2. So what if I switched out the shade with my new brown beauty? Hmmm. It’s okay. Still a bit boring though.
3. Then I remembered I had this cute milk glass lamp in the basement. What if we try the cute brown shade with the milk glass? Hmmm. Now I feel drawn to the milk glass, but I don’t like the shade with it. The shade seems way too big for the lamp base.
4. So perhaps the other shade would work here? Uh, no. Hate. it.
5. Okay, what if we go over and steal the shade off of Hubby’s lamp on his nightstand? Hmmm. These two things don’t really look like they fit together. Too much texture or something. Ugh. See? Things don’t always go smoothly when trying to switch it up.
Point of this post? I have no idea. Let me quickly come up with one. Ahem, Goodwill is a great place for deals, but your purchases don’t always turn into fantastic creations. Sometimes you have to be very creative to repurpose those “must have finds”. I guess I’m still caught in the middle of that creativity :).
How about you? Pick up anything good from Goodwill that didn’t quite work the way you had planned?
(Don’t forget that the Get Your Face On Party is on for this Wednesday!!! Click on the pic for more details.)
Linking up with the best party around!
TrulyBlessed says
Great finds!
Target sends their salvaged, some damaged, and some returns to Goodwill. At times, I have seen things go clearance at Target, and once they get to Goodwill, the price is higher than it was at Target. No I don't work for Target; but I am a "vendor" that travels to different Target stores and has to deal with backroom and salesfloor issues. I'm also a thrift store shopper. Gotta love the finds.
Anonymous says
you must have a whole different Goodwill than ours. In one direction I have a goodwill that is connected to a certain area and they sell mostly junk, a few miles away is another Goodwill based in a different city and it has better stuff, but none of the Target leftovers. That must be your locale. We did have another thrift store line that I have seen clothing from one of our big department stores. Got a great pinpoint oxford shirt for my husband Geoffrey Beene, and he just said, 'huh?'
Vanessa says
I love that GW has Target stuff! There have actually been times where it has something has been more expensive on my GW's shelves than Target's, though so I have to be careful! Our GW is overpriced sometimes. Love your finds!
xinex says
Thanks for sharing the Target/Goodwill secret. I like the crinkly shade….Christine
Lovely Scribbles says
I've bought a few new Target items from Goodwill as well, much to my surprise! I love, love the milk glass lamp. Very vintage-y and lovely, and those owl book ends are super fun! Awe' shucks, thanks for sneaking my little placecard in there, too! 🙂 Fun post as always, Beth!!
Pam says
I would have to say amen to Target too.
Sherry says
My GW also gets alot of target stuff. I have purchased several things at GW that Target still sells. They now have quite a few new winter scarves for $1.99 that have the $16.99 target tags on them.
jenjen says
Wow Beth – I did not know that! I love those shades. What a fun idea to try all of the lamp ideas out in the same spot to see what they look like.
I hope you are having a wonderful week!!!
XOXO
Jen
Dayka (Life +Style) says
You can also find a very similar chandelier/shade to the one I photographed in the store at Ikea! Crazy, right? It's at a great price and you can always spray/stain it whatever color you want.
Lanie Ree says
I really enjoyed this post. I'm a big fan of "Oh yeah, I should probably have a point."
And I had no idea Goodwill got target's cast offs! That is a great tip.
Anonymous says
Thanks Beth…I think I am the only one in Blogland that didn't know that about Target..
Goodwill here I come….lol
All the best,
Kathy 🙂
Grace @ Ruby Moon Designs says
Beth, you're too funny. I (sadly) have only been to Goodwill once…at least since I started spiffing up my house…and I was not impressed with what there was…but I guess it's always changing, and I just need to go back and see if I can find something the second time around! YOU are ALWAYS finding awesome stuff at yours…I am jealous! Haha!
As for the lamps…hmm, I actually liked the first lamp the best, before you changed anything! 😉 Sorry, I know, not much help!
Blessings, Grace
Carmen says
I would go with lamp option #2. I think it looks great! I don't have the best luck at Goodwill. I have better luck at Salvation Army and thrift stores.
Tammy@InStitches says
My GW doesn't always have the best prices. I actually saw something that was the same price as the original price tag !! Crazy….
The Pleasures of Homemaking says
Great finds! My Goodwill get's more things from TJ Maxx than Target, also lots of Ikea things. I think I shop Goodwill more than any other store LOL!
Manuela
Jeanette says
I had no idea either. Our GW is not a very good one but then neither is our target. I love a good treausure though.
Heather@ theherberfamily.blogspot.com says
Great finds- I love Goodwill!
Please feel free to stop by the Talented Tuesday at My Frugal Family link party, and add your weekly craft links!
It's found at theherberfamily.blogspot.com
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
Well, that is a good point, Beth! I'm probably one of the few that didn't know that about Target. But it would explain the storage ottoman my son found and the chandelier curtain panel I got there.
I'm still working on a small silver tray I got at Goodwill, that I painted the inset with chalkboard paint. Did not realize that the little design would still show through, so I'm going to have to cut something to fit over that and paint that with the chalkboard.
Kristi says
ok my goodwill does not get Target's stuff….boo! Unless they are getting clothes considering the non-clothes section is about as big as a shoebox….
anyway I love the shade, just not with your lamp choices lol and I love the milk glass just not with the shade choices haha Sorry I don't have any wise or witty suggestions for you…:( you'll figure it out though!
Marianne@Songbird says
Hmm, I really like that milkglass lampshade, but I am with you that the combo with the new shade is a bit of. But I have no doubt you will find a way to work your wonders again and soon we will be seeing a post on the perfect base for the shade and the perfect shade for the base.
Keep up the Good Will Hunting.
Destination Seaborn says
Oh Beth…you make me laugh! I love your lamp options…my favorite is #2. I like the owl bookends. They're so cute!
We don't have a Target, but our Goodwill has a "corner store" dept. where they sell new {but damaged or opened} items from Walmart.
Have a good week!
Lisa
Christine says
I had no idea about target and goodwill! Thanks for the tip and I hope you find the right look for your bedside lamp!
♥Amber Filkins♥ says
Yes! I ♥ that Goodwill gets all of Targets stuff.
Love it all, looks great!
Stopping over from Kimba's.
Here's my link to the party:
http://amberfilkins.blogspot.com/2010/02/creative-scrapbook-storage.html
Hope you check it out!
Sweet Bee Cottage says
That's the great thing about Goodwill or other thrifts. If your transformation doesn't go as planned, just donate it back again!
Love the little milkglass lamp – good luck finding a shade for it. I know one will turn up!
Heather at Happy Chippy Junk says
I'd do a little burlap belt on your lamp and tie it in a knot w/ lose end (not a bow but just the knot part) it will looks very earthy and hippy..but modern and cool!
Heather at Happy Chippy Junk says
I'd do a little burlap belt on your lamp and tie it in a knot w/ lose end (not a bow but just the knot part) it will looks very earthy and hippy..but modern and cool!
Frugal Home Design says
I love that about the GW. I have found many a brand new Target item there. Good post to share the knowledge.
Blondie's Journal says
Oh, waaaaaah…we don't have a Goodwill near us!! But that is very interesting news. Kudos to Target for not just tossing it all in a bin! I understand your lampshade problem, it's a real balancing act!
xoxo
Jan
Me says
I love how the owl bookends turned out…
Bunny Jeans Decor... and More! says
That's news to me too! I know that Ross has Kohl's stuff all the time.
I also think that some of Goodwill's furniture is pricey! They have a set price for stuff, whether it is quality or not.
Thanks for sharing that info!
Talk to you soon 😉
Bunny Jean
Dayka (Life +Style) says
There have been a few pieces of furniture that I didn't thoroughly check out before purchasing them, only to get home and realize something was missing, cracked, or broken. I HATE when that happens!
I didn't know about the Target/Goodwill connection, and that's crazy because I like to think my real last name might be "Goodwill". Thanks for the info. Btw, I really like the milk glass lamp–maybe try a shorter shade that you can embellish if you want. It's so great it doesn't need much.
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
Good point, Beth!! I've brought home some things before that I thought would be real winners, and they turned out to be duds. I had no idea Target's stuff goes to GW!!! Ours can be pricey, but I might need to swing by tomorrow. 🙂