wasn't quite as tall as I'd like and I thought $150 was a bit pricey, but one day I will find a nice sideboard to paint and distress and then we will have more storage space.

I managed to pop into the Salvation Army thrift store with my son after a school basketball tournament yesterday. I tempted him to come along by suggesting there might be basketball shoes - some barely worn LeBron's for under $10 perhaps? Well, he didn't find any LeBron shoes, but I had enough time while he was searching to browse the racks full of dishes. I didn't find many items that appealed, but I did pick up four more plates for my food photography collection (for 99 cents each).

As I am in the third month of my 4-month purge, the thrift store is probably not the best place for me. But I couldn't resist popping into the Salvation Army this past weekend while visiting my parents. Mom came with me and we both admired this 3-tier silver serving tray. Mom said she has one and has enjoyed using it. It is one of the few vintage serving pieces she hasn't yet passed along to me in fact. (I also picked up five of these little Ikea lidded jars. Because I just know they'll come in handy for something. Are you with me?)

This week, I'm sharing a look at some of my recent thrifty finds. If there's a theme to be had, I guess it's yellow and brown. This first item - the made in Japan mushroom and owl spoon rest above - was actually a gift from my sister. She thrifted it for me. I hung it above the stove because thrifty dishes that I leave on the counter tend to get "accidentally" broken by my husband. (Strange - he is ordinarily so careful.)

Up until this past Saturday, it had been many weeks since I thrifted any dishes. For good reason. I don't have any more room to store them! However I am growing tired of our regular dishes so I decided to supplement them with these pretty blue pieces I spotted at the Salvation Army.

I also picked up a pretty green jug. Because you can always squeeze in another jug, right? I proudly told my husband, "I love these little thrifted jugs." "Me too," he said, sarcastic of course.

Last week, I showed you the Wedgwood Blue Heritage plates and the Pier 1 Kui Hua bowls I bought while thrifting with my sister recently.

On that same Salvation Army visit, I found a few items that I thought were lovely for fall. I adore pottery, and I couldn't resist this jam pot, above. This is one piece that didn't cause me to speculate on what it's used for!

While I was picking up half price green finds at the Salvation Army store, I also spotted a couple of lovely items that weren't included in the sale.

Let me just say, I don't know much about the value of things when I'm shopping at thrift stores. I am not buying to resell, so I just buy what I like, as long as it seems like a bargain to me.

I liked the rustic charm of this wire egg basket, above, but I wasn't sure if I should bring home something quite so rusty. I decided to go for it. I can't quite remember how much it cost, but I believe it was under $2. I did some research since then and found out that similar egg baskets are priced at $30 or more.

As I mentioned in my first "Keeping it Green" post, the local Salvation Army Thrift Stores came up with an ingenious concept for this eco-friendly month. For two days, all green items of any kind were half price. Last week, I showed you the bigger pieces that I bought, mainly serving dishes.

This week, I am showing off the smaller gems that I added to my cart that day. Even a touch of green made it half price.

Isn't this a sweet little pitcher and saucer set, above? I have so many decorative items in my home that I no longer have shelves or tables to place them on. Or so I thought. Then I realized that the spare bedroom is hardly decorated. That's where this little duo ended up.

It's Friday and time for a look back at the week using simple cell phone photos. Follow me on Instagram if you like (@ziajojo).

I think we have had all four seasons of weather in the last week or so. We had snow just last Thursday. Then, last Friday, we had icy rain.

The Salvation Army Thrift Stores came up with a nifty concept for Earth Month. For two days this week, all green-coloured items of any kind were half price.

So, on Friday I bought some green stuff (dishes and clothes) and saved some green stuff (yes, that would be money). Technically I wouldn't have bought anything if they didn't have the sale, so I didn't really save any money, but at least I'm reusing. Thrift store shopping is one great way to help our environment, after all.

I got this large Bowring serving dish, above, still in the box, for $3.50. Doesn't it just say "spring time?"

On Saturday, I took my daughter to buy much-needed new tap shoes. She has grown a lot lately!

Shoes bought, I asked her to accompany me to the Salvation Army thrift store. We were pleased to see that it was a sale day...half price on anything with pink, red or white on it.

I just happen to love pink dishes anyway. I chose this small Royal York "Sweetheart Rose" plate.

I haven't done much thrift store shopping lately. The house is full up with dishes and stuff and any spare funds the last couple months went toward Christmas shopping.

Last week, my willpower faltered though when I got an email from the Salvation Army saying they were having a one dollar kids clothing sale this past Friday. The fact is, my kids don't need any clothing, but $1 for jeans? Why not?

Of course, I knew I wouldn't pass by the housewares aisle without having a peek. I loaded up on kids' jeans first. I even got each of the kids a coat for $1. Then I headed over to peruse the dishes.

Back in June, I told you about a thrifting outing I took with my sister. This past weekend, she and I hit the thrift stores again. Bargain shopping is never far from my sister's mind, and I am easily convinced to go along. We were in my parents' small town, where the thrifty deals are greater than they are in my area.

At the first store we visited, I found this large Blue Mountain Pottery jar, above, for $5. The woman at the store said she thought it was hideous. Luckily, I know what I like...namely bargain-priced home accessories. I love the orange "drips."

The last time I took $10 to the thrift store, I got lucky. Read about it here if you like. But, that was a different type of thrift store...one that we don't seem to have in my area.

So, today I thought I would experiment by taking my $10 to a chain (read over-priced) thrift store in my area. I decided on the Salvation Army store.

For those who are new to Insta-Friday, it means sharing simple cell phone photos from your past week and linking them up with Life Rearranged. With our handy cell phone cameras, we take way more pictures than we used to, don't we? Might as well share some.

This week, my daughter (above, right) has been going to dance camp each day with her visiting cousin.

With the little (demanding) one out of the way, I asked my husband to agree to spend two hours each day organizing our basement. Over the whole week, that amounts to 20 man hours...which might seem like a lot...but you haven't seen our basement.

Last week, my son and I had appointments with our doctor, who is located in another town. Another town means—you guessed it—another thrift store.


I also got this tealight candle holder (with all of the candles in it). This definitely isn’t vintage, but I will make good use of it. It’s from a store I won’t mention, since their area rug destroyed my hardwood floor.