One of my favorite things growing up was going to yard sales. I loved the “hunt.” Loved finding treasure. My mom, grandma, and I would wake up early Saturday mornings and head out. By sixth grade I knew the areas that had the best stuff.
I still love yard sales. When I’m not under deadline, I’ll load up my grandma and daughter and head out. In my dining room is a beautiful console table I bought. In the living room two chairs. My entry has the most adorable antique table I got for $5. I still love the hunt. I still love finding treasure.
When I moved to Little Rock I found something even better than yard sales: Freecycle http://www.freecycle.org/ It’s a worldwide network where people share things they don’t need. I’ve given away boxes of clothes and yard-sale extras. My favorite “finds” were two vintage typewriters. I love them and display them in my home.
Hand-me-downs are another favorite thing. Have you seen photos of my little Alyssa. Almost 95% of everything she wears are hand-me-downs, given to me by wonderful friends (Charlie & Shari!) and my awesome sister Stacey. I can’t tell you how much I’ve saved in the last two years and I pass on items to our teen mom support group, to single moms, and to other friends.
Secondhand stores rock. Just two days ago I went to Savers and got a pair of slacks, four tops for me, two tops for Leslie, and two pairs of adorable boots for less than $50. (If you’re at the Allume Conference, take note of my boots.)
I asked some of you on Facebook where you find the best deals and what some of your tricks for repurposing are (check out the post here). A lot of you mentioned garage sales, Freecycle, Goodwill. And some great tips were posted, too! Margaret said she ruined her nightgown with bleach but cut up the useable parts and made pajamas for her baby. Tammy said that she’s saving her husband’s old, worn-out shirts and making them into a quilt for him.
I’m thankful for my mom and grandma who proved to me that good stuff could be found for $1 or less. What are a few of your favorite (new-to-you) things?
I don’t go to yard sales much, but I love a good antique store. I’ve started to collect vintage books on writing. Sometimes the treasures are right in your home or a family member’s home. After my mom passed away my sister and I found her footlocker with a box of her 1st husband’s belongings. He was a WW2 bomber pilot – Mom never talked about him. After sifting through pictures, letters, medals and more I knew I had to write their story. I did. All these wonderful finds and re-purposing you mentioned are all good things to inspire stories, don’t you think?
I agree. Yard sales and secondhand stores are my favorite places to shop!
Jan, so wonderful!!!
Me too, Beth