{estate sales & creepy warehouses}

Last Saturday my friend Brie and I got up at the crack of dawn and set out on a hunt for some good finds. I had mapped out a few hot spots and with cash in hand, we made our way to our first stop. While I didn't find anything there that I just had to have, I was tempted to pick up this table. After a quick once over, I decided it was a little too worn and decided to pass.

Our next stop didn't disappoint. I knew, the minute I saw this red chair that there would be something at this sale that I would love! (And yes, I did consider buying the chair & reupholstering it, but every time I looked at it I heard the Red Queen yelling "Off with her head!")
I did however, think that this vintage folding table & chairs were so pretty! I loved the blue and the pretty floral pattern on the top! Perfect for a garden picnic!
For years I had wanted a vintage kitchen scale & when I asked the lady if she had one, she invited me in her house to see one that she had in her kitchen! Lucky for me it was for sale (she just hadn't had time to bring it out yet)! I also left with some pretty blue milk of magnesium bottles & a vintage table cloth.

After the success from our last stop, we decided to just drive through the neighborhoods downtown and stop at yard sales we saw along the way. Some were full of junk, while others were full of yard sale awesomeness. One in particular was selling these chairs for a STEAL! Seriously, I had to hide my giddiness so the guy didn't think my offer was too low! I walked away with everything (vintage kitchen scale, table cloth, chairs, & a few other fun things) for LESS than $50! Yeah baby! I have BIG plans for these chairs!Our very last stop was at an old antique store downtown that was closing. Supposedly everything was 50-80% off, but everything was still WAY too expensive! Still, it was fun looking around...and a little creepy!

Brie and I were practically the only ones in the whole warehouse, and at one point, I had wandered away from where she was into this secluded, old area of the warehouse (probably in an area I shouldn't have been) and I got so creeped out! I was by myself and I swear I felt a sudden cold rush & the rocking chair next to me started rocking out of nowhere! Okay, so the chair didn't really move, but I stared at it, waiting for it to move! I mean honestly, with so many old things around, I was sure there were ghosts in there staying with their old belongings...*shudder*

Yes, that is a real rhinoceros. Stuffed, but real. Cuh-ree-pee!

I bet some guy that looked like the hunter from Jumanji killed him on a safari decades ago.

{weekend thrifting}

Last weekend was mahvelous! I met up with my friend Shelley (who I hadn't seen in forever) and we hit up a few of our favorite thrift stores!

Usually when I go thrifting, I like to go alone, because let's be honest, I don't want to compete with a friend for a great find! (Oh no she di-ent!)

On the other hand, I have no problem with racing a stranger for dibs on a funky chandelier. True story for another day.

I was excited to go shopping with Shelly though, because she has a great eye. Sometimes when I go thrifting, I'll see something that I like, but I'm not sure how to use it or where to put it, and she always has great ideas!

Our first stop was Real Deals. If you have never been, you're missing out. Look up the nearest location right now. You'll thank me later. If you aren't blessed enough to live near one, start your own franchise! Your city and local thrifty divas will thank you!

After Real Deals, we headed over to the nearest DI, which is where we both saw this baby...

Remember how I said I like to go thrifting alone? This is why.

It was love at first sight for both of us. I could see the wheels turning in Shelley's head as she inspected the headboard, imagining where she would put it, and how cute it would look in her house.

Unfortunately, I was doing the same thing.

Technically her hand was on it first, so I waited for her to say the words "I'll take it!" and find the nearest worker to put a SOLD tag on it. We both drooled over it for awhile, took some pictures, and contemplated about what we could do with it and where we would put it, but ultimately we ended up leaving it there. Neither of us had a good place for it (it was a full size), but as I walked away I said a silent prayer that she (the headboard, not Shelley) would end up in a good home.

Our next stop was Home Again in Sugar House.

I love this store! It's one of those places you have to browse around for awhile, and just take it all in. There are so many things in there that get the creative juices in me flowing (I secretly took a few pictures & jotted down a few notes for future projects!)

After hitting up a few other stores, and after Shelley introduced me to a fantastic Thai restaurant which had the most delicious curry I've ever had, our last stop was to another DI.

Remember my despair when I realized the headboard we found at the first DI was too big for my house? Well, karma was good to us, and we found another lovely, twin size headboard!! Not just the headboard though...oh no, this had a matching footboard!

And the best part?

There were TWO of them! No fighting over it. No slipping the other person an extra $20 so they'd let you have it for yourself. Nothing. And with no price tags on them, I asked if they'd take $15 a set, which they happily obliged.

We both walked away happy. And they fit in my car....barely.

our loot (except for the suitcase- that was from a recent business trip)

I'm so excited to share my ideas for the headboard! But that will have to wait for another post!

P.S. A reader recently spotted me at a local thrift store, but I didn't know it until she left a comment on here saying she saw me! I love to meet new friends, so if you ever spot me, don't be shy! Say hi!

(Unless of course I'm racing you for a funky chandelier...in that case, may the best...or should I say fastest gal win!)

Just kidding...please do say hi! :)

{thrifting tips}

I've had a lot of requests for interior design & thrifting tips recently, so I thought I'd share a few of the tricks I have up my sleeve!

1. Eagle Eyes: The trick to snagging a good find is to keep your eyes open! Sometimes the best finds aren't in the areas you think they'll be. For example, I found a really cute, ornate, wood mirror in the toy section of a thrift store. Normally, I wouldn't have even looked there, but luckily I strolled down that isle and BAM, there was the mirror I had been searching for all of my life. (Not really, but it was a neat mirror!)

2. Hit or Miss: Don't expect to find something every time you go thrifting. Thrifting to me is almost like the lottery. Sometimes you win the jackpot, other times you don't, but don't let that discourage you!

3. Play the field: Every store is different. I always have people ask me which thrift store I found a particular item, and I tell them that every store has good stuff at different times. People are donating items every day, so one day Store A might have a great desk and the next they might not have anything. I don't think there is one store in particular that has better items than the next! Visit them all!

4. If you like it then you should've put a ring on it: If you see it and like it, do not hesitate to buy it! There is one carcass and a store full of vultures my friends. If you walk away from a great find, it will get snatched up! 9 times out of 10 it won't be there the next day, so this is the one time I won't say "go ahead and sleep on it".

5. Shake, rattle, and roll: Try it out before you buy it! Remember, foam & padding can easily be replaced, but fixing splintered or wobbly legs isn't worth the time! Make sure there is no water damage, large cracks, or broken springs.

6. Be inspired: If you see something in a catalog you like (i.e. Pottery Barn, Urban Outfitters, etc) take the catalog with you for inspiration! Sometimes you'll find things that you wouldn't have noticed before, had it not been for seeing a picture from a catalog!

7. From trash to treasure: Remember, a little paint goes a long way! It might be hard to visualise at first, but after putting in a little elbow grease, it will look fabulous! Remember to keep an open mind!

{antiquing & thrifting in Boise}

I meant to post about this sooner, but just as soon as I got home from one trip, we left on another, though this time, it was for pleasure- not business! We spent the 4th of July down in St. George with my grandparents. My parents and brothers also went down, and it was great to spend some time with them!

More about that later though- first, here are some pictures of a little place in Boise called The Shabby House. Seriously, if you're ever up in the area you must stop by! I wish I had driven up to Boise, instead of flown so that I could have taken more treasures home with me! I did leave with a few things though (that I carried on the plane, since they wouldn't fit in my luggage), but the best part is that everything was so inexpensive!

inside the shabby house on the covered back porch- i loved the hanging head board!

outside in one of the many tents filled with lovely treasures! this little blue table would have been one of the treasures i would have taken home, had I driven up!

original green paint!

aren't these retro glasses funky!?

i almost rented a van to drive home in when i saw this iron bed frame- i'm seriously thinking of driving back up for it!

and these were the treasures i carried home with me! can you believe i only paid $16 total?! that's right! mamma's a bargain shopper!

Now, let's start planning our thrifting trip!!!

{weekend thrifting}

I love spending a weekend afternoon thrift shopping! Usually I go by myself, so I can take as long as I want in a store, picking through this and that, making sure I don't miss anything! This weekend was particularly good. I thought I'd share a few of my finds with you!

First, is the milk glass! I was so excited to find so many beautiful pieces in one store! And the best part- The clerk gave me all of this for only $2! What a steal!

Eddie Ross would be so proud!

Sometimes I wish I owned a truck or a van, so that when I find great pieces of furniture, I could take them home! My only purchase for the day was the milk glass, but I was so tempted to pick up these treasures!this little table was only $30! yes, it's missing some hardware, but wouldn't this make a perfect crafting table?isn't that old video camera awesome? and i loved the retro film projector in the back!this was the only vintage camera i found. i have one that is similar, so i decided to leave it for another collectorisn't this lamp cute!? i actually carried this around with me for awhile, before i decided i have enough lamps at homethis little dest reminded me of the desk i had in my room growing up. i love the detail on the drawershad this typewriter been just a few years older (you know the kind with the metal, round keys?) i would have snatched it up! and last, a really cool, retro bread box! i might go back for this- even though i'm not sure what i'd do with it! ideas?

Isn't thrifting fun? Let me know if you want to go!