Estate Sale Adventure

Whew, don't worry, you haven't missed anything because I haven't been doing anything exciting with two little ones around. Unless anyone wants to hear about the projectile vomit I was dealing with for a week? Yeah, didn't think so!! Though I believe I have a backlog of a few projects I should post.

My parents were down for  a few days. Friday we were driving to lunch when we happened to spot a garage sale sign and I was driving (not my dad) so I had the power to turn and follow the sign.  I rarely go out to garage sales at the moment because when you have to get two small children in and out of car seats, convince the preschooler we don't need to buy every plushy we see and carry the other one it just sounds exhausting. My dad volunteered to stay in the car with the baby while my mom and I "quickly" checked it out but 45 minutes later....
It turned out to be the estate sale of the year and the lady had lived there since 1956. She was a very organized and clean hoarder also add on the fact very little had been done to the house since 1920 so it was hard to pull ourselves away! My mom and I even went back Saturday morning just to make sure we didn't miss anything, see what else had surfaced and just to browse and dig through boxes without the pressure of knowing my dad is sitting in the car. I only spent $13 but this was days #3 and 4 of the sale. I don't want to know what we missed out on or how many people were crammed into that house on day #1. On the plus side, everything was half price and then some while we were there.

oops, I forgot about my Coke crate I was in the middle of washing.

She had things organized in 1000's of various containers. It's hard to remember the days before the existence of  coordinating plastic bins when one would *gasp* recycle and work with what they had on hand to organize their stuff!?  Though I am guilty because I am gradually replacing my cardboard boxes and feel a great satisfaction while looking over my clear plastic bins neatly stacked in the basement.

She had all of her candles organized in Pringles cans. I opened one labeled girls and boys to find a stack of Gurley candles. Most were warped/scratched and I almost put them back until I realized I liked the pre-barcode Pringles can. The nursery safe plastic Vaseline container is dated 1967 and has cute critters all over.

Band Aid tins and jelly jars seemed to be her favorite organizational devices.

I had a few pieces of this set in with my play food growing up but this tray is huge, they had it in with the regular kitchen stuff because it looks like it should hold real food. The original box sold me and I always like odd things to blend in with my Pyrex.

I think this can be filed under pointless kitchen gadgets of the 1970's.

This odd 3-Dimensional? latch hook kit. It is an Erica Wilson design but I'm not sure I trust her judgement in this case. For .25 I might try putting it together, in 20 years when I have some free time.

Before I knew everything was half price I had this box for $3 because I thought the train was cute. Don't ask me were I will hang it. I don't have a clue - return in 30 years for my 80's Strawberry Shortcake/My Little Pony themed guest bedroom! 

and my...er, um, my daughter's? Sesame Street Little People are now living it up in style because I found a console television for them.

Hopefully next year I will be able to get out and about to some sales. Though it helps in the clutter department not bringing a random box of stuff home every week!

1991 Called...

I don't have a clue when/where I will ever wear this but it was so fantastic and only $1, so what did I have to lose! (besides closet space)

I'm pretty sure I had a similar one when I was 10 though it was most likely cats instead of dogs.

This one fits me perfectly! hehehe

Garage Sale Season is Upon Us Again!

I haven't done a "random stuff that is coming into my house" post lately. I guess it's been winter so no garage sales and I have been trying to avoid bringing "new" stuff into my house. With the warmer weather coming around it is nice to get out of the house again and garage sales are the perfect excuse! Along with the excuse of finding cheap clothing for the child. Unfortunately, I have managed to find her everything she actually needs for the next year down to a new coat plus some odds and ends for the next year and it's not even May yet! Darn it! Also note, I even try to make it a challenge and not pay more than $1 for anything - yes, the brand new winter coat was $1. I think the moral of this rant is: there is no shortage of cheap, cute, clean kids clothes so get out and save some money while enjoying some fresh air at the same time!

I would like to show you the Pyrex I have added to my collection since Christmas:

Oops, I guess I got a piece for Easter but yep, two pieces.

I did pick up this piece for $2 as I was itching to buy something to awkwardly sit on my counter until I find a spot for it add to my collection.

It is a "Made in England" piece which I did some quick research and the pattern is "Country Autumn." It looks like it was available here in the states in the mid-80's. Definitely has that 80's vibe and I like the brown lid.

I just about didn't even pick up these guys. In fact, I walked past them several times trying not to make eye contact with them or the Christmas table they sat upon.

They finally were successful at calling me over and when I picked them up I was surprised to see the Breyer mark on their leg.

I have seen plenty of Breyer horses but never crazy gold deer! Needless to say, at .50 for the pair, I had to bring them home. They are now sitting happily on my buffet and they don't give off a Christmas vibe on their own. At least the husband hasn't come to me scared about some of my crazy Christmas reindeer escaping from their box so they must come across as normal everyday décor, well, normal for me.

It sounds like there is a chance of rain here tomorrow so I haven't decided if I'm dragging myself out of the nice warm bed to venture out into the hectic garage sale world or not! I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Mystery Items

I've been going to garage sales and antique shops since before I was born so it takes a lot to stump me. This first item has me completely stumped as not only do I know nothing about it but I can't tell how old it is. 1930's? 50's? 80's? 2014?

The main design looks Art Deco but that gold splatter top makes me think 50's/60's but then again, the vase has no aging whatsoever so it makes me think it is new.

Someone had glued foam to the bottom and I was hoping to answer my questions by peeling it off, but nope. Nothing.

It was only $1 and it is very nicely painted so I'm enjoying it on the mantle. Though it kind of bothers me every time I look at it because I may never solve the mystery!

The next item cost me $2 and it looks like it belongs with the Pyrex Drinkups.

But it appears they came with a more standard shaped coffee pot. Mine also has no markings so it's probably just a Pyrex wannabe. It looks cute with my avocado Pyrex though!

Water got in between the plastic and glass when I washed it so they only way I could figure to properly clean/dry it was to unscrew the handle and take it apart. A little ridiculous if one had to do that everyday!

Belated Flea Market Finds

I swear I wrote a post in April but I must have just thought about it, organized the photos and then thought I had written it! There has been a lot of entertaining of the small child and non-exciting yard work happening around here. It is rainy and cold today so no outdoor work or walks to the park.

The "Mother of All Garage Sales" AKA a flea market at the fairgrounds was, what? the first weekend in April? It has is a good mix of garage sale and flea market items though most of it is a little pricier than garage sales since they do have to make up for the cost of the booth.

I did find a Spring Blossom Salt and Pepper for $1.

In another booth I spotted a set of Butterprint fridgies which turned out to be $45 so I thought the $2.50 prices was a typo on the pressed flowers casserole. 

I picked it up expecting a chip or wear on it somewhere. I did find a  small chip on the lid but it seemed to be good otherwise. I brought it up to pay and she said "you saw it has a chip on the lid? That's why it's priced the way it is." Um, Yep, I saw it (and it's just a plain old lid so I don't really care...)

There. I posted something for April. I do have some more posts on back log so I'll see if I can get them out of my brain and onto the interwebs. 

Estate Sale Findings

It's been pretty slow around here blog topic-wise. It has been Cold. Typical February. But Spring is finally on the horizon! My parents were in town last Friday and they are always a bad influence on me because they take me out of the house to places like estate sales! I'm glad I went to this one as it was in a fantasticly funky house. It was an architect's house from 1961 with the original bathrooms, kitchen and light fixtures. I don't really know how to explain it except it reminded me more of an office building or our downtown library. It looks like one of the family members bought the house and was keeping most of the furniture and probably most of the matching décor and knick knacks so there wasn't a whole lot of interesting things which is fine with me. I would rather they stay with the house than migrate to my house!

 I did find this tiny Pyrex flask.

 

and I am jealous there was a time when one could say "you know what would finish off this backsplash? Some brown peacock snowflake tiles!"

I think I like the box more than the actual tile!

"New" Living Room Set

Last summer the neighbors finally sold their house (after letting it sit empty for 3+ years) and they finished cleaning out what they had been storing there. I was a frequent customer to their trash pile rescuing this among other items. I thought they were done cleaning out but then I spotted this (plus the matching chair (still in my garage)) waiting for the trash man.

My husband has made it clear he will not partake in dumpster retrieval so it is all me. Upon first glance, I figured it was a lightweight aluminum set and it would look cute on my porch...or somewhere. I went to grab the chair and realized what I was up against. It was heavy chrome and the cushions had springs in them. Luckily the cushions were removable so I hauled those separately which made the chair movable but the couch was still tricky. I'm sure adrenaline had something to do with my ability to get it securely into my yard. I decided to give the couch from my grandparents a rest since the leg broke again and the upholstery and foam cushions were shot! This set was freshly upholstered with zippers on the cushions so I washed them up and they look like new.

 

 I searched "chrome couch" on the interwebs just so I could see how other people decorated with them (not like I would have time for anything other than pinning those decorating idea photos) and found several very, very similar ones designed by Kem Weber for Lloyd Manufacturing Co. in the 1930's. The armchair is exactly like these seen here (except for the new upholstery) but the couches are all a tad different so I can't say for 100% sure.

 

Weber, a German immigrant, designed some truly drool worthy Art Deco furniture and these would have to be one of the more generic sets. The article here gives a good synopsis of his life along with some photos of his fancier furniture. Why didn't the neighbors have any of those pieces to throw away?? 

My Aqua Chair Story

I feel I am behind in my postings though looking back at photos I have taken it doesn't look like anything thrilling has been happening around here.
My beloved aqua chair has finally arrived. It has been sitting in my old bedroom at my parent's house and they finally got sick of looking at it plus my mom has Ikea shelving to set up so they lugged it to my house. I have no place to put it which is why I haven't been begging for it that and I'm afraid of exposing it to the husband and small child since it has managed to stay looking brand new after all of these years. But so far so good.

 It's a little too aqua for my living room but it's the only spot I have for it!

 I got it years ago after an auction. Yes, I said after. I felt I had no place for this chair so I avoided being in the furniture area while they were taking bids. I got a huge set of aqua and pink dishes for $10 (still lost somewhere in my parent's house) plus some other lovely 50's items so I was satisfied. Thinking back now, I am not satisfied! The place was FULL of boxes of dingy yet mint 50's housewares and furniture. This was pre high speed internet browsing for me so I really want to go back 18 years and dig through those boxes.  Anyways, how did this chair come into my possession since I just spent way too much time saying I didn't bid on it? The next day my mom and I happened to drive past the auction venue and what was by the dumpster? Obviously this chair! I was OK with someone else taking this chair home but I was not OK with it going to the dump. We had a little hatchback but managed to squeeze it in enough to get it home. I managed to clear a spot in my room for it and it has sat there until now. I haven't found an exact photo but to me it looks like a Kroehler. If not, it is a very close knock off. Well, the price was right either way!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Last week was my birthday and I always enjoy hanging out with friends and telling my husband we're eating at the Chinese buffet without question. My husband and I usually just buy our own gifts because I never know what I want plus I can give him a list but he still wouldn't know what I was talking about. He always just wants the latest electronic gadget so he got a new phone and a new plan. As a result I also got a new phone which he was very excited to tell me about all of the features I now have. I have so far used it to take 2 instagram photos and 2 videos. The alarm clock works well.

I behaved myself this past summer and avoided buying any Pyrex I wasn't crazy about just for the sake of buying Pyrex. I passed up a lot of avocado, browns and mushrooms. I'm sure someday I'll be kicking myself for passing them up but my cupboards (and husband) are thankful for it. I did splurge for my birthday and found a few pieces I love which also stick to my attempted color scheme for this cabinet!

I then got to spend the afternoon (er, a naptime) dusting, reorganizing and putting up Halloween decorations. Yeah, I'm a nerd and was excited to clean and rearrange for my new treasures...

 My mom gave me the first two: a Delphite Pyrex bowl and fun Wizard of Oz glass

Check out the mod little witch and tornado!

and some of you may recognize this as the mug from our antique outing I was ogling but it was $20!! I couldn't rationalize randomly spending that much on a Pyrex mug!

 

but then I remembered my birthday and I always want to spend a little more money on something unusual while still feeling like I got a good deal.  I'm not sure how good of a deal it was but it is something I don't see everyday.

My mom also found a small stripe bowl to match the big one from grandma's house.

 

I Picked out this juicer a few months ago. The tag said it works! but I have yet to try it. The top juicer part is glass so I would probably break it.

 

The Bluebird casserole got my attention not only with the color but the mod shape of the caddy. Frankie found the carafe at what he referred to as "the creepiest garage sale ever." Well, I'm glad he was brave to wander this guy's house because it looks lovely in my cabinet. The peanuts were my attempt to make it easier to see the pattern...

 

 The buffet area also got a fall makeover.

 

Some fall colored Pyrex and this year's Halloween Pyrex I came across at Target. I missed last years so I was happy to accidently find it this year.

 

The Hex Signs bowl I brought home and found it was the same size as my huuge Christmas bowl. I also discovered it originally came with the same lid and caddy which is fantastic because now I can stack away my Christmas bowl and not worry about where to store the huge lid and caddy!

Longest Delayed Blog Post. Ever.

Seriously? I have had this post sitting here for about 2 weeks. I'll add a sentence or a photo and get distracted! OK, I'm just going to "try" to accomplish something on here today!

I escaped the house last Friday (now several Fridays ago), well, *we* escaped the house under the pretense of finding some warmer clothing for little one. My main dilemma is there are not baby clothes at estate sales for some reason? and those ads sound way more interesting to me than: "kids clothes, microwave, dining room set, 1990's Christmas decor and knick-knacks from Wal-Mart." I added that last part but any garage sale enthusiast knows what I'm talking about. I did manage to get to an estate sale and a church-ish sale.

This guy was at the estate sale and he looks nice on my kitchen counter but reminds me I need to paint my backsplash something other than white because he disappears under the shadows of my cupboards. It is by Bing and Grondahl. My mom collects the blue Christmas plates. I see her plates all of the time but I don't see/don't notice other items by them often. Especially weird looking things which fit in with my taste.

I have had a strange goal of trying to find one of these Pyrex canisters as it seems they are always faded, cracked and or way too expensive. (way too expensive being more than $3) I finally accomplished my goal as .50 seemed to be a reasonable price and it is in perfect condition. Spice of Life isn't my favorite pattern but maybe it should be as it also seems to match my counter perfectly.

The classy Staffordshire dog for my mantel was .75

And I can't stop with the reindeer so this herd followed me home.

Gesh, it's not like this post was long or even interesting. I'm glad I finally was able to spit it all out, get it posted and move on to my next post!

Freshening up the Bedroom

No, I'm not starting another project. Our bedroom does still smell a bit like previous owner's cat when the humidity gets high but I can't make another mess before I finish the living/dining room which I'm seriously getting in about 10 minutes a week on if I am lucky! Anyways, it started with my Ikea trip and my quest for a new curtain rod.

As you can see, the curtain rod is the standard $5 model which has been somehow extended with an extra piece in the middle. There was something sticky all over these rods so besides being disgusting, the curtains were impossible to slide open/closed.

 

They've now been upgraded to $6 Ikea rods. We'll see how long it takes before they get bent up and sticky!

 

I also did a little rearranging on my owl wall.

I found this photo from a January 2011 post. I have added a few since then but I've tried to not overdo it? - which I tend to do!

 

My new Ikea pillow and "new" $2.50 quilt also brighten up the place. (Yes, a headboard is on my current wish list/brainstorming idea list.)

 

I think someone threw it in the washer AND dryer because it was very clean, fluffy and smelled nice but it left some nice holes in the middle. It's pretty generic fabrics so I can probably manage a repair eventually...

 

And my hideous .25 credenza from last fall? 

 

I actually found a good color at the free paint exchange which matched the curtains so after a thorough sanding:

We have a funky TV stand. We were using an old TV stand which wasn't tall enough to be seen over the bed so a shoe shelf was added to the top. It was classy and I didn't get a picture of it! I am very disappointed with myself.

 

Now I have room to display some decorating books, the monkey I pulled out of a free box and a lamp which was always in the guest room at grandma and grandpa's.