5.27.2006

Treasure Hunting

All week I have been telling my oldest that we were going to go garage sale shopping today to replenish her dress-up collection that has dwindled as she has grown. Last night I was telling her that I was so excited to find some treasures. She was sad to find out that I didn't mean gold or jewels, but rather exciting, gently used things.

We picked up my sister and headed to a couple of rummage sales that were...well for lack of a better word, duds. Finally after almost giving up, we came to an estate sale. I am now addicted. This was the most wonderful, exciting place!!! I walked in and I went back to my childhood. This was like stepping back in time when my grandma was alive. It even smelled like her house. This woman had never thrown ANYTHING away. Years ago, before Str@wberry Shortc@ke came back, I threw out my SS babydoll. I have kicked myself ever since. This woman had a room that was LINED with dolls...I kid you not, every doll that had EVER been made was in this room. I started to glance at them and I SAW HER!!!! The doll that had haunted me!!! I grabbed her and hugged her and she still smelled...just like I remembered! She was all there except for her little bonnet. HAPPY, HAPPY DAY!!! I had looked for her on Eb@y and found her but she would always end up selling for a crazy high price. Saturdays are half off days. She was marked $7.00 so that took it to three and a half. The kind lady gave me half off that. Can you believe it???? $1.75 to aleviate my guilt!!! I was so elated when I brought her home and T immediately adopted her.

I found all of this for SOOOO cheap! The pile in the middle is a bunch of old fashioned silk scarves. TWENTY CENTS EACH!!! My Dad built my sisters and I these BEAUTIFUL doll houses when we were little. I am still in the process of restoring mine, but I couldn't help but JUMP for JOY when I found furniture for the front porch, much like the furniture that my parents originally purchased for it.

Now, before you start thinking..."Wow, she likes a lot of junk"...come on, admit it, you already thought that. Check out my next find. At first it looked like a hammered, old trunk. This woman had six or seven old trunks, some army, some not. I was debating back and forth between this one and another one. Since I was going to use them for dress-up, I decided to take a look at the interior. The first one I had my eye on was hammered on the inside. The paper lining had been torn to shreds and the wood was splintering. So I opened the next one and VOILA! There was a bunch of old lady underthings (think NAUGHTY...GROSS) and this travel bag and a box with an old fashioned vanity set and long handled mirror. In the travel bag were these BEAUTIFUL old felt and straw hats. I was GIDDY I tell you....GIDDY!!! There was this vulture/woman behind me who came in for the kill. I put my hand up and told her "YOU wait. I am LOOKING!" She was hovering badly. I asked the man "How much for the trunk AND its contents?" Vulture lady walked away defeated (I WON, I WON!!!). He said $15.00. So I took out all of the old lady naughty nighties and took the rest, paid and RAN before they could change their minds.

I HEART ESTATE SALES!!!!!!

22 comments:

Super Happy Girl said...

I also heart garage sales, you found a lot of cools stuff! I would never ever call a fellow garage-sailor's stuff 'junk'....no sir, those are treasures right there. I'm glad you were able to fend off the vultures and grab your goodies (GS is a very competitive sport!)

It's been raining non-stop for a week now over here, so no treasure hunting for me.

Nettie said...

Congratulations! It is alway so much fun to find a treasure! Even if you have to sift through many duds, the hunt makes the find all the sweeter.

Momma G said...

I loved Strawberry Shortcake as a kid...I want that doll!!!

Gina said...

You are such a great hunter! I am so very proud of you! I love garage sales and I will have to look into estate sales now. Fabulous finds, lady!

The Domesticator said...

I am so happy you found some fun and exciting things that made your day.
I really dislike shopping on a good day...weird huh? My girlfriends don't get that at all...so garage sales are out for me...estate sales, though? It sounds intriguing, even to a non-shopper like me!

Valarie said...

awesome finds! I've been meaning to hit some garage sales, but maybe I need to set my sights on these.

Mall Worker said...

Wow! You hit the jackpot there! I'm going to have to start hitting estate sales!

Code Yellow Mom said...

Sweet deals! You've got a good eye - I have never been able to find such good things at rummage and estate sales. Maybe I just need more pracice...

Thanks for stopping by my blog...I like yours (those hairdos were BEAUTIFUL...makes me want a little girl!) and I'll be back!

utmommy said...

Great bargains!! By the way, I tried the criss cross hair do on my daughter, and it looked darling. We didn't have time to take a picture before church, and by the time we got home it was a little bit messed up. But, it was so cute. I'll have to do it again and post a picture. Thanks for the great "do". I got so many compliments on it. I still have my Strawberry Shortcake doll from my grandpa and I love it. My girls now love to play with it.

Gabriela said...

Wow! Good job. I can relate to your excitment. My mom and I go hunting when we are together and we always take the biggest car we have because we tend to lose control.

P.S. Margarita went to school with 5 "knots". Thanks again!

smart mama said...

love bargain finds--

Karla said...

How fun! I never thought of getting dress ups a garage sales. My girls would love hats like that to dress up in. Now I know!

Lana said...

I love your last hair do- so cute!

My walls are behr paint, it's called __________ hotel yellow. I don't remember exactly I'll have to see if I can find the can. I love it because it's soft and buttery. Thanks!

elizabeth said...

big congrats on finding that lost treasure!

i still have a couple of my ss dolls (the smaller ones) and have recently given them to my lil girl.

ahhhh...she still smells like strawberries.

great blog :)

Jenn said...

wow..you put me to shame. THat's fabulous! I love old vintage stuff.

I was giggling over SS. I had her too. :o)

Lei said...

Score! My mother saved all my litle SS figurines and I gave them to dd this year. She loves them. :)

A good tip for dress-up... hit the after Halloween sales. :)

Shhhhhhhh! said...

WOW what great finds. I love estate sales too. We had a neighbor pass a few years ago and I was one of the first in the door. I too found some great deals.

Dawnyel said...

Holy cow, Estate sale girl! (hee hee) You did an amazing job finding those things! I miss my SS doll too, she looked just like the one you found....minus the hat, of course. You are a treasure hunter I'd love to do some browsing with!

Millie said...

I love the cute little wicker chairs. What a good mom you are, taking your daughter out for new "pretties."

The old lady lingerie thing cracked me up... it reminded me of an episode of "Whose Line" where Colin was in front of the green screen, not knowing what was playing behind him (one of my favorites) and it was a movie from the 40s showing old fat strippers. One of them was spinning her tassels for all she was worth. LOL!

If I ever move to Ogden, you are taking me estate sale shopping.

Rachelle said...

OK, so jealous of the wise men. Collecting Nativity pieces is a hobby of mine!

Deannna - Younique Presenter said...

lucky girl!!! I love a good deal. I wish we had estate sales in mexico!!

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