The savvy shopper goes to the dogs (and cats).

That's right -- it's back-to-back savvy shopping trips for me. Three people in two weeks' time recommended the Monmouth County SPCA's Maureen O'Brien Cats and Dogs Thrift Store, so it was high time to check it out for myself.

First let me say that the Monmouth County SPCA is one impressive place. I've never seen a nicer animal shelter.


It is surrounded by what Realtors would describe as a "wonderful park-like setting."


While I was looking around, a gorgeous pit bull-mix named Teddy was out for a frolic with one of the volunteers. I made the mistake of making eye contact with Teddy. The last time I made eye contact with a pit-mix at a shelter, I came home with her. So I quickly diverted my gaze and moved on to the thrift store (which is not to say I didn't think of Teddy the rest of the weekend).

Lovely and organized...just how I like my thrifts!


I spotted a bunch of reasonably priced items that I liked, like this set of four owl glasses ($2 for the set of four):


This gorgeous covered dish ($5), made in "Occupied Japan" so it has some age to it. It's maybe a bit too classy for moi but in absolutely spectacular shape. I did a little online research and found her side dish mates on eBay ($36 for six).


A nice little marble covered cheese dish ($3) that was thisclose to coming home with me:


This little set of plates below ($3 for seven) was a bargain. Only one plate had some damage, and that still leaves you with a nice set of six.


And how about this absolutely fantastic chartreuse dream? The pitcher and six glasses were marked $15 -- definitely one of the higher priced items in the store, but really lovely.


I couldn't help but think of Jean Martha when I saw these ties. She may have just strapped the bucket to her back, and would have whipped up some crafty goodness mere hours later.


Of course, I didn't leave the store empty handed. That would be crazy!


The milk glass pieces were $1 each, and the silver vase was $4 but required a little elbow grease. I forgot to take a before picture, but here's a little glimpse at what the "during" looked like:



Filthy. Mess. But look at her now, with her lovely little Deco detailing:


She just needs a quick buff to remove some residual gunk, and she'll be a total peach. Add some white roses and she'll be a knockout.

I couldn't resist the 50 cent ties, either.


Four of the five I bought will be used for a craft project...but not this one:


Talk about a diamond in the rough! I think the silk Burberrys of London will actually be worn by Mr. Shorehouse at one of his fancy-pants business thing-a-ma-bobs.

I have an appointment tomorrow to drop off some stuff leftover from a yard sale I had last month (which was such a whirlwind, I didn't even get to take pictures. I think I enjoy *going* yard saling a lot more than I enjoy hosting.). I'd be shocked if I don't come home with something...maybe even that cheese dish.