Thrifty treasures that live in my daughter's room

Well, I've always had a dilemma about some of my finds. I like everything and am drawn to the rusty industrial as well as the feminine. This sometimes creates a lil issue with Mr. Nifty who doesn't want the house covered in pink spaghetti trimmed figurines.

Anyhow...my solution is, when something is deemed too girlie or I can't find just the right fit elsewhere I simply go off and decorate my daughter's room. Having a 5 year old daughter is fantastic for decorating. She likes what I like and she voices no concerns about "our" newest treasures. I keep anything fragile on shelves out of her reach, so I needn't worry about her breaking something I love...oops I mean hurting herself.

She loves boxes of any sort, and I have to watch out because she fills them with the strangest things: rocks, dirt, acorns, stickers, etc.

Here are some of the niftiest recent thrifting finds that ended up in there :)

She had been wanting another jewelry box and I lurved this one when I found it at the Habitat store, the music box still worked :) It's all grungy and girlie all in one, just like my lil one :)

On the same trip I spied this lil box (about 5") hiding among a pile of modern cookie and popcorn tins.

That ribbon was calling my name. I put it among my things to pay for.
(Ever feel you have to hide a particular treasure among your purchases, certain that if they really pay attention to what you are buying they'll realize what a steal it is? Am I the only paranoid one?)

Turns out Richard Hudnut was the first important American perfumer or something like that. Some of his perfume bottles and even boxes are highly collectible. This one is made just like a tiny oval hatbox. I can't find this box anywhere, so I don't know how old it is, but it's so pretty :) Just look at that bow and pink satin lining. Wish I knew what 3oz toiletry it housed.

Same store, found this made in West Germany music jewelry box. Top is silver plate and the bottom lead crystal. ( I only know this because I found an auction page where they sold the same one and described her, they said she was from the 50's too :)
I paid 50 cents for her.

This is probably why she was 50 cents...she looks like got punched in the face a few times, plus her silver plate is rubbed off. The artistry fell a lil short in the face design, especially compared to the rest of the box and WTH is up with the disco ball ?

Then there is the wall decor in my lil one's room... A batch of vintage plastic pictures in their very elegant plastic frames :)

The next one is a nice large one that originally held a picture of a baby in it. I eyed it at Goodwill for a couple days before buying it. The antique photo of the baby inside (sorry not pictured) is adorable, but when I opened up the frame looking for any names on the back of the baby, I instead found this lovely ink sketch copy someone named Emma did of the famous Gibson Girl picture. My daughter chose that one to display in her room. So now Emma's pretty drawing is no longer hidden behind the mystery baby and my lil one enjoys looking at her.

Lastly is a recent and expensive to me find. By expensive I mean I paid 5.00 for a book that is literally falling apart. I couldn't resist buying it. It's a book by Tennyson from 1898 titled Violets. It was given in much the same way we give greeting cards today. This one was personalized, but I can't understand the handwriting.

It has a short poem for every day of the month and every single page has illustrated violets. Why could I not resist this pretty lil book? My daughter's name is Violet. She is named after my beloved late Grandma who had the Spanish version of the name: Violeta. It's a delightful lil book and even more special to me because it is so fragile.

I guess that's it for today.

Today I am joining up with the Suzanne aka Coloradolady for Vintage Thingies Thursdays and also with Leigh aka Tales from Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thursday. I'd like to thank them both for hosting such lovely parties!!! Their buttons are on my sidebar too.

Please go see all the wonderful thrifty vintage finds at both parties.
-brightest blessings-
Karina

Vintage Tennis Trophy

A few months ago at my favorite lil thrift store I spied this silver-plated footed trophy. I actually didn't buy it right away because it was 4.99 and I wasn't sure about it. I am generally not a big spender on my treasures. lol obviously.

It waited for me a whole week until I decided it was meant to be mine. Deep down I knew it wanted to come home with me. How sad that someone won this tennis trophy back in 1972 and now it sat tarnished, scratched and unloved in the thrift store. But alas it is mine now.

It's a rather large heavy piece. It now occupies the place of honor on my lil silver shelf. I wonder who it originally belonged to? I tried looking up the tennis event but found nothing :( This piece for now will keep his history to himself, at least until I can find out more...




























This week I am participating in Second Time Around Tuesday hosted by Dianne at A Picture Is Worth A 1000 Words. So head on over and join the fun, there is wonderful eye candy to be seen and enjoyed.









-brightest blessings-
Karina

I won a fabulous giveaway

I won my first giveaway!!!! It's beautiful and I have the Tin Rabbit to thank for it. Yesterday I was contending with my 7 year old's case of strep throat and my 5 years old's killer ear infection. I was on no sleep and frankly quite a bit grumpy when the doorbell rings and my kindly postal lady gave me the most lovely box. I have never seen such a lovely mailing label on a box.

It cheered me up and even my lil ones who were miserable had fun helping me open up the goodies. She went all out on my prize. I was so touched by her care in packaging. Everything was scented too :) It was a feast for the senses. Oh and she sent chocolate, but there are no pics of those. I sorta ate those right away :)

I apologize in advance for taking horrible pictures, with work and sick kids it's really hard to get pictures in the beautiful morning light. The pictures do not in any way do them any justice. She sent 5 of her glorious beautiful handmade roses and a beautiful handmade victorian candy box. She is beyond talented! Her attention to detail is incredible. I wish I had that kinda talent.

I haven't found the perfect spot yet so I sorta put some stuff together for a quick photo session. Please go to her blog and check out her stuff. She is an inspiration and I am so grateful for her generosity. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. It made a tired and grumpy mom very happy!






















As always - brightest blessings to everyone and of course to my friend Tin Rabbit -

Vintage yard sale stash plus a WTH item

Well I mentioned the yard sale that consoled me from my auction loss. I almost didn't stop, as it did not look at all promising, plus it was about 4:00 so I imagined there wasn't much left. But stop I did. Everything was nicely arranged on a few tables and you would think her prices would be high, BUT the yard sale gods were kind and she was dirt cheap. She said she was cleaning out her cluttered house and had a lot of her late mom's stuff to dispose of. She had inherited a lot and was parting with the stuff that she was not attached to.

I cleaned her out of linens and took a huge chunk of her costume jewelry. I have never been into jewelry but these were grand.

I think these are all cocktail napkins, but maybe they are hankies. How does one tell the difference? I do know they are divine and appear unused! I did read that cocktail napkins often have roosters on em, as folks found it quite witty to have "cock" tail napkins. Am I the only immature one who smirks at that?

The rooster napkins are a set of 6 I think, I paid 50 cents.









The cherry napkins said set of six, but once I got them home realized there were 8, and also got em for 50 cents. They are so thin and delicate. The cross stitch napkin set was, yep you guessed it...50 cents. It's a very thin material, but stiffer.
























The lacy one is a pillow cover. Isn't the color nifty?












I got a set of these three doilies too and a couple of embroidered ornaments and a few doilies that were 25 cents each.





















I saw these two lil figurines at the center of the table and when I looked at em, she explained that they were pie funnels or pie birds. She explained that they provide ventilation whilst baking a pie. I used to bake a great deal and though I had never heard of them, I had to have em. These were made in England. I've now realized they were quite a steal at 50 cents each :)









Then I saw yet another silverplate tray to add to my collection :) Can you ever have enough of these? You can still see the price on this beauty. Cheaper than my local thrifts where they are asking between 4 and 10 generally.












Then I spotted my favorite of all thrifty stuff that day...the vintage though unfinished child's Christmas apron. It was the brightest happiest thing I'd seen all day. I needed some Christmas cheer. I don't care that it's February. I swear this would have made the yard sale rock even without all the other niftyness. Plus it too was 50 cents, see a pattern yet? :)












check out the tushy :)












Then I was on to the jewelry. She had her jewelry marked at 50 cents a set. 50 cents is such a fabulous price isn't it? Here are the ones I picked out :) Pretty aren't they? I assure you the picture does not do the pieces justice! The green stone ones on the bottom left are Trifari. There is also a Vendome set on the top row. I LOVE the sterling mongrammed ones. Can't make out the letters well, but who cares. I never saw a monogram I didn't love. These were almost all in perfect condition.









This set was just delicious in all her lavender glory. They are unmarked. I think they look like fireflies.









This brooch is the only one with damage, but she was beautiful and couldn't resist her. It's missing a couple rhinestones and the bottom piece is attached with a string. The back is marked Hollycraft copr 1957.









Wouldn't you agree that this was a fantastic little yard sale? Oh I picked up two unbuilt car models for Mr. Nifty too, they were a whopping $3 each but they were from the 50's and would look great in his collection. Those models meant I wouldn't get a lecture about bringing home more stuff. :) or as he calls it: junk.

I would have taken a picture of them, BUT they were quickly taken to the Mr. Nifty's lair, the garage.

Now on to my WTH mystery find at the yard sale. These were 50 cents each and I bought both. They are round as you can see and they sorta look like a sand dollar because of the little loops in the center. Those are loops not embroidery. They have very delicate ric rack edges, and they have what look like pockets or dividers that go all the way around. What could this possibly be used for? Any ideas??????? The yard sale lady said they were doilies, but I really doubt that. Why would they be so complex then? They seem utilitarian more than decorative. Input would be most appreciated as this is making me nuts not knowing. I have a habit of researching everything that comes home with me and this is my newest mystery. anyone care to tell me WTH it is?





















Today, I have joined up with:
Vintage Thingies Thursdays with the very kind Suzanne aka Coloradolady.
And in the same vein I joined Leigh's party at Tales from Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thursday.

There are fantastic things to see at both. I have included their buttons below and in my sidebar. I love seeing everyone's treasures. Please go and enjoy the finds at Vintage Thingies Thursdays.


















-brightest blessings-
Karina

Very Thrifty Extra Nifty Finds

I've decided to join my first blog parties. I hope I am doing this right. I am learning more and more everyday about blogging. Now if only I could figure out picture posting, I'd be one happy lady.

I have joined up with:
Vintage Thingies Thursdays with the very kind Suzanne aka Coloradolady.
And in the same vein I joined Leigh's party at Tales from Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thursday.

There are fantastic things to see at both. I have included their buttons below and in my sidebar. I love seeing everyone's treasures. We all find such a different assortment at our different regional thrifts or whatnots. Please go and enjoy the finds at Vintage Thingies Thursdays.



















Anyhow, here is a look at some of my nifty thrifty finds...

I don't really get into Valentine's Day in a romantic way BUT my mom always gave us a lil something on Valentine's Day to remind us she loved us. It's a wonderful opportunity to remind my children and even Mr. Nifty of how important family and loved ones really are.

So anyhow...on a recent treck to my local Habitat store I spotted this here lil basket. I assume someone not too long ago made this with a generic crafting basket. I can't tell if this someone used real vintage Valentines to decoupage or reprints. I can't find dates, only made in the USA on some of them. I shall assume they are not vintage. The buttons decorating the handles do look vintage though. It was charming and I paid a whopping 50 cents for it. :)

My 5 year old daughter claimed it. Can you blame her?
It had a surprise matching box tucked inside and also had a coaster size doily too.

Next nifty find is my chippy lil Shriner planter. Isn't he a handsome ol' bloke? His paint has obviously seen better days, but strangely enough his face is handsome as ever. Frankly his man-makeup is more artfully applied than my own :) He needs a name, but I am drawing a blank...any ideas?







































::::Drum roll please::::
My absolute favorite thrift store find EVER, looks vintage to me and squeaks like an oldie, but don't know how to tell exactly. Do you?

The reasons I am left to wonder: there are no markings that I can find. I think it did say USA on one of the metal pieces, but no labels or companies. Secondly the distressing on the back seems a bit off to me. It seems to all be concentrated in the back. Is that normal? What do you think? I know reproductions are made, so if anyone knows the difference please drop me a line. Either ways she is beautiful and I certainly wasn't robbed. I declare her the niftiest find yet.

After the pics I'll tell ya what I paid for her...and yes, she is most definitely a girl cuz she is so perty :)




























































































































(That's my 125lb Neapolitan Mastiff getting a tan in the background :)




















Isn't she glorious? The desk chair I was using was an embarrassment. My cats made a scratching post of my old chair. It was literally dropping stuffing everywhere courtesy of those evil furballs. The thrifting gods were kind and sent me this divine intervention. Hopefully the cats won't find a way to claw this one though I wouldn't put it past them.

PS...she was $4.99. How's that for a bargain?
Anyhow thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again :)
~Brightest blessings~

Karina aka thasnifty