Repurposed & Redone: Something to be Found

Hi! I'm Katie. I love thrifting, flavored coffee creamer, taking naps, and of course, Pinterest! I recently started my blog, Something to be Found, where I share all the "Somethings" that I find at thrift stores/garage sales/estate sales, on clearance racks, aaaand in my neighbors' trash. 



One thing I love about secondhand shopping is all the memories that come flooding back when you see items from your childhood. Like that orange tupperware pitcher with the white lid and little orange button at the top --- that takes me back to the summer days of making grape kool-aid with 2+ CUPS of sugar. Or the Nerf swords I saw that took me right back to the many basement competitions with my brother.

Usually, I pass these items up because although they bring back a great memory, I really don't have a need for them, nor do I have the room.

Then, I saw this candy/nut dispenser.

Ask me about my friend Laura's house growing up and I could have recalled a lot of memories, but I probably wouldn't have remembered this candy dispenser. It never played a significant role in our friendship. There was no story behind it. But the second I actually saw it at the Solon PTA Budget Bin sale, I was taken back in time. I could clearly envision it sitting on the counter in their basement next to the fish tank against the back wall.

I decided to buy it for Laura as a joke. She could see it. Laugh. Then, donate it to Goodwill.

But after I bought it, I started to think that maybe I could give it a "makeover" and turn it into something that can be a part of her kid's childhoods.

So, after some thorough cleaning, a few coats of paint, a little bit of sanding, and two bags of jelly beans, this ol' candy dispenser was ready for a night on the town!

And the before/after shot. Holla!

I was really happy with how it turned out and thought Laura would love it. I started to get nervous, though, before I gave it to her... I was thinking "what if that memory I had wasn't really a memory at all, but a dream. What if she never had this candy dispenser in her basement and is going see this and think 'what the hell is this?'"

Luckily it was a memory. Phew! She loved it and has it proudly displayed in her home office. Hopefully her kids (and their friends) enjoy it as much as we did.

I'm so happy to share with you guys today! Stop on over to for more DIY projects and my other weekly series; Twinsie Tuesday and Photo Friday. I would love to meet ya!

-Katie

Something to be Found