Friday 19 April 2013

Last Weekend's Owls



I did manage last weekend to drag myself out of bed to go to the Salvation Army 'Shabby Chic' sale on Saturday morning. The large, hanger like Salvation Army Store on Glasgow's Dumbarton Road is rightly an institution. It is in my opinion the best charity shop in the city. For starters it is huge, it therefore has a vast turnover of stock and it always, always has a fair pricing system. The staff have been the same for years and are lovely, and its the one Charity shop I let my kiddos run around in unhindered by buggies. There is a great buzz about the place.

They do hold specific sales every so often, the last one was a 'Geek Sale', for that read Dr Who, Star Wars etc memorabilia. Some of these sales are auctions and others like the 'Shabby Chic' one are first come first served. They also fill one of the huge windows with a display of what they will sell, so you can set your heart on something and attempt to secure it on the day. I had spied a kitsch owl print with four owls that my wee one had already identified as the four of us. It wasn't a terribly valuable thing so I reckoned I would take my chances.

The sale started at 10am and I got down there at 9.30am, already there were 30 people in front of me. I could hear people talking about the things they had set their hearts on. One woman in front of me was desperate for a 1930's mirror that reminded her of her grandmothers, another wanted the pink retro fringed standard lamp for her living room.

Eventually the doors opened and a very polite sort of scrum ensued. The owls were nowhere to be seen, but I consoled myself with a beautiful tile mirror with an owl and a pussy cat at each side, a bargain at £5. Then when I went to have a final look in the window and I spied my print propped against a table. Delighted I scooped it up and paid for the two of them. After closer examination I just love the mirror, its a wee bit 1950's and goes perfectly with my Tretchikoff print. And the four owls, well they are actually all the way from Kampala (Framing details on the back) and now hang above our breakfast bar.

The lady got her 1930's mirror, and she had tears in her eyes as she hugged it to herself in delight.

{I have so many posts I want to do but of late I have had little time or energy. We all had a horrible vomiting bug at the end of the Easter hols and with being back at work this week, school and nursery we are all playing catch up. More to follow!}


21 comments:

  1. I get excited just reading about good thrift finds! Here in America (the regions that get snow), we are getting ready to enter Garage Sale season. Last year, I didn't allow myself to go to any garage or yard sales because I was in clear-out mode. This year, I'll let myself go out a few times. It's so much fun to stumble upon little treasures. Hope you all are feeling better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there, thanks for visiting and commenting! I am now on a similar stay away from the charity shops! I always seem to be quite lucky but I need to stop as I am also running out of room! Jo x

      Delete
  2. Right that's top of the list for when i come home! Lovely post Jo. X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jen,Yes yes you should go! Go for 10am opening. They even have a great book selection all at such reasonable prices. Records too! Jo x

      Delete
  3. Lovely finds Jo ... I love that you got your owl print ... it was obviously meant to be ... Bee xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Bee, but I am going to have to have a wee break from the charity shops. I am running out of space! Jo xx

      Delete
  4. So exciting when you find something you love, excellent finds Jo! Karen x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Karen, I have really been enjoying both finds this week. They make us all happy! Jo x

      Delete
    2. Hi, thnaks yes we have all been enjoying them this week. Its great when you find such lovely things, Jxx

      Delete
  5. So sweet that your little one spotted the owl pic and said it was the four of you! Glad you managed to buy it once you got into the sale x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jo - It was really a nice atmosphere. There didn't seem to be anyone fighting over anything. It was all very good natured. The lady with the mirror was congratulated by lots of people. Thats nice isn't it! Jo xx

      Delete
  6. That sounds like a great place. So glad you got the owl picture you wanted Jo, its lovely. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Caroline- it is a sweet print. I need to calm it on the owls though. I will end up like one of those mad cluttered people that Phil and Kirsty sort out!Hope you are good this weekend, Jo xx

      Delete
  7. Wow I love the sound of that charity shop! And I'm so glad that you got your owl print, it's lovely and was definitely meant for you. Take care Jo, hope you've had a nice weekend, I'm not well either, getting ill just wipes out our energy reserves doesn't it? Hope you're feeling back on top of life soon. xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh no Rachel, Its wearing being ill with small people. Last Friday was hell for me but the terrible nausea was short lived at least. I hope you get well soon and sorry you missed the vintage show, Jo xx

      Delete
  8. That place sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing it with us, I did enjoy hearing about your trip there. I love hearing about and seeing other's charity shop exploits. I'm glad you got your owl print, it was obviously meant to be! Get well soon. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Gillian, Sorry so long to reply. I had a wee break there, Jo xx

      Delete
  9. Thank you so much for sharing! I've only ever really been to the Byers Road charity shops before (the shops by me in Kirkintilloch aren't too great) and I was hoping to find something better. I'll be on a decorating spree soon so i'll definitely paying the Saly Army a visit! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Emma, sorry so long to reply. They are having another 'shabby chic' sale at the end of the month - the 25th I think. You should go! Jo xx

      Delete
  10. So glad you got your owls! And that the lady god the mirror like her grandmother's :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Heather - yes the lady was so happy to get the mirror. I got to hear people's stories in the line as we waited outside and everyone was very respectful and kind to each other when they opened the doors! Jo xx

      Delete

It is always amazing to know you read and comment - so thank you very much.