Vintage Shirt Dress


$5 and under Thrift Store Find
You know how much I LOVE hunting for vintage finds at thrift stores & flea markets, but I pretty much NEVER look through the clothes.  Mainly because I'm impatient and the thought of having to spend a lot of time going through racks, then trying stuff on, kinda bums me out.  But when I came across this Navy Printed Shirt Dress at local thrift store, it had me reconsidering my no clothes rule.  A quick stop in the fitting room and $5 bucks later & it was mine.  It's the perfect dress for fall ~ roll up the sleeves, add a belt and a brown leather tote for an easy fall outfit.

Do you shop for vintage clothing?  
Share with us your tips in the comments below ~ pretty please!

Munising Wooden Bowl

While running errands earlier today, I decided to stop by a local thrift store where
 I found this 9 inch wooden bowl.  It was marked $4 and the shop was having 25% off, so for $3 I decided to take it home.  The Munising Woodenware Company was in business from 1911-1955 and located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, in the town, Munising, MI.  Local maple trees were typically used and their goods were often sold in department stores.  Based on this bowls marking's, it was probably produced in the 1940's.  
To see how I restored this vintage wooden bowl, check back tomorrow!


Glass Hurricane

I'm back with another
These are items I frequently come across at my local goodwill and thrift stores ~
and while prices can range per store and location, these items typically sell for $5 or less.
Glass Hurricanes
I see a ton of these out and about and have several myself.  My favorite place to find these are consignment shops.  The one above was marked $10 and dated May 2012 ~ for every month it sits idle, the shop takes 10% off, up to 90%.  So this hurricane cost me only $1!  Others I've purchased for $2-$3 with only one costing right at $5.  So again, with patience you can easily find these for $5 or less.
Look Out For & Cleaning Advice
Scratches & Chips
Regardless of price, be sure to search for broken pieces or heavily scratched surfaces.
To clean a little soap and water goes a long way.  For sticky residue goo-be-gone works well.  Any wax can be removed by freezing it ~ rub an ice cube over it, then scrape off.  Super hot water will then remove any remaining residue.
Uses
I love using these while dining al fresco ~ speaking of which, check back later today to see our Celebrate Spring Tabletop!


Milk Glass

Hope you had a great weekend!  I'm back with another
$5 and under Thrift Store Find!
Again, these are items I frequently come across at my local goodwill and thrift stores ~ and while prices can range per store and location, these items typically sell for $5 or less.
Our second feature in this mini-series is 
Vintage Milk Glass Vases
While prices on these are going up here in the South ~ they still can be found at a reasonable cost.  Most of mine were purchased for $1-$2 a piece.  The larger hobnail milk glass were purchased for $3-$5.  In antique stores and higher end thrift shops, I've seen the price go as high as $8-$12, but with patience I still frequently see these below $5.
How to Clean Milk Glass
Typically the lower cost will ensure a little dirt and grime ~ a simple solution of bleach and hot water will do the trick!  I let mine soak for about 30 minutes, 
then wash and rinse with dish detergent.
Uses
Milk Glass has been quite popular in the wedding market for the past couple years.  They make for simple vintage centerpieces.  At home, a trio works well on a kitchen counter top, a collection would be well displayed on a shelf and a single vase is a great addition to serving breakfast in bed!  (hint hint husband!)  When entertaining, Milk Glass Vases make for simple decor ~  display your recent garden blooms  when dining al fresco ~ or add them to a table for Mother's Day Brunch or Wedding & Baby Showers.


 What $5 and under find are you currently obsessed with?


Terracotta ~ Clay Pots

This week I'm starting a mini-series of 
These are items I frequently come across at  my local goodwill and thrift stores ~ and while prices can range per store and location, these items typically sell for five dollars or less.  
To kick start the week, I'm featuring these
Terracotta Pots
The prices on these can range significantly ~ one was found at a yard sale for 10 cents, the two in the middle were 75 cents a piece, the top left was $1 and the taller paneled one was $4.  Proving with enough patience you can still find these for as little as under a $1!  I actually prefer an aged look over their new counterparts  and if you can find them second hand why pay full price?! 
And speaking of pot planters,
 what items are you planning to grow in your garden this year?