G'day sweet bloggers, I went treasure hunting yesterday but came back with not too much apart from this rustic old bench, which after a quick whitewash is looking kewl in the cottage.
So I thought I you might like a much more interesting treasure hunt story and so we have a guest at the Beach Cottage to woo you with her tales of seeking out old vintage specials…
I first met Laura at Shorehouse Chic, when I had just started logging my adventures with the run down old cottage by the sea… She surfed on in liking the sound of my blog and left me a comment…and then I won one of her giveaways…and then she laughed at my thrifting, then at my boom boom days and more at my writing…
Anyhoo, about a week ago, I was out in the yard of the cottage doing a spot of gardening when I thought of Laura, she hadn't been around for a while and I wondered what she was up to. When I logged on I saw that she had commented and not only had she commented but that same day she, all those many miles away, had thought of me, while standing at a yard sale and how much I would enjoy the pure boom boom of it all…the unadulterated thrifting pleasure.
So of course I emailed her, I just had to see what she had found and goodness I got the vintage treasure finding thrill just from the photos, not only did she score bigtime (including ENAMEL, hello!) but she got fed as well – so I asked her if she would mind sharing the story…
Normally the idea of going on a nice little holiday would be good news. Great, even! But when I found out blogger Susan from Black Eyed Susan’s Kitchen would be having a yard sale the day after I flew out of town, I was a little sad. Black Eyed Susan owned a store in her town of the same name, and much of what she was planning to have at the yard sale were the bits and bobs and antique and vintage goodness once housed there. Plus, I never “met” Susan – only through our blogs – so this seemed the perfect way to make the face-to-face intro.
here's some of what was on offer…
So imagine my delight (and I don’t used that word often, but I was indeed delighted!) when she invited me to a “post yard sale, yard sale” – my own private romp through the goodies that were left. And this past Friday, that’s where I went.
Susan welcomed me into her home for some delicious iced tea, fresh fruit salad and chit chat about “old times” – but on to the sale…
She let me sort through the boxes and bins of leftover goodies. And lest you think I was saddled with sloppy seconds, au contraire! Just LOOK at what I found:
I would have walked across an eight-lane highway during rush hour to get my hands on that picnic basket alone! It’s gorgeous, and has many of its original enamelware pieces inside. I can’t believe no one bought this (neither could Sue). I added a pair of teapots, (love!), a couple of vintage globes (LOVE!), a wooden knickknack shelf, a festive vintage fiesta-themed tablecloth (happy hour!), and some fabulous old cookbooks. That oversized “Picture Cook Book” is from 1958 and the photos inside screamed, “Take me home!”
If this was the leftovers, imagine what I missed out on?!
I was also gifted with a very generous “friends and family” price tag (a.k.a. the “please get this stuff out of my garage,” I’m sure, LOL!) of $25 US! Actually, she asked for $22 but there’s no way I was going to take change for what turned out to be a priceless day.
Thank you, Susan! And thank you Sarah, one of my thrifty heroines, for inviting me to chat about this boom-boom of a day over on your blog! I am honored to be here.
Moral of the story? Get out there and start hunting…put your green environmental head on, recycle, re-purpose, save yourself some cash, annoy your husband by gathering more vintage teapots and picnic baskets and most importantly get yourself a boom boom thrill for free!
And don't forget my giveaway a slice of book candy for your coffee table from Atlanta Bartlett – Easy Elegance. All you have to do is comment here, any post, however many times you like, all week
…and if you fancy having me add you lots more times for the giveaway and you wanna know the scoop on the Beach Cottage sign-up for the Beach Cottage unplugged – just add your email address to the box up there on the right and surf on in!
Thanks Laura, you rock! don't forget to scoot over to Laura's and leave a comment, she's having a giveaway too…
blogged for the thrift event at Southern Hospitality – Rhodas weekly round-up of wonders!
LOVE your bench and the “ash” you gave it!
LOVE Laura too. She is a doll. A diamond. LOve her.
Love you! Thanks for playing, friend!
you truly have wonderful goodies
What a great time you had meeting another great lady! And those are some sweet items! Yay!
Wow!! What a sweet friend to let you shop her goods…and incredible goods they are! I love your choices and have to agree about that picnic basket…unbelievable! = ) Thanks for sharing.
what a wonderful picnic basket. I am waaaay behind on my reading, and I’m so glad I came back here and read this great story and saw your wonderful finds. laurie
Love the bench – what a great find. I love to haunt garage sales and flea markets. never know what you will find and I have found some real treasures. It is encouraging to find folks that recycle – together we can make a difference. Wishing you sunny days and lots of treasures.