Thrift Store Finds

So I'm on vacation this week. Since my birthday is always right around the Labor Day Holiday, I always take that holiday week off work. We never go anywhere or do anything special... it is just a week off... for me... to do what I want.

Jealous?? ;)

So yesterday I decided to go thrifting. I have to admit, I've never done it before. I mean, I've gone to a yard sale or two but I've never really made a day out of going from thrift store to thrift store (hangs head in shame). So yesterday was THE day! I made it to 4 stores and picked up 2 things that caught my eye. 

The first was from the local Habitat for Humanity Re-Store Store. This cute little shelf:

It was only $5 (price tag still on the back showed it was from HomeGoods originally)

To be honest, I realllllly dislike the flowers and one of the drawers is missing, but otherwise it is actually really solid -- even the pegs are still on nice and tight. I have ideas for how to spruce it up and make it a little prettier. (Stay tuned... ;). Overall, I thought it wasn't too bad for only 5 buckeroos.

The next item I found was at a store called Life 4 Animals. The proceeds of what they sell go towards animal rescue and care -- a great cause. It is a really quaint little shop and in really nice order. I found this basket with fruit shapes in it and immediately snatched it up.

The fruit pieces are SOLID WOOD -- you just can't find that anymore these days -- and have some really nice detailed carving on some of them.

I really like the shape of this pear. So cute!!

And the best part of it all... the basket plus all 9 wood pieces only cost $4!! You can't even buy a piece of fake plastic fruit for less than $1, let alone NINE. Score!! :)

I originally planned on painting the fruit, but now that I've cleaned them up a bit, I kind of like the rustic, wood appearance. I'll have to see where they end up in the house to decide if I want to paint them or not.

What do you think? Paint or leave natural?