Thrifting in Arizona

Well, I'm finally back home in the great state of Texas. (I complained slightly about the heat while in Arizona but the temperatures here in the Austin area have been well over 100 degrees every day that I've been gone!) So I have been away from home over two weeks (and over 2,700 miles) through Texas, New Mexico and Arizona visiting relatives. While traveling I used the opportunity to search the local areas for thrift stores.

While in the Phoenix area I found a Habitat for Humanity Restore. (It sells second hand building supplies.)

I saw the expected gold toned lighting.

All the toilets and sinks you could ever want.

In addition to building supplies, this Restore also sold furniture.

I thought this desk was interesting.

I really liked this 10 foot wooden door. (Couldn't figure out how to fit it in the minivan, though.)

I could definitely find a use for double ovens.

Many bloggers find great deals at the D.I. (or Deseret IndustriesThrift Store). We don't have one in our area so I was really excited to check it out while in Phoenix.

It had all kinds of linens and clothing. Most of the styles were from the 80's. (It was amazing how many denim jumpers were there and that so many women wore them back in the day. They have to be one of the most unflattering items of clothing.)

They had a few pieces of furniture. I thought this blue chair was okay.

I was a little disappointed that I didn't see anything all that fabulous. (As tempting as this giant ceramic cat decked out in party finery was, I had to leave it behind.)

I went to a number of Goodwill stores about the city but didn't find anything I wanted to bring home. Overall, thrifting in the Phoenix area was somewhat of a bust.

I spent some time in Snowflake, Arizona visiting family. It is a small town out in the middle of nowhere. (The best part of Snowflake was that the temperatures were in the 70's most days that we were there.) My mother and I set one day aside for thrifting and between Snowflake and Show Low (another small town 30 mins away) we ended up visiting more than 7 thrift (very junky) and antique (way too expensive for my frugal budget) stores. We had a fun time together and I was able to score a few finds. I ended up with three vintage globes for my son's room that I had been looking for.

I found this ornate mirror for my bathroom at a tiny country swap meet that sold mainly tools and animals. I passed on some adorable black and white bunnies in favor of this old mirror.

My favorite find was this eagle convex mirror that was in a tiny thrift shop benefiting an animal shelter. I spied it sitting among some old blankets and practically dove over my daughter to get it. I've been looking for one of these for quite a while.

Two other acquisitions I brought home with me are my grandma's china and my absolute favorite thing ever, my grandma's crystal chandelier. (So extremely excited!!) It needs to be cleaned up and possibly rewired. I'm really looking forward to having it all fixed up. (Pictures to come...)

It's wonderful to be home again. (Aside from the two weeks worth of laundry and house cleaning to be done.) It's time to get back to work on all the many house projects I have to do. (There's simply no place like home.)