Thrifty Thursday! 3.22.2012 // Gold Flatware

A while back, I pinned gold toned DVF flatware onto one of my Pinterest boards.



Just a smidge out of my price range. Well, more than a smidge.

West Elm is currently carrying a set too at a fraction of that cost.




Imagine my glee upon finding these puppies at the flea market last Sunday -- at a fraction of the fraction! (I daresay, it might even have been a fraction of the fraction of the fraction.)



They are Swedish and most likely from the 1920's. I mean, how could a flea market find ever be more perfect for me?

Sure, some of you may think they're tacky. I obviously don't. I think they're warm, different, a tad decadent, and perfect for brunch on the patio with bloody marys and mojitos. I do apologize for the photo. I just laid 'em all out, flea market grime and all. I don't have time right this sec to turn them out properly. They're quite lovely in real life, trust.

Take a look at how pretty a table with gold flatware CAN be:


photo via mylittleapartment.blogspot.com

I mean COME ON. Don't you want to pull a chair up to that table?

Thrifty Thursday! 1.19.2012

We spent some time with my mom at the Long Beach Antique Market last weekend. It was our first time to this flea market and we had a great time. Also, since when did flea markets sell beer? Anyway, hidden amongst some overpriced wares and other items of questionable saleability were some really nice finds. We're trying to be budget conscious this year so we walked away from most. There was that London Fog trench that fit perfectly. And that amazing ostrich feather mini jacket/bolero. And that cute painting that reminded me of my sister. Sergio found an incredible deal on a couple of wirey patio loungers that needed just a bit of TLC but were too big for our car.

I did get this. Vintagey goodness. And only $5.



Classy.

Thrifty Thursday! 2.10.11

Vintage basketweave leather sorta-hobo! Used but super clean condition. The local Goodwills are usually picked over and disappointing. But this one was nice. It was so well organized and salespeople uber helpful.

Thrifty Thursday! - 12.16.10

The sconce is from yeeeaaars ago. It was from a prop sale and I have three of them. I think I paid less than $3 for all of them. The old-timey Santa candles (I have a pair) are about a year old to me but obvs way older than that. They're actually broken and precariously stacked to look whole, but I like them anyway. Kinda gnarly but I think they exude a bit of grimey charm. One day, I might actually light them!

Sorry of lack of posts. Festivities have been getting the best of me. But the holiday decor is up and I can't wait to show you. And Sergio built an awesome enclosure in the backyard which means we don't have to stare at ugly plastic trash bins whenever we look out the windows, which I also can't wait to show you!

Thrifty Thursday! - 11.18.2010

Do you know what the state bird of California is?

The California Quail. :)

Cute huh? When they forage together, they follow one another in a line, one behind the other. I came across a covey on an early morning hike several years ago while camping in Lake Cachuma. I saw them from afar so I slowed way down to be really quiet. I got right up next to them before they finally saw/heard me. They totally froze in place and pretended they were invisible. I think I chuckled out loud. Funny birds.

Anyway, our resident quail is made of ironwood. We found him several months ago in the window of a tiny and newish thrift shop on Figueroa. He was only like $2. He's pretty cool.

Thrifty Thursday! - 11.11.2010

Starburst drinking glasses.



Picked these up at our monthly local sidewalk sale a few months ago. There's a fourth but the stars have been rubbed off of that one. Cute, huh?

Thrift Art! Les Tuileries (maybe)

Thought I'd take a break from the weekend celebration recap posts (yes there's still more) with some thrift art! I snapped up this pretty painting at our usual thrifty haunt. I can't say it was cheap, because it wasn't to me. But, relative to what is normal for an original oil painting of this size, not bad at all.

The painting is 48 inches wide by 23.5 inches tall. With the frame, it's 56 x 32! Big.

I got it with the living room in mind. But it didn't work in the space. So, it is idling on its end on the floor, against our bedroom wall.




After much online research, we think this is a depiction of Les Tuileries in Paris. We can't find any info on the artist, nor can we read the signature clearly. I lovelovelove the colors. To me, it looks like the 1940s-50s, it's a lovely weekend day, not too long after a spring shower, just enough of a teeny nip in the air to make handholding more of a treat than usual... très romantique, non?

Super Streisand

Oh lookie here what we found at our favorite thrift shop. Babs, in all her 1977, Jheri curl deliciousness. I'm not the biggest fan of her music. I acknowledge the immense vocal talent and all...just not my type. But this? Outrageously cute, simple, clean and sexxy design? That is my type. No, we don't have a record player. And I don't think this is even one of her better albums. But come on! It's a Superman symbol emblazoned Barbra in tube socks! Pure silliness, I know. I walked over to the register thinking it was 75 cents. Turns out, it was half off and with tax, was only 41 cents! (Aww man...I'm thinking I should've picked up the 1980 duet cover with Barry Gibb too!)

The Superman cover features Barbra demurely enticing in one of those "have to pee" poses that current starlets have reengineered for slightly more modern times.



Oh but the back cover is the best. So cheeky B, so cheeky.