So, you want to yard sale with me?

Not that I can blame you? I mean, I find cool stuff cheaply. It is like the greatest treasure hunt- of course I have regulars that I keep a look out for-a. Pyrex, b. Fiesta, c. new to me paperbacks, d. tubs/ bins I can use to organize, and e.  unusual bits to decorate the house. If you are not sure, check out these examples of things I have found on the cheap- and enjoy in my home- and get compliments on- :)

A. Pyrex

From under the watchful eye of owl McCoy, you will see 2 covered casserloes- both found at yardsales. I paid 3 bucks each for the pieces. I use these two all the time for storing leftovers.

B. Fiesta

I paid a buck for 4 red fiesta plates a few months ago. I think I grinned for a week solid after this find!


C.  New to me paperbacks

I love getting new books for cheap- they make great beach reads!

D. Tubs / Bins for storage

The orange tubs are old tupperware. Paid 1.99 for both from Goodwill. The small tan fridgie is for crystal light packets. The stainless steel ones were cheap and I use them to store flour/ sugar. By the way, I love the exposed brick behind the shelf in my pantry!

E. Decorative Bits

I LOVE this sign. It hangs over the tv in the living room. It makes me smile each time I look at it!

So, if you want to yard sale with me you should:

1. Check out yardsaletreasuremap.com, it maps out the sales from the Craigslist ad. It is a GREAT tool!

2. Bring small bills and change

3. Wear comfy clothes

4. Bring a bag to carry the goods away with

5. Be prepared to start early. I like to get going by 7:30 am. Not a true early bird, but early enough!

It is a Go!

The Laundry Dresser is a win - win!
Step 3-
Applied a second cut of paint.
Let dry overnight
Encouraged my Babe to help carry it inside and place in the bathroom.  (Our bathroom is huge- was a bedroom!)


                           This is the BEFORE picture

Yes, it is a lone laundry basket over- runneth in the corner of the bathroom! So sad really.

This is the AFTER picture

Pretty, right?

I love how neat it looks with the sliding basket/ drawers. VAST improvement, yes!

Just showing off how nifty the basket works on the ledges. 

If anyone nearby would like one of their own, let me know. My bus driver would be willing to make another!

Harlequin Find

I went back to an estate sale once the items became half off. I was stalking the - Harlequin Pottery pieces. Although I am a fiesta girl true and true I am intersted in Harlequin. Harlequin was made the same time as fiesta (1936- 1964). It was designed by an amazing art deco designer- Fredrick Rhead. 

I picked up these pieces for 10 bucks. According to the 

VINTAGE HARLEQUIN POTTERY PRICE GUIDE =

the 2 fruit bowls are worth $20 each

Each plate is worth $15 each

So, my haul was worth over 75 bucks. Holla!

The hydrangeas are the ones I nabbed at a yard sale. They are in a Pyrex juicer!

Notice there is no markings on the bottom. The only way I was sure I had Harlequin pieces are the 3 pricks on the bottom where the pottery set after being glazed. (You can see it on the left, below my hand). 

I adore these colors- it is no wonder I am such a fan of fiesta, which comes in similar colors and patterns.

I would like to learn more about Harlequin... like if it was produced the same time as Fiesta & by the same designer-  what is the difference? Why would a 40s or 50s housewife pick one over the other?

Ready... Get Set...

Stages 1 &2 of the laundry dresser...

Day 1-
Set back and admire the dresser and think about how pretty it is going to be!
Rub the furniture down with a tack cloth
Apply 1 coat of oil based primer (gosh this stuff stinks)
Let dry overnight

Day 2-

Lay on back and make sure bottom is well sealed (so that moisture does not soak into the wood when mopping the floor, which causes swelling/ splitting)

Painted 2 coats of Valmir  guacamole green paint. It turned out a bit lighter then I wanted, but my hubby said it will look good with the yellow walls. He is right.

Yard sale Treasures 6/16

I feel a little guilty for having such a good showing two days in a row! 

Hmmm. Not great pictures, but you will get the idea!

• 3 stalks of hydrangeas (only I would buy live flowers at a sale!)
• 2 stainless steel containers (for the pantry)
• wooden bird (will get a nice coat of spray paint)
• pewter cup
• Box of UNC note cards (to send sista)
• yellow metal basket
• Sunny yellow 60's tray
• pyrex divided lid
• 2 stuffed animals for dogs
• 3 Usborne Books

Total grand whopping cost: 9 bucks

Usborne books are GREAT books for kids. They have wonderful illustrations, well written stories, and are made to be very durable. They are usually purchased at those home book parties. I think that they are a good quality and these will make great gifts to pass on to friends with kids.

Rory meets her new stuffed animal.

She captured her newest toy.

Rolling around in delight because she has a new toy!

Not to be outdone, Everett snags the second toy.

Laundry dresser- On it's way!

Thanks Pintrest for making me fall in love with the laundry dressers. I was in love for some time, then I googled and found this blue print for making one-
http://ana-white.com/2012/03/plans/brook-laundry-basket-dresser-4-tall-and-lengthwise

I printed and took it to one of my bus drivers and he built me this-

Can you see the runners on the inside? It is perfect for sliding laundry baskets. I will have space for 4 lovely laundry baskets so all those space eating large baskets can be gone!

My builder added molding to the laundry dresser. Classy , right?

He added a pedestal as well. 

Isn't this going to be a lovely laundry basket space?

Friday Yardsale Treasures

It is Friday! I have been working 10 work weeks during the summer to have Friday's office. Which is a great thing for many reasons, one being- I am off to go to estate sales that happen Friday, when I am usually at work.
This is what 20 bucks will get you:

• One HEAVY wooden chair, so comfortable and well made
• 2 white canned drink organizers for the fridge
• lime green birdhouse (was still in box) with copper roof
• vintage wooden puzzle with zoo animals
• linen towel from Australia
• 2 plastic craft containers
• promotional pyrex with lid

The pyrex was an exciting find. I just about "jumped" the little lady who was blocking me from the kitchenwares. I saw the "pyrex shape" and nabbed this piece. It is in super minty condition. I had never seen this design before. 

"Cosmopolitan Pyrex"

I returned home with my stash and googled it. It is a  2 1/2 quart covered casserole  in this promotional pattern called  ''Cosmopolitan''. I love the retro circles. I found online that it even came with a "hot plate" with purchase. I do not think this piece has ever been used. Great condition!

I do not usually collect brown pyrex, but I think this is a cause for exception! I do love finding the promotional pieces and hunting down the story on them!

I love that Everett came to investigate my new treasures. He gave everything a bored "sniff" then was sunning. 

Pyrexia

Yes, this is in my living room. I know it is sort of "unusual" to house your vintage kitchen collection NOT in the kitchen. However, I wanted to place it somewhere that I could see it often. When I see many of my favorite pieces all together- it makes me smile. Sista would call me "obsessed". I call it FUN.

Hopefully, this is the BEFORE shot. I need to rearrange and move some of my "treasures" around. My non pyrex friends are amazed with my "talent" of being able to site the name of the pattern and the year it was introduced.

I had been looking for a cabinet to showcase my "wares" and discovered this curio at a yard sale. It has the great "tiger" striped wood. All of the shelves, glass, and hardware was in pristine shape. The lady did not want it because it was "old". The husband was heartbroken because it was a family piece. It was an awkward few moments while they decided on a price. (Lucky for me, the wife won) It was a steal for me!

Today's Treasures

Just hit a few sales today... The first one I planned to hit advertised "Creative Memory Scrapbook supplies". I arrived 5 minutes before the sale began because I did not want to be an "early bird". I was checking my list of where I planned to go and I noticed a lady carrying off 2 large boxes of purchased goods. I thought, What the heck, she has already started and when I approached the sale there were NO scrap booking supplies around. When I questioned the seller she smiled and gleefully announced. Yes, I sold EVERYTHING to that nice lady who came early. Geez. Thanks lady, for not playing by the rules! Not to bedeterred, I trollied on and collected:

• 2 "rollable" floppy beach hats NWT
• Vera Bradley Owl wallet
• Innisbrook wrap paper (the thick stuff you can fold easily!)
• green scarf
• velvet flower scarf
• beaded bracelet
• 2 pairs of earrings

Before you say, ewwwwww, earrings. Please know that I sterilize those puppies with rubbing alcohol and give them a good soak. One pair is long and dangly with green stones and the second has a freshwater pearl. I am excited because I do love my earrings!

Meet me- CAB. Picture is of me (cute girl), Rory (cute puppy), and babe (cute hubby). This picture was taken the weekend we moved into our first home together.

Here is a starter 10er about me... things to know- some may be new- some old- all true!

10. I love to read. All the time. Most books.

9. I think hardwood floors are the best

8. I am allergic to EVERYTHING. Not food, but environmental. I have to give myself shots.

7. I surround myself with living plants and creatures. I have multiple house plants & a fish aquarium at home AND my office. I find them peaceful. Plus, two large dogs at home.

6. I really try to reuse/ reduce/ recycle. I have been connected to helping the earth since I was a kid. 

5. I like to change things with spray paint. And, real paint if I really, really can't get away with using spray paint!

4. I have a lot of "rules" about laundry. Don't ask- you don't want to know. It drives Babe crazy.

3. I used to life guard in the summer. At an inner city pool and later at a sailing camp. LOVED. IT.

2. I am obsessed with vintage kitchen items (PYREX, FIESTA), but I do NOT cook. Hardly ever!

1. I am a survivor. I have been through multiple hurricanes NC, VA, FL, 1 tornado nc, earthquakes in japan, a very bad car accident, emergency surgery, and a fire. God is just not finished with me yet, I believe.

Yard Sale Treasures

I get a huge kick out of going to yard sales. Part of it fascinates me, these people OWNED that? Really???!!!! The other half of the purpose is to collect overlooked treasures that others have culled for my own use.  

Looking back, I guess my mother started the madness. Our family would load our yard sale goods into the car and drive to a family friend who lived in "the city" so we could have a joint yard sale. The days leading up to the sale were a blur of newspaper ads and pricing. I enjoyed the process of cleaning out, seeing people, and making a little money. Let's just say, I became hooked.

The above pictured are today's treasures. 

• wooden tray- will be painted!
• small cooler- for dad
• green Japan enamel bowl- great color!
• small cranium card game
• small glass dish for bathroom
• small stack of stickers/ notepads for work
• several books and journals
• Halmark Christmas Thank you cards
• 1 creative memories scrapbook album (For a dollar! Yahoo!)

Grand total for today.... 6 bucks spent. Not bad for all these treasures!

Also, I may be making a convert. A sweet friend joined me today. She found a stack of children's books for school for 60 cents and a nifty glass serving tray for a buck. I think she may be hooked as well!

See Everett run. See Rory chase. See Rory barely able to keep up- then get cut off by Everett. Greyhounds are super fast. What is so amazing is that Everett can start and stop running on a dime. It is amazing. (Don't mind the scrubby plants in the planter box :)

small starts...

Meet Rory, our golden retriever. The best wedding present ever. (I know, some of you dear friends even gave this vintage kitchen hoarder PYREX and FIESTA)... but Rory wins. She is the best present of all. Rory is gentle, sweet, and the best rump shaker I know. She can wiggle her bottom like none other... well, maybe her and Tish can tie :). Rory loves to romp in the back yard... and she was my mystery tomatoe thief last summer.