Thrifted Finds

We had the best time going to yard sales last weekend.  I bought all kinds of goodies!

Most of the pile is vintage Christmas items.  Wow!  They're so cool.  The box is full of interesting ornaments.  I also bought a lamp post to go with my Santa!

Yard Sale Finds

I've missed two weeks in a row of yard sales but I did go this past weekend.  It was a great morning with lots of sales and some good treasures.  My favorite things, Ginger found first.  The mercury glass candlestick was $.75!  And I only paid $2.50 for the three vintage flower pins.  I can't wait to wear them on my jean jacket.

I found some cute books for Charlie that looked like they'd never been opened.  They'll be good for Christmas presents.  And the "NOEL" blocks were so cute I couldn't leave them. 

Awesome Coupons You Can Get!

I had some fun this week shopping with 2 fabulous coupons.  The first was $10 off a $10 purchase from JCPenney's.  This coupon is sent to you once a month after you sign up for the JCP Rewards program.  I was able to get a pair of sandals that light up for Katherine and a birthday gift for my husband and paid just a little over $5.

I also received a $15 off a $15 purchase from Lane Bryant.  If you shop at this store regularly then you already know that I was heading straight for the clearance items.  Lane Bryant is a store that sells expensive clothing size 14 and up.  However, they have some really nice accessories for everyone.  I picked up a cute ruffled cardigan on clearance and a pair of trouser socks for .54 cents!  I believe you must go to the store and ask to be on their mailing list.  This coupon is not monthly but comes around pretty often.

Last Week's Thrifted Finds

I did go to some yard sales Saturday morning but I didn't buy a lot.  I was lucky to find a costume dress for Katherine and a beautiful navy church dress.  The boots were $1, I couldn't pass that up.  Two pairs of pj's for Charlie and a vintage Christmas tablecloth for myself, it was also only $1.

Mom and I went to a consignment sale that was 50% off on Monday.  That was fun!  I found some good stuff at really good prices.

Good Finds This Weekend

We had the BEST weather this weekend.  I spent several hours outside at yard sales and decorating the front porch.  While I was busy the kids played "eat the lizard".  Katherine would hold up the lizard she caught and demand Charlie eat it.  He would open his mouth and really try to.

Today I came home with just a couple of things from some yard sales:

-the baby deer  1.50

-box of autumn fruit and berries   .50

-suspenders   .25

-bag of vintage tinsel   .25

I bought the clothes from a consignment sale that was 75% off today.  I bought 12 items for $15.00!  I'm not sure how long the fawn will get to stay.  Chuck doesn't like him and Charlie is currently afraid of him.

BOO!

Thrift Finds for the Week

I went to a thrift store and some yard sales last week and found some stuff.  Mom and I dug through a box someone had donated of old craft things.  I brought home some plastic apple charms, small square mirrors, and a bag of turquoise beads for $.75.  I must say I enjoyed the digging through that box!

Yard sales were plentiful again this weekend and the weather was so nice, fun!  I brought home two more lanterns, 2 candles, a lamp shade, a pair of jeans, some fall flowers, and three large pine cones.  I think my total was $10. 

Saturday's Finds

This weekend was like the last month, not very good, when it comes to finding great junk at yard sales.  Today we went to a lot of sales but they had mostly baby stuff.  I did pick up some items for Katherine that I'm excited about.  Most of the items were $.50 a piece, what a great price.

We also hit two thrift shops and I bought a couple of little things.  A little purse to be cut up into something else, a small vintage Santa, and very small vintage glass ornaments.  Ginger found the adorable owl trivet that will look so cute painted in a bright glossy paint!  All for a total of $1.25!

$.75 Well Spent

I had a great time thrifting with some friends two weeks ago at Faith Rescue Mission.  All the children's clothes were $.75!  I picked up several items but what I was most excited about was this:

We all made fun of it's bizarre qualities but once I had a good look I liked the felt flowers.  Cutting the flowers off and adding it to a cute sweater of Katherine's could give this tacky number a new life.

While unpacking my bag, Katherine spotted the shirt right away.  "Ohhhh, is this for me?!  I love it!".  I explained that I was going to cut off the flowers and add them to something else but she could have the sparkly shirt.  "It's perfect for a poisonous frog costume!" and then started to put it on.  I don't guess anyone has died of wearing second hand clothes before they're washed.  I try not to think about it. 

Once I started cutting the flowers off I realized that someone had cut each flower out then painstakingly blanket stitched all around each flower.  It was a labor of love for some little girl, I'm glad I bought it.  Here are my end projects:

I sewed snaps onto the sweater and the back of the flowers so they come off for washing.

Yard Sale Finds

Today's sales were plentiful but didn't have a whole lot to offer.  At least I came home with a couple things, Ginger only found a Pampered Chef vegetable steamer.

 The silver thing in the back looks like glass but it's plastic, I'm going to add it to my mercury glass collection.  And I found another lantern for my collection.  The gold thingy is actually a pretty necklace with a thick glass heart that magnifies.  I got home and added some chunky charms onto it.  The suit is for Charlie, but now I've got to find some black dress shoes before he can wear it.  Nothing terribly exciting today but I had a good time anyway!

Good Morning Turns Into Panic Afternoon

Last Saturday my morning was great!  Ginger and I went to several yard sales and found some goodies.  I came home with:

A sweater for Katherine   $1.00

Child size hangers   $1.00

Leggings       $.25

Magazines   $.25

Spider earrings   $.25

Tarnished silver platter   $1.00

Clock    $.75

Weight Watcher's Cook book  $.75

For a total of $5.25!

However, I did not come home with MY WALLET.  We ran into Hobby Lobby for a moment and I came out without my wallet.  I can only guess that I put it down to rummage through the clearance.  Of course we backtracked to several places and scoured Hobby Lobby twice but nothing.  I had about $240 in it and so far no one has called.  I feel incredibly stupid, but lesson learned. 

Estate Sale Finds

I've had a lot of luck lately with estate sales!  We went to one this morning that was packed with people and the parking was a bit crazy.  But I made it home with a few treasures.

A roasting pan $1
Vintage Christmas balls $.50
Wooden filigree thing $1
Vintage chalkboard $3
The clothing was from a yard sale two weeks ago that I left in Ginger's car.  I hope to make something for my little model as seen below....

My favorite thing was this faux fur stole for $3!  I can't wait to wear it with a black turtle neck and maybe a vintage rhinestone pin.

New/Old Lamp

I bought this lamp from a yard sale about three months ago at the suggestion of Aunt Frances.  I'm so glad she sent me a photo of it!  I loved the color right away but it needed a lot of work.  I purchased a lamp kit but it turned out that there is a bulb that lights up the base which complicated things.  I'm saying this like I'm the one who did all the work, sorry Chuck. 

Several lamp parts later and a new shade and it's ready to light my new work space.  It may not have been the bargain I thought I was getting but it certainly has the charm that can't be duplicated.

I never posted what I purchased at yard sales last weekend!  I bought this beautiful scarf for .50.  And the jewelry I paid less than $3 all together.  Assorted colored zippers are in the bag for some future projects.  My big find of the day is something that has been on my list for over a year, a chandelier for my bedroom.  I wanted one dripping with crystals and I got it for $30!  It's even gaudier than I had hoped for!  It's currently in a box in pieces waiting for the weather to cool down.  I don't think we could live without our ceiling fan.

Here's a photo of the smaller version from Lowe's.  Mine has 10 arms!  It was originally $259!  I just love yard sales, sigh.  I must admit that I did have a twinge of "buyer's remorse" as we found this at our very first sale of the day and it was just about all the cash I had on me.  I was worried about the shiny brass between the crystals but I'm over it!

  Now I'm looking for an attractive floor fan.

Saturday's Finds

We've had much better yard sale times than this past weekend but I did find some things on my list.  I was looking for some clothing items to be "upcycled" into some cute pants for Charlie.  If you have a boy you know how difficult it is to find cute outfits at times.  I have found church clothes to be the most elusive unless it's the holiday season. 
I found a pair of corduroy pants, a waffle weave long-sleeved shirt, and plaid shorts all for $2.
We also found ourselves at what was advertised as a "gigantic flea market".  It wasn't, but we did have a great time digging through this gigantic mound of jewelry placed into tiny bags.  I unearthed an owl necklace, an Uncle Sam pin with rhinestones, and shoe clips.  Ginger found a vintage fruit necklace that I had to have, all for $4.

Our hunt for a bargain lead us to a couple of thrift shops where I found another round mirror for my collection, it wasn't in great shape but it was only $2.  The frame is plastic and has a bit of damage but it's not terribly noticeable.  It's the big one hung behind the lamp.

Last week I picked up another round mirror on clearance at Hobby Lobby for $2.  It needs some paint to fit into my theme.

Last Week's Bargains

My thrifting buddy, Ginger, and I went thrifting last week.  First it was to the Habitat for Humanity Resale shop. We managed to find a handful of items but were forced to put down our goods due to an extremely s....l....o....w cashier and no air conditioner.  I don't see us going back there anytime soon.

Our next stop was to the Goodwill in the same part of town.  We both found some clothing items but the best part was Ginger losing her cool with the cashier.  The cashier chose unwisely to stop her transaction and have a lengthy conversation with another employee who strolled up after we had already waited.  Ginger received many an apology after she made it clear how rude the cashier had been for making us wait.

Our shopping ended at Faith Rescue Mission where Ginger found me an adorable metal airplane for Charlie's room. 

Here's what I came home with: a dress shirt for Charlie, a sweater, blouse, and hoodie for me, and the metal airplane.  I spent $12, not the best prices compared to yard sales but I got out of the house for an afternoon with a friend.

Chuck and I went to some yard sales this past weekend while we were out of town.  It wasn't good.  I found this red votive and vintage Christmas balls for 50 cents.  That's it. Hopefully this Saturday will be more satisfying. 

Another Thrifty Birthday Gift

We needed another birthday gift for a little girl last weekend so I made another necklace.  I purchased a bag of colored ball chain necklaces from Hobby Lobby several months ago.  They might come to $1 a piece after using a coupon.  Then I add a Scrabble tile with her initial and a thrifted charm.  It's so cute and personal.  I hope the birthday girl loves it.  I'm always on the look out for super cheap jewelry at yard sales that I can rip apart and make into something new. 

Thrifting While on Vacation

My quest for finding a bargain does not stop while I'm traveling.  I'm curious if the junk in a different town is different than what I find in my own. It's not, but I'm always hopeful.  Here are my two favorite treasures recently found in other towns:

Two silver metal sconces $4.00 for my soon to be "glamorous" bedroom-

A turquoise circle skirt for Katherine $2.00, it does need to be taken in at the waist-

I can't wait to see what awaits me on our next trip!

Saturday's Bargains

It was another balmy Saturday for yard sales.  There were lots of sales but not a whole lot that we were interested in buying.  Ginger was given a "free gift" after her purchases at one of the sales, it was a car deodorizer.  That was weird.  

We hit sale after sale without buying a whole lot, our disappointment was escalating and time was running out.  Our last sale of the day finally gave us our "fix".  It was close to noon and the ladies running the sale really wanted to get rid of stuff.  Great!  We were given a plastic bag to stuff whatever into for $5.  I stuffed mine with 17 clothing items for Katherine, that's .30 a piece!  They also had some interesting magazines.  I'm not sure how many items Ginger managed to fit in her bag, maybe she'll leave us a comment.

Here's my treasures:

small clock   3.00

Christmas garland   free!

Christmas ball   .50

lamp shade  .50

metal urn   .50

magazines  .50

clothing   5.00

$10.00 total

Weekend Finds

Good sales were hard to come by Saturday.  We went to probably a dozen but left most of them empty handed.  But I am happy with what I came home with.  One of the first sales had loads of women's clothing that I thought were in good taste but overpriced.  I decided to come back to the sale later in the morning and ask for a deal.  It was accepted! I paid $1 per top.  All of them are winter items that most people had a hard time contemplating buying as it was very hot and muggy by 7 that morning.  Lucky for me I have a good imagination!

I also bought several easy to read books and three pairs of cute shoes for Katherine.  Charlie got an adorable dress shirt, and the little purse was .50 for all my weight watcher materials.
I managed to come home with no new projects.  Which is good because I haven't worked on anything for a while.  I have a lamp with no shade, another lamp that's currently useless, and two picture frames that need photos. 

An Experiment and It's Results

I was trying to lessen the total cost of my grocery bill and decided to write a few emails to the companies of my favorite products.  I wrote to Garnier, Sally Hansen, and Glide amongst others.  In the email I stated what product of theirs we use and why we like it.  I also requested coupons in some cases.  I did of course have to leave my personal information.

The results are a mixed bag.  Several companies wrote back thanking me but only 1 sent me coupons. 
Sally Hansen sent a total of $8 off several of their brands!  That was awesome.
Glide pointed out that the Sunday paper has coupons.  REALLY?! 
Garnier loved "my kind words" and will share my email at their next meeting.

Overall I would consider this experiment a failure as I didn't really lessen my grocery bill.  Yes, the coupons I did receive are awesome but I don't normally spend money each week on nail products.  Perhaps you will try to write to your favorite brands and get better results.