Fab Finds Friday: That's Grate!

It's no secret that I love to collect things--Pyrex, vintage jars, decorative letters, and Fiestaware among them. Lately I've had a ton of luck at finding things I collect, and even starting to collect new things, like vintage graters.

It may seem odd, but I found two that I couldn't resist at a thrift store, and since I already had an old box grater back home, 3 makes a collection!

This 5-in-1 grater was $2. I'd never seen a round grater before and I really like it!

And check out the awesome little logo in the center:

This is the other guy--a wooden-handled 3-in-1 grater. It is supposed to come with 2 other interchangeable plates, but at $3 I wasn't sweating that mine only had one.

Continuing my vintage kitchen gadgets theme, I found this set of 8 little Jell-O molds at Goodwill for just $0.99! I think they'll be great for storing odds and ends in my office.

I also managed to add 4 more aqua mason jars to my collection. This trio was impossible to leave behind--each were$0.85 plus 50% off because the whole store was having a Friday sale! I love that the original prices ($6 for the quart, $3 for each pint) were still on the jars since I got them all for $1.25, ha!

This wide-mouth quart jar was a more expensive antique mall buy ($6), but I had never seen a "Special" jar, just the "Perfect Mason" and "Ideal" ones, so I had to have it!

I also seem to have a thing for vintage flashcards. These ones were $4.50, are from the 50s, and came in the coolest box.

I love how the backs have more detailed problems--I've never encountered any like these!

I also found another letter for my collection. It's pretty large (11x14) so for only $5 I snatched it up.

And it looks like I may have a wooden cheese box collection too. I already have two in my pantry but I'd never seen a cream cheese box or one this shallow, so I nabbed it for $8.

I also got this plain medical jar for $8. I plan on creating a vinyl decal for it and using it to stash cotton balls in the bathroom, which will be one more thing crossed off my thrift wish list!

I also found a set of eight greenish-blue goblets for $0.99 apiece and I couldn't resist 'em.

Anyone else growing some collections out there? 

Fab Finds Friday: March Madness

Though it's still cold and a bit gloomy in Montana (but nothing compared to the snowpocalypse back home), I found a few estate sales to hit up in the last few weeks. Here are the treasures I unearthed!

First up, these two "Server" bowls for $0.69 each! I actually picked these up at Goodwill. They appear to be Corelle Pyrex compatibles, meaning they are dishes produced to match a Pyrex pattern (Butterfly Gold). I've seen many a plate, tea cup, and sugar/creamer, but I have never seen little dishes like these. I think I will use these to serve dipping sauces.

The next few finds were found at an estate sale. This guy bought a house with all the previous owners' stuff still in it, and he was selling it off himself. He didn't have prices in mind for anything, so I scored a lot of loot for only $17! I can't share it all--some are presents--but these jars were among my finds.

I also found this Pyrex casserole at the estate sale. It appears to be an oval Verde casserole with a mismatched "Midnight Bloom" lid.

This little blue Ball jar was too cute to pass up for $2.50 at a local thrift. No glass lid, but that's okay, as I am using it to store pens on my desk.

I also got this cute "Swiss Chalet" pattern bowl at Goodwill for $0.99.

And this bright orange book called to me--I love the geometric cover! It was $1.49.

Lastly, I scooped up this cute little Santa mug for $0.99. I had to get it to replace one I bought last year--the cat decided it would be cool to knock it over and break it. NOT!

So there it is. Hopefully the weather will perk up more and inspire people to sell me their junk :) Hope you're all finding some fabulous this as well!

Fab Finds Friday: February Pickin's

Wowza. Hard to believe that next Friday marks the start of a new month. March? What?! Seeing as this is the last Friday in February to be had, I thought a Fab Finds Friday was in order.

As you can see from the tags, these two bottles were $6.50 total: the old rubbing alcohol bottle for $3.50, and the plain medicine bottle for $3. I discovered them in a previously unknown "antiques" section of a local thrift store, along with these three mercury glass ornaments which the owner generously gave me for free!

At the same store, I also found this cute little "Bake King" loaf pan for $3.50.

And I couldn't resist a blue mason jar for just $5.

This large flour tin was also $5--loving the bramble-ish pattern!

I know that Christmas is over, but I keep hitting the vintage ornament jackpot, as evidenced by these two boxes of red Shiny Brites! The boxes alone are so cute--just check out those graphics! (Edit: Oops, forgot to share the price of these the first time! They were $4.50 per box!)

I got this little wooden well thing for $1.49. I think it'd be so cute at an engagement party or wedding with a sign that says"Well-Wishes for the Happy Couple" or something to that effect. One of my best friends is getting married this summer, so maybe I'll get to use it then :)

I picked up two bright orange pieces you might've noticed in my vintage displays shared earlier this week: an Isaac Mizrahi plate for $0.99 (which I added to my shelf on my happy wall):

And a little Gemco juicer for $0.69. I couldn't resist the orange design on there:

This trio of squat shot glasses was too cool to pass up at $0.69 apiece. I am so dorky, but the crests on them kind of reminded me of Harry Potter. So of course I had to have them!

Last up, I snatched this pair of wooden votive holders for $0.99 each. I like the sort of tree pattern they have going on. They had a new home in the living room that I'll share soon!

Here's hoping March continues the bountiful thrift trend and also brings awesome garage & estate sales with it! 

I'm linking to A Living Space's Nifty Thrifty and Sir Thrift A Lot's Thriftasaurus! 

New Ornaments!

As my title suggests, I got a few new ornaments this year I wanted to share, courtesy of an ornament swap I participated in (and some vintage ones courtesy of myself). Before I reveal all our Christmas decorations, I figured I'd share these little details :)

First up, the ornament I received from the swap from the lovely Brin of Bold Butter Baby! I told Brin I had a food-themed tree that it would be nice to have a new ornament for, and she didn't disappoint when she scooped up this adorable mustard ornament to send me!

Here's a peek of it hanging out on my food tree--can you see it?

Brin was a sweetheart and also sent me some of her favorite eos lip balm, which I also love! Thanks, Brin! And thanks to Erin and Jessah for hosting.

Now on to the vintage baubles I picked out for myself while doing a little Christmas shopping at the local antique mall. I picked up this bundle of beauties for only $3 and spread them around our main tree.

I also nabbed this cute santa for $1.50.

I got two of these simple silver and white-striped orbs. I liked their patina!

Last but not least, I scooped up this red bell with lovely gold glitter detailing for $1.50. There's a chip in the red but I think it adds character :)

I will be sharing allll of our Christmas-y apartment in its full glory later this week! Stay tuned!

Fab Finds Friday: Highlights of Summer 2012

This summer I not only discovered some new favorite thrift stores, but I also attended several "First Friday" antiquing events in Westport and the West Bottoms. My sister and her husband were my main partners-in-crime at these spots, although I did manage to talk Ryan into attending one sale (which was ironically the hottest sale of the summer--we were sweating & quite grouchy by the end). Overall, we had great luck at most sales, especially when we checked out the sale photos before the events to decide which shops to hit up first!

First up is one of my First Friday finds: a lovely red-orange dish rack that I scooped up for $15. The woman running the booth didn't have a price marked on it, but I asked and she told me she hadn't planned on selling it--but she'd used it in her home and as a display rack in her booth for years, so she decided she would part with it. Since I frequently clean dishes that can't survive the dishwasher (i.e. my Pyrex) I knew that this beauty would come in handy in my home.

I brought her up to Montana and she's already come in plenty handy right next to our sink:

Another find from First Fridays: this lovely cream velvet chair. I love its tufted back and the cane siding.

It looks right at home in my studio next to my teal floral chair (a gift from my uncle, purchased at Pier1).

And apparently it's quite comfy, as my cat loves lounging in it:

I found another cute accessory for our studio at the second Friday sale we attended: this fun yellow filing cabinet. Since our color scheme is teal and goldenrod, we knew that this already-painted cabinet would fit right in, and at $18, it would save us the time and money of buying and spray-painting a plain unit.

I also went a little flashcard crazy at Liberty Belle, another First Friday shop. I just loved these with pictures and handwritten words. I plan on framing them all and hanging them in our kitchen. I liked that three are distinctly kitchen-themed, but two (cow and parachute, obviously) are random and fun!

I also loved these music flashcards and think they'll look great framed and in a gallery wall. They feature different notes on the back, so I can always turn them around if I'm looking for a new song :)

I also snagged some great vintage things at Kansas City's new Goodwill Outlet. My favorite is probably this aluminum foil holder. It definitely needs a little more cleaning (and I want to try to hammer out that dent), but I love its charm and know it'll look great in my vintage-y kitchen!

I also found this awesome cheese tray. (Well, technically my sister found it when we were shopping together, and knowing my great fondness for cheese, she handed it over). I think it'd be awesome for serving foods at a wine and cheese party. I can also really see it leaning on some shelves in a dining room or kitchen as art.

Here's a close-up of the bottom--labels of all the cheeses in a really cool font!)

And here's another thrifted find for our studio--a lovely (formerly-brass) magazine holder. I spray-painted this one teal. I just love its lines!

I also grabbed this lemon paddle at a thrift store which used to be a bowling alley (true story). It's so cheery!

And lastly, a trio of kitchen items. The first two, including this green sifter, were picked up at a shop in Blue Springs that was sadly going out of business. The owner there was quite sweet. I've always wanted a vintage sifter so I went for this chippy one.

I also got this lard bucket from her store. I was initially drawn to it because of that awesome pig logo, but was sold by the fact that the company was headquartered in my hometown, as shown by the label.

And last up, I got this vintage mini loaf pan for $2 at a Salvation Army. I don't intend to bake in this, but think it'll make a great piece for organizing office supplies!

So there you have it--some of my favorite summer finds. Any good buys you'd like to share?