Friday, June 19, 2009

Thrifty Finds

I recently found an awesome person and site -- Sarah, the Thrifty Decor Chick. What I love about her, is that some of her decorating style is similar to mine, but more importantly, she tries to be very thrifty about it (from inexpensive moulding that makes her home look like a million bucks, to thrift store finds that she re-purposes).

She finds a lot of her home decor items at thrift stores and she does amazing things with spray paint (no lie!). Since I'm trying to make home more homey I decided I would try this out. I have ventured to a few stores, but so far my luck has been slim. Either there wasn't anything really worthwhile (although it could just be I don't have a keen eye like her and some of the other bloggers she reads), or the stuff was a little overpriced.

But, I managed to find the following 3 things at Goodwill. I admit, some I prolly overpaid for, but, eh, I totally saw a use for them right away. I'll be posting the "AFTER" pics and posts of what I ended up doing with these items some time soon. But, for now, you get the BEFOREs.

For $1.99 ...


I got this black, distressed frame that fits a 5x7 photo. What I liked was that it was already distressed, and any extra nicks and scrapes from being in a pile of frames just adds to its character. This frame will be going in my kitchen, as another item to complement my valance.

For $2.99 ...

I got this little shelf. All wood and never been painted. We've been looking for a short shelf to put in our bathroom because we lack immediate vanity storage. Everything I found at hobby/craft stores was too long (and MUCH more than this). Some paint, and it'll be good enough for now!

For $3.99 ...

I got these drapery holdbacks, WHICH I'm actually going to use as something different, as soon as a give them a new color. Interestingly enough, I saw these were from Target, and apparently they are still on Target's site for $9.99. So hey, not a bad deal, eh? (Apparently, Target sends a lot of their clearanced-out items to Goodwill -- people have been able to find brand new items from Target for just pennies on the dollar.)


So, that's it for now. Brian has off next week (since our wedding anniversary is coming up and he hasn't taken a decent vacation er, well, ever), so I plan to hit a supposedly really good thrift store which is a little farther off, but we shall see what I find. Honestly I don't really have too many things I would like, although my dream find would be a set of parson's chairs for my dining room table (I found one at one resale shop, but they only had the one, argh!). We shall see.

How about you? Do you like to go thrifting? Any good stores near where you live?

5 comments:

Sami June 19, 2009 at 9:53 PM  

There are a TON of consignment shops around here -- lots of clothing stores, and lots of home goods stores. I have yet to go into a lot of the home decor ones (waiting for the house first!) but the clothing ones are amazing... was able to get a gorgeous black dress with cream/white flowers (and REAL metal boning!) for 25 bucks. Woohoo for deals!! :)

Gabby June 19, 2009 at 10:07 PM  

Ooo, Sami, that dress sounds divine! There's one store I went to yesterday -- their home goods and other section wasn't very impressive, but holy cow did they have TONS of clothes! I didn't really have time to peruse the clothes at that time, but I have heard of people finding new clothes with tags still on them for a steal!

Christine Rains June 20, 2009 at 10:16 AM  

I've tried looking for stuff for the house at the two Good Will stores in town, but no luck. Perhaps it's like finding treasure. You have to be lucky! Though, the pictures are cheap, and I could probably buy one with a frame I like to later find a picture to put in it.

Ann June 21, 2009 at 7:32 PM  

Wow, you've got some great finds here! Sadly, there's nowhere around here to find good stuff. :(

Steph Glazier-Collao June 22, 2009 at 3:22 PM  

Great finds! I like to be thrifty, but absolutely hate shopping (and I am not sure how to change that). Although now I am feeling like a little trip to Goodwill might bring me some thrifty happiness...

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