For those not in the know (like me five years ago), OBX = The Outer Banks. Which is actually where John first took me for our one year anniversary of dating. Cue the collective aw. Anyway, now that we divulged some details of our recent Outer Banks trip this morning, we wanted to share all of the house-related stuff that we found while we were there. One of our favorite things to do when we travel is search for thrift stores, so I just did a quick hunt for “thrift” on my iPhone and it led us to Hotline Thrift (in Kitty Hawk – it’s a big pink store, you can’t miss it).
Which is where we found these two chunky pedestal bases for $40 (for both) along with a big tabletop. Not a bad deal if you grabbed them both and made two pedestal tables out of them (like we did way back when for our old sunroom). Of course you could paint them any color you’d like after adding one of those $40 ready-made 36″ tabletops from Lowe’s (like glossy white, moody gray, happy yellow, chippy turquoise, etc). Each table would probably factor out to around $65 when it’s all said and done (read more on a project like this here).
This cute desk lamp was just $4, and could totally look like something straight out of Pottery Barn if you spray painted it bright red, dark charcoal gray, or even something fun like lime green.
This Paris map was awesome. And we totally would have bought it if it wasn’t $200 (!!!). I guess the folks at this thrift store smartly googled it and learned it was worth a ton of money. It really was amazing.
Then I laid eyes on this relic from the past. Yes it is an Alf tray, and yes it was only $4. How did I ever leave the store without it – even if just as a gag gift for my brother. “Let’s do lunch! How about yours?” Oh Alf, you slay me.
Then there was this furry lamp. It looked like it was all stinky and musty… not that I leaned in to confirm. It’s so funny to realize that there was a moment in time that this was in fact considered stylish. Crazytown.
Then we found our way over to Hotline Thirft Too, which is basically their sister store in Nags Head, where we found this cute $4 fish tin (once again I can picture it spray painted for a fun modern take – maybe in bright turquoise or poppy orange and hung above the window of a kitchen sink). I think I have a spray paint problem. Sort of along the same lines as my pillow problem. Can’t. Stop.
Next we have the piece de resitance. An item so mystifying that you can’t help but scratch your head and giggle simultaneously. Ladies (and gentlemen?) I present to you, the oversized hairy nutcracker bear. He was literally over two feet tall. Have you ever seen anything like it? I just stood there transfixed – trying to make sense of the whole thing. In the end I couldn’t. What could this possibly mean?
While in Nag’s Head we also had some fun at Meme’s Antique Mall. The first thing to catch my eye were these awesome teal and red glasses (I’ve loved that color combo since the days of Domino magazine). They were $16 for the set (there were around 10 in the set) so definitely not bad.
Clara loved this cute $25 kissing giraffe art + frame (two words that she knows are “kiss” and “giraffe” – the latter of which cutely comes out as: “gee!”).
This industrial white stool was $29. Could be fun in a sleek bathroom pulled up to a clean-lined vanity for putting on the ol’ face every morning.
This old troll gal was $25, which made me want to drop to the floor holding my face. Why? I owned approximately 100 of them as a nine year old. And at $25 a pop, my collection would have earned me $2,500 if my mom hadn’t donated them over a decade ago. Who knew those would be worth something someday? Clearly not me.
This whale weathervane was a whopping $295, but it did make me wonder if someone could DIY one with an old piece of wood and a jigsaw (they could then attach it to a cheaper weather vane base).
This next store isn’t exactly a thrift store, but it was next door to one, so I ducked in. It was called Daniel’s Homeport in Kitty Hawk, and although nothing was as cheap as most thrift store finds (except for that $200 map!) there was some cool stuff.
Like this painterly flower guy ($62 with frame):
And this cool geometric picture frame ($40), which I definitely think could be DIYed with a stencil – or even freehanded if you’re fancy.
This honeycomb wine rack totally had me at hello (you know we have a thing for bees). At $40 we didn’t grab it, but I still remember it fondly.
This cool octagonal mirror was also something I thought could be homemade (hardware store wood and trim mitered and secured over a larger round mirror could recreate the look). So rustic and charming.
I know I’m weird, but I thought this octopus pillow ($37) was the bomb diggety. And yes, I’m cool enough to use that term, circa 1995.
I was also in love with these hook & loop pillows ($50 each) thanks to their bold designs and fun subjects. A little too spendy for a cheap girl like me though. Even with my pillow problem. But I could see them in someone’s hip LA crash pad- like, I dunno… Selena Gomez?
We also ducked into Kellogg Supply Company (right near our rental house) and spied this hilarious version of Monopoly. Burger was chuffed.
Amazingly enough, we left empty handed (well, we did grab a post card to send to ourselves, per our tradition). And my ten year old niece Olivia and I got $2 friendship bracelets. BFFs for life, yo.
Do you like to go house shopping on vacation? Is there ever room for anything in the car anyway (ours was pretty packed)? Did you also have dozens of troll dolls as a tween? Did you name them all and line them up in the window so their hair got faded on one side? Yeah, me neither.
Shawna says
I had tons of those troll dolls as well. Sadly mine were donated as well :( Brings back some fond childhood memories though.
Julia @ Chris loves Julia says
We used to vacation to the Outer Banks every summer when I was growing up. Fond memories. Unfortunately, I wasn’t concerned about my distant future home because I would have hit up those antique shops in a snap…although, I wonder what they looked like in the early 90s. EEEeee.
Side note: I always envied the cars with the OBX bumper stickers. Totally the cool kids, IMO.
Chris Loves Julia
Christine says
I have an OBX license plate on the front of my car!
Lindsay says
I had a ton of trolls, too. hahaha I have no idea if they are still around at my parents’ house or not! I should definitely check!
Amanda @ Our Humble A{Bowe}d says
I had trolls, Beanie Babies and Polly Pockets. Yep, that cool. Oh, my hubs and I had a discussion about Pogs recently, too. Remember those? I love the hook and loop pillows. Sort of JA, no? And the wine rack is cool. Though, we drink cardboardeaux, (boxed wine) so we’re not fancy enough to use a wine rack.
YoungHouseLove says
Pogs!!! Loved those!
xo,
s
April says
That bear may be the craziest thing I’ve ever seen!
Witty Wife says
God, I miss OBX! I used to go Avon every spring…
Alyssa says
Fun Finds!!! Happy Anniversary:)
Heidi says
Dude. That hairy nutcracker is straight-up GROSS.
I love it when you post all the wacky finds in your travels!
Maggie Rose says
I’d take that little brass table lamp as-is. Brass is back! Not shiny polished brass… that nice brass with a time-worn patina. Drool. Put the spray paint down, Miss Sherry!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha true. I can’t help myself.
xo,
s
Liz says
Speaking of brass, anyone have any ideas/inspiration on decorating with (or overcoming) brass? We have a bathroom with a bunch of brand spanking new fixtures — only problem is, they’re partially a shiny brass. I would love to not waste these fixtures.
YoungHouseLove says
Maybe try some of that rub on refinishing stuff that will make it look more antiqued or oil-rubbed? You don’t even have to uninstall the fixtures! Maybe ask about it at your home improvement center? Good luck!
xo
s
Joy says
Best way to shop – digital.
– Joy
Brittany says
Smitten with the octopus pillows
Emily says
Thanks! We are making our first trip to OBX in August. I went in 4th grade but the hubs has never been. Now we know where to go! (I still want to make it to Rehoboth sometime and go to your recommended spots there, too!) Definitely had lots of troll dolls, but my mom still has them tucked away. Also she still has my American girl doll, which I can’t believe is still in existence!? Popped in the American Girl doll store at Tysons the other day. Crazy more stuff than the old days of the mere catalog. Thanks again for the daily read, I always look forward to a dose of YHL!
Rebecca @This Nest is Best says
We just came back from OBX a few weeks ago – make sure you hit up Village Conery for ice cream and Top Dog for burgers! Have a great time!
amy says
We have a house in Nags Head and LOVE Hotline! Best place to shop for “not so ordinary” things! Daniels is my favorite- my whole house is from Daniels!! Glad ya’ll had a great time!!
ElizabethAnn says
You didn’t happen to spy really expensive Beanie Babies did you? I have a TON of those in a Rubbermaid bin somewhere. Why or why did I buy them??!!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, didn’t see any of those…
xo,
s
Liz says
I had tons of beanie babies! I thought they were the greatest investment when I was young. I really thought they’d be worth something.. then again I was only 11 so what did I know!
Laura says
So, the $25 troll doll made me curious…
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-DAM-DENMARK-TROLL-DOLLS-LOT-9-1960s-/110663364418?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c40cef42
What in the world!?
I love OBX. Next time you go, you should go to the OBX Brewing Station – they have this fantastic lemongrass beer (seasonal) and it’s brewed using a windmill! :D
YoungHouseLove says
Insanity!!
xo,
s
ashley says
I do get the free real estate books at the grocery while on vacation and go through them just for fun! And I only had a couple of troll dolls but totally the few I had. =)I grew up in a gym thanks to my dad being a coach and there for a while, ppl would bring the small ones to games for good luck nonsense and all. It was funny!
Jennifer says
I had many troll dolls, but my favorite was a Chippendales one who I named “Jean Luc”. I was so sophisticated!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah, he was fancy. So refined with that wild hair. Haha.
xo,
s
Robin @ our semi organic life says
nope, definitely never did that same thing with my troll dolls.. eak. maybe yes. And the sending a postcard to yourself does seem much cooler than sending them to family/friends – they’ll most likely throw them out but then you can’t save the memory. We may have to start doing that!
Cristy says
Not sure if I should admit this or not, but my sister and I totally had those Alf TV trays. They served us ramen & sprite on many sick days…. oh the memories!
Andrea @ DwellRepurposed says
I think a DIY octogon mirror is on my to-do list now!! Lovely!
LMN says
Your self-control is ridiculous. I never would have left Alf there. Nor would I put it in my house, but that’s beside the point. Hilarious :-)
Krysta @ Domestic for Dummies says
$25 for trolls! I could be rich right now! Wonder how much my tamagotchi would go for?
YoungHouseLove says
A million dollars! Just guessing though.
xo,
s
Amanda says
Speaking of Tamagotchi’s. I heard on the news yesterday that you can get an iPhone app of Tamagotchi’s. It was actually kind of funny because the guy on the radio was like “when I was a kid, these were banned from my school. … now they ban cell phones”
Amanda says
And by news … I mean radio.
YoungHouseLove says
Too funny!
xo,
s
Rachel says
Who knew the trolls would be so valuable? I had them too (and beanie babies and pogs).
Did you guys check out any of the sand dunes? That was my favorite thing the one time I went to OBX as a kid.
YoungHouseLove says
Sadly we didn’t this time, but we have in the past. So much fun!
xo,
s
Kristin @ Ogo's Love Nest says
Oo the geometric picture frame is definitely a DIY I would love to do. And I have the perfect unfished picture frame (from Ben Franklin) that I can use. Thanks for the idea!
We always pop into thrift stores and Goodwills when we’re on road trips / vacations. :)
Meredith says
what about all the ceramic owls behind the white stool?! They look like they’re screaming to be painted a fun color:)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah those were cool! Their owl collection was extensive.
xo,
s
gemma@thesweetestdigs says
Oooh love that honeycomb wine rack. Totally would’ve walked out with that one!
Sounds like you guys had a great trip! :)
Alison says
Oh man, so many good (and weird finds)! I am pretty sure I have the chairs the octopus pillows are sitting on, it is the exact same stripey fabric. Love!
Amber says
My Mom has that first lamp (not the furry one) on her piano. The light hangs out over the music- it’s perfect! I spent many years in front of that lamp.
Lauren says
I had no idea those troll dolls were worth so much…There’s a woman where I work that has like EVERY SINGLE TROLL DOLL EVER MADE in her office. Maybe I should let her in on the secret and then maybe she could sell them and retire and then maybe I could have her office. I’m a bit sick of the whole “cube scene.”
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, sounds like a solid plan.
xo,
s
Nikki T says
OMG, those trolls are worth something to someone other than the grannies at the bingo hall!!?? Man…I shouldn’t have donated all mine either… :(
jess says
i also had a pretty stellar collection of troll dolls! who knows where mine are now, but from time to time i see these troll-enthusiasts driving around boston…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/upcycle/39666050/in/photostream/
Leigh Anne says
There is an almost identical version of the $29 thrift store stool at Target for $34.99 – I have the green one! http://www.target.com/elf-Studio-Blush-Candid-Coral/dp/B0051C87DO/ref=in_de_detail-item-display
Leslie says
Here’s a sad story. I was also once a collector of trolls. I probably had 15-20 of them and I loved them more than anything. Well, my parents bought us a little puppy and before he was trained to stop chewing up everything, he found all of my trolls (lined up neatly on my bookshelf, duh), took them out to the backyard and chewed them up one by one. We woke up to a horrifying scene of the grass covered in fluorescent troll hair. At the innocent age of 7 I believe I cried and proclaimed my life to be over.
YoungHouseLove says
Traumatic! So sorry for that memory!
xo,
s
Erin @ Out on A Limb... says
That lamp (retro stinky, moldy, not pretty brass) was a total flashback for me! My aunt had a pair beside her velour-ish brown flower patterned and wood-trimmed sofa back in the day, set off by the vinyl, ribbed runner that ran through the dining room into the living room. Can you picture it? God Bless the 70s!
Jessica says
Happy Anniversary! When I’m on vacation I like to drive around neighborhoods & pick the houses I would like to live in if they were up for grabs. I’ve even taken some pictures all stalker-like.
I love all your thrift store finds (minus creepy nutcracker – you’d have to be nuts to put your nuts in that!) Do people ever look at you funny when you’re snapping photos in the store?
YoungHouseLove says
Probably! I’m too focused on weird bear nutcrackers to notice. Haha.
xo,
s
Savannah says
“And this cool geometric picture frame ($40), which I definitely think could be DIYed with a stencil – or even freehanded if you’re fancy.”
They have this same exact print at Target that isn’t a frame. Just three square pieces of hanging art. I have them in my laundry room. love. I’m pretty sure they were only like $10 a piece.
Julie says
Holy moly — we’re headed that way in 2+ weeks with some good friends. I see these locations in Nags Head as a naptime jaunt for the mommies! Woo-to-the-hoo! Ya’ll rock – now let me send your link over to my darling friend for her perusal. I am literally jumping uP aNd DoWn aS I tYpE tHiS — couldn’t tell could ya? ;)
Leah says
If I am guessing correctly that Alf try wasn’t just a tray but may have been a lap tray, with little stands that swing out underneath it. We had a Smurfs one just like that growing up. It was for drawing while on the couch or breakfast in bed when you were sick.
Check out the Smurfs one here. Just a guess from the little round silver things in each corner
http://www.collectablesdelectable.com/shop_i8151542.html?catId=248475
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, love it. You must be right!
xo,
s
Chelsea says
LOVE your site! It has inspired me to start my own (which won’t be nearly as good as yours by any means, but hey…). Hubby & I are going to the OBX tomorrow actually…might have to scope out the thrifting scene (I’m obsessed with thrifting, btw). The bear was the best part of this entire post…literally laughing out loud. I have a hard time believing that the trolls were worth that much, even back in the day, but the shop owners gotta get their mulah somehow, right? Thanks for sharing! :)
liz @ bon temps beignet says
My jaw is still on the floor… $25 for a freaky troll doll?!?!?!? Insane.
Jill says
They are not freaky, they are gentle loving creatures– they are my friends!!!
haha okay reverting back to 2011 now.. ;)
Robin says
Love the finds. My Mom actually saved ALL my stuffed animals, beanie babies and trolls from my childhood. I recently had them sent to me, I swear she must have a storage locker that no one knows about haha. My son has a cowboy troll that was once mine to fit the theme and and daughter has a box of trolls sitting in the closet because I didnt know what to do with them. $25 a pop…I think ebay may be in order lol
Katie T. says
That troll doll comment literally made me laugh out loud… hysterical. I had a troll doll pencil, the eraser was the troll doll. It was magical.
Rachel says
One of my all time favorite home stores is on Amelia Island (where the Bower’s went last summer – we actually stay at the same place). They have the most amazing stuff – a mix of antiques and new items. I’ve been tempted to buy and have it delivered to me in Memphis (a service they offer). I’ve never done it, although I think family members have. They have a facebook page which they update fairly frequently with new shipments. I’ve been tempted to call and order on several occasions.
http://www.facebook.com/theplantationshop
Laura@JourneyChic says
I spotted a (nearly?) identical floral print at HomeGoods recently! Love that wine rack, too – very cool! Looks like you all had a wonderful trip!
Karen says
I love that octopus pillow! I so would have splurged on it just because I love the colors.
Going to the beach in a week. I hope I can find some cool home stuff to bring home with me.
Sara says
Did anyone else notice the interesting shadow on the giraffe picture?? ha ha. My mind must be in the gutter.
YoungHouseLove says
Woah- what IS that? 500 YHL points to the person who identifies that crazy reflection.
xo,
s
Jillian says
Looks to me like it’s the back of Clara’s head…
Randi says
It looks like a knee! Maybe from squatting down to take the picture?
YoungHouseLove says
Both reasonable guesses. 500 points to both of ya!
xo,
s
Sara says
I can totally see the knee now!! Crazy that I couldn’t see it before….
jodi says
looks like you found some great places!
i knew that giraffe picture looked familiar; it’s been all over pinterest lately! http://pinterest.com/pin/21595696/
BrittanyC says
Selena Gomez has a LA pad!? What is she like 16?!
YoungHouseLove says
Now I’m starting rumors. Haha. Just pulled her name out of the air. But she is dating the Beiber…
xo,
s
annabelvita says
My poor boyfriend spent SIX HOURS in a flea market in Paris with me on a recent trip there. But it was such an amazing market I could have spent six days. We came away with one button and one keyring… haha Oh well.
annabelvita says
I meant to add that I had a troll that had a soft body and was about the size of a six month old baby. I slept with it every night for way too long. That thing was so ugly but I loved it so much.
Also, don’t know if that link to the flea market worked, so here it is again: http://annabelvita.com/54942676