Recent Trash & Thrift Vintage Finds

I will go to the landfill every week and not find a single thing for weeks or even months – then I’ll find a bunch of fabulous vintage pieces all in one day!  Here are the vintage gems I found recently (I have a funny story about the sconces):

Dart Industries Vintage 1970s Brutalist Sconces

I originally left the sconces behind – discovered their value once I was at home – and then raced back to get them!  I loved the brutalist design and thought they’d be really cute for air plants, but I decided against them because they were just plastic (turns out it’s a composite resin).  I was still thinking about them when I got home though, and found that they had SOLD on eBay for almost $300!!  Elsewhere they are listed for $120+ and $150+.

I sheepishly returned to the dump and the landfill attendant sort of jokingly gave me a hard time.  You have to pull up to a little shed and tell the attendant how many bags of garbage and recycling you have, for municipal records, so there’s no sneaking in surreptitiously.  When I pulled up in line and told him I had no garbage or recycling and was just returning for something in the shed, he jokingly told me it was gone and that he’d taken it.  He didn’t actually know what I was going back for, but I played along and acted disappointed.  Then I said, “I bet you’re really curious about what’s soooo good that I drove all the way back for it, right?”  He said, “yeah, actually, but I didn’t want to ask”.  Annoyed that he’d been teasing me, I just laughed and drove off without telling him, lol.  I wonder if he’s still wondering…

Interestingly, that same week I found the matching mirror at the thrift store.  It retails for $400!!  But the mirror I found had been spray painted with a faux concrete/granite spray paint.  Ugh, it was such a shame.

1950s/1960s Glassbake Dish with Clear Lid

One of my favorite finds from the landfill last week is this pretty Glassbake dish – I learned from TikTok it’s a “Fin Lid”.  As a vintage Pyrex collector, I don’t normally look at Glassbake but I loved the shape of the lid handle.  I believe this is 1960s?  Here’s an Etsy listing for the same dish.  It was SO grimy but I put it in the dishwasher (shhhh) and it came out so sparkly clean and shiny.

Bartlett-Collins Paneled #87 Green Uranium Vaseline Depression Glass Creamer and Sugar Set

I also scooped this pair of Vaseline/Uranium glass cream and sugar dishes.  I wish my Mummu, who passed away last May, was still here because she LOVED vintage Depression glass.  Really, any vintage glass, but she loved green Depression glass the most.  She would have been absolutely thrilled that I scooped these at the landfill and she would have wanted them for sure.  We shared a love of vintage so it made me kind of sad to find these, but also kind of happy because it made me think of her.  Not that I need a reason to, because I think about her every single day.

Autumn Harvest Pyrex Mixing Bowls

Although not my color (see my turquoise Pyrex collection here), I grabbed this set of vintage Autumn Harvest Pyrex bowls because they are in absolutely fabulous condition.  Here’s a listing for the same set on Etsy.  I believe this pattern is 1980s, so it’s easier to find.

Those were my landfill finds for the week – but I also bought a few things thrifting, which is rare these days.  Between the astronomical prices, and just things being really picked over, I find I mostly “window shop” at thrift stores these days.  I share weekly thrift trips in my Instagram stories, so if you love vintage be sure to follow me there to see what I find.

Vintage Linen Finds from the Thrift Store

On my most recent thrift trip, I did find some beautiful linens!  For me, I scooped this pretty white linen tea towel.  It’s sized very generously and I love the embroidery.  I’m not sure if it’s vintage, but I feel like it must be?  I bought this as a prop for taking photos – I’ve been planning to share more recipes and a white linen cloth is always handing for styling.  Although I’m also tempted to ice dye it…

For my Mom, I scooped this set of Irish linen napkins.  She will love the gorgeous straw color and the beautiful details – plus they are new with labels, which is always a nice find!

Syroco Chicken Wall Art

As I was leaving with my linens, I spotted this giant Syroco chicken wall art.  I had to have it!  This will look so cute on the coop or maybe our front gate, I’m not sure yet.  I resist so many chicken shaped things, but sometimes I just can’t walk away.

What do you think of these finds – would you have scooped them?  I’d love to hear about your recent vintage scores too!

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