The ART of Thrifting

A few weeks ago I found myself shopping alone. Alone. If you have kids, you understand the gravity of that key word. Husband kept the boys home and I sailed away like a little free bird. It's a whole different world when no one is crying or pulling on your pants (note to self: wear a belt) or putting extra things in the cart. Instead of thinking "GET WHAT WE NEED GET OUT GO HOME" I took the long and leisurely approach. I hit two grocery stores, wandered the aisles at Joann fabric, and then I spotted it. A little thrift store I'd never even seen before. It called to me. "Georgia, I'm full of treasure. Come in." Okay, Thrift Store. You win. I scoped it out in peaceful solitude, and brought home one of my favorite thrift-finds ever. A beautiful little oil painting.

First confession: I've never paid any attention to the art/frame section at thrift stores.
I assumed it would be outdated or tacky, and some of it is, but it turns out there's also gold in them piles. I don't think I would even have looked this day if I hadn't been alone. I mean, I probably wouldn't even have set foot in that store with three little kids after already grocery shopping. But the aloneness said to me "You've been looking for something to hang in the laundry room. Give it a try." I had only sorted through a small corner of the selection, when there it was. And original painting, colorful, cheerful, and mountains. You guys, I love mountains. Probably because I've spent my life in the plains of Illinois and Indiana so any elevation change excites me. So for $4, this little guy came straight home with me.

Along with a few other things. I'm trying to be more intentional with things I bring into my house so we don't get overrun with stuff. In fact I recently read this article, and it struck a chord so deep inside me that I started a major purge last week. But I'll be the first to admit, I have a long way to go. So I brought home some beautiful things for a great price. And I hope they are the kind of good, useful, and beautiful I'm trying to fill not fill my home with. And I'm proud of myself for not buying more. Because that's a real possibility when I'm flying free. Anyway here's the rest of the loot:

I snagged a slouchy brown leather purse for $4. I love brown leather, and it's perfect with my favorite green jacket! Confession #2: I have not used it once yet. Hmm.

I also grabbed some new bedding to try in the guest room. I still have no idea what I'm doing in there, and probably need to decide if I'm going to paint the walls first, but for $6 for both the floral bed spread and the woven navy throw, I figured it was worth a try. After living with it a few weeks I like the bedspread but I'm not sure if I love it. That navy throw, though, is so wonderfully heavy it's officially graduated to our bed. On my side, because I like blankets more than Husband.

P.S. I can't find the camera lens that lets me zoom out anymore than this, so we're seeing life in close-up today. Last time I lost it, I left it in the grass in the backyard and Husband found it when it was mowing. Before he mowed over it. Whew. So he should find it again any day now.

Last but not least, a pretty floral sheet. Anytime I find a large flat floral sheet for a couple bucks, I snatch it up. They are the best for blanket forts, picnics, and all kinds of play. I actually bought two, but when I got home I only had this one so I must have dropped the blue one in the parking lot or left it on the counter. Boo.

P.S. In case you missed it on facebook and Instagram, our house will need repainted in the next year or two and I'm wondering about red! Too crazy? Someone mentioned fading that has me second-guessing. What do you think?

I'm so glad I gave the art section a try that day. And that's the thing about thrifting, isn't it? It always takes a little digging, a little looking past the clutter, to find the really good stuff. I don't think I'll ever pass it up again.

What is your favorite thrift store find ever? Is there a section you tend to pass over that deserves a second (or first) chance?