A New Town, A New Chance to Go Thrifting.

Friday is the day for either Bake Fest Friday - Something Sweet for the Weekend or a craft project. Well it would seem that since moving in I have been overloading myself not with craft projects per se but with restoration projects.

I’m a huge fan of thrifting and my mum and sister will often see me disappear in to the depths of  a charity shop only to find me carrying an enormous vintage suitcase as if my life depended on it a few moments later. This happened yesterday. Jo-Jo and I popped in to a thrift store and I went off. It wasn’t until Jo saw a suitcase seemingly floating in mid-air around the shop that she realised I was on the other side holding it.

I’m not just a fan of thrifting because it’s one of the best forms of re-cycling that there is, I’m a fan because I loathe spending money. I have a real problem with it. If I am out on my own I always have a conversation with myself that convinces me that buying a plate for £3 is not a good idea. It’s not because I’m tight or mean, it’s just that for the longest time money was my master and not the other way around. Then, in my mid-twenties I grew up a bit, began to take control of my finances and became very good with money.

But I still think that with a bit of ingenuity and an eye for a bargain you can almost always find what you are looking for at a more reasonable price without compromising quality.

What I mean by that is that I DO NOT fill my home with crap. You get what I’m trying to say, no?

Take the chair in the picture above.

This was found in one of the towns a few miles from the house. It belonged to the lady who worked in the shop. I think she was in her late fifties or early sixties and it had once belonged to her husband’s GRANDFATHER. A good sturdy chair that has and will outlast us all and all for £15

Another chair, this time a rocker, and only another £15 spent. I can see great things happening with this chair in terms of a make-over and I’m sure the sandpaper and the tins of Zoffany paint will be out soon.

This set of drawers was £5 and I picked this up at our local skip. Slipping the chaps who work there a note. I’m not a huge fan of dark wooden furniture unless it looks like the old school chair and this has a veneer that I won’t be sorry to let go of.

This was a table I bought from a charity shop on the day that we moved out of our old house. I knew that I wanted a smallish table for the end of the island that resides in the kitchen and found this for £12.

I am also NOT a fan of pine like this although I love antique pine. So, once again, the sandpaper and paint will be used.

These apple trays were a bargain at £5 each. Autumn is one of my favourite times, along with Spring, Summer & Winter (!!!) so thinking about getting started on drying apple slices is a thought that is beyond cool!

This wee artists table was another £5 purchase and is awesome for prepping veggies outside in the sun or setting up for kids when they are tiny and want to eat by the pond. I have an idea for this table that I’m excited about and even Jo, who likes the table as it is, thought that it may just turn out OK once I’ve got my paws on it.

Another chair, another £5 purchase from a charity shop, another upholstery project and paint job in the works. It’s a little rocky so the wood glue will also be coming out.

And finally, my favourite purchase so far. It’s not a restoration project as it’s perfect as it is but there is NOTHING that gives me a greater shopping buzz than finding kitchenalia or garden tools that are really old but in super condition. This enamel strainer was £3, survived the dishwasher and is now swinging like a coy pole dancer from meat hooks in my kitchen. Her name is Dolly and I love her.

Robert the Husband – ” Dolly??? Who the heck is Dolly??……..oh god, she’s naming the kitchen utensils again. Will someone PLEASE fetch the jacket. It’s going to be a long weekend”

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