Shopping Instead of Unpacking

Let's face it, I should be focusing on unpacking and getting existing treasures out of their boxes. Instead, I was out this morning trolling the stores for new finds. Pickings were slim, but I made a major Asian-ish score at one store...
Yes, basic white rice bowls, but perfect for soups, noodles and other yummy things.  A set of eight for next to nothing?  How could I resist?
It's like they saw me coming: little, teeny-tiny hand-painted Chinese plates?  You had me at little. This set of ten was kind of hiding, but I was so happy to make them mine.  There are ten, only three are the same; the rest are unique designs.  No markings, no words or letters. But, they're already on the bar and I think will be perfect little tidbit bowls for a few nuts, some olives or a scoop of sesame sticks.
Finally, I was super excited to find this peanut pourer.  How do I know it's a peanut pourer? Because I already have a smaller version in the original box!  And this one has the original sticker--made in Taiwan.  Asia strikes again.  I'll have to put peanuts in one and mixed nuts in the other.  Or maybe cashews?  Anyway, a nice little haul that did inspire me to do a little organizing of the kitchen cabinets.  If only to hide my new purchases from you know who!  

Let Me Be Clear

I just want to be very clear: I wasn't just good, I was very good. I could have returned from this little outing with a station wagon filled with amazing items, but instead I only bought five. Five. And to prove my point, I have plenty of photographic evidence. Observe...

I started at the Salvation Army, which I believe I have mentioned is in a shady part of town, but does have pretty good things. Today was no exception...
You often see these salad bowls in other colors, such as bright blue (I have a couple of those), but I had never seen them in this color; is that grape or aubergine? I'll go with aubergine. But, I passed on them rather than create an extreme paradigm shift within 'la collection.'

This dog statuette was amazing and challenging to resist.


The most gorgeous space heater I have ever seen. Isn't it fantastic? It makes me think beads in doorway, bing bag chairs and spherical radios with the Carpenters playing while you iron your hair.

Although the photo might suggest this rabbit could fit in your palm, it's actually life-size! Like those white cats you see a lot? I thought it would be wonderful, sitting around in some absurd place (kitchen counter?), but obviously there is already plenty of wonderful things sitting absurdly around my place, right?

Next, I headed to Tradearama, which I hadn't been to, but someone in my seminar on Friday had mentioned. Tradearama is one of those very classic second hand stores in that, while there is a general sense of organization probably created five or ten years ago, it is slowly dissolving with each object they add to the pile. In other words, you have to dig. It is a place my mam-ma would have loved and they had some wonderful treasures...

A truly fantastic canister set that was in very good condition. Easily snatched up.

This gorgeous platter.

An amazing array of coffee cups.

Rice bowls! Service for twelve! Perfect for the 'broken down bus full of Buddhist monks' scenario! And so much more...old typewriters, a separate room full of old books and magazines guarded by it's own old lady, planters, lamps...so much.

After that, I headed up the street to Trade-N-Treasures which is a thrift store that is on almost the complete separate end of the thrifting spectrum: everything is beautifully organized, with signs for each section. Heaven.

An amazing sideboard, simple and elegant.

This lovely tea canister reminded me of something Jonathan Adler might sell today.

The egg cooker I already own, which matches the most beautiful toaster in the world.

A record cabinet in an Asian-ish style.

A George Briard platter in the Persian Garden pattern. I was strong, I was strong...the price was okay, but not a bargain.

Perfume bottles in every shape imaginable!

Vintage soaps in their boxes....and more cologne bottles!

A weird photo of a high school musical: Damn Yankees? What other show involves a baseball team? I don't know, this is really out of my scope of knowledge.

Soup tureens! Movie stars! Black gold!

It was heaven.

What did I buy? Five things; or two, depending on how you look at it.

This set of shallow, square dishes with a small gold rim is from Hall--and this was my second chance with them. I even carried them around the store, all the while debating whether to purchase them and what I would use them for. Is that what you do? Try to justify how you might use something? Like this would perfect to serve pound cake on? Or if I can use it for multiple things, then it's even better, e.g., "these would be great for sherbet, but I could also use them for a cold soup garnished with avocado in the summer." Then I can easily talk myself into things. But, these I could think of nothing....so I carried them around the store, finally giving up...until I spotted...

This incredibly dirty Quan Yin, hiding I'm the corner. Isn't it funny, once you find something you HAVE to have, it's much easier to talk yourself into anything else! So I bought the rectangular plates. Check and check.

When I got home, I cleaned up Quan Yin and got out the rest of the smaller ones, putting them all on the mantle altar with the mega-Quan Yin...

Voila. Happiness.

Change is Good

Apparently, the obsession with wooden platters and other pieces never ends. I picked this up at Goodwill last weekend and was thinking it would be good to fill with nuts and other nibblies for an interesting mix and presentation. Olives? With the little end pieces for the pits?

But, then I realized it would work even better on the dresser with the Asian-ish tins to organize cuff links, change and the assorted pocket items that need to be dispersed. Lovely and curvy, it was very happy to see it in place.

Do as I Say, Not as I Do

I'm not sure what I was thinking.

In my defense, the only thing I can say is that it has been a very long week. We stopped into the Goodwill last night and I saw this fantastic lamp. It's white ceramic with a cutout pattern overlaid with a cherry tree in full bloom. The interior is lined with white paper and there is room for a bulb inside. It sits on black wooden base, but had no shade. It was $2.99.

And I didn't buy it. Why?
  1. We have been talking about needing an extra lamp for the bedroom to go on the dresser, but how could this white ceramic thing with a space for a bulb ever serve that purpose?
  2. Both the other lamps have white ceramic bases in the shape of logs with black shades, so why would I ever want another lamp with a white base?
  3. I have looked at lamps at Tuesday Morning and elsewhere for about $60, how could I possible spend less than $5?
  4. The style of the bedroom is Asian-ish, reflected in the Chinese-red screen-like headboard and giant peony fabric curtains, so of course this vase-like lamp with cherry blossoms on it couldn't fit into that idea.
  5. I guess I didn't think about those things and just walked away, in other words: out of my mind.
Huh? Yes, I walked away. And woke up in the middle of the night screaming.

Luckily, my shopping karma is pretty good and when Mitchell stopped by the store on the way home, it was still there. I need to find/make a shade, but otherwise it is absolute gorgeous. One of my favorite finds ever.

Do not hesitate. I repeat: do not hesitate. It will be your downfall.