Thayer Coggin swivel tub chair, circa 1960-1970-ish

Thayer Coggin vintage swivel "tub" chair - difficult to tell the proportions at first glance

I'd been wanting to replace a few old pieces of furniture in our house when I "happened into" the Salvation Army while they were having a 30% off furniture sale.  I was immediately drawn to this over-sized chair, but I wasn't sure why - it's a little more mod than my typical style, although it DID swivel - how fun is that?!?  My daughter was with me at the time and LOVED that it was generous enough that you could curl up and have it surround you like a great big hug!

Same tub chair with child demonstrating that she could sleep on it

When I lifted the cushion I saw it was made by Thayer-Coggin, which I was not familiar with, but from the label I could tell it was high-quality.  Even though it was marked only $100 and would be 30% off, I didn't think my husband would like it, I couldn't figure out how to get it home, and I just kept hemming and hawing.  I went home and researched and couldn't find much information about this maker.  I finally dug up some listings on 1stdibs that really shocked me - I guess this is quite a rare find and tip-top-quality!  Prices ranged between $1500 to over $3000!  I'd really love to know what this chair cost retail "back in the day" (if anyone knows, please do tell!).  Of course, now I liked it even more than I originally did, but had some obstacles.  Anyway, I ended up missing the sale since it was only on the weekend, but on Monday I held my breath and ventured back to Sal's and was so relieved to see "my" chair still sitting there waiting for me - NO ONE had scooped her up!  I asked the manager if they'd consider an offer at this point, and I ended up getting her for $50!  I took her home in my friend's van, my husband met her and was very polite, and I hope we all live happily ever after together!  

My daughter and I both fit very comfortably and can snuggle while watching movies...

Here she is, happy in her new home...

What was your most valuable surprise find, or surprisingly valuable find?


PS - linking up to Apron Thrift Girl and Coastal Charm...

yours truly,
teresa
tinker.tailor.peddler.magpie

a flea from Zagreb, Croatia...

Zagreb flea market finds

When I travel, I always like to bring back a few souvenirs, but not the "I've been to Vegas (fill in the blank)" kind.  I prefer ones that resonate with the local color or culture, and ones that I will put to use in my home and remember always where they're from.  Here are a few treasures I brought back from our recent trip to Zagreb, Croatia.  I arrived at the tail end of the flea market, when many vendors were packing up their wares (I couldn't get my sorry body moving any earlier due to jet-lag and the time difference!), but I was still able to discover a few gems.  I was delighted to find the moonstone necklace for about $12, since I'd been admiring one just like it in a local jewelry store for around $150 US!  I will forever be drawn to that mysterious glowing stone or glassware.  I plan to disassemble and share the "marbles" among many different pieces of jewelry - I'll show you what I come up with later.  I found the antique coffee grinder irresistible, mostly due to the vibrant color and patina, but it didn't hurt that his name was Titan and he was only $15.  Also, I wanted to compare the taste of fresh hand-ground beans to those ground in my obnoxious electric contraption - I'll let you know!  In the meantime, he adds character to our kitchen, just sitting idly, looking dapper.  The tiny sterling spoon was only $3 and is just so sweet.  I use these mini spoons a lot, either in my salt/pepper cellar, or for serving jam or condiments.  The back is inscribed with something (who knows what?!?!) and I will always remember that it followed me home from Croatia.  I wish I would've had time to look for other mini silver goodies.

tiny sterling spoon from Croatian flea market

What treasures have you returned with from your travels?

PS - linking up to Apron Thrift Girl and Coastal Charm...


yours truly,
teresa
tinker.tailor.peddler.magpie

farmer's market mega-cabbage

heavy mega-cabbage

We love our local farmer's markets.  We found this enormous cabbage recently at the market closest to our house, and it was about twice as big as my daughter's head!  It felt like I was lugging a bowling ball around, but it was worth the effort because when we got home it became yummy coleslaw, which my neighbor taught me to jazz up by adding lime juice, cumin and cilantro to the mayo dressing.  With the rest of the head, we tried our hand at making sauerkraut, according to Jennifer Reese's cookbook, Make the Bread, Buy the Butter (her book and blog are both informative and hilarious!).  Sauerkraut is a fun "condiment" to have on hand, and makes a lively addition to almost any sandwich, except say, a PB&J.

Have you been to your local farmer's market lately?  Don't forget your basket or cloth bags!


yours truly,
teresa
tinker.tailor.peddler.magpie

wild blackberry jam

favorite kitchen scales with favorite wild berries in favorite moonstone bowl

I feel so fortunate to have wild blackberries growing in our yard.  Around here they can be considered an invasive weed, but not to me.  We purposely invite them to grow wild and go crazy so that we have enough to eat in season, with leftovers to freeze and make into sweet treats.  Today's pickings became jam. Have you ever made freezer jam?  I prefer it to cooked jam because it's much easier AND it keeps its bright fresh-fruit flavor.  Try it sometime!  Someday I'd like to try to make my own pectin from sour apples, but today was not that day...

(jam shown with petalware monax depression glass plate, vintage Vera linen tea towel, and Reed & Barton twisted sterling spoon found at Petaluma Brunch and Flea last year with Selena)

I'd be interested in hearing about your experiences with freezer jam or if you've ever made your own pectin...


yours truly,
teresa
tinker.tailor.peddler.magpie

I'd like to introduce myself...welcome to my weblog!

I've wanted to write this first post for months now, but just couldn't shake the feeling that I'd been given the most exquisite journal or an enormous blank canvas and was terrified to touch it. Afraid to mess it up, unsure of my focus and direction, fearful of making myself vulnerable...just a jumble of mixed feelings. But, the desire to be included in this wide weblog world eventually trumped my reluctance to join it. So here I am, pen-to-paper so-to-speak, introducing myself. My plan is for this blog to serve as a photo album or scrapbook or pinboard of sorts. I look forward to making new friends with like-minded people and sharing inspiration!


Please take a peek at my profile and say Hello!


yours truly,
teresa
tinker.tailor.peddler.magpie