Valentine's thrifting, roses, and a mental health day!

On Friday, I decided I needed to get out from behind the desk and go have what I call a "mental health day," just a day to leave work behind and go do something fun for myself, and that often involves meandering through an antique mall. I knew a rainy Friday morning would probably be a safe time with few people out and about, and it was. I headed to an antique mall in nearby Fayetteville, Georgia, and I was one of only about three or four people in the place, which was absolutely delightful. I actually got some ideas for my books (even though I wasn't originally thinking about my writing), and that was a nice bonus. But the goodies I've found over the last week or so seem to have had a theme, and I thought I'd do another "loot shoot" today! (If you can read backward, you'll note that my little $2 antique mall cookie cutter above reads "Be My Valentine.")

First and foremost, I was beyond thrilled to find a vintage pink Whitman's valentine's candy box. Do any of you collect them? I have wanted to, but they are usually out of my price range. I was following a turquoise one on eBay, and it sold for $171. So, yeah, that wasn't happening. Pinterest boards are full of the pretty vintage ones, but I just figured it might be a while before I came across one that was affordable.

And then, as I entered the last booth at that antique mall in Fayetteville, I found this one! A little spotty, but in lovely vintage condition, really, and just $8—and then a 14 percent Valentine's Weekend discount off that, so $6.88!  I was, as the guy on Duck Dynasty used to say, "Happy, happy, happy!"

I was also near a new-to-me Goodwill, and I picked up another plate for my Christmas 2021 cookie giving, for just $1.29. Since this is rather large and has handles, I guess it's technically a tray. Isn't it lovely? And Dollar Tree prices, I'm tellin' ya! I hope to convince more folks to shop thrift stores for their gift-giving plates. 

Oh, how I love those pretty pink roses. (Okay, I'll admit that I'm starting to think I should keep it!)

Another Goodwill find was a $1.99 Jell-O mold featuring roses. Actually, you can cook cakes in these as well, and that's what I plan to try. Would a rose-embossed cake not be lovely on the tea table once we're all back to having teas? I've already warned my husband that I intend to entertain much more often once the pandemic is behind us. He looks a little concerned, and he probably should be. I'm not even kidding.

Then to cap it all off, I took Aunt Jane thrifting on Saturday and found this pretty heart-shaped candy dish with roses in the design for 50 cents. I'd been looking for a heart-shaped candy dish, and this was perfect.

And to go inside of it … Did you know that the good people of Hershey's now make *rose* kisses? They're chocolate with "meltaway" centers, which  taste almost like a truffle, and the foil wrappers look like roses. Highly recommended if you come across some Valentine's Day candy on clearance!