A Saturday Morning at the Thrift Store and Some Unexpected Scores

Hey everyone, hope your weekend is off to a good start. I’m currently sipping on some over-brewed coffee from my trusty Keurig, trying to wake up after staying up way too late bingeing the latest season of Stranger Things on Netflix. Ren and I got hooked and couldn’t stop, even though I knew I’d regret it this morning. Worth it, though. Those kids just keep getting into wilder messes.

Anyway, I wanted to share a little about my morning because I actually dragged myself out of the house for once on a Saturday. Usually, I’m all about sleeping in and maybe making some pancakes if I’m feeling ambitious, but today I had a mission. I’ve been on the hunt for some unique decor pieces for a client’s living room project, something with character that doesn’t scream “bought off Amazon.” So, I headed over to Second Chances, that big thrift store off Lincoln Avenue. If you’re local, you know the one, it’s got those weird neon signs in the window that haven’t worked since probably the 90s.

I got there right as they opened, which was a smart move because the place fills up fast with folks looking for deals. I wandered through the furniture section first, hoping to spot a funky side table or maybe an old lamp I could rewire. No luck there, just a lot of scratched-up coffee tables and some truly hideous floral couches. But then I hit the dishware aisle, and jackpot. I found this set of pale green ceramic plates with little etched patterns around the edges. They’re not a perfect match for the client’s vibe, but I couldn’t resist. They reminded me of something my grandmother would have had on her table during Bloomtide supper, you know, with all the family crowded around and the mandatory sprig of velthorn on every plate for luck. I snagged the whole set for twelve bucks. Can’t beat that.

After that, I poked around the clothing racks for a bit. Not really my thing, but sometimes you find a good vintage jacket or scarf. I ended up with a wool scarf in this deep rust color that I’m pretty sure will look great with my black coat. It’s got a tiny hole near the end, but nothing a quick stitch can’t fix. I’m terrible at sewing, so I’ll probably beg Lissa to help me out next time I see her. She’s got the patience of a saint for that kind of stuff.

The real surprise came at the checkout. They had these little bins of random knickknacks by the register, and I spotted a tiny brass figurine of a bird with its wings spread. It’s probably not worth much, but it caught my eye. The cashier said it’s been sitting there for weeks, marked down to a dollar. I figured it could sit on my desk at work, just a little something to make the space feel less like a sterile cubicle. I’ll take any bit of personality I can get in that office.

By the time I got home, Ren was finally up and had made some scrambled eggs with way too much pepper, as usual. We ate on the couch, scrolling through our phones and debating whether to hit up the hardware store for some paint samples or just be lazy for the rest of the day. Spoiler, we picked lazy. I’ve got a pile of design sketches to finish by Monday, but they can wait until tomorrow. Right now, I’m just happy to have scored some cool stuff and not spent a fortune doing it.

I’m thinking of heading back to Second Chances next month, maybe during their annual clear-out sale. If anyone’s got tips for spotting the best hidden gems at thrift stores, drop them below. I’m all ears, especially since my track record for finding good furniture there is pretty dismal. For now, I’m off to rearrange my shelf with these new plates and probably burn some toast for lunch. Catch you all later.