Happy Friday, get out and find some deals!

I hope you don't mind a minimally worded post for a more of a pictorial on some of my favorite finds.
These are some of things that I have found and have become almost a staple and get basically weekly use.  Some are practical and some are fun :-)

•  Chest
• Tray
• Mugs
• Cream and Sugar set

This little scene constitutes my nightly pass time.  All of these items cost very little or nothing at all.  Total being just under $25.00 for all.  The chest doubles as our coffee table and it gets daily use by us and use for tea and cookies with friends at least once a week.

Bracelets made of metal and wood.  I picked up both of these in the Bay area at different thrift store.  I just love them and actually wear them both at once on the same wrist!
Combined price of approximately $6.00

•  Corning Brand Carafe
• Glass
• Wooden decorative bowl
• Little serving dish
• Table cloth
• Table

I really was not joking when I said I own hardly anything "new".  This was a picture I snapped for my "CSA cooking" diary.  Strawberry lemon with Garlic scape pesto for a snack

Everything without the table came to about $6.00

•  Crate and Barrel Plate
• Table cloth 

Another photo from my CSA cooking diary as well.  The veggies in the fried rice came in the veggie box.  The table cloth and the plate came to $.25.  I got the plate set for $1.00 and so that is the price of 1 plate.  The table cloth was free.

One of the 3 "pricey" items in my home that gets the most use is the living room carpet.  A little more then we would normally pay but we definitely got it at a fraction of the retail price.



I guess the "moral" of the story is you can find anything you need without paying retail.  This is something that I am pretty much against and make very little exceptions for.  The obvious things are personal wear and electronics.  Everyone and anyone can score a great deal if you just take a little more time to look for it.  Sabr.

Seasons Greetings!

Garage Sale season that is.  The actual season that just keeps giving and giving, if you are willing to go out and look for the deals!  Craigslist is amazing when it comes to looking for the best garage sales suited to your tastes and needs.  I have searched "baby" "size 8" and "family" so far and I have not been disappointed in the garage sales that I have been to.  Also on the plus side, they were all in walking distance! Not having a car for the past few months has been an adventure and I actually thought I wouldn't be able to check out the local garage sales because of it.  But of course, with my life long love of deals, I HAD to find a way.

What did I score, many things actually.  I was able to get some books, a kelty baby carrier, fabric, cups,  utensils, a few clothing items (maybe 10 things including winter wear),  scarves, an antique mirror, antique first aid kit, flooring, an insulated coffee cup, a mixing bowl, a few decorative items and a juicer!  I hope I'm not forgetting anything because it was QUITE a loot, and all under $60.00.  I actually didn't even spend the full 60 because I used a few bucks at the grocery store and treated myself to bubble tea.

So far I have worn a pants, cardigan and dress that I bought.  I've have skimmed through one of the books "A History of Art" and discovered an artist that I really like :-D.  I have made a tea for sore throats consisting of ginger, oranges and mint leaves with the juicer.  We went out for a hike with the kelty carrier and my son loved it.  He was content the whole time and even got in a pretty long nap!  We also found a picnic basket and it went out for a picnic the same day with some friends.  The mirror is hanging, and the utensils have already been threw the dishwasher a few times!  I have even found a little bit of time to start a pillow with some of the fabric.  I also treated my husband to some traditional fried bread using my 'new" mixing bowl.  There is not even space to post pics of all the items in their uses so far but we all know what cups with coffee in them look like ;-P 

Anyway, all my purchases have already paid for themselves in their uses and I would encourage any one and everyone to hit up some garage sales.  Take the whole family!  If you are so inclined you might even score an item lower then the sticker price.  I have fond memories of haggling for miniature toys at the tender age of 7!  All these years later, I am so happy that my mom got me up early and took me garage sailing on the weekends of summer with my grandma.  We would also often go thrift shopping after the sales died down around 2-3 in the afternoon.  I don't yet have a daughter, one day I hope to God willing, so for now my guys will just have to endure it!

 Summer playlist status: