Advent Sale 2011

I'd like to state for the record, that I get lost every single time I drive to this sale. It's in Fairport, or just outside of Fairport and I never go to that town. I'm not real versed in the East side of the city at all, to be honest. This year was no exception. It wasn't a long detour though, for which I and my passengers were grateful.

This is my pile of treasure for which I paid about $7.50 total.

Look at this little charmer. Note the googley eyes. 50 cents. I have a friend who loves elephants. I gave it to her. She loves elephants like I love mice/bats. I made the mistake of wrapping a gift in elephant paper at a party we both attended. She almost went after the spent paper in the trash can before I promised to frame a piece for her from my fresh stock, at home. It is dreadfully cute paper, so I can't say that I really blame her.


Here you can bear witness to one of the most girly pocket knives ever. Cherry red with white zebra-like stripes and glitter. I sharped it up and now I'm ready to cut you. "Oh yes I will, girl". It was $1. Then there is the bag of Disney pins. The trading kind. I know I've told you about those before. Four of them for 50 cents! They are worth $10 each, but in reality we all know that they are worth one Muppet pin each! I can't wait to trade them on my next trip!


This frame is lined in leather and was one dollar. You know I can't resist frames. The wooden thing with the metal hooks is a tie rack. Or a necklace rack, as I like to call it. I haven't installed it yet, but I have plans for it! Oh, yes. So what if I have a stack of things started for "the bedroom of my dreams" and no plans to move or renovate in the foreseeable future? It had inlay! What's a girl to do? NOT buy it? Right! It was only $1! The talc bottle is Avon (don't even get me started, you know how I can go on about Avon) and is gorgeous as is the box. 50 cents. The bedroom of my dreams pile grows larger.


Two gorgeous and vintage pillowcases for $1. I need to get new sheets. I'm not going to tell you the last time I bought a pair of new sheets. It would make you vomit and I'm not here to do that to you. So just look at the pretty, clean pillowcases instead, okay?


This ring is sterling silver. It was $2. No, I don't know "what it is". It has writing on the bottom that I'm fairly sure is middle eastern? One side of the ring is braided. It's awesome, fits me and was $2 so don't drive yourself crazy with unanswerable questions.

As you well know, tomorrow is the first day of September. That means fall decorating is a "go". Even though I'm not really ready for fall yet and still need a bit more summer. That is the first time those words have been pushed out through this mouth. I'm a fall girl and not just because my birthday is in fall. But we got royally ripped off in the arena of nice weather this year and I'm just not ready for cold weather to start again. Maybe if I decorate I'll get in the mood.

At any rate, I'm going to try to do something a little different this time and take pictures of what amy normal decor looks like before fall descends in all it's orange and black glory. A little treat for you. You lucky kids. (Shout out to my three readers: Heidi, Beth and Ann! The only people brave enough to put up with the torture.)

Buzzed

Today my mom, Ann and I went to the Advent House/VFW sale. I've been at least three years in a row now, and it's amazing every single time. Without fail. I'm still riding high off the fumes of these deals and treasures. Plus, it doesn't cost anything to get in. (unlike other great sales such as the Dome Sale and the Ronald McDonald House Sale)

Now, since I haven't been very good about cataloging my finds this summer, let me just say that it is mostly because of the public market. We've been trying to unload some of our booth stuff there on the garage sale Sundays. It's gone pretty well and let me just say: the people watching cannot be beat! Seriously. Witches, hot shots carrying mermaid planters and swords, women treating dogs like children. I mean, really. The next day we'll be there is September 12.

Ok, let's get to the good stuff. First up is the green chair. All wood, folding. Obviously I need another chair. No, I don't have a problem. Why do you ask? I picture this little glory on the deck of a ship. Some stately old man with a formidable mustache and pipe watching the gulls fly by while draped in a heavy blanket. $5. I swear I've seen it's mate in a Country Living magazine.


Next we have the jewelry. This is the best hit of jewels we've ever gotten at this sale. Usually it's too picked over within the first five minutes. Not so this time! From left to right we have a creamy colored two strand necklace for myself for $1, a beaded bracelet in muted greens to be given as a present, and a black multi strand swag for myself $4. Check out the clasp on that bad boy!

When I sauntered over to the fake flower and craft section, hoping to find something delightful and all plastic I found these gems! 50 cents for the whole bag (8 stems) Lordy. I lost my heart to them. There is something very Miyazaki about them. Little pumpkin spirits. Be careful, they'll spirit you away! A haunting reminder that it is nearly time to DECORATE FOR FALL!


I found an interesting old frame for $1. I'd never seen one with a rounded top and squared off bottom. It also still has the gorgeous original mat!


The husband decided to start shaving in a basin instead of our sink to save him having to snake it every so often. I found a perfect enamel basin for 50 cents. The check out woman almost stole it from me twice. You have to keep an eye on those volunteer workers. They're shifty.


Believe it or not, this next item is a beach towel. It's a present for someone. Yes, she'll seriously like it. I can hear the evil thoughts you are thinking toward this towel, so just stop it right now. She'll love it so much there might be clapping and maybe even jumping up and down. I love the design and colors. It makes me want to do an etsy design in homage. Oh, did I tell you that I have an etsy page and have been working diligently to produce designs to stick on there? Well I do and I have been. So anyway, this towel.



Two bottle brush wreaths. 50 cents for the pair. With ribbon and pine cones. How many bottle brush wreaths does one person need, you ask? Many. And varied.


A tree for my friend who collects trees like I do! This is more her style than mine. Otherwise, I'd have kept it for myself. I don't have any qualms about being selfish when it comes to collecting.


Then I found 6 hand embroidered wine glass coasters for $4 and the Bailey's creamer for 25 cents. I have a friend who has wanted the creamer and cup set for a long while now. The wine glass coasters are for my mom's Christmas stocking and you slip the foot of your glass into the slot and it holds it like a pocket. A-dorable. Look at the colors! The whole thing just about kills me dead. Yum Indeed.



The yellow Pyrex bowl was, in truth, the first thing I picked up at the sale. I almost always find my heaviest item first. Which is fun, because then I get to lug it around for hours. You know, I do it for the extra exercise. I'm all about the fitness. It was $4. I already have the aqua and the green bowls of this set. All I'm missing now is the red one! The entire set sells for $45. It's pretty popular.

Next is the strawberry draw-string bag. I'm a sucker for polka dots. And red things. And things with berries on them. It was $1 and is now residing as my "bag of bags" bag. Don't pretend like you are confused by that. Everyone has a bag of bags.


Bringing up the rear are the two pieces of art. They are both presents, not for the same person. I was thinking about painting the frame on the peacock one, but my friend might like to do that herself. Secretly I hope she does it in teal and then gives it a coat of rad green glitter. We are collectively marrying glitter this fall. You are all invited to the nuptials.