My First Time 'Yard Sale"-ing

For years I've always talked about wanting to "hit the yard sales", but it seemed like all we did was slowly drive by and say, "Don't see anything!" But after reading other blogs about some of the things being found at yard sales, thrift shops and "junking" . . . I knew this was something I had to get in on!

My mom is visiting from Michigan so I dragged her out with me today! Out of nine yard sales, we found some great bargains at four.

I found these little chairs for $1 each -- I'm going to use the red one in my dining room to set a plant on; the yellow one is going to go out in one of my flower beds. I thought my grandson, Liam, would enjoy the book of nursery rhymes. I'm hoping to find a white candle holder that I can use as a base under the little bowl. Garage Sale #1 Total: $3.00


The next stop I found this cute little shirt for my granddaughter, Harmonie. As I got ready to pay for the shirt, I noticed the cake stand and platter -- they just begged me to take them home! Garage Sale #2 Total: $5.00

The next stop I found this darling little white lamp with a yellow shade and pink gingham trim. The price tag indicated it was a "Pottery Barn Lamp". I just checked out the Pottery Barn Kids website -- looks like similar styled lamp bases sell for $49 and another $10 for the shades. The mirror is from Target and measures about 24" x 24" -- checked out Target's website and looks like mirror that size run $40 or more. I'm sure I'll end up painting the frame and hang it in our bedroom. Then there are the wooden trucks and cars --- my daughter loves toys like this for Liam. She avoids buying anything plastic if she can . . . so when I saw these in a bag marked $3 it was a "no-brainer". When I went to pay for everything I only had $10 in my pocket; I asked the gal running the sale if she'd take $10 and was told, "Ummmm, no . . . I really need the $12." Hey, still a pretty good deal in my opinion! Garage Sale #3 Total: $12

The last stop I found a lot of beautiful things. This gal had all kinds of antiques and even had some Jim Shore figurines -- for $40 I could have gotten this snowman (http://www.jimshore.com/shop/p-3210-boy-snowman-figurineret.aspx); but then this website sells it for the same price! But I did find the Tommy Hilfiger sweatshirt for Liam, the red and white striped top (with price tags still attached to the arm) for Izzy and a teacup and saucer. Garage Sale #4 Total: $11.25

So, you can see I made quite the haul for a mere $31.25!! With success like this, you can be sure I'll be back out there again!!! Just remembered -- this Sunday and Monday all "blue tagged" items are 50% off! Will definitely check that out as well!

Think I'll put my feet up for a while . . . it's been a busy day!

Check out other "Thrifty Treasures" at Rhoda's "Southern Hospitality" blog http://southernhospitality-rhoda.blogspot.com/

Patti

I LOVE White Ceramic Ware!

Earlier today I was talking on the phone with my sister who lives in Michigan. She informed me that she was "very disappointed" that I hadn't blogged in a while! I tried to explain I have been really busy this week but she didn't want to accept my excuse . . . so, here you go, Sis!

Here's a picture of a platter I picked up at a local thrift shop called Chaps. I didn't see the signs when I walked in -- everything was 50%! Walked out the door paying only $1.30! It didn't fit in with my big wall display in the living room, so this one hangs in the dining room next to the patio door!

Headed over to Goodwill and found these this past Wednesday! The cashier asked me if get "the discount"; when I asked, "What discount?", she said, "The 'Senior Discount'!" I was honest and told her "no" . . . I'm just 52 but I guess my hair made her ask the question! The platter was $5, the creamer .99 cents, the cup and saucer $2 and the little bird print and frame $2. I was thinking of painting the frame black and putting some scrapbook paper and our last name initial in place of the picture! I'll be sure to post when I finally figure out what I'm going to do with it!

Found these at TJ Maxx -- all of the plates were in the Clearance section -- the two blue plates were $2 each, the square embossed plate was $4 and the white serving platter $5. I did pay full price for the black plate rack -- $5. I set the platter on the plate rack and have that in my kitchen. Still trying to decide where I want to hang the other plates.

Remember the little gravy tureen I found a couple of weeks ago -- here it is on my kitchen counter. The soup tureen was given to me last year by my daughter when she was visiting from NY. Her grandmother gave it to her but she decided she didn't want it (it wasn't her "style"). I told her I would take it even though I had no idea what I would do with it. Now I'm scouring thrift shops and garage sales for any white ceramic plates and kitchen ware I can find!

Check out more thrifty treasures on Rhoda's Southern Hospitality blog http://southernhospitality-rhoda.blogspot.com/ .

Come back and visit soon!

Patti