Tuesday, November 9, 2010

thrifty thrifting

One of my favorite things in the whole world to do on Saturday mornings is go Garage Sale~ing! 

I even have a silly and totally obnoxious song I sing to Gary and the kids while we are loading up and heading out on our Saturday morning adventures.  It is a ritual for us.  We get up at the crack of dawn on Saturday mornings, because my kids DON'T sleep late...ever.  Gary and I get dressed and have a few cups of coffee and by then the kids are begging for donuts.  They get donuts and I get to shop while Gary chauffeurs me around.  It is perfect.  Maybe for me, Gary doesn't seem to mind.  

I am a very picky shopper though.  I only buy stuff that I know I will use...home decor is one of the number one things I really like to grab.    People are always getting rid of crafty holiday decor.  Like wreaths and seasonal decor, even garden flags.  I got a Halloween garden flag for our backyard for $.50, and a fun Halloween plaque to hang out back also for $1.00.  (Our backyard has a wrought iron fence that backs up to a green belt, so people can see into our backyard.  I like to make it look as festive as the front yard.) 


I also look for kitchen stuff. I bought our bread maker for $7.00 still in the box.  It didn't come with a manual, but I printed it after finding it online.  I have been looking for a sewing machine, since I don't know if I will enjoy sewing.  I'm thinking I will have to just stick with Walmart on the sewing machine.  I can' t find anything that isn't antique! 

 I found a nice set of clear glass bowls. They all fit nicely into one another as they progress down in size.
I love them.




The price on these fun bowls $3.00.



When I put them in the back of the suburban Gary almost fell out.  He was like really?  Our cabinets are so full of all my cooking supplies and dishes, and here I buy more.  But they are awesome and the storage was no biggie, they are all cozy together.  ha!



See the tray I got for $1.00.  We needed it to set drinks down on our ottoman.  Remember I got the ottoman for $20.00!!   We like it, but can't set things on it...so I found this cute World Market tray.


And the shelf above the TV...yep $1.00.

My plan is to got to Hobby Lobby and get some 'words' on top of the shelf.  Maybe "Laugh" or "Family."


And this fun tray was $1.00 also.  It is from Crate & Barrel.  The sticker is still on it!

 
 (this picture is terrible sorry...but it will work.)


I couldn't resist this Pier One cookie jar. It too was $1.00.  I don't think I will use it as a cookie jar, but I just like it. 



Because my son is wild and crazy and we like having a fire now and then...we decided to look for a fireplace screen.  I don't particularly like fireplace screens, but it was a necessity.  It was $5.00.



And over a year ago I posted about the crosses above the mantle...I found a set of 4 for $7.00. 
They still have the Hobby Lobby stickers on them.



And finally the curtains that are in our office...I got all six of them.   They are black out curtains and very important for privacy since Gary works here at our home office.  The lady never used them.  She bought the wrong size.  Thank you ma'am! Her loss is my gain...$20.00 :)  I have to say the curtains were hard for me to buy.  I am a bit of a germaphobe {is that even a word?}.  Everything I purchase gets cleaned like mad. I was afraid I'd ruin the curtains, but I didn't. 

I'm OK with the fact that I am a garage sale nerd :)  I wonder if they have meetings for people like me?

Do you shop at garage/estate sales in your neighborhood? 
What have you found recently? 

14 comments:

Aly @ Analyze This said...

OMG!! Can I come garage sale shopping with you?! I can't believe all of the NICE items you got for such a wonderful price!! Definitely wallet friendly!!!! :)

Kelli said...

Whoa baby...you've gotten some great deals!!! I love my glass bowls and would have picked up more for $3 too. I love the cookie jar too. I have never been garage sale shopping (gasp I know!) but I will have to try it.

Laura@The Oily Cupboard said...

our neighborhood has 2 1 in the spring and 1 in the fall...u should come!

i'm more of the resale/goodwill shopper..i never seem to get up in time for garage sales. its more the 'lily is finally asleep...i'd better join her or i'm screwed' phase right now!

my ex mil is a terrific garage sale finder...my best mixin bowls/measuring spoons/pans came from there!! woohoo

Emily said...

I know so many people who are garage sale lovers too...can you believe I've never even been to one!

Jocelyn said...

Wow! You found some awesome stuff! I didn't even go to one garage sale this year. I need to next summer for sure!

LeAnna said...

LOVE me some garage salin', I grew up going every weekend with my Momma. Here they start on Thursdays, though. That's when you get the good stuff. My Mom got 9 dozen canning jars for 12 bucks a few weeks ago. Good times!

Kelli W said...

I have to be in just the right mood for garage sales. Sometimes I don't mind digging to find a great deal and other times it just doesn't seem worth it! I guess if I found all the great stuff you did, I would be at garage sales all the time:)

GirlSunday said...

you totally scored! seems like all i ever see is junk. maybe i just don't have "the eye."

job well done.

Meant to be a mom said...

Wow, I'm so impressed. You got some really really good stuff and at such a bargain. Good for you. I've never really done the garage sale thing. I always find junk and never anything half as good as the things you got.

Anonymous said...

I love garage sale'ing! I wish it were warmer here year round so it just wasn't a seasonal thing - I love antique shops too!

Anonymous said...

Love the cookie jar and only for a buck! You found some great finds!

Carrie said...

I haven't been to a garage sale in awhile, or any flea markets this year...but I love to sort through to find just the right thing...it is so fun! you sure know how to find the goods! I love everything you got! I think my favorite thing I've found in awhile are the little school desks I found a few years ago. I need to go with you next time!

Unknown said...

i love to go garage sale-ing...
but, i'm not that good at it =(

i need you to come help me...b/c you have found some GREAT things!!!

beckylbranch said...

You are a bargain hunter fo' shizzle! I need to go garage saling with you! I love Estate Sales too....if I can find them :)