Recent finds (bargains!)

I'd intended to focus on beautiful vintage items I've purchased at affordable prices, but I got sidetracked "confessing" my tendency to fall victim to dishaholism (is that a word?).


In the first photo, you'll see a lovely feather boa-y wreath. I saw it at a local Goodwill store priced at $5.99. I remember thinking it was just about the goofiest thing I'd ever seen ... and that I had to have it! It's in an odd little nook. The area can only be viewed from the stairway, and is accessed by passing through a closet and bending over to go through a low, angled door. The table was $50 at a local antique mall, and the decanters were purchased for $10 or less each at various estate sales. I think they're pretty displayed as a collection in the early morning light. I also like using them to serve wine at a dinner party (guests are unlikely to suspect that the wine was decanted from a bottle with a screw-on cap!). They're also nice for serving juice at an elegant brunch.



The mirrored tray on the bar was also a $5.99 Goodwill purchase. The decanter was $15.00 on the second day of an estate sales (that's when you usually get the best deals). The ice bucket was on sale for under $10 at an antique mall. Who cares if it has an "S" engraved on the side? I think monograms add interest and character to vintage glass, silver, and linens. We all have someone on the ol' family tree with an "S" name, right? "Dear Auntie So-and-So loved her beautiful things" (and she probably did!).

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The creamer and open sugar below were also a "day 2" estate sale purchase. They're sterling and in very good condition. I negotiated the price down to $15! They were quite tarnished, but a quick polish using Wright's Silver Cream (widely available and inexpensive) had them shining again -- not quite like new, because I carefully avoided removing the dark patina in recessed areas that shows off the decorative design elements.

They'll be great filled with cream and sugar cubes (I'll get to use the sterling sugar tongs I purchased at a downsizing sale last year). It will be even more fun to use them for small arrangements of flowers from the garden, wrapped candy on a guest room bedside table, or for q-tips/cotton balls in a guest bath.

I hope you'll comment and tell me about your own favorite "finds!"

Mojitos coming up later today. See you then!

Bill

You MIGHT be a Dishaholic ... if ....

Yes, you might just BE a dishaholic, IF you have cabinets in your kitchen that are beginning to look like the ones above!

And that's just the white/cream china with gold rims (OK, I see a few platinum bands here and there. I'm not a purist, NOR a particularly organized individual).

AND there's also an actual china cabinet (that's filled to overflowing).

And bulging padded zippered storage cases sitting on closet shelves.

And cardboard boxes filled with china wrapped in paper.

Is there a twelve step program for people who can't resist buying just one more set of beautiful dishes? Or for those who can't part with the dishes their mothers and grandmothers used only for very, very special occasions?

I HOPE NOT!!!

Thank you to the wonderful Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. Her beautiful blog inspired me to click on the "create blog" button in the upper right corner. Not because I know how to do this, but because it seemed to be an intriguing creative outlet and a way to encounter friendly kindred spirits.

I was very pleasantly surprised to find that people were commenting on my first post. Thank you again to Susan for sending her friends to stop by and say hello. I appreciate all the kind words and good wishes.

Do I dare participate in an upcoming "Tablescape Thursday?" I don't know ... maybe ... I think I just might!

You know, I think tomorrow I'll share my favorite recipe for mojitos -- not guaranteed to keep you cool, but I promise that after a couple of those icy, minty Cuban concoctions, you somehow just don't seem to MIND the sweltering temperatures quite as much!

I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend!