G'day boys and girls, how you going? Enjoy the weekend?
Well I had a fabulous weekend, my very own mini Beach Cottage Treasure Hunting Tour.
Remember I've been talking about how I have become somewhat obsessed about going on a proper junkin' tour with a ute?
Well I decided that I would spend a day doing it in my own back yard a little pre-tour practice and prompted by a Jumble Sale held on the beaches a few suburbs away from me and only a few times a year. My route started with that, moved onto a garage sale, the farmers market, the secondhand market held once a month at a local school and then to a couple of my favourite shops for vintage loot.
travelling with a basket to fill with goodies…
Arrived at the sale just after it opened and had to park a mile away it was so popular
Filled a bag with vintage things and my basket with lovely old linens.
Next stop this garage sale where I toyed with the dresser and the table and chairs but decided I really needed neither
but I came away with the mirror and wished like crazy I'd bought the wood for an idea I'm planning for the sitting room…
Strolling through the Farmer's Market and tasting the best happy Saturday apple…
Wandering along between the trendies at the secondhand market
Snapping the goings on down the beach as we sat and ate hot sausage rolls leaning up against the breaker
It was a great day for me and while it made me think how lucky I am to do this in a pretty fantastic back yard, which included lunch on the beach with the family to recuperate, it has also got me to start plotting a real tour – before it was more a fleeting pass across my brain, now it is becoming more a reality as I think just where I'll go.
Here's what I came home with
old wooden rolling pin
selection of Tupperware including jelly mould
a boat
a bench
shabby old mirror
vintage hand whisk
old Salter kitchen scales
tablecloth and napkins
throw
vintage food covers & matching napkins
couple of old Pyrex dishes
rattan napkin rings
old wooden fishing box
old wooden fishing rod (cos I fish a whole lot *wink)
I'll show you the boat and such later this week hopefully, but for now I'll show you my favourite find…the Beach Cottage Summer Tablecloth, woot woot! I don't know about you but every year I scour round to try and find a new favourite vintage tablecloth to sit happily in the huge old picnic basket – last year it was a fifties style white linen one with red roses faded shabbily over years of use.
And this year it's this one, I was seriously trying not to do the thrifters dance when I found it, it was just what I was looking for, I had visions in the back of my head of something white and blue, a bit, you know, country…it was the first thing I spotted on my Tour, at the Jumble Sale, I clung onto it for dear life being a little too close for comfort to grown women fighting over kids' toys (I have to tell you people this was not treasure hunting for the light-hearted, there were some serial thrifters in there after serious toys). I asked a lovely old lady, who was 90 if a day, whose name I learned was Dot (love that), she said a couple of dollars. Done. Done. Done.
Then I found the matching napkins and then one of those old gauze food throw overs and she proceeded to tell me how in her day every girl had these to take out to their picnics. I'm sad I didn't get a picture of Dot. Though she assured me she'll be there again, in control of the linen table, in October.
So Sunday, after the kids went for a surf and I went for a long walk, I spent some time with my tablecloth, read the papers and Country Living, mused my day of treasure hunting and basked in the winter sun.
Not bad entertainment for under 40 bucks.
Agree?
blogged for Yardsale Superstar Rhodas thrifting event
plus participating in Metamorphosis Monday
oh and if you didn't come by the Beach Cottage over the weekend make sure you check out Gail McCormack for fantabulous beachy art!
Wow – great finds and I totally agree with you about it being entertainment!
I don’t think I could have left that wicker table/chair set behind! So cute!! That sale looks like it was fun!
What a fabulous day…..don’t you just love talking to older people ( mind you, I’m heading that way !! ) They are full of the most wonderful stories, aren’t they ….and was it the best apple that you have ever tasted ? XXXX
Agree there, what a wonderful time you are having.
Wow – you did some serious shopping.
Glenda
Sarah what fabulous bargains. That cloth looks sensational. How wonderful that it was all in ‘your own back yard’
Alison
The tablecloth is great and the mirror is so your style
Sounds like a really good day!
Mel xx
At least you found some fab buys, I didn’t find anything yesterday although husband found a couple of things which I blogged about.
Sounds like you had a fab day
love
Alison
x
No not bad at all and what scenery to do it all in. Can’t wait to see the boat. Love the tablecloth and napkins.
What wonderful pictures! Everything is so beautiful! Save me a seat, pour me a cool drink, and pass me one of those mags, huh?
Hi Sarah
I love your finds! I’m busting to see the boat.
I didn’t have as much luck as you at my treasure hunting, although went to a local Surf Life Saving Club Jumble Sale and found some newish large frames which maybe I can do something with…? we’ll see
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxo
I am jealous ..love the dresser.
Great job and what a great day !
Hugs ~ Kammy
p.s. I love love Gail McCormick – I have been visiting her for months !!!
Sarah!!! I love that first photo! Well, they are all wonderful, but that first one is amazing. I enjoyed your wonderful day!
What a great weekend…thanks for taking me along!!!
Send that mirror my way! And could you go back and pick up those architectural pieces, too? Fabulous finds!!!
Fabulous! This is my kind of place . . . with the market, beach and favorite outdoor landings. Love the tall shabby mirror! cheers, -susan
Charming sale but I could have done w/out seeing the bald guy in the speedo! ;o)
Those architectural pieces would have come home w/ me!
Thank you for stopping by my blog.
You are so lucky to have such an assortment of sales and markets to take in all in one day (plus a beautiful beach!). I love all of your vintage finds and that mirror is great!
I loved following your day of shopping… thanks for sharing. I love the table cloth!
You bought a boat?!! I can’t wait to see this! Love that tablecloth, so summery, and thank you for the pic of the men in their swimming trunks!
Great finds!
I have to shop like that more often!
Those are just the best kinda days, especially when you find beautiful treasures that you love and the weather cooperates.
Oh wow, that tablecloth – with matching napkins to boot! – is perfect! It even matches your chair cushions! Thrifting really is a delight like no other.
What a great mirror you found! I love the pictures of the beach. It brought back wonderful memories of our vacation in Australia when we were sitting on the sand watching the waves in Noosa Heads and eating meat pies and Lamingtons. I wanna go back right now!
What great finds! I adore the patina on the mirror.
It looks like you had a truly lovely day!
Have a wonderful week!
*Tricia
Sounds like you had fun and your new tablecloth is fantastic! Your photos are great too (as usual).
What lovely things you found! This weekend I found an old dresser on the side of the road, and I thought of you while shoving into the back of the van. I thought, “Sarah would be so proud of me!”
Stop by and see it, and gimme some idea about what to do with it, please.
Lovely finds and smashing photos, but that is enough – no more photographs of the beach please I am feeling homesick and jealous!
Hi Sarah,
Your tablecloth is lovely! Was that one of Kate Merrickville’s best tasting apples? How could you possibly not have enjoyed your day with the amazing visual paradise you have surrounded yourself in?
Thank you!
Nola
The Bloom Girls
Nashville, TN
Lovely tablecloth, I’d have grabbed it too. It’s an uplifting, spirited blue… will make for some nice tablescaping.
WOW Sarah…fab finds! I heart the mirror and the tablecloth is gorgeous!
Hugs,
Rachel
Fantastic entertainment for under $40 with a pretty nice looking apple and new friend named Dot thrown in for good measure.
Your first junk’n tour has resulted in all kinds of great new finds.
Looks like a fun, fun day…love your new tablecloth and napkins! Bet we’ll see those in an upcoming tablescape!
Hi!! *waves* I absolutely adore your blog! so fresh and fun! I especially loved those linens! quite beautiful.
Great finds! Really love the tablecloth, it reminds me of the ones my husband’s family sends from Sweden. Very pretty!
Sarah, the linens are wonderful, especially the tablecloth! You scored some great bargains but even if you didn’t buy a thing, it looks like it was a beautiful day with lots of interesting things to see.
It sounds like you had lots of fun and founds some great bargains. I love th tablecloth, it looks so good with that pillow and those lovely flowers. You are amazing! Hugs, Cindy s
sarah, that jan 09 issue of Brit. Country Living is my fav…I still have it in a basket by my bedroom.
You got some great finds. Can’t wait to see the boat!!! I found some great things at IKEA this weekend. Just had to share because I know how much you love IKEA too.
xo ~fairmaiden
Woot, woot indeed!! This is a boom boom day for sure!
I’ve really enjoyed “venturing out of the cottage” with you in your recent posts…it’s so great to “meet” your area. Between the junking opportunities, the lovely shops and outdoor markets…you may have to add a room onto the cottage for me to move in!
Laura
xoxox
Sarah that sounds like a perfect day! The apple looked gorgeous and that beach!! Some great finds and Dot sounds a wonderful character. I love the name Dorothy, Dot or Dottie. I agree with you on the magazines (re your comment on my Blog) Country Style has slipped a little. I didn’t buy the last two issues but Country Living is mostly fantastic! Glad to see we both share a similar taste in mags! xx
ps in the middle of reading Noddy to Daisy but will come back and read the interview with you on your site. Always so much to read here, I can’t do it in one hit!
Got to love Dot and her tablecloth!!! Great finds Sarah and a fabulous day you had. You really have a talent for turning the ordinary into adventure and beauty!!! Thanks for taking us along too! Julie
Such lovely linen. Gorgeous finds Sarah… Need to take a leaf out of your clever book!
Sarah,
Just between you and me I think you are the “Yard Sale Superstar”. What great things!
Gretchen
Sounds like a glorious day you had! Wonderful pictures and it’s impressive that you got all those great items for under $40!
Thanks for stopping by and leaving the nice comment. Hope your week’s going well!
bye for now,
Bill
Wow…lovin’ that mirror…I think I would have walked away with that dresser, though!
We dream of finding things like you did. All beautiful. I especially love that tablecloth and think of all the work that went into it!
?, Susan
Sarah,
I so wish I was walking along with you as you visited the Jumble Sale and the Market!! It looked like so much fun. And relaxing on the beach afterward~Heaven!!
I am in love with your tablecloth as much as you. It looks beautiful on your table. I also adore the chippy mirror…
I went to Gail’s link because I really like the paintings you bought. She must be VERY popular because her paintings were sold out!!
Thanks for the Great Met Monday post. Have a fabulous week!!
xoxo
Jane
I absolutely enjoyed your article. Never been here before, but I’ll be back for more inspiration. Cheers for sharing your great ideas.