My Thrifty Treasures

I've taken a break for most of the summer from blogging, mainly because the kids are home and they keep me busy. The kids and I can't believe how quickly it has gone by though! I know many states have already gone back to school, but schools here in VA don't start until the day after Labor Day. We still have a week at Disney World coming up, which we are all excited about. It'll be a nice little send-off before the new school year begins.

On to my thrifty treasures...To me this was a thrifty find, so I bought two for $10.00 each on clearance from Southern Living @ Home. They are a great size, well made, and a terrific price. They're slso beautiful to look at, don't you think? The robin's egg blue color is almost the same color as my favorite plates, so they match up well. You can see those here.

Isn't this adorable? I only paid $3.99 for it. I haven't found a permanent spot for it yet. I know some of you are really into bunnies, so you might want to scour your local TJ Maxx for it before they are gone. I also saw one with a squirrel perched on top.

ESTATE SALE TREASURES

The following items were purchased at an estate sale of a dear friend. Please keep her and her 3 girls in your prayers, as they are going through a horrible divorce and have lost everything. Just to be nasty, her husband allowed their gorgeous home to go into foreclosure, their cars to be repossessed, and on and on. The entire story is so ugly that it breaks my heart. She is a godly woman who I love like a sister, and she continues to be a woman of God in the face of such evil. We've been working hard for the past few weeks to prepare her home for a huge estate sale (minus the professionals!). We got first dibs on the items, but it still felt weird, even though we knew we were helping financially. She and her oldest daughter (21) keep saying that it's just "stuff", but I know it's still hard to let it all go. I know I will think of her whenever I see the things I purchased. To be fair, we made sure other people had priced the items we bought. Here goes...

For 50 cents, how could I pass this up? It's a 1989 edition and just adorable. Here's the forward. Click on the picture to read it up close. These little guys play Christmas music together. They were only $2 and just need some batteries. Can't wait to try them out. I'm such a sucker for Christmas stuff. I had to restrain myself.

This little box holds something inside. Do you know what it is?

Sorry for the blurriness, I took the pics in a hurry. It's an unused special edition Creative Memories photo album. The price? $1. I would have priced it higher, so when I paid for everything I threw in about $10 extra since I walked away with so many bargains.

These pretty little pineapples will look beautiful on one of my Christmas trees. The store sticker on the bottom had $22 on it.

I've always wanted one of these. I haven't even checked to see if the candles are in the box. It's not a high-end piece, but for $3 it was just right for me.

I think I paid $3 for this sign.

Who can resist paper dolls? This set was untouched and for $1 it will provide hours of fun for my daughter and I. I also bought an American Girl teaching packet for $1 that ties in historical events with the dolls. What a great way to teach history to girls!

Got two of these Williamsburg cone forms for $2 a piece. They retail online for $32 and up. I've always loved colonial Christmas decorations (even if they aren't completely authentic), so I'm excited to use these.

Blurriness again--this is another Colonial Williamsburg centerpiece form. I paid just $3 for it, but I know it's worth probably $30-$40. This will be filled with fruit and greenery at Christmas, but I may try some fall decorations in it first.

And for inspiration I bought these hardback titles that I've always wanted for $1.00 each. I also purchased 3 vintage Nancy Drew books to add to my daughter's collection (which was originally mine) for .50 each.

Cute little plaque that is now in my bathroom ~ $1. There's a little wear in the right corner, but it can be easily touched up. Also bought a round wall clock with a pineapple design for $2--forgot to take a picture of it!

Some Southern Living @ Home beauties that were only $5 each. These pieces have been retired, but I think they retailed for around $20 a piece. Perfect for fall and Christmas. She also had several other SL@H pieces that I already had.

Another SL@H piece. It is also a retired piece. I always wanted this little sconce but never bought it. I think I paid $7 for it. Not sure what will really end up on here. It's hanging in my golden yellow and red family room.

I think that covers everything. All told, I spent $55. Well spent, don't cha think? Be sure to stop by Rhoda's Southern Hospitality blog for lots more Thrifty Treasures as well as wonderful decorating ideas and adventures. It's like stopping by to chat with an old (not in age, of course!)friend.

Blessings and Happy Decorating,

Linda