Vintage Treasure Hunting & A Beach Cottage Guest

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!

Comments

[Pearl Maple]

Fun post full of the adventures of artful recycling, my favorite topic.

So many nice people to meet, so many wonderful treasures looking for a new place to shine.

The globes are my favorite, for globe trotters like us it is fun to give them a spin and watch all those miles fly by.

[My Pink & Cream Cottage]

Wow Im first today (that has to be a sooooo good sign dosn't it???) Cannot get over the goodies that Laura scooped up & for $25 come on that would have to be the bargain of the year. Ok so be seeing yah tomorrow...
Have a great night
Lyn xxx

[Mel]

That's a great story, and I love the bench!

Mel xxx

[suzann]

Fun story. Thanks.
The bench is amazing.

[Kathi]

Oh my, those linens! I would have snatched them all up! Love the picnic box too!
Such nice things!

[Jojo]

What a great story about thrifting and the wonderful world of blogging friends!

Yesterday I swear there was more to the comment I posted but for some reason not everything appeared on the final post. The moral to your story seemed to be that we need to use through the front door and the back door to find treasures and bargains.

[Clare]

You did very well for yourself! I definitely would have snatched up the globes too, and I can't wait to see what you do with the little shelf.
Clare x

[Gail McCormack]

Sarah you have made me feel better ~ I was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed to say the least with my hoard of reclaimed stack of goodies, which are ready and waiting for me to revamp ~ yet you are saying that's OK !!!- so thankyou Sarah - there's hope for the lil' darlin's yet!
Love visiting you - keep it going!!

[Renee Christensen]

Thanks for introducing me to Laura at Shorehouse Chic.

Renee

[bj]

Enjoyed all of this a LOT...she really scored on her yard sale finds...
As you know, I love thrifting and am always out LOOKIN'....I have very VERY few things in our West Texas cottage that is new.
Now that I have nearly everything BLACK...my thoughts keep turning to your WHITE beachie look...I love it!!

[Cindy S.]

I found your blog yesterday and I sat and read it for hours!! I love it! Please sign me up for your giveaway again, I live in Canada, so you have a long way to send it, but ohh, I would so love to win a giveaway. Usually, I have noticed, they only go to people who have blogs. I only read blogs. Thanks for your wonderful entry today, Susan's blog is great! Hugs, ~cindy s~

[Cindy S.]

Sorry, make that "Laura's blog is great!" Cindy

[Gina N.]

Love the bench. Love the story. Love the picnic basket.

[Scribbler]

I enjoyed this very much. That turquoise teapot looks exactly like one of my mother's I pulled out of a storage box a few months ago.

Scribbler

[Bo]

Hi Sarah...thanks for your visit to my blog...you did have a very fruitful treasure hunting day! Isn't that so much FUN to find such goodies & at such goodie prices... Love when that happens! ;-) Bo

[Melanie]

Oooh, nice bench and love all your other little treasures!

[Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality]

Oh, another favorite friend over here at Sarah's beach house! Laura, you scored girl, those are some great finds. Love that aqua teapot & how great that you 2 are blogging buds. Love ya both!

[Floss]

Oh, lovely stuff and a great story behind the photos - thanks.

[Diann]

Nicefinds!

[Tami]

Hold on I need to wipe up the drool.....that picnic basket is absolutely to die for....the the old enamal pieces in it oh, be still my heart!! What a great find!!

Have a great day!
Hugs~T

[Laura @ the shore house]

Oh yay...here I am! Thank you SO MUCH for hosting me here (and I just noticed Rhoda commented that I had great finds...I'm honored! :-)

I just put up a picture of my globes...currently "living" in my guest room. I need a more "permanent" home for them...I'm hoping I can convince the man of the shore house to help me build some floating shelves in the home office. I'm sure he'll love that project. ;-)

And the moral of your story: PERFECT!

p.s. That bench is amazing. How DO you do it?! Amazing thrifter you are...

Thanks for having me over at The Beach Cottage! And it's nice to "meet" many new (new to me) bloggers as well.

A big hug from the shore house -

Laura
xo

[Toni]

LOVE the bench and oh my that picnic basket is to die for (sigh) What terrific finds and fabulous friendship :)
Toni

[ALVN of WhisperWood Cottage & Junkologie]

Great story! BTW, your blog is looking fabulous!!

Amy

[Brenda Kula]

When she told me she was having that sale, I was hit with a wave of "oh, I wish I could be in that part of the country on the day of that sale!" She had shown some of what she was selling, and it was fantastic! I envy the ones who came and went with her finds. That girl can scout them out like you can, Sarah!
Brenda

[Angie]

Wow, what great treasures....Love, love, love the bench....keeping my eye out for one for my home!

Thank you for sharing.

[black eyed susans kitchen]

Hello Sarah, Seems that I have found a kindred spirit in both you and Laura. What a lovely surprise to find my little blog mentioned over here. I am always happy to meet a fellow yard saler and repurposer. I am off to read more posts from your blog. It was such fun meeting Laura. Her blog is wonderful.
♥, Susan

[Pat]

What fun! I know both Laura and Sue through their blogs, and now I met you, Sarah! Your blog is lovely. I'm more of a traveler and history buff than a thrifter, but I'm learning little by little from everyone.

[LuLu]

Girls after my own heart! great story and fun finds!
wishing you a wonderful day!!!
LuLu

[Lorraine]

That's it Sarah, I'm packing my bags and heading back Down Under to the lands of beaches and sunshine! (Oh I wish).

Lovely bargains! I love the bench but can't imagine I'd ever be able to convince hubby likewise. ;-)

[Susan]

This so helps me with my plans for the summer projects here! They are sorta stacking up...but not much, I'm trying to be careful...hubby freaks if there is too much crap in the garage...considering majority of it is HIS crap ;D

[j.cro]

I can't wait to go yard sailing with Laura. Now we just have to get our schedules to match up!

[MJ]

I love yard sales and our local auction where things go really cheap. Not as good as your freebies but...almost!

mj.coward[at]gmail.com

[Brenda Moon]

I so love the bench, and the story from your friend, wonderful! How did the picnic backet not sell?! I love it!

[Jo - To a Pretty Life]

Lovely bench! It's kind of what I have in mind for a coffee table. Rustic benches are rather scarce in my city though. I enjoyed Laura's treasure-finding story.

[chris]

What a cool picnic basket...The globe reminded me of what I had as a kid...Love that teapot

[Gina @ The Shabby Chic Cottage]

Those are some yummy leftovers!

[Christina]

So much wonderful goodness. Love the globes and the picnic basket is great. Your blog is always an inspiration.

[Jeannine Wayman]

Loved the textiles in the pics!! It's a great idea to share stories. Thanks for the inspiration.

[Janelle]

What a fun post to come back to visit you on! It's been aaaages I know but it's great to stop by and catch up and to see that you're still doing your gorgeous thrifting rescues and your house looks wonderful! It was also great to meet Laura and see her thrifting treasures. Hope all is well and would still love to meet up when we can make a time... lots to catch up on I'm sure! Take care, xo ps I have started a new blog :)

[Gretchen Schaumann]

Love your blog posts. Your new table is perfect, and what a find for free.
The enamel white piece at the garage sale was way cool.
Gretchen

[Beach Vintage]

Loving the vintage globes. This images are making me want to get out there now and rummage.

[Marilyn]

I just found your blog via A Romantic Country Cottage...I just love your beach cottage too. Always wanted to visit Australia, maybe someday. Your blog is wonderful, beautiful pictures and all the linens - so pretty! I'll add you to my favorites list! Come on by and see me sometime too,
xxxooo
Marilyn

[Marilyn]

I just love finding little treasures! Glad your friend shared. Marilyn

[Catherine@simplynatural]

Such a fun post! Love your new bench and the picnic basket is so cute!

[Daisy Cottage]

ooooh - SO many treasures! LOVE the linens - well, all of them!
Happy Days!!!

xo,
Kim

[Linda @ Lime in the Coconut]

Ahhhh. What GREAT finds! Love each of them...now cook up something from 1958...can ya?

[Ellen]

I have been in love with your cottage since the 1st day I found your blog. Love your freebie table and that old bench looks like a perfect fit for you! How fun for Laura to come share. That picnic basket is wonderful...

[Marie Walter]

Great finds! Yay for you! Love the basket. Was wondering where you found that lovely round white ball w/the pointy shells sticking out? I'm not sure what it's called or exactly how to describe it, but it's sitting on your newly acquired white table next to the vase in the above pic. I love it and have seen it in other pics you've shown.
Blessings,
Marie
blog: http://emmacallsmemama.com
email: marie@waltercom.com

[annie]

I read...I dream.....I feel inspired. Those are the things your blog does for me. The thought of winning a prize....well just to darn sweet!!!! XXX Annelies

[jus]

Sharing the love...awesome, x