This photo was taken right before I moved to Ottawa and left Toronto. The women in my family (goodness knows why my brother Jason did not want to go shopping with us, LOL) regularly went to Goodwill’s Clothing By the Pound outlet together. It no longer exists but while it was there before I moved away, it was our haven. We had so much fun buying as much as we could carry home and it got me through university.
Some people have issues with buying second-hand. I have even been referred to as a scavenger but how I see it is, I am a treasure hunter.
An Unexpected Trip
My mom really believed in synchronicity and listening to the universe. I did too but in the last few years, everything has been very silent. But today, I just had to go to my thrift store. I could feel the pull and it was so strong. Even though I have so much to do on my house, I walked the long walk there and this is what I saw when I first got there.
Just a week ago on Facebook I shared a Pin for storing cake pans, cookies sheets… in a magazine rack just like this one. Hmm… I thought. Isn’t that strange?! The first thing I see is exactly that. So of course I had to take a photograph.
A week before that I shared that I have been really wanting a stainless steel steel coffee percolator like my grandparents used to have.
Instead of paying $35 for a new one I found one at the store for $8.99! And I also found, get this, a vintage Le Creuset Dutch oven in kiwi/chartreuse! OMG, only $4.99???!!!
When I saw it, I just had this feeling. I was pulled to it and when I felt how heavy it was, I just knew, this was a treasure. I turned it over and sure enough, there was THE Le Creuset stamp! When I brought it to the store clerk and she lifted it, I could tell that she realized at that second how special it was too. It was an electric moment!
I was so happy to find the percolator. Now I can test it out and see if I really do want to invest in a new one or maybe this will work just fine.
Takes me right back to my Grandparents’ kitchen. It always smelled like coffee and oats. I have fond memories of looking over the Don Valley through the kitchen’s wall of windows drinking orange pop. Getting to make my own coffee like they did as an adult is very healing for me. I can’t wait to attack it with the PC Cleaning Putty and make it shine!
Foodie Gold
But this cast iron pot is the biggest treasure I have ever come across in all my shopping adventures. It is so retro, so cool and so authentic. I feel like Julia Child could have used this in her apartment in Paris as she went to Le Cordon Bleu.
It is missing the handle on the top but who cares? This pot has history and memories and I am so excited it is now a part of my world.
So Mom, I listened to my instincts and followed the energy today and made super exciting discovery at my local thrift store. Did you tug at my spirit to get me out of the house and into the sunshine? As I walked down the crazy-busy street I could smell flowers in the air which has never happened before. I feel you were there giggling as I made these discoveries, encouraging me to continue on my thrift store adventures with you in spirit.
Today I listened to the foodie universe and you were there with me. It is one of the best days since I lost you. Thank you for kicking my ass out of the house and back into the real world. I can’t wait to see where we end up next.
Just popping in to say “hi, Suzie!” Loved this post and the idea that it was your Mom who poked you from the spirit world so you’d go to the thrift store! When I read about your grandparents’ kitchen, I misread your line as “it always smelled of coffee and cats.” I think my beloved HRH is getting in on the spirit world hijinks too!
Yay Debra! I am so happy to hear from you. 🙂 Thank you so much and yes, my mom was definitely there in spirit. OMG, I can’t imagine my grandparents having cats, that makes me laugh!
So jealous and so awesome !!! 😀
🙂
Awesome finds!!! I love Value Village and Thrift Store. Occasionally find neat stuff also,
the Le Crueset pot is amazing!!! Love the colour!!!
Oh me too Lynn, I got to VV all the time when I can! Isn’t it fun to find treasures? Thanks, I am totally in love with the colour too.
You an get a handle really cheap from a Le Crueset outlet! That is some serious score there! I can’t wait to get moved so I can start thrift shopping again!
blessings
~*~
Awesome idea Laura, thank you, I hadn’t thought of that. I have let go of so much stuff for our move but I can’t seem to stop finding fabulous tools.
Three things:
1 – This is a lovely post.
2 – There’s no other way to say it, that pot is The Shit. 😉
3 – I think it’s cool that your thrift store uses old Woolco carts. Hard to believe they still exist.
Congrats on those awesome finds.
LOL, love the numeric list and thanks so much Sarah! I didn’t even realized they used Woolco carts, LOL. Isn’t that fabulous?
Look how sweet and innocent you look 🙂
Would kill for that Creuset … mind you I will eventually get my mothers… which reminds me I need to rethink my kitchen storage. That pan is da bomb. Guessing that it will move with you.
How are you these days my dear friend?????
Looks can be deceiving Janet! LOL. 😉 Oh I know, kitchen storage can be such an issue! Yes, both of these are coming with me. I am absolutely exhausted with all the stuff for selling the house but we are so close! Your card really helped me get through Mother’s Day.
I’m so glad you listened to your heart and followed the pull to the store Suzie! Excellent finds and great memories, and hopefully many more good memories to come.
PS I can’t believe the coffee pot was more expensive than the cast iron dutch oven from FRANCE! LOL.
Me too Shannon! It was the weirdest thing but now I know, listen to my instincts. After finding such a deal on the Dutch oven it made me hesitate getting the coffee pot which is crazy! A new one is $35 so it was still a deal but in comparison… Craziness!
Wow!! What amazing finds, Suzie! I can’t wait to hear how you enjoy the coffee maker and whoa, Le Crueset. I mean, WOW! Talk about treasure. Yay to following your instincts and getting such great finds. That is truly half the fun!
Isn’t it amazing Jamie? I felt like I hit a home run and it was so exciting. Yes, it was nice to have my instincts speak to me again. That alone was exciting!