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Treasure Hunting Report: Stress Thrifting

When I am stressed, I go thrifting.  Or I clean.  Or I go thrifting, find things, and then come home and deep clean/de-clutter to make space for the the things I thrifted.  Cheaper than therapy but probably not a good long-term coping strategy.  But hey – can’t beat the dopamine hit from the pretty vintage things I found!  First up, this gorgeous enamel bowl.  I bought this fabulous vintage enamel bowl for only $4.99.  I love everything about it: the clashing inside & outside, the minty-turquoise (!) and the scale.

I also found this gorgeous, but small-ish, pottery vase with luminous aqua glaze for $5.00 – although technically this wasn’t thrifted, it was from an estate sale.  You caught a peek of it on the mantle here.

Also thrifted this sweet little pink striped Pyrex bowl.  I have a feeling Mom might be stealing this one.

Another cast iron votive holder.  This one marked Japan.  Alright, I  need to open an Etsy shop.  Soon.

More vintage melamine for a play kitchen (this isn’t Melmac, though).
I am planning a pretty long research trip abroad (details soon) and I thought this vintage sewing kit would be perfect.  Actual scissors?  Needles made in English?  Snaps?  Gosh, people sure were spoiled back in the day.  This will be much handier than the cheap-o hotel version I have.

One the subject of tchotchkes, my Mom & I have noticed that small tchotchkes are harder to style with.  One or two, sure, but a herd?  Headache!  It is so much easier to plonk down a large bowl, vase, dish or other statement piece.  We talk about our tchotchkes (and who has bigger ones) a lot and it makes Hubby uncomfortable.  He might not know what tchotchkes are. . .

What do you think?  Are bigger ones easier to style?  Or do you fall for the wee trinkets? And are you scooping up thrifty finds as a stress-reliever too?

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15 Comments

  1. Melissa
    May 23, 2012 / 1:39 pm

    Ooh, overseas research trip! Do tell! My research is all in Canada, so my trips this summer include exciting Winnipeg and lovely London, Ontario! I am lucky enough to be going to a conference in Paris, so I really can't complain. (Oh, and if you did open an Etsy shop, I'd buy. You should do it.)

    • Tanya from Dans le Townhouse
      May 24, 2012 / 6:57 pm

      I promise to share details about my trip soon, once I get my ducks in a row 🙂 Hey, a Paris conference sounds lovely!!

  2. Nicole
    May 23, 2012 / 1:51 pm

    I am never able to find such cool/beautiful things in my area… which is why I agree that you should open an Etsy shop. And.. yay research!

    • Tanya from Dans le Townhouse
      May 24, 2012 / 6:57 pm

      Maybe I'll stop finding things once I open a shop, lol.

  3. Marie Nairns
    May 23, 2012 / 2:42 pm

    I love the candle holder, very cool!

  4. Jae
    May 23, 2012 / 5:41 pm

    I love the vase and yesterday's bowl. Very nice finds!

  5. brismod
    May 24, 2012 / 12:45 am

    At least you are buying some cute stuff while stressed. Hope your mood will lift…but in the meantime buy up!! xx

  6. Lets just build a house!
    May 24, 2012 / 1:49 am

    I want that pink pyrex! You are a good thrifter gf!

  7. Amelia @ House Pretty
    May 24, 2012 / 12:23 pm

    I had a couple of posts to catch up on – I'm loving all your recent finds! How do you find the prices at your VV? I've noticed the local one here has gotten quite pricey, especially for these types of items (pricey for a thrift store, mind you). Hope some of the relationship stress eases for you soon so you focus on the people in your life who bring you happiness!

    • Amelia @ House Pretty
      May 24, 2012 / 12:24 pm

      oops – "so you CAN focus…"

    • Tanya from Dans le Townhouse
      May 24, 2012 / 6:58 pm

      Thanks! VV prices seem high, although my fab bowl was only $4.99 (from yesterday). But with spring/summer here, most of my finds are yard sale specials, where the prices are rock bottom – esp. church/rummage sales!!

  8. Amy
    May 24, 2012 / 4:19 pm

    Wow – great finds!

  9. StarletStarlet
    May 24, 2012 / 11:16 pm

    Sooo great to be back and finally be able to play catch up on your blog. Wow you've been B-U-S-Y in such a great wayyyyyyy. Love all your finds, Tanya. Especially that color on the caprice melamine: yummy! What is this about researching abroad? Any plan to go down to the bay area?

  10. Dora
    May 27, 2012 / 9:12 pm

    The pink bowl is adorable 🙂

  11. Shannon
    May 27, 2012 / 10:13 pm

    I love the little pink bowl…I want MOOOOOORE pyrex!!!

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