Spotted: Goodwill

I’ve always had this desire to go to thrift stores on a regular basis and take a picture of everything that catches my eye, only to come back home and blog about what exactly went through my head about each item or why it was so great. My hope for you, my loveliest readers, is that I can inspire you to go into a thrift store with an open mind and sharp eyes and find some treasures for yourself. So, I’m doing it and I’m starting on this lovely Saturday night. The tots are sawing twigs, football is on the tube, and my better half at my side. Consider this the first of the series. Hopefully I’ll stick with it but that all depends on how often I can get to the thrift store alone or how often I can get to the thrift store with kids in tow and snap some pictures. It’ll all be nice and spontaneous-like.

So, the day was yesterday. The kids didn’t really nap and by the time they could’ve, it was too late and a nap would’ve eaten into bedtime so, we hit up Goodwill.

Here’s what I spotted:

These two, lidded dishes: They were both vintage glass and the colors were amazing. The green one had a small piece chipped off the very top of the dish but a little strategic placement would’ve hidden it nicely. I came thisclose to buying the yellow one to put jewelry, bobby pins, and other little things in next to my bathroom sink but then I didn’t. I wasn’t a huge fan of the picture on top so my thought was to spray paint the lid either copper or gold to match the metallic trim around the actual dish. Either one would look beautiful on a shelf though on top of some books or just by themselves. They were both $2.99, if I’m remembering correctly.

These glass votives:

I loved how vibrant the colors were and they were thick, bubbled glass. They didn’t have a price tag on them but I’m guessing it probably would’ve been under $5 for the whole set. They’d make a pretty addition to a spring or summer tablescape.

This little vase:

I think I just love all things geometric so the shape stood out first but the color of the glass was so beautiful and could bring an earthy tone into a space. I thought it’d be really sweet with a succulent living inside and placed on a windowsill. I think it was $1.

These brass beauties:

Brass is in people and these three were the epitome of why. They were beautiful! All three would make one bathroom countertop very happy…or a shelf display…or anywhere really. Seriously beautiful.

These two lamps:

Gosh, I love lamps. I don’t know that there’s ever been a single time I’ve gone into a thrift store and not spotted at least one cool lamp. But these two…I loved the idea of painting the thin, silver and gold one on the left copper or even a more champagne gold. Or even keeping the silver and painting the gold copper? I mean, even in some bold color it would exude ‘sleek’. It’d make an amazing desk lamp. The soft green color of the one on the right was beautiful. And there’s that brass again and it was such a gorgeous hue of it. The soft green plus the brass? Got me. Set it on a bedside table or dresser paired with a creamy white drum shade and it would hold it’s own.

This oval bowl:

This is another one I almost bought. The silver was so pretty and I thought it would be look great somewhere on our living room shelves…and then I heard a crash two feet away which sent me wondering what the…my kids. Plastic office supplies. Everywhere.

Forget the bowl. We are leaving. But then on our way out I spot…

These vases and goblets:

Argh…the colors got me at first sight. I wanted them SO BAD! But I didn’t need them so I walked away. Not to mention that my kids were done. Upon (a very quick) close inspection though, I realized the vases had been painted on the insides which got me thinking about how many clear vases there are to be found in every thrift store that could easily be transformed into vases as pretty as these with just a little paint.