And you know what that means? It's time for me to share the fun finds I teased yesterday.
Some are yard sale items, others were picked up at the curb (those are the best) and a couple were gifted to me.
Forgotten family treasures.
Spoiler alert, those are my favorites for obvious and a not so obvious reason.
But more on that later.
Let's peek at the yard sale finds first.
I thought we'd start off with the before photos of the pitcher I shared yesterday.
Yes, yes, out of order, but in case you missed the big reveal, you get a second chance to peek.
I found this beauty at a sale that was loaded with goodies.
My daughter and I were late to the game, but it worked out well, since the homeowner was ready to make deals.
The pitcher caught my eye right away and for two bucks, it was a no brainer. I knew it would be a unique addition to collection.
Next up, I grabbed this trinket box. I don't know why there's a $5 sticker there, trust me, $3 was bad enough, but it was cute and had lots of potential.
It has darling feet and a big space when you open it up.
Of course, it not my style, but that's easily remedied with a little paint and maybe a few transfers.
We'll see.
Something that needs no help at all is this milk bottle. Isn't it gorgeous?
It was a dollar. A little less than others I have purchased.
I have no idea if it's old or new, but it looks vintage and that's good enough for me.
Alone on a shelf, stuffed with flowers or fall foliage, I knew this would fit right in any room. I wasn't wrong.
My last treasure at this stop was a lamp.
Nothing super fancy, but I liked the shape and style. It was worth the $5 they were asking.
It came with an ugly, stained shade that was too big for the base, so I'll need to get new. However, I didn't toss the shade, it's in the garage.
We've made our own lamps before. So I knew we could tackle it and it could be lovely. I'll keep you posted.
Update! Our thrift store lamp makeover is complete!
Unfortunately, after I paid, we realized that the lamp didn't have a plug. Someone had cut it off.
It was nothing my husband couldn't fix and the woman tried to refund me a few dollars, but then I stumbled on this baby on the way to the car (for $2- which was a steal to begin with) and she said just take it!
So I did.
It's a huge, wooden shutter and in perfectly worn condition.
I think I'm going to use it in my family room, when we renovate.
I don't know exactly what I'm going to do with it yet, but the size and shape are just what I was looking for...
Lucky, lucky find.
Well, with the car loaded up, we headed to another sale and I found two of these vintage amber glass lampshades.
They were a buck each and there was a third, but someone else had already claimed it. Bummer.
I think things look so much better when displayed in threes, but it is what it is.
Now I don't have a lamp that fits these shades, but that ok, because what I saw was pumpkins.
A little raffia around the top, maybe a stem and voila, instant fall upcycled pumpkins. (Come peek at the makeover!)
Of course, when I got home, I had to look them up and I was shocked to see what they were going for online.
At that price, I can't even say I got a bargain. It was a steal.
This next item was $10, but my daughter refused to let me leave the sale without it. She said, Mom, it has your name written all over it.
And it really did. I mean it's darling. And red.
It probably won't get much more than a good cleaning and a bow.
It's truly vintage and I don't want to mess with that.
However, this curb find will probably be getting a total overhaul.
I have too many ideas to count. And apparently now I have a holiday sled collection. I swear, it's either feast or famine with them.
My husband also found a black iron fireplace screen at the curb last week.
It's in the garage keeping that lampshade company.
I have no idea what I'll do with it, I mean I already have a fireplace screen and I don't need another, but it may end up in the garden or make a special guest appearance around the holidays.
Lots of options. And free, so there's that.
The last two items were gifts, from my sister.
She ended up storing a lot of my mom's stuff and she's been going through it and handing it out to whoever wants it.
You've probably already seen this bowl. I'd forgotten about it and had no idea it had such a rich history. Apparently, it's a 1940's American Limoges Rosalie Triumph dessert bowl with gold trim.
More vintage.
We don't have any other pieces, which is fine, I don't need more dishes. And it's available on Etsy and eBay if I ever wanted to add to my collection.
However, for now, it's stunning on its own, adding more little pops of pink to my red kitchen in a very dainty and sentimental way.
Last up, are these silver candlesticks.
Now, when my sister asked if I wanted the bowl, she never mentioned them. They were just in the bag she'd left on porch. Super. A bonus.
But here's the crazy part. I remember these candlesticks, they never worked right. The openings were too big.
The candles were always slumping and tilted and it drove my mother crazy. She used to either line the cups with foil or melt wax inside them to keep the tapers standing upright.
But it never really worked 100%. I don't know why she kept them.
Fast forward to a few years ago.
I bought two pairs of electric tapers, but they only fit in the brass candlesticks I received as a wedding gift ages ago. Their bases were too big for every other candlestick I tried.
I actually kept one in my car and would drag it with me into Marshalls and Homegoods and Tuesday Morning and thrift shops and like Cinderella's slipper, I tried that taper in every candle cup I could find with no luck.
For years.
However, when I pulled my mom's candle sticks out of the bag that morning, I immediately knew they'd fit.
A special delivery find that came right to me.
And now I know why she kept them.
Thanks mom.
Have you had any fun finds lately?
More Fun Find Fridays:
Thrift Store Treasures
Realistic Pantry Organization
The Best At Home Manicure
What fun finds! Also, how cool is that that you have candles now to fit those tapers!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dee! I'm excited about those most of all!
DeleteLots of treasures. You did good.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lorri! I can’t wait to get started with some more makeovers.
DeleteWonderful finds but my favorite is definitely the red sled...super cute and I would have fought you for it:) I also love the milk bottle, vintage or not. I actually have 2 that belonged to my husband's grandmother and then recently I found a small one (probably reproduction) in a musty closet at our church...and it just happened to come home with me. (I mean nobody was using it and it looked so lonely in that ugly closet!) Now it is holding some silk fall flowers and looks so cute. You are amazing at finding the best things...and then turning ugly ducklings into swans:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Cheri! I love that little sled, too. I haven't decided if I will use it inside or out, but I can't wait to decorate with it.
DeleteGreat finds! I really need to step-up my yard sale game. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteIt felt good to get out there again, Ann and I was lucky to find so many unique items. I hope to be able to visit some more before the cold sets in.
DeleteWow! You sure got some great things! I love the candle sticks and isn't it amazing that your candles fit in them? That milk bottle is so cute!
ReplyDeleteIt really is amazing, Mari. I guess some things are just meant to be...
DeleteUnfortunately I guess for me, I'm finding such treasures all over my house - things that came to us from Hubby's mother's house and I have no idea what to do with about 99% of it and I know a lot of it is valuable...guess I could research it and sell some things? That bowl is so pretty - I see it on a dresser or night table to hold reading glasses, jewelry...or maybe some beautiful potpourri. The thrill of the hunt is fun. I miss garage sale-ing!
ReplyDeleteIt must be so hard to have to go through all those treasures, Gina, I totally understand. Very overwhelming. Thinking of you...
DeleteThe candle stick story is sweet Kim, it made me smile. I love how our loved ones keep talking to us through our days up from heaven.
ReplyDeletexx oo
You have found some great treasures.
Love, Carla
It was really unexpected, Carla and a very special moment when I realized. I literally looked up and said, Thanks mom. xxoo
DeleteI went to my favorite neighborhood sale yesterday. I've gone every year for years until last year when, of course they did not have it. So I had high hopes for lots of goodies.
ReplyDeleteThere weren't as many holding sales as in the past but someone told me many people were only doing a one day sale on Saturday....so I guess I went the wrong day? But my finds! You follow me on IG so you will see most of them.
Two things not posted there.....as I got in my car & was leaving my house I kind of sighed a prayer out loud (I do this occasionally, just talk a prayer when I need some real encouragement). "Lord, it would be so nice to find a die cutting machine & a flower press today."
You don't even need to ask! Of course I found them. I've wanted a manual Sizzix Big Shot for years, literally years. But could not bring myself to spend that much money on a hobby for myself. So I was super thrilled to find a smaller Sizzix, the Epic Six, complete with all the parts & some fun embossing folders. I did not even haggle the price like I normally do...I mean seriously...I'd just asked for one so why haggle. Then I walked across the street & the first thing I saw was a little flower press in the original box. Sold.
It was a sweet gift to my day. The very same thing happened to me last summer. I sighed a prayer asking for a dehydrator & found a new one in the box with an extra set of trays for $4! I guess I should take prayer more seriously.
I did lose a few things I really wanted...watching people walk away with them as I came up. And I found a lovely stone finish urn flower pot for $2! I told the girl at the register I wanted it. She set it aside & when I came back they had sold it to someone else! I could not be angry even though I was sad. It was an estate sale...grandmother was going into hospice...so I totally understood the stress they were under & tried to assure her it was no big deal. All of the gorgeous vintage paper & cards I shared on IG came from this sale plus many of the books.
Sorry for such a long comment. I am still on a high from such a fun morning then my grandson spent the night with us last night. I am still isolating & am a little starved for conversation...ha!
Don't you just love Watchin' God?? The times I've asked for something and there it was are legion. God and I have these conversations out loud all the time. Seriously, sometimes I repeat the answer he gave me, like: Lord, which way should I go? That way? Okay, cool."
DeleteJenny, first of all, we are still being super careful, so I get the need for conversation. Second, wow, just wow!! It is a high finding treasures like that. I can't believe you found such obscure items. There for the asking apparently. I guess prayer really does help, like Nancy said. It sounds like it works for you often. I think that's wonderful.
DeleteNo fun finds for me...I'll just have to enjoy looking at yours! I love sleighs for Christmas and winter decor. We rarely get snow in the South, so I love anything related to snow!
ReplyDeleteOh gosh, we get tons of snow. I’d be happy to send you some. 😉
DeleteWow, that is quite a haul! You'll be busy for a long while! Some things, like the candlesticks, and the shutter, are just meant to be yours!
ReplyDeleteIt’s a lot of fun, Amy. I used to paint, but I’d always agonize over composition and colors, now I just grab my brush (and a magnifying glass!) and go.
DeleteYou got some great finds, Kim. Love that sled. xo Laura
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura! I love that one, too.
DeleteWow Kim! Lots of neat treasures. Score on the lamp, and super score on the sled. And my secret for covering up dirt and other blemishes on lamp shades is to glue on doilies and buttons. Voila! New lamp shades!
ReplyDeleteThanks Florence! I can always use tips from the pros. Keep 'em coming.
DeleteYou have a big collection now to work on Kim. Have fun and I can't wait to see how you re do everything.
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie! I'm really excited about some of these...I can't wait to get crafting.
DeleteWow, that's a lot of stuff on the cheap or free! I love that clear pitcher.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Thanks Brenda! Cheap and free are my favorites...and that clear pitchen isn't clear anymore. Haha!
DeleteWow....great finds and gives!! I love a good ROAD SIDE SHOPPING TRIP, but I have started pulling away from them also cause I am collecting to much stuff to redo, revamp, or repurpose. Love your finds.
ReplyDeleteI hear you, Pam. I have way too much stuff. Sometimes I just get caught up in the thrill of the hunt!!
DeleteYou are the best storyteller and get me so mesmerized. Love the candle sticks. I still love the pitcher, such a great project. Can't wait to see what's next!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cindy…telling stories is my favorite part of blogging. You just made my day.
Deletexo
Kim,
ReplyDeleteLove everything you shared her today!! The sleds are lovely!! I can't wait to see what you do with them.... have a wood unfinished one that i need some inspiration for !! Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Thanks Debbie! I love the sleds. It's funny, I always find them in the summer...I guess that's when people toss them!!
DeleteWow! You found some amazing treasures!
ReplyDeleteThanks Penny! Lots of bargains for sure.
DeleteWow! You hit the mother load! How awesome, I am in love with several of these pieces. That pitcher is quite lovely! I wish we had awesome yard sales around here, but they are not so lovely... I cannot wait to see some of those pieces made other, the rest is just beautiful in "as found" state!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cara! There haven't been a lot of good sales here in a long time. This was a fun find kind of sale weekend and I was very surprised.
Delete