Woman in Real Life

Last week, I talked about thrifting with my sister while visiting my parents in their small town. Besides the goodies I got at local thrift shops, I also came away with more vintage stuff from my mom.

But, first I want to show you some of the cool things my parents own that I haven't taken home...yet. 

My mom isn't going to be too happy to see the cobwebs in the photo, above, but the collection is up by the (high) ceiling and I didn't feel like dusting all these objects. My parents live by the lake, which means lots of spiders! This is just a part of my dad's collection of beer steins, etc. My favourite item is that little guy who pours shots. He actually moves. I loved it when I was a kid.

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."

On my way back from a fun trip to Niagara Falls last week, I stopped in at the Bibles for Missions Thrift Shop in St. Catharines, Ontario. I first wrote about this little gem of a shop in June, when my sister introduced me to it. You can read about it in my Thrifting Sisters post.

I have been trying not to visit thrift stores lately, in order to save money and stop building clutter in my home. But, I was missing the thrill of the hunt. So, I set myself a goal of spending no more than 10 bucks (plus tax).

I knew that if I could achieve my goal anywhere, it would be at Bibles for Missions. I wouldn't come away with much from Value Village or similar places for $10.

While I have grown to love a nice piece of vintage dishware, I am not a seller and I am by no means an expert.

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that I get a lot of vintage dishes from my parents. In fact, I rarely leave their home without a box or two.

When it comes to these dishes that I receive as gifts, I usually know with certainty that they are "vintage." My method is simple...if I remember it from when I was young, then it's vintage. Sad, but true.

Hey, at least that doesn't make them antique.

Above and below, some items I received on my most recent visit to my parents' house. Some of them I remember from my youth and some of them I don't. They were likely around, but I just don't remember them.