Thrift Store Karma

I am thinking it was some sort of Thrift Store Karma...

Last week I headed over to my favorite local thrift store, on half price day, in search of sweet vintage fabrics for my handmade creations.

I wanted to buy these vintage men's pants, but I couldn't find a price tag. I checked the pockets for a price tag and discovered a five spot! When I checked out, I handed the $5 to the clerk and explained. She was confused. I just wanted to do the right thing...and I think it was good karma because I found loads of great vintage fabrics!

Here is a prime example of how I think my honesty may have paid off!

I picked up this "grab bag". 

I don't typically buy these grab bags because it can be difficult to tell what all is in the sealed plastic bags. From what I could tell through the plastic bag, there seemed to be enough remnants of vintage looking fabrics to make it worth taking the chance.

You have no idea how excited I was to tear open the bag when I got home!

So are you ready for the big reveal?

Sweet score number one: a large remnant cutting of eyelet fabric and three vintage handkerchiefs.

The hankies alone made the bag totally worthwhile. Have you seen the prices on vintage handkerchiefs these days? Even at the thrift store on half price day, they can go for $1.50 each!

Sweet score number two: a really beautiful assortment of very nice velvets.

I don't tend to buy velvets because I typically only find the cheap-o looking super synthetic kind. These fat quarter sized cuttings are the "good stuff", and not plastic looking at all. They will be perfect for Fall/ Winter sewing projects.

Sweet score number three: two quarter yard cuttings of phenomenal vintage upholstery fabrics.

These two fabrics are going to be made into some gorgeous pillows!

Sweetest score number four: The pièce de résistance. I was excited because I thought there was a large cutting of brown and white vintage gingham cotton in the bag....but what I pulled out of my grab bag blew my mind.

Not too shabby, if you ask me...it was a beautiful home sewn vintage girl's dress. It is in nearly perfect condition (missing only one button on the back closure), and it is extremely well made. It just needs a delicate wash a good press and a button and it will be good as new. This will not be repurposed into anything! It should be worn by a vintage loving little lady. 

Not sure if I just got lucky or if it really was good karma for turning in the money that I found.

You know the Golden Rule: "Do unto others..."

It is just like Forrest Gump says..."Life is like a grab bag at a thrift store, you never know what vintage you are going to get..." um...errr...something like that.

Thursday's Unique Picks - As Seen On TV

Don't you hate it when people say, "I've been busy...".

I mean who isn't?

Hey Girly what have you been up to?

Ummmm, I've been busy. Oh well, I am back today with a little Unique Picks blog post!

Soooo...I have been doing a little shopping around for vintage goodness lately and have spotted some pretty sweet finds.  

What kind of vintage are you talking about, you may inquire?

What is not to love about this fantastic 1960's portable TV radio from Mae and Jean Vintage on etsy? It is so sweet, petite and retro fabulous.

Let's just say when I picked up these vintage pieces, I had no idea that they were "as seen on T.V." spectacular.

Last week my thrifty adventure began in Dayton, Ohio. My mother and I went to a Goodwill Thrift Store Outlet...yes, I said outlet. Have you ever been to a thrift store where you pay for your purchases by the pound? Well, I haven't...until last week. Picture it, large bins brimming with bits and pieces to sift through. It was sort of like panning for vintage gold. 

My mom spotted this fantastic Mid Century Chip and dip set for me.

"Vintage gold" that will eventually be listed in my etsy shop.

As seen at Sterling Cooper...

Have you ever heard of a show called Mad Men? Stop that laughing...I know...who hasn't. I have to admit I just started watching it a few weeks ago and the hubby and I are now hooked. (we are just in the middle of season two, so don't spoil anything for me)! Part of the fun of the show (for me) is seeing all of the vintage. Imagine my delight when I spotted the matching ice bucket to the above chip and dip set, in one of the offices at Sterling Cooper, in one of the first few episodes of season two. I sure do wish I had a screen shot just to prove the provenance of this vintage gold.

At our second thrift store stop, I was united with these pretty wall hangings. My Mother said, "I think my Grandmother had those". Who knew my Great Grandmother had such fantastic taste.

Brilliant Botanical 1960's Syroco Wood Wall Hangings. Just added to my etsy shop, The Unique Bird, today!

As seen in the Draper residence...

...Don and Betty's master bedroom to be exact. My Husband's eagle eye, spotted some wall hangings pretty similar to these, in one of the episodes we watched a few days after I picked these up.

Photo from casasugar blog post and AMC.

Photo from an article on Woman's Day.

The article on the Woman's Day magazine website is about Mad Men inspired home decor. They tell you where you can score a headboard, lamps and bedding just like the Drapers have, but they don't tell you where to pick up those fabulous wall hangings...hmmm...I know exactly where you can find some.

I can't wait to watch more episodes of Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Men to see if I have any more vintage items "in stock" that are like ones on T.V.

A few days after my thrift store adventures with my Mom in Dayton, the Hubby and I headed over to Re Store in Columbus. If you have never been to a Re Store, it is like a home improvement thrift store run by Habitat for Humanity. Folks will donate items for the home; cabinets, wood, appliances, sinks, etc. You name it...they might have it. It isn't all vintage, but sometimes there are a few old gems in there that can be refurbished for a retro renovation.

Bewitched by an oven...

I didn't exactly snatch up this 1960's Frigidaire beauty (much to the chagrin of my husband)...but I did snap a few photos. 

Oh, it needed some...well, a lot of love to get back into tip top shape. I can't say that I am in the market for a new oven right now and my husband doesn't currently have the know how to overhaul a vintage appliance...(not that you couldn't honey).

The Frigidaire Flair we spotted at Re Store in Columbus, Ohio 1/21/12.

True retro flair for only $150.

Now where have I seen an oven like this before?

As Seen on Morning Glory Circle...

Of Course, Mrs. Stevens has a slightly more deluxe model in her kitchen.

Bewitched, happens to be one of my Favorite classic television shows!

Image from Kitchen and Residential Design blog post of Samantha Stevens' kitchen in Bewitched.

Image from Certain Ladies blog post of the Flair and Samantha in action.

Image from Kitchen and Residential Design blog post about The Frigidaire Flair.

I am pretty impressed with my "As Seen On TV" sighting and scores over the last week. It is like going to Hollywood and spotting the T.V. stars walking down the street. (kinda)

 As if the hunt for fantastic vintage treasures wasn't already fun...now there is a reason to shop and catch up on my T.V. viewing...

Geeze, I don't know how I am going to squeeze blogging into that tight schedule.
Let me know if you have any sweet as seen on T.V vintage beauties in your shop or home!