Old things and new revelations.

Thrifting.  Yes, I love thrifting.  Antiquing.  Yes, I love antiquing.

The last few days I got to do both.  And scored a ton of charming loot that will begin to bring to life my style as I embrace my 'loves'.  But I also made another big discovery, that I'm just as tickled about.  

I'll share that a little further down.

Seriously?  Come on now, look at that booty!  Tell me you're impressed.  Say "Cindy, I'm impressed."  Thank you.

Little white lovelies...

Gold goodness to be transformed soon.

Big plans for all these gorgeous mirrors too...

 

  

And these frames will presto-chango as well....

Teensy little framed botanical.  Freakin' adorable, if I don't say so myself.

 

Old pressing thingy.  For the arms of shirts.  Total coolness. 

  

A couple wool sweaters for future felting projects.

 

Also snagged a long wool coat for me, and a couple tops.

Picked up this antique lamp at a consignment shop.  Gonna make a new shade for her and give her a new coat of paint.

By the way, if you want to read a gut-busting hilarious post about one woman's thrifting adventure, go read this post at My Big Life in a Small Town:  My Little Pretties

Ok, next.....

I had to make a trip to see my Gram on the north side of Indy, so I combined that with some more 

super-fun-no-pressure-no-time-limits-no-kids-browsing jaunts. 

Ran into my favorite local antique spot before blowing town, then stopped by a couple more antique/gift shops in my hometown where Gram lives.

Found me some pretties.

Check out the stars of recycled wood.  Delish.  Vintage aqua plate.  Yummers.

 

Not sure this birdcage is old, but I loved it, and it was on clearance. (this booth is closing unfortunately)

  

Can I get an oooooo  ahhhhhhh?  This basket is just the thing I need for some of my BIG walls.  I'll have fun filling it.  Or I'll pull my hair out filling it.  Either way.

  

  

Handmade cards showing the courthouse in the town where I grew up. Gonna frame one.

  

Old decanter jobby.

 

I'm loving how the rustic sits alongside some shiny.  I want my home to have an eclectic gathering of interesting items, be they thrifted, handmade, antique, what-have-you.

 

In other news:

Looked at the World Market tables, decided they were a wee bit too trendy for my taste.  

And I should let you know right here hubs and I bought a dining set after I got back today.  That'll be a different post 'cause I don't want to overwhelm you with my quick wit, superior writing skills, and overall massively impressive photography all at once.  

Actually I'm just lazy. 

This post is taking F.O.R.E.V.E.R. to finish.

Went to Hancock and snatched the last 5 yards of the washed floral I used for my throw pillows in the master bedroom. YAY!

Went to Home Goods and bought NOTHING.  (Looking for vintagey throw rugs for the master, saw lots of stuff to knock off, and lots of women who need an attitude adjustment.)

Went to Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware to pinch some catalogues.  Made a big discovery. 

I'm over them. 

I *did* go look at the beautiful farmhouse quilt I posted about....the colors were not a good match, and frankly, it wasn't as pretty as in the catalogue.  

Also got some beautiful glass ornaments at RH on 70% off.  

But girls.  Did you catch what I said?  I. am. over. them.  I mean truly, they have some amazingly cool birdie stuff, but there was soooo much, it was obnoxious. I'm tempted to hide my plethora of bird paraphenalia until this phase is over in decorating land. Just so no one thinks I'm collecting birds because PB told me to.  I could appreciate their styling, but I just could not get over how it felt way too pushed, staged, in your face.  Lovely things, just over marketed, over-priced, with no character. 

Now *my* newly-acquired antique bird here has all kinda character, and it's the REAL DEAL. 

I kinda left there pitying the people who drop hard-earned cash there for things they can either make themselves or purchase from a talented etsy shop-owner.  Pulling out of the mall parking lot, jammin' to some classic Ella Fitzgerald.....like you do, I realized I don't really want anything they have anymore. It was a real let-down, and that's a good thing.  (channeling Martha for a minute there)  

  But soon a contented joy bubbled up from down deep, and I left the Big Guys behind to revel in the unique goodies tucked in my back seat. 

I came home late this afternoon with all my thrifted/antique goodies all wrapped in smooth paper. Got a thrill each time I opened a package cradling yet another one-of-a-kind item that had been loved and used in a previous life or passed off as ugly, now just needing a bit of my creative attention to give them a new lease on life.

 

This is such a revelation to me, and I don't know why.  I suppose I feel a bit giddy that I marked off a few 'likes', and didn't feel regret. I can look forward to hunting for/creating my true 'loves'.  

Old things.  Unique things.  Stuff with a past.  Stuff with a new future.

Love.