Let's Go Thrifting

 I know that thrifting has gained in popularity and I wish that I could say it was because of a desire to not support big billionaire businesses or a desire to live more simple and humble. But, instead, it appears that thrifting has become a "side hustle," for some people. Resellers. My opinion on resellers used to be more favorable but, now, when I go thrifting and all that is left are broken figurines, polyester fast fashion, water stained books, and dirty toys, my opinion on resellers has soured. Anything that can be deemed a "-core" is easily turned into a commodity and marketed. And what is left over, in the thrifts, stuff that IS nice and is what you're looking for, is priced way too high for a second, third, or even fourth hand item. 

Having said that, I still enjoy going and looking. I'm in the process of trying to replace all of the MDF board in my apartment and replacing it with real wood. This isn't easy for two reasons:

    1. Real wood is a lot more expensive than MDF board. 

    2. Real wood furniture is heavy. I am single, middle aged, disabled, and live on the second floor.

I figure that, when I move... if I ever get to save enough money to move that is, I can hire someone to meet me at the Peddler's Mall and move some real wood furniture for me. In the meantime, I'm looking to replace smaller things like end tables and bookcases. So, after my doctor's appointment yesterday, I took a trip to my favorite Peddler's Mall and I did find a few décor items. 

One of my favorite things about Peddler's Malls is that they have individual booths and some of my favorite booths are the ones with fabric scraps and yarn. I always buy fabric because I love to crochet, knit, sew, quilt, and make things. I love vintage objects that have been previously loved. Like me. 

I love this booth! It's so charming.

I also have a collection of VHS tapes that I actually watch. If I go to buy VHS tapes on eBay or Mercari, the prices are outrageous. Who charges anything more than $5 for a VHS tape? If the tape is moldy or has seen too many temperature fluctuations, it might have degraded faster so the movie remains unwatchable and I really just paid $20 for the box. No thanks. Always inspect a tape before buying it. 

I WAS OBSESSED!!

There was a set of Tiffany style stained glass, double bulb lamps. My jaw dropped... and I picked my jaw off of the floor when I saw the price: $270... each. I'm not saying they're not worth it, maybe they are? I am still trying to find the little stained glass lamp with the fairy and the flower. I love fairies and whimsical trinkets. 

Speaking of fairies, I found a fairy statue for $5 so I picked it up. I hate those, "what I bought and how I styled it," videos because it's just the person literally sitting something on a shelf. Like... what else are you supposed to do with a candle holder? Anyway... here is how I "styled" the large $5 fairy statue...

On the kitchen counter, next to the toaster

Oh! I am also on the look out for vintage cookbooks. There was a shelf full of them but, alas, none that really stood out to me

Vintage cookbooks!

As a vegan, I just find a recipe and replace any thing to make the recipe vegan. But, I suppose the pièce de résistance was the real wood bathroom toilet paper cabinet that I found for only $10. I was on my way up to the register when I saw it, double checked that it was only $10 and loaded it into my cart. Now, I'm going to show you a picture, but, the baseboards in my bathroom are indeed dirty. Listen, I'm disabled and mopping the floors is an event. I'll talk more about living (and working full time) while dealing with disabilities and chronic illnesses later, but, for now, check out my bathroom toilet paper cabinet:

y'all.... Y'ALL! Omg

I love it so much!! You know what I really, really want? Some of those old fashioned oval braided rugs.