Secondhand News

All our free time lately has been spent scouring craigslist and thrift stores for the perfect pieces to furnish our new house. We’ve found some great bigger items like a desk, tv stand, and a shelf for our records but we are pretty far from being finished. Until then, I just wanted to take a minute to share some of the neat little things I found on recent trips to the thrift store!

I found these pretty dried flower pieces at two different thrift shops in the same day. I usually don’t buy things like this but something about them just spoke to my inner grandma. I decided that day to start collecting them. I found this gorgeous one on etsy but I don’t think I’m ready to splurge on my new collection just yet. . I think I’d rather just stumble upon them slowly for a few dollars at a time than to actively seek them out for a lot more dough, ya know?

This dress is super shapeless and awkwardly long but I couldn’t resist the awesome pattern. I wore it around the house on laundry day but I have a little diy planned to make it really cute and perfect for summer.

One of my favorite things to thrift for is pretty dishes. I love to share my recipes on the blog and I’m also in the process of building up a cake decorating portfolio, so it’s nice to have some variety when experimenting with my “foodtography”.

In the background of these photos is a pretty lace tablecloth I bought. I got it on a whim— I didn’t even have a kitchen table at the time. AND I was even searching for a rectangular table but for some reason I went ahead and bought this round tablecloth for no reason? I’m usually very practical when thrifting but I just couldn’t talk myself out of it. Then, when I went home for Memorial Day my mom *just happened* to have this extra table so everything just kinda fell into place!

Have you found any truth to the saying “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”? The percentage of my stuff that is actually something no one else wanted continually blows my mind!

Treasure Hunting

I started out looking for vintage cake stands on Craigslist and next thing I know. . . this desk is staring back at me! I can’t believe how unique and pristine it is. The ad says it’s a 1950′s optometrist desk, hence the neat cutout and swivel chair. I would swoop it up in a heartbeat if I had the room (and money) for it!

1982 Motobecane Jubile Sport

This summer while I was in Gatlinburg, I was searching around for a new bike. I found this vintage Motobecane and instantly fell in love. Since I was 215 miles away, Nick went to check it out for me because we couldn’t tell much about it from the pictures. *The plan* was to go see if it was my size and then call me so we could talk about it, but next thing I know he sent me a picture message of a gorgeous bicycle that said, “Say hello to your new bike! It’s in great condition, rides well, and is the perfect size for you.”  It was very romantic . . . except I had to wait like 2 weeks to ride it! Just kidding, it was well worth the wait =]
Meet Nessie! Besides the mismatched tires and the (not my taste) grip tape, she was perfect. I planned to keep her all original, but I soon discovered that I felt clumsy and awkward with gears after riding fixed for so long. Although incredibly fast and smooth, I absolutely could not ride comfortably since it was setup as a racing bike. So after much debate, I decided to convert ole Nessie.

A new stem (the old one was way too long for me), my old risers, & one wheel set later, and she is looking & riding pretty fine! After checking the frame and doing some research, I am positive she is a 1982 model. I found a few twin bikes around the web— even another conversion. I also got excited when someone on a forum described the color as, “a light bluish green color–I’d call it toothpaste.” How perfect is that?

Nessie originally came from Chicago, where the previous owner used her as a racing bike. She is now used for my work commutes and also for lots of fun. If anyone out there has a 1982 Motobecane Jubile Sport please contact me! I’d love to see your setup or link to your photos. Happy riding everyone, stay warm this winter!

Treasures Frozen In Time

Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting the beautiful home of a family friend. And by home, I mean historic house in Springfield, TN. Incredibly high ceilings, two staircases, and rooms full of antique furniture. There were so many great old patterns and textiles, I would have moved there in a heartbeat. I didn’t get any exterior pictures, but I wanted to share a few of the little treasures I found throughout the house as I was exploring.

1. This amazing frontpage of the Nashville Banner from 1945

2. These lettuce shaped bowls are so precious! I like to imagine myself eating salad out of them, but I know that in reality it would probably be cereal. 3. I am in love with this bathroom wallpaper! One of the bathrooms even had a purple tub, so dreamy! 

4. How strange/whimsical/compelling are these hair portraits? When I found them I was simultaneously grossed out (by the fascination parents have with keeping their children’s hair) and delighted (by the illustrations). Side note: I am constantly jealous of any and everyone that knows calligraphy.

5. Can you imagine getting a pair of shoes this perfect for less than $4?! This old advertisement makes me so nostalgic! (Is it even possible to be nostalgic for a time you never lived in?)

6. After taking an embroidery workshop this summer, I appreciate this vintage embroidery even more than I normally would. Although this one is not particularly intricate, it makes me so sad this type of work was never really considered an art form (until recently) since a woman with a needle was seen as “lowly” compared to a man with a brush. 

7. I can’t even handle talking about this child’s portrait! Look at that kitty planning his escape! This picture is incredible. That is all.  8.  These very small, diamond shaped, pastel dishes literally took my breath away when I found them tucked away in a cupboard. I would love to use them for photographing my baked goods or serving miniature treats to guests.

9. I already posted an embroidered piece, but this needlepoint is just so dainty!

10. These porcelain brooch holders are so charming! You put the pin of the brooch in the holes on top for a pretty and functional way to store your jewelry. This is the first time I have ever heard of these and I can’t find anything similar online, so if anyone has more info about them I’d love to know =]And lastly, I found this silly comic in a closet somewhere. I am not sure if it’s recent, but it’s relevant:

 I am so enamored by old homes and all the treasures they house (and people, and memories!). I could literally spend hours at antique shops, thrift stores, and estate sales because of my love for all things old and with character. I am constantly inspired by the past. I can’t wait to have a place that I can settle into and make my own by filling it with so many of my pre-loved treasures from others. That’ll be the day!

Nothin’ against a big town. . .

. . . but I can breathe in a small town!

Okay, one John Cougar Mellencamp quote is enough. . . What? You didn’t notice? What rock are you living under? [insert bad rock 'n' roll pun here.]

Seriously though, as much as I love bustling cities, great transit design, and bike lanes, there is something about small town charm that just gets me. Maybe it’s the way strangers smile at you and automatically feel like family. Or the way everyone takes their time. Or because everything is perfectly mismatched, chipped paint, faded colors, and all.

Whatever it is, Bell Buckle, Tennessee has it. The town is tiny (less than 400 people!), but it has heart. The southern cafe in the center of town is surrounded by antique shops. It comes with a fantastic chalk menu, like any great restaurant:

Complete with fried corn fritters and a live radio show on the weekends, Bell Buckle Cafe is a well-hidden treat. A trip around the block will have you stopping into at least a half dozen thrift & antique shops, one complete with an ice cream bar. Good luck resisting the sherbet!

It was such a good day for a drive through the country, thrifting, ice cream, and my favorite part of summer slowly coming to a close: tights! So perfect for layering and mixing textures:

Although I would have been perfectly content leaving empty handed, we did pick up a few good finds. Two awesome Robert Lyons prints:

I love them so much! Does anyone know anything about the artist? I did some researching, but it didn’t give me much to work with, unfortunately. Lastly, I picked up this super classy apron for just five dollars:

It’ll be nice to have a year-round apron (my other one is holiday cat themed!) to wear and will also be perfect for the cake decorating classes I am going to start soon. So many great finds and positive things going on lately!