Thrift Attic to Basement: Lipstick Lady

One of my favorite places for discovery is the basement.  People hideaway some interesting stuff in their basements, and as life upstairs takes over they begin to forget it even exists.  What makes the boxes down in the basement so interesting to me is that these boxes are full of stuff people could not let go of; basements typically hideaway the treasures people currently have no use for, but can't bear to part with.

I say, let's pull those boxes out of the corner, brush off the cobwebs, and start unwrapping our forgotten memories. At least, that's what I did with my mom on Sunday.  My mom will be having a rummage sale in May, and she wanted to know if there was anything of my Grandma and Grandpa's that I wanted to keep.  There certainly was. So much so, in fact, that over the next few weeks I will be sharing an item here and there that once belonged to the basement, and now belongs to me. 

Ever thrift in your own attic or basement?  The prices are amazing! Thrifting in the basement is as exciting as perusing a store, because the mind fogs over and forgets what's been packed away.  What one couldn't put to use, but couldn't let go of a few years ago, could very well be the very thing they need to tie a room together today.

To me, my mom's basement is an eclectic antique shop. Imagine a shop only filled with your family's belongings; each loved one's personal style; their memories...that's what many basements are, and it is inspiring.

I'm going to start sharing today with a little charm.

This darling Lipstick Lady belonged to my Grandma Jones.  She's a vintage Chadwick figurine and was made in Japan, which makes sense, because while digging through the boxes in the basement I quickly learned that my Grandma collected a variety of Japanese items (wait till you see the "new" tea set I acquired!).  These Lipstick Ladies were made in the late 50's early 60's, and were a popular vanity item.  When I saw this figurines sweet face I quickly pulled her out of the box, but was at first puzzled by her purpose. I thought toothbrush holder, and just as quickly acknowledged that the loops were way too big for that, plus three toothbrushes would block her precious face.  I held her up to my mom and said, "I love her, but I have no clue what she's meant to hold." When she told me lipstick, I fell in love with the little 6'' inch figurine even more.

  I'll add a little vintage to your vanity, and sweetly hold your lipstick till you get back -- I'm not one for pink, but this charmer won me. She also reminds me of my Grandma's style, her must-have pink lipstick and her room full of fancy lady figurines.  This is one overly girly item I just need to keep.

I'm thinking for the next several Attic to Basement posts I might attempt to do a linsky.  It would be fun to see what treasures others have hiding in their homes. It's free thrifting, it's spring cleaning, and it's surprisingly way too much fun.

Hope you'll link up to the next Thrift Attic to Basement post --  just wait until you see what else I all found!