Dirt Road Adventures: Lots of Thrifting in Wilmington, a Funny Story, and 6 Month Post Surgery Update
Happy Sunday, and welcome to Dirt Road Adventures! This is where we review all the exciting events behind the scenes, on the website, and the sources of inspiration I discovered online during the past week. This weekly recap ensures you don’t miss any of our adventures here at the end of our Dirt Road.
Hey Friends,
Wow, it feels like a long week. We’ve finally had a break in our weather, and I’m feeling like Spring is just around the corner. We spent most of the week at our beach cottage. Other than one day of rain, it was a perfect trip. As I mentioned last week, I much prefer to go thrifting for my Valentine’s Day presents, and wow, did we luck up this trip. Instead of what not to buy, I lucked into my dream desk. I’ll share all the details of this funny story in a minute.
This week marked my 6 months of recovery from ovarian cancer surgery. I had a telephone visit with my doctor to ask some questions I’d never asked before. Not all the answers were good news, but in the end, it was a positive report, and I am optimistic. You can read all the details at My Healing Journal.
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Adventures at the End of the Dirt Road
This is a look back at all my adventures this past week.
Funny story! If you read my Thrifting with the Gals blog post this week, you know that I shared what NOT to buy secondhand at thrift stores. While writing this article, I visited several thrift stores to photograph items on my list. We went to one store, and Brad said, “Why are we going in here? We never find anything here.” I said, “I’m going to take pictures of items you shouldn’t buy.” Well, long story short, we walked out with a new vintage desk & chair, which we quickly deemed was my Valentine’s present.
The lesson here is that you never know what you’ll find in thrift stores that speaks to your heart, so visit often and don’t prejudge. I also included some of the shops we visited in my Thrifting In Wilmington post. I wrote the original post several years ago, but it has been completely updated now.
In addition, I slipped in some Spring decorating and DIY ideas. But in case you missed them, here’s the recap.
In Case You Missed It
Brad’s Pulled Pork Recipe – Cast Iron Dutch Oven
If you love juicy pulled pork, you will love Brad’s Cast Iron Dutch Oven Pulled Pork Recipe. He came up with this delicious Pulled Pork Recipe that he cooks in a cast iron Dutch Oven.
Thrifting In Wilmington NC: Secondhand Shopping Guide
We’ve had a beach cottage at Kure Beach for over 30 years. When we want to shop, we are fortunate that Wilmington is only 20 minutes away.
Budget Blue & White Chinoiserie Tablescape: Easy DIY Ideas
Creating a stylish and sophisticated table setting doesn’t have to be expensive. Check out these creative ideas for a stunning blue-and-white Chinoiserie tablescape that won’t break the bank.
A Collected Vs Decorated Home: What NOT To Buy Secondhand This Year
Hey friends, if you’ve been following me for a hot minute, you know I’m a thrift-store junky, and my home decor consists primarily of vintage and secondhand finds. I’ve shared many ideas about what to buy, but today I’m focused on what NOT to buy. The
DIY Moss Branch & Sphere Arrangement: Foraged Nature Craft
There’s something magical about bringing the outdoors in, and this DIY moss branch-and-sphere arrangement does just that!
How To Style A Tobacco Stick Lantern For A Rustic Spring Centerpiece
Looking for a unique rustic Spring centerpiece idea? I love using lanterns to create seasonal table vignettes, so I decided to use a handmade tobacco stick lantern as the focal point of my display.
Thrifting in Wilmington Last Week
Wow, oh wow! Did “I” luck up this trip! I said I because Brad was dismayed that I found so many things to haul home. LOL.
Well, first I have to share my new desk and chair. We were unable to bring it home, but Brad is going back to pick it up this week. I can’t wait to get it home and decorated. I found it in Wilmington, NC, at Ivy Cottage, a consignment shop with 3 buildings and a 4th location just up the road. I mentioned that Brad didn’t want to visit because “we never find anything here.” However, he was only talking about this building, not Ivy Cottage as a whole. We tend to visit our favorite building and have several treasures from there. This building houses more large furniture and more high-end pieces that we didn’t think we were interested in. LOL.
After purchasing the desk, I had to find a lamp worthy of my office update. We found this cute marble-and-brass lamp at Azaela Antiques. It was the lampshade’s shape that sold me.
On the way home, we stopped at the Habitat ReStore on Carolina Beach Road. I was looking for a secondhand lamp shade to makeover. Instead, I brought home this great, high-quality oval-shaped lampshade for only $3.00. It’s perfect just as it is. I’ll share the $5.00 thrifted brass lamp, which I purchased a couple of years ago. I added this shade, and I’m using it in a Spring vignette I’m sharing on Tuesday this week.
You will also see this $3.00 urn planter in the same vignette because the entire post is based on 100% thrifted items. The urn was a steal at Vintage Values Resale Shop, which proceeds benefit the Domestic Violence Shelter & Services. I failed to include them in my updated Thrifting in Wilmington, but I will definitely add them in my next update.
Located in the same shopping center as Vintage Values, Primrose Cottage is a must-stop shop. I visited twice this trip and purchased three items.
The large green blown glass canister and the lamb figurine I purchased on the first visit. There were 3 of the canisters, but I only purchased one. So the second trip was prompted by my regret at not getting all three. When I went back, another had sold, so I didn’t get a complete set.
So this trip, I discovered and purchased this unique wicker planter instead.
We also dropped off a donation at Island Cottage, a small thrift store located at Carolina Beach. Naturally, while dropping off, I had to check out the wares and came home with these adorable bunny napkin rings.
So overall, it was one of my favorite beach trips. I think we traveled to Wilmington for 4 of the 5 days there. You can see more favorite thrifting spots at Thrifting in Wilmington, NC. We also enjoyed some of our favorite restaurants, and I included them in the article. You have to keep your energy up for all that shopping.
Oh my! I love your desk… it’s gorgeous! I can’t wait to see it in your house. What a lucky find. I’m also glad that you had a chance to ask questions of your doctor. it sounds like you are making good progress for 6 months out and just think how good it will be at 12 months
Continued prayers. Enjoy that new desk! ❤️
Bonnie,
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement. I hope you are having a good weekend. Brad is going to pick up my desk this week so I hope to get to share it soon. Have a blessed week and thanks for your comments.