April 15, 2010

SCORE!

If you’ve been reading Pigtown*Design for any length of time at all, you know that one of my favourite things to do is to “poke around”. This means funny little junk shops, architectural salvage joints, thrift shops, one-off shops in out-of-the-way neighbourhoods, charity shops and church jumble sales. I also think that secondhand and thrift shops are a great way to be green.

I heed the call of my “inner junque whisperer®” as my friend Maison 21 calls it, and often the little voice in my head steers me in the right direction.  The other day, I stopped in the thrift shop of the hospital around the corner and came away with a cache of beautiful linen napkins, placemats and tablecloths, all with beautiful handwork, and hardly a piece over $1.00.

linens 013 linens 020

linens 006 My IJW® has also propelled me to get to Book Thing several times, and I’ve found some great treasures waiting there for me, time after time.

Today, at lunch, I thought I’d swing by a little church-run thrift shop where I’ve unearthed some treasures in the past. The elderly women who run it all come from fine families, and they frequently get their friends to donate to the shop. It’s open at the most random times, something like “On alternate Tuesdays and the second Saturday of the month, when there’s an R in the month, but not months ending in “er”.”

St Davids dress 1 So, as I was sifting through the basket of lovely silk scarves, what should I happen to find, not one but TWO Hermès scarves! Brand new, with labels on them. Someone had thrown them into this basket without a thought. Of course, I immediately started pawing through the basket to see if there were any additional scarves, but I felt terribly lucky to find two.

Once I stopped hyperventilating, I slid over to the lovely woman at the desk and asked how much scarves were. “Anything you find in the basket is $2.00” she answered. The funniest thing is that I immediately recognized the pattern on one of the scarves, as I wrote about it here. It’s Les Clés, one of Hermès’ most well-known patterns.Hermes-scarf-005[4]

Once I paid, and got into the car, I instantly called my pal Christopher, with whom I had spent a few hours with at the Hermès store in Virginia a few weeks ago. By the time I got back to the office, he’d sent me the link to see if the scarf way authentic – and it was. Hermès 001The second scarf I found is a gorgeous red and orange scarf entitled “Real Escuela Andaluza Del Arte Ecuestre”, a stunning equestrian scarf with lots of horses, riders and ribbons and bows. Hermès 004 There is a great link on Ebay by Geoff Clark, telling how to authenticate an Hermès scarf, because there are so many fakes. Hermès 003 I have two other scarves, one was a gift from my brother and sister-in-law for being in their wedding, and the other I picked up on my first solo trip to Paris. I treasure them both and now will treasure these two as well.Hermès 002I’ve said it before, and I will say it again… I am a very lucky gal, for any number of reasons! But finding two Hermès scarves for a total of $4.00 helps me realize it!

26 comments:

  1. Sweet! Amazing scores. Note to self: must not miss next shopping day with Meg.

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  2. My heart started racing a bit while reading this post. Way to go, Meg!

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  3. Geez!!!

    Just in case you feel you have too many...my birthday is July 10.

    That is some kind of luck, combined with your amazing eye for treasures!

    Enjoy!

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  4. I'm going to tell you about another book that will probably show up at BookThing on Saturday - Bringing Home the Birkin - read it - it is hysterical - and you will learn more about Hermes that you imagined possible.

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  5. Ummm....Yes I too would be hyperventilating with a paper bag and a fan! Congrats on those finds!
    Lila Ferraro
    Queen Bedroom Sets

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  6. Meg, you have some really, really good mojo.

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  7. You are a legend Meg....and they couldn't have been found by someone more deserving. Enjoy your treasure, xv.

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  8. good things come to those who listen to thier inner junque whisperer®! ;-)

    awesome finds, meg.

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  9. WOW! I'm soooo jealous!!! I've found some amazing things before, but I think this takes the cake! Wear 'em with pride.
    -Sanity Fair

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  10. Meg, a little envious, but thrilled for you!This is the best I've heard yet!! Wow, what a find!

    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  11. wow what a find. I was just looking thru my collection - haven't bought any in years - but I love them - and don't wear them enough - my daughter was eyeing them too!

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  12. You definitely have an eye but there's something more that you bring to the hunt -- it's like your version of spidey sense.

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  13. Nice finds!!! I read your yesterday's post in carpool line about the RH picture and didn't get to comment. I too think it is too oversized. I do like the green boxwoods with the chairs.

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  14. Hi there - I live in Baltimore too and was wondering if you have any suggestions on places to go for reupholstery. I have a wing chair that's in great shape which I'd love to have redone. Thanks!

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  15. Oh, yes.........you scored big time!!! Congratulations.
    Have a great week-end.

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  16. Holy @#*&! I am hoping some of your IJW® will rub off on me tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you.

    xo

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  17. Great Find! I have to say that of the thrift shops that I have visited, the best are those ran by middle-aged and over women-of-leisure.

    Cheers!

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  18. I'm going thrifting tomorrow in D.C.: if only I could be so lucky!

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  19. Meg -

    WOW!!!! You were having a very good karma day! Congrats on your treasures!

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  20. Score!!! Lucky, lucky, lucky you!

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  21. Now you'll have to worry folks will think you're putting on the high hat when you wear your thrift shop finds!

    I wish more "junque" shops ("junkke shoppes"?) could afford to operate around here in Bethesda, but all we get is slick, high-end stuff like, well, book bundles!

    Meanwhile, I fear you may be going a bit Anglophile on us, perhaps unwittingly, with your "favourite" things (u? or non-u?) and "jumble sales." Takes one to know one, eh?

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  22. I'm so jealous! Hermes scarfs are top drawer and will be enjoyed for many years. A true classic!

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  23. Scarf-envy from a new commenter.
    Great find.
    BarG

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  24. Is it me, or did you not mention anything about that incredible dress you show as well? $5 I suppose??? I may have to post a link just about those wonderful older women who always run the best thrift shops & church fairs. You ask how much something is and they answer with a chuckle "Oh, is 50 cents fair?" and look at you honestly wondering if it IS fair! I have on occasion felt so guilty about a great find, I have simply handed a $10 bill for the .50 item and said "put it towards the church." That was when I was more flush, and, I cannot say I can always afford it. I do try and strike up conversations with these women, who are often charming, and, I do think, in some small way, that is a good "tip."

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  25. Meg I wish I had a quarter of your lucky mojo! I think I would have passed out only to wake-up in the hospital without the scarves!!

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  26. Lucky you!! I have the same scarf in les clues too even the same color!

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