Colorful Finds and Resisting Thrifting Temptation
When it comes to thrifting I think I’ve finally learned the only way of resisting temptation that works for me.
One thing I can tell you it’s definitely not is making a specific list and telling myself I’m only buying what’s on that list. While that does help remind me of what I’m looking for, it has never worked at limiting me to just what’s on the list.
How about you?
This fabulous colourful plastic-handled cutlery set wasn’t on my list, but there’s no way I was not bringing it home.
For $2 for the lot, it was definitely a no-resist situation.
I have a few ideas for this lot. I can feel the repurposing wheels turning.
Tablecloths are not on my list because I don’t need any more, especially since I decoupaged a tablecloth onto my kitchen table.
But for fabric repurposing purposes? Yes please.
The colours in this one are absolutely stunning, and there was no way I was leaving this large $1 tablecloth behind.
And check out the colours on this $1 funky textured tablecloth.
I just started adding yellow to my aqua and red kitchen with my spray painted glass vases and then I find this.
What luck!
It’ll be repurposed  in some way, just not sure exactly how yet. The colours are perfect, and it was definitely coming home with me.
No ifs, ands, or buts about it.
I would have to be a little bit crazy to have snooker balls on my list, because 1) I don’t have a snooker table, and 2) Â I don’t even know how to play snooker, and 3) I’m not even really sure what snooker is. I’ve played pool quite a few times over the years, but I’ve never played snooker.
But look at all that glorious red!
They cost me $7 and I’m thinking they’ll look pretty great somehow displayed in my kitchen.
What would you do with them? Besides playing snooker of course.
The set is vintage Aramith and made in Belgium.
Salt and pepper sets are on my list, but only glass and/or silver miniatures for my collection. Even so I couldn’t pass up this $1 heavy plastic set because of the colour… perfect for my kitchen.
Vintage bakeware, like these 50 cent muffin pans, is always on my mental list even when it’s not on my actual list. It can be repurposed in so many ways like similar ones that I have in my craft desk as drawer organizers.
The $1 silver plate salad spoon set?
Not on my list, but they have rhinestones on the handles so they were too cool.
And last but not least purses are not on my list, but this $2 straw one was just too pretty. It still has its Made in Philippines label inside and is in great shape. I love that it has leather or leather-like handles for good durability.
When I first saw it I thought I’d repurpose it as another purse planter, but I just can’t do it. It’ll be used for storage in my craft room I think.
So at first glance it might look like I haven’t resisted temptation at all, but what I shared today is less than what I used to bring home each week.
This is all I brought home for the month of July, and if I added it up right I spent just $16. Woo hoo!
Not much right?
So what’s my secret? It’s simple really.
I’m keeping my un-resisting treasure-seeking thrift-shopping self out of the thrift stores, and far far away from garage sales. Honestly, the best way to resist temptation is to take the temptation away. Period.
Is that cheating? 🙂
I used to visit my local thrift store every day on my lunch hour and now I go just once a week… and sometimes I actually leave empty handed.
What? Who would’ve thought that was even possible? lol.
Garage saling used to happen every Saturday, but now it doesn’t happen at all. Yay!
There are always going to be treasures out there, but I’ve come to realize that I can’t be the one to rescue them all.  I’m still finding some great stuff so I’m perfectly happy not knowing what treasures I’m missing.
So far it’s working great and my house, especially my craft studio, is so much happier now.
And so am I. 🙂
What about you? Have you been resisting the thrifting temptation?
Thanks so much for reading, and until next time…
keep on keepin’ on!
XOX
Great finds and wonderful buys. Oh, love that purse.
red snooker balls – paint into lady bugs.
Secure wine cork on bottom and use as wine stopper
make into door stoppers or coat hooks   https://www.recyclart.org/2014/05/recycled-pool-balls-door-stops/
valance in front of a window :} Â
Make a clock by cutting the balls in half
Thanks Colleen. I love the purse too. It’s so pretty. Those are all great ideas for the snooker balls. Thanks for the suggestions. 🙂
Oh boy can I relate to this post!! First, I love all of your colorful finds. I couldn’t resist any of those either. I haven’t found much at garage/yard sales lately so that discouragement keeps me away….for awhile. I went to a thrift that I don’t get to too often and I left empty handed even though I had several things I was carrying around! I had to put them all back because they were just too expensive. Maybe if it was winter and there were no other choices to thrift….. A good friend invited me to shop her garage sale before the public could and there I shopped with abandon. I got so much good stuff that now I can rest for awhile!
It still does feel good to find great stuff, but I think thrifting all the time was starting to get to me a bit. It’s kinda nice to come home without any new treasures. I have way too many potential projects already. I’m hoping thrifting just once a week is a habit I’ll be able to keep. We’ll see. I’m glad you found some good stuff. 🙂
Wow! What wonderful finds! I love them all! Rhinestones on servers! That straw bag! Those colorful balls! (Never heard of Snooker either, but Colleen has some neat ideas), Those tablecloths! (So colorful and pretty), The cutlery! (Interested on what you will do with those!)
I can relate to your thrifting mentality too. I’ve got too much and I know it. It’s driving me crazy. So I don’t go thrifting very often, and definitely no list. Garage saling used to be every weekend & up at 5, but that was totally exhausting. I’ve come to realize I can still get plenty by doing it more leisurely. No more 5am. Only one day on the weekend, and some weekends not at all. I’m happier. Let someone else find the treasures!
I couldn’t agree with you more Florence. Let someone else find the treasures for sure. Like you I have too many already, and I really want to downsize them and create more space. It seems like every time I create more space for myself, which I love, I somehow end up filling it up again with more treasures. Mostly in my craft studio which is so disorganized… again. I really want the cycle to stop, and I’m hoping I can do it this time.
I hear ya! Empty the space out & it fills up again. I’m planning a garage sale this Fall to sell my garage sale stuff (among other things) LOL.
I love all the bright colors especially the tablecloths!
I have cut back on thrifting too, for one thing some places have raised their prices and the other reason I have become more selective in my choices. I have an ETSY shop and that is where almost of it goes. I have been busy getting geared up for the State Route 127 Longest Yard Sale which goes right through the local city. It is 690 miles long from Alabama to Michigan. It runs from August 3rd-6th, my friend lives right on the main route. This will be the 3rd year we have participated and it is so much fun and meet people from all over the US and we sell a lot of stuff!!
Thanks Candice! I’ve always wanted to go to one of those Longest Yard Sales, so don’t tempt me. lol. I would probably be a very good customer. I hope you sell lots of stuff. 🙂
That’s exactly why I don’t go. Everything I see I’m wondering what could I do with that or wow wouldn’t that look cool if. I do it to trash piles on the side of the road. It’s sad actually. Haha!
I so get that Hope. I even do that at our local dump. I see a lot of great stuff that shouldn’t even be there, and it makes me kinda sad and kinda mad at the same time. But I can’t rescue everything, and I really have to resist the urge. It amazes me that some people don’t realize there are thrift stores and Habitat of Humanity stores that could take the stuff and sell it.
Great finds! You would not have come home with the flatware or the
tablecloths if I had been there…lol. The material of the second tablecloth
is so interesting……I think it would make a nice with summery valance.
Before my his got sick I yard saled, etc. Now it’s mostly on line. I mean who
doesn’t get excited by a box in the mail!! I just know you’re going to do
something very cool with the snooker balls. Happy Thursday.
Thanks Mary! I would have let you have the tablecloths, but the flatware that’s another story. lol. Yes, I like boxes in the mail too. 🙂
You find the best stuff. Love the table cloths. You can always put one over your de’coupaged one on the table…to change things up a little, now & then.
Please tell me what “snooker ball” is…have not heard of it.
Really like everything you found.
I hit Goodwill Tuesday & really scored myself. I purchased a bottle tree last year that hangs in a tree. It has 20 spikes to hold colored wine bottles. So I proceeded to put the bottle on & realized I couldn’t even lift it, & sure wasn’t going to be able to hang it in a tree. So disappointed. So, I got the idea to find small colored bottles, such as vases, etc. So I found about 5-6 Tuesday. Hoping to get my bottle tree hung in a tree very soon. I also found 2 class cake stands sooo cheap-$3-$5, & several small white plate shelves. Going to Salvation Army today with a girlfriend…..love the hunt!!!
Wow! I’ve seen bottle trees on Pinterest but never in person. Great idea to use the small bottles. I’m sure it’ll look amazing. All I know about snooker is that it’s similar to pool and billiards, but also different. I knew these were snooker balls because they don’t have numbers on them like pool balls do. That is the extent of my snooker knowledge. 🙂
I understand completely! ! I stopped after work today at my favorite store and they are running g20% off on glassware.china is included. What temptation. Old tablecloths …just can’t pass up a vintage cloth .I am talking my age or yoynger!! Especially $1-3???great finds.
Thanks Charleen! Right now my local thrift store is having a 25 cent sale on all their glass dishware, candle holders etc. In the old days I would have brought home a carload, but no more. Sometimes I wish they would up their prices so I wouldn’t be so tempted. lol.
I have not been shopping in over a month. Out of sight, out of mind. Love your finds though.
Thanks Donna! Absolutely out of sight, out of mind. That’s definitely working for me too.
You’ve certainly had other things on your mind…like remodeling a kitchen!!! Maybe you’ll get back to shopping with a vengeance soon.
Great finds! I’m with you on- if you don’t see- you don’t buy it. However- treasure hunting is one of my favorite things to do.
Mine too Laura, and that’s part of the problem. lol. I’m still going to do it, but just less often.
I think there’s a point of saturation when we don’t feel the need any longer (perhaps in a certain category). At that point, the item needs to be pretty special for us to bring home to join the others. We need to become selective, and leave the inferior items behind. I think I have hit the saturation point for some things, although I couldn’t tell you which.
I couldn’t agree more Fonda, and I think I’ve reached that point for most things right now. I’m really going to try to only bring home the things that truly speak to me.
Such a fun variety of finds, Tuula! Thanks for sharing @Vintage Charm!
Thanks so much Cecilia!
Ah ha! I knew I’d missed something this busy month! Glad I found this post! Those table cloths are perfect for reusing! I just can’t get over the salad servers with rhinestones!! How glamorous! And just so you know, I got out all the stuff I’ve collected for you and am getting ready to pack it up!! Don’t start looking for it yet, though. Next I wait for money to mail it! Did you know you are kinda expensive up there?? But totally worth it! Dona
It’s so nice that you’re back Dona. 🙂 I agree that our mail is quite expensive here, so please don’t worry about sending anything to me. It’s actually more expensive for me to ship things within Canada than to the US. Makes no sense at all. lol.