Ronald McDonald House Sale IN MAY!?

Yeah.  That's right.  The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester have decided to make their annual sale a bi-annual event!  BOOM!  Shit just got real, son.  We got out for this thing en masse.  We donate to the sale, get the golden ticket (which lets you and a friend in a day earlier than the general public) and then go to dinner at an awesome German brew pub down the street after the sale.

Being that this was the first time the sale was held in May instead of October, I thought that perhaps not many people would have caught on.  I honestly expected it to be low key and much less attended.  Wrong.  Check out the line. 

See that white building waaay in the distance?  Yeah.  Neither do I.  Not that I was complaining, because this was a rare gorgeous day in Rochester and I wanted to be outside feeling the sun on my skin anyway.

Generally I go into this sale with a plan.  Hit Christmas first and then head over to housewares.  But, the last RMD sale was a game changer. I went directly to toys, bypassing the boxes of enormous, free reusable shopping bags, practically running full tilt.  I was rewarded for my effort.  Not as much as last time perhaps, but I was still smiling.

The Kermit is an official, really nice Disney resort/store version.  He only has a scarf on, but I feel like there was more to his outfit/accessories at some point.  It is crucial to note that his mouth is closed.  There are very few Kermit dolls made with a closed mouth.  The blue mouse is Tutter, from Bear in the Big Blue House.  Kermit: $3.50, Tutter: 75 cents.

After scoring in the toy section I headed for brick-a-brack, a much overlooked catchall area.  I find amazing things in this section every single year.  Mostly it's because it's the "what the crap even is this?" section.  Witness exhibit A: $1 adorable antique wooden shelf.  Sometimes I think about what the sale volunteers who price things were thinking or the conversations they had about the things I chose.  

Volunteer A: What is this?

Volunteer B: It's a shelf I guess.

Volunteer A: Looks like it's seen better days.  And that color!  Ugh! Nobody is going to want this thing.

Volunteer B: Just stick $1 on it.  Some schmuck will pay a buck for it.  It's for the kids, after all.

Volunteer A: I'll be you that $1 that this thing is still here, even after the half price day.

Me: OMG! Can you believe they only want a dollar for this?!  Yoink!

Statistics show that if something is green there is a least a 78% chance that I will buy it.  If that thing is also a Scottie dog that number soars to 99.9%  You might think that this is a cutting board.  I thought it might be, too.  But the top layer is made of laminate and you aren't supposed to cut on laminate.  But there are shallow cut marks in it, nonetheless.  After looking it over a few times I found that this little dude had actually been cut from a counter.  Probably some sentimental person in the 50's was getting a new counter and thought they'd keep a little piece of the old one.  $1.00 for a weird counter Scottie dog thing that you can't use as a cutting board?  Yeah, I'll take that.

The lantern ornament was from the holiday section, 75 cents.  I'm also very partial to lanterns, and if they are green, by George, double the pleasure, double the fun. 

I also got a bag full of wooden bunnies.  $2.50 for the bag. God, I just love weird little guys like this.

My friend Kara joined me at the sale and scored big right out of the gate.  A working receiver and speakers. I feel like she told me they were $25 together, but I could be making that up.  She also got a crockpot that has a timer.  I didn't even know they made those.

Kara is a dancer. She's an Irish dancer to be exact.  And she's awesome.  She bought the awesome vintage dance pictures for her studio.  Yes, they are ballet dancers.  No, she isn't.  We're moving past it.  A French press is always a great find.  The butterfly shadow boxes have real butterflies in them!  As Kara says, "Science!" (She's also a chemistry teacher)  Please don't miss the "Notice do not tamper with cook's buns" vintage mirror for her kitchen.

So, In Summary:

I Get To Do This Twice A Year!

Go Green? Don't Mind If I Do

My Friend Is An Irish Dancing Chemist. Jealous?

Pearce Church Sale

Out here on the west side of town there is a large church called Pearce.  It has a sale every year in a very large gym space.  I always go.  Generally on the first day of the sale, which is a Friday.  Right after I get out of work.  I usually find a few things, but it's never amazing.  

This year I happened to have the first day of the sale off.  So, Lilah and I went first thing in the morning.  We weren't exactly what you might call prepared for what we found.  A good half hour before the sale opened there was a line.  Of like, 100 people.  There were parking attendants and a cross walk attendant, too.  It was a big stinking to-do.  And let me tell you.  We did.

I got only got a few things for myself and one cool gift.  Lilah on the other hand...

Well, she bought everything.  She had four bags of stuff and a huge picture frame.  It's been a long time since she was able to yard sale in the summer.  She's been working hard on a degree and just finished her last class, officially graduating.  I could not be more proud of her hard work and dedication, so Imma let her off the hook this time.  She needed a hit, so it's ok that she got a little...crazed.  Hours later her arms still bore the marks from lugging those jam-packed bags around at the sale. 

I only found a few things, but I was just as happy with them as she was with her horde. Some gorgeous fall decorations. 25 cents for the SET of two votives, you people.  And 50 cents for the acorn dish.  Amazing.

The schnauzer cross stitch picture is a gift for a friend who has two schnauzers.  I paid an entire dollar for it.  Hear that, Daria?  Cherish that shit.

The tiny little dog figurine is for moi.  It was a quarter and it reminds me of my little pup who is the most adorable guy, ever.  Adorable and grumpy by turns.  Here, I'll show you.

So, In Summary:

There's Nothing Left, Lilah Bought It All

Did You See His Widdle Facey-poo?

A School, A Pool and A Haunted House

This weekend we went to quite a few sales.  One was in an old school that had been claimed by the parks and rec. department.  

Another was an estate sale in a little tiny house.  Instead of a back yard, the house was equipped with a pool.  An enormous above ground pool.  It took up the entire back yard.  The explanation we got was "my mom said she wanted to do laps".  Generally when you see lap pools, they are inground.  This pool was so large that Nessie might have been hiding in it's depths. Or a shark.  I was always scared of sharks inexplicably showing up in swimming pools.

The last sale we went to was in an enormous house that was most likely built around the turn of the century.  It was unfortunately "updated" in the 60's by someone who had pretty poor taste.  Although the house did still have it's original stained glass windows.  So many of the items for sale had probably been with the house since it was built.  Baby buggies made of wicker and tons of gorgeous pottery.  There were lots of creepy-ass baby dolls and the place was so dusty and unused that I'd be it was totally haunted.  Nobody wants to be haunted by a creepy-ass baby doll.

I founds lots of fun things for my Etsy shop and a handful of fun tidbits for myself.  Try really hard not to be jealous of my flocked feather and sequin peacock.

I snapped a photo of some things my friend Sarah Mae got, too.  This fun bust came from the haunted house.  She also got a stunning hat with a very long feather.  I took a picture but it came out all blurry.  I'm awesome at that.  Sarah Mae, on the other hand is awesome at wearing hats.  She looks good in EVERY hat.  I'm not kidding you.  It's ridiculous.  She can literally wear one of those gypsy turbans that were popular with women in the 60's and look like a million bucks.  Or she can slap on some old Henry Blake fishing hat and look like a freaking super model.

 

Anyway, I've decided that we don't actually have spring in NY state.  We have what amounts to a daily war between winter and summer.  It reached nearly 80 one day last week.  The next day it snowed.  I wish this were a joke.  It was weird snow, though.  Exactly like Dippin' Dots.  And here I am without a spoon.

So, In Summary:

Leslie Knope Would Be Proud

Pool Sharks Are A Real Thing

The Spirit Of A Dead Child Is Haunting That Creepy-Ass Doll Right Now

The Cold War

The Cold, Dark Heart Of Spring

It's April.  And we are getting showers.  Oh, yes.  Snow showers.  What do those bring, I ask you?  I'll tell you what they bring.  Depression, anger, angst, listlessness, cabin fever and ennui.  May flowers my ass.

Even though we're still wearing parkas and snow boots, the yard sale-ing season is upon us.  Last week there was a school sale.  We went last year and this year didn't disappoint. I got a bunch of stuff for my Etsy page and these two treasures for myself.

A vintage Florida orange coin purse.  I love a coin purse.  Especially a plastic one.  50 cents.  The platter is Buffalo China.  I have two smaller sandwich plates that match.  This was marked $1 but when I brought it up to purchase it the lady told me it had been on the HALF OFF table.  I spent a whopping dollar on the items in the picture, people.

Would that I could trade that $1 for so much sunshine.  The weather people say it will be in the 50's starting tomorrow.  Bah.  Weather people.  Trusting them is right next to trusting politicians.

I feel cranky.  Quick, someone say something hopeful and sunny.

So, In Summary:

Coin purses; another accidental collection

Get me to the tropics on time

Christmas Presents

First of all, I'd like to say that this isn't a competition.  I'm going to show you a few of the presents I got this year, but if you don't see the present you gave me it doesn't mean I didn't love an appreciate it.  A lot of things factor in to what I want to show on here.  Plus, in some instances, I picked out the gift for someone to get for me, so it's my taste you can feel free to question. Also, I'm pretty lazy and only felt like taking a few pictures.  Can't let that ass print fade from my side of the couch! Bottom line: don't be offended.  In fact, let's just always assume that as my bottom line.

Ok, so this first one isn't a gift at all.  I bought it, if you'll recall. This was the first year I got to put it out, so I was just excited about it.  I love my Christmas Tree collection and it was fun to have a tree stand.  We buy our real tree from a tiny mom and pop tree stand every year and I love, love, love it!  It reminds me of this one quite a bit, actually.  And then there is the tree lot scene in A Charlie Brown Christmas.  I love all the pink and blue and striped trees in that scene.

This wasn't technically a Christmas gift, either.  The lady who runs the gym that I attend (Curves!) gave it to me.  She was weeding out her Christmas stash (as we all must do from time to time...or every single year) and thought of me.  This proves two points. 1- This woman (Donna) is a true gem.  No wonder why I like her so much!  She's fun, thoughtful, sweet and funny and totally down to earth. Those sentiments permeate her gym.  Otherwise I'd never go.  On account of I hate exercise.  2- If you talk about things often enough people will give you stuff.  I yammer about my Etsy shop all the time.  I talk about my deep and abiding love for all things Muppets and the 80's.  On several occasions people have gifted me things from their own homes that they would have otherwise donated to a thrift store. People like their things to be loved. It makes them feel good to give their once treasured item to a home where it will be properly appreciated.  Plus, people like to give things to people who love things.  There isn't anything more fun than giving a gift to someone who goes to 11.  The freak out factor is high and pretty entertaining.  Since I loved the shit out of the Smurfs when I was a wee one (So much so that I insisted that my name was IN FACT Handy Smurf and would introduce myself as such on a regular basis.) I'm super happy to add this adorable statue to my trove.

OK, technically this one wasn't a gift either.  Unless you count me buying it for myself.  I'm sorry but that is just what happens while I'm Christmas shopping.  One thing for you...one thing for me.  One thing for you....twelve things for me.  I think this is actually a candle wreath.  It's a little sparkling PLASTIC and GLITTER wreath thing meant to be stuck at the base of a candle.  I don't thank so.  This mother is too gorgeous to risk getting coated in candle wax.  I like wreaths hung over pictures and mirrors so I tried it out in my bedroom and really loved it.  It will be so hard to put this away when I undecorate my room.  That's right.  I'm not done undecorating yet.  It's torture in two ways: 1- It takes an eon.  2- I hate losing all that glitter in one go.  So much sparkle and so much light packed away for another whole year!  Especially when we still have the bulk of a dark, cold winter staring us in the face.

I know.  Isn't it dazzlingly gorgeous?!  This is from my mom.  She said I picked it out, but I don't really remember that happening.  But if it did, I have the best taste, ever!  I mean, look at this purse!  It's  vintage of course, and it still has all of it's original accessories.  The tiny mirror and comb!  It's just so beautiful, I could stare at it all day.

This is an oil painting.  Yes, I have an oil painting of Piggy and Kermit.  It doesn't get classier than an oil painting, folks.  My sister in law painted it for me.  She's astoundingly good.  She posts pictures on Facebook and I'm all, "When did she go to the shore?  When did she have time to visit a lighthouse?" and then I click through the pictures to see that they are paintings, not photographs.  I'd never believe it if she didn't have in-process pictures.  It's nuts.  Girl has talent.  And she's foolishly wasting it on me!  But seriously, let's talk about the part where I have an oil painting of the Muppets again.

This is a gift from my mom that I picked out.  I love koi.  They are just about the only fish that I can stand to get close to without a fork.  I think they are the most beautiful, magical fish.  Maybe I like them because they sort of look like tiny dragons?  I hear some koi are trained so well that they'll let you pet them.  I'd totally do that.  All other fish can take a hike.  There is no other fish one earth that I want touching me while it's living.  Blech.  This ornament is a brand by the name of Old World Christmas.  They are all gorgeous.  They have so, so many different designs.  There were three koi alone to choose from!  They had jellyfish and dogs and blenders and just...everything.  They are all this gorgeous and they all have glitter.

Sometimes someone knows you well enough to get you this for Christmas. Thanks, mom!

...and this guy.  The amount of sqee-ing that went on when I opened him up was off the charts.  A-freaking-dorable.  I can't wait to put him in the shadowbox come fall.  He's about an inch and a half tall. Don't be jealous. The only thing I can think about is...are there more?

So, In Summary:

You're right.  I do have the best taste, ever!

Kitchen Clutter

Our kitchen decor really centers around this dish rack/butcher block piece that the husband got at Kmart a decade ago.  It's a Martha Stewart piece and we love it.  It fits our space really well and corrals a bunch of our pots and pans that would otherwise be homeless.  Nothing more sad than kitchen utensils living on the street at Christmas time.  I always deck it out with my snazzy red tinsel tree and some very choice vintage ornaments. Behold:

On top of the rack only one decoration holds court.  The majestic (and new!) reproduction white feather tree.  No, this version is not made with real feathers.  The antique versions were, however.  I strung this gloriously pristine lady with a small length of vintage red mercury beads.  God, I could just look at that all day.

Dining Room Delights

I like showing off my miles and miles of Christmas baubles and flotsam.  Sit back and relax with a nice hot mug of cocoa.  Don't forget to add some peppermint schnapps!  Because, this whole thing will seem a lot less garish and weird with a few shots of liquor.

I like small things.  Little tidbits.  Odds and ends. Minutia.  Here is where I keep some of it.

This is the shelf in my dining room, near the table.  I use the pitchers on a regular basis and decorate the shelf seasonally.  The bulb bouquet in the clear pitcher on the right is my bridesmaid bouquet from the wedding I was in this November.  It lights up.  I'll say that again: It lights up.  That's right.  We were like some kind of gorgeous procession of Christmas and Disney's Main Street Electrical Parade combined.  If that doesn't blow the lid right off your mind, I'm not sure what would.  We made them ourselves and practically had a nervous breakdown with wonder at our own creation.  

If you click on the pics you can see bigger images.  I say that as a warning.  These small pictures seem kind of subdued.  I wouldn't want you to accidentally click on one in mid cocoa sip and end up spewing it all over your screen in surprise at the visual assault  you'd receive.

 This is a close up of a floral pick featuring tiny flocked red boots.  I put out quite a few floral picks this year.  But not as many as my mother who may have to go into therapy soon for her addiction.

Here is one of this year's additions to the Muppet tree.  He was found at Target.  I love the fact that he is just the right size to go match the vintage Muppet head ornaments that I have.  They didn't manufacture an Animal ornament with the original set.

A collection in process?  Three vintage toy soldier ornaments.  I can't say why I love them so much.  I think they might fondly remind me of my years in band.  Not of my years in a band, but, my years in band.  There is a huge difference.

The red shelf is a bit lopsided this year.  The teal bottle brush tree was a late addition.  I couldn't resist the opportunity to show off a few more floral picks.  Check out that plastic, glittery, fake snowy... snow...puff...thing.  And also the gorgeous green foil tree with the mercury bead ornaments.  Swoon!

 

So, in summary:

Plastic Is As Plastic Does, But Flocked Or Glittered Is Better