THRIFT SHOPPING IN VEGAS

While I was in Vegas I couldn't help but pull over to stop and check out one of the thrift stores we passed. I wanted to stop at all of them but I couldn't talk my sister into it.



I was happy I did stop though because I found some treasures to take home with me.

Like this cute plate with the King of Spades on it. It would be perfect for little sandwiches, cookies or cheese and crackers.

Then I saw this darling set of little plates. I couldn't pass these ups. They were brand new in the box and never used.

I'm sure people in Vegas get little gifts all the time that deal with cards, gambling and Vegas and they just send them to the thrift stores. But, for us visitors they are super finds at the thrift stores.

These red plates are in the shape of the diamond and heart.

The other two are the black Clubs and Spades.

I see a Tablescape in the making here. A card theme, Vegas theme or perhaps even a Bunco theme.

My heart was pounding so fast when I picked these beauties up. At first I thought they would be great to go with the card theme. Since I already saw the black, white and red colors being used these black candlesticks would be great.

But, when I actually held them and looked at them I noticed these were not just any black glass candlesticks. No way.

These were actually Black Depression glass. You can't tell in this picture but they almost look like a deep dark purple when held up to the light.

I have never found any black depression glass at the thrift stores before! I was so excited.

Plus, they were marked down to only 75 cents each!

I looked around waiting for someone to grab them from me to say "Oh no, those were marked wrong" but, they didn't.

I have lots of plans for these treasures. Perfect for Halloween and lots of different Tablescapes. Also, they will have a place in my china hutch with my other depression glass.

Walking down a bit further, I spotted this wonderful milk glass candy dish. Again, my heart skipped a beat. I love milk glass!

Most of the time the thrift stores near me will only have a vase or small plate. Even then, the prices have gone up so much that I often leave them behind.

Not this puppy. It was in perfect condition, no chips or cracks and was only 50 cents.

So, while I didn't win any money in Vegas, I feel like I hit the jackpot at the thrift store. I left there very happy and spent much less then if I spent that time in the store on the slot machines.

I've never gone to the thrift stores while I'm a vacation or get away. I think I will be doing so from now on.

What about you? Do you stop at the thrift stores when you are vacation? If so, what treasures have you found?

ICE BUCKET TURNED PLANTER & THRIFT FIND

Yesterday I showed the centerpiece I used in my Tablescape. It was an ice bucket that I put flowers in.

Today, I thought I would show you what it looks like as the ice bucket it really is.

I love this piece! I collect milk glass and this is my favorite piece I own. I have never seen one like it and I have no idea what it is worth, if anything.

I found it at a Thrift Store awhile ago and was thrilled when I did. I had it in my garage for a long time and actually forgot about it. Until I went in there to clean up a bit and came across it.

It used to be easy to find milk glass at Thrift Stores but not so much any more and when I do find any it's normally a vase. Plus they raised the prices up a lot!

I also thought I would show you my latest Thrift store find.

I had seen these on Pier One Imports web site and really wanted to get a set. I went to three different Pier Ones and couldn't find them. They had them in black and a yellow gold but not the red.

So when I saw them I got really excited!

I don't think they have ever been use. They still have the original price tag on them from Pier One.

They weren't very expensive to begin with but my excitement came from not being able to find them and now here they were. Plus at more then 1/2 price!

I love birds. I love red. These plates are perfect for me. I can't wait to use them in a Tablescape. I think in the summer when we are having dinner outside would be great.

If you had these, how would you do your Tablescape?

FLOWERS EVERYWHERE TABLESCAPE

It's time for another Tablescape Thursday that is hosted by Beyond Naps on the Porch. I love Thursdays so I can go visit and see every ones great tablescapes and pick up hints and ideas that I can use.

Seeing all the wild flowers on my hike was my inspiration for my tablescape today. Flowers, flowers everywhere!

I even got to use my bee napkin ring holders that I got not to long ago. After all, where there are flowers, there must be bees.

I found these great red Poppy plates awhile ago at Ross. They were super cheep as they were on clearance so I couldn't pass them up.

I started with the tablecloth and napkins I got at Kohl's when they were having their 50% off sale. I loved all the bright colors of the different flowers and knew someday I would use it for a floral tablescape.

For the center piece I used a milk glass ice bucket that I was thrilled when I found it at a thrift store a long time ago. I've never seen one before and still have yet to see another one like it.

I put some red geraniums in there and thought it was perfect for this table scape.

The red charger plates came from K-Mart and I've used them before. The red flatware came from Target. They have great prices on flatware. This set of four was only $9.99. It comes in other colors too.

The glasses are from Macy's. I got them free. Well, free to me. I had gone to Laughlin several months ago and entered a drawing for Macy's gift card. I actually won!

The little lady bug dish was a clearance item from Kohl's.

Oh, I also used a white bird as part of the center piece. I got him as a gift a few years back. Normally, in the Spring/Summer months he is found in my living room.

Of course my little white bird salt and pepper shakers were used. So was a pretty red basket/bowl I found at Ross or TJ Maxx. I can't remember.

I think this is a very cheerful tablescape. Bright colorful flowers screams spring to me! Now if only my garden was this pretty...

NOT WHAT I REMEMBERED

I finally found the milk glass items I had been looking for. Though in my mind, they were drinking glasses and these clearly are not.

I was going to use these for my Valentine's Day table but now I'm not sure. Though I do love them and think they would be pretty with maybe some sorbet or pudding or for Valentine's Day I could put some cut up pound cake and fresh strawberries topped off with some fresh whipped cream.

I love the ruffled tops. They are nice and heavy too.

The bottoms give them that vintage look that I adore. When I purchased these from an antique store the lady told me they were from the late 1930's.

As is normal with milk glass, they are opaque when light shines through them.

They look like they have a crack in them but they don't. You can't see the lines in person, only in the photos. Strange!

I think they would be perfect to use for holding a sundae in them during the summer. Oh there I go, thinking ahead and not enjoyment the moment I'm in.

I think I'm happy these turned out not to be what I thought they were. These can be used for so many more things then if they were drinking glasses.

They are now washed up, put away in my china hutch and safe and sound where they belong.

THE COLLECTION JUST KEEPS GROWING

I have a love affair with Milk Glass. Actually I love all depression glass but ever since I saw Eddie Ross' collection of Milk Glass and how he used it to set his tables, I've been on the hunt for my own collection.


It used to be easy to find Milk Glass in the Thrift stores. When you did come across a piece it was always very cheep. Now days, it seems like they are becoming more and more sought after and therefore, harder to find at the thrift stores. Even if you do find a piece it is costing more and more.

These are a few of the piece I've found at thrift stores and never brought inside, until now. What was I thinking! I love these pieces.

Now they are washed up and safely in their spot in the china hutch.


This plate is so pretty with the lace pattern around the edge. I have only one other plate in my collection. So, I'm going to be on the hunt for more now. I would love to use these on a tablescape. All shinny white but each one different from the others.

It's hard to see but there are little flowers adorning the edge of the lattice work.

Wouldn't these be pretty on a Valentine's table with a red tablecloth and napkins?

Until I get more I'll use this and my other one as serving pieces. A plate full of cookies maybe?

This is one of my favorite pieces. I've never found another piece like this. I think it would be wonderful to serve chocolate covered strawberries on here.

It has a diamond pattern on the bottom. Most real Milk glass is a bit translucent when light shines through it. Almost like a glass of milk. Therefore, giving it the name Milk Glass.

This piece is also in the diamond pattern. I would love a set of these too. Perfect for a scoop of fresh ice cream in the summer or a lovely bowl of fruit.

It could also be used to serve some candy or nuts. Perhaps even a bit of cream whipped up to go with your scones?

I found yet another diamond pattern piece. Again, this could be used for many things. Even putting some pretty soap or shells in it for the bathroom would look nice. Or, if you are serving breakfast some homemade jam would be super in here.

This is the 2nd one of these bowls that I have in my collection. I've used the other one several times for candy and nuts. A set would great because I can see a pretty colorful scoop of sorbet in here. I'm sure your company would be thrilled to be served a nice dessert in this dish.

Last, are the two vases. I have several milk glass vases and I think they are the most common pieces to find.

What flowers wouldn't look beautiful in these? The one on the right is pretty big. I think I'll use it in the Spring when my hydrangea flowers are blooming.

I have a few other vases that look like the one on the left. I'll use those on a tablescape where I want to line the table with a few vases full of pretty flowers.

I know I have several other pieces hidden away in my garage. I'll be sure to share them with you whenever I come across them. I'm searching for some glasses I know I have out there. I want to use them for my Valentine's Day luncheon.

THRIFT STORE SCORE!

This month has been a busy one so far. I have not had a lot of time to go do fun stuff.

Today I had to go to the dentist. YUCK! But on the way home I decided to make a quick stop at Goodwill to see if there was at least one thing to brighten my day.


As soon as I walked over to the area with all the dishes I spotted this darling little china sugar dish. I love the little pink and pale blue roses on it.

So, I picked it up, checked for cracks and chips and saw it was in perfect condition and only cost $1.99. So into my cart it went.

I'm not going to use it for sugar though. I think I'm going to use it in my bathroom.

We are finally getting our bathrooms remodeled in two weeks. I can't wait! I thought this would be cute to put Q-Tips or something in and pretty up the bathroom a little bit.

After all, who likes to look at ugly things in the bathroom? Not me.

I also noticed, on the same row as that darling dish, these two Milk Glass vases. They are different but perfect just the same.

The one on the left has tiny stripes (I don't know if you can see them) and the one on the right has dots. I also have another one, that bought before, that looks just like the one on the right.

I'm going to use these for the baby shower I'm giving later this month. I think they will be pretty with some lovely fresh flowers.

I got excited when I found this beautiful Milk Glass bon bon dish. I love the lace edge.

I'm going to also use it at the shower to put some cute candy in.

Then of course, these Milk Glass items will go into my china hutch with the rest of my Milk Glass collection.

I saw this great tea pot. It is perfect for any tea party or even just to enjoy a cup of tea with a friend.

It's from Germany and the design is elegant yet simple. I couldn't leave this behind.

I always go through the store pretty fast to see what catches my eye right away. Then I go through again more slowly. It seems I always find things I missed the first time around.

These fun vintage glasses were found on my 2ND go round. I'm happy I found them.

Don't you love the tall slender look of these glasses. At first I wasn't sure if I would get them because they looked like the design is snowflakes. But, then the more I looked at them the more I thought they could be bursts of stars.

I couldn't get the picture out of my head of sitting my back yard this summer and drinking a nice cold glass of pink lemonade or ice tea out of these.

So guess what? Yes! They went into my cart too.

I don't know if you remember or not but the baby shower I'm giving is going to have a bird/nest theme to it. The colors are blue, white and brown.

The white birds on this item caught my attention right away.

I thought it was such a cute piece but really had no idea what it was or how I would use it.

It's really heavy. Made out some type of iron or something.

Since it was only 99 cents I got it and figured I would find something to do with it.

Then it hit me....I'm going to also add vintage photos of babies around at the baby shower.

I put one of the photos in here and I think it will work great.

Well, I was happy with my finds and getting read to leave. I was headed towards the front when I saw this white Santa sleigh with three little shamrocks.

I wasn't really interested in it and kept walking. Then it dawned on me...I had to go back and look at this item. Could it be? No! Could it?

Yes! It was Belleek from Ireland!

I don't know if you have heard of Belleek or not but it's pretty costly stuff. Highly collectible.

I saw the price was $5.99 which was a steal. Again, I checked it over good. No chips, cracks or anything. It was in perfect condition. I knew it was worth way more the $5.99 so I got it.

Then I went up to pay and the girl kept looking at the price. I thought for sure she was going to tell me it was marked wrong or someone had changed the tags. But the only thing she said was this color tag is 1/2 off today. So I got it for $2.99.

I came home and looked it up. It sells for $95 and higher. I was very pleased.

So all in all I was thrilled with my quick little stop at Goodwill. I love days like this.