Goodwill, Badwill, Questionablewill -- Sad Clown, Wistful Clown, Globe-y Goodness
Yesterday, being President's Day, meant both no school and no responsibilities. And even better, it meant a day for thrifting with my mother and teenage sons. We hit up the Goodwill, Salvation Army and Deseret Industries thrift shops.
But of course, we first drove through the great banh-mi Vietnamese sandwich restaurant for sustenance. Because at $3.50 apiece, those sandwiches are perfection! (Seriously, how awesome is drive though that includes fresh carrots, jicama, cilantro and jalapeños?!)
Lately, I've been scoping out lighting sections as my first stop, and here's what I found. The half-off color tag for the week was purple, which meant that the vintage glass globe went from $2.99 to $1.49. I figured that it was cheap enough to take a gamble on, because even if I didn't find a spot for it, I could still sell it later for a profit.
I also came across this rather enticing handcrafted mug. I offered to buy it for my 17-year-old son, "To sit on your desk, you know . . . for pencils. Or . . . for nightmares."
He declined the offer.
The Salvation Army store provided this gem of clown artistry.
For when you are an enthusiast of:
- Clowns
- Feminist artwork, (how often are clowns shown as women?)
- Hidden kittens, (instead of "Where's Waldo?" It's "Where's the Kitten!")
I like her wistful gaze.
Maybe she can cheer up this poor guy. Should we play matchmaker?
I ended up using the big glass globe for my entryway light, which had looked like this, from the Rejuvenation seconds department from a million years ago. Perfectly respectable, but still kind of ho hum.
And here's the globe in place, super round and groovy. (Sorry the picture is so awful, but my point-and-shoot has a hard time with bright against a dark background. Especially at night.)
Here's a daylight photo, which shows how the roundness of the new glass globe pairs with the new round mirror. (Like the perfect non-clown blind date!) You can't see it in this photo, but the sides are faceted, which is very fun. (Scroll back up to the first photo.)
I bought an additional $2 vintage glass shade at the Deseret Industries shop to replace this mid 90's Home Depot guy. ( I had bought three of these fixtures when we first renovated the house. I liked their vintage-ish vibe at the time, but true vintage trumps vintage-ish all day long in my book!)
Look how the he swirly lines create a cool pattern on the ceiling! And when it's just two bucks on the line, there's next to no financial risk and it's easy to later switch it out. (As opposed to if f I were a West Elm or One King's Lane shopper, and I would end up overthinking my decor decisions and it would be hard to indulge my spontaneity.)
My total spent for the day was $3.50, which is always within my budget.
Whether it's for a sandwich or two vintage globes.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
Great finds - $3.50 for an awesome sandwich is definitely worth the price. I just noticed your staircase spindles - very neat and Irish looking. Cheers!
Are they? I'd never seen them that way.
Katy
Yes, just like shamrocks!
And the light fixture with the new globe shade echoes the shape of all but the shamrock part of the cutouts!
Love the new lights but I am confused, do you not count the sandwich costs in for the day total?
Nope. I would eaten anyway and my mother paid. 😉
Katy
Ahh, I see. My husband, not being the frugal type, would totally use the "I would have eaten anyway" excuse to buy a $15 sandwich so I can't ever use that excuse in my house or it gets taken to extremes. It's nice that you and yours are on the same frugal page.
I really appreciate that you include your narrative of how the particular pattern/design of your treasures works so well in your house. Honestly, at first I was a bit skeptical on why you'd replace globe #1 with globe #2. But when you show it in your home and explain the aesthetics it's definitely a better fit! (not that you have to only do what I'd approve of, but it's nice to be able to see the big picture!) Sounds like a great family day 🙂
I knew it was a gamble, design-wise, but at $1.49 there was next to no risk!
Katy
I'm jealous that your GW still has a half off tag. Ours quit that and raised the prices!
I spy the kitten on the stairs in your daylight photo that shows off the roundness of the new glass globe and the new round mirror.
I hadn't even noticed the cat in that photo!
Katy
Love how your kitty knows when there is a photo op.
Clowns are so weird. I don't understand their appeal. I love seeing your home decor. I really like the lamp. I don't have decor skill. I blame it on having no money, but I guess at 1.50 a pop I have no excuse other than laziness. ( my bedroom is still the same "putrid green" I swore we would paint when we moved in. 5 years ago.
Kate
Great new fixtures! What Goodwill do you go to? Are the three shops you mentioned your favorites for a day out thrifting?
Would you share the name and location of the Vietnamese sandwich place. My daughter lives in Portland and I love to find places they don't know about that have great and inexpensive food.
Thanks
It's "Best Baguette" at S.E. 82nd and Powell Blvd.
Katy
Thanks. I know where I'm eating next time I'm in Portland.
When I see ugly ceramics like the clown, I *really* want to smash 'em to bits.
An "oops" moment?
Katy
Sure. Or, hurling it to the ground like I'm spiking a football. It would be a favor to all mankind, really. I'm benevolent, yo.
I have the exact same lampshade as the second one. Mine is much-loved in my bedside lamp but wasn't quite the bargain yours was - it cost $20!
Too rich for my blood!
Katy
I knew I lived near you in Portland as many references have been familiar to me. I had it confirmed this week however when I spied the exact same handmade face mug on the shelf 🙂 Fortunately it did not come home with me, although several other treasures did. I will keep my eyes open for you as I'm treasure hunting and say hello!
Please do!
Katy