The Thrift Wish List & Keane: Big Eyes, Bigger Score

"No Dogs Allowed" 

In an on-going effort to expand my spring wardrobe, I took to the road for a mini-thrift trip of four local secondhand stops. And never in a million years did I expect to  scratch off a long-coveted item from my Thrift Wish List. 

But as I was not-so-patiently waiting behind a man with two carts filled with clothing, and only one cashier, I glanced behind the usually disappointing display case at the checkout. 

And there it was. 

A framed, signed and plated original Keane print. Oh happy day! 

"No Dogs Allowed," though credited to Walter Keane, after a heated court battle was actually revealed to be the work of his wife, Margaret. These big-eyed "waifs" as they came to be known during their 50s-60s popularity, are much sought after but seldom found at the thrift store. 

So cheers to you, nameless Goodwill donor, for releasing this rare find into the thrift universe. And thanks Goodwill, for having this precious print stashed behind the counter for me to buy at a mere $17. 

The signature Big Eyes of Margaret Keane.

And while it should go without saying that this fortuitous addition to my thrifted collection isn't for sale, I suspect the potential value will only increase in the coming months. 

The runaway kitsch-soaked success of Keane's saucer-eyed children, followed by the courtroom drama over the rightful creator has inspired the Hollywood treatment. Big Eyes, the movie, is now is post-production. And if that isn't enough to pique my interest, it's being directed by longtime Keane fanatic Tim Burton. 

And now that I have one of my very own Big Eyes, I really feel that when I look into those exaggerated orbs that I am officially a part of some rich history in pop culture, in a beloved art frenzy and in the serendipitous nature of the thrift. 

Have you found anything on your Thrift Wish List lately?

This post is linking up with We Call It Junkin'

Vintage Photo Friday: The Valentine Edition

Doesn't this couple's portrait just ooze romance?

  
Roses are red.

Violets are blue.

I love vintage photographs.

How 'bout you? 

Happy Valentine's Day, thrifters. Now grab that significant other and get to the thrift store for some sweet, sweet secondhand love. Going solo? No problem. Just pick yourself up a truly cheesy bodice-ripping romance novel for 25 cents. Don't forget the chocolate and a cheap bottle of wine. 

Stay thrifty, mes amours. 

Product Reviews And Me: Who Doesn't Love Free?

Free. Seriously. FREE.

                   

Being a blogger and freelance writer, social media clout is a valuable asset. It makes for good virtual dialogue about a shared passion for thrift shopping, connections with other bloggers and creatives in the secondhand niche and occasionally it even means...free stuff.

While I don't like to treat Let's Go Thrifting as an advertorial, it would be grossly negligent for me not to discuss my love for freebies. So in full disclosure, about a year ago I signed up for two product review websites and linked them both to my assortment of social media accounts.

After making a profile of my interests and shopping habits, and following several product-specifc surveys, I found myself eligible for some serious swag.

I'm talking pricey razors, cosmetics, nail polish, healthy snack bars, soaps. Nice stuff! And in exchange for these products, all that is required of me is an honest review of the product that I'd share with my social media followers and with the product review websites, so that they in turn will provide that feedback to the brand manufacturer. Easy peasy!

This impressive haul pictured above was mailed to me in just the last week, completely complimentary for testing purposes from BzzAgent.

No spam, no scams, no sales pitches. And oh yeah, it's free. I mentioned that, right?

Complimentary from the Diamond Candles company. 

Of course, I'm always open to the idea of product reviews that benefits the Let's Go Thrifting community, like the successful Diamond Candle giveaway I held back in September.

So if you're interested in partnering for a product review or sponsored giveaway promotion with Let's Go Thrifting, don't hesitate to drop me a line.

Until then, go ahead and check out BzzAgent for some fun freebies of your own.

Now tell me. Who doesn't love free?  

Buttered Syrup Or Bud Vase?

Waffles. Pancakes. French Toast.  Mrs. Butterworth's has seen a lot of breakfast since her big debut in the early 60s. Back when Pinnacle Foods bought the sweet 'n' sassy missus, the major selling point of the product was the perfect percentage of butter in the syrup. But for me, it's all about the amber glass and matronly shape of the bottle.

First, I took a whiff. While I didn't detect any scent of syrup, I took a good look at this early Mrs. Butterworth's bottle and instantly thought: bud vase. And in went a few fuchsia poms. 

Now she'll be at breakfast as a piece of tabletop decor.  Isn't that sweet? 

Join the link party at Sir Thrift-A-Lot. 

A Winter Wonderland, It Isn't.

If there was but a single word that could capture my sentiments toward this cruel winter season, that word would be: STOP. I know this is the cycle that we need to endure before the buds of spring can sprout anew. But this cold, gray monotonous downpour of snow and ice is anything but poetic. 

As anyone with a chronic pain condition can testify, these cold and stormy days are more than just tedious. They're downright painful. And for everyone else at the very least, it's physically demanding and mentally taxing. Bundle up, shovel out and hope that your car can chug-a-lug it's way to your destination safely. In short, it's a wicked wintry mess. 

I tried. I really did. After digging out after the first major storm, I attempted to embrace the beauty of fresh fallen snow and frozen streams with my Canon Rebel grasped by raw gloveless fingers. And after about five minutes in a wind chill of -13 degrees, I trudged back home and got under the covers.

Let's face it. It's an ever-accumulating snowy prison. The few times I've been able to make the journey to the thrift store, I've returned empty-handed. I'm guessing when the roads are treacherous and the temperatures arctic, people aren't in a hurry to drop off donations. 

It's completely understandable. 

I guess I'm just in desperate need of spring. Spring! With its weekend flea markets, long and leisurely walks that find me stumbling upon an occasional yard sale and thrift stores bursting with freshly donated stock from the great seasonal purge nationally hailed as Spring Cleaning. 

But it's not here yet. And tomorrow has yet another wintry mix in the forecast. 

Grumble. Grumble. 

Stay warm, thrifters. And do share any news of thrifted loot with me on the comments, that I might live vicariously through your finds until I can borrow a sled dog team to get me out and about.