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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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October 11, 2017

Vintage Copper Bread Box Find!

Getting a call during the day from your kids’ school always brings heart palpitations.

Are they in trouble?

Are they hurt?

Are they in trouble?

Are they sick?

Are they in trouble?

These were the things that were running through my head when my phone rang one day last Spring and the number of my daughter’s school showed up on the screen. Now, I was pretty certain she wasn’t in trouble because she’s just about the sweetest girl ever 😉 but nonetheless I was immediately filled with dread. Especially considering it was only 10:30 in the morning. I quickly answered and heard these words, “Hi Vanessa! Lauren threw up and is here in the office and we need you to come pick her up.”

And my thoughts that followed went in this order…

    1. “Oh no! My poor girl!”
    2. “Oh no! I hope none of the rest of us catch it!”
    3. “Oh no! Of course I would get this call when I’m 45 minutes away at a vintage sale!”
    4. “Oh no! I didn’t get to shop at all!” (Just keepin’ it real here folks!)

Thankfully the friend who was with me is a mother of four herself and completely understood that we needed to hightail it back home. BUT that didn’t stop us from glancing around as we made our way through the crowds towards the exit. And just as I was almost out the door, I spotted it in the upper corner of one of the booths, gleaming like a beacon amongst all of the vintage goodies.

A vintage copper bread box.

It was perfectly well-loved and I knew it would be just the right addition to the shelves in our breakfast nook.

But, in that moment, I felt so torn. I knew I needed to get to my girl ASAP but I also really wanted that bread box.

So, in what I’m sure set a new speedy shopping world record, I raced into the booth and grabbed the bread box off the shelf and was back moving with the crowd heading out the door in about 5 seconds flat. While my friend said a quick goodbye to another friend, I made my purchase and we were quickly on the road and heading back to my sweet, sick girl.

After I got her situated on the couch with a pillow, a bucket and her favorite movie, I went back out to the car to get my thrifty find and as soon as I placed it on the shelf I knew it would always serve as a beautiful reminder.

Because every time I look at it I think about that day.

I think about how wonderful it is to have a friend who says yes to a last minute jaunt to a barn sale in another town.

I think about how grateful I am for the women who work in the office at my daughter’s school and provided care and attention for her until I could get there.

I think about what an absolute privilege it is to be able to drop everything and take care of my girl when she needs me the most.

And I think about how sometimes all you need is a few seconds and a quick eye to spot the perfect find!

Now, are you ready to see some more thrifty finds and inspiration?

The Thrifty Style Team is back this month with some wonderful budget friendly ideas for your home!

An InLinkz Link-up


 

Thank you for meeting me and my vintage copper bread box here at the fence today friends!

17 Comments Filed Under: Budget Decorating Series, Decorating, Good Ideas

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pam says

    October 11, 2017 at 5:20 AM

    What a great story! I have done the same thing too many times to count. I am the Queen of 2 minute shopping while headed out the door 🙂

    Reply
  2. Vicki and Jenn 2 Bees in a Pod says

    October 11, 2017 at 5:48 AM

    Oh my goodness…it never does fail! And you made the right decision to stop and take a minute for yourself and grab this gorgeous copper bread box! It pairs perfectly with our vintage copper molds LOL.

    Reply
  3. Cindy says

    October 11, 2017 at 5:54 AM

    Haha, truly authentic Vanessa!! I’m sure I would have done the same thing… that was quite a score 😀

    Reply
  4. Bliss says

    October 11, 2017 at 5:55 AM

    Totally the thoughts that would have ran through my head too. I mean lets keep it real, vomit and sick kids comes and goes but that vintage sale could sell out of exactly what you wanted!

    Reply
  5. Norma Rolader says

    October 11, 2017 at 6:15 AM

    Oh such a great story and a precious memory Thank you for sharing God bless

    Reply
  6. Michele says

    October 11, 2017 at 8:40 AM

    You know it’s funny – before I even began to read I looked at your cover picture and that box just wowed me. It stole the show….then to discover your post was about that box, well, ma’am. Ya done good. Real good.

    Hugs.

    Reply
  7. Mary-Ann (from Canada!) says

    October 11, 2017 at 11:35 AM

    Wonderful Mom — and lovely copper bread box! Vanessa, it was just meant to be yours! Blessings!

    Reply
  8. Deborah says

    October 11, 2017 at 11:41 AM

    So I collect metal picnic tins and I am D Y I N G!!!!!!!! If you ever get tired of this, please remember me!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  9. Kristi Haight says

    October 11, 2017 at 2:25 PM

    Ok, I seriously need to go shopping with you. LOL Best find ever and now you have a story to go with it. Love it!

    Reply
  10. Richella Parham says

    October 11, 2017 at 4:02 PM

    Yes, ma’am! How cool to have that continual reminder. I’ve always been so grateful that I was able to be available to our boys whenever they needed me. Now that they’re grown up, they still need me for odd things at any hour of night or day–and I’m still grateful to be available.

    And I’m glad you got your bread box. Copper just exudes warmth, doesn’t it? I found a great copper piece this fall as well, so I understand your joy in this piece. 🙂

    Reply
  11. Shirley @Housepitality Design s says

    October 11, 2017 at 5:35 PM

    Great last minute find…and I think we have all been through that dreaded call from school. Glad you were with a great friend who understood and I am sure gave you comfort on the way to school. Love the bread box…My aunt had one just like it!

    Reply
  12. Mary Beth says

    October 11, 2017 at 6:56 PM

    I love that you keep it real, Vanessa, and I’m so glad I’m not the only mom that does things like this. What a beautiful piece!

    Reply
  13. Julie says

    October 11, 2017 at 7:49 PM

    I FREAK when the school calls. It always worries me esp. with Daphne’s illness. We go through so much as Mom’s…I enjoyed your story and I felt like I was there with you. Beautiful box!! XO

    Reply
  14. Jessica says

    October 12, 2017 at 11:24 AM

    I loved this sweet..and funny story. We have all been there but I didn’t find an awesome vintage find like that!!! Score. I love it’s patina.

    Reply
  15. Jane says

    October 13, 2017 at 6:37 PM

    You have the best stories, Vanessa! That bread box was meant to be in your home!

    Reply
  16. Vanessa says

    October 14, 2017 at 7:52 PM

    To funny! I’ve been there too…
    I actually had one of those bread boxes, a new one, back in the late 70’s/early 80’s. I should have held on to so many items. 🙂

    Reply
  17. laura janning says

    October 16, 2017 at 2:30 AM

    Ah. yes. I have had those moments…but I do not have gorgeous copper bread box.

    Reply

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