Thriftastic Thursday: Thrift Shopping Tips and Recent Haul

I love a good thrift store. There is something so satisfying about being able to walk in, spot an item that is unique or unusual, or to be able to find items that you usually buy anyway at a discounted price. Today, I'm sharing a recent thrift store haul (you really never know what you are going to find), and some tips on what to look for while you are browsing flea markets and thrift shops.

Today's Thrift Shopping Tips:
*Look for hardback books to use in vignettes for decorating. Choose books that are in a specific color to go along with your color scheme, or on a particular subject. Also, thrift stores are a great place to score books for summer reading. I always look for hardback classics, too!
*Thrift stores are great places to find unique lamp bases. Painting the base is an easy way to update. Also, don't be afraid to re-wire a lamp. They sell kits at hardware stores like Lowe's and it's an easy process.
*Don't be afraid to paint an item! If it's the perfect shape, go for it!
*A penny saved is a penny earned! Filter the money you save shopping at thrift stores and flea markets into other areas of your budget.

Do you frequent flea markets or thrift stores? What are some of your favorite things to look for when shopping there?