Shabby Chic

So I have been collecting a lot of junk in the last few days...and I 'm not sure how I feel about it.  I don't like having clutter around but it is so easy for me to see the potential of castoffs.  I went to two auctions last week and found a few cute things that I will share in future posts.  The auction world is new to me and I was nervous to bid at first.  Then I started bidding on boxes of things that I didn't even inspect first.  Angie and I went Thursday night and between the two of us bought about 7 boxes of "stuff".  We sorted through it immediately and made a drive-by Salvation Army to donate things we know we didn't want.  One of the things I am having a hard time deciding what to do with is a recipe box filled with this women's recipes.  It saddens me that someone took that much time to compile these recipes and make meals for her loved ones.  I don't want to throw it away and I really don't want to deal with it....I know I shouldn't feel guilty, but with my mother-in-law's recent passing I have a lot of emotion for things left behind.  I don't know why this women's family didn't keep it.  

Well one thing I am thrilled about getting this weekend at our annual neighborhood garage sale is this lovely shabby chic table.  I payed $20 for it and left it as is except for some new knobs.  Not sure how I feel about them so I would appreciate any input.  I saved the old ones just in case.  I love the chipping paint as is and rubbed some oil onto it to preserve what is left.  I am a little, ok a lot, neurotic about lead paint so I may take it outside and spray a few coats of polly on it, but I really want to show it off. 

 

I'll probably add some vintage suitcases to the bottom, but here it is.  I have more pictures but my computer is not cooperating.