One of my very favorite sales takes place in August each year. It's a church sale, rather close to my house, and it's always during the hottest week in history. And there are a million people. But, it's so worth it, because there are also a million deals! And a room full of holiday stuff that will knock your proverbial socks right off.
Ann and I went last year and she lost the will to sale, and made her get away early. Not so this year! We went during the day instead of after I got out of work. And we were in it to win it. (For more on what Ann and I get up to during summer- please read previous posts.)
We went on Thursday (the second day of the sale), because I haven't worked my way up to paying the $5 necessary to get in on the first day. I overheard some volunteers talking and saying that over 400 people did pay the $5 on the first day. This place is always so packed with stuff that I cannot even begin to imagine what it looked like on the first day.
Our first stop is always the jewelry room. It's a very large room and half of the room is filled with individually bagged jewelry items. Top price is about $5. It's usually somewhere around the same temperature as the surface of the sun in there. And you are elbow to elbow with other shoppers. Everyone trying to claim enough space to paw through the goods. I failed to take a photo of this room. I was too intensely "in the moment" (Read: Claiming my space and elbowing other people out.) I'm pretty sure Ann took some photos, though. So head over to her blog to check it out!
These are my keepers from the jewelry room. I'm on the fence about the dog pins, though. And the tiki mask and Figment came from the toy room. I'm dying over all the rainbows!
After sweating it out in the jewelry room I always hunt down holiday. I remembered to take a breath and a photo in that room!
After holiday I hopped over to toys. On my way out of the room, I found treasure chest. Boxes and and boxes of littles, all 3 for 25 cents! I got all the things. Littles are my jam, son.
I have no idea what Ann was doing during this time. She would find me in rooms and then float away. I don't think there were clothes at this sale, which is kinda lame for her.
I went into a few more rooms, and all told it took over two hours. Here are a few other gems I dug out of the rubble.
Huuuuuuge happy pretzel covered in buttery goodness served with three dipping sauces! We all know the world revolves around dipping sauces. (Peanut butter mustard, mustard, and cheese ale.) And a Scotch Ale on the side. Heaven!
There are only a few more weeks of magic summer left! So stay tuned for our last few adventures in treasure hunting!
Ann and I went last year and she lost the will to sale, and made her get away early. Not so this year! We went during the day instead of after I got out of work. And we were in it to win it. (For more on what Ann and I get up to during summer- please read previous posts.)
We went on Thursday (the second day of the sale), because I haven't worked my way up to paying the $5 necessary to get in on the first day. I overheard some volunteers talking and saying that over 400 people did pay the $5 on the first day. This place is always so packed with stuff that I cannot even begin to imagine what it looked like on the first day.
Our first stop is always the jewelry room. It's a very large room and half of the room is filled with individually bagged jewelry items. Top price is about $5. It's usually somewhere around the same temperature as the surface of the sun in there. And you are elbow to elbow with other shoppers. Everyone trying to claim enough space to paw through the goods. I failed to take a photo of this room. I was too intensely "in the moment" (Read: Claiming my space and elbowing other people out.) I'm pretty sure Ann took some photos, though. So head over to her blog to check it out!
These are my keepers from the jewelry room. I'm on the fence about the dog pins, though. And the tiki mask and Figment came from the toy room. I'm dying over all the rainbows!
These are items that will make it to my shops sooner or later.
After sweating it out in the jewelry room I always hunt down holiday. I remembered to take a breath and a photo in that room!
The jubilation!
Digging around in this wonderland of holiday is so much fun. There were only a few other people in there when I was there, so it wasn't nearly as sweaty or anxiety ridden.
Here are the ornaments I snagged. The home made Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are the best. They are holding coffee stir sticks as weapons! They crack me up. I love crafts.
Here are the ornaments I snagged. The home made Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are the best. They are holding coffee stir sticks as weapons! They crack me up. I love crafts.
I did have a bit of a scare in the holiday room. I saw this and instinctively grabbed for it like a wild woman.
It did NOT turn out to be what I thought it would be. Nope. Not Kermit.
Clothes for a wine bottle. To dress it up like an elf. Something on everyone's list, I'm assuming. I think because I thought it was Kermit, and then it turned out to be this instead, it really gave me the creeps.
After holiday I hopped over to toys. On my way out of the room, I found treasure chest. Boxes and and boxes of littles, all 3 for 25 cents! I got all the things. Littles are my jam, son.
I have no idea what Ann was doing during this time. She would find me in rooms and then float away. I don't think there were clothes at this sale, which is kinda lame for her.
I went into a few more rooms, and all told it took over two hours. Here are a few other gems I dug out of the rubble.
(Notice...HONEYCOMB! Not keeping it though. I don't decorate for St. Pat's Day. When you go as big as I do with decor, you just can't do it all.)
Because we did such a good job finding the treasures, we rewarded ourselves with a stop at Rohrbach's Restaurant for a snack and beverage. It's German, and a bit meat-centric, so I did what had to be done.
Huuuuuuge happy pretzel covered in buttery goodness served with three dipping sauces! We all know the world revolves around dipping sauces. (Peanut butter mustard, mustard, and cheese ale.) And a Scotch Ale on the side. Heaven!
There are only a few more weeks of magic summer left! So stay tuned for our last few adventures in treasure hunting!
Also you can check out photos of our finds and dogs on Instagram at:
Or if you'd like some vintage treasures of your own, visit our shops: