Thrifting!

It's been a while since I've got my thrift on, which speaks to the thrilling and busy weekends I've had, with friends and other social commitments, of late. A recent Saturday afternoon with nothing to do left me with a few hours to hit up two local joints, which in turn scored me a few items to wear and some to use as raw materials for future projects.

Above: a couple pairs of running shorts; a silk blouse (it's Jigsaw, which totally reminds me of the UK!); and a cream-colored 3/4-sleeve jacket that's fully lined and fits me to a tee -- for $6.50! Below: a pair of suede pants and a Donegal tweed skirt. I'm such a sucker for the little flecks of dark brown, yellow, and blue! I have at least one idea in mind for these materials, and will try to work on a prototype before summer's end.

I did find a couple of cashmere sweaters that were so soft and were perfect candidates for recycling, but I decided to be more realistic about how much time that would take vs. how much yarn I already have.  (Many of my friends would be proud of that move.)  The big find, however, was awaiting  -- as you may have suspected -- in the housewares section.

The organized chaos of the housewares -- a.k.a. "bric-a-brac" -- section always cries out to me, and this time the awesomeness was easy to spot for its distinctive hourglass shape and leather + wood collar. It's a Chemex coffee maker! I'd learned about them from the kitchn and saw one in action when I went to Intelligentsia for a birthday coffee. When I saw it sitting there on a shelf amidst other random glass pieces, out came the trusty iPhone for product and image searches. I didn't find too much information on any reproductions, and after someone else picked it up (What is this? said the expression on their face, before setting it down again), the anxiety I felt over the near loss made me realize that I should just buy it. At $3, I guess it's okay if it ends up not the original thing!  More research is underway; it might be more difficult since there are no markings on the wood or glass, but I'll see what the Internets has for me.  Up ahead is the trip to pick up some filters, the making of coffee, and the comparison with my standby and trusty French press.  Stay tuned!

Giving green

The other weekend we spent a few hours at MyKo's parents' place, checking out their recent remodeling job (beautiful!). Due to the construction, household items had to be boxed up and stored outside. I spied a lamp that I offered to buy from them, and Mama MyKo said, "You can have it! Please, take it!" She even tested whether the electricity still ran (it did!) and put it in a bag for me. It's *exactly* the type of desk lamp I've been searching for, too: vintage, gooseneck, conical. The plusses are its fantastic green color and its funky fiberglassness. I love the texture created by the filaments.

As we were in the backyard already, MyKo and I started rummaging through some of the boxes and found lots and lots of treasures, especially in my weakspot: ceramics and housewares. Mama MyKo has so many sets of unique Japanese dishes -- the likes of which are, sadly, no longer made. It was a boon for us, though, since Mama MyKo was more than willing to send many of those hardly ever used goodies into new, caring homes. MyKo filled up two boxes with complete sets of plates (prompting her to remove items from her already scant bridal registry), various serving trays, and special Japanese cups; I managed to step away with a few pieces, too. The theme: green.

In addition to the lamp, Mama MyKo let me have a beautiful Japanese teapot with wisteria and butterflies; three teacups with a camellia pattern, and a tupperware for keeping vegetables (there's a net-type thing inside), long enough to hold the daikon I regularly pick up at the farmers market.

Such passings-along seem more and more common these days as our parents start to downsize and move out of the homes we grew up in. Sorting out a house full of stuff after 25+ years seems a daunting task for many, but I happy offer my services. I love cleaning and clearing out and organizing. When it comes to friends' homes -- like MyKo's, a couple months ago -- objects found at the bottom of drawers and the backs of closets often ring nostalgic. And with our parents' homes there are so many mementos and memories. I love a good history and a good treasure hunt. I'll be back, Mama MyKo!

Thrifting at home: books

Spring cleaning usually means throwing things out, right?  Especially when you're trying to makeunder your life, right?  But as I mentioned the other day, I think there is value in keeping things, too.  Not all the time, of course.  But sometimes.  Like all those vintage pieces in the kitchen.

What about books?  The past few years I have been nearly ruthless when it comes to purging them.  I regularly give books to friends -- even sending them cross-country -- and have you heard of Book Crossing?  I've only kept books received as gifts that I haven't read yet, which is already at least two boxes.  And I have all but replaced trips to bookstores with walks to the library during lunch breaks.

The other day I was tidying up the garage and came across a box full of books.  They are from DC's and his brother's childhood days.  Here are a few that I just had to bring out, to sit with and flip through slowly:

[billy goats gruff cover]

[troll]

[birds cover]

[birds, drawings]

[richard scarry cover]

[scarry boats]

These are intended for DC's nephew, who's three... but they're here now, for the three-year-old in me to rediscover. (^o^)

Thrifting at home

I'm such a sucker for housewares.  At department stores, discount stores, thrift stores, you name it.  And don't even get me started with Ikea.  I can spend inordinate amounts of time cruising the aisles of dishesware, glassware, storageware, servingware.  All of it.  I especially like the vintage pieces, so do prefer thrift stores.  Much to DC's chagrin.

Since I've been cleaning out the kitchen cabinet innards to reline them, I've discovered thrifting at home.  Mrs. C has some seriously vintage stuff -- check it out!

[vintage housewares]

I discovered vintage pyrex and corningware, and even an old school kettle (yes, you can put that glass straight on the burner).  I especially like the set of refrigerator dishes, which are already being used often!

But it's also appliances!  I brought my new Cuisinart food processor/blender over because I plan on making lots of smoothies this summer.  As we were making room for it, Mrs. C pulled out her old school blender.  It's from her own wedding registry.  In the early 70s.  And it still works like a charm!  We made smoothies together, and that first week that I was here with her, I came home from work each day to a mini smoothie just for me.  How sweet!

[old school blender]

I recently made some watermelon juice.  So fresh, and so delish!  (Just add some crushed ice and a touch of sugar.)  Don't you just love the avocado green of the blender?  They just don't make 'em like this anymore.

No, these items are not being donated.  Rather, they will be lovingly used and maintained.  And I will remember to go through the cabinets before heading out to thrift shops, for treasures abound here!

New knitting goodies

A few weeks ago my parents came home with this yard sale purchase (plus five 50g balls of high-quality-looking yarn!):  a set of bamboo dpns, straights, and circulars, all size US7; a pair of Susan Bates needles, size US8; Clover crochet hook, size J; three markers; and--the gem of the lot--a Clover Kacha-Kacha counter...

...all for $1!

My moms and pops da bomb.

I'm already using the counter, and it's the coolest thing.  Will show you what I got soon!