Some fun finds in Florida: a thrifting report

I just returned from a six day trip visiting my parents in Florida.  I went to help them do their Christmas shopping for the family, wrap the presents and start decorating their house.  We were busy!  But I did manage to take an afternoon for one of my favorite hobbies. I 💓 thrifting in Florida!  There seems to be an endless number of antique stores, flea markets and thrift stores within 30 minutes of my parent's house.

I was short on time, so I just picked three places: Angels in the Attic, a church thrift store three miles from my parent's house (an old favorite that I visit every time I'm there), an antique mall (which was enormous), and a Goodwill just down the road from where they live.

Here are some of the interesting things I saw:

One thing I love about antique malls is that every item is different, and there's not usually more than one.  I am always seeing something I've never seen before, and there are a lot of one-of-a-kind things that you're not going to find at your local Target.

For example, this carved sea horse.  This is great, and didn't come from a factory in China.

This booth had some beautifully carved items.

I have a soft spot for vintage milk glass mugs that remind me of my childhood, like these Raggedy Ann and Annie cups from the '80s.

I often wonder if they can be microwaved?  I've googled the question, but haven't found a clear answer.

I think they can be...(?)

It would be a lot more fun to have them if they could be practically used!

Like I said, I love to see something I've never seen before.  I was fascinated by this enormous driftwood (vase?) that was about 4' high.  It had three blown glass (vases? bowls?) that had been form-fitted to fit on the driftwood solidly.  (You could remove them easily, but they weren't easy to tip or knock over.)

I think it was around $350.

On the table next to the huge driftwood piece, were four smaller versions.

I thought these were the most amazing vases; pieces of art that in the right setting would look amazing.

I bought the one on the right (with the clear glass); it was marked down from $100 to $65.

I love a great vase that can be filled with just two or three stems!

The glass was really thick and solid, and like I said, the vases down wobble on the wood at all.

Where would I ever see this again?

Angels in the Attic, the church thrift store, has the best book room!  Everything is cheap, clean and well-organized.  I also love that they sell used magazines I like for a quarter.

My dad (above) and I have spent a lot of time in this room over the years.

And finally, Goodwill.  This (obviously new) Goodwill is the most modern Goodwill building I've ever seen.  It was really beautiful, and it had a lot of great stuff, but it was also expensive.

There were some great coffee cups.  I'm always looking for good ones to add to the cabinets at The House of Goodwill.

Very true!

Almost bought this one!

I'll say it again...you're not going to see this stuff at Target!

I thought these two wooden lamps with a Revolutionary War theme were interesting.

Both of the characters on the lamps were holding lanterns, that you could stick a smaller bulb in for mood lighting.

Like lots of cool vintage stuff, in the right setting I think they'd be so great.

And finally....

Ok, so I am less afraid of used stuff than almost anyone I know.

But even I have my limits.

I think I just found one.

I'll pay the extra few dollars for a new one, should I need it.

I just wish I had more time!  I paid the price for my thrift store visits: on the way home the backpack I had brought was WAY heavier to haul around the airport; it was full of books I'd bought.

Worth it, though.

And amongst my "fun finds" was the discovery that I do have some boundaries.  Who knew?