Happy New Year, my friends!
I just can’t believe the holidays came and went so quickly – or that we’re already five days into 2017!
Instead of vegging on the couch and catching up on my Christmas cookie consumption these past few weeks, I’ve been hard at work on a long-term secret project. (I find that keeping it hush-hush until the big reveal helps me stay motivated, so I’ll leave it at that.)
So what have you guys been up to? Any particularly great post-holiday thrift scores?
I walked into Goodwill the other day and found an almost-new, 7.5′ artificial blue spruce Christmas tree marked at $24.99. I’ve been wanting a larger Christmas tree, so I decided to take a chance on it at that price… only to learn at the register that all Christmas decor was 75% off, making it under $7 with tax!
It’s already up in the attic, but you heard it here from me first: 2017 will be the year of TWO CHRISTMAS TREES here at The Gathered Home!
About Thrift Score Thursday:
Your Hosts: Thrift Score Thursday is hosted by myself, Cassie from Cassie Bustamante and Maggie from Maggie Overby Studios.
Weekly: We keep up with #thriftscorethursday on Instagram each week, and each host shares a favorite feature on there. So share those thrifty finds (Craigslist, estate sales, thrift stores – you name it!) any day of the week, because we love seeing them! You can find me on Instagram as @the_gathered_home!
Monthly: Mark your calendars, because the 1st Thursday of every month, my cohosts and I join forces for a Thrift Score Thursday feature-palooza, with favorites from the #thriftscorethursday on our blogs. So please understand that by linking up with #thriftscorethursday, you are giving us permission to share your finds via social media or on our blogs.
Thrift Score Thursday Features:
Each week, when I’m browsing the #thriftscorethursday hashtag on Instagram, I keep my eyes out for a few things: beautiful eye candy, interesting stories or facts (I LOVE history, you guys), and shots that show thrift scores being used in inspiring ways!
When I spotted Regina’s (@luvewant) vintage brooch collection shaped into a Christmas tree, I made a firm commitment to search out some of my own! I’m happy to report I’m two brooches in so far and I’ll keep gathering throughout the year in hopes of creating my own brooch tree display in December!

via @luvewant
I have such a hard time resisting beautiful vintage mirrors whenever I spot them! Aftan (@stylingonmorningside) found this one for only $10 – it’s the perfect accompaniment to her gorgeous bedroom!
Vintage packaging does strange things to my heart and soul, my friends! I just about died over this vintage first aid kit, complete with its original supplies, shared by Alex (@nostalgic.moon.vintage).
I’m really not sure exactly what I would do with a completely stocked vintage first aid kit, but I imagine a world where I can fill my house with cool stuff like this and my friends won’t think I’m a crazy hoarder when I pull it out to show them.
And that minty green/aqua color is all kinds of inspiring to me right now!
It’s hard to imagine me pulling off a space that’s so neutral in color, but I’m truly in love with this gorgeous thrifted space from Jo (@jmwearing). Textures galore!

via @jmwearing
I love everything about this oil painting Kristy (@lilacvintageco) spotted at an estate sale! It was sadly too large for her to bring home from her travels, but I will content myself with knowing that it must have spoken to someone else who gave it a good home!
But seriously… I can’t stop imagining this in my kitchen on the peach walls!

via @lilacvintageco
On the subject of vibrant, life-giving sunshine hues, I also fell deeply in love with this mustard yellow velvet chair @thriftycandy snapped at The Salvation Army. Despite the fact that I have no room or need for any more chairs, I don’t think I could have resisted it!
I’m also mentally filing away that studded arm detail for future inspiration!
Still not enough color for you yet? Feast your eyes on this incredibly vintage soumak rug Chelsea (@ladydepetro) shared! I can’t even… I think it’s my favorite rug score I’ve seen yet! (And there have been some doozies in #thriftscorethursday.)

via @ladydepetro
Finally, let’s wrap up with this stunner of a coffee table from M.Red (@theeventmaker). Brass, glass, Greek key detailing… What’s not to adore?! She’s one skilled treasure hunter, so I’m willing to bet that many of the other elements in this photo were thrifted as well!

via @theeventmaker
My Thrift Scores:
To wrap up today’s post, I thought it might be fun to show you what went into the “Brynne box” of December’s Mystery Thrift Giveaway!
These were all fairly recent thrift finds, and I’ll admit, I was pretty tempted to keep each one myself!
I mean, a brass leopard? Absolutely perfect!
And I snapped up two boxes of these vintage brass letter stencils and was overjoyed to sort through and discover that they contained the full alphabet and set of numbers!
Finally, this little handmade dice box was really speaking to my love of imperfect wooden objects right now. It had a slot on top for coins, but I couldn’t figure out how to get it open.
As I was packing it up to ship out to the giveaway winner, I discovered it was a puzzle box, so of course I had to hide something inside! (The teeny glass snowman ornament you can see below.)
The winner of this “Brynne box” was Karrie, and I was so excited when she posted this photo on Instagram showing her treasures in use!

via @heykarrieanne
I had such a fun time thrifting this giveaway package, and I wanted to thank you all for entering – I wish I could have sent a Christmas thrift package to each and every one of you!
Perhaps next year I’ll be forward-thinking enough to organize a Thrift Score Thursday Secret Santa. Would you guys play along?!
Be sure to check out the features from Cassie & Maggie!
We’ll be holding you to those two trees… Love these finds I shared Jo’s bedroom as well but not the same shot. So many goodies this month and I’m always amazing when I see one I totally missed in the feed.
I am so excited… I can’t wait for it to be next Christmas already!!! I have to restrain myself from featuring all of Jo’s finds. I don’t do neutrals like that myself, but I’m so drawn to them!
i would’ve loved your box!! also i LOVE your picks! i also shared jmwearing, it was just SO good! i love that first aid kit and oh my gosh that mirror above the bed! i’ve been contemplating a mirror layered on my screen behind my bed but think it might be too much going on… i love the look though!
We TST hosts should totally exchange mystery boxes at some point!!!
I love these finds, really need to start taking part too!:) x
I would sooo play along with a secret santa! Gah the treasures are so wonderful. Not sure I could really pick a fav but that greek-key table is up there on the list.
I really like how creative Karrie got with your treasure box!!