Thrifted Thursday!

Who doesn't like to shop thrift stores? OK, I can answer that one- my mother-in-law. It's hilarious dragging her into all the seedy places I like to shop. She never met a brand name she didn't like. Me, I'm just the opposite. If it has a logo, a designer name (unless it's vintage!) or for that matter a price tag of much over $10, it ain't going home with me! I've even converted my husband.

I know most of you are thrift store devotees. You simply have to be, or you couldn't live a vintage lifestyle. (I know, there's eBay & etsy, but the thrill is in the hunt, for me.) So I thought I'd take a day to share some thrift store treasures. And because I'll pinch a penny until it squeaks, I'll even tell you how much I paid.

First up, my 1940s Sunbeam Mixmaster. This is really a four-for-one Thrifted Thursday since it took me four separate purchases to complete the set. And there are still tons of attachments I'm on the lookout for- this was the KitchenAid of its day, with juicers and meat grinders, etc. If you want to read more, there's a great site here



And it's funcitonal- it's a great mixer. 10 speeds, endless attachments, American made and built to last (obviously). I use it about twice a week. First I found the mixer- that was $9. Then I found the stand and bowl platform- that was $8- and it came with another mixer, so I have a backup in case this one goes.

Then I found the two milkglass bowls- $2. The bowls are unique because they have a little hump in the center bottom, much like a wine bottle. (There are also jadeite bowls out there, but I haven't been so lucky.) This hump, when matched up with the correct beaters, automatically causes the bowl to spin. I have a propensity to break the beaters (usually by getting a knife or spatula caught in them while it's running, which I know is dumb...) so I picked up four pairs for 50cents each. I knew they would be correct because of the shape and the fact that they have a little plastic "button" on the bottom which touches the bowl & makes it spin. So over the course of a few years I've gotten myself a good little vintage mixer that works great, didn't cost a fortune and has tons of style. And there's still so much out there I can get for it.

I understand that some may wonder why I went to the trouble of searching for various parts & pieces over the years to make a vintage mixer, when I could run over to Wal-Mart and get a brand new one for $20. The answer is that I did do just that- about three times- and every time the mixer broke within a year. That's why I buy vintage; it looks better, it lasts and it's good old American craftsmanship.