How many grams in a pound?
You know that cheesy saying “If you love something set it free, and if it comes back to you it was meant to be”?
This week I experienced the op shopping/Thrifters version. You see, before Christmas I spied a similar kitchen scale in the Lyttleton Street Salvation Army, but had spent my monthly thrifting allowance and couldn’t justify another op shop splurge.
And regretted it ever since.
Then, somehow, the stars aligned on Friday. I found a vintage kitchen scale in better condition and in my favourite shade of retro orange!
It works great (used already to measure flour for pizza dough) and easily fits in with my favourite kitchen op shop finds.
Made in Germany, this Tower kitchen scale cuts thru the confusion I face with recipes that have their dry ingredients measured out by weight rather than volume. Is that just a Southern Hemisphere thing? This handy little kitchen scale also measures in both imperial and metric! The North American in me is swooning!
Umm, what should I do with this?
This stovetop coffee maker might be one of my sillier purchases, as the family already has a swish stainless steel stovetop espresso maker. I was attracted to the yellow and the look of the carafe. (Is this mid-century modern?) It doesn’t have a cap/lid. Might wind up being a herb pot. Any and all ideas for this white elephant will be entertained.
Already used for serving ice cream
While the coffee maker might be a bit of a lemon, these little Pyrex bowls have already proved useful. There were 3 more I left behind at the Christchurch City Mission Sydenham shop. They were just too chipped to bring home.
Do you have an acid test for bringing things home from charity shops? Do you stick to an op shopping budget or list of items you need/collect?
Or, do you throw caution to the wind and splurge?
I’d love you to share your thrifting strategy in the comments below. I’m all about sharing the knowledge, but if you’re one of those Op shopping ninjas who thrives on a stealth mission, I get and respect that too!
Linking up with Max from the Op Shop Show-Off, Chris & Julia and @A Living Space, and Sir Thrift-a-Lot. Also linking up with Liz from Me and My Shadow, host of Magpie Monday.
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Great scale! Love when you find the find that “almost” got away! I think we cherish those pieces more than if we had bought them the first time around.
Definately, it’s the same with my kitchen radio. Had passed on a couple and then splurged thinking I had spent too much, but not really in comparison to what they go for on trademe/eBay/etsy. And it gets used every day.
You should use to carafe to serve coffee to your guests while wearing some snug Toreador pants (a la Laura Petrie.)
LOL, I had to go google the toreador pants, but its definitely doable! Would also require a morning at the salon getting my hair set! bring out the big can of hairspray! 🙂
Hi Heather – love the scales! I tend to shop from opshop a lot so I’m careful to have a mental list… but I’m also a sucker for a bargain! My acid test is definitely can I justify the spend to my very tight husband 🙂
Hi Kelly, I was actually quite surprised when you mentioned what your “allowance” was. You manage to get some great finds and make that $$ stretch. My other half is a bean counter by trade, so is naturally thrifty, and a minimalist. We seem to have a one in one out rule. He does go a little crazy though when we head to the Op Shop in my hometown. The SOS is epic, and like the Op Shoppers Mecca on Vancouver Island. Draws you like a moth to a flame.
I keep some of the carafes above my cupboards, as a decoration, that’s a nice one you found!
Hi Jill, now there’s an idea. The aftershocks have pretty much settled down now, and they’d be out of reach of a curious 2yr old. :O)
The scale is wonderful, I am glad you found it. Because I resell my finds, I usually will spend a bit more than my allowance if the item is worth it. I try to be careful, as I don’t want to have a lot of money invested in inventory.
Kia Ora Mid Mod Mom, The funny thing is, I was out this afternoon at the same Salvy I spotted the original one and there was another larger, grocery/deli type scale someone had brought in. There was no way I could justify buying it for myself, but hope it finds its way to an interesting home/display. I can see how one would have to be pretty diligent with budgets/margins when buying/reselling. A good spreadsheet/stock control system would be key.
That scale is awesome! I have a basic old kitchen scale, and it really does come in handy, a bonus to looking cool. 🙂
I’m a sucker for pyrex /glass bake & milk glass on the cheap. We have several custard cups, I think I’m up to a dozen now, and a couple of these small bowls with handles.. we use them for ice cream, too! They’re perfect for it!
My thrifting strategy – I prefer to be able to assign a use to something to buy it. It has to be either useful or beautiful. And I prefer cheap. 🙂 I never spend much. There’s no need to, when there are so many good finds to be had out there!
Hey Amanda, a functional retro scale is pretty choice aye :o) Especially if it lives on the countertop. Useful, pretty and cheap as chips…sounds like a great way to keep things in check.
Those little square bowls remind me of some my Nanna used to have. We would always have icecream in them when we visited her. Yum xx
Hiya Lisa, Your ice cream and Nanna memories sound way better than mine. For me growing up these bowls were all about visits to the grandparents and the blah soggy cereal I’d wind up with. Would have much preferred ice cream, or something other than mushy shredded wheat.
ahh, so good when that happens! i have a list of things i need/want and otherwise i have to know where it will live or what i will do with it before i buy to keep me from over-indulging!
Hi Max, I’m getting better at making sure i have a place for stuff before bringing it into the house. I’ve even taken to carrying a sewers measuring tape in my purse…I’m looking for a retro breadbin in good condition under 30cm wide.
Yay I love how op shop karma works! That is a great story.
That coffee pot is perfect for you pimms and lemonade in the summer! Sangria anyone?!
Now, Linda, I do believe that is the best suggestion yet!
yes op shop karma for sure. that is all part of your story now. I love the little coffee jug and I’d probably use it as a vase for mint or herbs in the kitchen.
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