September 1, 2010 by newniquenews
I am not a fan of the ‘haul’ blogs that seem to be so popular but … today I just had to share. I went to Salvation Army this morning. Here is a picture of what $3.20 buys there.
The picture frame will most likely be my Thrifted Treasure for On Purpose Networking tomorrow. I would like to have something a little more thrilling but the thrifting gods were a little cranky this week. The frame is one of those seen at major department stores priced at $15-$20 but you can almost always find on sale at about 50% off. It looks like new and cost $0.25.
I am most excited about the ‘architectural pieces’. They have a groove in the top and are probably meant to hold plates. I think I am going place them under a very modern shelf in my entry to look like brackets. Paint and metal leaf will be involved. $1 each.
The welcome plaque – it just called my name. I predict paint in its future also, no clue what color. It has a lot of detail and is weathered on one side. A good spring door decor?
The candle, just because it is in good shape and I can always use candles. This may be a glitter experiment.
Happy Thrifting. Keep your eyes open for your own treasures.
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August 30, 2010 by newniquenews
I bought this shirt at bag day at a recent clothing sale for charity. The feel of the shirt is wonderful. It is very soft cotton and I like the way it drapes. There are two problems with it. The first is that the ‘white’ is not my true white but a cream color that really takes all of the color from my face. The second is that after I washed it I noticed a few light stains.
I decided that fuchsia would look good with the black pattern. I bought a package of Rit powder dye. Previously, I have dyed items in the washing machine. This time I wanted to really concentrate the color so I opted for the stove top method. I followed the directions on the box and simmered the top for 30 minutes.
I then used my washing machine on a short cycle to rinse the dye from the shirt. I really like the way it looks now. 
If you have never dyed anything, give it a try. Use something you already have or visit a thrift store to find an item you like but won’t be too upset if the result isn’t what you imagined. You can always redonate.
Imagine the possibilities.
Posted in Altered Clothes, Thrift shopping, Thrifted Treasure | 2 Comments »
August 27, 2010 by newniquenews
One of the things that I decided to do recently is to try at least one new recipe each month. A few months ago, this was one of the new recipes. 
I was so glad to find it in House Beautiful. About 15 years ago I attended a business dinner at the home of my ex’s boss and his wife. They served this absolutely wonderful Shrimp and Broccoli with Spaghetti. I thought it was one of the tastiest meals I had ever had. My ex did not like broccoli OR shrimp. It took a lot of willpower to keep my fork off of his plate. I did not think that would go over very well in the semi business setting. He pushed everything around on his plate and the boss’s wife definitely noticed.
I tried to duplicate the dish with mixed results. Then I found this. Roasting the shrimp and broccoli makes all of the difference. Hope you like this as well as I do. I have made it several times in the last 2 months. I don’t follow the recipe exactly because I am usually making just one serving but it still turns out delicious.
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August 23, 2010 by newniquenews
This is the thrifted treasure I gave away at the montly meeting of Connections Over Coffee at Mystikal Voyage on Friday. I wonder if it should be ‘mouth blown’ but hand blown seems to be the term used when I did some online research.
I was a little disappointed that this was my give away, it seemed so plain – I usually go for something funky yet close to tasteful. This is a really nice vase though. The bottom is very heavy and there is no chance of flowers (or pens and pencils) put in it to tip over. It is about 8″ tall.
The person who won it was very pleased and already had a placed picked out to display it. She is using it for the shape and the way it reflects light rather than as a vase.
Several people expressed a wish to win this prize. Once again, a reminder that not all of us like the same things. Something I thought was a little ‘less than’ others thought was perfect.
Thrifted cost: $0.49
Estimated original cost – $20 – $25
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August 23, 2010 by newniquenews
A couple of weeks ago the childrens group at my spiritual center made these flowers in their class and gave them away. 
I didn’t know where to put it and simply wrapped it around a lamp on my foyer shelf/table. It was very random and now I really like it there. It is so summery and cheerful. Sometimes these random placements last longer than we think. This will stay until I decorate for fall. Then I like it so much maybe I’ll wrap some faux leaves around the lamp.
The entry really needed some color so this work well with the other things on the shelf.
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August 19, 2010 by newniquenews
I am late in posting about the Light of Truth clothing sale hosted by Ginny Robertson. On Friday and Saturday, I spent several hours hanging out talking to people and helping some of them find clothes and create outfits from the wonderful items donated by On Purpose for Women members and others. I did not buy a lot but some people found all kinds of wonderful things meant just for them. I did get two leopard print items (leopard is a neutral, you know) a long sleeved T and a small scarf I’ll use as a belt. I have a sister in law who will be appalled. She thinks leopard is tacky.
There was a particularly wonderful crocheted dress in a golden color of brown. The kind of color that doesn’t work for everyone but when it works, it really works. We had several people try it but it just wasn’t right. One young woman tried it on and then modeled it for the shoppers. When everyone started cheering and clapping she had to take it. She looked gorgeous.
That was the kind of event it was and I enjoyed the time I spent there.
Posted in Thrift shopping | 2 Comments »
August 9, 2010 by newniquenews
My snob is showing. I have never been much of a fan of Home Interiors (now called Celebrating Home) items. I have visions of going to a home party in the 80s and only seeing plastic wicker butterfly wall plaques and (in my opinion) ugly pictures. Not my taste then or now. Although armed with the new plastic paints I look at some of them with a different eye now.
I had to adjust my thinking when I found this pagoda votive light in a thrift store last week. 
It is a heavy frosted green glass. The design pressed into the glass is well executed. I think it will be really pretty with the candlelight flickering in it. This was one of those things I would like to keep but I gave it away as door prize at Thursday’s On Purpose Connections Over Coffee meeting at Bliss Coffee and Wine Bar.
This find reinforced again what I know really well with clothes – don’t look at the label until you decide if you like the style, quality, materials and workmanship of the garment. Otherwise a label can influence me to pass over something or worse buy something I don’t absolutely love because ‘it’s a (fill in the blank)’.
I can’t find this item online. Judging from other Home Interiors votive lights I did find, my guess is that it cost $20 – $25. I paid $1.50!
I love thrifting.
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August 6, 2010 by newniquenews
With the exception of some humongous zucchinis, my garden is not doing so well this year. Deer (or something tall) have eaten my tomatoes and any vines that grow outside of my tomato cages. One of my zucchini plants died and the cucumbers fall off the vine before they are ripe. But … when I read the Baltimore Sun Wednesday morning I found that I do have a successful garden. I have purslane in great abundance. I have waged an unsuccessful battle against this weed plant for years. It grows anywhere and does not seem to need water. Now I find that it is a nutritious and tasty plant. Who knew?
I am celebrating my gardening prowess and will be trying some of the recipes I see on line. I’ll let you know how they turn out. Read the Sun article here. This is a really good picture of the plant as I usually see it.
Tags: weeds, purslane
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August 3, 2010 by newniquenews
I have never been a big fan of outlet malls. Didn’t see many bargains. In my corporate days when I bought suits and lots of jackets I always found better deals in Marshall’s and TJ Maxx and for current season items, Hechts’ and Macy’s sales could not be beat. To me the quality (low) and price (high) were not in sync.
Yesterday I went to the Eastern Shore for some family time and stopped in the Queenstown Outlets. I like to check 9 West for flats and decided to go to Chico’s too. Did you know that Chico’s now has a brand that is sold only in their outlets? A clerk was quite happy to explain to me that it cost less than similar items in non-outlet stores because the quality is not as good. The brand is Additions and it is not cheap. In addition the slinky knits are not very slinky. There were few Chico’s items on the sale racks. My advice – stay away from the outlets. Go to your local Chico’s for the sales. Or go to a thrift store. My last 10 Chicos pieces have cost me an average of about $3 – some complete with price tags.
Tags: Thrift shopping, Chico's, outlet mall
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July 19, 2010 by newniquenews
I had heard from several sources that the Salvation Army in Randallstown (8715 Libberty Road, 21133) was a really good one. Last Wednesday I had an appointment in Sykesville and since Wednesday is half price day, I decided to come home by way of Liberty Road and take a look. I did not get there until about 2:00 so I am sure many bargain hunters had been there and left.
The store is really big, probably an old supermarket, and has a separate room for furniture. Some of the furniture was in good condition if not very stylish. This week the home goods were not very exciting either. I bought some bookends and the biggest deal of the day for me – sewing machine needles in unopened packages. The clothes were mostly polyester and acrylic although I did pick up a classic black LL Bean cardigan.
I will stop again if I am in the area and if looking for large furniture I would get there early on Wednesday morning (I think furniture is 30% rather than 50% off). If you live close it is worth a visit.
Posted in Stores, Thrift Stores, Thrift shopping | Leave a Comment »
