beautiful bargains

I spotted this little cabinet in my all-time-favourite local charity shop a couple of weeks ago and my heart skipped a beat.

I’d been looking for something to store some of my ever-expanding fabric stash in – and this little beauty had my name written all over it. Except… after tentatively enquiring as to it’s price, I was informed that it was already reserved.

Oh.

But the nice man in the shop said it wasn’t yet paid for – and that if they didn’t come back for it by the end of the week, I could have it for a tenner.

And so… it is now mine – for £10!

A further week later, and we finally loaded it into the car yesterday and brought it home.

I’m going to give it a bit of a makeover.

It has all it’s doors and shelves, but I’ve never been a fan of teak veneer (so orange!) so, weather permitting, I’ll be out in the back garden doing a bit of sanding and painting.

Oh, and I promised to show you the other thing I bought from Dolly Mix Vintage, didn’t I?

I think it’s the nicest vintage scarf I’ve ever seen.

And it cost me £2! I’m not sure whether to wear it, make it into a cushion, frame it, or just add it to my collection…

What do you think?

I think it’s certainly been a week for bargains.

It’s funny how they just turn up when you’re not really looking for them, isn’t it?

thrift of the day

Oh, I do love a charity shop!

In one of my locals yesterday (in which I have never previously been very fortunate) an unpromising basket full of synthetic ghastliness yielded a most unexpected return.

This geometric white, blue and black triangle print towelling fabric was buried right at the bottom.

It could not escape my trained thrifter’s eye.

Not even by hiding itself beneath two pairs of exceedingly shiny synthetic satin curtains and a remnant of “shrink-resistant” woollen stuff the exact colour of a sucked toffee.

I’m amazed at how contemporary the pattern looks.

And how it compliments my usual riot of florals surprisingly nicely.

And for £1.99, even if it doesn’t find a purpose immediately, it is a worthy addition to the stash.

thrift of the day

How fabulously folky is this vintage melamine tray?

My heart skipped a beat as I spotted it amongst a big pile of – ahem – less delightful items, in one of my favourite charity shops.

Suffice to say that I am very chuffed indeed with today’s find.

It is now happily at home on my kitchen shelf amongst my other bits and bobs.

long overdue

I have been searching for a new desk for a very long time. The ikea pine corner desk in residence was a necessity purchase. Too big for the space. Too rickety. Too ugly.

I began my search when I was earning money and the world was my oyster, desk-wise. But as with most things, I do not leap into buying furniture. I tip-toe.

Yesterday, this little lovely was sitting in the charity shop down the road. Not in the window. But that didn’t stop my beady eye spotting its perky leg peeping out from behind the fabric screen, just visible through the door.

I inspected. I hesitated. I went back for another look later on. I didn’t have my tape measure with me. It didn’t matter. I told myself that if it was still there in the afternoon on my way up to school, it would be mine.

It was, and it is.

It cost less than the ikea desk.

Its lock doesn’t work. It has children’s graffiti on a drawer edge. It has a strip of missing veneer. One of its little drawers has a screw instead of a knob. It is, frankly, a bit orangey. No matter. I will make it lovely.