Vintage American Tourister Suitcase...for $4.50!

Last weekend my husband suggested we visit a thrift store out in the northern Twin Cities suburbs. It had a treasure trove of vintage items, including this suitcase:

It didn't have a price tag on it, so the guy offered to sell it for $4.50. Crazy. Suitcases like this sell on Etsy.com for at least $30 -- and they aren't even in as good of shape as this suitcase was.

As for what I'm going to do with this suitcase, I'm completely clueless. Right now it's sitting in my living room, as pictured above, just fermenting and looking pretty. It is sturdy, but I don't exactly want to use for traveling...like I'll be traveling anytime soon.

Still, crazy steal! Vintage! Can't beat that.

My New, Sexy Vintage Couch

A couple of weeks ago we (my husband and I) decided our shoddy CLIK CLAK sofa just wasn't worth keeping anymore. Most of its use came from our cat, who carries around a considerable amount of weight and created a deep, moon-shaped dent from his constant sitting and grooming. So we purchased the above couch in nearly perfect condition for $120.

The woman who sold it to us (via Craigslist Minneapolis) said it was a vintage piece from the 1960s and was rarely used. There was a slight tear on the left arm, but as you can tell from the picture, you can't even see it. She sewed it up very well.

After we purchased this couch, the CLIK CLAK immediately went on sale for $50. It was purchased in two days (can't believe anyone wanted that thing, but I guess another woman's trash is another woman's treasure) and we had the new couch hauled into our apartment today. By 'hauled', I mean my husband and I dragged it in and waded through boxes of packed stuff to make room for it.

Couch-wise, it's roomy, wide and perfect for apartment living. It moves easily. Very light too.

What I won't enjoy: moving this bloody thing back downstasirs in three days when we move into our new apartment. Oh well, the moving is great for my biceps!

Etsy Vintage Roundup #1

I'm introducing a new series to Sexy Vintage Finds, which I think you all will quite enjoy - Etsy Vintage Roundup. Since I'm a self-professed Etsyaholic, I come across a lot of cool (weird?) vintage finds that make great eye candy. Or you could always buy it to witness that eye candy in person. The more vintage you buy, the better it is for the environment. :)

Here's what you should expect from each Etsy roundup:

- Expect a theme, such as "kitchen decor" or "really odd things".

- Expect lots of pictures!

- Expect links to these awesome items.

- Expect it to be random (but it'll definitely be at least a weekly thing).

Without further ado, here's Etsy Vintage Roundup #1: THE KITCHEN EDITION:

Vintage Beaver Cookie Jar ($44.00)

No touching the beaver until after your veggies are gone!

Vintage 1970s Cheese Cutting Board ($11.00)

I'm not much of a girly girl, but come on. That is the cutest cutting board I've ever seen.

Vintage 1970s Typography Canister Set ($25.00)

If you mistake the flour for sugar after you buy this it's probably time to see an optometrist.

ESSO Gas Pump Salt and Pepper Shakers ($21.00)

Pump those shakers!

Vintage 1970s Pyrex canister ($12.00)

Store some fruit, cheese or whatever the hell you want in here!

Perfectly vintage Chromcraft Bar Stools

Unfortunately, I'm tight on cash right now so I can't afford to purchase these. In the meanwhile, oogle to your heart's content.

It's going on Craigslist for $30 each, or $100 for the entire set. Awesome retro vintage and worth the purchase if you want to retrobomb your kitchen. Great quality too, minimal wear and tear.

Pictures via Craigslist Minneapolis: http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/fud/1865299400.html