Hurrah for good thrifting days and shopping with a friend while my husband watches 7 kids swim in our pool! Thanks babe.

But there are times you hope to find the essentials at your local thrift shop.

We woke up this morning to crisp, fall weather and I realized that it’s time to hunt for some fall jackets. I found myself with 20 minutes of browsing time and boy, did I hit the jackpot. I love when you go into a store looking for something and you find more than you need…the only negative was that I had a time limit and I KNOW I would have found more…it was that good.

So, I didn’t find any vintage cuteness, but the jackets for my kids were under $4 for both. And of course, I had to throw in a few other things that caught my eye. Most of the stuff was from major stores and I totally love buying it secondhand. Obviously the cost is less, but I know I am also getting more out of an overpriced product first of all! I even saw a mom of one of Ellie’s good friends hunting for things. This made me so happy knowing that all kinds of people are lured into the local thrift…usually I am the minority and stick out like a sore thumb, which is fine with me…less competition.

I’m thinking of doing some embroidery work on the jackets- any design suggestions? I have a few in my head, but I would love to hear from some of you!

My favorite find was the brightly colored smock dress for Penny. She has a few of these dresses and they just make me smile…especially when I see her bouncing around at school with her cute braided pigtails.

On a side note- I will be emailing everyone that has shown interest in my silhouette collages this week. Thanks for your patience and interest!

I totally hit the mark today. The dress above is my absolute favorite. Can you believe it?

So sweet- very 1980s, but in a sweet and simple way.

Okay, the above 2 are my favorite today as well- the crazy thing, I left a few more items in the store because what do I need these for? No more babes in my future, but lots that are about to be born. Who knows, some of you may be getting something in the mail soon!

Some other “thrift love”, I found a complete Childcraft set for $20. I already have a set, I wish I knew someone that could use this beautiful lot of books.

The biggest find was a spectacular love seat I would love to have. It’s a modern Danish love seat and just gorgeous. Red with white dots and totally something I need/want.

Happy Weekend.

This past weekend family came and visited. My sister-in-law and I’s main priority was to hit my local thrift stores and thankfully were not disappointed. The last few trips have been less than fruitful, but hurray, Saturday we hit the jackpot. From a set of encyclopedias to several great books to a tea cart ($5, yes!) to an adorable Japanese nightgown to fabric…you get the idea, we were happy!

We shop well together, finding one another great finds and giving up things we don’t need. The above fabric Bethany found and she was SO NICE to give it to me!

At first, I was going to give Penelope these measuring cups to play with in her kitchen. But really, will she appreciate them? Later, maybe.

Love these birds hanging out…shirt for me is in order. Now only if I can figure out this pattern.

Nope, no babies in the future for me, but these sweaters were just to sweet to pass up. Future gifts are in store…

Thanks Bee for a fun escape!

Okay, so the screenprinting kit was 25 cents. That is right…a quarter! The best part is that there is no missing pieces.

You can see some of the price tags on all these bowls. They were all super cheap and total finds. I love collecting robin’s egg blue bowls and plates with clean simple lines. And of course the yellow Pyrex bowl is a classic.

I really could have gone crazy buying fabric, but I have put a slight hold on my fabric spending. BUT each of these pieces were between a dime and a quarter. The blue and white polka dotted piece is a pillowcase and my kids want it…I don’t think so!

Alright, this dollhouse makes me so giddy with excitement. I plan to paint this house for Penelope. A perfect Christmas gift. I plan to paint dolls and maybe make the furniture. I don’t know- any suggestions? Oh- only $2 bucks.

These trays were my most costly purchase. $2 a piece- someone was wise when pricing these and weren’t going to be taken as a fool. That’s fine- the money is going to my kids’ school right?

Finally, you can’t live in the state of Illinois without some sort of cardinal kitsch, right?

So I am happy. I love garage sales, but really don’t go hunting for them. I suppose I feel I don’t need to collect a lot of stuff that is not needed, but this little spree was worth every penny.

We love school! Especially school garage sales! Wooohooo!

I LOVE this dress (above) and plan to give this to my sister Kim who will be giving birth to a daughter in October. She and her husband are also adopting a little girl from China as well. So- nieces abound! Actually, from both sides of the clan!

This shirt really made me want another baby. Actually, no- I’m excited to give this to a newly born babe.

This little “suit” was too cute too.

I can’t wait to see Penelope in this fun smock. I tried to put it on her earlier today, but she declared “I don’t like it”. Yeah, right…you WILL.

I love this sailor dress for Miss Ellie. $1.41 makes me even more giddy! And there is something about nautical clothing that I like…

Okay, so this dress wasn’t found at my Thrift and Dollar. It was actually discovered at Anthropologie. No, I did not spend full price. I got this adorable dress for $2o. It was originally $168. I know, I got a total deal. I was just happy that it FIT and looked NICE. I love that place for clothes…it’s just absurdly expensive for my pocketbook.

I am completely avoiding all the summer sales going on right now. But it is insane that there are so many good deals, huh?