Season Opener

Last Saturday we went to the first official sale of the season. It's been very sunny here. Deceptively sunny. It's like 27 degrees outside but the sun is shining to beat all. Tricksy, precious. At any rate HB and I took a ride down down to Buffalo Rd.

The thing I love about church sales is the old people. Churches mean old people which, in turn means great, old stuff. We always get excited about church sales.

The other thing about old people is that they are sticklers for rules. The sale opened at ten. We got there at about four minutes to ten. We had to wait outside. It was bitter cold. But it wasn't ten.

This particular sale has stuff all through the church in all the small rooms. Sometimes it's hard to maneuver. Especially if some lady wants to buy a stroller that she can't figure out how to get it to fold up, right in the doorway of a small room for like, say, ten minutes or so. Just sayin'.

There are two small rooms filled with toys that I always take my time in because as you know, I have collections. It paid off, just not for me. I found a vintage my little pony for H.B.!

We met some old friends there, and a new friend, too. The husband even came. A good time was had by all. When it was over I ended up with the following:

I'm in the midst of changing over all of my glasses to beer glasses. Mostly because I've broken all but four of our regular glasses. 25 cents each! The juicer was also a quarter and the copper bracelet was fifty cents. Not a huge haul, but not too shabby for the season opener.

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.

Deadly Store

You know you have one. We all do. That store that you try like the devil to avoid. The store that eats your money, turns you into a drunken sailor and skews your reality into an alternate one where you are rich, filthy stinking rich! OK, so maybe we all have a few such stores. But, for me, there is one that really takes the cake...and my credit card...and my checking account...and my linty couch change. One World Goods.

Another way this store of stores wrangles me in is that they are a not for profit. They have goods made by artisans in poor and developing countries and then they give the money right back to them! So, I have to buy things there, right? I mean, it's my civic duty or something. My duty as a human being and fellow citizen of the world. It's practically the law! *whew* Now I feel better. You understand, right?

I was forced to go into said shop just the other day. Since it's the law that I do so, plus I had a few birthdays to shop for. Man, if you can't find something wonderful in this shop for each an every woman or girl in your life then...you know some weird ass people.

I love my thought process as I walk through the door. It's so easy to lie to yourself. "OK Sarah, just in and out. Get the presents and go, go, go! You can do this!" Then I stop at the first kiosk knowing full well that there isn't anything on there that I am looking to buy for the birthdays. Then the second one. Then the third. By the time I make it to the frames and jewelry I'm a goner. It's all, "OK, one thing for the birthdays, one thing for me, one thing for the birthdays, one for me!"

So, without further ado, I present my purchases. I actually tried to style the photos this time. My hand isn't so steady when I use no flash and I'm horrible at lighting, so just pretend that they look awesome and make you want to run right out to One World Goods, ok?

These are earrings for my friend Meghan. It's her birthday. I'm giving them to her tomorrow!


Since I found the perfect gift for Meghan, I rewarded myself with this card. I cannot get enough lanterns. I'll frame it sometime this week and hang it in my bedroom.

Then I found two pairs of earrings for Nick's sister. Sending those out tomorrow too.




These earrings are so affordable and so unique. Man, their jewelry really does me in. But, I fought valiantly and though I also found a picture frame for my friend Daria (how did I forget to take a picture of that?), I only bought one more thing for myself. Behold.


It's a crocheted flower pin with beads lining the edges. They had so many different beautiful colors! I only got ONE! See how strong I am? It feels so good when you hold it. It has a nice weight.

I also went to a sale at a church and got a few things. Nothing that great, but my purchases totaled $2.00, so who's complaining?

I got this vase to sell, but it looks great with my other stuff so, I guess we'll see.



Just the Velvet tin, I already had the coke diner tin.