Thrift Store Treasure ~ Plates

Over the years I have blogged about my thrift store finds here and there. Years and years ago, when Mr. TRH and I were newly married we couldn't afford much. Out of necessity (and it was fun to find things at such a cheap price too!) I shopped at thrift stores a lot. I still love shopping at thrift stores and garage sales, but the way I shop has changed over the years. There are things I look for and collect and one of the things is small floral plates.

They are so many plates at the store, but to find a plate with beautiful floral design in good condition is very hard. Little by little my collection grew...

When I checked the back of the plates to see where they were made, most of them are from England and Japan. Then some from china and unidentified ones. My collection is still small, but someday I want to display them to create a "great wall of china".

Because there are several things I look for when I enter the thrift store I hesitate where I should start looking. What if when I am looking at vintage sheets, pretty floral plates are taken by someone. What if when I am looking at vintage books, a rare milk glass vase was thrown in to another person's cart?! Ahh! Such drama! If you are a thrift shopper at heart you will understand exactly what I am talking about.

I will write about other things I collect in the near future. Is there anything in particular you look for at thrift stores?

Recent Thrift Store Finds

I realized I haven't had a "thrift store find" posts for a while, so let me share some findings from last week...

I quickly stopped by one of my usual shops when I realized I only had a few minutes to spare before I needed to pick up my kids from school. Here are the details:


Large white bowl $X.XX

Metal strainer $1.99

Vintage pillow case $1.99

Book $2.99

I was looking for a large white bowl like this for a while after seeing this on the Pottery Barn website.

It is $79 after the price was reduced from $99. Mine? That's right, it was $4.99! :)

I have been looking for a colorful metal strainer for a while too, but that was something I didn't really need. Nor did I want to spend $15 to $20 on. But if it is $1.99? Now, you are talking.

I have been collecting vintage sheets and pillow cases, and I really liked this one. The book seemed very interesting too and I had to grab it. :)

I would say my quick thrift shop stop was a huge success. You never know what you will find at a thrift shop, but it is always nice to find the items that you were looking for for so cheap. No more garage sales and yard sales till Spring, but thank goodness thrift shops are open all year around. :)

Trip to Japan ~ Shopping Part 3

While I was there I bought some clothes (of course!). I bought a few items at the mall, but there were some great finds at the recycle shop. I was so surprised by their quality, and the range of selections. I will share the pictures of them in various posts.

I had so much fun window shopping at the mall. I still remember the time that the Japanese economy was strong (years ago), and people would spend lots of money on very expensive designer items. I guess for some people it is still that way, but most of the consumers are looking for more affordable yet high quality items.

When I went to the mall, I was pleasantly surprised to find many stores that carried budget friendly clothing. AND, they were so pretty! It was just so much fun to look at different things that I don't find in the U.S.

If you have been reading my blog for a while, it is no secret that I love clothing, but I am not big into following treads. I would add a hint of "in" items here and there to update my look, but I don't feel like I have to buy the hottest or greatest items.

Just like here in the United States, there were many different styles of clothing, but the particular style I kept being drawn to was clothing made out of linen, cotton, gauze and relaxed style. To some people such style may appear as shapeless, unsexy, untrendy, but I.LOVE.THEM.

I fell in love with this dress... it was love at first sight. The white skirt and the tank is something I had, it didn't come with the dress. It is made out of very light weight cotton.

I see you! I was messing with Mr.TRH while he was trying to take pictures.

Ivory white tunic: I found this at the recycle shop. I love the square neck with lace and it is made out of very soft gauze. I wore it with a skirt and ribbon that came with a different dress I had. I think it would be fun to wear it with skinny pants and flats too.

Blue robe: I honestly don't know what to call this. I guess it can be worn as a dress, but "robe" sounds like a better fit for it. When I found this at a shop in the mall, they had a soft black and Ivory as well. I loved them so much that I wanted them all, but I behaved and chose this one. It is very baggy, and I wish I had this while I was pregnant! :) It makes me so excited to think about the different ways to coordinate this unique piece.

As I mentioned, there are other ones, but I will share them as I have pictures to share. There are a few more posts to share from the "Trip to Japan" series, hang on tight; a giveaway post is coming up soon!