For starters ladies...don't get me wrong...I have absolutely NOTHING against "home parties". You know the ones...Tupperware, Pampered Chef, Longaberger...I have been to many over the years, and I have had a great time, mingling with friends and shopping together. It's just this...I have a difficult time coughing up the money for products that I know I can totally replicate or find for a greatly reduced price!
So here was my challenge...Last night I was invited to a certain "Candle Home Party". The hostess was lovely, the food delicious and the company terrific. But when it came time to browse the catalog in search of the "self imposed obligatory purchase"...I just couldn't do it!
My wallet held my debit card captive...and though the guilty feeling swelled at first...eventually the sensation dissapated (maybe it was the wine) and I stuck to my guns.
You heard it hear first...I DIDN'T BUY ANYTHING!
There was one item I had my eye on. It was a set of three leaf shaped candle holders with some tealight candles...for $24.95 plus shipping! But I remained steadfast despite the "buying frenzy" going on all around me and came home not a single dollar poorer.
So today I decided... since I saved the $28 last night...what could I bring home from my local Goodwill Store for the same amount? My purchase would have to include at least one candle related item... Boy did I score!
Here's my fabulous "stash"!
Seriously...I got all this loot for $28.00!
This beautiful set of candle holders would have cost me at least $39.95 at the party. Try $3 for the pair. The tallest one stands about 16" high!
I collect these wonderful baskets! This one is in pristine vintage condition! The "cherry tin" is like-new and will be great for holiday goodies...and the little pumpkin is perfect to decorate for Fall.
Hopefully, my daughter will not visit my blog because she is an N'Sync nut and this lunch pail with thermos, pen and race car will crack her up! Perfect condition!
Three lovely "Chris Madden" plates and a brand new cheese knife from Pier 1.
These plates will make great gifts once they are filled with cookies or muffins!
And on one of my previous posts I added some of this special lettering to my house. They are not cheap at Michaels' or Joanne's...but this one was brand new for only $.99! My Goodwill gets the final sale merchandise donated from Target!
It says..."Happy is a home that shelters a friend"
These two magazines were only 50 cents...just in time for the upcoming holiday season.
There is a great article about Simone Beck, Julia Child's partner in Bon Appetit!
This is one of those "espensive" butter keepers! Love the color, perfect with my Fiestaware!
My husband loves bird feeders and gardening. Someone made this one out of beautiful crystal plates and a mason jar chicken feeder! $2.99...can you believe it!
This brass basket is about 10" in diameter and would make a nice candle holder too.
And this is a complete set of vintage Tupperware canisters. Love the color of these too!
A little red metal chair makes a cozy tealight holder.
And finally I got this Holly Hobbie figurine from the "70's and this absolutely wonderful wooden play sewing machine! It is so cool! I saw it in another lady's cart but then she changed her mind and put it back on the shelf. Lucky for me!Ok...I know I know...maybe I wasn't the ideal home party customer...but they always say...
"No worries, you don't have to buy anything...just come for the party"...
SO FOR ONCE...I DID!
good for you for sticking to your guns Carrie...look at all the goodies you got instead of one little set of candle holders...i'm sure this bounty is much more satisfying!!!
ReplyDeleteOk you did very good, I never go to those parties anymore...but your shopping spree at the Thrift Shop perfect. You scored big time, what fun! I will be joining you soon
ReplyDeleteHugs, Diane
ooohhh... I'm so proud of you for going to the party and not buying!!! I don't even attend those things, because I don't like the pressure I put on myself to buy! Love your thrift store bargains... you did GREAT!
ReplyDeleteVery Impressive! I'm proud of you. I end at those parties way too many times a year, and at least once a year, I get possessed and have a party! Always wishing afterwords that I hadnt said I would! I need to take lessons from you!
ReplyDeletehave a great night!
vivian
You are so much fun!! I have never had that kind of luck at a Goodwill, but I have also felt very guilty about not buying anything at a home party. I will have to hit my Goodwill with fresh eyes!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the health wishes on my blog.
Blessings,
LMM
Carrie, Carrie, Carrie--
ReplyDeleteYOU WON!!!!
Come by my Blog!!! YEA!!
Love your thrifty finds-- I guess I'm going to have to be more patient with my Goodwill. Last time I was there i was very disapointed!
Melinda
Oh fantastic! What great finds! I love the tupperware (I've got some in 'harvest gold' - they are so great!). I'm also totally in love with the basket. You cannot beat a vintage basket.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your amazing, beautiful comment on my blog. I cannot express how much it means to me, and I keep a copy of it nearby so I can re-read it and re-read it.
Thank you so much.
Lyn
x
Woo-hoo! I'd rather go Goodwill shopping any day! You did good, Carrie! Now don't I remember those orange cannisters! ☺ ♥
ReplyDeleteI would much rather shop at Goodwill than at a home party. You never know what you will find at Goodwill! Its like going on a treasure hunt! You did great!
ReplyDeleteYou made a haul! Great stuff! The thrift stores I've visited would never get me that much for $28. I find it's actually high priced so I might need to find new ones to visit!
ReplyDeleteThose canisters alone would probably sell for $28 or more on ebay!
I did this last summer, attended a party and didn't buy. I felt a little guilty but a LOT proud of myself!
Darla
I am in total awe of you! These are some of the BEST finds...and you were so good to keep your promise to yourself! Lately when I find that old retail therapy calling my name, I head out to the thrift store and I can really fill my basket for so little money AND we are supporting the charity to boot!
ReplyDeleteI bow to your shopping, oh Queen of the Goodwill! :-)
You found some beautiful things and wow- you got so much for your money!!! I really like that idea to take the money that you would have spent at a home party and use it to buy things you really love!
ReplyDelete(I wish I could find things like that at my Goddwill! =0)
You are an inspiration! A true genius! Someone give this woman a medal. **kisskiss** Deb
ReplyDeleteYou are one smart lady! Wowza...I would take your Goodwill loot any day over an overpriced candle set. What fabulous finds!
ReplyDeletewow did you ever score..I have the same picnic basket..2 of them and I love them...you got some great stuff..yeah I know the party you are talking about..they do have nice stuff but toooo expensive in my opinion..have a wonderful day.:)
ReplyDeleteYou are a lady straight after my own heart! As a life-long thrift store shopper, I literally cannot buy anything (save perhaps food) "new" without thinking how fare the same amount of money could go at a thrift. The thing, I really doesn't mind thinking like this :)
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your lovely comment, I hope you're having an amazing week (with all your new-to-you, beautiful treasure!),
♥ Jessica
Carrie,
ReplyDeleteI know just how you feel about the in home parties. I have been there many times. You should be proud that you were able to spend that money more wisely and wow did you find great buys!
Love the basket and the Holly Hobbie is great! Don't you just love her?
i 'm invited to a candle party myself it's the first time i'll go .are all the candles so expensive??? .... good evening catherine
ReplyDeleteWow! What a haul! I particularly love your picnic basket and cherry pie tin. Great job! Have a nice day! Twyla
ReplyDeleteLove your spunk! And your finds! What a haul...
ReplyDeleteHello Carrie~I've just strolled into your blog for my first visit...I've enjoyed taking a peek at your past posts. I was truly touched by your tribute to John.
ReplyDeleteIt was such a difficult and fragile time for all Americans. Thanks for sharing your nieces husbands story.
I know the pressure to buy at the parties, but I can usually find so many treasures for the same or less amount else where. You found so many wonderful treasures, that surly made up for the item you passed on by.
I've bookmarked you in my favs.
I look forward to coming by your charming blog again.
Come by for a visit. Your company would be nice.
Sweet wishes,
Sara
P.S. I'm right across the bridge in Vancouver WA.
ReplyDeleteSweet wishes,
Sara
You are sooo my kind of girl! I've gotten a couple of fabulous hauls myself while thrifting this week - but alas - I fell for the guilt trip buying frenzy at a Tupperware party recently - and I'm cross at myself about it! Ah, well ... it was a good reminder to stick to buying 'character' in the future. Lovely to visit your blog - I'll be back soon. (Fab pics by the way - thanks for sharing!) Suzy ;~)
ReplyDeleteAre you kidding me. I will pay you $28. for that little chair. I love little chairs! You did great, I can't believe you got all of that.
ReplyDeleteJust so you know, I have always had terrible parties, NO ONE shows up. I would rather have a hundred people show than have anyone buy anything. In my eyes you did good by going!
OMG you really scored big at GW. Very smart idea, some of those home parties are very costly..
ReplyDeleteI love the chris madden plates.
Have a great weekend!
I need to start browsing thrift stores...Wow! I can't believe these great finds. Love them all!
ReplyDeleteCarrie
ReplyDeleteYou are my kind of shopper girl..I love all your finds.I have tried to sign to follow your blog.It will not except my e-mail address.
Please stop by and look at all my neat bargains from thrift stores.My favorite way to spend my time.
Vikki
I just love the colors on your blog. Stop on over, I have an award for you.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and these home parties. Just too expensive. I went to a crystal party 20 yrs go, and the cheapest thing was way too expensive, and I didn't buy anything either. Nothing wrong with that. You got some great stuff for your $.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Wow, did you score!!! And no doubt had a blast shopping. I admire your ability to say no. Sooooo many times, I've gone to parties and bought things I didn't need. Hopefully, next time I feel that sense of obligation, I'll think of you and this post! = )
ReplyDeleteI am sooo impressed!
ReplyDeleteyou have done so well with your purchases...I had to have a laugh...those orange Tuppaware canisters...we got given them as a wedding present 28 years ago and I still use them...however they hide in a cupboard as it doesn't fit in with my current colour scheme! My first kitchen back then was orange and brown. Thanks for sharing it was fun looking at what you could get for so little outlay.
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ReplyDeleteOh I love the NSYNC lunch pail and thermos, my little girl starts school next year, so I am anxiously looking out for a cute power puff girls set similar to that... as she is a BIG fan : ) ... Thanks so much for stopping by my blog earlier today Carrie, you really have a wonderful thing going here !
ReplyDeleteNatalie
You are a collector rock star in my book. what treasures. Those candle holders are amazing. I am sure they will get loads of use.
ReplyDeleteUGH to those *Parties*!!!
ReplyDeleteHow about just not going?
But if you feel you "have to go" [and why ever could that be really so???], do as you did and don't buy anything.
Maybe, just maybe, they'll get the message.
Hi Carrie! Yes, we ARE practically neighbors! Hurray! Wow, you know how to -rock- a Goodwill store! I never find good deals there anymore... the prices around here are way high. You did an AWESOME job, unbelievable!!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and I'll be back too!
Hugs,
Sheila
Wow what an amazing haul! I'm so impressed! :o
ReplyDeleteWow, what a score!
ReplyDeletehi carrie! i know this is an older post, but i wanted to tell you that mom, meg and i just went to the goodwill in south east on grand... and oh.my.goodness... AMAZING! i was only there for 20 minutes and picked out some amazing stuff! the best part (or worst for my bank account) is that it's literally a 2 minute walk from my work! yay for goodwill shopping on my lunch break! take care and can't wait to see you on thursday :)
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