Online thrift shops aren't immune...

So today I spent some time perusing Goodwill's online thrift shop.  And I got a three-fer.  The guy doing the sorting and posting musta been smokin' crack...

First on today's sale block:

Whoa, Nelly!  It's...an...entire...collection...of...CLOWNS!  "Hey, Fred, let's buy a whole box of clowns for little Billy Bob!"  "Yeah, yeah, he loves clowns!!"  Never mind that he screams and pees himself whenever he sees one... Yeah!  Put one in every room of the house, so he can never get away!! Why not just label it "Great Big Box of Trauma and Nightmares"?

Remember the clown in Poltergeist?  'Nuff said.

Second, for your bidding pleasure we have:

Yep, it's an ASS-STUFFED BEAR!  Ever wonder how Pooh got stuffed with fluff?  And look at the accompanying pic.  No wonder the poor thing can't sit quite straight.

And finally, our last item for the day:
(Look at the next to last one)

Erm.  10 lbs eh?  Hope that also includes a jug of disinfectant and a bottle of antibiotics.

Okay, well...
Now I think I need to go wash my hands.
And bleach my eyes.

xoxo
Kerri

How did she get published??

Okay, somehow it seems appropriate that my first Post of Horror would be ... from church!  And I guess I am stretching it a bit when I post this -- BUT it was in a pile of books set out at church and marked "free, please take!" (Apparently the church library was purging.)  So since FREE is the best "thrift" of all, I'm usin' it! 

I've subtitled this book, "After the Church Chili Cook-Off".

BTW I did NOT bring it home.  A picture is worth ANY NUMBER OF WORDS that could be written inside. 

And, you're welcome, you get a two-fer today!  I did a little shopping over the weekend and found a lovely set of vintage metal toy soldiers (British Regiments brand; Highlanders).  I was photographing them for posting to my vintage shop.  After taking a few shots of them in the box, I decided to slide out the tray and photograph the soldiers (notice I avoided saying "Shoot the soldiers.").  And, well, oops...

"Soldiers!  Company, FALL OUT!!"

(With all due apologies to my FB friends, I know I already posted these pics for you to see.  But I had to start somewhere...)

xoxo
Kerri

Hopeful beginnings

I have become a trawler of thrift stores-- a prowler, a rummager, or a brocanteur.  Many of the delightful and lovely things I find are actually available for purchase here, www.etsy.com/shop/BeachCottageVintage . HOWEVER,  this blog is where I will post the also-rans, the butt-ugly, the head-scratchers, and the truly incomprehensible -- the "What the HELL were they thinking?!?".  Now, having committed to this, I do hope that I will find things worthy of jollility, or at least disgust.  Something I have come to love about thrifting in my lovely town is that "rich people throw away lots of great stuff!". Here's hoping they also part with the hideous. Along the way, I hope to share some reflections and insights.  For me, the journey of brocanting includes a lot of time travel.  It is in my digging that I am transported to memories of childhood and growing up during some remarkable eras -- including the atomic age kitch of the 60s, the disco shoes of the 70's, and the day-glo glam of the 80s. So join me in my quest for treasures, both real and those from a worst nightmare.  Let's share a laugh and an eye-roll.  And please, I welcome and appreciate your comments and reminisces! And BTW-- if you enjoy the retro detritus of the MidCentury Era, please visit the wonderful www.charlesphoenix.com . Charles' website includes lots of readers' pictures from the era (most with the hovering pall of cigarette smoke!), recipes, videos, and great memories from all over the U.S.  Nostalgia can be terrible fun! Ciao, Cheers, and Cheerios! Xoxo Kerri