Friday Finds +

Hello! How are you today? I hope you have a fun weekend ahead. I don't know what we'll end  up doing, but it will be indoors, given the heat and humidity. 

Since my car's air conditioning has gone out, errands are done as early as opening times permit with the goal to be home well before noon if at all possible. Today included a trip to the post office; once that was done I headed to a nearby thrift store. Here is what I got:

This includes some items for resale and some to keep. For me, the wooden cutting board, red mug blue candle and two miniature paper parasols. Headed to a new home elsewhere are the new in box puzzle, scarf and cup on the right. It has a pretty pastel flower on the side that can't be seen well in the picture and the interior is a lovely violet. Some people collect all manner of Starbucks mugs, so perhaps there is someone out there looking for this one. The red one says READ and is from the ALA, American Library Association. I attended one of their meetings years ago and bought an identical one as a souvenir, but it has vanished in the subsequent years, perhaps another victim of our nemesis, hurricane Ike. The eight items above were a little over $14 at checkout. Orange tags were 30% off.

Earlier this week I found a small quilt, handmade patchwork. It may not even be twin sized, but rather for a toddler bed. I loved the colors and prints and snatched it up for $6.90. Since the picture isn't great you'll have to take my word that the prints are very sweet and look like vintage fabric or feed sack material to me. It will be fun to fold over a chair during the winter. 

Instead of a regular purse I like to carry one with straps, like a backpack. right now I'm using a lined straw pouch that has given me two years of service so far, an excellent return for a $2 price tag at Manna, but I'll want something different by next month. This bag looks new, or at least, never used. It's got inside and outside zipper pockets and a pretty pattern, not bad at all for $2.92. Last year's was made of faux leather and was awfully heavy, so this should be better in that respect. 

What has been scarce to downright invisible lately? Books for us to read, books for resale and anything with sunflowers. Apparently changing my decor was some sort of signal for all sunflower themed items to vanish from the thrifts immediately. On the other hand, there are tons of shells and beachy items, now that those are put away.  Isn't that always how it works? 

Do you have a running mental or hard copy list of things to look for at yard sales or resale shops? Do you keep the faith if it takes a long time to find a particular piece, or cave in and buy it new?

I'm going to try to link this post to Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous.

Until next time, stay cool!

Michele