Restriction schmestriction!

What do you do when something you want to do is restricted by your husband? Do you give in and just resign yourself to this horrible fate? Or do you fight back and stand your ground? In my case, I did both.

When FishermanHubs restricted my yard sale shopping a couple of months ago, I reluctantly agreed. But deep inside, I know I can never turn back on yard sale, flea market, vintage store, bargain shopping. And so I devised an evil plan - I called on the help of my friends and asked them to clean their closets and declutter our lives. Yup, I told them that we will be hosting a multi-family yard sale. At first we scouted flea market listings so we don’t have to do the advertising ourselves. All we needed to do was pay for a table and we’re in business. Another friend had a better idea: why don’t we do it in someone else’s front yard, have a pot luck/barbecue and the kids can all gather and play in the backyard. It sounded like a plan and that’s what we did. Everybody was happy, we unloaded a lot of stuff (whatever didn’t sell was donated to the Salvation Army), we had fun while doing it and earned money too.

And so after emptying the attic, I turned around and bought more stuff. Silently, slealthily and carefully.

Here then are some of my yard sale finds:

sterling silver earrings still in box, shaped like flowers with punched dot effects - $2.50 (the Lady was asking $5.00 but I got it down to $2.50)

black and white photos of local places in the area. I was kicking myself when I got home for not buying everything. These would look really nice framed in black. The seller said her sister took these shots themselves, mounted them and never got round to framing them. $0.25 each

These were just some of my finds. I am getting really picky now and not buying something just ’cause I like it. I am, after all, restricted.

Fam Pics - Potted

At the risk of breaking the record for being the last one to post the monthly themed picture at PMN, I am posting my contribution. Although it is nothing original - a plant in a pot, it is near and dear to my heart for the main reason that it’s a yard sale find. Yes, a plant in a really nice pot with humble beginnings. It was there on the driveway of one lady’s home who has holding a yard sale, looking all pathetic and pitiful. It looked like there was no hope for this plant that I even asked the lady: “do you think this plant’s going to survive?” To which she replied: “it’s a hardy plant. it’s hard to kill and all it needs is water”. I looked at the plant again and was reminded of Audrey, the plant in Little Shop of Horrors. “Feed me” it seemed to say. The lady said: “I’ll take a dollar for that”. The pot itself looked really nice and would have been worth more than $1.00 so I bought it.

It’s been almost 3 months now and as you can see the plant has thrived. I poured all the water I can get. (My Mom said it’s a water plant) And slowly and surely, here it is.

Moral of the story: Take a chance on otherwise seemingly hopeless things. Everything and anything thrives on good old TLC.

Here are the pics from the PMN:

1. Julie’s flowers
2. Raqgold’s Potted Memory
3. Cookie’s different kind of pot
4. KK’s indoor and outdoor pots
5. Rach’s Flowers and a Smile
6. Lynn’s Pot Shots
7. Lady Cess’ The Best Tea
8. Feng’s Tagaytay Pics
9. Analyse’s Life isn’t easy being a nomad
10. Purple Girl’s Coffee Alamid
11. Mitch’s very edible photos
12. Noemi’s Ceramic Fondue Pot
13. Vicky’s Potted Fruits and Vegetables
14. Dine’s anything potted in Bhutan and Capalonga

Yard Sale Finds of the Week

Time once again to post my yard sale finds of the week:
Black Sandals and red strappy sandals. Love how the hue isn’t a slutty red but a saucy red. $5.00 for both.
I was so happy when I found this. The red valance with the check lining is perfect. And the red plaid curtain on the left is identical to the red placemats I already have. Now this looks like a Longaberger fabric that someone probably purchased and made. I’m just glad I got it for a fraction of the cost. The floral curtain was $3.00 and the plaid curtain was $2.00 at a church yard sale

This is also a great find. The rug was rolled when they were selling it and I did not get a chance to see what the pattern was but the color was right and the price made it irresistible - $2.00. The blue curtains I love. I love toile and it certainly matches the rug - $3.00

At a flea market, this lady was selling a trunkful of clothes and I got all these from her:
white Ann Taylor linen pants, The Limited cropped pants, The Limited pink stripe shirt and a BCBG black sleeveless blouse. The price - a whopping $8.00 for all of them or $2.00 apiece. The downside: all of them are dry clean only. Oh well, you can’t win ‘em all.

Yard Sale Finds of the Week

Here are some of my recent yard sale finds.

I was so happy to find these tin signs. All 3 for $2.00. It is hanging on top of the kitchen door.

DH was the one who saw this frame. It was a steal for $2.00!

Yard Sale Finds of the Week

Tin Rooster candle holder - $1.00 (you put tea lights on the back and it casts a nice glow)

Red Rooster - $0.50 looks decoupaged at first but is actually made of plaster of paris, I think

Set of 3 Framed prints - $10.00 for all three frames. This was our find of the day as DH and I both liked it

Salt and Pepper Shakers - $0.50 each

We are going with the French Country theme hence the roosters and the color red. I also bought red curtains for $10.00/2 panels. It was Pottery Barn so I didn’t bargain. Also got a red and yellow valance which I got for $3.00 which I plan to put in the middle of the red panels. I also got a red and yellow table runner for $1.00. I am slowly but surely accumulating the stuff and will post pictures once I am happy with the look.

It used to be that when I go to yard sales I will buy whatever struck my fancy. It doesn’t matter if I’ll use it or not as long as it’s cheap (which is exactly what we all do when we see SALE items). Now I am more selective and have passed up a lot of stuff when it doesn’t go with the house or if it doesn’t fit (for clothes). DH is super happy with his CD finds. He got 80’s music CDs - Air Supply, Bread, Eagles, etc. for $0.50 apiece. He also got a pair of leather sandals - NIB (new in box) Merrell for $15.00 (original price on box was $49.99). Overall, it was a sucessful day.

Yard Sale Finds of the Week

Here are my latest finds from my adventurous yard sale Saturday.

Pictures from left to right.
1. A variety of colored bottles with interesting shapes I bought for $0.25 each.
2. The bigger ones I got for $0.50 each, I’m planning to put olive oil in one and vinegar in the other one or soy sauce.
3. The Sake set was from a church fundraising yard sale so I don’t know how much I exactly paid for it but it was a good find. It was in a box, never used. I’ll use it for condiments when not used for Sake. (Who’ll know, right?)
4. The large frame was $5.00. It was huge and it is now hanging in the hallway as I have a blank wall there.
5. The topiary I got for $1.00, not bad considering that the same one goes for almost $30.00 at Michael’s Arts and Crafts store. It’s on the floor with my cherub by the fireplace.

Overall it was an okay Saturday. Not a lot of sales as there was rain in the forecast (which of course never came. sun was up the whole time). I’m hoping next Saturday will hold better treasures for me.

Yard Sale Find of the Week

I decided that I would post pictures of my yard sale finds of the week. No, I don’t mean to gloat about my new found treasures. Think of it as a show-and-tell for y’all! Share in my happiness every time I find new stuff at a bargain.

3.7 ft x 5.7 ft hand woven rug - bought at a flea market  last Saturday (05/26/07) for $3.00

teaspoons and tiny forks(you can’t see it but the handles have teapots at the ends)
 - $2.00 for all 8 pcs. @ a yard sale on 05/12/07

butter spreader  (bunches of fruits-grapes, berries as handles) - $2.00 for all 4 pcs. @ a yard sale on 05/19/07

Now tell me, with these finds who wouldn’t be inspired to wake up at 6:30 a.m. on Saturdays? Isn’t it fun? It’s the thrill of the find. You never know what you’re gonna get (so goes Forrest Gump). I’m a yard sale addict and proud of it.
What are your best finds so far? Come on! Show and tell!