TREASURE HUNT [the art of life]

Ah Treasure Hunting (also known as thrifting). Not only do the goodies you collect have a story behind their beautiful exterior-but the stories you create as you find them! My thrifting partner in crime is none other than my mother, who taught me all I know, and some of these goodies belong to her!

First up is this adorable beverage table. I'm totally in love with this find! I saw it at a yard sale and drooled extensively. But didn't get it because I had no cash on hand. Luckily my mom headed back up to the yard sale the next day to get the next item on this list, and was able to pick up this little baby for me! I've learned its from the 60s and 'pecan' style-anyone know anything else about it, or where to learn anything?

 

As promised is this little gem is next, a cute set of nesting tables also found at the same yard sale. One of the legs is broken, though an easy fix. Great sturdy set of tables with amazing potential! 

 

My next beauty is a candelabra, actually purchased a while ago and I kept promising photos, well I finally thought of it, so here it is. I had big plans for it upon purchase, but I'm not going to lie-I love it as is! There is a minor chip in the gunmetal paint, and one crystal missing, but I haven't been able to find a replacement, or new crystals I like better. Purchased for $7 at Goodwill in Auburn.

This great little candlestick features three monkeys doing "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" -another great find from the yard sale I spoke of earlier (I haven't even photographed half the loot we got there)! This was only $3.

This cute little bag was one of my recent finds, a cute Ikat makeup bag by Estee Lauder for only $1 at Goodwill in Auburn. I love me some Ikat and this I could not pass up (especially at the price). Don't worry, it gets well used!

Next up on our little treasure hunt is the cutest little burlap vanity seat. I love this little thing, unfortunately my mom snatched it up before I could. Found at Renew Boutique in Roseville, lucky for us they were in process of moving to a new location and were eager to sell everything, including the display items! Only $15, it was in perfect condition before my mothers cat got to it! ;)

Last up on our Treasure Hunt is this adorable asian style lantern made of cast iron (it is heavy)! This beauty came from the Discovery Shop in Auburn for only $4! 

This has made me realize that I haven't gone thrifting in much too long! Guess I'll have to remedy that this weekend! ;) So what's your favorite? Have you gone thrifting lately? Post links to your thrift hauls!

..and make sure you read up on how to clean your thrift goodies before you use them!

•Treasure Hunt may or may not be linked up to any of the link parties and THRIFT HAUL !•

TREASURE HUNT #1

I've been scoring some great furniture lately during my thrifting and garage sale-ing escapades, and I can't wait to show you the before and afters of some of these pieces! Embarrassingly I have to admit that other than buying fabric (another great score-check facebook to see more about that), I haven't begun any of these reconstructions. But alas, here's a sneak peek of their pre-amazing goodness!
First up is this adorable (but outdated) footstool, its low to the ground 9.5" high, the seat is 14.5" by 11". I have some huge plans for this piece and luckily I only paid $2 for it! Originally intended as a photo prop, this little gem may find a place in my own after all, found it at a local garage sale (Auburn, CA).

This second footstool was obviously handmade, and definitely outdated as well. But its sturdy and the shape has great potential. I paid a little more for this one (ok a lot more, but I couldn't resist!) -this piece has even bigger plans, and I can't wait for you to see the outcome! The seat pops out making fixing it up even easier, but the rungs are made from different woods, and consequently different sizes (oops)-join the conversation about the fabric I found for it on facebook!  -Goodwill Roseville.

This cane chair was love at first sight, much higher than I would normally pay at $30, but it has gotten great use out of it (obviously) . (This piece was actually found a while ago...oops!) I've been indecisive for a while about what to do to it, but I've finally decided and can't wait to start the reconstruction! It was in pristine condition when I first got it, but after countless photo sessions, and commandeering it as my computer chair the back has begun falling apart. -SPCA Thrift in Roseville.

I've secretly always wanted one of those adorable and glamorous vanity mirror trays, and when I saw the trim on this I snatched it up-only to realize after it was a cute narrow version measuring 18"x8". I'm thinking of painting it bronze or gunmetal-what do you guys think? -Goodwill in Roseville for $3.99

Last up is jewelry! I love love love the mint blue color and the fabulous diamond cuts to this bangle! I snatched this piece up for $.50 cents!-Discovery Shop Auburn
This wooden bangle was way too cute to pass up, and for only $.25 it was love at first sight! -Assistance League Auburn

These corrugated ombre post earrings were screaming my name and lucky me were only $.50! I can't get enough of the texture and colors! -Discovery Shop Auburn

Finally, these simple circle dangles were fun and teeming with potential, dirty gold (bronze-ish?) and plastic, perfect for when inspiration hits. And at $.50 I wasn't leaving without them!-Assistance League Auburn

What's your favorite? Any suggestions for what I should do to any of them? Have you gone thrifting lately? Post links to your thrift hauls!
..and make sure you read up on how to clean your thrift goodies before you use them!
•Treasure Hunt may or may not be linked up to any of the link parties under THRIFT HAUL!•
•I'm looking for a sponsor to help host a linky to share your own thrift hauls, or DIY projects! If you're interested in sponsoring one or the other hit the contact tab!•

Thrifting Adventures

I like to call my thrift purchases 'projects'. Why? Because whether it's a nice cleaning, or sewing buttons on, or spray painting it, there's always something to be done. Therefore mini projects! Today's thrift adventure features three items I found recently during my excursions. So meet my new projects:

First is this adorable yellow cropped jacket, I have always wanted one. Why, I don't know. But I did and it was cute-did I mention it was only $4?

This gem is H&M, found at Deja Vu in a Dress, in Roseville, CA.
 I love the pleated arms and the large button. Unfortunately as you can see it's not only missing a button, but the top one fell off shortly after this picture was taken. TLC time!

My second find that day is a cute little scarf, perfect for a fall day where you need something to keep the warmth in, but not really 'keep you warm'. Hand knit in all it's imperfection glory, this find was just $2 at the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop in Roseville, CA.
My last find was actually  purchased a week before the others, while shopping in Auburn, CA Goodwill. $1 for an owl toothbrush holder. Hasn't been cleaned yet (other than a quick soap and water rinse), and it's definitely not in use yet either. Did I mention I LOVE all things owl? This little guy is no exception!  Kudos to my friend who found it for me!
 Make sure you check out my thrift post on how to clean your purchases! What thrifty goodies have you picked up recently?