Now that Halloween is over and the election is (mostly) behind us, I’ve found some time to do a little Goodwill Outlet shopping, and the finds have been tiny, but so worth it.
First off, an interesting thing to share with you.
I’ve had a number of readers or Instagram followers reach out to me by email, and I’ve had the pleasure to meet a number of you. I’ve loved all these meetings and it’s been so interesting to swap stories and confidences.
Lisa was in the first wave of readers I met, and she’s so interesting and has such a great eye.
Like me, she lived in California for a long time with her growing family but she now lives in Portland. She also has a hazelnut farm and we often swap recipes or treats when we see one another.
Rebecca Ringquist is another reader with whom I’ve connected.
She’s an accomplished artist who has a thriving embroidery business called Dropcloth Samplers (check them out).
She’s also a hoot and sometimes I now just spontaneously bump into her at the Bins and we always have a laugh, sometimes even sharing our stash on the spot.
This past week had me meeting someone else from my blogosphere. Sheila and I met virtually through another blogger and she reached out to me a while back when her son moved here. We corresponded a bit, and we discovered we had so much in common, and I loved her vibe.
When she mentioned last month she was coming up and looking for advice as to things to do, I offered to give her a tour of a few of my favorite places to vintage shop.
We finally got to get together this past weekend, and we had so much fun.
I took her to two different Goodwill Outlets, and we scored treasures at both.
She found a Coach wallet and a handcrafted purse for a friend. She said she had a leather product that would restore the wallet’s luster and the lining on the purse was so lovely.
I was thrilled that I found Sheila an enormous vintage enamel pan (which she said she’s been looking for).
I have a number of enamel pans that I use for everything so I know how invaluable they can be.
She was thrilled that I found her one, too — and I loved its unusual celery color.
Doesn’t it look cute in her kitchen today?
We both also came home with rolls of vintage foil paper — hers in a girly pink floral
and mine in a vibrant blue. I think I’ll be able to put the polka dot cellophane to good use, too.
Sheila and I hopscotched around town in my car, visiting the Bins at both the airport and on Ochoco location and we added more finds to the back of my car.
I love these old Halloween pics
and these tiny Japanese ornaments
and this Santa, even if he is a little worse for the wear right now.
This little fella came home with me too, and considering the fact that he’s probably a senior citizen, I thought he still looked pretty spiffy and spry.
When I realized that Sheila is both crafty and enjoys vintage, I knew that I had to take her to one of my favorite stores, K. Marie.
I’d heard of this store from both reader/neighbor Linda (I’ve shown you some of her collections here)
and my friend the sensational crafter/Instagram sensation Laurie Romanaggi (I’ve told you about her before too)
and I knew Sheila had to see this spot.
K. Marie in neighboring Milwaukie is a dream — an art store/vintage treasure trove that is so beautifully outfitted that it routinely makes my jaw drop.
Everywhere you look here there’s something fabulous here.
Vintage pipe cleaners. Perfectly rolled crepe paper in vibrant colors.
And so much more.
Clearly Sheila got a kick out of it and I’m so glad we got to experience it together.
We brought home a number of things from this lovely shop.
We each took home one of these miniature glass cloches
and I added a vibrant oversized honeycomb acorn
an authentic, tabletop-sized French flag (made out of broadcloth?)
as well as a sheet of vintage images that I will photocopy onto sticker paper and use all holiday season long.
(K. Marie also offers crafting workshops — I’m so in!).
Reluctantly it was time to bid adieu to Sheila.
We gathered up her various finds from the back of my car
and we said goodbye.
Sheila, many thanks for the gorgeous box of chocolates and the delicious New Seasons lunch
plus sending along some of the pictures above.
I loved our time together and I can’t wait until the next time.
What will our next haul consist of?
While we are on the subject of Goodwill Outlet finds, I have a few other things to show you from my recent Bins digging.
I got the dishrack you see above in the perfect aqua (it’s currently storing cards) and these darling ornaments at the Bins.
They are so fragile that I was surprised that I found all five of them intact and in such great shape.
Also I found these terrific pens (never used as far as I can tell)
and these rolls of oversized and unopened washi tape from Target (retail: almost $20, my cost, about 50 cents).
I also got a kick out of this Santa snack tray
and while we’re focusing on the vintage holiday, here’s another fun find I just unearthed from my time with Sheila.
Look at this goofy/cool container.
It looks like a plastic margarine container but the colors and font makes me swoon.
(What shall I do with it, friends? Candy holder in Christmas?)
So there you have it. Junking. Old friends and new.
And lots of casual but delicious eats, like this (more on that later).
And always, I’ve been enjoying my time with my beloved Pork Chop –the sweetest, most adorable of us all.
Off to L.A. soon. Catch up with you soon!
I loved reading about your visitors and outings together….
So much fun!
Peanut, miss you. ❤
I can’t wait to hear your report from L.A. — my neighborhood — what treasures will I learn about from you! You already have me hooked when I visit my daughter in Portland!!! Yes, I hit the bin store near the airport — and all the others you recommend! Now I have to visit K Marie!!! Oh my!
Hey Nancy! I’m only in LA for a short period and there’s a true time restraint but love to hear if there’s anything you love near me I shouldn’t miss. And let me know if you want to connect next time you’re visiting your daughter. ❤
Are you home mid December? Kaplan & Miner coming in for a Portland landing for a few days, primarily to see Tje Trail Band at The Aladdin. And then a few days to visit friends in town a d do a little shopping. Are you game for lunch? A thrift store? At least certainly a hug and a few treats to share with you.
Call me! We need to chat– it’s been too damn long. LOVE to see you!
Sarah, I didn’t think anything could top our fab time together but seeing it here surely has, as it’s now a time capsule that I can return to again and again! Thank you for introducing me to the thrill of the Bins, sharing your delicious cake & snack mix, and unearthing all those vintage treasures. You are a dear xoxo ♥️
I can’t wait to check out K.Marie sometime! Never heard of it. I was curious about the Tom and Jerry Batter because I often see mugs and glasses labelled “Tom and Jerry” with English gents drinking a toast depicted on them. So, finally looked it up and it was a batter to make holiday drinks. It went in eggnog and hot cocoa, etc.. Just a random fact for the day!
Hello Leah! K. Marie is such an interesting place and there’s so much eye candy in this little shop that it will really knock your socks off. If you go, be sure to check out the luxe candy shop next door, too. I love that you looked that up about Tom and Jerry batter — weird, right? A batter for a beverage… ? Hope you’re well and I miss seeing you in a semi-regular fashion. Happy Thanksgiving!
What fun you’ve had. Love the treasures you all have found.
On the home front, our Hamish (Scottie pup) is growing & growing. He’s just now 19 weeks old, all teeth and boundless energy. He loves bedtime snuggles and absolutely everyone he meets.
I so wish sweet Rosie & our Gus were here to share this time with him, too.
All the best to you and yours for a great Thanksgiving!
~ Lacy
I’m so happy for you Lacy! The love and companionship from a dog is immeasurable. Will you send me a pic? Here’s my email: olivebred@aol.com. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!
Well do.
Be forewarned it will be hard to pick out just one photo. (smile)
We are so busy getting all the treasures out, we often can’t stop and meet the shoppers who make it all happen for the Goodwill mission. Thank you for introducing new and old friends to the Bins and helping us help others along the way. You are the best ‘binner’ ever!
I get such a kick introducing strangers to the Bins and see how excited they get when they find something that really resonates with them. BEST GIRLFRIEND THRIFTING DATE EVER.
Hey! I just emailed you and now that I see this, I’m even more eager for some junking therapy! You’ve found some great treasures recently.
Just texted you. Hope we can align our schedules soon!
So many fun treasures, I love those bobble head snowmen. And that santa snack tray, I got one of those last year. Looking forward to getting my Christmas treasure out. I’ve been dying to wear some of my Christmas brooches, but it’s a little too early…..but soon !!
That’s funny that you have the same snack tray — estate sale? I don’t think it’s very old but I still think it’s cute. I bet your brooch selection is fantastic. Want to take a class at K. Marie together?
Such a sweet time with friends. I love your sharing. I just love your blog. I find so much inspiration and good advice. My talents do not lie in whipping up any old thing….. but when advised by your blog I find lots of good options. The re-read of some of old postings is helping me un- fold my menu for next week eat- palooza.mmmmm. Thanksgiving 2018……
I so wish when we lived in SF I had gone to Greens ….. just student loan poor and could not. But now enjoying your talents and my family ( 3 of ours now are in their 30’s). Thank you so much for your kindness and wonderful recipes.