Better bloggers than I, such as The Nester, have educated the public on the best way to shop thrift stores. I really don’t have any new advice to offer. Just consider this my “happy dance” moment.
After a bout of summertime cabin fever — something to which Oklahomans are particularly susceptible in July — I ran off to Salvation Army with my boys in tow. Retail therapy on a shoestring, if you will.
I’ve been on the prowl for an ice bucket for sometime and just so happened to find a smallish version with scrolled handles tucked away behind some plastic plates. It was so filthy, at first I was unsure whether it was glass or acrylic. And then there was the price: $3.99.
My particular Salvation Army has a daily sale on bric-a-brac, 50% off certain color tags on certain days. And this ice bucket wasn’t on sale. So I left it on the shelf and walked away.
(You know you’re seriously deranged when you refuse to buy something at a thrift store because it’s not on sale…)
But just before I checked out, on a complete impulse, I plucked the ice bucket off the shelf and bought it, with the parting thought: “I hope it’s not acrylic.”
As I washed up my finds later that afternoon, I was happy to discover underneath all the grime was a very nice, non-acrylic ice bucket.
And then, as I dried it off, I looked down through the now grime-free bottom and saw something that made my jaw hit the floor.
It’s nice when your own stupidity doesn’t get in the way of sheer dumb luck. I think I spent the rest of the day doubled over and laughing at myself.
Of course, the downside is that I’ll spend the next twenty years — or however long I have before my boys break it — too paranoid to actually use the ice bucket. I’m sure it’ll end up sitting on some shelf, hidden by dust and grime.
Until it gets donated back to Salvation Army and sold for $4 to some idiot who thrifts with her heart and instead of her brain. Like me.
[hr]Linking up to:
Cathey says
I love it!!! I’ve just recently discovered the joys of thrift shopping but have yet to have that kind of super cool experience! Go you!!! Wednesdays are the 1/2 price days in Virginia… maybe I need to book some time in my calendar?!? 🙂
Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality says
Now THAT’s a great deal! Wow, good for you.
Mimi says
Glad that you decided to buy the ice bucket. I can imagine what a nice little surprise when you got it cleaned up…bet your heart was beating a little faster than normal!
Neil says
Only you, my friend… only, you. 🙂 Awesome deal!
Aimee says
I can’t imagine that I would ever be that fortunate…wow.
Sarah Stevens says
Use it. That’s what nice stuff is for. Put the OJ in a carafe (God, I love a carafe) and set it out for breakfast the next time at least two people will be at the table. Then you’ll have to empty it and clean it and put it away and THEN you can stick it away for the dust and grime phase because who freaking has time to clean this s**t?
Or join a book club/FARKLE/Bunko group just so you can use the pretty stuff you registered for lo, these 11 years ago and were SO sure that your new love nest required to be official.
🙂 Sympathize. Great find.