The Best Thrifting Day Ever

And I mean, ever.  

Today Finn, Annie, and I spent the afternoon delivering cookie trays.  After we finished our deliveries we went to the local thrift store in hopes of finding a nice red sweater that Finn could wear for his piano recital next week.  After scouring the children's racks, we found a perfect red sweater for him as well as a pair of corduroys, a pullover, a polo shirt, and a pair of casual pants.  Annie chose a skirt and a dress. I was very content, but decided to swing over and check out the ladies' dresses.  

Lo and behold, I happened upon an Ellen Tracy cocktail dress in beautiful, perfect condition. It's black with beading at the neckline and lace at the top of the back: gorgeous.  But it was two sizes too small.  I plucked it off the rack anyhow, thinking I'd try it on just for fun.  But lo and behold again, I think I have dropped a size.  Zipping it up was no problem......and it cost less than $5. My cocktail party days are long gone, but it would be perfect for dinner out with my husband or even an evening wedding.....

I was more than content at this point, but I always wheel through the housewares.  I found a little old dirty taped-up box with genuine Wedgwood inside--candlesticks and two darling little boxes.  I adore Wedgwood but have never purchased any.  This box o' goodies was only $3.99.  Sold!

At this point I was quite elated with my finds.  The children went to look at the toy section and I went to the last aisle of the domestic section. I always skim the artwork--I'm an amateur collector of original art, thanks to my parents.  We have a little over a dozen paintings we have collected over the years, through inheritance, purchase, and commission (don't be too impressed; it helps to have artist friends!), and I love each one of them.  Over the years I have also found several paintings at thrift stores--usually nice amateur art, but original, unique, and thus charming to me. 

 A framed painting caught my eye, and I picked it up, thinking that the woodland scene with its pink blooms would look sweet in Annie's room. The framing job was beautiful, and the art was original, and I knew she'd like the colors and the scene, so I put it in my cart.  

And then.  And then!!!

I realized there was more original art there. A lot more.  I looked at each piece; it was not amateur work.  This was work done by someone who could paint light beautifully.  And they were all signed with the same name.  Some had notation on the back--"en plein air" with the location and date; one had a dedication to the recipient on it. None of them were framed. I didn't love every single one, but I liked them all, and I did love several.

 Now, I'm a frugal lass and not much of an impulse buyer, but I knew I'd regret leaving those paintings. So we bought them all....all ten of them!  The largest one was a whopping $3.99. 

Back at home, I googled the artist's name.  Her work is displayed in various galleries, and sells for much, much more than I paid.......

I won't be selling these, though.  They are my treasures.  I am their caretaker, and I will love them and respect them and never, ever send them back to the thrift store.

Welcome home.