New Find: Patina

So I made a somewhat amazing find today as I was blog-surfing. As I've mentioned, I'm faced with the dilemma of decorating an apartment on a very tight budget, so I'm always on the lookout for stores that have interesting housewares and miniature price tags. On Apartment Therapy, they showed some autumn leaf colored mixing bowls with a link to the online store: Patina. With a mix of home goods, jewelry and stationery, the store reminded me a little bit of Fred Flare, but a lot less like a garage sale.

Speaking of garage sales, in a fit of desperation (specifically, the desperation for a coffee table and/or tv stand), I decided to spend a Saturday visiting garage sales in my neighborhood. And all I can say is: Wow. I've never seen so much junk in a 4-hour period. At one house I visited, the family was actually selling their condiments. They put a bottle of gravy on display with packaging that looked like it was from 1976 and they were selling it for 50 cents. After such a frustrating and fruitless morning, I wanted to walk up to them and scream, "nobody wants your fucking gravy! Just give it away or throw it in the trash."

I couldn't do it though; I couldn't summon the energy after realizing that I'd wasted a perfectly good Saturday.

It's so much easier to just order online, and skip rummaging through your neighbor's garbage, or garage. So here are some funsies from Patina:

Sukie Stationery, $14.95









Swallow Compact, $9.95









Dot Over Dot Tray, $15.95









Kitsch can be so cute! (in moderation) Sweet Pea Plate, $8.95