Saturday, October 24, 2009

My First Venture Into The World Of Goodwill

After constantly reading about all the great finds other bloggers come across at Goodwill, I made my first trip to the local Goodwill this morning. I believe the term you veteran GW'ers {look at me, still a newbie and using the acronym!} use is SCORE!

I took $40.00 cash with me and wanted to see what I could get for that amount or less. I had a few items in mind that I was looking for but, of course, I found none of that. I did find this:



I swore I wouldn't buy another Halloween decoration at this point, but I couldn't resist this witches hat for $.99. The amber colored dishes, which I thought would make a nice way to serve pudding or fruit salad, were $2.99 for the set of 4. And the badly done fruit urn {which, contrary to what you may believe, I bought for the urn and not the fruit} was $2.99. This will be de-fruitified shortly and painted.
But this. This was my real score! Two pre-lit Christmas trees in black urns for $14.99 each! You couldn't even get something like this at Home Goods for $14.99 ~ it would be at least twice that. And ~




. . . . the lights work! The branches need to be fluffed a bit, but I had been planning on getting smaller trees to put in other rooms in my house this year {besides the larger main tree} and I couldn't have asked for better.



Here's a close-up of the urn. I can just picture reindeer moss peeking up over the top of the urns.




In total, with tax, I spent $40.14. So, veteran Goodwill hunters ~ how did I do?

Hooking this post up with Frugalicious Friday over at Finding Fabulous.


30 comments:

Anne said...

I think you did great! Thrifting can be hit or miss, but nice haul for your first visit!

shannon said...

Great finds! I have my favorite goodwill stores for sure. There are some that always have good stuff, and some that I never find anything. You need to visit frequent too because the invetory always changes.

Anonymous said...

You did fabulous, love the urns. I collect the amber glasses too. My sister and I Re-named Goodwill "Bon Voulior" it sounds so much better in French. You should see the luxury cars parked outside of ours... I found a Hermes bag with the dust cover, 1.99, and a LV, Versache puchette, Ralph Lauren creme silk clutch in mint condition Prada purple clutch and the list goes on and on. They are getting wiser in the the back rooms and in pricing too. You never know... it's a treasure hunt and hit or miss for sure.
Lee
please forgive any mispellings I am in a hurry but wanted to say Bravo!

Unknown said...

Love your blog! Thanks for entering my Give Away!!
We just love interior design, Ron is a master faux finisher and we have been in so many beautiful, awesome homes and always admire the interior designers!

blushing rose said...

Our GW is an absolute disaster & disappointment ... I envy each of you that find ANYTHING at all.

Nice finds ... love LOVE those trees.

Have a wonderful warm weekend. TTFN ~Marydon

Kelly @ turned UP to ELEVEN! said...

SCORE INDEED! Well done! I wish we had a goodwill here - we only have the salvation army.

Red Door Home said...

Well done! GW is a wonderful resource especially if you are not looking for anything specific.

Anonymous said...

You lucky duck! :-) These are great finds (especially the trees!). I tried my local GW the other day - disappointing. I'm sure it's better if you go consistently, just like anything else. Congrats on the finds and I'll try not to be jealous...
pk @ Room Remix

Beverly said...

Score!! Love the trees

Beth@The Stories of A to Z said...

I think you know how you did you lucky girl!!! What a wonderful first time. I am loving those black urns. I would have bought them just for those alone. And that witches hat is adorable. Nicely done.

Norma Lee @ Norma Lee Good said...

I am very proud of you.
Like everybody said, it's hit or miss. I had never been until this year. I get an adrenaline rush when I go. Most of the time I'm not even looking for anything but I see something and think of the possibilities.You did good on the urns. Those can be pricey!

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

You did awesome! Definite SCORE!! I LOVE those trees!!!

Great finds!!

Lou Cinda :)

Designs on 47th Street said...

So are you hooked on "our" hobby now? You did GREAT! I am always buying something for the container. Often I will "donate" what's inside telling the GW staff that I don't want the contents, only the container. They do look at me a little strangely!
Oh my! I love those trees in the black urns. I would have been thrilled to have found those, and oh yes, reindeer moss will be just perfect. I hope you show us your fluffed up version. Good work!
Donna

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Hi Kathy, Well, I'm not a veteran GW'er but I'd say you did awesome. Great score on those trees! Love the amber glasses, too! :-)
Susan

Tammy@InStitches said...

Awesome price on the trees, I've been wanting some of those too !

Tiffani said...

Nice! Maybe I should check out goodwill!

Unknown said...

Great job on your first trip, thrifting. Love those trees, I've been thinking about getting one for my front porch. You have a great blog, very informative. Thanks for sharing all the info.
Sandy

Miss Mustard Seed said...

Those Christmas trees were a wonderful find! And it's amazing that you found the matching pair. I can't believe that was your first time to GW. Are you hooked? By the way, you did awesome. :)

cindy@cottage instincts said...

Looks like you rocked it to me! I found some great stuff at some local thrift shops on Friday. Makin' a post about it today. :O)
Welcome to the thrifting addiction :o)
peace.

Lisa@Pickles and Cheese said...

Hey Kathy! Great job on the GW finds. Especially the X-mas trees in the urns!! It is truly a hit or miss kind of thing. You hit it on a good day!!

Love the Decor! said...

Love those trees!! I say Big Score!!
I haven't ever been a goodwill shopper, but these blogger friends are wearing me down. Maybe I 'll check mine out this week. Could be fun!!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Thank you, everyone! So, I need to realize that it can be hit or miss ~ this way I won't be disappointed if I don't find anything. I am hooked, but I think I will try and limit myself to once or twice a month visits. I am very excited about the trees and am really looking forward to decorating for Christmas!

2sisters said...

Awesome!!! Thrifting is definately an aquired passion, but it pays off nicely. It's usually either feast or famine. Either I don't end up getting anything, or I get a ton :)
teri@acraftyclan

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

The funny thing is, Teri, that sometimes that's how I find it at Home Goods. There has actually been visits I've made there where I walked out with nothing {I know, hard to believe}!

Jane B. said...

Ack...you scored big! Love those fabulous finds! I wish I could be so lucky here at my local Goodwill!
Those Christmas trees will be wonderful this Holiday season too...enjoy!

Jane @ Finding Fabulous

Anonymous said...

Wow you did great! I need to go shopping with you. Love the Christmas Trees.

LizO said...

Those Christmas trees are my absolute favorite.

Goodwill and other thrift stores are pretty addicting. I found two pair of jeans in most excellent shape last summer.

One was a pair of Levi's the other pair were Chaps brand...get this, got them both for $4.81 which includes tax.

You consider that brand new they run $40-$50 a pair and finding my size is hard to do brand new so when I find them there, I scoop them up.

I've also found high dollar tops there in great condition for under $5. I shoot for the 50% or 30% off tags so normally I am getting them for $3.49 or less.

It's addicting by golly.

Jen and Matt said...

While my mother would be in absolute shock that it was your first trip to GW, she would be very impressed with your finds. Very nice, I love the witches hat.

If you or anyone else is ever in the Dayton, OH area we have a GW Outlet store and it is the GREATEST thing since sliced bread we have found some of the most amazing things there!

You will want to keep going to GW now :)

LouLou said...

Kathy, I remember seeing this post and being jealous about those Christmas trees!

Grace @ Ruby Moon Designs said...

Great score! ;) I haven't had any luck in the Goodwill department yet...but then again, I've only been like maybe once! I like garage sales where I can sort of preview what's there without getting out of my car---but if I see something I like, you can bet I'll hop right out!

-Grace

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