1.05.2011

vintage finds wednesday...

Had some lovely finds over the break. 


Scored this vintage Scottish knee length wool coat for the daughter at our local thrift last week.  It is in mint condition and was a whopping $7.  Throw in the $2 for dry cleaning (I have a fabulous bargain dry cleaners) and the only drawback was fitting it in the suitcase (somehow she managed).


Also picked up some serving pieces at an auction last month.  Thought they would be nice on the buffet tables at my Christmas party (though can't say the daughter enjoyed polishing it all).  Got the bunch for $28, the tray is quite large and very heavy...


Oh and there was a coffe pot as well (and some smaller trays I can't find right now, how sad is that?) which I found a use for even though I didn't serve coffee...


It was all quite lovely but I'm wondering how often you have to polish it?  Tips or tricks anyone?

Don't forget to enter the Paddywax Candle giveaway!

34 comments:

Felicity said...

You win the gold star for the most glam thrifty shopper of 2011 to date!

Great finds,

Felicity x

The Weaver of Grass said...

Those silver pieces are absolutely lovely - even if you do have to polish them regularly - I find polishing such things to be quite therapeutic if I am in the right mood.
That coat also looks a real bargain.

Diana Mieczan said...

You did so well:) I love that coat and the silver pieces are stunning:) have a great day
Kisses

Ps: I am hosting a great home decor GIVEAWAY later today, so please join in :)

Anonymous said...

Oh, great finds! Love the coat... and the price! xo

Reya Mellicker said...

Fantastic finds! Wow. You can go to thrift stores in DC but you'll never find a deal. Very cool.

Fire Byrd said...

As someone who has a great deal of silver antique bits and bobs- powder compacts, cigarette cases, perfume bottles, I can only tell that silver needs cleaning far too often fo my liking! And is something I have to spend a while building up to as it gets muckier and I get crosser! But once it's done the feeling of satisfaction is huge!
xx

quintessence said...

Wow - I'm impressed!! You got some great finds!! I am never that lucky, although I must admit, I'm not a good thrift or vintage shopper - don't have the patience! I leave that to my sister who always finds the most amazing things!

KR said...

You are a thrift goddess!
If you are keeping your silver on display you can't stop tarnish, although in our dry climate the shine lasts longer than in a damp climate. If you are storing pieces, wrap snugly in cloth, even wrapped tightly in Saran wrap helps keep away tarnish.

vintch said...

love, love, love it! that silver is gorgeous. not too sure about how often to polish it, though. just think of it this way-if you let them go a little too long between polishings, it just adds to their vintage flair!

that jacket is heavenly. excellent score!
happy wednesday:)

koralee said...

What great finds....that coat makes my heart melt!!!

I must make a trip to our local thrifts....maybe today on this wet wet rainy day...perfect...thanks for the idea.

Hugs. xoxo

Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird said...

Gosh you need to do some thrifty shopping for me!

Nicole said...

the coffee pot is beautiful! And the coat for your daughter, dang! I polished some silver platters at my mom's house just after my grandma passed away (used at her funeral) and they really don't need polishing yet and that was 3 years ago...

Sara Lee Bentley said...

Such pretty silver pieces! The best tip I know is to keep it in a well-sealed cabinet when not in use. If dust is kept off it then it prolongs the shine... which I'm sure your daughter will heartily agree is a good thing :)

Kellie Collis said...

What a steal! Those serving dishes are lovely! Have a wonderful day, Kellie xx

Ren- Lady Of The Arts said...

Great finds- I love the idea of using the coffee pot as a flower vase- So classic- that coat it lovely- I found an amazing coat last week while thrifting- I was able to machine wash it and it looks perfect- I have been nagging my husband all week to take photos of me in it! I think I'll have to wait until the weekend- It's always dark when he comes home.

Andrea said...

Oh the serving pieces are just beautiful! I bet they looked looking amazing at your christmas dinner!
Great finds!

Stitchfork said...

I definitely need pointers/intervention in finding fabulous finds like this. The few times I have tried, I never see treasures such as these. Love the greens in the coffee pot!
xo Cathy

Jillian said...

Oh my goodness Jeanette I just love that coat!!!

MJM said...

Somehow I managed to fit it in my suitcase! AND... The silver polishing wasn't too much of a chore. The price I pay for the perks of being an only child.

Andrew H. said...

I've seen all of this stuff already (obviously) yet I am still impressed when I see them in the photos. Great vintage finds over this holiday season.

Maria said...

Just lovely - great sparkly stuff!
I have used the "dip in water" additives before and was mostly pleased with the results - but there is no REAL substitute for elbow grease :-D

angryparsnip said...

Wow !
Where you live you have the best thrift shops and of course you have the eye to find a great deal. That coat is fabulous.

We had some great thrift shops, when I lived in Laguna Beach but where I live now mot so much. Looking more might help !

cheers, parsnip

theappletea said...

findings are great

Decor To Adore said...

Love the coat!

I have to say I am absolutely thrilled that you will be joining me on the carriage ride destined for Royal Wedding Wednesdays. When I hit the "publish" button I had a momentary feeling of panic that my post would be met with only the sound crickets chirping. It has been quite the opposite, so much so that I feel we have a kindred spirit/sisterhood sorority.

Here's to fairytales!

French Basketeer.com said...

The coat is Killer! You are the best shopper!

pamela said...

a friend of mine did all of her wedding flowers with old silver pots and vases. it was really beautiful. she let everyone take them home afterward.
i want to see the coat on w/one of her snazzy outfits!

Brandywine said...

Love the coat -- I pick up vintage clothes for my daughter all the time. She is still fun to dress at 20.

And who doesn't love thrift store shopping? Last week I picked up a vintage blue train case- w/keys- excellent condition - $2. My daughter tried to claim it before I even got it out of the car. Sorry Miss K - this find is mine.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Those serving pieces were beyond a bargain!

Claire Kiefer said...

Those are pretty impressive finds! I love all that old silver (even though I don't doubt that polishing them was a pain). But I think what I am most in awe of is your $2 dry cleaning!

Ioana Liliana said...

Lovely finds, you did great!


Fashezine

Stacey said...

These are wonderful finds! You're so lucky! You should get a crown for thrifting too:-)

lisaroy said...

You've scored some amazing finds!! That coat is so cute and all that silver- what a bargain! :)

Tess Kincaid said...

Love-love the coat! My daughter found a gorgeous vintage tweedy wool coat in bright colors on her last trip to Ohio.

Style, She Wrote said...

Those silver pieces are amazing!