$16 CAN BUY A LOT! {THRIFT FINDS}

I feel like I've been posting a lot of thrift scores lately, but it's hard not to get excited about a good find, and the transformation that usually follows!

Yesterday I stopped by a thrift store and came home with an armload for a bargain.  Want to see what I got?

I wasn't too sure about this one at first, but he's cute and quirky and will look good on the back patio when it warms up enough to put some pretty spring flowers in him.  Oh, or I just had the thought...wouldn't he be a cute Easter centerpiece?  Now I'm really glad I bought him!

 

I hardly ever pass up a good tray-for the price I took a chance that it will shine up nicely.

Who doesn't love a velvet poster of different ice cream flavors to color?  Still wrapped up...think I'll save this for a certain little girl's birthday coming up.

Someone had a sense of humor when they were pricing this frame... (sorry if that's your grandma!)

I love these prints! 

I've never been to Paris (yet!) but the vibrant colors draw me right in.  My mom has a similar set that she found second hand and I think they're lovely.  There are 4 in her set and I really think there should be a fourth in this one, but I searched high and low and didn't see it.  They are a good size, 12"x19", and I have plans for new mats and the perfect spot to hang them.

Here's one more thing that I found a few days ago-

I've had my eye out for an umbrella stand for a while.  I can't wait for the weather to cooperate so I can give it a fun, glossy color.

Here's a few tips for thrift shopping:

*You won't always come away with something at a thrift store.  Before finding my loot at one store yesterday, I walked out of 2 other stores empty handed.

*You guys know this, but look beyond the color of most items.  Spray paint can fix almost anything!  You can bet that most of the things in this post won't stay looking like they do now.

*Think of other ways to use something, or use it for a purpose other than it was originally intended for.  I buy super ugly frames for around $.25 all the time...just to use the glass that's in them.  

*Don't be afraid of a little clean up.  That brass tray is going to take some serious elbow grease and that umbrella stand hasn't seen a vacuum in years.  All easily remedied if you're willing to put in the effort.

*Be willing to wait, but know when to pounce.  Lots of times thrift stores start with sky high prices, and then do mark downs.  If you see something you like but the price is too high, get familiar with the mark down schedule (just ask!) and keep an eye on it.  But, sometimes it's a gamble. If it's such a great item that you don't think it will be there, you have to decide if it's worth it to go ahead and plunk down full price.  Bottom line, do you think anyone else sees the potential in the item that you do?  If not, I usually wait, and it usually works.  That being said, you have to be willing if you lose out on it, also.   I took a chance on these two guys...they were UGLY as is and priced way too high.  I kept an eye out and pounced when they were both down to about $5 each.

I'm sure you'll see these things pop up in my photos here and there in the future.  Does this weekend hold any thrifting plans for you?   I'll be working on a project using this thrifted treasure that I found last summer:

Have a happy weekend everyone!