This past weekend I headed over to the Durham Rescue Mission in Raleigh with some local blogging friends, Danielle (2littlesuperheroes) and Holly (Storywood Designs). Danielle sent out a message asking if anyone wanted to join her to participate in the 100% Totally Unofficial Macklemore Thrift Shop Challenge that you can read all about over at Young House Love. Well, I am never one to say no to thrifting so I jumped at the chance to go and can’t thank Danielle enough for setting it up!
So with $20 in our pockets we were ready for the challenge!
Immediately after walking in the door and looking around I knew there was no way I was going to meet this challenge by sticking to the $20 limit.
This place was jam packed full of thrift store treasures and the prices were amazing. I think we all felt like kids in a candy store, it was thrifter heaven! Holly found this awesome card catalog for only $3.99, this was such a great find!
We left with three carts full of goodies, and lots of new projects to work on! Holly was the only one who was able to meet the challenge and actually stayed under $20.
Danielle got the most bang for her buck. Even though she went slightly over the budget she got a TON of amazing stuff! She scored a huge cork board for $2.99, unreal! As my hubby would say, of course I spent the most. If it wasn’t for the table I bought for $25.00 I would have come close to the budget but it was too pretty to leave behind.
To show you what $20 did buy I will give you the breakdown. Original painting $7.99, brass tray $3.00, silver tray $7.00, silver cup $1.00 and wood frame $1.00. Not bad, huh?!
This original painting was one of my favorite finds. I know it’s not the prettiest picture in the world but it is hand painted and dated 1917. I just couldn’t pass it up and had to bring it home and when the nice man there marked it down from $12.99 to $7.99 I said, SOLD! I gave the frame a little TLC with some CeCe Caldwell chalk paint in Vintage White, lightly sanded the edges and then added some clear wax. Now this almost 100 year old painting has a new home and I love it!
As bloggers we mainly connect online so it was really a treat to have the opportunity to spend the morning with some truly lovely blogging friends!
Oh my goodness that frame looks so so so good! Link up your post to Young House Love (at the end of the post they have a link party for everyone who did the challenge). I had about 300 hits from their blog today. I guess that’s the magic of a big time blog!
You did great Lauren! I so wish I were close and could join you guys in the fun!
I really like how you painting looks since you updated the frame. I bought a huge painting for my mantel that I have been thinking about painting the frame to brighten it up, but I don’t want to ruin it. I definitely have to think about this some more now that I see yours!
Looks like so much fun, the prices are amazing too!
Lauren, I love the painted frame! It completely lightens up the whole look for the painting. Such a neat find… and truly a one of a kind piece. (PS: That table was too good to pass up… totally worth going over budget!)
Hi, I just popped over from YHL. I love the things you found, especially the painting. You really freshened its look too and it looks so pretty with your lamp! I was relieved that someone else participating in the challenge went over the $20 limit too
But when the finds are that great, it’s totally justified!
Hi Lisa, Thanks so much and what a fun challenge put together by YHL. Glad you went over the $20 limit too, but it was totally worth it!
Wow! Looks like such fun! Sure wish we had prices like that at our thrift stores! Thanks for posting-
Thanks so much Becki, yes the prices were amazing I can’t wait to go back!
The colors in the painting look good in your room. Great find.
Thank you Denise : )
i love this painting, no matter what. but as an added bonus, 1917 was the year of the Russian Revolution–a historical interest of mine–so I snap up anything from that specific year, if I can find it! when you think of it that way–in the histoical context–it makes the paining even more special when you think of the artist painting it.
Hi, I really appreciated the historical information in your comment, I looked up the date 1917 and it was so interesting to see how many significant events were taking place in the world that year.
Oh my goodness – $3.99 for the card catalog! And that painting – I am so so so in love with it!!!! What great finds! Take care, Laura
Hi Laura,
Thanks, yes we had really great luck at the thrift store last weekend, lots of great finds/prices. I could seriously go thrifting everyday!
I just gound you through Pinterest and Im so glad I did! That painting is so great and what a lovely new life you gave it. I bet the artist woukd be so proud.
Sorry about the typos!
Its me again! Just read your About Me. I have identical teenage girls
Hi Carol, Thanks for stopping by to visit my blog, so happy you found me on Pinterest! You are a twin mom too, how old are your girls, mine are 13.