Best sand pies in town

Let me introduce you to a great little diner hidden in my part of town, Chez Tutor. The reviews are overwhelmingly positive with tons of repeat customers. Little folks come from around the block to make pizza and ice cream and pies, lots of pies. 

Inspiration from here and here*. 

Most materials, if not all, thrifted or repurposed.

*Okay, that last link is really eye candy for momma. 

Friday finds

I must have been in the mood for a little fall color .

I went into the thrift store looking for old necklaces to repurpose into new ones. No luck, but I did leave with some very useful items for the kitchen. Tupperware pitchers are awesome so had to have it ($1.48). Vintage Pyrex is awesome so had to have it ($2.98). That thing on the bottom? It's a Tupperware sandwich keeper. We got two as a wedding present and they were one of the best presents we got! Really handy when it comes to packing lunches so had to have it ($1.48). 

Ready to roll the street.

Joseph got a new ride too. A knock-off Cozy Coupe SUV that needs a good washing but he doesn't care — he's one happy boy! And he didn't have to have it (he didn't fuss or whine or beg) so this momma thought he had to have it ($5.98). 

Friday finds

If the boys are with me on the thrift store rounds, I am limited to walking by the furniture directly to the toys with a quick stop by the books on the way out. I was only able to notice this jacket — purple corduroy? in my size?! — because it was on the rack nearest the toys. If you are a thrift store regular, you are familiar with the color discounts. Each week or day has a different color 50 to 75 percent off. (Or maybe that is just our stores?) Excellent way to keep the store inventory fresh. So while the jacket was $6.99, that day's color was orange making it 75 percent off. I did a little happy dance out the door with my new $1.75 jacket. 

I only got to one thrift store during the annual summer trip to Memphis. (Maybe next summer, Mom and I can take a day to really explore. Seems most of the thrift stores are located on Summer Avenue.) This vintage orange clutch was marked $9.99. Again, it matched the color tag on sale, making it 50 percent off. Still a bit pricey but I kept it in my hand as I walked around. At the register, I was told it was not on sale BUT it sure shouldn't be marked 9.99 either. I may not buy a clutch for $5 but I sure will take it home for $1. And the clerk went ahead and gave me the 50 percent discount. Score!

So now me, my purple jacket and orange clutch need a fun place to go this fall. 

Find anything good recently? Doesn't have to be a thrift store find — maybe you fell in love with a book or movie? A new restaurant in your town? Please share!

Latest thrift store finds

In 2009, a study linked PMS and compulsive shopping. I wasn't in the study but I can attest to the fact that I do go out and indulge in retail therapy now and then before that time of the month. (Apparently, PMS also makes me stay up late watching Twilight and eating egg-free raw cookie dough.) Fortunately, I hit the thrift stores instead of the mall which means I don't spend much. 

Now, I didn't go out shopping just to shop. I was on a mission. Last time at Mission Possible I passed up some really pretty bowls. Then when I got home, I realized they would have been perfect for the outdoor kitchen. Of course, the bowls were gone by the time I got back. Rule No. 1 of thrifting, you better get it when you see it. But I did find some other goodies. 

From Mission Possible:

Awesome vintage Cat in the Hat beginner books for my beginning reader. Two frames for an idea kicking around my head. An unopened Martha craft kit that I had always wanted to try but was unwilling to pay full price for in the store. A Hallmark bunny candy container. Not pictured, the dinosaur toy my shopping buddy Joseph brought home. It was too much fun to leave at the store.

From Lovelady:

Old Navy shirt with a cool summer print for Will now, Joseph later. A framed botanical print. I've read too many Martha magazines not to bring it home. It was the fun yellow frame/mat combo that really caught my eye. More books ... I love collecting books that are a "series." I found "I am a Puppy" to match "I am a Kitten" which of course matches one of our all-time favorites, "I am a Bunny." And that "The Little Kitten" actually matches a book I had when I was little, "The Little Duck." Not pictured, a small blue camping pot Joseph found for the outdoor kitchen. It also doubles as a hat. 

You can also see a copy of "The Velveteen Rabbit" in the picture. I've been looking for a nice copy and at 45 cents, I couldn't find better. I'm not ready to read it to the boys yet ... we love our Baby Bunny so much. I'm worried what Joseph will take away from the story — might he worry that I'll throw bunny away the next time he is sick? Or be disappointed when his own bunny doesn't turn into a real bunny? Of course, when I read it to them I'll have a few tears running down my face.

Your own stories of retail therapy? Craziest thing you ever bought under the influence of hormones?

Fabulous Friday — Book jackpot

My Mother's Day was quite nice. I was woken up quite early by my two lovely boys, one of whom was very excited to share the present he made at school (a beautiful votive decorated with flowers). We took a nice hike a Ruffner Mountain. Joseph immediately fell asleep on the ride home so I suggested a short detour to a couple of thrift stores I had never visited. Chris was ready to go home but, since it was Mother's Day, he pointed the van in the right direction. Good call because I found a lot of great books!

Six Richard Scarry books! We heart Scarry! I'm loving "The Early Bird" from 1968. The early bird gets the worm ... and invites him home for dinner and a sleepover. Very cute!

I pretty much pick up any book published by Parents' Magazine Press. While I wonder if bringing home older nature books might have information that is no longer scientifically valid, these illustrations from the 70s are so worth a little misinformation. "Wonders of Nature," 1974.

Edward Gorey! Score!

(also from Parents' Magazine Press, 1971)

Maurice Sendak! Score!

The drawings are not "busy" but packed with so much detail. The book dates to 1955 but Sendak recolored the illustrations in 1997. I love the dedication in the front ... "for fun." Yes, Sendak certainly gave us all a lot of fun!

What fun treasures have you found lately?

"What a piece of junk!"

(I'm way behind on the posting, please allow me to catch up.)

We scored big (BIG!) at this year's AUMC PDO yard sale. Held the first weekend in March, the sale is the school's big fundraiser. We, the parents, spend all week sorting, pricing, talking and keeping an eye out for the things we want. It's a lot of work but for a great cause — our kids! Given that I've been helping since Will attended, this was at least my fifth year, maybe even sixth, to participate.

I came home with some nice goodies — a green purse, a huge square basket, odds and ends for the kitchen. But the find of the day went to Will — the Millennium Falcon Lego set #4504. It's rare. It's retired. At 985 pieces, it's the biggest lego set we've ever bought. Priced at $10, I doubled it because I knew what a steal it was and hey, all the money is for the kids.

Here's the best part — the box was open but all the pieces were there! Even the minifigs! Double wow! It took forever to build (mostly because we had to work when Joseph was not around) and is a little fragile so not really for play, but so, so cool.

*Psst ... headline comes from the movie. Not a comment on the set.

Good day at the thrift store

Woo-hoo! Got some good stuff today at the thrift store. At least, my boys consider it good stuff. I'm just glad to only pay 69 cents each for Star Wars weaponry. Now, we have a green light saber to battle with the blue one we have (My tip for sane play dates — have two of everything!). And the gun, well, that might be the first one I've ever bought him.

I think some folks think we're anti-gun. Maybe because when Will was little, we didn't buy him guns. Not that that mattered. Little boys will make anything to a weapon (sticks, legos, Barbies) so I worked on these rules — we don't shoot at people or animals. Will is older now and at the age that running around the yard with buddies shooting each other is their favorite activity. Now my guidelines are yes, you can run around the yard shooting at each other IF all parties agree to the game. And if you get hurt in a light saber/sword fight, tough. We still don't let him randomly shoot at people/cars/animals. It's not polite and could be misunderstood leading to sticky situations. 

I found this discussion thread on the Berkeley Parents Network helpful.

I practically squealed with delight when I found the vintage gem "I am a Kitten" (1970). And then another squeal for the "Best Story Book Ever" (not sure what printing but at least 70s). Me and the boys are huge Scarry fans! Both books were enjoyed at bedtime and will be read again and again. 

Also brought home: a Thomas the Train book for an upcoming birthday, the Dr. Seuss book "Please Try to Remember the First of Octember!", "Amos & Boris" by William Steig, Walt Disney's "Stories from Other Lands" (1965),  and Walt Disney's "Pinocchio" (1968 printing). 

Not bad for $5.01. 

File under L for Lego

You know we love the legos around here. What I don't love so much is trying to keep the instruction booklets intact. And away from little hands. So I've been looking for a solution.

I found it recently at the local thrift store in the form of a vintage metal filing box. It works great! I threw in some file folders and Will can easily find what he wants, when he wants (without mommy's help too).

Of course, I wanted to research this item before telling you about it. Writing on the locking mechanism says it's the Porta-File by the makers of the famous Skotch Kooler. Made by the Hamilton-Skotch Corp. of Hamilton, Ohio. Vintage Skotch Koolers look to be a popular item on eBay. Designed by Petra Cabot in 1952, she set out to "make the best-looking bucket anybody ever saw." You probably have seen one before. If you saw it in your grandmother's kitchen, best get your hands on it quick.

Back to my Porta-File, it's selling on eBay and Etsy from $10-30 ... so paying $3 was quite the bargain for me. Not sure what's better — having the Lego instructions all in one place or the thrill of finding something is worth more than I paid. 

Think I can wear them anyway?

The big fundraiser for Will's school is the annual spring garage sale. It is huge and takes us parents all week to set up. As a thank you, we can attend a pre-sale the night before. Of course I usually spend the week taking note of all the things I want. This year I brought home a Cole Haan purse in the most wonderful light green for spring ($2, I prefer to think it is not a fake), a huge Hot Wheels track set for the boys ($3), several strands of vintage costume pearls ($6) and some Born sandals in my size ($1.50).

I love Born sandals and usually buy a pair every other summer. They are so comfortable and quality-made; worth the price in my opinion. So I was super excited to snag a pair that looked barely worn. There was just one problem that I didn't notice until I got home ...

Can you spot the problem? Since the shoes that did not sell were still at school, I checked today to find the missing mates but no luck. My theory is someone out there is going to realize soon that they grabbed the wrong shoes to donate. 

Did I mention how comfortable they are? I'm so wearing them anyway ... at least around the house ... and maybe to the store ...

Have a seat

You could call me cheap but I prefer the thrifty. Chris can be even cheaper than me, but we'll call him very thrifty. Even if we had the money, we'd rather pay the lowest price possible. Watching Chris shop online for hotel deals is like watching a master surgeon or painter ... very intense and impressive.

There are a few folks online that routinely share their thrifty finds. Some I follow include Life in the Fun Lane, MADE, IS*LY I still love you. I'll admit, I get rather jealous at all the wonderful things they find out and about at great deals. I love yard sales, estate sales, antique and thrift stores. One day I'll get to thrift to my heart's content but life right now only allows for the occasional shopping session. 

Recently, I found this fabulous folding chair (60s? early 70s?) in perfect condition for $4. I thought it would be fun to take a few photos in the backyard. Neighbor Laura, fabulous in her own right, was going to model the chair for me but you can see that everyone else, including the dog, wanted in on the fun ...

Favorite thrift store? Best thing you ever found at a yard sale? 

Please share.