Remember how I told you that I had grounded myself from yard sales until my bathroom was finished?
Yeah, well I jumped ship on Saturday morning.
It had been a long, hard week with my husband gone a lot and the only "me" time I was going to be able to sneak in was Sat morning before 9 a.m. I also had some birthday money from my grandma burning a hole in my pocket. What's a girl to do?
Yeah, well I jumped ship on Saturday morning.
It had been a long, hard week with my husband gone a lot and the only "me" time I was going to be able to sneak in was Sat morning before 9 a.m. I also had some birthday money from my grandma burning a hole in my pocket. What's a girl to do?
There weren't too many sales since the wind was blowing like crazy. I went to three and managed to find this over the door hanger, bird cage (do you see the potential on this one??), and mirror for $3 total.
Not a bad morning, but not the best. I was on my way home when I saw a sign for a feeder sale (what am I talking about? see my yard sale 101 posts here) just a few blocks from my house. Of course I stopped, and they had some of the best stuff! I couldn't believe it.
I started my pile and just kept adding and adding:
white Pottery Barn dishes, an lamp with great potential, a frame, a candle holder, a wreath, a cute yellow tin, a wooden wall hanging thing with a drawer, and a bunch of Swiffer refills. And, do you see the beauty they're sitting on?
white Pottery Barn dishes, an lamp with great potential, a frame, a candle holder, a wreath, a cute yellow tin, a wooden wall hanging thing with a drawer, and a bunch of Swiffer refills. And, do you see the beauty they're sitting on?
It's a gorgeous white Ethan Allen desk set~ all wood, came with the chair, the toile chair pad, and a nightstand that's not in the picture. It has some handles missing and a few of the shelves were gone, but it was in great shape.
The husband (gotta love the husbands) said,
"how about $35 for everything? We really want everything gone since we had it yesterday too."
Me: "You had it yesterday and you still have all this left?? What did you have yesterday?"
Him: "Oh, we sold a lot~some furniture, lots of fabric, curtains, some old doors, lots of decorative stuff. We're getting ready to move and just don't want to pack a lot."
Him: "Oh, we sold a lot~some furniture, lots of fabric, curtains, some old doors, lots of decorative stuff. We're getting ready to move and just don't want to pack a lot."
Me: gulp. (why did I even ask and why didn't I go on Friday?? Blasted bathroom.)
I asked him to hold it all for me while I ran home and measured really quickly. We don't have the space in my girls' room right now, but I knew I couldn't pass up such a great piece of furniture and I had an idea of where it could go. Ran home, measured, did a little dance of joy that it was a perfect fit, grabbed some more cash, and ran back and handed over the $35. Another lady had pulled up and cleaned them out of everything I didn't get.
I can't wait to get my hands on all of it, but I am going to work on the bathroom now. For reals.
I have this eye-sore outside my front door. Isn't it lovely? It's old, ugly, and doesn't even work, so I wanted to cover it up.I fell in love with the arrangement on Susan's door from Between Naps on the Porch and thought, hey! I may just have the right stuff to do something similar. Here is what I'm going to work with: some pretty daisies from a yard sale this fall and a little tin holder that has been on top of my girls' bookcase for a long time. I got it forever ago at a yard sale and I wasn't quite sure what to do with it, so it's just been sitting there collecting dust. It is a weird, grayish, creamish color. 
I gave the tin a new coat of white spray paint, stuck the daisies in, added a ribbon, and here we go:
You can see the speaker behind the flowers if you look really closely, but I think it does the trick. So, a little touch of spring for the front~I'm thinking I could change it up for the seasons as well. For right now, I'm hooked on the daisies.
I'm participating in Julia's "hooked on party" today. Go see what everyone else is hooked on~
I fell in love with the arrangement on Susan's door from Between Naps on the Porch and thought, hey! I may just have the right stuff to do something similar. Here is what I'm going to work with: some pretty daisies from a yard sale this fall and a little tin holder that has been on top of my girls' bookcase for a long time. I got it forever ago at a yard sale and I wasn't quite sure what to do with it, so it's just been sitting there collecting dust. It is a weird, grayish, creamish color. 
I gave the tin a new coat of white spray paint, stuck the daisies in, added a ribbon, and here we go:
You can see the speaker behind the flowers if you look really closely, but I think it does the trick. So, a little touch of spring for the front~I'm thinking I could change it up for the seasons as well. For right now, I'm hooked on the daisies.
I'm participating in Julia's "hooked on party" today. Go see what everyone else is hooked on~Have a wonderful weekend!
Oh, and P.S.~ Wendy, I used your idea with the food coloring at the bottom of the cereal on April Fools. When we added the milk, the kids thought I was magic making the color suddenly appear like that. Loved it~thanks!!
Back in December, I told you I was going to show you a ribbon intervention. Well, I was 9 months pregnant~didn't happen. So, with the Michael's craft boxes on sale this week for $1.67, I thought this would be the perfect time. Here is the Martha Stewart ribbon box that inspired me. $18? Not so inspirational. Let's see if we can do better...
photo by Martha Stewart Crafts
Part of my ribbon stash. Also not so inspirational...
Take your craft box and place rolls of ribbon in it. I used my red, pink, and cream fat rolls in this one. You want them snug so they won't be sliding around, but not tight. They will need to have room to roll when you pull yuor ribbon out of the side. How did I get those nifty little holes?
Ladies, start your drills! I had marked the box where my ribbon was and just drilled along the side. If are making a box of skinnier ribbon, you'll obviously need to make more holes and closer together. If you've never used a drill, get acquainted with yours today. Power tools are your friend! If you can use a hand mixer in the kitchen, you can use a drill. Ask the man in your life if he can show you how to make some holes in your box using a 3/8" drill bit. He'll be impressed.
Now, when you go to get your ribbon, you just pull out the length you need, cut it, and everything stays nice and neat. If you go to Michael's and they don't have the boxes in colors you want, buy them anyway at the sale price and you can exchange them later when they get more in. If they're out, you can get a rain check.
Works for me... have a great Wednesday and happy April Fools!
Where did March go??
Here is a fun idea to do for April Fools tomorrow:
put round circles of Cool Whip on plates, top with a peach half and tell your family that you will be dining on ostrich eggs. We had fun doing it last year and my kids loved it once they found out what they really were:
put round circles of Cool Whip on plates, top with a peach half and tell your family that you will be dining on ostrich eggs. We had fun doing it last year and my kids loved it once they found out what they really were:
Anyone got anything great up their sleeve for tomorrow?
Hi everyone! Most of you know that I unplugged my computer on Friday for Kimba's challenge. This was really, really good for me. You also know that I've been struggling with the whole balance issue from this previous post. In the last little while, I've been kind of thinking of how much it seems I used to get done. The to-do lists I make these days are just discouraging, because it seems so little gets crossed off. I attributed it to the fact that I have more kids, and of course that plays a role, but on Friday I think my eyes were opened to how much time the computer sucks out of my day. Having it in the kitchen at my little work desk is a blessing and a curse. A blessing because it is handy and I'm "accessible" to my family, or would like to believe I am, but a curse because it's
right there.
Right there to click refresh to see if I have any new emails or comments, or to just "quickly" check Google reader to see what new, amazing things y'all have put on your blogs. And all those little checking ins take a huge chunk out of my day. I felt so good on Friday as well because I felt like I was in control of my day and what I wanted to accomplish, instead of the computer in charge of me. I couldn't believe how much I'd accomplished by 10 a.m. I felt more tuned in to my kids as well. I was more present and connected to what they were doing and saying because I wasn't so distracted with what was going on in cyberspace.
Was it hard? It was really hard. I think I made it to around 6 p.m. (I just committed to the day, right?) So, yea, I'm a little embarrassed with how addicted I am. But, I've re-committed myself to turning the computer off in the times that I've designated to be computer-free so I'm not even tempted to push "refresh." I'm really wanting to work on this and needed this eye opener. So, thanks, Kimba for the challenge~it was what I needed.
And, speaking of eye openers~ I saw in the Michaels ad this week that their craft boxes are 3 for $5. This is the cheapest I've seen them and you may want to pick up a few~I'll even be showing you a fun little project with them that's kind of "outside the box." Ha ha. I'm a nerd and it's late. Here is the photo from the flyer:
Have a great Monday!
* if you buy new things, you have to get rid of some of the old *
Unless you have a bare house and are starting from scratch. But, I have a sneaking suspicion that most of you {like me} have too much stuff already. If you start bringing home a bunch of treasures and add to your home without replacing items, pretty soon your house is going to look like an indoor yard sale. Get rid of things you may not love and replace them with things you do.
Unless you have a bare house and are starting from scratch. But, I have a sneaking suspicion that most of you {like me} have too much stuff already. If you start bringing home a bunch of treasures and add to your home without replacing items, pretty soon your house is going to look like an indoor yard sale. Get rid of things you may not love and replace them with things you do.
Remember these quotes from this post? Use them as a guideline in this area:
"Remove the clutter and then honor and respect those things that make your heart sing" -Peter Walsh
"When we talk about saving money, the best way to save it is not to waste it. And it doesn't matter how much time or energy or money you put into a room, if you haven't edited and organized and decluttered and gotten it into a beautiful, functional state first, you've wasted the money." ~Candice Olsen Awesome advice.
* ground yourself once in awhile *
If you get too many treasures that need makeovers, or things are piling up and you haven't gotten around to the "getting rid of" part, you need to put yourself in a yard sale/thrift store/flea market time out. I'm doing it to myself this weekend. No more treasures for this girl until her bathroom is finished.
And some random things I thought of...
* bringing kids along *
I actually think it's a great idea to bring your kids to yard sales once or twice a year to show what bang you can get for your buck and to help teach the value of a dollar. My mom and grandma loved to go and that's where my love started, because I could see what great things you could get for so much less. The kids will be in heaven, but the problem with this is what we talked about above. All the treasures they find will start accumulating in their rooms. If you do have to take kids, you can make it work, it just takes a little more planning, creativity, and lots of snacks.
* feeder sales *
this is what I call the sales that don't advertise, but "feed" off the people who did advertise whose sales you're on the way to.
Always stop at them. There can't be earlybirds, because no one knows about them. They're not trying to make up the money they spent in advertising in the paper, so they may be priced better. They don't know if they'll have much traffic because they didn't advertise, so they often just want it gone. I have had some awesome finds from sales I just happen upon.
*a few things you may want to keep in your car that will help you out*
*measurements if you're looking for a specific big item
* a tape measure to use at the sale see if it will fit in the space and in your vehicle
* a list of the sizes and items you are looking for for upcoming seasons for your kids
*a city map in case you get lost
*blankets to protect furniture when you haul it off.
*snacks and drinks for you! I love me a Snickers Almond.
That wraps it up for this week! I've had a ton of fun doing it and I have loved, loved your comments and tips as well. I'm thinking we need to do a 101 course on having a yard sale in April. What do you think??
Tomorrow, I'm taking Kimba's challenge and turning my computer off and keeping it off the whole day. Yikes! I'm a bit nervous to see just how addicted I am. Join us!
I'm planning on getting lots done. So, I'll see you back here next week~have a great weekend!
I'm planning on getting lots done. So, I'll see you back here next week~have a great weekend!
sourceThe hardest part is getting there, so here are a few tips for at the sale:
* pick it up *
* if you see something that you like, or even think you like, pick it up. You can always think about it and set it down later. You'll be kicking yourself if you don't and see someone else pick it up and then it will make you like it even more. :) If it's a big item, start asking questions about it and then if you want it, tell them you'll take it and it's yours! (yes, you still have to pay) If you want to discuss it with your husband first, let them know you think you want it, you just have to make a phone call first.
* piles *
pic source *If your arms are getting full, ask the people running the sale if you can make a pile by them. That way, they know it's yours and by the yard sale "rules", no one can take stuff from your pile. I hate it when I see something I love and pick it up and someone says, "oh, that's my pile." But, you have to be nice and play by the yard sale rules. Piles are sacred.
* it never hurts to ask... *
pic source
If they're asking $10, ask if they'll take $7.
If it's $1, ask if they'll take .50
If it's $5, ask if they'll take $3.
What's the worst they can say?
No?
Then you decide if you want it at that price or not.
If you have more than a couple of items, add it all up in your head and then take off what you think sounds fair and then ask. Don't low-ball though. You don't ask for a pile of amazing stuff that adds up to $10 for one dollar. That's bad yard sale etiquette.
If you have more than a couple of items, add it all up in your head and then take off what you think sounds fair and then ask. Don't low-ball though. You don't ask for a pile of amazing stuff that adds up to $10 for one dollar. That's bad yard sale etiquette.
Sometimes, people just have great prices and you don't feel like you need to ask for less.
pic sourceAnother trick for this one: I've found it helps if I have the cash in hand when I ask. So, if it's $10, I'll pull out a five and two ones and say, will you take $7 for it? For some reason, when the money is right there, they seem much more willing to take it.
A funny story with this one: when I was with my sister-in-law Kristine we were at the end of our yard sale trail and out of money. There was something she really wanted though, so we went and searched through the car for some loose change, and we came up with .42 or something. She went up like a little kid and showed him all the loose change and said, will you take .42 for it? He just took pity on her and just gave it to her. Oh, the good yard sale memories.
* what's up with the department store prices? *
You'll come across sales that are just so high priced it's crazy. You can feel them out to see if they're willing to come down, but most of the time, I just move on to the next one and don't waste my time.
*price points*
speaking of prices, I have "price points" set in my head of what I want to spend for certain items. For example, I try not to spend more than 50 cents a piece for kids clothes, unless they are coats, dresses, nice shoes, or very nice name brand items. The more you go, the more you'll have little price points in your head for what you're willing to pay for items.
*exchange phone numbers*
if there is something that's priced too high and they won't come down, or an item I need to go home and measure to see if it will work, I ask for their phone number and then I can call them back and say, "I want it~can you hold it for 10 minutes until I get there?" Or, you can call in the afternoon to see if they still have it. Most people are much more willing to go down in price if it's the end of the day and it's still there.
*drive bys and not buying anything are ok*
Sometimes you can tell it's just not your kind of sale when you drive by and you just move on to the next one. If you do walk up and nothing catches your eye, just say, "thanks" or "have a good day" and be on your way.
*if you're looking for a specific item, ask.*
many times, people will ask if you're looking for anything in particular. If you are, tell them. This last fall when I was on the hunt for maternity clothes, I asked and a lady brought out 2 whole boxes she forgot.
Oh, and one more little thing:
*always ask the husband what the price is...*
A lot of times, they have no idea what their wives paid for it and they just want it out of there. They usually give you the best deals. ;)
Tomorrow, we'll wrap up our little Yard Sale 101 Series with "after the sale" and some miscellaneous tips that I forgot. I'd love to hear any other tips you have!
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