Friday Finds #19: Vintage Edition

November 27, 2015


Vintage leather briefcase Rexfiles brand

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Ours was a quiet and tasty day. Just the way I like it! Things will really start gearing up for Christmas now but I thought I'd try and squeeze in a few thrifty finds before I go out and weather the Black Friday shopping crowd.  Don't worry, my daughters and I aren't going out until LATE in the day to pick up just a few items and head straight home. Do you ever go out on Black Friday morning? I'm not that brave! Okay, now on to the finds!


I picked up this vintage briefcase at my local Goodwill. I almost walked right past it, but something about it caught my eye. It reminded me of the briefcase that my dad had when I was a little girl. This Rexbilt briefcase is made of quality leather and is quite heavy compared to today's standards. It has built-in expandable file folders with leather straps! I always thought that feature was pretty cool. My dad was a mechanical engineer so he was always carrying around some type of blueprint or drawing that needed to be protected.


Here's a close-up of the file folders.



And there's something about those old-time locks that always draws me in. Unfortunately, this one did not come with the key.


Older leather pieces always seem to have nice metal feet and good, strong stitching. I guess that's why they last so long! My cost: $4.99. That's more than I like to spend at Goodwill, but it's definitely cheaper than a brand new file cabinet! I will be using it as much-needed storage for some piles of papers that seem to mysteriously multiply all over the house. It will then become decor in a vignette of vintage suitcases (also used as storage). I saw it selling on Etsy, Amazon and eBay for anywhere from $20.00 to $75.00.     

vintage silver plate cake stand

I mentioned this vintage silver plate cake stand in a prior post, 



It works for so many different seasonal arrangements, as well as for just plain old food goodies! I'm especially prone to baking and showing off my baked goods on pretty display stands like this one.


Perfect patina, I'd say. Cost: $3.86.

round, flat basket with handles
Just when I think I can't handle another basket and practically swear off them, I stumble across one that I just can't resist. Does that ever happen to you? This one jumped out at me at Goodwill.


This basket is well made and HUGE, over 18" across. Perfect for a table or large ottoman centerpiece.


I think it would also look awesome hanging on the wall with other baskets or art.



My cost: $2.99. I think it might even look nice filled with Christmas greens and ornaments. What do you think?

vintage faux tortoise shell lucite box
Finally I have my faux tortoise shell lucite carry-all box with one of those darn cute vintage locking mechanisms. Again, sadly, no key.


vintage faux tortoise shell lucite box

After doing some research it looks like this was probably a sewing box from the 1950's. It would have had a little tray inside for sewing supplies.


vintage faux tortoise shell lucite box
 
Here's a picture of the long hinge mechanism all the way across the back. It was interesting to note that they've even sold boxes similar to these as purses over the years.


vintage faux tortoise shell lucite box
This picture shows a better representation as to the color. 
I love the tortoise shell effect. My cost: 99 cents. 
 

Well, that's it until next time, friends!

I hope you enjoyed reading about 

Friday Finds #19

and that I've inspired you in some way.

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Leave a Comment!

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Great finds, Kathleen! I especially like the suitcase and the basket. I have a lot of baskets but I wouldn't have been able to resist this one.
Have a wonderful weekend!

handmade by amalia said...

That suitcase is a wonderful find, Kathleen, and I love cake stands.
Hope you had a wonderful holiday.
Amalia
xo

Sharon @ Blue Willow House said...

I was trying to pick a favorite find but I love them all. I can never pass up a great basket either! sb

Unknown said...

wow...those are great finds. My mom had a briefcase like the first one...I loved it. And Goodwill is a great place to find hidden treasures, like more wicker baskets. They are an addiction of mine too. lol
Debbi

mary scott said...

I would have had to buy all these myself! That basket can be used every season! thanks

Gayla said...

We would have a good time searching for treasures! My son has my dad's old briefcase very similar with no files left,
I'm afraid. I loved what you did with the cake plate, one of my weaknesses... love your ideas.

Heart Vintage Design said...

Love your finds especially the briefcase. xo

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Nice finds! I used to have a silver plated stand similar to that one - have no clue what I ended up doing with it along the way. I got tired of polishing silver years ago and got rid of many pieces that would come in hand now.:-/
Cold, wet, dreary day - guess Winter has arrived.

srpprcrftr said...

So many awesome finds. It kinda tickles me when people buy old things I remember from when I was teenager and young woman. Love color of your sewing box inside. Sometimes for the time period things were pretty darned great. We weren't spoiled with having everything so convenient and easier. We managed to live without cell phones or fancy tv's, hmm, how did we survive? My youngest daughter tells me I was young in a great time of history, life was so much simpler. think she's right. She's 45 now and I'm 75.
Enjoy your life for what is it now. Your kids grow up much too quickly.
Have wonderful season

Diana said...

Great finds, Kathleen! I especially like the sewing box/purse--nice color and it's in great shape. My daughter picked up a very similar briefcase not too long ago (you got the better deal!), and we've been working hard at trying to get rid of the musty smell. We're hopeful :)

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