Thrifty Thursday: Goodwill Hunting

I am taking to heart some recent feedback from a fellow Blogging from the Heart participant who wanted me to explore the "I Know" bullet points from my last post. 

I'll start with...

I KNOW WHAT I LOVE, AND WHAT I LOVE TO DO 

Back in early September, I wrote a post that included one particular thing that I love to do. Granted, the post wasn't all about this activity, it was what I did to find some semblance of solace in the midst of a particularly stressful day. For the record, I've also made mention of this hobby here and here.

At this point, you are probably saying: "Get to the point already?"  

Okay. I admit it. I'm a total junkie. I'm a junk junkie. I love perusing thrift stores and flea markets (and *eh-hem* maybe an occasional yard sale or two) for objects that intrigue me and aesthetically please my eye. I'm a particular sucker for empty frames, shabby paintings, mason jars, vintage linens and anything feminine, faded and floral. I'm not so much into clothing or collectibles. For me, it's all about the home and pretty elements of decor; and sometimes turning something ugly or broken into a beautiful treasure. I lovingly use a stolen lyric for this process - "turning mistakes into gold". (I'll go more into this some Sunday very soon, when I begin a Salvage Sunday series).

Lately while on these lunchtime excursions, I've taken to photographing objects that catch my eye. This is much friendlier on the pocket book, and if I bought everything I wanted, I'd be featured on the next episode of Hoarders. I may pick up an item here and there, but it's mostly just browsing and taking snaps. Yep, I might just be that crazy lady you've noticed at the Salvation Army staging vignettes in the collectible aisle, positioning myself for the right angle and lighting.

I may not do this Thrifty Thursday feature every week. My schedule is far too erratic and my travel days are unpredictable. I don't always get to escape to do a weekly dose of retail therapy, but I thought it would be fun to highlight some photos of beauties found during my adventures in "Goodwill Hunting" on this inaugural edition of Thrifty Thursday.

This wicker fan caught my eye on the back wall of the junk room. I love the soft tones and floral pattern. I can see this in a beach cottage set against a very pale aqua painted paneled wall.

Just think of what this antique loom must have produced in it's glory days. I could write a whole fictional story about the woman I envision crouched over this loom, weaving her heart and soul into every fabric.

{CAUTION: If you're a germ-o-phobe you may not relate on this one.} 

I want to know the conversations, drama, secrets, lies, jokes, tall-tales and celebrations that took place day after day at the dining tables' of these utensils. If only spoons could talk! Perhaps another story developing...

This one just reminded me of my grandmother and her love of all things gold; from her lamps, to her mouse lighter, to her bible book-ends to her picture frames and mirrors.

She is just so ethereal and nymph-like that I wanted to capture her on film.

So, I admit that I did make a small purchase today. However, in my defense, I needed something lovely to hold all my shells from last weekend's beach-combing.

Tell me, what do YOU love to do?