Summer is the best time to shop at yard sales.
If you look hard enough there's always a treasure hiding.
Come check out the pretties I've found!
The last thing I need around this teeny, tiny cottage is more stuff. And yet.
When the warm months roll around and people start lining their driveways with items they no longer want and a big sign that says, SALE, I can't help myself.
The urge to buy is strong.
I don't go looking for sales, I mean I literally have to be walking by one to stop, but in my neighborhood, someone always seems to be purging. So I pop in and say hello.
I never have more than $10 cash on me at any given time, so I figure I'm safe.
And since I'm usually on foot, and a certified weakling, the chances of me walking away with something very large, is remote at best.
And if I do, at least I know I'll get a good story out of it.
However, so far, this summer, I have no stories to share, just small, cheap stuff.
And to boot, I'm not even making any of it over.
The items that I've found so far are all just perfect the way they are...well, with the exception of this little darling.
It's the base of a Fenton lamp, the White Poppy.
It should have a glass shade that matches the bottom. But it doesn't. Which is why it was free. Literally. Just take it, she said...
Apparently, it would be worth hundreds if it had the matching top, but without it? Junk.
Well, to some I suppose. To me it was treasure.
I figured that even though I don't have a place for it, it was too lovely to leave behind. I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to put on it, but with a harp, it will support a fabric shade.
When I find one that looks good, I'll share. In the meantime, I just like looking at those giant white flowers.
Next up is another freebie.
This one was from my sister's yard sale. I tried to pay her, but she wouldn't hear of it.
After it didn't sell, I told her I'd always admired it. She was thrilled to see it come home with me.
Besides, when I get tired of it, I'll probably just give it back to her.
I seriously have no right bringing another white pitcher into this house, but I couldn't resist it. And doesn't it make my $3.00 mini carnations look fabulous?
Update! This summer I grabbed another white pitcher...and gave it a fabulous makeover.
Ok, now this was a roadside pick, not a yard sale score and I literally just found it.
I was driving with my daughter when we passed by this sweet set. I had to take a second look, soI turned the car around and went back.
There stood a nice gentleman in the driveway, cleaning out his garage.
I asked him if he was throwing the set out and he said yes, but he would love it if I would take it.
I offered to give him a few dollars for it, but he flatly refused. He said he was just so happy it would have a good home. And it does.
At the moment, it's settled in my garden, as is, surrounded by flowers and frogs. In the fall I may freshen it up a bit and bring it inside or not. We'll see.
Now, before you start to think that I'm a giant freeloader when it comes to yard sales, I did pay for this darling heart bench.
I didn't even haggle. I happily handed over the full asking price of one whole dollar and left smiling.
It's currently perched next to my fireplace. In the future, I may get the urge to decorate it in some way, but for now its simplicity speaks to me.
Another update! I haven't touched it, now it's next to my fireplace screen! So perfect...
Although it would look great with a big fern on it, don't you think? (Yes...it does!)
Hmmm. I doubt I could find one of those at a yard sale.
Or better yet, at the curb.
Then again. You never know.
Have you been shopping this summer?
Did you hop on over here from Ann at Apple Street Cottage?
Well then, so glad you're here and it's your lucky day. It's time for 10 On The 10th...even though there's slightly less than ten of us this month! Ah...summertime.
Why not hop on over to say hello to Patti at Pandora's Box and then move on down the line to see what everyone else has unearthed this summer!
Ann at Apple Street College
Kim at Exquisitely Unremarkable (Me!)
Patti at Pandora's Box
Susan at Homeroad
Katie at Let's Add Sprinkles
Terri at Decorate and More with Tip
Your home is beautiful and you always have just the perfect decor. Yard sale finds are the best!
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan! I totally get a high when I find a treasure!
DeleteAll of your finds are beautiful and you got a great deal on all. That white pitcher.... LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tammy! I've had my eye on that pitcher for a long, long time.
DeleteI love the lamp base too. Not to mention it's free but it's pretty too. Enjoy your pieces
ReplyDeleteCindy
Thanks Cindy. That lamp just caught my eye...I need to find a shade now.
DeleteWow you found some great items. I love the little heart bench by the fireplace. You can never have enough white pitchers lol!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
xoxo
Those pitchers are my weakness, Kris, but I love the way they look around the house. So, I keep collecting!!
DeleteGreat finds!! Looking forward to see what you find to finish the lamp. The way you felt about the lamp is the way I feel about tea cup saucers that I find, lonely, still pretty, but without their matching cup. I tend to take those home and I love using them. And that table and chairs set is sweet. Is it a child's set or full size? I can imagine how happy that gentleman was that someone loved it.
ReplyDeletekakingsbury at verizon dot net
Thanks Kathy! That lamp is so pretty, I need to figure that one out soon. And the table and chairs is for very little people or even dolls. I have several great nieces and they all love sitting in it by the pool. So sweet!!
DeleteGreat finds. That lamp is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Katie! it really is pretty.
DeleteThat little set is so cute.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed with your yard sale finds.
That set just stole my heart, Carol!
DeleteWhat a sweet post! I love the way you write! And your finds are all lovely! Please show a pic of your garden with the table & chairs!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Linda! I will have to snap a picture of it this week. My great nieces have been sitting in those chairs and it's adorable!!
DeleteYou are the Queen of the Yard Sale Bargains, Kim. Amazing finds at even more amazing prices!
ReplyDeleteKim, you are scoring big time. Oh, boy, wouldn't you just love to have the top for that lamp. As it is now a new lamp shade would be perfect, or just make it into a vase. It will be a beautiful addition to your cottage whatever. Love all the other little treasures too. I haven't been to one garage sale this summer, if you can believe that!..Happy Weekend..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteI have stopped going to garage sales & thrift shops unless I'm looking for something specific. I want to get more stuff out of my house right now instead of bring more in......although! I would be very tempted by the white pitcher & the lamp. Be sure to let us see the lamp once you find a shade for it.
ReplyDeleteThat white pitcher is way too pretty to ever give back :) Great scores; would love that little stool for a plant!
ReplyDeleteKim everything's so beautiful❤ You are so talented!
ReplyDeleteYou did good! I'm excited to see what you do with the lamp. I'm a sucker for white pitchers too and that is a beautiful one!
ReplyDeleteIf only I could find great things for free or even a dollar! The yard sales around me are just horrible this year. I want to kindly tell the owners to put their stuff out by the curb because most of it is not worth even a dollar! I have been going to Goodwill for my finds. That little table and chairs is just so sweet!
ReplyDeleteWow, were you ever in the right place at the right time to score those darling finds Kim! Love the table & chair set & especially love that lamp. I know you will give it a charming makeover when you find the right shade. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteGreat finds Kim. I am looking forward to seeing these in future posts. I know they all are keepers and will be helping make seasonal decorating special.
ReplyDeleteI recently had a new rug given to me.. the color was not what my friend Cindy wanted. She asked if I could use the rug. Oh Yes! It is a chocolate brown and it fits perfect in my living room.
Great finds.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Karie!!
DeleteI don't care how small our house is I'd take all these lovelies home with me too ;-) That little heart table is adorable. So sweet and unusual and that pitcher. Oh my, she's beautiful and fits right in with your decor style.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle! I do love that little heart...and just the way it is!
DeleteKim, I’d love to go shopping with you. Everything you found is great and has awesome potential. Can’t have too many white pitchers. I love the little herart stool. I can see it painted with a stencil design or words on it. Fun stuff.
ReplyDeleteOh Carol, those white pitchers are my weakness!!
DeleteWhat great finds! I haven't stopped at any yard sales, or thrift shops this summer. Who am I?
ReplyDeleteHaha! The urge comes and goes with me, Deanna, I just had a busy week!!
DeleteI love all of your finds! I haven't been to any yard sales (there haven't been that many because of the heat) or been to the thrift shops...just too much going on...but hope to start when school starts and the crowds taper down! Love and hugs!
ReplyDeleteThanks Benita! I prefer thrift stores, but the prices lately are just way too high. It's sad...
DeleteI'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who has items that "speak to me"!
ReplyDeleteMe too!! Unfortunately, they’re all saying, take me home…to my very small cottage!!
DeleteCute finds! There's hardly any yard sales around here by me and when there area, it's mostly baby items, tools, or junk! Though...
ReplyDeleteOur neighbor-friends down the street had a wicker credenza type piece of furniture at the curb and when I asked them if we could take it, they were like, "Please, please!" We're using it on the patio and I started to spray paint it a deep red, but ran out of paint. I went and bought more and then I didn't have enough time to continue and now it's been raining the past two days. So there it sits on my patio half painted. ;-)
I really wish I could get into yard sales but for whatever reason that doesn't seem to be my thing. I do love though to look through flea markets and antique malls! You always seem to find great little treasures...my favorite in this post is the white pitcher. I LOVE WHITE PITCHERS!!! In fact, recently I did go to the estate sale of an older couple I had loved so much and bought the loveliest white pitcher! Like you, I really didn't need to buy another one but it was big and only $3...and the fact it had belonged to my friend made it a must-have:) Too bad the top of the lamp was missing but you have "an eye" and I'm sure will do something fabulous with it.
ReplyDeleteI love antique malls and flea markets, too, Cheri. Over the years, most of them have closed around here and now it's just thrift store or high end antique stores. Too rich for my blood, so I've switched to yard sales...but only if they're within walking distance! I'm a picky shopper!!
DeleteWhat great scores! Can't believe what you got for free. You are a savvy shopper, indeed!! :) I love yard sales and thrift stores, but I've been trying to stay away. I'm trying to downsize. Been giving things to my kids. It's hard, but I need to start somewhere. Going back to watch your video. Have a great week!!
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
The free stuff is the best, Jann, but I really should be downsizing, too. Free makes it hard to say no!!
DeleteI love your thrift sale finds and especially that heart stool! You can do so much with that and it looks great near the fireplace.
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie! I love that piece, too! It's just darling in person.
Delete