A Weekend of Thrifting and Yard Sales
One of the great things about summer in Yarmouth is the abundance of yard sales.
We love to check them out on the weekends, and when we can manage, we take a trip to the Frenchy's in Weymouth and Tusket. This weekend we were lucky enough to do both.
Most people go to Frenchy's for the clothes, but I really enjoy finding dishes and household items there. I've been collecting dishes and decorative pieces for years, squirreling them away in my hope chest until one day when I have a home of my own. Since I've been doing it for such a long time and I enjoy a number of aesthetics, the hope chest is full to the brim and the basement is bursting... but I'm not slowing down. As much as I am striving to "embrace simplicity" in many facets of my life, I also need to surround myself with things that are pretty and interesting. This is a trait I share with my mother, so she is usually my thrifting buddy. We leave the stores and sales with our arms full, giddy about our new-to-us treasures.
Most (but not all) of my finds are shown below, because I'm just too pleased with them not to share before they go into another box in the basement.
This lamp (and its partner) were for sale at an old motel that's no longer open. They were the only decent thing there in a sea of outdated furniture, and they go pretty well in our bedroom. I just have to find some decent lamp shades now.
This one excited me- I found all of this coral reef in a bag, mixed with some old potpourri, for five dollars at Tusket Frenchys. It goes well with one of the decorative arrangements I already have set out on my coffee table:
I am a sucker for pottery, along with several other things (these weaknesses will become abundantly clear as time goes on). These cups were a total of $5 at a yard sale in Weymouth, and I loved their unique design.
These stoneware serving plates were $6 at a yard sale in Meteghan. They're heavy and rustic (another weakness).
More pottery-style mugs from Frenchy's in Tusket
Hand-made margarita glasses to add to my collection of colourful drinking glasses (weakness #3).
This terracotta serving bowl was found at the yard sale in Meteghan- there was a great array of southwestern-style stoneware and decor, as well as Christmas ornaments (!!!). The owners were welcoming and helpful, and their prices were beyond reasonable.
I can't think of a convincing reason why I would buy a cabbage teapot. I saw another just like this one yesterday and I didn't buy it- I even thought it was ugly. But this one caught my eye and I took it home.
This set of wooden bowls was a great find- I've been wanting a set for a while, but when I shop around online they aren't cheap. This set was $6 total.
Tropical. Bird. Napkin Rings. Need I say more?!
These things make me so happy. I found a set of four napkin rings a month or so ago at Frenchy's that are carved and painted to look like parrots- when I saw these ones I knew I needed them, too. And they were only 50 cents each. I know that there are arguments for abandoning materialism and cleansing your life of clutter, yada yada yada. But I also know for a FACT that anybody who recommends minimalism doesn't have tropical bird napkin rings.
My dinner parties will be the funkiest dinner parties.
I bought three mixed bags of ornaments at the same yard sale- and these are some of my favourites. One thing I really love about buying mismatched and unique pieces like this is including them in gift wrappings when Christmas comes. I'm not a total hoarder, I promise--- I like to find treasures that I can pass on to my loved ones on special occasions, too. I just won't be showing them here- I don't want anybody to see their gift before the time comes.
More stoneware! This time it's a set including bowls, three sizes of plates, a large casserole dish and a large serving bowl- all for $5.
I'm sure I'll find a way to incorporate them into a future project or gift.
Not pictured are the cotton Martha Stewart curtains I got for my bedroom windows (we put them up tonight, only $2.50 a panel), some shirts, a sweet granite egg, a large glass goblet, and a couple of other trinkets.
We love to check them out on the weekends, and when we can manage, we take a trip to the Frenchy's in Weymouth and Tusket. This weekend we were lucky enough to do both.
Most people go to Frenchy's for the clothes, but I really enjoy finding dishes and household items there. I've been collecting dishes and decorative pieces for years, squirreling them away in my hope chest until one day when I have a home of my own. Since I've been doing it for such a long time and I enjoy a number of aesthetics, the hope chest is full to the brim and the basement is bursting... but I'm not slowing down. As much as I am striving to "embrace simplicity" in many facets of my life, I also need to surround myself with things that are pretty and interesting. This is a trait I share with my mother, so she is usually my thrifting buddy. We leave the stores and sales with our arms full, giddy about our new-to-us treasures.
Most (but not all) of my finds are shown below, because I'm just too pleased with them not to share before they go into another box in the basement.
These things make me so happy. I found a set of four napkin rings a month or so ago at Frenchy's that are carved and painted to look like parrots- when I saw these ones I knew I needed them, too. And they were only 50 cents each. I know that there are arguments for abandoning materialism and cleansing your life of clutter, yada yada yada. But I also know for a FACT that anybody who recommends minimalism doesn't have tropical bird napkin rings.
My dinner parties will be the funkiest dinner parties.
I bought three mixed bags of ornaments at the same yard sale- and these are some of my favourites. One thing I really love about buying mismatched and unique pieces like this is including them in gift wrappings when Christmas comes. I'm not a total hoarder, I promise--- I like to find treasures that I can pass on to my loved ones on special occasions, too. I just won't be showing them here- I don't want anybody to see their gift before the time comes.
The last treasure I'll share is the smallest. I found these little wooden beads in the bottom of the jewelry bowl at Tusket Frenchy's, and they let me take them home for free- because duh.
I'm sure I'll find a way to incorporate them into a future project or gift.
Not pictured are the cotton Martha Stewart curtains I got for my bedroom windows (we put them up tonight, only $2.50 a panel), some shirts, a sweet granite egg, a large glass goblet, and a couple of other trinkets.
This year has come with a new financial phase for me- Jeremy and I moved in with my parents to save money and pay down some debt before we strike out on our own again, and for the first time in my life I've had to sit down and make up a budget. For the most part, I stick to it. Ideally, I wouldn't be spending money on anything that is just-for-fun. However, I've got to live a little, and since I am not able to decorate my own home yet, this is my way of planning for the time that I can do so.
A large part of my efforts to save money has been changing my gift-giving habits. In the past I have always spent a little more than I should on holidays and birthdays, but this year I'm making a real effort to only give gifts that I've made, already owned, or bought secondhand. So far I have found Christmas gifts for three people.
If times get tough, I suppose I could always set up an online store and re-sell my finds. Not everything I buy is valuable, but I am convinced that some hip people would kill for those tropical bird napkin rings.
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