BOLO Score!

Remember that BOLO list that I talked about just yesterday? Well, I can cross one item off of that list. I have been searching for a long yellow cardigan for awhile now with no luck. On a Goodwill run yesterday I found it! Kind of...

It isn't a *long* cardi, but more of of a medium length. In my last post I talked about being open minded at the thrifts. Even though this pretty cardigan wasn't long, I told myself just to try it on, and I am glad I did! It is an Ann Taylor Loft garment, $3.59.

On the same trip I found this:

An Apt. 9 lined lace tunic top with wide sash, $3.59. I am normally do not wear lace, however, Lindsey over at Thrift and Shout blog did a post on how lace is a hot new trend and photographed herself in a beautiful lace top. When I saw this shirt on the rack, I thought of her post and tried it on. It looked great! Especially when paired with the yellow cardigan. Thanks for the inspiration Lindsey! (She has a great thrifted fashion blog that you should definitely check out)

On the way home from the GW, I saw a fluorescent orange sign from afar and knew it could only be one thing...a yard sale! I hung a quick right then a left and one creative parking job later, I had arrived. The yard sale was that of an elderly woman who had passed and they were cleaning out the house. I try to be especially respectful and gentle with my haggling in these types of situations where a death is involved. This woman must have loved to read. There were hundreds of books, mostly steamy romance novels, which gave me a chuckle.

I ended up with a blue quilted leather vintage purse for $1, a vintage metallic silver evening bag, and a bag full of Barbie collectible ornaments from Hallmark.  The metallic silver evening bag is here in the Etsy shop and the Barbie ornaments will soon be in the ebay store (I will do another post on these).

Wanna see this whole ensemble put together? Stop over to the Facebook page!

What's your most recent BOLO score?
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Thrifting Finds And A Lesson Learned

When I left my 'steady paying' job yesterday, I headed to my favorite Goodwill in the city. It happens to only be about 5 minutes from the office (how convenient). I am sure they took me into consideration when deciding on the locale ;) 

Here are the finds that I will be keeping for myself:

Boot-cut jeans~5.49: Just the right fit and wash.

Vintage Pyrex coffee cups with gold and chartreuse rim~59 cents each: Happy to add these to my ever growing Pyrex collection.

...and last, but definitely not least, a pair of fabulous designer shoes that you will need to visit the Facebook page to check out!


Here are some other nice items I found. These will go into my store:

 
Cuisinart silicone basting brush for grilling, new~Ebay

Dr Marten Heston oxfords, excellent condition~Ebay

Hello Kitty collectors coffee mug with angel wings~Ebay

I had also picked out the cutest little black dress from New York and Co. for 99 cents with the intent to put it in my ebay shop, but today when I went to pull out all of my purchases for photographing, it was not in there. I checked my receipt and at least I wasn't charged for it, but darn!

Thrifting Lesson Learned: Just like at the grocery store, watch that all items are scanned at the correct price and that they make it into your bag.

Have you ever come home and found you were missing a great item?
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Linking up with Apron Thrift Girl's: Thrift Share Monday.

Thrifted DIY

When you are thrifting, don't forget to look high and low. That's when you find the coolest stuff that others have overlooked. Case in point, this cool DIY Supergraphic System Kit from 1974 that I found tucked at the back of a bottom shelf at Goodwill!

What the heck is a super graphic you ask? Here are some visual representations of super graphics:

Source: merchline.com via Vintage on Pinterest

We all have that big, blank, canvas of a wall in our home that could use some livening up. Why not do a little DIY magic and fill up that area with a cool super graphic?

Source: blog.iso50.com via Vintage on Pinterest

The Supergraphic System packaging boasts how 'simple' and 'fun' painting your own wall-sized super graphic can be with their boxed kit.

Source: blog.iso50.com via Vintage on Pinterest

I don't know about 'simple' and 'fun' but this would sure look cool and would definitely leave one with a feeling of DIY satisfaction when done!

The painting part aside...Look at all of the cool furniture in the photographs on the box:

I totally want the white chair in the photo above!

What kinds of thrifted items have you found and used for projects around the house or yard?

Share your story below!
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Linking up with Her Library Adventures: Flea Market Finds and Apron Thrift Girl: Thrift Share Monday.

How I Shop The Thrifts...Get In, Get Out

Tag-On Loft Dress

When I tell people I thrift for most, if not all of my clothes, most reply with~I just don't have the time to look at the thrifts. I can see where people might think this. Here is this big store with everything from clothes to cleaning supplies and items ranging from current to back from grandma's time. Why have to sort through all of it? Why not just go to the mall, right?

I say~just go! Go thrifting, park at the door, and have all of your favorite store brands under one roof, all on the cheap! No searching for mall parking, dealing with the crowds, and roaming from store to store to find the bargains.

Dana Buchman

We are all busy, so I have a couple of tips to get in and out of the thrifts...quick. 

If you are looking to get in and get out, ditch the cart. This allows you to maneuver easily in narrow aisles or crowded areas.

When I thrift for clothes, I do not flip through each hanger. Now, I know my fellow hard core thrifters are shaking their fingers at me, but I don't have the patience for this. Might I miss a bargain? Sure, but there is always next time.

For me personally, I skim and do an initial edit right at the rack. I walk up and down each aisle slowly, focusing on one side at a time. Think of the fabrics and colors you like and look for those as you skim. When you see something that fits your criteria, pull the garment off the rack and do what I call an initial edit. Check the arm pits for holes or stains and do the same for the rest of the garment. If there is *minor* piling and you have a fabric shaver, fine, but if it is anything beyond minor, put it back. Also, glance at the tag, are you willing to pay that price for this piece? If yes, it's going to the fitting room. If not, right back to the rack, why waste the time trying it on? Be brutal in your editing process. Now move on to the next piece!

Tag-On Express Trouser

 
Let's talk jeans. If you are looking for tag-on clothing, these can be the easiest to spot on jeans at the thrifts. How so, you ask? My friend Tina Shake over at We Sell On Ebay blog taught me to skim the racks while hovering above the hangers and looking downwards (I have to stand on my tip toes). This way you can easily spot the paper tags that they attach to the top of the waist band. And if that is missing, the original price tag that is attached to the label is also easy to spot. If you don't care about the tag-on part, then it is still easy because you know what wash you like right? Well, scan and look for your wash-type and that drastically narrows the field, then edit at the rack.

Need a dress? Dresses have their own section at the thrifts. Many only wear a dress a few times before donating it, so they are typically in excellent condition. I have found Diane Von Furstenberg for 8.99 and designer label Hilfiger for 5.99!

Now try on your fabulous finds. Again, be brutal! Did you find a tear? Does it not fit quite right? Ditch it! Even if it is only 99 cents. Friends, you can find clothing at the thrifts in perfect condition and sometimes even brand new, so there is no reason to settle for an item that doesn't fit quite right even if it is cheap.

Steve Madden

When to thrift? Any time that it will fit into your busy schedule. Have an hour lunch? Locate your nearest thrift and eat your sandwich on the way, then shop! Have time between work and that dinner with friends? Run to the thrift! Have kids? Hit the toy section first and let them pick out a toy to play with while you quickly skim the racks!

I hope this has inspired a few of you to visit your local thrift store. Trust me, the first time you find tag-on Dana Buchman or nearly-new Via Spiga on the cheap, I promise you will be hooked on the thrifts!
 
If you are new to thrifting, what questions do you have? If you are already a thrifter, share a quick tip to help new thrifters get started!
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Yummy Pie Rex

Today I went to my friend Becky's house for a visit. She is getting ready to sell her house and has been cleaning, dumping, and organizing like crazy. She had mentioned to me on the phone that she found a few Pyrex pieces that I might enjoy seeing.

Becky also has a love for vintage, mostly glassware.

When I arrived, pleasantries were quickly exchanged and she eagerly led me up the stairs into her kitchen. On the way up she was commenting about the Pyrex she had found and she wasn't sure what I'd think about it, but wanted to show me anyway, etc., etc.

We walked into the kitchen and I about fell backward.

Check...out...this...amazing...PYREX!!!!!!!!!

Do you know where she found this lovely example of a Pyrex casserole? At the Goodwill for 7.99! Can you believe it. I mean, it even has the lid! How often do you come across something like this? Like, pretty much, never.

We were actually on our way to the Goodwill and I had brought my camera along to photograph stuff for the blog. So, I immediately took out my camera and started shooting pictures of this rare Pyrex. It is red, but in the light it has that wonderfully comforting pink Pyrex glow.

When I was done photographing, I cradled it like a baby and then gave it back...

Any idea what this Pyrex pattern is called?

UPDATE: THIS PATTERN IS CALLED GOLDEN POINSETTIA AND WAS A PROMO PIECE IN THE EARLY 60'S. 

Linked up with Apron Thrift Girl's: Thrift Share Monday...

Cocktails and Sequins a la Studio 54

I found the most fabulous vintage cocktail dress this week! It happened at the Gdub (Goodwill) that is clear on the other side of town from me. I usually don't travel out that way just to thrift, but my car was having an oil change out that way and my brother in law works at the dealership, so he let me borrow his ride. (thanks b-i-l!) This is one of those Goodwill's where almost everything is in good shape. It's in an area of town that is considered newer money, so you know what that means...Many wear things only a few times and then get rid of it. Am I stereo-typing? Maybe...but it sure makes for darn good thrifting!

So, here it is...I give you 'The Studio 54 Dress'. Yep, so cool I gave it a title!

Ne-Ne from RHOA would definitely say BAM!

 
This is a vintage, fully beaded, mini dress from the 1980s. The brand is Stenay. It is so encrusted with beads that you cannot even have it dry cleaned. It is spot clean only. Dang, I wish I could fit into this little number! But, since I can't, I will give someone else the opportunity to own this show stopper of a dress over in my etsy shop. It's listed now if you would like to see more photos and the measurements.


 

What does your favorite thrifted dress look like?

Linking up with Homemaker on a Dime and Apron Thrift Girl!

Picking Berrys At The Goodwill

Any one who has said they can't find good stuff at Goodwill just isn't looking. I am not one to flip through each hanger on the rack either, and I still find excellent items. After awhile you start to develop eagle eye thrifting skills and can spot tag on clothing a mile away. Finding designer brands will also become a specialty. Heck, even in my dreams I am finding high-fashion Lacroix!

The same day of my Pyrex haul, I also had another winning pick. Can you already guess the brand by seeing this photo?

I was skimming the coat racks and spotted a pattern that I have seen in the pages of Vogue. I stopped and dug for the tag and yep, it was Burberrys of London! I pulled out the coat and found it to be a full-length classic trench coat in good condition. It was missing two buttons, but better brands usually have extras sewn into the lining and they were. The hubby was with me on this thrifting trip and asked, "Is this the brand that I see on commercials where the models always look pissed off?" Ha!! I love him, and I told him he was correct. I was glad he was along. I had to leave the cart a few times and told him that he was to guard it with his life. I mean, there were *both* Pyrex fridgies and Burberry in the cart!

The price I paid for this coat is beyond amazing. The missing buttons have been replaced and the designer trench coat is now listed in my ebay store. After some research it looks like they went from the 'Burberrys' of London just to plain old Burberry about 10 years ago. This trench is an old school classic piece!

What is your biggest designer find at the thrifts?


Linking up to Apron Thrift Girl's Thrift Share Monday and Homemaker on A Dime's Blog Hop.

Pyrex Fridgie Haul

So, I have this thing for Pyrex, especially Pyrex refrigerator dishes a.k.a. fridgies. Fridgies come in a 1.5 cup size, a 1.5 pint size, and a larger casserole type size and have a textured glass lid. I myself, just love the little 1.5 cup size.

In my experience, fridgies are hard to come by. I read about them all of the time on the Pyrex Collective and all of these wonderful little fridgie thrift hauls that people miraculously come across. And, they find them with lids...impossible!

Must have been my turn the other day, cause here's what I found...

These little Pyrex's were all under a bunch of random housewares that were corralled into a Goodwill cart o' death (those metal carts they wheel stuff out of the back with). I spotted the butterfly gold and pounced on said cart. As quickly and carefully as I could I gathered up each one and gently placed them into my cart cushioned by a few pieces of clothing. I ended up with:

1 medium Butterfly Gold w/lid
2 small Butterfly Gold w/lids
1 medium Butterprint w/lid
1 small Butterprint w/lid (not pictured, already sold)

What a nice little fridgie haul! And they *all* had lids. The dishes themselves are in excellent condition with few if any utensil scrapes. The lids are all in functioning condition with only some bumpy nicks.

If you love fridgies and are looking to add to or start your collection, I have the above refrigerator dishes listed at a Buy It Now price with free shipping at my ebay store.

My Pyrex fridgie dish dreams haven't quite come try yet. I am still on the hunt to complete my primary color set...This is what I have so far....

Yep, only 1 primary red dish! It holds the sugar for my morning coffee. I know I could just go buy a full set on the 'bay, but for me, the hunt is one of my favorite parts!

Where have you sourced your Pyrex refrigerator dishes from?

Linking up with Homemaker On A Dime, and Apron Thrift Girl...

You Know You Are A Thrifter When...Lacroix Edition

You know you are a thrifter when, you dream about fabulous thrifted finds...

Friends, I have been under the weather the past few days, so maybe it was just all of the cold medicine I was taking that coaxed this amazing dream from my noggin, but it was so vivid. Vivid enough that when I woke up I had to think to myself, "did that just really happen!"

Source: fashiondesigners.instyle.com via Caitlin on Pinterest

Here's how it went down, in my dream that is...I was at my new fave G-dub (Goodwill for all my newer readers) and was flipping through the racks of dresses. The color of the week was green, so that meant the green tagged items were 99 cents. I came across this gorgeous ivory gown that was encrusted in gold beading and sequins and just overall buttery, it was 99 cents. Then I looked at the tag...Christian Lacroix!! I quickly clung the item towards me, as to not have it picked off by another Goodwill patron. Gasp, could it be true?!! I looked at the tag again, and it was. This dress wasn't my size, but to even be holding it made me feel special. "It's going in one of my shops", I thought to myself.

I then overheard two ladies the next aisle over discussing how they heard a large estate of designer clothing had just arrived at the store. She stated that she had seen a Christian Lacroix dress in the aisle they were in, but couldn't remember where. I was on the hunt! Salivating at the mouth, I quickly turned the corner to their aisle and started flipping through clothing. In my dream I had one lady on either side of me flipping through the rack, and I was in the middle. It was a race to the Lacroix!

Flipping...flipping...seeing beads and sequins...focus on labels...elbows out so they can't get closer...yes, there it was! Just as I grabbed the hanger, the other patron grabbed the side of the dress. I shot her a look of a mama bear protecting her cubs and she released the gilded satin frock with another green 99 cent tag attached.

Source: visionaryartistrymag.com via Mallory on Pinterest

It was over, I was victorious, I was in the presence of greatness, and about to own it...Lacroix.

I would photograph these two gowns for my stores as if they were being worn by Claudia, Cindy, or Naomi, all of the uber-model greats of yesteryear. I would enjoy having them for a short time and then pass them along to another person who would appreciate them just as much as I did.

What an awesome dream! Maybe this is an omen or something that I must be on the lookout for?

Have you had a 'thrifting dream'? Leave the deets in the comments, I'd love to hear about them!

Gee-Vahn-Chee...and more Pyrex, of the Cinderella nature!

There was only 1 yard sale posted this last week on Cragslist, wah-wah. Winter set in today with a lovely 4" snow, so it will definitely be slim pickings from now through the rest of the Winter season.
At the one and only yard sale, I picked up this fun vintage cheerleading sweater with applique in a bright orange color. It reminds me of those SNL skits for the 'Perfect Cheer'. Here's the shirt and a perfect cheer to go along with it...

 Click Here For The SNL Perfect Cheer Skit

I had read a recent article that hosiery was coming back. Ughh, what torture!! I mean tights are one thing, but hosiery that itches, runs, snags, and makes your shoes not want to stay on, what-evs! But I guess Kate Middleton has been spotted in them, so that explains it. Now, when I was at said single yard sale, I spotted 3 packs of never worn and in original packaging Givenchy hose in the colors of pink, purple, and bright red.

I remembered the hosiery article, and they were vintage, and they were Givenchy, and they were 50 cents, and they were unique colors, you get the point. Listed them on the 'bay and sold the first pair within 8 hours for $14.99. Two are still available. I currently have two people 'watching'  a pair. Not a bad, quick, little flip huh?!

Since the yard sales are donesies, I will be heavily searching the Goodwill's to satiate my thrifting desires. I had a long and expensive Wednesday dealing with a car repair, but they gave me a loaner, so I figured I would use their gas to drive around town and hit the GW's! Out of that little trip came these...

 Via Spiga patent heels

Brighton heeled sandals

Small Pyrex Cinderella  Homestead pattern bowl, brown on tan, near mint!

Gay Head Martha's Vineyard vintage collectors measuring cup. Side note, if you Google Gay Head to do some research on a newly acquired find, you will get some interesting hits!

Wilton Barbie Cake Pan  

Starbucks Mug for Travel

Dana Buchman blouse in a beautiful shade of blue

Hallmark Keepsake Ornament with Santa and Reindeer on a motorcycle 1997, lights up too!

As you might be able to tell (or not) I am working on my photography skills and trying to use my DIY light box I posted about last time. Still need better lighting, but the photo editor helps slightly.

Oh, and I took the plunge after reading  a post from Jessica of We Sell On Ebay about the Pros and Cons of an ebay store. I had been thinking of opening one and was hesitant that I would be locked in to some agreement, or lose my listings or feedback if I decided to stop the store. Jessica was kind enough to answer my questions and I thought there was little drawback ($15.99) to trying a store for a month, so I took the plunge! Now VintageDreamsNE is not only an Etsy store but also and Ebay store. Thanks to my friends in the blogosphere and my readers, friends, and family for being so supportive of my new ventures!

Want a fun, new blog to follow? Canine Thespian! She too loves Pyrex and was just featured on the Pyrex Collective! She also makes crocheted animals which are adorable. I couldn't help but identify with her Pyrex love, her new blog, and I enjoyed her writing style. So, show some blog love, and give her a visit and a follow!!

Linking up with Her Library Adventures: Flea Market Finds...
and Apron Thrift Girl: Thrift Share Monday