I have not typically been a huge yard sale-r. It takes a few things that I don’t have – the desire to get up early, directional skills and the time to spend going to garage sales. However, I may have changed my tune.
The last two Saturdays, I got up and went to yard sales on Saturday morning. One weekend, I went with friends. Another weekend, I went solo.
And, while I certainly didn’t find tons of things, I did find a few gems.
I think some of you may be jealous of my favorite find.
It’s a fun, aqua, vintage fan. For $2. It was my first find of the day last Saturday.
It’s perfect in the kitchen, which tends to be the hottest room in the house. It works like a dream, and really goes with the new wall color and the table runner. It has a few spots on the base, but otherwise looks like new. I adore it.
I’ve also picked up:
- an IKEA Lack Shelf (which matches the two I already have in the office) for $2.
- a pair of brand new black sling-backs in my size for $3. (This was just crazy-perfect because they were literally the EXACT pair of shoes I already had and loved, but mine had a busted heel. And, they were discontinued so I couldn’t order another pair. What are the odds?)
- Several cases of nearly-new, quart canning jars (for my canning adventures) for $6.
- A fully-decorated 36-inch Christmas wreath for $7.
Okay, here is the craziest thing ever. I walked into Mill Creek Cafe to do my chalkboard thing this AM….and there was your fan sitting on the counter! I thought to myself, did Kim sneak in and leave her fan? NO, one of the gals found HERS at a yardsale!
I love popping into yardsales, the only downsides are going to the atm machince for cash.
I lvoe your little vintage blue lamp, what a great steal
What great finds….and like everyone else I am loving the fan.. What a steal.
I am not a big yard saler mainly because around here it requires that you get up early on weekends in order to score good stuff. And that does not happen too often. But I agree, once kids in the picture I may have to change my tune. Because I will be up early anyway, right?
We love garage sales when were in need of things.
Though lately I’ll admit.. we have a thing for the swap meets…
Great find with the fan!
You are 100% right…I am completely jealous of your cool vintage fan! I have not yet gotten into yard sales, but I always stretch my neck and look when I drive by one. One of these days I’ll have to stop!
Awesome finds!! Yard sale-ing can be very rewarding if you’re persistent enough. I usually look at it as a treasure hunt, but I try not to get too disappointed if I don’t find anything good. 🙂
I am so jealous of your fan! I have been scouring ebay and craigslist for a vintage aqua fan for our nursery. Maybe I will get lucky at a yardsale this weekend 🙂
My friend goes crazy at yard sales. She finds stuff for her home, her kids, and even clothes for herself! I need to find me a good yard sale like that!
Lila Ferraro
Queen Bedroom Sets
$2?!? Girl, that is the deal of the year. So cute and so you. Love it and slightly envious, too. ; )
So…………do tell! Will the fan be painted red?????
So…………do tell! Will the fan be painted red?????
I want to steal that fan for myself- sorry. I’m with you- I can’t be bothered to get up early, get lost, only to come home empty handed.
I’ve never really done it before, but would love to check them out.
I’ve been once or twice this summer, but don’t really need any more stuff, so I haven’t been. I do have a “list” of things I’m looking for, so every once in awhile I might check one out.
It can become easy to just start bringing knick-knacky things home b/c they are dirt cheap, but then you end up with a bunch of stuff. I like to stick to my list (neat shaped white platters or plates, a bench in a certain style for my kitchen, any kind of pots/planters/stuff for my deck, etc.).
But I do love a yard sale!! I can spend like $3 the whole morning, get some great stuff, and have fun…as opposed to dropping $100+ at Target. :s
I love yard sales! We have a citywide sale in our area that is huge! It usually starts Friday, so people will set up and open as early as Thursday night! They want to add Thursday to the weekend, but are afraid that people will open on Wednesday! We couldn’t make it out until Saturday and missed everything.
I loooove yard sales! I love them when I find great stuff AND when I don’t. I feel like it’s more of a hobby than anything and keeps me from wanting to shop at retail stores.
I love hitting up the thrift stores but yard sales are even cheaper most of the time! Great finds!
I live and DIE for yard sales when I am down the shore!
Stop by the bliggity blog next week.. I”ll show you my newest purchase!
LB
I really enjoy yard sales. I tend to go to the big ones that are hosted by the neighborhood or the super huge 127 sale which runs through 4 states. The great thing about the neighborhood sales is the fact that you can park and then walk everywhere. Plus, there are always some kids selling coffee or fresh donuts. 🙂
The best neighborhood yard sale I’ve been to is the one in my grandpa’s neighborhood. There is such a good assortment of new and older people that the furniture could be a piece that’s 100 years old or bought last year.
And you are so right about the kid stuff! When it’s that time for me, I’m heading to those first. 🙂
take care!
I love old fans and I have them all over my house. They are examples of great industrial design and they WORK.
Your aqua fan is a design I’ve never seen. Very cool (literally!).
I’m with you on your yard sale feelings. I’m so jealous of the finds I hear about in bloggy land, but I just don’t have the time. Really. Plus, in the great state of MN most sales start on THURSDAY, so by the time Saturday rolls around there’s absolutely nothing left. And like you said, those of us that work during the week lose out. And I’m not taking a vacation day for garage sales. But you definitely scored some awesome finds! Makes me want to give it a shot.
Wow I am soooo jealous of that fan how cute is that… and what a great price. Now I have the garage sale itch!
PS: I love that you even picked up a christmas wreath… seriously looking forward to your christmas photos already!
I love yard sales. Wait, let me rephrase that: I love yard sales on the days when I just feel lucky, and every sale has something I like. Those other times, when I hit up umpteen-million places and still go home empty-handed, are the times I wonder why I got dressed so early.
It still trips me out that people do sales on Friday, Saturday and Sunday here. Where I’m originally from (Missouri), yard sales are a Saturday-only event.
I really need to start since we are on a tight budget right now. The getting up early part is what I don’t care for, but I guess to save money I need to 🙂
Garage sales are so hit and miss that you really have to devote the time to them, or you don’t get a whole lot. The first summer we were in our house I spent almost every Thursday garage sale-ing. I found some great stuff, but it took a lot of time. That’s why I love Craigslist! Oh, and that fan is awesome. 🙂
I’ll get the urge about twice a year. I’ll get up all early, get some coffee, take $20 from the ATM and head off. If I find nothing, I always buy a book. I can always find a book to buy for a quarter. Then I try to tell myself the past 3 hours weren’t wasted.
But I hear ya on the kiddo junk, everyone’s got barely used stuff to sell! This time next year, I’lll probably be the yard sale queen round these parts.
I heart that fan! You will need it when you start canning … you will heat up the kitchen pretty hot with tomatoes and salsa. Besides, it is too cute.
I’m with you on yard sales. I don’t have that energy. I’ll find something now and then … and be thrilled. But then, I will go to 20 and find nothing.
My mom and I actually had a yard sale last weekend! We did pretty well. What sold the must was the furniture. I think the key to yard sales is to price to sell. I am not a huge fan of yard sales because around me, people don’t always price to sell and I’m not much of a hagler. But, when you do find some great finds, like you did, they are worth it! I seriously want to steal that fan!