Some of my earliest memories when I was a little ankle biter involve going to auction sales, rummages, garage sales, thrift stores and antique stores with my Grandma Alyce and Uncle Loman. My sister & I would always have the best time looking at the ‘treasures’ and eating all of the snacks that they were selling (Little Debbie Cakes ROCK, am I right sister?!)
I learned early on that someone’s trash could possibly be another’s treasure, and this belief made me into the thrifter and DIY-er I am today. And of that, I could not be more proud.
I was not always like that however; my love for hand-me-down furniture, trinkets and clothing depleted once I hit Junior High and was made fun of for wearing thrift store clothes. But enough of the boo-hoo story—I am one tough broad and made it out of there alive.
My love for all things old and antique and hand-me-down treasures with potential, was completely reawakened once I moved into my apartment last July. Here is how that scenario went down: “Sure, I will take that gorgeous chandelier from Ballard Designs! How about that beautiful slip-covered sofa from Pottery Barn, you say?! SOLD! Oh. Wait. They want WHAT for those items??!” Pricing stopped me dead in my tracks. And from there on out, I embraced the back-roads-garage sale, thrift-store-pickin’ woman I really am.
And here I am today.
I bought these little ladies from a new & used furniture store (of course I only look in the used section of the warehouse).
This side table needs a little lot of work, but just look at those gorgeous lines! She has good bones.
I spent a total of $40 on the items; I wish the price was a bit lower, as the mirror is not a true, heavy gold piece, however I was gradually ecstatic to find that it is light and is made of a plastic-like material because, like the impatient person I am, I pulled my tiny car into my tiny garage and had to get the mirror and side table out ALL by myself right away. Told you I was tough.
Well, I hope you enjoyed this fragment of history regarding my love-hate-love relationship with thrifting. I would encourage each and every one of you to go to your local thrift store and just take a look around—you truly may be surprised at what you find. And remember….a coat of paint can completely transform anything!
Thanks for stopping by!
Two of those little beauties then? They look a bit like ‘waterfall’ design. Can’t wait to see the ‘after’ photos.
Your Ford Focus really makes the blog. haha. I kid, I kid. Um, and I want to argue with this: “a coat of paint can completely transform anything!” — have you seen Courtney Love? Anyway, thanks for making me go back to the dark side of thrift stores. *Shudder* But I am glad you put the memories to good use to become this crafty woman you are today!