Saturday, July 18, 2009

Patience and frugality pay off big time

I'm so stoked I can hardly stand it! This week has been a great week for thrift stores and garage sales. I don't know what I did right this week, but it paid off. Yeah!

First, my BEST garage sale find EVER! I've been wanting a chimenea for years. But I could never justify spending $200-$300 for one, so I have waited patiently. Last night I was scouring Craigslist for local garage sales, and one of them had a chimenea listed. Even though I was dead tired, I got out of bed early, made a run for the coffee shop to get my chai tea latte and headed to that sale first. I had the address, and I had mapped it out. However when I got there, I didn't see any sign of life. There weren't any signs in front of the house, and I couldn't figure out how to get to their alley where the garage/driveway is located. I thought maybe I'd mistakenly written down the wrong address, so I started to leave the neighborhood, but decided to go back and park, walk into the alley and make sure I wasn't missing something. Sure enough, I found them. And the beautiful chimenea was sitting there. I asked the lady if it was still available, and she said yes. It was only $20! Twenty dollars people!!! I just about peed my pants. She said the only reason they were selling it was because they were having a built-in fire pit put in. Score for me! I walked back out front to get my SUV and pull around to load it in. When I pulled up out back, another couple of people were looking at it and asking her about it. So I got there in the nick of time! This fall we'll really enjoy sitting on the patio with a nice fire going.



At that same sale, I also got these cute pair of wedge sandals for a couple of bucks (LOVE wedges!). I don't think they've ever been worn. I also bought this adorable lamp for $2.





At another sale, I found these great leather boots for $2. I love the grommet detail at the top and on the toes. I don't think these had ever been worn either. I'm a boot junkie. Heck, I'm a shoe junkie, but I've noticed I have quite a "collection" of boots going on.



And lastly, I found this set of three ceramic jars. I don't know where I'm going to put them, but I set them temporarily on top of the chifferobe in the living room. I can't say that I love them there, but if they have a temporary home, Hubs won't complain as much. See, you have to be smarter than the average husband! ;)



Now, earlier in the week, I went to a couple of thrift stores because I needed to get out of the house. I found this brand new metal hook rack for $3. I plan on hanging it outside on the fence so we can use it to hang our pool towels.



These cool metal "things" were a dollar or two each. They remind me of those retro star bursts, don't you agree? I've painted them already and am just waiting for Hub's opinion on where to hang them. I'll show them next week, along with that ugly mirror rehab.



I found these fun denim espadrilles, a Union Bay long-sleeve shirt, a funky t-shirt and a cute Gap linen skirt. Not pictured is a pair of denim bermuda-length shorts, two gorgeous vintage rhinestone pins (one was $2, the other $4...I've seen these same kinds at antique stores for $30 each) and a $2 bag of beautiful shells to finish the wreath you all convinced me to make for my living room.









I've had a great thrifty week. The chimenea is my pride and joy though. I can't believe I found exactly what I was looking for, and at such a great price! Did you get any good deals with weekend? Do share! :)

Join the fun on the Southern Hospitality blog! We're sharing our garage sale and thrifty finds!

66 comments:

Amber Filkins said...

WOW. Props on that chiminea, thingy, or whatever it is. I never knew the name.

Second, I have that EXACT same lamp. So cute!

And I L-O-V-E LOVE those 3 apothecary jars. LOVE. I had a really cute yellow one with french writing, and I busted it last month while dusting. I was SO sad. I still have it put away to try to glue it together, lol. It's kind of hopeless. But the full front with writing is in tact, so I'm hoping I can swing it.

Anyways, you did GREAT!!

......a little jealous. :)

SplendidlyImperfect said...

That chiminea is GORGEOUS! I love the color. I'm also loving your jars. They're really pretty.

Ally's Corner said...

You did find some great things.
I did go looking at some places while on vacation but found nothing.
My thing I'm looking for is a old kitchen scale.

Ally

Candy Allen - Junk Sophisticate said...

Looks like the thriftin' gods were shining down on you this week! Awesome deal on the chiminea and I love the denim shoes!

I too wish you were closer to Minnesota. It would be a blast to meet! How far are you from Round Top? I may be going to Marburger at the end of September. Fingers crossed!

Candy - AKA Junk Sophisticate

Shell in your Pocket said...

Great Finds...wow!
sandy toe

ThriftyAnnabella said...

What bliss to find something you've been looking for and not be too late to get it. Happy Thrifting

Carmen said...

Great haul!

Unknown said...

What great finds! We have a chiminea and just love it in the on cool Missouri evenings. The lamp is super. Have a great week and thanks for sharing.

Charla

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

I am sooooo jealous!!!! $20 ??! That's just not fair. ;) Visiting from Rhoda's party. :)

Blue Creek Home said...

You really did have a thrifty week.
I love the three white jars and also the towel rack. Great shoes too!
Rhonda

anythinggoeshere said...

Score for you. You can always get what you want thrifting or saleing, but sometimes patience is the key. I am having a giveaway. Come by and see if it is something you might want.

anythinggoeshere said...

Score for you. You can always get what you want thrifting or saleing, but sometimes patience is the key. I am having a giveaway. Come by and see if it is something you might want.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

WOW, I love all your finds, shoe-girl just like me! I love your chiminea, so glad you were able to score one so cheap. Good week for you, girlfriend!

Sue said...

Chimneas are still cute, even after all these years! I bought my first one on a buying trip to High Point Furniture Market about 15 years ago. They were all the rage and very expensive back then, even at wholesale cost! You got a good deal! The three jars will make a nice statement anywhere in the house, too.
:-) Sue

★Carol★ said...

Great score on the chiminea. It was meant to be! I like those white jars, and actually I think they look nice up there! I like all of your shoe finds too!

beachvintage.com said...

That lamp is the bargain of the century.

PAT said...

Fabulous finds!

Create in me a clean heart O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 said...

Wow - you CLEANED HOUSE this week with the sales! Great job!

marmielu said...

Boy, did you score! Great finds, and congrats on getting something you've wanted for so long.
Mary Lou

Unknown said...

wow you did good! Love the boots!

Marla said...

I love the white jars you found. You had a good week, also love the shoes, you can never have too many shoes you know. I visit Goodwill at least a couple of times per week.

Amy Lynne said...

What a great week! You scored so many deals!

Nissa said...

We have a chimenea on our back patio and use it sooooo much during he fall/winter. You are going to love it & that was a great price!

Beth said...

You found some great things! I need to go shopping w/you ;)

Rhonda said...

really wonderful deals! and that is so cool you got there just in time for the chiminea you wanted so bad

Charlene said...

I want a chiminea, too, or a fire pit! That was a great deal. Love the lamp and the metal hook thingie, too!

Suzanne in TX said...

Love, love,love all the shoes! You did good, girl~~~come over and "visit" sometime and wear a pair of those cute shoes...

Megan said...

That chimenea is a great find.
Congrats

meg

onourwayonline.com

Shannon said...

Wow! You found some great finds! What a STEAL on that chimenea!

erin said...

Great Finds! Love the white jars! What a score!

Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top said...

Wow!!! You really cleaned up. I guess persistence paid off on the chiminea, huh? I too have been looking for one for our patio. Maybe I will get lucky like you did.

erin said...

Wow great finds. you totally scored this week.

Nicole A. said...

WOW! You did awesome!!! Score on the chiminea, what a deal and it's so neat and looks new! LOVE LOVE LOVE the set of canisters!! Everything is awesome!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Great deals - you really did good.
Glenda

Sami said...

It is interesting I am almost always drawn unwittingly to other Texans' blogs.

I had just finished reading this post when I checked over to my blog to see if anyone had commented and low and behold you had. Thanks for stopping by.

I love the title of your blog by the way most days I feel undomesticated too. :)

Amy @ Keep'n The SunnySide said...

Goodness girl, you scored big time. WOW!

I never have any luck at thrift stores like Goodwill for instance. I swear they see me coming and jack up the prices.. not even kidding. I stopped going.

Miss G said...

Congrats on finding exactly what you wanted! I also really like the idea of the hook thing over the fence for towels and also the star things are cool. Kelly

Anonymous said...

good finds!

http://anhesty.blogspot.com

Cami @ Creating Myself said...

You scored some cute shoes...lucky you! Great buy on the chimnea too!

redhead said...

Great finds!! Sometimes, notice I said sometimes, it's worth getting our rear ends out of bed early!! I love it!

Rhonda said...

Great finds!! The chiminea...is it awesome to be patient and there it is! Yay for you...love it!

Kammy said...

Gosh, your patience was worth it ! I can't believe the bargins you got, love all the shoes !
Hugs ~ Kammy

Cathe Holden said...

PLEASE CONTACT ME RIGHT AWAY!!!! (Cuz you won something wonderful from my giveaway!)

cathe@justsomethingimade.com

susan said...

I used to have three nesting tables also--2 have died! I can't begin to tell you how old they are! You will really enjoy your chimnea--perseverance pays off!

phillips phamily said...

That set of apothecary jars is perfect up there!

Melissa said...

Okay, I never knew they were called chimeneas (?) but you had a great week! Especially love those wedge sandals and the 3 jars.

Kendra @ Domestic Princess in Training said...

Wow you found lots of great items! I love the black shoes.

Kendra @ Domestic Princess in Training

Lucky in Love said...

You are a genius!

Love the lamp!

Helen Joy said...

Great job on the chiminea! You got some awesome awesome shoes! Man, I live in a town of mostly retirees and I can't find anythign but orthopedic ones at yard sales. I love the towel rack you found. I read about how you had to get out of the house so you went to goodwill. I immediately went and started following your blog:-) I do that all the time. I work from home and have a 5 1/2 month baby and I just have to get out. Needless to say, I have done A LOT of thrifting lately. I just can't help it! Looking foward to reading your blog!

Jessica Morris said...

wow - you really got some fantastic things this week!!
All the shoes/boots are super cute!!

And the chiminea - I never knew what they were called before - but wow!! It's super cool and that will be so cozy to sit around come fall :)

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Bill said...

Congratulations on all the fantastic finds! I guess sometimes the stars are in the right alignment and the thrifting just falls into place. Glad you got the great chiminea for only $20! My neighbor has one and she just loves it ... amazing how much heat one puts out on a cold night!

Thanks for stopping by and leaving the nice comments. Hope you have a wonderful week!

Bye for now,
Bill

Avian | nestparty.com said...

I'm loving your wedges! I'm addicted to wedges too. My must-have when traveling: super easy to walk in and yet they are casual and dressy at the same time!!

I just started a blog (last week - yea it's THAT new!) about sinfully delish and luxurious things that make lives wonderfully excessive!

Check me out: http://www.nestparty.com

Katie said...

Sounds like you had a great week bargain hunting! I have that skirt from the GAP it's very cute on!

Over from Just Something I Made, congrats on being the big winner! I won her last big giveaway☺ I can see that the title you picked out is right up your alley!

SharDon Exclusives said...

Congratulations for winning the "1,000 Just something I made" prize. You are indeed a winner. Love you blog..sharon

Paula said...

What a lovely chimenea :)

And congrats at winning the give away over at Something I made.

Paula

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

That is such a great story! Or else I am just strange in how excited I get about other people's bargains. But seriously, great job! You will love having that this fall, even more knowing that you only spent $20 on it! :)
Carrie

Lisa said...

Amazing finds! The chimnea looks pristine! I love the wedge sandals, too, and I think the jars look great beside the bird cage.

Debilou ~ Mississippi Mama said...

wow, great deal on the chimenea,, i would love to have one just cant justify spending a lot on it..

Have a blessed day! said...

Such great finds on wonderful treasures!

Mandi @ Sweetly Home said...

Girl, you got some great scores!!!! Way to go on the chiminea!! So happy you were the once to score it.

Cate said...

Totally jealous of your chimnea find - that's awesome!

Kelli said...

That chiminea is an awesome find! I keep trying to convince the hubs that we need a fire pit or something like that. But we're never outside, and I don't really like the cold...
but it would be pretty to look at [you know, from inside!]
I tagged you over at my blog!

Dena said...

You did good! I love the lamp and the pool towel rack looks so cute!

Dena

Leah said...

Great finds. We lucked out with a free chiminea from a customer who was getting rid of theres. :)

Lisa said...

Great Stuff!!!!! Love the jars!

Susan Moorhead said...

Whoa! I would want to tag along with you - great thrifting!