thrifty thursday - thank you!

I didn't go to the thrift store this week (shocking!), but I did receive a really nice gift from a great friend.

How awesome are these Pyrex flasks?? The big one is 6000 ml (25 cups) and it is huge! And so cool! This picture doesn't really show you just what a statement it is. The little one is 25 ml, tiny and cute.

I love them, Cora! Thank you so much!

di loot

Sorry I have been so bad about posting. I was super excited to blog last year, but as time goes on, the appeal seems to wear off more & more. I can't promise I'll be better, but I will update from time to time!

Remember how I had so much fun at the grand opening of the Sugarhouse DI?

Well, I thought I would show you all my loot.

I had my way with the shoe section.

We'll start on the left with the cutest little OshKosh sneakers! $1.

Next up is a pair of brand new tap shoes! $2.

Moving on to the ruby red Dorothy slippers! $3

Super cute & brand new Nine West shoes for me! $6.

Fun and retro-esque t-straps! $4.

(Yes, I continue to buy things for my future kids. Oops!)

Two bright and fun Fisher Price toys! The shape sorter was $1 and the ring tower was 50¢!

An old sugar container for $1 and a Tupperware container for $1!

Finally, we'll round it off with a set of orange Tupperware measuring spoons at 50¢ and three Pyrex dishes at $3 each!

The Pyrex was a true prize because it took me about twenty minutes to find a parking spot. I was sweating bullets driving around the parking lot because I was getting so stressed to see people exiting with gobs of treasures! I just wanted to get in the store and start searching. I got to the Pyrex/Tupperware aisle first and I saw a lady carrying all three of the above Pyrex dishes. I was so crushed because she got to all the good stuff first. Lucky for me, the lines to check out were so long and I had a feeling to go back and look for the Pyrex one last time. I turned the corner, and there were all three pieces waiting for me!

If only I had such luck with other things in life!

thrifty thursday

I had a golden time at the DI this week.

First, I found a butterfly gold print Pyrex. I already have some of this pattern, but I can never have enough!

Then I bought these gold shoes. I almost didn't get them, but they were an automatic win once I put them on. They are so comfortable, it feels like you are walking on a mattress! And I'm pretty sure they have never been worn.

I think this brand came from Sears - gotta love it!

monday, fun day

You know how most people dread Mondays? Well, I had a really great one yesterday. The sun was shining, and I got to do some fun things.

01. Temple session with a lovely friend.

02. Lunch at the Lion House Pantry. I love that place. Of course the rolls have me at hello every time. But, I also have a new obsession with drinking soda out of glass bottles. This sparkling raspberry lime soda is divine. Plus, the Lion House sticker makes me feel like I'm buying it at 19th century candy store. (like Little House on the Prairie).

03. Taking a much needed, but short nap. You know you've worked too much when you wake up from said nap thanking your lucky stars that you got up just in time to hang TPN and lipids (IV nutrition). We hang new TPN/lipids on our patients at 1800 (6 pm). I seriously woke up and was ready to get going on priming IV tubing and getting meds ready. Guess that's what 4 shifts in a row will do to you!

04. Cutting all my hair off. Okay, not all of it, but close. I told the lady, "just to my shoulders, long enough for a pony tail without two million bobby pins". She said, "Great, I'll do it just below your shoulders so that you aren't upset if it's too short". I tried really hard not to cry like a 2- year- old when my hair was most definitely above my shoulders. (This picture doesn't really show just how short it is. And don't mind my awful face. I was having an extreme allergic reaction at the time this was taken).

05. Remember how I missed out on the free Pyrex pot holder? I really love the www. In a roundabout way, I got my hands on one of these through eBay. So fun! I had to fork over some pennies, but it was totally worth it! You may come visit this awesome pot holder in my future kitchen. It will be the star.

06. Did you see this Iceberg shake deal?. 4 shakes, any size, any flavor for $10! Are you kidding me!! That is such a steal! The shakes are huge. Last week I went to Iceberg for my favorite butterfinger shake. I couldn't kick the craving all day, and half of why I wanted one is so that I could eat part of it for breakfast the next morning. Hurry and buy this deal - it expires at the end of the day!

Here's to a great Tuesday for all of us!

thrifty thursday

I may or may not have brought home some more treasures from Vermont in my carry-on besides the Playskool tyke bike.

This picture should give you a little clue. (My cousin Paul and I went bowling. See my name?)

That's right, Pyrex! What a shocker! But I don't have any Pyrex of this type yet so I was super excited.

I think these flasks are great. I am sure I probably used Pyrex flasks & beakers in my old chemistry classes and just didn't even know it. What a shame! My cousin teased me that we could just get some of these from the local high school instead of the thrift store, but I didn't really feel like being cited for reckless behavior. (jk!)

I am going to use these for cute vases. Something like this, but just with a much shorter flower.

thrifty thursday

Happy holidays!

I think this Pyrex dish looks particularly festive.

I had a great evening seeing the adorable David Archuleta perform with the Mormon Tabernacle choir. It was fantastic and the perfect way to celebrate this time of year!

thrifty thursday + a challenge

This Thrifty Thursday post is two-fold.

1) To show off something retro, of course! Isn't this golden hearts Pyrex adorable? One of my dear friends brought it back for me from a thrift store in Montana. I love it!

The picture kind of throws off the size perception of this dish. It is huge and will be perfect for so many different things!

2) I also wanted to talk about something I'm participating in. It is a challenge to read the Book of Mormon in its entirety by New Year's. I know it seems daunting at 531 pages, but I promise you can do it. We started on Monday and will finish on December 31st by reading just 10 pages per day. I can't think of a better blessing in my life than going into the new year armed with the knowledge and truths that come from this book.

I finished the Book of Mormon this summer and am ashamed to say that I haven't been awesome at keeping up with daily scripture study since then. I have definitely noticed a difference in the days that I read and the days that I don't. When I found this challenge, I knew it was an answer to my prayers. I have already felt such a change over the past few days. Reading these verses will invite the spirit into your life and will allow you to receive a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel.

Participating in the challenge with a group of people (who I don't know) is a great experience. It's empowering to know that we are all reading the same verses on the same day and being blessed. I love the church. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I can testify that it has changed my life and can change your life, too.

So please, join us! It is never too late to start, and you can never read the Book of Mormon too many times!

To visit the group blog, click here.

And if anyone needs a Book of Mormon, let me know and I will get you one.

thrifty thursday

I figured this week's feature should involve black & orange.

Showing off this color scheme has been in the works for a bit. When I went thrifting in Logan a few weeks ago, I found the bottom Pyrex. It's a compass pattern and one that is harder to find.

I was super excited and told my friend that it would be perfect for my Halloween Thrifty Thursday post. She laughed out loud at me, and it made me giggle, too.

I mean, who really plans things like what Pyrex to photograph? But I tell you what - it's just one of the millions of thoughts swirling around in my head when I go to sleep.

I know that my Pyrex obsession is silly. And I would laugh at someone, just the same.

But at least my innate ability to remember where every DI is in the state of Utah pays off! These pumpkins would be so very boring without their retro companion.

Have a very happy & spooky Halloween!

thrifty thursday

I have always been a fan of red & purple, but I have never been one of those girls who loves the color pink.

Until recently.

Slowly but surely, pink is making its debut.

It started out with clothes, and then Pyrex.

Naturally.

I am giddy about these pieces. I just love how cheery the pink is.

I remember seeing the big bowl photographed in Martha Stewart (I think?) over the summer. I was lucky to snag it for so cheap at the DI.

The top dish is from the Centerville DI. I saw it from the corner of my eye, and ran over to claim it. I have found the Centerville DI to be a gold mine when it comes to Pyrex. I don't think the people up north know what they are getting rid of! I am seriously considering volunteering there to help sort gather all the Pyrex that is dropped off.

It may be a bit of a drive from my house, but it would sure be worth it. Especially if I find more Pyrex, all pretty in pink.

thrifty thursday

I was in a thrifting mood last night and went to three DIs. When my Pyrex quest turned up zip, I had to go to plan b.

Plan b, meaning school furniture. I don't know how my obsession began, but I can't get enough of retro school desks & chairs.

Just when I thought I had to bow out of the DI empty handed, I spotted this from the corner of my eye. $3 dollars later, and we were both out the door.

Some may call it puke green, I call it perfect.

It's the Virco brand. Don't you remember seeing this on the back of your chair in elementary school - or am I the only one crazy enough to remember such a thing?

It totally matches my Pyrex, so naturally that was a good reason to buy it.

My sister was over as I was snapping pictures, and she teased me about how many desks & chairs I have. I know I can almost open up my own personal classroom, just call me Miss Julia.

But really, if you had students as cute as this one, you would do the same.

And a note to my future hubby: I want Virco school chairs in red, squash & blueberry, to be exact. It would be really cute if you surprised me with them one day.

retro, retro

I had some time on my hands this afternoon and nothing to do. After paying off a parking ticket (lame! but thanks nice man who reduced the fine!), I headed on over to a local consignment shop.

It's a good thing I don't have a house right now because I'm pretty sure I could have filled it up with items from this store alone.

I think this table is the cutest. I'm pretty much a goner when it comes to anything red, so I was quite fond of this.

And these lockers, too. Again, the red! Love it. Wouldn't they look awesome in a mud room?

Bentwood cafe chairs are always a classic. I'll take one of these in every color, please.

One tiny purchase made its way home with me.

This darling fish scale Pyrex. It's art deco inspired and lovely.

thrifty thursday

Here are some of the gems from Pyrex heaven that left their home in Vermont and found a new residence in my collection.

The bowl on the bottom left is a pretty popular Butterprint pattern. And the snowflake dish on the bottom right was recently on Mad Men.

The top two patterns I quite like and have never seen before, so I knew I had to snatch them up.

The sunflower lid sits on top of a bright orange dish. This is in honor of my gram who loves sunflowers, so maybe I can dedicate this piece to her. If it's an excuse to buy Pyrex, I'll take it!

I sort of feel like I cheated with these acquisitions because they didn't come from the DI. However, with the recent sicko who did some terrible & disgusting things at the Sandy DI, I had to skip a week showing retro things that came from there.

How people can be so downright awful is appalling. I hope he gets life in prison.

Keep the horrible people of this world out, and keep the Pyrex in.

vermont, part two - pyrex edition

When I was in Vermont, I went to Pyrex heaven.

Twice.

My aunt has a good friend who collects Pyrex and other retro glassware/kitchen items. I had been hearing about the collection for some time and my aunt arranged for us to stop over.

Oh my goodness, I fell in love.

Her collection is incredible and she was nice enough to let me snap pictures of it, so I'll take you on a tour.

This cabinet has some Pyrex, amazing vintage colored glasses, and tons of kitchen knick knacks, like the Aunt Jemima syrup dispenser on the top shelf.

More Pyrex and vintage glasses.

Pyrex primary colored bowls and retro jars.

I loved this cabinet! I think the retro salt & pepper & flour shakers are so fun. I also have never seen striped Pyrex bowls like the pink and blue on the middle shelf.

Look how cheery all the pink is. Every piece is in pristine condition.

And finally, old Pyrex magazine ads. How great! I'm on the hunt for these now.

I had the best time looking at all the Pyrex. The owner remarked that most people think she's crazy for having such a collection, so she enjoyed showing it to someone who has a love for it too. Boy howdy, how couldn't you love it! It took all I had in me to not ask to be a part of this Pyrex inheritance.

I asked where she collected most of it from. Lots came from eBay and antique stores around Vermont. One of which happened to be two minutes from my cousin's house. The owner keeps odd hours but I got her telephone number and she opened the store just for us.

Again I say, Pyrex heaven.

It was one of the happiest stores I've been in. So much to choose from and such good prices. This garage was full to the brim with lots of Pyrex and other retro things. If I could have transported the entire structure to SLC, I would have.

The above picture is totally cheesy. My uncle took it and said, "say Pyrex". But it gives you a good look at everything in this part of the store.

I made some purchases and wrapped them carefully in bubble wrap & tissue paper. This Pyrex cargo became my carry-on and made it all the way home from Vermont safe and sound. I'll post pictures of it later on.

thrifty thursday

This week I'll feature some of my Pyrex. I really love these three pieces. They remind me of quilt blocks.

I found each one at separate DIs, but they all share a common pattern. The top came from Sugarhouse, the middle from downtown, and the bottom from Provo.

Call me crazy, but I can honestly recall where most of my pieces made their way into my stash.

I just love Pyrex. Have I mentioned that before?

I'm like a kid in a candy store every time I come across a new dish, whether the design is awesome or unsightly.

Totally pleased as punch.

spoiled with retro

I pretty much am the luckiest girl ever thanks to my friends.

Beth came over and surprised me with this glass Pyrex baby bottle.

What a dream.

It's nothing like what I have in my collection and I'm already imagining how I will use it in my future house.

Then Nicole snatched a never-been-used trio of Pyrex casserole dishes from 1979. They are sweet! They were a wedding gift given to her friend's parents 31 years ago.

I just about fainted when Nicole texted me a picture of the box. I can't believe I now own Pyrex with its original packaging. How fun! (Thank you also to Nicole's kindest friend who so generously gave this to a complete stranger like me).

Cristie is one of the most thoughtful people I know. I had been talking to her about how I wanted glass milk bottles and what do you know - she found two for me on her way to Bear Lake!

When I went to lunch with my friend Jerica last week, she pulled a bag of Pyrex out from her trunk. She found it at the Delta DI. I was so excited!

If there ever was a Pyrex lottery, I think I pretty much just hit the jackpot.

Thanks a bunch to all you cute ladies; you are wonderful!

23 is pretty great

I recently had a birthday. I really love birthdays. Not because of the presents but because I sort of have a thing for getting older. I love it! I think I'll enjoy adding a digit to each year of my life probably forever. Even when I'm 62, I'll think, "woo hoo, I'm sixty-two". You can't do anything about aging, so you might as well celebrate.

This year was no exception. After a fun lunch at Zupas and going to see Ramona & Beezus, we had my favorite enchilada dinner at home.

And these were the goods:

Anyone who knows me knows that I go weak in the knees when it comes to retro/vintage items. My cute gram gave me the retro-inspired salt & pepper shakers. We had seen these at one of our favorite stores, Broadbents, in Lehi. She remembered how much I loved them and had them sent my way.

The bowl and plate are both Pyrex. My absolute favorite! A girl can never have enough Pyrex (thanks Beth and Tara!).

That glass container is a fabulous glass milk bottle. I have been wanting one for some time now, but haven't had any luck acquiring one during my thrifting.

And finally, my parents gave me the Little Golden books. Do you remember these from your childhood? I sure do, and I love them. I recently dug through our bins of old books and set aside some of these for my future house. You can also find them at the DI if you carefully sift through the books. Usually they are around 50¢. What a steal!

Thanks to everyone who made my birthday lots of fun!