Weekend Ramblings

Lately I am filled with both relief and regret. On one hand, I am relieved that sale season is winding down because I am more than a little overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I have accumulated. I'd like to think that I didn't really buy all that and surely it's been reproducing as I sleep.

But I am also sad that very soon the weather will get cold and nasty, and for several months there will be that white stuff on the ground. I tell myself that the lull is just what I need to focus on the Etsy shop and start moving more stuff out rather than in. But I also know that until April or so, I will have to be satisfied with the occasional estate sale find and the few vintage items that the thrift store gods see fit to let me find amid all that dollar-store crap.

 

Until then, I'm taking full advantage of what's left of the sale season. There were several estate sales over the weekend and I was able to go to three with Barbara. Here we are on Sunday morning, proudly displaying our extra-low numbers, which were attained by getting to the sale super early and spending three hours in my car, sharing pumpkin donuts and poring over Barbara's books on vintage Christmas. Not a bad way to spend three hours, let me tell you. By the way, I'm on the left; Barb is on the right.

I think I would give this sale a 6 on a sale of 10. It was OK but not great, unless you were into vintage clothing. Inside this once grand home, it looked like a scene from "What Not to Wear Extreme," and it was apparent that far more money was spent on shoes, clothing and girly home accessories than on routine household maintenance. Outside, the place was in need of a bulldozer or "This Old House 911," with lots of DANGER signs warning you not to lean on the railings or use the front steps.

But, I digress.

Here's a very random look at what you really want to see (other than Barbara and me) -- the weekend's finds.

 

Lots of Christmas, which is always good, including some pretty ornaments.

 

A large glittered bottle brush tree, plus a silk thread Santa.

 

And speaking of Santas, a bunch of these little guys although they may actually be elves.

 

A couple of fun plastic ornaments and some sparkly honeycomb tissue bells. By the way, is there a trick to uncrushing smushed honeycomb?

 

Silk-thread ornament angels, including a pink one in the middle. The white ones on either side remind me of some ornaments that were on my childhood Christmas tree.

  

And from the non-holiday department, a pair of minty-green tins.

 

And a couple of vintage black bags with interesting clasps.

And something completely fun and unexpected.

  

"BlueBird" balloons. Unfortunately time is not kind to the natural rubber because most of the balloons were stuck together in a balloon blob. But the packaging was still good and  obviously sweet, so how could I resist?

 

 

 

Comments

[Heidi]

I bought the red & white sisters to your little pink silk thread angel girl this last week at a thrift store. :)

Those elves are GREAT!

[Merry]

Please share the name of the vintage Christmas books... My favorite are the Angels!

[laurie magpie ethel]

I would have snagged those balloon boxes too - regardless of the uselessness of the balloons...great graphics. Spending three hours waiting in the car with Barbara and pumpkin donuts sounds like a great way to kill that waiting game...and I have NEVER seen a picture of Barbara...now I know what she looks like!

[Into Vintage]

I don't know where to begin with this post -- I laughed out when you mentioned you spent the time in the car looking at books on vintage Christmas -- just a little studying before shopping. :-)

Only a couple days ago I asked myself the very same question about the honeycombs - I have some that aren't torn but have been bent in the wrong position for a long, long time. This post reminded me to google that. Unless I don't have have to because you already know the answer...

Lastly (I promise) -- just wondering how the two of you determine who gets what when you shop the same sale; I assume there must be overlap in your interests. Ok. All done now. -amy

[Gina at Vintage Junk in My Trunk]

Your first paragraph is exactly how I've been feeling -- nice to know I'm not alone in my thrifting dilemma.

Looks like you two had a great time! Love those ornaments!

[Beth]

I just love your little angel ornaments -- they are so precious!