Monday, December 15, 2008

Thrift Store Decor

You don't have to spend a fortune to decorate your home these holidays. On Saturday morning I decided to be brave and venture out to the thrift store. Usually on weekends, I avoid places where people shop like the plague. I hate crowds and the thrift store is no different. But I had my heart set on something different for my kitchen table. What was currently being used as a centerpiece was to high for conversation-and to monitor who was giving who the sinister look over supper- so it had to go. I had in mind a bowl filled with simple glass or mercury balls. I love the vintage decorations and have gotten lucky in the past at the thrift store.
I was right-it was packed! But I forged ahead, straight to the dishes. Immediately something caught my eye, as if it were laid there just for me! A beautiful ironstone over sized bowl, made in Italy! The details were gorgeous, little hobnail bumpy dots and grape leaves sat along the curved rim.

I picked it up and began to tell it how I had fallen in love..."Are you gettin' that bowl?" Someone interrupted. I looked over my shoulder to see a woman, ready to snatch it from my loving embrace. "Yes, mam. I am". She shot me a look and went about her way. Some people just don't understand commitment and a loving relationship. And did I mention that one can find a love like this for $3.88? Um, hmm!
From there it was over to the holiday section, where I began to dig for the needle in the haystack of piled up bagged ornaments. But then, a light caught my eye. I reached into the dark abyss that was under the shelf and held my breath. There was no telling what lurked. I pulled out my hand and in the bag I held were a grand assortment of gold balls and a lone little glittery Santa bust ornament. Score! $1.98!
I took all my loot home and threw it into the bowl. I added some mardi gras pearls that I had left from the Christmas parade as well as a sprig of greenery and a couple pinecones from the yard. Perfection-for about six bucks!

Something else I am loving in my kitchen-and goes along with the "Going Green" is my rosemary tree. I get one every year at Lowes and transfer it to my yard later so it can really thrive. I use rosemary all the time in cooking-so it really is the prefect Christmas tree for my kitchen. To it I added some more of those mardi gras beads. A single Dollar Tree red garland. And a glittery Noel decoration for the top, another Dollar Tree purchase!

Finally, I wanted to show this off- a last find from my Saturday at the thrift store, it is little vintage plastic Santa's. I imagine what used to be a garland. There is a hole at the top and bottom of the Santa's where it was strung. But I thought I might could find something to do with it. Ok, I kid, I am counting on you all, my crafty friends, to come up with something clever. Any ideas? I just thought they were cute.

And there you have it, Christmas Decorating on a budget!

14 comments:

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

Do you actually get your rosemary tree to live? I get one every year and it does some funky turn brown and die overnight thing. I want to know the secret.
Secret?... those santa's were on a string of lights! (I may have taken them to the thrift store last January)

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Rosemary- the secret-don't over water! I water once a week-and very limited. The santa's- I figured as much. I just know they can be used in some crafty little way somehow. I just know it! See you soon.

Unknown said...

I kill every rosemary tree I have had!
Loved that plate

Derek said...

We are all about cheap decorating this year. We normally buy live stuff for the mailbox and mantle, but last weekend, my wife sent me out for cedar and magnolia. Took a while to find a magnolia tree that wasn't in somebody's yard and that was easy to get to, but I did. She put the magnolia on the mantle and added big pinecones from our yard. Looks Great! And the best part? FREE!!!!

Also my mom has some wise men she bought at Dollar General about 30 years ago. They look like they are carved from ivory and have "gem-like" gifts. They come out every year and look like she spent a fortune on them. You never know what the dollar stores will have. Always worth a look!

Nicolle said...

I love your rosemary tree and the way you decorated it. Very cute!

And the plate you found at the thrift store is gorgeous.

I am not crafty, but I will try to think of a use for the little santas. They are so cute.

Melanie said...

My mother still has her rosemary tree from last year. I kill mine everyyear though. And I have a semi-green thumb!

Anonymous said...

And it turned out beautifully, Leigh! Great foraging at the thrift store!!

Shannon said...

GREAT finds!! Wow! What deals! I love those little Santas too! I would use a few in little displays but not sure what I would do with all of them...

Tammy said...

You found some great items...and I especially love the bowl too.

And I am not creative enough to help you with the Sant-y Claus(es)

Keetha Broyles said...

Oh Leigh - - - not ONLY are you cute, but you are very crafty too!!!

:-)

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Leigh, your Italian bowl was a steal & I love all your little baubles in there. Today was a blast, lunch and shopping! Fun, fun. I even stopped on the way home and found a pair of boots I've been wanting. We'll have to do it all again soon.

j said...

Fit them on a strand of lights??

OR they could make cute tassels. But no advice on what to do with the tassels once they are made.

Susan said...

You could use some twine, tie a knot on the end, slip it up Santa and attach to a gift.... what a way to dress a gift up.... that just came to me!!!!

Love rosemary... I use it all the time too....

And Melanie is the one that recognized me.... I think Terri may be stalking her now..... tell her we're harmless... well at least Terri is!!!

Kristin - The Goat said...

I love that box of Santas... I'm now really wanting to find something like that!