It is an ugly, drizzly, rainy mess here today but I was determined to hit the thrift store in search of some Spring decor / “project inspiration”! Umbrella in hand I made it to the shopping plaza of my closest Good Will store only to find out that, at some point over the last two months, it had closed down and in its place there is now a PetCo.
Say what??
Talk about “raining on my parade”! They certainly didn’t ask MY permission to shut down. 
Rats. So now I will have to search the next closest Good Will for future reference, since I wasn’t really in the mood to drive around too much today.
I remembered, however, a hole in-the-wall thrift store that I had passed by a few times but hadn’t stopped in. Mainly because it looked a little bit… errr… dicey. But I figured what the heck. It’s raining and I’m already out so let’s give it a go. I’m always up for an adventure.
Dicey.
Now, I am not really sure how to explain how packed with STUFF this place was. Here are a few pictures (and if you need a bike or chairs for the game, they apparently have those sitting out front…in the rain).
I did consider texting The Husband my GPS coordinates in case a large teetering wall of books (or worn plush toys) were to come down around me.
“Claire to Base? I’m Going In. Do you copy??”
Holy hoarders and pack rats, Batman! If I didn’t have a sense of humor (and an ingrained “garage sale style patience” that must come with thrift store shopping) I probably would have given the nice lady behind the counter (who looked a little bit like she might have been stuck in there since the 1950′s) an awkward wave and just carefully backed out the door.
These pictures don’t really do it justice. I might have taken a few more but I didn’t want to alarm anyone into thinking I might be with “Code Enforcement”. I am pretty sure they might not have understood “No, no. I’m a blogger… and….” . Never mind.
Ok, so I only spent about 30 minutes but I did end up scoring some sweet little finds! And actually, as I am writing this, I just remembered a lamp that was way up high and I meant to snag it. It clearly needed some love and attention (and paint) to achieve maximum cuteness. So now I may have to go back.
But here’s what I found!
All of this for $35.75 and the coffee table was $25 of that! The glass is beveled and in perfect condition. I cannot WAIT to get to work on this one. If it weren’t overcast and rainy I would probably already have sandpaper and a paintbrush in hand.
Cute embroidered bunny and green vase – perfect for a great Spring table scape! $1.00 each.
I love these 5 mini gratin dishes! They match our everyday white dinnerware and at $1.25 for all five these were a steal and something I had been looking for anyway.
And there was this blue bowl for $2 which I ADORE because it’s not too deep. Love the blue. AND the random bag of robin’s eggs for $.50 which I think will come in handy for a Spring wreath! Brown, cream and aqua. One of my favorite combinations.
Now about this little set of four little glasses for $2… I wasn’t thrilled with the etched sailboat on each BUT… these are part of my “food prop” inventory now. Meaning, once I fill them with a cute parfait, etc. the sailboats won’t show and so you will maybe see these down the road in a dessert post. 
I envision this $2.00 white vase in the middle of a table filled with gorgeous yellow flowers. I’ll probably paint it green or aqua.
And for .$25 a pack these cute butterfly glitter picks are going to come in handy for Spring as well! $1.00 for all 4 packs.
As for this this cute little bunny cookie jar…
Well I passed on him since he was $10 but I am having a wee bit of regret about that one… What do you think? He is brand new (clear tape securing the head to the body to make sure he doesn’t get broken in the store). $10? Should I go back?? Yea, nay?
All in all, not bad for a rainy day, huh? I can’t wait to get started on the coffee table project!
So what do you think? Love thrifting? Hate it? Would love to see pictures of any thrift store or garage sale finds that you have taken home!
Happy thrifting!! xoxo,
Claire
Linking up here:
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Claire, LOVED this post! I got such a kick out of it and the pictures are great. Yes, I am so with you on thrift store shopping – it’s awesome and a bit like treasure hunting, isn’t it? Can’t wait to see the coffee table re-do!
Thanks Cindy! It’s so fun and definitely a treasure hunt!!
Great finds!! I’m still cleaning out and purging my garage and closets so Im temporary on a self imposed thrift store ban.
however, I love it especially when I go with the right peops (creative friends and not clingy toddlers).
The bunny cookie jar is cute and for $5 sure but be glad you passed on it for $10. Instead find a cheap clear glass cookie jar and craft a cute cover for the lid to make it look like a bunny that way you can use for multiple holidays… Turning it into Santa, pumpkin, etc.
Love your blog!
Thanks Toni! I was thinking $10 seemed too much for a thrift shop too.. he was cute though! lol Good idea about crafting my own, too! I am so glad you stopped by!
I’ve been to a lot of thrift stores, but wow, that one is truly filled! I’m glad you found some good bargains. Thrift stores are so much fun!
Kristen it was SO crazy packed but a fun “hunt”! So glad you stopped by and thanks for your sweet comment.
You did good! I love thrift shopping- have found some wonderful things at Goodwill and ARC as well as a place called Divide Mercantile near where I live. I could spend hours browsing and shopping for “treasures!”
Thanks so much, Carolyn! It was a good “thrift store day”! I could spend hours looking for “treasures” too!
What great great treasures – especially those gratin dishes! Thanks for linking up to LWSL Thrifty Thursday!
Thanks Ruth! And that Bunny Burlap banner of yours… Too. Cute. So glad you will be a part of the Spring Fling!
You found some great bargains! I love to thrift shop — always an adventure!
Me too, Mimi! I have to get over there again soon! Thanks for coming by!
{ 5 trackbacks }