Wednesday, November 7, 2012

~THRIFTING~

When you visit your favorite thrift shop what is the first thing you find yourself searching for?   Do you look for teacups with a vintage maker's mark or maybe antique tools for a hubby or friend?  Vintage linens, old books, or old millinery hats?
For me, finding something that was once loved and given away is much more exciting than buying something new.  Old treasures, or gently loved finds, have quality and character that seem to age more beautifully with time.  
 I can lose myself in a second hand store because most everything inside is unique, one of a kind.  My ultimate goal is to leave the store with something lovely and use it for something entirely different than it's intended purpose.
 I know it probably sounds strange, but I love feeling like I've saved something from the landfill...
Yesterday, after working on a window display for the shop where I have a booth space, I stopped in at a local second hand store for a peek around.  I don't always find good things~honestly~sometimes all I find is junk and leave empty handed.  I can't help but wonder where all the STUFF came from and without a doubt some things are beyond rescuing.
But then...almost as if I'm led to it (and I believe sometimes that I am!), my eyes will dart across the aisle and focus on something truly fabulous.  That's what happened to me on Tuesday. 
Incredibly I found two sweet white linen pillows from Paper White.  One is a neck roll and it was $2.98 and the other one was a 16" square pillow and priced at $3.98...  Both are like new.
Next came a linen dress and a linen skirt from Ann Taylor, also in white.  I'm sure at least one of two items donated was because it's a size 2!  WHO IS THAT TINY?
 
None of my friends are that small...well...maybe my Miss K...but she's 9 (10 in a few days) so she doesn't count!
 
My final score was a set of King Pottery Barn Sheets for $4.98. 
 
They came with the pillowcases and were like new.  Underneath the PB tag it said "STORE USE ONLY" and so my guess is they were probably used for a window display or something.

They were made in Israel.  I thought that SOOOO interesting.  I mean, NOT CHINA?  Wow!

Would you like to know what all my finds will ultimately be used for???

Christmas Stockings!
 If you haven't entered my FREE GIVEAWAY DRAWING
for the Christmas Snowman Pillow, Tag & Tea I hope you'll enter today!
Check out the scoop HERE!
  
I'm off to stitch...
Love to you~

11 comments:

Susan said...

Miss Rebecca your treasures are just lovely. I love to feel like I have saved something from land fills, that is why I recycle so many things, cardboard, glass jars, etc.

20 North Ora said...

Rebecca - What gorgeous finds!! The linens are just beautiful. Good buys.

Judy

Julie Marie said...

I think you have better second hand shops than we do here... most days, I leave empty handed... either that, or I am just getting alot finickier (is that a word?)... than I ever was before... probably the first thing I head for is the vintage china, then the linens... very rarely do I look at the clothes as most of them are waayyy used and should be given away, not sold... I also look for things I know my family and friends would like... I always check for vintage millinery for YOU and Native American items for my sis... wish I could treasure hunt with you!... xoxo Julie Marie

Brenda ~ The Heminger Farmhouse said...

What beautiful finds my friend! I'll be hitting a couple of Thrift stores tomorrow, and hopefully will find some great treasures to bring home with me!

I have some fantastic news! We found out last night that we are to be grandparents again! Our daughter & SIL are expecting baby #2 in July!!

Connie said...

I had to laugh because my 32 year old granddaughter is a size 2 and 5'4 1/2" tall. When she's pregnant, which she is for the second time now, her bra size is 32F! If she ever reads this she'll kill me! But she's gorgeous and tiny. Nothing like her grandmother. ;-)
xoxo,
Connie

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Rebecca,
You got a very nice collection from that thrifting! Like you, I too love to save things from the landfill.
So you got some fresh ingredients for you Christmas Stockings.
Did mention and link to you again in my post today...
Hugs to you,
Mariette

Shabby chic Sandy said...

I love to look for old linens too--that and amazing furniture. Of course, it is easier to find places for linens than for furniture! You got some great stuff:)

Unknown said...

Those linens are so gorgous! WOW! You are going to make some beautiful pieces with those pieces of material!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

You found some great linens, Rebecca! I do look at the linens, usually last, but they never have anything as pretty as what you found. I never thought to look at dresses and skirts. I'll have to mosey on over to the clothes and do that next time.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Those were some wonderful finds You truly were blessed. And I can't wait to see your stockings!!

XO,

Sheila

Jonell w Harrison said...

I look for things that "have had a life"..New cannot compare. Imperfect, flawed, showing wear-now that' s perrfection to me.

JH

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