Weekend Bargains

I didn't actually find anything over the weekend since it was Easter weekend, but I did head out on Monday and found a few things.  Most of the shops are picked over right now and I'm not seeing much, plus I'm noticing a lot higher prices and many items are now above my limit.  One store is even switching tags on sale days:(  I'm tempted to take pictures before and after and confront them.  I waited weeks for an item with a white tag to go on sale, went in to find that item gone and figured it sold, oh well.  I went back a day later and it was back on the shelf with another color tag on it.  Not cool.

Anyhow, rant over, time for the show and tell:)

 First up is this awesome retro condiment server.  I think this is genius and can see it's usefulness in a family like mine.  I gave $4 for it and don't plan to keep it, but it's been growing on me and I just might change my mind.

 Another item I'm in love with!  A hot/cold server from the 50's with bakelite handles!  I wish I could figure out how to get a picture of this without me in the reflection, I must have taken 30 pictures and all of them either had a bad flash reflection or me.  Trust me, having your reflection in a round, shiny surface is not flattering.  Another $4 item, it seemed to be the going price for everything this time.

 Retro, divided candy dish by California Potteries.  Not the most modern color, but it's a really nice dish and  in near perfect condition.  $4, again:)

My next $4 item is this vintage ironstone coffee pot.  Made by Broadhurst England.  I love the shape and color of this, but I'm not a big coffee drinker.  I honestly thought it was a teapot until I got home and did a little research.  Unfortunately I couldn't find much, since it seems to be a rather rare pattern.

My find of the day!  An almost full set of crystal stemware and a large crystal bowl.  All just gorgeous and a great addition to my glassware.  I found 8 of the larger goblets and just 4 of the small.  I'm hoping to run across another 4 of the small so that I can set a full table with them someday.  You never know what you'll find!  The large pedestal bowl has a beautiful ring to it, I can't stop flicking it whenever I walk by, it cost me just $3.99.  The larger stemware was $4.99 each and the smaller ones were $2.99 each and were half off, making them $1.50 each.  Again, one of those items that's near impossible for me to get a decent picture of!

Thanks for stopping by!

Jenni

Linking up with the following:

Bees Rental Designs for Frugal Treasures Tuesday
Apron Thrift Girl for Thrift Share Monday
Thrifty Thursday at Tales from Bloggeritaville
Caps Creations for some Thrifty Love

Punch of Color

A lot of my tables have a soft, pale color scheme.  Not on purpose, I just happen to have a lot of light colored accoutrements.  I do have some brilliant Fiestaware though!  So today's table features a lot of color.

I started with a colorful tablecloth I got at a recent auction.   I ended up buying two boxes of junk along with the stack of 5 tablecloths, but only paid $1 for it all so I was happy.

 The place mats are reversible with plain ecru on the other side.  We use these all the time.  These along with the blue cotton napkins were thrifty finds.  The water glasses are a pebbled, green glass, bought at a thrift store and the small coke glasses are from Dollar Tree.

 The Fiesta dinner plates are quite large and work well as charger plates for the older china.

 The off-white china plate is a vintage Knowles.  It has a bright floral motif in the center, but I have been unable to learn the pattern so far.  I love the fluted edge on them.

The lace edgge compotes are the perfect size for some pudding and look so pretty with the other dishes.  I've been collecting them one at a time at thrift stores and now have 5.

This one is by far my favorite color combo.  Red, white, and turquoise:)  The kids recently broke the turquoise dinner plate.  I was quite upset, why couldn't they break one of the dark colors instead of one of my faves?

 A little ceramic bunny just waiting for Easter.

 Another shot of my favorite colors:)

 Thanks for Stopping by!

Jenni

Linking up with:

A Stroll Through Life for Tabletop Tuesdays
Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday
The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays

Sunday Snapshots - Easter Table

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Easter!

 Thanks for stopping by!

Jenni

Egg Dying Time

This year we had fun trying a couple new ways to color our eggs.  The silk tie idea has been making the rounds in blogland and was super easy and a lot less mess than using dyes.  Unwrapping each one was a surprise and a lot of fun.  I collected the ties at different thrift stores over the past couple weeks.

 Tie Dyed

Then we did some Kool-Aid coloring, which resulted in a wide variety of colors.  We had muted pastels, and rich, earthy tones.  The kids loved it and if I'd had plain vinegar it might have smelled pretty good too.  As it was, I only had chive vinegar on hand so we had a cross between fruity and garlicky, onion, phew!  The vinegar isn't required, but it does help set the dye, and since the Easter Bunny will be hiding these outdoors tonight, I felt it was necessary;)

 Kool-Aid colors

I also spent a little time decorating a special egg for each person at our table this year:)  Stay tuned for tomorrow's post to see each one.

 My version of paisley.

How do you color the eggs for your Easter celebration?

Thanks for stopping by!

Jenni

Mid-week Finds

My little guy, Pudge, was feeling out of sorts the other day so I decided to get him out of the house for a bit.  Of course I ended up at a thrift store.  Where else would I go on a Wednesday?

 A trio of candle holders.

I found the two white birds for $.99 each and the glass turkey for just $.59.  The turkey says Avon on the bottom and he's quite heavy.  The white birds look like a cross between a turkey and a dove, but they should still look nice holding their candles on our table.

 Note Cards & Coasters

I'm always looking for fun note cards to send to my friends and family and these are just perfect at $.49.  The coasters are from the 50's and may end up in my shop.  There are some damaged ones, so I'm still deciding.  I paid $1.99 for them, which is more than I would have liked, but who doesn't love Dennis the Menace?

 Vera Scarves

The large scarf is probably from the 80's and I don't know the material, but it's quite pretty.  The Christmas scarf or runner, is very nice with bright colors and is 100% silk, not sure of age.  Both were less than $1.

Hawaiian Shirt & Shorts

This gorgeous little boys outfit still had the tags attached and will be perfect for Pudge this summer.  Original price was $21, I paid $4.99.  We found another Hawaiian shirt a couple months ago at a different thrift store and he just loves it.  I like that they are made in Hawaii from 100% cotton.  I'm not a fan of synthetic fibers.  I guess I'm a bit of a clothing snob.

Not bad for a quick, unscheduled trip in the middle of the week:)

Thanks for stopping by!

Linking up with Caps Creations for some Thrifty Love:)

The Antler Table

This one was just for fun, plus I needed something to use for my blog header, so why not set up an entire table outside just to play around and take pictures:)  Some day my husband and I might actually get to sit down to a dinner just for two.  Dreaming of that day!  Some photos will have different things in them since I was trying things out and snapping pics at the same time.

Of course I got to use my new(to me) Noritake china.  The wine glasses are Dollar Tree and the small water or juice goblets are a thrifted purchase.

 I used a vintage pineapple crocheted topper over a white cloth with a drop cloth runner down the middle.  

First time I've used that pineapple topper and I've had it for ages!  It looks white in the pics, but it's really an ecru color.

 Love the antlers:)  Napkins and candle holder/candle are both thrifty finds.

The flatware is mostly Interpur Florenz, a vintage stainless set  I've been collecting piece by piece.  I had to sub the dinner forks though since I haven't found any of those yet.  I'm starting to wonder if they exist.

Thrifted milk glass, lace edge compotes that I've been dying to use. I haven't had a chance to use them on the real table yet since I'm short two.  I'm really short seven since I'd eventually like twelve, but two more would work for now.  I've found each of them individually and at least three of them recently, so I still have hope of having enough very soon.

Thanks for stopping by!

Jenni

Linking up with the following:

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch
April's Thrifty Tablescape Party at The Thrifty Groove

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Simple Sunday Table

This past Sunday I got to use my newly thrifted china to set the table.  My husband was home, but we were missing a couple kids this weekend so it's only set for five this time.

(click on any image to make it larger)

 I used a yellow table cloth with a homemade lace runner to start.  Both are recent thrift purchases.

 The napkin rings are silver plate and were a cheap find at an antique store.  I later found another set of the same at a thrift store, giving me a full set of 12.  I'm always looking and buying with 12 place settings in mind since I have 5 kids and have hopes that they will bring their significant others home for family dinners someday.  My youngest is 3, so I have time:)

 I'm using my new(to me) green, glass bowl for salad this evening.  The serving utensils are silver plate and another great find at just .59 cents each.

 I wanted to use some floating candles I found recently, so everyone has their own special little candle in a glass ramekin 'pond' tonight.

 The napkins are a white poly/cotton and are new, though I found them at an antique store among the vintage ones, thus their cheap price I suppose.  The flatware is just a plain old stainless set I got for free ages ago.

 The water goblets are from Dollar Tree and we use them almost every day.

 The candlewick candle holders were thrifted, as was the crystal compote in the center.  I love how it all sparkles and makes the table look pretty.

I'm happy to say that everything on this table was thrifted or found at the Dollar Tree and looks just as good as the expensive stuff. (at least in my opinion;)

Thanks for stopping by!

Jenni