If you happen to live in the Northeastern US you’ll know exactly how I feel about winter right now. I used to love the snow. A part of me still does. But a larger part just wants it to stay out of my way for good. I’ve never felt happier to see and feel the signs of spring then I do after the winter we’ve just had, so it was particularly nice to go out prowling with a friend on this tepid and sunny day.

I started out solo, hitting one of my favorite spots, Value Village in Brooklyn Park, MD. To my shock and horror I walked in to see that they have recently rearranged the entire store. This is probably meant to be considered an improvement. I’m a creature of habit. I hate it. The prices seemed higher and the shelves seemed stocked with a lot of newer looking items, not crammed with tons of pre-90’s treasure as I’ve come to expect. It was just too organized. They even had the shoes arranged by size! When do you ever see that in a thrift store? My tiny mind couldn’t take it. I didn’t even feel that dirty when I left. I should have had a gray film on my hands. I mean, I could feel a film, but I couldn’t see it. I wasn’t even sneezing. I can only hope that it will quickly devolve into the disorganized and filthy pit it once was.

Luckily my next stop was Golden West Cafe in Hampden. Vegan French Toast. If the sugar couldn’t snap me out of my bizarre reverse OCD fit, nothing would. Then it was over to Second Chance, Inc., which had all the clutter I could ever want to see in a lifetime. I have admired this store and what they do for ages, but I’ve never actually had a chance to visit it in person. Their thing is to provide workforce training and assisted job placement to program graduates, all while providing a necessary service by reclaiming valuable and sometimes even historically important treasures from houses undergoing renovation or, probably more often, demolition. It’s a great feeling as a customer to know that not only are  you getting a good deal on unique items that were saved from the junk heap, but also helping this program to train people and create jobs. It’s a self sustaining circle of goodness and I’m thoroughly in awe of the whole deal.

Below are too many pictures of our little adventure. Click for a better look. Thanks to my bestest Lauren for coming along! Check out her blog – http://loveandlifeoutsidethebox.com/

The dig began at Value Village

And ended at Second Chance, inc

If you’re in Baltimore and you’re looking for Second Chance, it’s across from this thing! Now you know.

Welcome…

I’ve always wanted a gold plated sink.

Knobby

Knobs

Great name for a BBQ

We were duly impressed by this massive light. I was afraid to stand under it, but Lauren is fearless.

I want a door wall!

They definitely know what they have on their hands with this. I want it, I just don’t Five-Hundred-Dollars-want-it.

Lauren stakes her claim on these fab folding chairs

I think this metal GE kitchen was my favorite thing of the day.

The push button stovetop controls were a bit puzzling

And check out this magnificent formica!

Plenty of old stoves to go around.

I’m just going to sit here on this couch making crazy eyes at everybody until the price is reduced.

(Not the best) thrift haul…

This Box is staying with me 🙂

These salt and pepper shakers would not be denied.

Owl votive should be beautiful with a candle lit inside!

I am now the proud owner of not one, but two copies of “Pieces of Eight” by Styx.