2 days of thrifting

It is a very rare day here when we have a Friday yard sale. I don't know why this isn't common on the island but it isn't. I usually have to drive at least 20 minutes to find a Friday sale and if I want to find heaps of them I have to drive 45 minutes. I do combine the trip with a couple thrift stores and some grocery stores so that I get the most for my long journey. This last Friday though there were four yard sales. I was in shock when I opened up the paper on Thursday evening and read the listings. Maybe it is the full moon or perhaps the glorious weather we have been experiencing up here. Every morning for the last week the sky has been clear when I woke up. This is rare too. Most mornings are overcast with the occasional clear sky. When I crawl out of my duvet and walk to the top of the stairs I have found myself holding my breath until I look out at the dawn sky and see that it is cloud-free. Then I give a whispered "wahoo" before quietly walking downstairs to begin my day.

The first yard sale wasn't brilliant but the second one was fantastic. Keiran was with me and in pretty good spirits. He's a pretty good thrifter although he chats nonstop which makes it hard to concentrate on spotting the good finds. The sale was in a very old lean-to-garage. There were probably 8 tables just chocked full of vintage items. When I happen upon these sales I usually go through them at least four times until I have seen everything. And I go by the tables at different angles too. When I went by a table on my last swoop when Keiran was clearly done with the sale, I found this pie dish (bottom right hand corner).

This pattern is such a favorite among bloggers. I  had purchased a large collection at St Vinnie's just  before I saw Blair's post about this set. If you read her comments you'll see that many people share a liking to this pattern. I don't know how I missed the pie plate the first few times though at this sale. I also picked up the Melamine platter for $1.00. It's my first speckled melamine item. I also found a Haeger serving dish and two modern plates. Obviously it was one of those days where I had an subconscious draw to robin egg blue.

After enjoying myself so much on Friday I didn't have much faith that Saturday would be any good. I was so wrong. I guess the sunny weather is helping people purge and sell. Here are some of my weekend finds.

Here is some pottery for the house. As if I didn't have enough. The owl on the right and the ugly pottery in the back has already found a home on my mantel. The small owl on the left is going in my Etsy shop and the little piece on the front found a home on a lonely windowsill. The owl on the right is German but I am unfamiliar with the marking. I just think it is lovely but I would love to know what it is. Anyone recognize this mark?

It looks like M with a mountain and a B or maybe the German letter that I have no idea how to pronounce. One of the things I love to do when I get home after the sales is to research where things were made or even read a little history about the item. It makes it slightly educational for someone who craves to learn new things.

Here is an odd little mix of things, kind of like me. Straw dispenser for the kitchen (also known as a Keiran bribe to keep him entertained at sales) A bird nest for $1.00. When I paid for it the woman turned it over to show me the $12.99 price tag and said "Can you believe I paid that much for this?" The nest and crystal piece ($2.00) will go on our nature table. The McCoy item was more expensive than I would normally pay but it was the first sale I hit Saturday and I was feeling generous. I paid $7.00 for it. I know, I know that is a lot for a canister. But I was seduced by it and the fact that I have three bowls of the same pattern at home. I love McCoy although I only collect pieces that are very useful. I'm going to store my turbinado sugar in this one. I don't know if it is a genuine McCoy but I love it all the same.

I was excited to stumble across some Lauffer flatware from Norway. I picked up a small bag of these last spring for $3.00 and sold them for close to $800. It was one of my best finds to date. These have more wear than my last set and I am so tempted to keep them. Even as I sold the last set I was really torn because I just adore the look and feel to them. The knives to the left are very mid-century and I plan to keep those too. The knife set in the back is similar to something I bought this last summer in California. They are incredibly sharp and could probably cut through metal. Or so Keiran tells me.

The first yard sale on Saturday was incredible. Not only did they have like 20 boxes of books to peruse through, they also had a whole porch full of designer clothes that they were practically giving away. The other interesting and lovely factor is that this yard sale was not advertised. If I hadn't had gone to the bank to get some cash, I would have missed this sale. I had it practically to myself and could shop without the added pressure of competition. Starting from the left, Free People skirt which left me gasping for air when I spotted it. Maybe it will go with my coach boots? Next to the polka dots is a Sitwell skirt from Anthro, a boutique patchwork skirt, a boutique blouse and finally an Oilily top. The skirts were $5 & $3 each, the white blouse $3 and the Oilily top $1. At the same sale I bought Cerys 4 breyer horses & supplies for $10 and a signed Chihuly book for $4. I nearly went home after this sale having met my thrifting satisfaction so early on but of course that didn't happen did it.

The weather was beautiful, the prices were very inexpensive and I had just a fantastic thrifting weekend. Oh and I also bought this for Dave.

Friday when I picked up Cerys from school I was talking to a mom who mentioned that they are out on the water every chance they get. She just bought her husband a kayak for his birthday. I thought back with guilt about the jacket I bought for Dave at Macy's. Not only was the jacket on sale but it had a mark on the collar so they took off some more money. He wanted it though and was happy but goodness I would have loved to have bought him a kayak. Well the guilt ate away at me well into Saturday morning when I found this little rowboat for $30.00. It certainly isn't up there on the kayak level but it does fit into our thrifty budget. We still were able to get in the water and the kids had a delightful time with their dad. I don't know why it took us over five years of living here to get a boat. Jacki said to me yesterday that it figures that when I just start appreciating where I live (camping, boating etc.) that I might have to leave. Sounds typical though to my personality.

Dave is in New York this week. His traveling is finally starting to wear on us. Or maybe it is the full moon. Either way I'm now ready for him to be back home and have our life go back to normal. The possible move, the travel, all of it is up in the air right now. We are literally in limbo and it feels rather yucky. Not that I want to depend on shopping to make me feel better, but at least I had a good thrifting weekend to get me through the week without him.

Comments

[Alexis]

Glad you had a good thrifting weekend and I hope Dave gets home soon!

[Elizabeth]

Wow - fabulous finds. The weather has finally improved here in England and so I'm hoping the car boot season will keep going for a few weeks yet - gotta grab those bargains before the winter sets in.

[Kim]

Wow! Great finds! I love it all.

[Traci]

OMG!!! I JUST found the same canister at a garage sale....I paid $1.50. It matches the McCoy bowl I have. I thought that maybe the lid didn't really go w/ the canister...since it seemed larger....it looks like yours is exactly the same as mine.

Also, the blue plastic platter is the one I got from my MIL...she always used it for fried potatoes.

Ok, the skirt w/ the patchwork would make the BEST apron!!! ALTER IT!!!!

Love the stuff!!!

[Selena]

Traci, you put me to shame. I knew I paid too much for it. :-) Next time I'm putting on my haggling hat and getting it for a better price.

[Amber Magnolia]

Ooooh the owly things are amazing! And the clothes! I also SCORED at yard sales this weekend. In fact, I've posted a very similar post :-)

[Linn]

Selena, I thought of you as I had a chance to thrift this weekend...you're always finding such amazing things. I was mostly looking for used toys and kids books. But I did find a couple storage drawer units for my sister's new condo that will probably save her over $300! So I guess I did just fine. I hope you survive your week on your own. I also hope things will all be decided soon so you can move forward.

[Tonya]

Is it possible to be in lust with a set of knives? I now believe that it is.
You hang in there. If thrifting keeps your sane while the family is in different states, so be it.

[Monica]

There were quite a few Friday sales over in my neck of the woods. I wasn't planning on doing any thrifting and was only out for running errands, so it was a pleasant surprise. You got some great finds!
We were stuck in that same limbo before we moved here last year and I'm sorry that you're in that position. Perhaps you need another thrifting trip out soon? ;)

[lorilee]

What great finds. We had a little boat like that when I was a kid!
Blessings,
Lorilee

[Amy]

I Miss you!!! Just 10 more days! xo Amy

[Queen of Fifty Cents]

Oh, I am so jealous about the flatware and that BOAT!

[Cassandra]

What lovely treasures! I'm especially digging the owl vase and the Anthro clothes! Nice finds!

[Betts]

What a good yard sale hunter you are! I never have much luck with them. I especially love that white owl. You really have an eye for these things.

[Tania]

I don't get tired of saying this but, you have such good taste! I saw one of those pie plates on This Vintage Chica blog, too!

Gosh... I really gotta start going to that kind of stuff... But people here don't do much yard sales... Only antiques faires and such...

[Diane]

Aaahhh, the comfort of a well-thrifted weekend. I do hope your hubby returns home soon. The boat was a thoughtful gift!

[Christine]

What great finds! I'm so jealous of your yard sales, I wish we had them here.
I also love the pattern on the pie dish, it's cute!
That Oilily top seems like it's from an older collection, they don't use that logo anymore. But with that price, who cares how old it is! Whenever I spot it at flea markets I always buy it for the kids. It's not very frugal, but we buy new from the original store too because we love it so much. When it's on sale, they mark everything down by 70% though. :-)
I can imagine with so much going on, you have some stress. Take a timeout on time and enjoy the weather when it's nice.
Btw, I would totally sell the flatware. If you've already found it twice in such a short time, you'll find it again. And with the wooden handles, it can't go in the dishwasher, can it? If you have one, of course (we don't). But if it sells so well, I would pocket the money!
Christine

[Kim]

I used to have that canister set! You took me back!

[woodley park-zoo]

I loved the part about approaching the tables from 'different angles'... I can totally imagine doing that! I sometimes race up and down thrift store aisles when I'm worn-out-and-maybe-want-to-go-home-after-2-3-other-shops-already and then I do strange little loop-de-loops, retracing certain sections because I just have to be sure I didn't miss something good.

I love that you bought a boat and can just go out and use it right away! I can just imagine the fun your family had with it. I'm sorry your mister has to be away so much lately and for the limbo. I'm kind of crossing my fingers for you to get to move to SoCal (I grew up in the South Bay area! Hawthorne-ish) because that would be an adventure and I love California!

I still have to get your present put together but hopefully it will get to you quickly for a little pick-me-up!

[Briana]

Wow! You totally cleaned up at those sales! I always go to the Friday ones here in Portland if I can make it. I have Fridays off and somehow I was blessed to have a toddler that LIKES to go to garage sales with me.
Is it Friday yet??

[Grace]

Wow, you have great sales! My mom has the set that McCoy canister goes with--definitely brought back childhood. And I love the melamine tray!

[Missa]

Wow, awesome haul! I love speckled melamine. I've thrifted two mixing bowls that I use all the time. That owl vase is too cool and I love the little nest (would love to see your nature table)! I also enjoy researching my finds when I get them home :)

[sandy]

I like that last line ... "not that I want to depend on shopping to make me feel better ..." Shopping always makes me feel better, esp. a good deal!

Love your stuff, but love the pix of Dave and his boat!

[Anatomy of Thought]

Man, those owls are OWLSOME!!! -Did I just say that?...yes I did ;o)

[Péitseoga]

hi! i think it's a B, but, the german letter that looks like a beta is pronounced like an S, the hard variety, like in 'soup'. You only find it in the middle or at the end of a word, not at the beginning. It kind of replaces 'ss' in some words, usually some where you have a long vowel in front of it, but not neccessarily...