Shopping, Vintage & Thrift Stores!

Vintage things always interest me. There is something in their beauty and craftsmanship that is just admirable. A trip to a surplus shop, a thrift shop, flea market and garage sale is always such a treat. When there is enough extra money to spend for extra things, I go to those places. Either I am searching for items that I collect or to look for some nice vintage stuff. Sometimes, I buy things like bag, belt, hats or dress for myself but most of the times, it is for the house, for the kitchen in particular.

My recent obsessions were teacups, plates and saucers (which to be used as dessert plates). I love mismatched ones! Here are some of my recent finds.

Recent finds. I just love the little ceramic rabbit and chicken.

So excited for my Escargot dish plate. I got it so cheap too!

With a help from a spoon collector, I learned that spoons I found were called berry spoon. I particularly love the Daisies on the handle of the butter knife. They are just so cute!

Wooden trays. This Okayama wooden tray is one of my great finds and great buy!

They were sake bottles/containers. The sake cup is one of the four cups in a set. It depicts an erotic scene but in an artistic way.

Vintage glass reamer and glass bowls.

Other finds.

For fabrics, I usually buy table linens, placemats, table runners and dish towels. I particularly look for those with seasonal designs. Oh my, I just realized when I took a picture that I have amassed such a collection already. They are not all vintage, by the way.

It was just a piece of lace when I saw it in a rummage sale. It must have been a part of a vintage dress or something. Looking it over, I thought that maybe I can use it to embellish future project. I asked the seller if I could just have it for free and she said sure. At home, I first tried putting it on a lampshade but it doesn't look okay. Then I saw one of our throw pillow with a plain pink case. It sure needs a little update and the lace perfectly fit!
When I bought this crochet doily, I did not know at first what to do with it. I just like that it's vintage and was on a cheap price. When I was looking for something to cover the top of our water dispenser, I decided to put the doily on it and see how it looks. It perfectly fits and it looked nice so I decided that the doily will be the cover during summertime.
Some fabric stuffs that I found were used for framing projects. There was this very nice tapestry which I got for a really cheap price. I just bought a simple frame for it and framed it myself. When I showed it to my hubby, my sister, a cousin and some friends, they were amazed because of the price and for how it turned out so well. Happy me!

Another fabric that I framed. Perfect for my Easter vignette. This was also the first time that I put up a vignette (as a result of so much blog hopping!). :) The beanie babies plush toys were also bought from a rummage sale. The bunny couple was from a surplus store. They too were great buys (price and cuteness).

Another fabric find with Peacock embroidery. I don't know what it's called, but I am guessing it must be worn on the neck by women. It looks like a bib. Anyway, I love the Peacock design and I am still hunting for the perfect frame. Isn't it beautiful?

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Instant Spring In Our Garden

This time last year, my garden were full of blooms from my orchids, petite mini roses and other flowering plants. I have marveled in their beauty and they inspired me a lot to garden more. This year however, they seemed to have fallen asleep. Last year, it was like there was a springtime in our garden. Here in the Philippines, we do not have what is called the Four Seasons. Although I think we do have it, just not acknowledged like the way other countries do. For instance, during this time of year, flowers are also in blooms. Isn't that spring time? Then, there's summer where the heat is unbearable. Around August, leaves from trees keep falling off. Isn't that what they call the Fall season? We have never experienced snow, but around Christmas time until February, the temperature is unusually very cold. So, I guess, in a way we might have it.

These flowers I recently bought gave our garden an instant springtime feeling though.

Pretty in Pink Roses!
When I was younger, I thought the color Pink was too "little girly". I favored the color Yellow then, the butter yellow shade or the pastel one. As I reached my 40's, I cannot remember however, what triggered my sudden interest to Pink colored things. I guess, it's true what they say, "Life begins at 40"!

Anyway, at the farmer's market today, I saw this beautiful Pink Rose for sale. I normally buy the petite mini Roses ones, but I was kind of drawn to this one. For one thing, it is Pink and it looks so pretty! And those buds, would they just be so lovely when they open up! Also, the vendor kept lowering the price (I had to smile remembering it). From 180 pesos, she lowered it to 160. I asked if I could get it for 150, as well as 50 for the petite mini in Golden Yellow originally priced at 70, then 60. 200 pesos for the two. She said okay. Although it was another impulse buy with a feeling of guilt on the side, I still went home happy!

I really do not give justice to things with my photography. I do my best to get their best shots, but I guess my best wasn't good enough. Hahaha.



Millionaire's Flower
Isn't the color lovely? I always like to have this flower, however it was kind of expensive. But not, I just found out, when it is sold in a farmer's market! It also came with free lecture on how to care and propagate them. Isn't it great! :)

Just including my frugal/recycled/re-purposed garden project. The tin kettle had holes in the bottom already, so its time for it to be re-purposed as a planter for my begonias. The teacup and the mugs had broken handles. I grouped them together for that coffee/tea theme.

My orchids, this time last year.

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Tea Sets, Teapots & Teacups

Recently, a friend who lives in Japan has been posting pictures of her beautiful tea sets/teacups collection in a social media site. They were so beautiful! We had a little conversation about it and she admitted that it was a very expensive hobby and collection. Her husband, she said, has at one point complained about the money she has been putting on it already. However, when they are having their tea and coffee in those lovely tea sets, the husband started to enjoy them too. He is now a supportive husband to my friend's tea sets/teacups obsession. From my friend's posts, I have seen quite a number of her friends comment about her collection and that they too are collectors.

Another recent conversation I had where tea sets/teacups came up, was with a cousin. I was telling her about my vintage and thrift shop purchases. She then asked if I was able to see tea sets/teacups up for sale in the shop because she likes them. Oh my goodness, you too! I told her I'll keep an eye on it the next time I visit the thrift shop.

After our conversation, I realized that there seems to have a tea set craze going on and my curiosity was perked, so I searched for tea sets images. The search results generated, lo and behold, so many beautiful tea sets and teacups! They are so pretty, no wonder a lot of women fall in love with them and I think I'm about to count myself in! I actually do have a small demitasse collection (blogged here) but I guess they're different from those fine teacups.

Lately, in such coincidence, I decided to cut my coffee intake so instead of my usual mug, I have been having my coffee in a teacup. The day, I went back to the thrift shop, I particularly looked for tea sets/teacups. I saw one set but it was too expensive and looked overused. There were many teacups though, some with their matching saucers and some without. They too are quite expensive. But this pair, I love so much so I bought it! Makes my breakfast more enjoyable!

It is a Mikasa brand. I would really love to know if this is vintage. No search results for this particular design came up.

On another trip back to the thrift shop, I bought this teapot. I am not a huge fan of tea right now but at one point during my active days in Swap-bot, I received a lot of different flavored tea packets which I also enjoyed. I was even lucky to win a give-away of a few tea inside this cute tea wallet!

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Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Dream Room In My Dream house!

A room lined with shelves and filled with books has always been a part of my dream house. Well, they are still just a dream! The only bookshelf I got cannot even hold all the books I have anymore. Hmmm... I really should get a bigger one, one of these days!

Just a couple of days ago, four more books were added to my collection. I was feeling a little guilty about it because they were an "impulse buy". They were on a sale shelf and I just can't resist going over and browse the covers. I decided I'll get only one, but then I saw one by an author whose other books I already have, so I was thinking it was too good to pass on. Then I saw another one which seems really interesting and so I got it too. Okay, one last look, and that leads to one last book (grinning)! Enough, I told myself, and went straight to the cashier, paid for them and went out of the store! Oh but yes, it felt so good!

This one really interests me and I started on it today. I'm beginning to like it already! The two illustrations are from the book. Aren't they nice?!

This picture quote says it all!

For The Love of Books!

“There is no friend as loyal as a book.” ― Ernest Hemingway

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
These quotes best describe the way I feel about my books. They are one of my best company! There's no better feeling than reading a good book when you are alone. It is a solace to my weary soul. A cure to loneliness. A relief to the stresses of the day. A diversion to negative thoughts. That's besides the lessons and knowledge about everything in life that you can get.

I read a book when I'm sad, it cheers me up. I grab a novel and read when I'm feeling lonely, the characters keep me company. I browse my cookbooks when I don't know what to prepare for dinner, they give excellent ideas. That is what my books are to me, important and a great company!

First time I saw these books, I knew I wanted them! But I am the type who wants to pass the buying first and then go back for it when it does'nt leave my mind for more than a couple of days (Oh well, yes, sometimes by the time I come back, it is gone!). These books however, took me almost a year to get them. They were from a bookstore in my hometown where I only get to visit now during Christmas season. When I visited the bookstore last Christmas, it was such a surprise to see them still there! I guess, this is what makes them extra special!

My small collection of cookbooks! I love the Campbell cookbook, it's vintage! How great it would be to find more of that "A Little _ Cookbook" series. These collection is placed above the refrigerator.

According to designer Emily Henderson of the show Secrets From A Stylist, when displaying books, you should place the shorter ones on both ends and the taller ones in the center. That way, you are creating the illusion of a mountain of books. Clever right! The Thomas Kinkade Classic Prayers is one of my favorite. The prayers featured are heavenly and the illustrations, as one can expect from Thomas Kinkade are really beautiful. On this shelf, is also where my Elf-Help books are displayed. They are a series of self-help mini books. They were called "Elf-help" because they feature an illustrations of an endearing elf characters as they offer messages of joy, wholeness, serenity and healing.

Books on our coffee table. I know for a fact that one characteristic of a coffee table book is for it to be non-fiction. So, why do I have my Bridges of Madison County book on my coffee table? Well, I just like it there!

My unread books (all of them when I took the picture). But as of the moment the one on top, the Sweet Revenge is out of the list as I just finished it today. The Memories of Time Past is a coffee table book.

Danielle Steel is one of my favorite author. When my sister saw these collection in a garage sale, she bought it for me. How thoughtful! I just wish I still have my copy of my favorite ones. The Promise, The Rings and Zoya. They were borrowed and never returned.

My collection of Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove series. I am missing number 7 (74 Seaside Avenue). Just a little fyi, you will know the order of the books through the first number on the title.

When it comes to mystery and suspense novels, Mary Higgins Clark for me, is one of the best.

A close friend passed on her books on infertility to me. She also had a hard time getting pregnant and she said these books help her cope with all the anxieties of infertility. But they were blessed eventually and had a son. As for me, all hope is lost as I came around the age where it isn't possible anymore.