What gives, Thrifty Org?

OK, so I've admitted my thrift store problem, so I know y'all aren't judging me. Right? Right?!

After some concentrated blogging lately, it seemed somehow -- oh, I don't know -- mission-critical that I hit up a thrift store today to see if this weekend's luck would hold.

So around 4:30, I took a break to swing by a Very Worthy Thrift "boutique" in South Tampa that benefits an important cause. Which I shall leave nameless.

Scanning the three-room store, I spied out swag in a few minutes. There was a small but commendable amount of my fave junk: a pair of matching Japanese porcelain vases just great for a mantle (confession: not that I have one), a hand-painted porcelain candlestick lamp (sans shade, natch) perfect for a powder room, a brass birdcage that would perch with panache on my dresser, and a tiny nightstand with nice inlay detailing that compliment my faux bamboo bedroom set.

Cue rude awakening music / needle scraping across a record!!

* The vases are $69.99 for the set. I'm no porcelain pro, but please! It's a thrift store!

* The candlestick lamp was $20. And it's leaning slighting to the right! And it needs rewiring, for pete's sake! There's no shade, for cryin' out loud!

* The birdcage was a display item, not for sale. Like quite a few OTHER display items scattered around. Hello, is this a display museum? Or a store where we're moving product to aid a great cause?

* The nightstand was $59.99. Kinda teensy for such a big price!

Well, this frustrated frugalista will pass, thank you very much. Back to my other usual hangouts...

P.S. If you know anyone who's looking for Missoni dishes at about $40/pop, I'll be happy to tell you the location.

Thrift Shop Spelunking

Wikipedia calls spelunking the recreational pastime of exploring wild cave systems, which reminds me a lot of the urban sport of thrifting.

They're both messy, dingy places where you might find something fascinating hidden under the dirt. Or, it could just be exercise in sharpening your eye while practicing your way picking through crap. It's all good, right?

This summer, I've snapped up a couple of great buys at thrift stores, but I have to be honest. I spend a LOT more time shopping in vain than I ever do finding anything. Is that because Tampa thrift stores suck? Or because my fave stuff ends up elsewhere? I don't know, but you can bet I'll keep looking...just in case I strike it lucky!

Here's a gallery of my best recent thrift store finds. Enjoy!

Check out this funky brass-trimmed bamboo wastebasket turned planter! Half off during a sale weekend.

I love this Chinese vase. Only four bucks, and in perfect condition!!

This Italian ashtray caught my eye, because I love, love, love flowered ceramics. There's one ding, but hello! Fifty cents!!

Scored this non-vintage cutie at a thrift shop that benefits strays. Makes a darling (if small) boudoir wastebasket.

But wait! There's more. Collectible pottery sometimes makes its way in. Witness this honey of a Haeger!

Last, but not least, one of my fave finds, this litho print from the early 1940s in mint condition. The thrift shop owner had found it stuck behind a print of FDR! I asked if I could just buy the floral print alone, and he made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Goodwill provided the $3 gilded frame and glass.