secondhand sun
I'm still preoccupied with the sunlight here and the way everything outside looks at different times of the day. The sun is waking up the same time that we do now, just before 7am. This moss was soaking up the light around lunchtime. There's something so lush and rich about moss, don't you think?
Another thing preoccupying me is the discovery of the thrift store here in our town. As far as I can tell, there is just one. And it doesn't seem right calling it an 'op-shop' like I would at home, because this is quite a different place. It's cleaner, for a start, and smells a bit nicer than your average op-shop. But the difference is, everything costs a lot more. This seems natural, because everything in Norway does anyway. I suppose you could say the prices are on a par with a design/vintage/2ndhand-style shop in NZ- even though I'm pretty sure this one is run for charity. (It's called 'Slappen Markt' which always makes me laugh a bit.)
I thought I'd show you what I've found from there over the last couple of weeks. Because, well, I love second-hand stuff and the way it inspires the imagination. (Have you seen these fun flickr groups?)
A little vintage Swedish pottery set in dark green. One day I hope to have a tea party...
two retro coffee mugs,
some vintage linen, embroidered and appliqued,
...and two rag-rugs- the second one is hallway-length. I don't know why I love these types of mats so much, they just have a handmade, cosy sort of feeling to them. I'm trying to be somewhat restrained in my thrifting though- I now know what it's like to pack up all of one's belongings..
Happy Wednesday to you!
Wow, love your thrift store finds!
Posted by: Angie | February 14, 2008 at 04:52 AM
Gorgeous linens!! Reading your blog makes me so grateful for Texas "winter" - today is sunny and 65F, I love it!
Posted by: Sarah | February 14, 2008 at 04:59 AM
Ha! We have one of those rag-rugs. My dad brought it with when he left his house in Sweden.
Posted by: Emma | February 14, 2008 at 08:01 AM
I love your pottery finds. The color and glazing, the chunkiness of the design ... tremendously pleasing! :D
Posted by: Barbara | February 14, 2008 at 08:02 AM
Those rags are marvelous. They feel so much like Astrid Lindgrens' books to me.
Posted by: Julia | February 14, 2008 at 08:04 AM
What lovely linens, always fun to do a bit of thrifty exploring.
Posted by: Pauline | February 14, 2008 at 08:30 AM
Lovely finds. It is always fun to see what people find on their thrifting adventures. It sounds like a whole new experience thrifting in a new country!
Posted by: Taimarie | February 14, 2008 at 10:28 AM
I love thrift stores too, but I haven't found any good ones around here... yet. On another note, come see my Free Cat giveaway..
Posted by: Ellen | February 14, 2008 at 11:22 AM
There's probably more than one, you will eventually discover them :) I just found a third one the other day, almost beside my parents house. Now I have this "close" one, Fretex (second hand shop) and the garbage"dump" also has a small second hand shop!
Posted by: abbehope | February 14, 2008 at 11:38 AM
oh how will you cope with no bargain priced op shop around? well, at least there is something to tide you over:) some good finds there too:)
lovely that the sun is getting up with you, winter mornings in the dark are hard sometimes so I am glad you have some light now. and boy uou guys get up early!
-kimberlee
Posted by: kimberlee | February 14, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Happy Valentines Day to you!!! It is very windy here and a little colder. You are just so good at finding treasures. I found 3 cushions at a garage sale up the raod. They are on my blog. XXX
Posted by: Trisha Findlay | February 14, 2008 at 12:09 PM
I am loving the mugs... to be said with nordic accent.
Posted by: caireen | February 14, 2008 at 10:16 PM
I have a thing for rag-rugs too, although dont own one. maybe when I get my own place (too good to share) :)
Posted by: Lisa | February 15, 2008 at 01:42 AM
Terrific finds! You are lucky to have a great shop nearby. Although, thrifting and flea-marketing in Norway is very expensive...actually everything here is expensive--LOL! I've been here for some years now, and like you, I'm captivate by the quality of light here. Happy Valentine's Day to you & yours :o)
Posted by: Tracy | February 15, 2008 at 03:10 AM
Hi M - have tagged you over at the patchworkdress - no obligation as it's a big task but if you'd like to do it, then fine x Cx
Posted by: caireen | February 15, 2008 at 04:15 AM
Love the pottery especially Melissa. I have found some stunning pieces of linen with carver written on them and a carving knife and fork embroidered on either end. Also found some embroidered stuff for you.
Posted by: magikquilter | February 15, 2008 at 03:46 PM
ah Scandinavian pottery... gorgeous.
Posted by: monica | February 15, 2008 at 10:56 PM
you have the thrifting gods smiling upon you... how is it that you manage to find such wonderful things no matter what country you are in?? one day we will go op-shopping together and i hope your luck will rub off on me :)
xox
Posted by: amisha | February 19, 2008 at 04:40 PM
Yes you found an opshop of sorts. Bugger about the prices. Just went opshopping on thursday on my way from Hastings to Otaki. And I found short bits of rickrack at last. Lovely old girls' annuals from the 20's and 50's for 50 cents, and a postcard from aunty lizzie written in 1915, with a gorgeous girl in a green handpainted dress. Made my day! Oh no , there were red leaves on my trees. a sign of autumn coming. Ellen.
Posted by: Ellen nz | February 20, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Lovely thrift finds!
Posted by: Chara Michele | February 22, 2008 at 03:51 PM