Sunday 29 July 2012

This week I've been mostly thrifting.....

OUT OF THE NEIGHBOURS SKIP!
Yes, I admit  thrifting has reached a new low and in Northern Ireland I have become what is commonly know as a 'BIN HOKER'. I prefer to think of it as saving these things from a future in landfill, that would be wrong SO WRONG!! Also I am confused as to why this 'good stuff' has been thrown in the skip in the first place?? Why has it not gone to charity? Anyway.... let me tell you about my treasure finding adventures this week....
Out for a walk on Monday night, spotted that a house round the corner from where we live had a skip *eyes light up* I've always loved this house, it's a three storey, red brick town house, that just looks like it's filled with amazing stuff and if the skip outside it was anything to go by it is....or was!
Peeking out from a corner, my hawk eyes zoom in in on a gorgeous coffee pot, the big lad keeps watch (whilst also calling me BIN HOKER) as I retrieve it from it's skip hell. It's a J G Meakin design from the 1960's, I didn't find the lid, but it will be lovely as a vase, and once it had been given a wash, good as new and taking pride of place on the mantle piece...All delighted!

Next night, out for a run, ran past the skip, quick peek inside, spied a mug.....out of my reach! NOOO! I had to think of something, so as I ran through the park and little brain ticking over with ideas how to get it out I stumbled on  a stick with a hook style branch *Squeals* PERFECT, Mother Nature aiding me! Heading back to the skip with my trusty hook stick in hand I looked like a girl how'd lost her dog...Nothing to see here....One swoop of the stick, hooked under the handle, mug brought to safety, mission complete. Another Meakin pottery find and once it was washed you'd never know that it had been in the skip!
Third night on skip duty as I'm now calling it, out for a walk, I spy two glasses, one pink one blue, still with their handmade stickers on, no stick needed tonight, just picked these beauties straight out, unfortunately though the blue one toppled over on the draining board and smashed.
On Thursday I had to travel away with work so a night off skip duty, but I've since passed and more has been added, rugs and stuff but it's done nothing but rain here for the last week so it's all just getting ruined, shame. I wonder if anyone else has found anything cool from the skip this week.If you pass a skip do you have a look inside for stuff you can use? Nothing to be ashamed of! Bin hoking is fun!!
In other thrifting news a day trip yesterday with my sister was very fruitful, I bought so much stuff FOR THE STALL and a few bits for me!!!! We had a brilliant day, starting with the car boot sale, then around loads of charity shops...
A new brown bag, to add to my brown bag collection the perfect size for my stay away trip with work and a steal for £2!

A souvenir of the Giant's Causeway made from Ivorex and the date 1st June 1956 carved on the back.
And lots of little trinkets.
 On the thrifting front I have to say It's been a great week! Hope you've been as lucky, Looking forward to having a peek at what you've all found, head over to Sophie at Her Library Adventures for her Flea Market Finds link up.
I'm off to bonny Scotland for work tomorrow, have a great week y'all xxxx








17 comments:

  1. I must admit I'd be right in that skip bin with you. I'm always tempted to have a look in a skip bin, especially the ones outside charity shops. I'm known as the Nana frock dumpster diver. Great finds!!!

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    1. Haha! the joys of dumpster diving, you never know what you might find!

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  2. I can't resist a skip if there's one in the street, most of the contents of my house seems to have come from them even down to some of the doors, skirting, fire surrounds and floorboards! Nice work! x

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  3. I love your thrifted finds. Especially all the little trinkets in the last pic. Shame you didn't find the lid to the coffee pot but it will as you say make a lovely vase x

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    1. I know, it was probably in there somewhere! I'm thinking it would be lovely with a bunch of sunflowers x

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  4. All that glassware and china is amazing! I can't believe your neighbours would through all that away though! XO.

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    1. Mad!! Just the top three pics are from the skip, the last pic is all from a boot sale and charity shop, they had gorgeous dining chairs, some cool beach paintings and I counted 3 tea trolleys, CRAZY!

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  5. Well in for rescuing that stuff from the skip. My Grandad used to own a skip company and would bring all sorts home apparently. I hardly ever see skips and if I do it's all building rubble. Sigh.

    I am insanely jealous of your haul - I especially love the 6 floral glasses at the back and the four coloured glass dishes at the front. Well done!

    Nikki x

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    1. I nearly didn't get the glasses but I just couldn't say no, they're so nice! the four coloured dishes are still in their original box too, a very lucky day!

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  6. Dear Linda,
    Please define skip for me!
    Thank you! 8-)

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    1. A skip is a giant dumpster :)

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    2. Junk and vintage finds on the street...sweet!

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  7. I, too, would have been in that skip with you! And I think I'm proud to say I am definitely a Bin Hoker!!

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  8. I would have been in there too. What a sin! I don't understand people sometimes. One man's rubbish is another's gold and all that. I've only been obtaining new things. I have NO room. I love the ivorex Causeway picture.

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  9. Those floral tumblers (top right of final photo) are SO BEAUTIFUL. I'm definitely up for a skip rummage any time I see one- don't often find things that are anywhere near as nice as yours though :)
    Katie x

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  10. I was going to ask what a 'skip' was but I saw it is a big dumpster... my question is does this happen often? people just throw away awesome pieces like that coffee pot?!? Regularly?? I am amazed...

    This is my first time to your blog and I really like it :)

    ~Caleisha @ apt-203.blogspot.com

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Thanks for all your comments : )