I know, I keep saying that I wish for something and days(weeks) later, I find it at a yard sale, thrift store or an estate sale. This time I have evidence. I was asking, Roisin about flower frogs(explanation A floral frog holds individual flowers in arrangements in place and can be made of a variety of materials.) and Roisin who is a real florist tells me real florist dont use them. I read about them on Eddie’s blog(who shops at thrift stores all the time) and was hunting on ebay for them. They are $$ and shipping is also $$.Of course, I didnt buy it. Its not something I need! right! now!.
I went to an estate sale with NK and Samar on friday. This estate sale was held in multi million dollar houses range. This time however,no one died. The couple were downgrading to a condo and were selling off their things.
This couple must have entertained every single week. The kitchen had a 6ft by 5 ft cabinet with pullout drawers filled with china. She had about 12 different complete sets of dishes. Another cabinet had all sorts of drinking glasses. Their basement had a whole section devoted to Christmas decor. This was the first day of the sale and so prices were $$. I didnt find anything I couldnt live without in the kitchen and upstairs area. I then headed downstairs where, NK was.
Flower frogs
And I saw them..different sized flower frogs.. 2 tiny ones, 2 round ones, 1 oval and 1 really huge green one. The small ones were priced $1 each and the biggest ones were $4.50. I grabbed all of them and called NK over. I asked him..Do you remember me telling you about this? He nods. I asked him which ones should I get. The bigger ones are slightly expensive. He said,its okay get them all. I grab them and head upstairs to pay. I go up to the cashier and say I want this all, will you give a deal(because I am cheap like that). The cashier said, No I cannot. Its the first day blah blah. I said fine, then I dont want the bigger $4.50 ones, will take the smaller ones. Then while she was ringing up my purchases, she said, Oh well, you can have them for $3 each. I thought about it for 3 secs and then said yes. And thats how they came home with me.
The smallest one fits into a teacup. The greenery came from the church's garden
The vase is from the same estate sale. $1
The flowers are from the farmer’s market.
I will never tire of posting pictures of my bar cart
A small flower frog in the milkglass hobnail creamer
This milk glass creamer as 50 cents at a yard sale. I have seen some really pretty milk glass pedestals and plates but way too expensive. This flower arrangement sits on top of my dresser.
This one doesnt have a flower frog. But still smells heavenly
Ohhh, see the black tray. I spray painted it black and am planning to decoupaging it with maps. And I am looking for a magnifying glass to set on the tray.
This one has a flower frog. This yellow flowers were $5 for 3 bunches. Smells heavenly
This vase was also from the same estate sale for $2. After the flowers, I want to put some lemons in them and display it in my kitchen. And the smaller one above can hold limes. Maybe I will set them on the bar cart. After the flower arranging, I spray painted my dining chairs. I felt that I had to invite someone over. the house looked so festive with all the flowers. Next time, when I throw a party, I am planning on going to the farmer markets and getting flowers first.
Beautiful! And the kids don’t knock anything over.. that’s even more beautiful!
Your home looks heavenly. You have a great eye for sure.
And puhleeeese invite me!!! I’ll be the best guest you ever had, God promise- very appreciative, will go ga-ga over everything and bring a great hostess gift too:-)
I live within shot putt distance too:-)Shameless me. Tut! Tut!
Me: really? Now I have to go check your ip address.
Fresh cut flowers are the best accessory. If only they wouldn’t cost a bomb!
Me: All the flowers here were from the farmers market. They cost $8.. Good price right?
Liliies were $5. I know even the grocery store sells expensive flowers. I was so happy to find them cheaper at the market.
I didnt know these are called flower frogs. My mom has a few of these. Another idea is to use a block of thermocoal and stick flower stems into them (not to be used in a transparent vase
)
The pics look divine!
Me: Must ask Nk whats Thermocoal.
And divine. Its because I didnt show the mess or the wire cord or the pile of laundry behind the pretty things.
This time however,no one died – ROFL
See, I am learning new stuff from u’r blog – Flower frogs was alien to me till 2 mins back. Btw, y’day when I went to target saw a soup tureen similar to u’rs …I went all gaga for it as if i was some Hollywood star for real (lol)…and there were some pretty lookin lemons/ mixed fruit pack/pears vase filler for 4.99 each there…I felt it’s pretty reasonable for the price paid. So in case you are looking for permanent lemons , go for it.
Me: Ohh good idea. I will check out the fakes ones as well
Lovely! That bar cart looks pretties every day and love that decoupage idea. Any tips for spray-painting in an apartment?
Me: Hmmm… in the parking lot and stay put till it dries?What did you want to spray paint? ohh a friend’s garage?
Oh, good ideas. Except I have these heavy pieces of furniture which I want to paint – 2 bookcases, a file cabinet and small dressers. All impossible to be moved around because they’re heavy wood (I got the idea from a link you posted a while ago and in my dreams I see this beautiful ‘new’ painted furniture which actually matches the rest of my decor lol). I was just hoping there was some way I could do it in the apartment so I wouldnt suffocate myself with paint fumes and paint the rental’s walls in the process.
And ignore the trolls! You really dont need to justify yourself to them!!
Me:It would be impossible to escape the fumes.I was spray painting outside, and the smell was horrible. What about painting it instead of spray painting?
OMG, the flowers look soo pretty and I waaaant alll the pretty stuff like this too:(
You turn me into the greedy dog a little more with every post of yours !!!
Me: Okay you need to find a thrift store soon.
Pretty Pretty ..flowers spruce up the place..BTw..we are one step closer to getting our own place:)
Me:YAY! Happy for you!
So, when are you inviting us over?! (It all looks fabulous!)
For someone who claims to be broke, you sure do go shopping very frequently.
I just calculated your previous weeks totals
Estate sale -$35
Trash Can- $15
Flower Frogs- $20?
Villeroy plates -$35
Silver tray, bowl-$16
$121. That is quite a hunk of change for someone who claims to be “cheap”
Me: ohhh after a loong,long time, I got a “troll” I wonder whether you are the same “tulips shenoy fern” from a while ago. I am too lazy to go into my settings to check your ip address. I was thinking whether to delete this email or publish it. First off, I cannot believe you went and checked my prices.
Secondly, I might have never mentioned it here but I sold quite a bit of things.. Almost $400 worth of treasure, just yesterday I sold a pair of bar stools which I had bought for $35 at a thrift store for $20. I sold a sandbox, a box of yarn, a train table, a monkey leash, a lean mean grilling machine, folding tables, a ez-up canopy, skis,a wooden cabinet, night stand tables. Hmm all these are the ones I can remember. I always pay cash when I go thrifting. And I never go to Target or Macys or any other stores anymore. So there…
Omg S!..Someone had the nerve (read joblessness) to calculate your thrifting expenses..Sigh..some people have totally lost it ..and when did u ever say ur broke…and you dont need to justify to people..your readers(fans) love u..and truly admire the effort you put into all that you do and selfless to share your ideas here with all of us…:)
Me: I know right. And she completely forgot to add my hutch and the accessories in the hutch. ROFL!
Well, I am amazed by the effort put by someone to go back and add up each one of u’r pieces. And i don’t remember anywhere you telling that you are cheap.IMO, there’s a whole lotta difference between being cheap and
a bargain hunter. One thing that this person forgot is to compare the items with their real price of all these near to new/excellent condition items. I know you wouldn’t consider selling those items which you treasure hunted after dedicating lotta time and effort on it.However if i were in u’r place i would be tempted to sell off the most expensive items like those plates V & B(well, it’s just me) and make a fortune from it.
I should ignore them but then thought what if other people think I am richy rich..So I thought I should throw out how I got some cash..Althought, NK was agreeing with tulips and said she is right. You are spending way too much. I did ask him whether he posted it
Did you go back to the GW?
Nope, I am not planning to go for a very longg time.I don’t feel like doing the wrong thing at the same time don’t wanna be a reason for someone else job loss . Ofcourse unless i get tempted by u’r finds/ pictures;)
Hi,
Now you need to tell me how to find estate sales. I tried yelp for thirft stores..there is nothing nearby. I found a goodwill store a littl farther away. may be should check that.
Me: Hmm check craigslist? And google estate sale companies + your local town to see whether any websites come up? Then go to that website. Most of them list their current sales. Good luck and let me know whether you manage to find any.
your home looks beautiful.
~K
Very pretty! Worth the $8.
lovely flowers. OH & I love them but they are so expensive in the grocery stores. Still looking for some cheaper alternatives. The flower frogs are such a cool idea. Never knew about them
Oh, My…How Gorgeous everything looks!
Haven’t ever heard of the flower frogs..and you have special blessings from the Estate-Sale-Gods, am pakka sure
I have started imagining your house like a mini resort – all beautiful looking stuff..sparkling silverwares, smooth china, and now fresh heavenly flowers. Sigh!
Me: Sigh if only. Now imagine with 4 school bags, 4 lunch bags, scores of pencil, twenty thousand library books, forty thousand train and train tracks, multiple letters/flyers from the kids school, socks and chaddis.I should stop.
You sure have great taste.. love those flowers!
Never heard of that frog thing until now.
And I don’t have cut flowers in my house. Too lazy to throw them out when they die, will leave them to rot until moss and slime grow. So gave up.
IMO about the person who commented on your “brokeness”….You just moved and your minimal expense to “redecorate” is worth it. You’ve brought a different life into your home and have found happiness in the little things that you’ve added. You also sent off other good things to other families who will put them to good use. The mommy-hood life is a challenging one….it’s not like you’re spending hundred of dollars on hand bags or shoes! A simple 4.00 item here or there isn’t breaking the bank! Going to Target and spending $100 each time will. $8.00 flowers to bring cheery feelings home is worth it! Yes, that person did shine light onto your spending reality…..but you’ve chosen to be a stay at home mom when you can be earning a significant amount of money having a career……..so $100+ something is REALLY NOTHING!
Block that person going foward….sorry I’m ranting but I got a little ticked off by seeing that comment.
Cheers…
BTW, I was wondering if you started drinking now that you have a bar cart…
Me: You crack me up. My “trolls” are what make this blog so crazy. I tend to give serious reply once in a while because I feel that ohh what if the rest of the readers are thinking the same. You should have been here in Nov or something, when I had put a paypal button asking for donations. Then it was really crazy
..
And yes, I have been drinking more. I had 2 drinks last night. A gin sidecar and another gin something.YUMMA but bad for the weight
And again, I must say… “TAKE ME WITH YOU!”
i really really really really LOVE your monday moneysavers and get so jealous! i wish i had that talent to scoop up such moneysavers!
Me: You need to hit up estate sales/thrift stores asap.
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