What a fantastic weekend in the country! Jaithan and I, together with our friends Austin and Casey Fremont, arrived late last night after visiting our friend Ricky Pannell at his parents' country house in Maryland. Ricky, by the way, owns the legendary beauty parlor Snip N Sip down in the Village. He's a super talented hair stylist and an awesome host! His parents' house was quite charming too, full of great antiques, with stunning views of the Chesapeake Bay. On our way down, while stopping for gas off Route 213, we came across a strip mall with one of my favorite places to find unexpected treasures: The Dollar Store. Now in New York City at least, just because there's a sign out front that says Dollar Store doesn't mean everything's a dollar! So with a little time to spare, this store I just had to check out.
Wow...three of my favorite things, all in one place: Tabletop, Accessories...and Candy!
Check out these cool white plates with a black rim—simple and chic.
Pair them with a cotton placemat like this, a glass of red wine, and it's the perfect setting, French Bistro style!
I love using antique dish towels as napkins. They're simple, pretty and usually just the right size. These white flour sack towels from the Dollar Store would make perfect napkins for so many table settings. My friend Austin scooped up eight of them!
These glass covered candied dishes I adored as well. I just love the idea of finding something for 99 cents that you can wash and reuse for any number of things. For an inexpensive, stylish hostess gift, fill it with chocolates, then tie a bow with beautiful silk cord. Soaps in a powder room would be pretty too. Or do what I'd do and use it for individual soups. The shape is almost like an acorn, perfect for serving butternut squash soup at a fall dinner party.
How perfect are these simple white plates? And for 99 cents, the price even beats IKEA!
Mix them with a versatile glass like this, simple flatware and a pretty striped dish towel for a napkin, and it's the perfect setting for any casual meal. Brunch is one of my favorites, and these glasses would be so great for mimosas and bloody marys, don't you think? They're the perfect shape to compliment any collection of stemware, antique or otherwise. Who knew the dollar store had so many simple, stylish options for setting tables?
And unlike the stores here in New York, this one definitely lived up to its name! It's like I always say (and how I live!)—it doesn't have to be expensive to be beautiful.
I must have been channeling some pretty good karma on budget entertaining because right across the street was one of my favorite places to shop—the Goodwill! Just like the flea market, you never know what you'll find!
Now I've been to quite a few Goodwill stores, and this one was definitely among the cleanest and most organized. I like to head straight for the tabletop aisles because that's what I love most. Plus, it always amazes me how beautiful (and valuable) the stuff can be that people give away! Take this old ironstone pudding mold I found from Germany.
I think the sunflower shape is so pretty, don't you? This I'd use either for a flower arrangement or for serving a simple seasonal side dish like velvety Mashed Sweet Potatoes.
These individual serving dishes were great too. My friend Austin picked these up right under my eyes! Now I can't wait to go to her place for one of our favorite winter (spring, summer and fall) comfort foods—warm, delicious individual mac and cheese! How good does that sound?
I love how much pride this Goodwill takes in helping the community...not to mention that everything's arranged by color!
Speaking of, I love a calming color palette and for that, you just can't beat milk glass! These vases had such a pretty shape, don't you think? Come Christmas, they're going to be perfect on the fireplace mantle filled with green and white variegated holly and (my favorite!) red carnations. Talk about beautiful and inexpensive. I'd tie a pretty bow on each, then mix in votive candles for a warm, ambient glow.
Here's another great find for holiday entertaining—a big, beautiful footed silverplate bowl. Polish it up and it would be perfect for serving a Thanksgiving crowd pleaser like Chestnut Stuffing. This recipe's a personal favorite from Sarah Moulton. I worked on her show years ago when I was at Food Network!
Of all my Goodwill finds, this was by far the best. It's a set of eight early American pressed glass goblets and cordials. And get this—they were 79 cents a glass! I was so excited to find them, I nearly caused a scene! How great are these going to look at a table setting, paired with some of my antique bone handle knives from the flea market here in town?
I was on my way up to the counter when I found even more great stuff. Check out this crystal decanter! Back in the day, a lot of them were made without stoppers, but I still think they're totally useful—and pretty! If you ask me, decanting makes anything feel more special. Of course, I love it for wine on a bar like my fluted column table, but I think it's equally great for mixers like cranberry or orange juice too. It just feels so rich to use a crystal decanter for something so ordinary as orange juice!
And for my last find, check out these pressed glass leaf dishes from the 40s. How great are these when you're entertaining, especially around this time of year? For a fall cocktail party, I used porcelain leaf dishes to serve crispy coconut shrimp with a curry dipping sauce. These I'd chill and use for crudité. That way, the vegetables stay nice and cold.
So excited for all my finds...
And I always wrap everything up carefully so they make it home safely.
A boxful of treasures from the most unlikely of places, don't you think? Now if only they'd had costumes in my size!
And as soon as we got to Ricky's gorgeous place on the water (look for a post this evening!), I couldn't wait to unpack my finds. Check out those pretty silver handle salad utensils I scored as well. And I love the little vintage saw on the right. Once that's all cleaned up, how perfect is that going to be for serving a delicious hard cheese? Very industrial chic.
So as much as I love the flea market for buying antiques, I'm a firm believer that beautiful, inexpensive things are everywhere around us, whether at the Dollar Store on the corner, your local Goodwill, or even your own attic! All it takes is a little creativity and imagination.
I LOVED this post! You have an amazing eye; when everything was displayed together it almost looked like a before/after picture... all they needed was to be taken off the shelf and put together. Like the other posters, I can't wait to hit my Dollar General now that I've seen this great example. Awesome!
Posted by: Christina | March 04, 2010 at 11:28 AM
This is awesome!! I, too, am a fan of the wonderful artifacts you can find at the Dollar Store--I did a post on my Dollar Store experience once. You can definitely keep it classy!! The Goodwill is no joke either!
Posted by: Diva Style | March 03, 2010 at 10:52 AM
Wow! I finally found a website that feeds my need to be in Goodwill and the Dollar store! Thank you- Love your ideas! Deb in VA
Posted by: Debbie | December 14, 2009 at 03:20 PM
I found this page randomly via part of your site which was on Stumble Upon...
I'm so happy to have finaly seen what Dollar Store is like!
We don't have them here in England and every cool craft/design blo I find seems to be full of things made out of Dollar Tree items!
I am so jealous, Dollar Tree looks so much better than the £1 store that we have over here- I even tried to find one whilst I was on Holiday in Vegas this spring!
Can't wait to come back to the US and go on a Dollar Tree shopping spree! :)
Loving your bl;og.
L.x
Posted by: Louisa | September 02, 2009 at 07:32 PM
I love your blog! I have been going to the
Goodwill near my home for years and love it. Found so many great linens there. I
take old napkins and make gift bags out of
them by stitching up the sides, then fold
over the top and stitch...pull grosgrain
ribbon through. Haven't bought wrapping
paper in ages. Thank you for your wonderful ideas!
Posted by: Jane Guidone | July 16, 2009 at 10:40 AM
my goodness... please come to my house and fix the decorating disaster that is my living room!!
Posted by: ashleyD | June 18, 2009 at 03:23 PM
I love the mix of your finds! I have some glass leaf dishes and love them! I love silver and milk glass mix with the clear as well!
Posted by: Mary Ruth | April 19, 2009 at 02:55 PM
Ok, I have been digging around your blog for hours now (obviously, since this is an October post!), and here is my burning question. I see so much glass in the thrifts, and I consider myself pretty savvy about most "old things" but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to to tell old glass from new made in china sold at dollar tree stuff. Any suggestions?
Posted by: Sarah | December 17, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Wow! Incredible finds! Since reading your blog I have been hitting the Goodwill store near me. Now I am going to also stop on my way to the beach...I take 213! Thanks!!
Posted by: Lisa McConkey | October 29, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Someone just sent me the link to your blog and I love it! I've decorated my whole apartment with thrift store and fleamarket treasures!
Posted by: cindy | October 22, 2008 at 09:42 PM
Those glass leaf plates match the white leaf plates you used in your grey-dyed doilies layout!!
Posted by: Violetsrose | October 21, 2008 at 08:30 AM
Hi Eddie! That's so exciting! I am so going to Goodwill on my lunch break today! I have some shelves that need stocking!
Posted by: thismslife | October 16, 2008 at 01:31 PM
Chesapeake City is my our number one destination when finishing work early on a Saturday. We live just outside Philly and can get there in an hour. The Tap Room is our favorite place for steamed crabs, crab fries, corn on the cob and a pitcher of beer. We finish our perfect evening hitting all the spots you mentioned and if we can manage more to eat we finish with an ice cream on a bench overlooking the water. Coming over the bridge looking down on the little town is one of my favorite views.
Posted by: Rae DeGideo | October 15, 2008 at 09:57 PM
So it's definitely not you just getting lucky in NYC! Holy! You found some great stuff. You've got talent baby. ;)
Posted by: Kimberly | October 14, 2008 at 08:41 PM
Oh my God Eddie, I am so in awe of your keen eye! I will be open to these kinds of finds now...who could possibly pass them up!
Posted by: Karena | October 14, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Oh... then you must come to Tarrytown, NY, tons of great things, promise, you would not go home emptyhanded. Candy bribe.
Much closer and Hudson Views!
Posted by: patricia | October 14, 2008 at 06:30 AM
That is one awesome Goodwill! I find that they vary so, so much across the country, both in how well-organized and in the quality of the stuff.
I confess that my fantasy road trip would involve going from GW to GW, with plenty of cash. And handiwipes.
Posted by: becky | October 14, 2008 at 02:09 AM
Thanks for taking us on these shopping trips, it's such a treat.
Posted by: Sarah's Fab Day | October 14, 2008 at 12:20 AM
this is why we love ya eddie. dollar store. who would have thought.
ok, i'm so impressed with that goodwill. you could have done an entire post on just that. certainly blows the socks off of the goodwill in redondo beach.
Posted by: beachbungalow8 | October 13, 2008 at 10:52 PM
Oh, Eddie, what absolutely wonderful finds! I am in love with Goodwill and other thrift stores in our area. I have to make myself stay away from them ,because too often I get carried away!!!
thanks for sharing your creativity!
Posted by: Mimilee | October 13, 2008 at 10:38 PM
I love our local Goodwill as well, they do their best to color coordinate also. Love that!! My best find so far has been an UN-used (I think from a model home) Brown Velour slipcovered down couch for...........................$19.99. I even asked are you sure you aren't asking $199.00 and they said, NO. SCORE... I did have the slip cover cleaned just in case, but I'm telling you that is the coziest couch ever!
I'm just so in love with all of your adventures!!
Posted by: jill | October 13, 2008 at 10:11 PM
I loved your finds at $Store and Goodwill. You have such imagination and inspire us all.
Posted by: Chris | October 13, 2008 at 09:13 PM
Eddie,
I forgot to mention while in Charleston this weekend we went to a Pawn shop. All the ladies, my mother, aunts, and cousins ended up with really nice jewerly purchases!
Posted by: Mike davitt | October 13, 2008 at 07:11 PM
Eddie,
LOVED the pressed glass leaf dishes!!! Also next to the black rimmed plates at the dollar store were glass plates, I have a few dozen I use at parties.
Posted by: Mike Davitt | October 13, 2008 at 07:09 PM
Amazing!
Posted by: DecorPad | October 13, 2008 at 05:49 PM
Wonderful treasures! And bargains at the Dollar store too! Must check those out around here too! Just got in from Big Lots (another discount store chain too!) -- and I'm making a run to Goodwill tomorrow! Yes -- an excellent name for you -- our own Goodwill Ambassador! LOL!
Jan at Rosemary Cottage
Posted by: Jan | October 13, 2008 at 05:47 PM
Eddie,
You have just re-energized me about the Dollar Stores that are all over Dallas! I'm actually excited about making a trip to see what I can find. Thanks!
Posted by: KayVonne | October 13, 2008 at 05:18 PM
Ok I'm in love. You love thrift stores, dollar trees and milk glass. Ah we are a match made in heaven. I always find the best things at the dollar store. For my wedding I even used their frames for my table numbers (Which were all custom made by moi) I use items from their to fill up gift baskets and get my cutest gift wrapping supplies as well. I also love thrift stores. It's an addiction. I must always stop and go in for my quest to expand my milk glass collection. I adore it. I'm waiting to get my china cabin in so that I can fill it with all my white milk glass. I also love the jade milk glass, but it's harder to find. I was even at the Hell Kitchen flea market a day before you and H.C. went there. Eddie your post was perfection today. We must meet up and go thrifting. I'm in the L.I. area and have tons of secret spots I hit.
-Camila
Posted by: Camila | October 13, 2008 at 03:31 PM
Wow! This post actually got me excited to go check out my local Dollar Store! And I'll have to keep an eye out for cool glassware next time I'm at Goodwill or SA. :-)
Posted by: diana | October 13, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Dare I mention me addiction to the $1 towel turbans at Dollar Tree? They do a great job of drying my hair when I get out of the shower.
I meant Paul ReveRE earlier, not Paul Reve. I need to get a new keyboard...this one has a bit too much diet coke in it.
Posted by: Renovation Therapy | October 13, 2008 at 02:53 PM
I love how you pared the white placemats with the red stripe with the simple dish cloth for the napkin. I almost laughed because I have been looking for a gift for one of my best friends and ended up with something similar. I bought the white placemats with the black stripe around the outside and then some smart black and white striped dishcloths to go with it for the napkins. It will look fabulous on their oak table with the black and red dishes they have.
Posted by: Stephanie | October 13, 2008 at 02:46 PM
Eddie - darling, you are amazing. A great post for a tough day at the "market."
Posted by: Mrs. Blandings | October 13, 2008 at 02:37 PM
what great finds! i always love the dollar store for inexpensive touches like plain white dishes. and your eye for finds at goodwill is unparalleled!
Posted by: kay* | October 13, 2008 at 02:30 PM
I've never seen anyone so excited about a dollar store. Maybe because they are all over Denver and I take them for granted. The Dollar Tree is the best one too or at least in my opinion. I love your goodwill finds especially the glassware. Too awesome!!
Posted by: Judy | October 13, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Wow! Thank you for sharing all those great finds! I love hearing about beautiful but inexpensive items. :)
Posted by: McGee | October 13, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Eddie, only you can make a trip to the Dollar Tree look like a whimsical shopping spree at Saks. You so have the touch.
Posted by: Seleta | October 13, 2008 at 01:59 PM
Just when I think it isn't possible, I find another reason to heart you even more. Thanks for sharing style no matter where you find it!
Posted by: MagGirl | October 13, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Oh I love the Dollar Tree. It has some great finds. I also like to pick up extra glassware there when I'm having company. Sometimes, I don't have enough glasses for everyone.
And, they have some great crafty items as well.
Loving those leaf bowls. I could imagine those on my own table. The great thing about Goodwill and Salvation Army is that you can go almost every week and find completely new things.
Thanks for the post.
Posted by: Kim | October 13, 2008 at 01:42 PM
ok Eddie if you were near the Chesapeake Bay you were close to the beach- maybe a couple hours drive? Drive on down to Virginia Beach and let me take you and Jaithan antiquing- Love everything you found-
Posted by: Suzanne | October 13, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Those vases are amazing. Cannot wait to see them in action this holiday season, do not hold out on us!
Posted by: halfofvamh | October 13, 2008 at 01:28 PM
those milk glasses are charming!
Posted by: jess | October 13, 2008 at 01:22 PM
Eddie, you open our eyes to what most find so common! I simply CANNOT wait to hit my local Dollar Store AND Good Will. I'd say YOU are our Good Will Ambassador! Thank you for the great tips!
Posted by: Virginia | October 13, 2008 at 01:19 PM
That is the sweetest photo of you at the counter with your goodies smiling for the camera. How can you tell if something like the glassware is Early American? I never know what I'm looking at and it's frustrating.
Hugs to you and Jaithan,
Pam
Posted by: Pam | October 13, 2008 at 01:16 PM
i can't wait to see your mantle all decked out with the milk glass vases, greenery, red carnations and votives...it's going to be stunning! :)
Posted by: Ivy Lane | October 13, 2008 at 01:13 PM
Amazing! You always find the best stuff and make me 100% jealous every time!!
One question: Where in your apartment do you keep all of this sutff?? And if you use a storage unit in the basement, could you please share how you store all this stuff for safe keeping?? Like wrapping stuff, containers, etc. Thanks!!!
Posted by: LindsB | October 13, 2008 at 01:01 PM
If I whine really loud will you give me the Paul Reve style bowl? LOL Just kidding, I know you'll give it a good home. I picked up 2 small ones this weekend at Stormville.
Posted by: Renovation Therapy | October 13, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Hmmm... I can't quite triangulate where you are! Some hints, please!
I was on the Eastern Shore this summer and wanted to go to the Goodwill in Easton, but they were having some staff meeting. A few days later, I heard that someone had donated an impressionist painting that was later sold at Sotheby's for $40k!
Posted by: pigtown-design | October 13, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Eddie,
Wow. Question: What exactly is ironstone? I loved the ones you bought in Trenton and keep on your mantle, and I see you keep pointing out other ironstone things. It's got me hooked!
Posted by: EM | October 13, 2008 at 12:24 PM