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Goodwill Goods, Grimaces, and Giddiness

If you have read our blog for the past year or so, there’s one thing you know. Goodwill + Katie B + me (+ John with video camera) = all kinds of ridiculousness. This time we literally ran around the store supermarket-sweep-style and tossed things that we thought were cool into our cart.

Goodwill 1 Cart Of Spoils

Then in the name of keeping it real, we made a one-take-only video about everything that we found. No cuts. No corrections. John just pressed record and we jabbered on. So much so that we had to break up the video across both of our blogs since we went on (and on). You can check out the first half of it over here and the second half over on Katie’s blog. So to answer the obvious question: no, we don’t know what our malfunction is. And yes, we get weird pretty much as soon as John presses record. So think of us not as two adults/mothers but as two giddy girls who can’t help themselves. Tweens may get hyper over Edward and Jacob, but we’re like that for Goodwill.

A few things to note:

  • People walked by. The intercom blared. But not one employee asked what we were doing or ordered us to stop. Gotta love those friendly Georgians.
  • Yup, I’m like a foot closer to the ground than Katie. #shortgirlproblems
  • I made Katie buy two books, so look for a book review from me at around 2:30.
  • The way Katie says “bone” at 2:32 is hilarious for no reason other than it sounds like “bwone” to me.
  • There’s a good “that’s what she said” from yours truly at 4:11.
  • How do I accidentally say things like “flipping off ” when I truly don’t intend to (it’s like “fart” – it just slips out).
  • We sincerely apologize to anyone that our collective Napoleon ignorance might offend around five and a half minutes in.
  • Katie and I laughed about how she reminded people to keep their jewelry box dusted. How’s that for random?
  • It has officially been confirmed. The urn was empty.
  • I know my colors. No idea why I call the brown dogs on that pink cup blue. Seriously, no idea.
  • Ok, now head over to Katie’s blog to watch the second half of the video to hear us coin incredibly catchy phrases, like “put a basket on it.” Update: So sorry to those who can’t click over to Katie’s blog- it may be down intermittently, but she’s working on it!

Oh and for those who can’t watch the vid (although it has a lot more items/ideas than these pics we snapped at the last second) here are just a few photos of some of the things we found. First we have this ceramic urn/vase thing, which we decided would look cute in a little vignette on a dresser/buffet/cabinet with this colorful stack of books next to it (Katie took the shiny book jackets off to reveal the soft beach-glass-colored bindings underneath). A few rice bowls on top and a white ceramic owl completed our little make-believe arrangement.

Goodwill Tableau No Background

And because the back of that shelf looked less than charming, we held up some fabric (a dress that we thought could be converted into a pillow with a little sewing) to make a backdrop.

Goodwill Tableau Background

Here’s a wide shot to keep it real. Haha. I’d say it looks about 99% less chaotic in the shot above, huh?

Wide Urn Shot

Here’s another example of an inexpensive item of clothing that you can use for a house-project. This 99 cent dress could easily be made into a sweet little pillow.

Goodwill Yellow Sundress

Katie found this gorgeous giant coffee table book for just $2.50. It could be left open on a table to showcase one of the stunning photos inside.

Goodwill Clock Book

We also had fun poking around in the sporting goods section, where they had an old racket and some colorful croquet mallets. We thought they could be fun hung on a wall in a collection – maybe in a kids room or a den/rec room with frames and other objects among the grouping.

Goodwill Sporting Items

Katie also found this little ceramic Napoleon. He needed a bit of cleaning up, but was in great shape (one of my tips is to put hydrogen peroxide on an old toothbrush and scrub anything that’s white & ceramic to brighten it up).

Goodwill Napolean

This ornate jewelry box was $2.90, and if the nautical/anchor details aren’t your thing, you could always unscrew the glass pane (it easily detaches from the  back) and cover it with fabric or decorative paper for a completely new look.

Goodwill Ship Box

A few more finds were a giant queen sheet with polka dots for $1.91 that could be made into cute little placemats, a runner, pillows, etc. And the wood dish on the left would be nice for serving things like pistachios or using in a craft room to contain buttons, thread, ribbons, and other small odds and ends (change, keys, the list goes on and on).

Goodwill Katie Towel Peapod

I’ve had this weird obsession with the idea of collecting little Easter tchotchkes and spraying them each a fun modern color (teal, lime, bright yellow) and putting them on a table or mantel for a modern take on something a little more traditional/campy. In the end, it’s still a bunny wearing a hat, but in a solid modern color, it could look pretty fun.

Goodwill Easter Ceramics

This cheap yellow basket (77 cents, yo) would be great for silverware and napkins that you might bring outside for a patio or picnic scenario – or in a bathroom with hand towels and soaps in it. You could even stick a clear glass vase in it and use it to hold a bouquet of flowers or a bunch of leafy branches.

Goodwill Yellow Basket

I actually got this guy – a bright green serving dish (for 99 cents) that could work for setting out cheese or snacks for guests (or as a place to put soaps in a bathroom).

Goodwill Green Tray

We also dug up a bone-looking (it was really plastic) toothbrush holder that would make a great vase (the holes in the top could serve as a “frog” for keeping those blooms in check – or you could just take off the top and use it as a traditional vase). And this preppy ceramic cup with a pink background and brown repeating dogs was kinda cute (99 cents). Might be fun in a home office with a bunch of pens and pencils inside.

Goodwill Dog Cup

This large metal bowl was two bucks and it was another item I purchased. I thought spraying it a bright color (like red!) could be fun – and you could use it to store almost anything (it might tame a bunch of ribbon that has been sitting in a heap on a shelf in the closet where we keep our gift-wrapping stuff).

Goodwill Metal Bowl

We also thought these lightweight woven trays could make for some awesome wall art. Either kept au naturale and hung on a single nail each, or sprayed a fun color like robin’s egg blue or a soft metallic gold.

Goodwill Wicker Plates

And this giant Crate & Barrel popcorn bowl for $4.94 could make for a fun gift. Just take it home, wash it out, and fill it with popcorn, a soda, and a video or gift card for one.

Goodwill Popcorn Basket

I also got these guys (they were a dollar twenty). I’m a sucker from homemade pottery (ceramics was my favorite class in high school) and the pop of blue in each container totally called my name. I thought the creamer could be a fun makeshift vase for a single bloom and the sugar holder could actually hold sugar cubes (or something we use all the time, like tea bags) on the counter.

Goodwill Bronze Milk Jugs

Here are some suitcases that we found – one for $1.91 that could make for awesome storage if it was tucked under a side table or coffee table, and a shiny new $2 one that could look cute in a kids room full of small toys or art supplies (it could even work as a sweet little lunchbox).

Goodwill Suitcases1

And then there was this. And yes, we bought it for our cousin who went to Georgia Tech. Couldn’t. Resist. The. Cheesiness. Upon further reflection, I totally should not have held that Goodwill tissue up to my nose. Although I haven’t gotten sick yet, so it probably boosted my immunity tenfold. I’m like a cockroach now. Can’t take me down.

Goodwill GTech Kleenex

As for what I ended up buying (some of which I called out above) I got:

  • The lime green cheese tray <–in Vid 1
  • The giant Lipton Sun Tea glass jar <– in Vid 1
  • The big metal bowl with “aeration” (can’t wait to spray that sucker a bright color) <– in Vid 2
  • The wood truck for Clara’s crayons (stay tuned for a DIY project I’ve planned with that) <– in Vid 2
  • The homemade creamer and sugar container with a pop of blue on the inside. We only realized afterwards that the M.M. initials on the bottom must mean it was made by Marshall Mathers. Obviously. <– in Vid 2

While we’re on the Goodwill subject, what treasures have you found there or at other places of the like? Any favorite things to find there (for me it’s probably cute dishes/bowls/plates and kid stuff that I can adapt for Clara). Come on, it’s Thursday morning. Let’s gab about thrift store scores.

Psssst- If you’re in the mood to watch some other terrible KB + SP = gigglefest videos, here’s one, here’s another, here’s one more, here’s another one, and here’s another one, here’s another one, and here’s one more. That’s a lot of giggling.

Comments

  1. Jenn @therebelchick says

    I used to love thrifting, you can find so many cute things at a bargain price! I especially love those little blue and white bowls, they are adorable! This reminds me, I really need to visit my local thrift stores soon – especially the Salvation Army, they have the best stuff!

    Reply

  5. nancyo says

    I love the deals!

    Every other Saturday in Denver (in the summer) is 50% off. I scored a…

    * DSLR camera tripod that is being sold on Ebay used for about $40 … for $3.99!
    * A pair of men’s Seven for Mankind Denim that is being sold on Ebay for $250+ … for $4.99 (and he was going to wear them for his concrete construction job too.. ha)
    * A corded drill for $2.50 .. It might be outdated but I’m sure it’ll be good to have the next time my battery dies in the middle of a project
    * A brand new black button up, cuff-link type shirt (again for the BF) that has tags on it for $140… for $4.99
    * A pair of new black, work shoes type of pumps (from Target) for $2.50
    * Singer sewing machine from 2007 for $10. It’s not in the best of condition but the local sewing machine does trade-ins and if I bring in a trade-in, I got $75 off a new purchase :D

    I have already made myself available next Saturday for their 50% off sale :D

    Reply

    • braelin says

      Hey- the ARCs in Denver are 50% off (all but one or two colors) EVERY Saturday (and year-round)! The Goodwill that I’ve gone to (on Wadsworth and near Florida) is the same way. Hooray for Denver thrift sales!

    • nancyo says

      Hi, Braelin!

      I just heard about the Arcs. I’m on a qwest for a tall dresser on Saturday, so I may check out Arc.

      What’s your favorite location?

      I love the GW on Leetsdale & Elm (where I found the Seven jeans, Singer & Drill), downtown on Broadway (where I found the tripod). And, if I feel ambitious.. I like the Goodwill in the fancy suburb of Highlands Ranch (off of Broadway).

    • Jenna says

      I just moved to Denver and I’m so happy to hear these thrifting tips–I didn’t know it was half off on saturdays..so great! We are potentially moving to a new place in about a month so I will have plenty of porjects to do :)

  6. Melanie @ MJ says

    You guys always manage to find a bunch of awesome stuff at your goodwill stores! The goodwill’s in my area always have junk, most of it is broke too & their prices are outrageous! Love everything you purchased!

    Reply

  9. Crystal @ 29 Rue House says

    Sounds like a fun time! I scored a really nice big basket from the Restore for $5 this past weekend (it was $10 but she knocked it down for me without me even asking – it pays to make nice small talk with people!). I intended it for toys/books but one of our kitties likes it so much I may just add a cushion and turn it into a cat bed.

    Reply

  11. tiffany says

    wow, great finds. You are so great at reinventing thrift stores finds. These are some of my favorite posts.

    My best find was an Ethan Allen campaign dresser for $45 at Savers. It was in near perfect condition.

    Reply

  12. Jessica says

    I love thrifting. I’ve been eyeing some vintage racquets at my local thrift store with the same idea you’ve suggested. Might just be time to get on it! Great finds!

    Reply

  13. Heather Gearhart says

    I have recently fallen back in love with Goodwill. I used to go with my family to get clothing, but now that we have a home, there are so many more possibilities! We just purchased a 9 drawer dresser for $15! It has to be refinished, but totally worth it for that price!

    Reading your post makes me want to go back now rather than sit at work all day…

    Reply

  15. Janelle D says

    You always seem to think these videos will make us think you are weird, but they make me actually WANT to go shopping with you! Haha. I know your other readers feel the same :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I think it’s like watching yourself back on tape or hearing your voice on an answering machine – you’re convinced it’s terrible and it makes you cringe. Haha.

      xo
      s

    • Janelle D says

      That’s true too. My super nasal voice annoys me when I hear myself on video or the answering machine. I feel bad for people who have to listen to me all day! Haha.

  16. Bryanna S says

    The racket and croquet mallets would actually be good for a KID’S room… you know, because sports aren’t just for boys. Shocking, I know. I don’t know why people always insist on assigning gender to everything.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Agreed – off to change that! If you watch the video you’ll see that I actually bought a wooden truck for Clara (I have a post about that project to share tomorrow) and you’ll see that I say trucks aren’t just for boys right in the video! I definitely believe all kids can love all things!

      xo,
      s

  17. Missy G. says

    I’m only 2 minutes into the video, but I had to stop and comment. Oh my gosh, I never knew it was pronounced “e-kat!” I’ve always said “eye-kat” in my head. Good grief! Obviously, I need to watch more HGTV or something. Or just continue checking into your blog every day. :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes, I learned that embarrassingly enough in a fabric store when I said eye-cat like fifteen times and the girl gently corrected me. Mortifying but enlightening! Haha.

      xo,
      s

  18. Kendra says

    Hi guys!

    I work for Goodwill Ind. (Upstate/Midlands SC) as a blogger (diy/thrifty living) and I completely love these segments that you and Katie do! So fun!

    Reply

  20. Jess @ Little House. Big Heart. says

    How is it that all our Goodwill ever has is smelly clothes, mismatched (ugly) china, and VCR players?!? I guess I need to find a different Goodwill. I suppose that if you have to worry about taking the new car for fear the wheels will get stolen off of it while you’re thrifting, you should be going to a different thrift store.

    PS. I love you girls! You’re so fun. :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I wrote a post about my favorite (if you search “Richmond five favorites” in the search bar it should come up) but my faves are Love of Jesus Thrift and Diversity Thrift.

      xo,
      s

  22. Carrie @DreamGreenDIY says

    FABULOUS finds!! I love your suggestions too…Some ideas were things I never would have thought of, but totally plan to employ asap.

    One of my all time favorite Goodwill finds was this gorgeous wedding memory book – http://ow.ly/c26Kn – We will cherish it forever and it only cost $2 (market value after a little Googling came in at $68…)

    Reply

  23. Allyn says

    Sometimes I like Goodwill. Sometimes I go to the wrong one at the wrong time (with the WRONG people) and wind up wanting to go cry in a shower.

    Reply

  24. Courtney Madden says

    OMG! You guys frequent the same Goodwill as I do (too bad we haven’t run into eachother yet!) and I picked up that same Napoleon statue a few days ago! My husband wouldn’t let me get it through because he doesn’t support my white ceramic fetish like John supports yours!

    Reply

  26. erin says

    I love watching these videos. Might I suggest a drinking game where every time you girls say “cute,” the viewers at home have to take a shot?
    :)

    Reply

  27. Shelby Cash says

    Last week I found a really cool wooden chair for $40. Right now it’s rocking an ugly green velvet upholstered seat, but with less than a yard of fabric and a little spray paint the fella’ will be quite dapper!

    Reply

  29. Nichole says

    One of my favorite recent finds at a local thrift store was a basket shaped like Michigan’s lower peninsula. I wouldn’t even have thought something like that would exist, let alone that I’d find one for $2.39. I sprayed it Lagoon blue. I plan on painting a little heart over my hometown and sending it to my sister, who now lives in California.

    Reply

  31. Melanie says

    I’ll have to watch the videos when I get home from work but good finds! So jelly ( i think that’s what kids are saying nowadays haha ).

    One of my best finds at a Goodwill was actually a pair of white Ann Taylor jeans that I picked up for $8! I dressed up as Flo the Progressive Insurance Girl for Halloween so they were perfect! (Of course they did not touch my legs without being washed in extra hot water, ha!). I’ve even worn them to work a couple of times!

    Reply

  32. braelin says

    I’m a Goodwill girl through an through. I think that my best find (to date…) was when I found a stack of 12 mint condition dessert plates by Arabia (awesome stoneware/pottery from Finland) in the vintage anemone pattern. My parents had gotten this pottery for their wedding back in the early 1970’s, and since they are now divorced I’ve cashed in so to speak on the dishes. They were 50 cents each at Goodwill!!! I snagged them and now am less concerned with breaking a dessert plate (I have my parents set now), since I have…oh, an extra 12 on hand! Helps me be able to actually use these amazing dishes. Score!

    Reply

  34. Monika says

    So much fun you guys! Btw, i don’t think Katie has posted the video? Also her site might have already crushed :(

    Reply

  35. amanda@reno366 says

    Very entertaining ladies. Makes me want to hit up goodwill today! I hope neither of you has the urn on your counter with sugar in it, that would just be, er…creepy. :)

    Reply

  36. Hollie says

    You have me itching to go to the thrift store. I love hand made pottery too. Just be careful with how you use them. Some glazes are not food safe.

    Reply

  37. Stacy Weiland says

    We are doing a series on the local thrift stores and Goodwill was the last one we did. Love love love Goodwill-plus they help the community find jobs. My sister found this awesome chair that just needs a little TLC but was only $15! Also, I love to read and the book finds are always great. BTW, Fern Michael’s is uber popular. http://www.california-poppies.net/
    :)

    Reply

  38. Sarah says

    My favorite goodwill finds have been clothing related. First a pair of 7 jeans and Lucky jeans (around $100 value each) and then my husband found a pair of Cole Hann shoes!

    Reply

  39. Heather C says

    So glad you had fun in Georgia! I LOVE living here. Sun Tea, I imagine, is a southern thing. All you do it put tea bags and water in the jar and the rest is pretty self explainatory….put it in the sun. It only works when it’s nice and sunny. I’ve never done it before, but apparently it makes some of the BEST tea. All of your GoodWill finds were pretty awesome. Great job ladies!

    Reply

    • karla says

      I live in Nebraska and that is totally the only way I make sun tea. I have a glass jar but it has a spout on it. I seriously love tea made that way! Honestly another great way to use that giant jar is sun dill pickles. My grandma ‘cans’ her sun dill giant pickles in jars like that and it is so awesome!

    • Jenni says

      So glad you got the sun tea jar! So cute! My mom (from SD but grew up in KS) was devastated when her sun tea jar broke. She makes sun tea all of the time in the summer (always a fresh batch in the fridge!) We tried the jars you can buy now at Target or Wal-Mart), but they all have pour spouts that leak – no good. She has made do with the giant mason jars (which are still smaller). Regardless, not as cute as the sunny jar with the yellow lid. I would definitely hang on to that sucker!

      P.S. If you try making sun tea (which is really fun btw) my mom’s advice to me was to NOT use the ‘cold brew’ tea bags – just use more of the regular tea bags (The lipton is the quintessential sun tea “flavor”, but anything goes-I bet herbal would be delicious! :)

    • Courtney Madden says

      Sun tea is a favorite tradition passed down in my family (it really is the best!). I live in Georgia now, but my family’s from Michigan so I don’t think it’s a Southern thing.

  40. Hanna says

    It is true… you can never escape The Black Dog (the repeating dog design on the tumbler you found).

    http://www.theblackdog.com/home.php?cat=396

    My husband and I grew up on Martha’s Vineyard where there is a restaraunt/tavern called The Black Dog. At some point it became a very big thing to get a Black Dog T-shirt when you went to the Vineyard. It was so popular that they started selling other things with the Black Dog logo on it and eventually they opened a shop just for those things, and then several shops, and now there is no escaping The Black Dog.

    Places I have personally seen Black Dog T-shirts:
    – Esslingen, Germany
    – Manchester, England
    – Disney World (several times)
    – Oklahoma City
    – Washington DC
    – Houston, Texas

    And now, in mug form, in a Goodwill store in Georgia via my favorite blog. I think only Apple rivals them for branding success.

    Reply

  41. Stefanie says

    I just took home a vintage printer’s drawer from the Goodwill last Saturday for $5. It’s going in my daughter’s (age 19 months) room for all of her “treasures.” I also got some funky bronze candle stick holders for $2 each that I’m spray painting either yellow of lime green.

    I’m actually planning to run over to the Goodwill today on my lunch break. Gosh I love thrifting!

    Reply

  42. Audrey says

    You got some awesome stuff! However, I can’t believe you didn’t pick up that adorable red suitcase! I feel the need to fly to Georgia and snag it myself.

    I recently had a mega-good deal experience. We adopted a dog a week-and-a-half ago. I originally sewed him a simple doggie bed, and he loved it, but I noticed he seemed to want to prop up his head. So last week, on a whim, I stopped by our local Goodwill-type store for cheap materials to make him a nicer bed. While I was looking at blankets to easily up-cycle, I heard a little girl talk about a $5 dog bed that she wanted her stuffed animals. It was rather large, plastic wicker all around, and came with a pretty pristine mat. The little girl’s mom reluctantly put it in her cart. I watched (stalked?) the mom while I figured out an alternative purchase, and sure enough, the mom decided it’s ridiculous to get a huge dog bed for stuffed animals. Score! After a bit of washing/disinfecting, my pooch has an awesome dog bed (that he uses!) and a nice spot to prop his head! Also, I noticed at the pet stores we frequent, such a bed in that size normally costs about to $100. I feel like the pooch and I hit the lottery.

    Reply

  44. Courtney says

    Your Goodwill has way better stuff than the one here. Although, I did recently buy a brass lamp with an old, dusty blue shade that I intend to spray paint a bright colour and top with a white shade.

    Love that green tray!!

    Reply

  45. Mary says

    I can’t explain how in love I am with your thrift store shopping spree. The metal bowl will look awesome!

    As the only granddaughter, I tend to get all of my grandmother’s hand-me-downs. Including a large crystal cross with Jesus on it. Let me know if you ever think of something creative to do with that (other than keep in hidden in the linen closet only to be revealed when Grandma comes to visit). :)

    Reply

  46. Skittle says

    Between Goodwill & Craigslist, I am constantly finding some new “treasure” that I can make my own. I love to make-over furniture, mirrors & frames. I found a bamboo tray at Goodwill for $2 that had a big pineapple on it, but I painted it pink & now it holds my jewelry. I bought some candelabras on Craigslist & painted them to hang necklaces & bracelets on. Currently painting an old iron bed that I scored for $25 on Craigslist bright yellow for my daughter’s room. Next project is to paint 3 lockers I scored for cheap to put in the kids rooms.

    One of my dresser make-overs was featured here: http://worthingcourt.blogspot.com/2012/06/awesome-diy-revamped-dresser.html

    Reply

  47. Keisha says

    Love thrift stores. Recently got a solid wood king headboard for $35 at Goodwill and a $13 Land’s End wool double breasted coat.

    Reply

  48. karla says

    shut. up. Supermarket sweep!? Amazing! I was obsessed with that show! Always go for the meet and cheese and Bertoli Olive Oil! lol

    I live in a smallish town in Nebraska. 5,000ish people? And we just got a new consignment/thrift store. We are so excited about it! It has great prices but also has great items! I painted some fun odds and ends furniture I have and took it there and they sold. They split items with you 50/50. Anyway, one of my purchases there was a very poorly painted brown ceramic peacock. I got him for $3.00. I painted him a beautiful color called Hacienda Tile. (spray paint from Valspar) The best way to describe the color is the color of the Design sponge book. In fact I have it sitting on a shelf next to my book which is under a citron green vintage fan. yes, it’s awesome! :) I love this post, thanks for sharing now off to bower power! :)

    Reply

  50. tracie says

    Our neighbors put out a solid wood chest of drawers last night in anticipation of big trash day. We brought it home. It’s seventies baroque (there’s a manufacture date of July 1973 on the back). I’m so excited to refinish it.

    And that is a great Goodwill.

    Reply

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