I started this post over a month ago and never finished it. It is such a pain to place pictures in the right place after downloading them. (that's what took the longest) So I didn't post all the pictures I wanted to for sake of time. I am certainly rusty at this!
I LoVe hitting garage sales early on Saturday mornings. I have a physical reaction when I see garage sale signs. My mouth waters a bit and my heart beats a bit faster! (that sounds crazy to admit but it is true!!)
Jimmy was out of town this weekend (Lake Powell Man-cation) so when Scotty woke before 7, we jumped in the car and hit the bank, I withdrew $60 bucks (usually I do $40 but I decided since Jimmy was living it up on a houseboat, kidless, I'd treat myself to a little more)
So here is what I found....
Home Sweet Home plaque (trade with Brooke from cheerleading classes for her girls this summer) free :) (all decor on top is from DI or garage sales)
Our family is forever temple plaque and a family plaque (not shown) (free- Brooke)
a large black & white (vintage, antique?) wooden cat $1 (I got the other two cats at DI last year and I like putting them out at Halloween)
A tiny bike for Scotty $1
A pink, black and white dress for Sophie. $1 (she wore it to church on Sunday- so cute!)
A red Theodore California"church" purse from the 60's $1 The cute old lady told me she didn't use it much because it was a pain to transfer all her stuff from one purse to another. Then she asked if I would use it and if I liked it. I love, love the style!
metal wall hangings (6 of them) $8
(I spray painted them black and put them in Kali's room for her to use as magnet boards for pictures and notes)
7 baskets for Kali's shelf (Brooke) free :)
Two small vases/pitchers (green & aqua) for Kali's room $.50
a Metal letter C to put in Conner's room (I am going to spray paint this orange so I'll post a picture when I get it done) $1
a kids art display board $1
An old copy of Green Eggs and Ham $.10 ( I memorized this book when I was little... I can't believe I haven't had a copy until now)
5 little cars for Scotty $.25 each (Each time I stopped, I would tell him I would look for a car for him. I could leave him in the car and he would play with his new truck and wait for a new one. He was such a little trooper and it well worth the $1.25!
A huge framed print $5 (I might take out the print and put something else in it eventually, but for now I have it hanging in the hall in the basement)
A pair of jeans for Sophie $3 (a little pricey for a garage sale but still cheaper than DI)
A pair of black and grey stripped leggings for Sophie $.50
6 homemade, fresh, hot cinnamon rolls to bring home to my hungry kids $.50 each (I should have bought the whole pan) My kids loved them and there were none left for Jimmy when he got home last night
Fabric for a Peacock costume for Sophie. $3
2 pairs of shoes for Scotty, a multicolored Nike pair and an all black Air Jordan pair $2 each (he needed them badly, I've been holding off buying new ones at the store just for a day like today :)
Hat for Conner $.50
My most exciting purchase was made at the very end of the day. I was leaving to go to Kali's soccer game at around 3 and thought I would stop at the neighbors sale to see if they were still out. My friend, Emily, was selling some benches she got to go around a fire pit they haven't gotten yet. She sold me all four benches for $5 plus she threw in a wall growth chart for free. The benches are wobbly and need some screws and a little TLC but for $5 I couldn't go wrong! (plus I think they are charming just how they are)
I know I left out some little odds and end things but at the end of the day I still had $15!
Sometimes friends say "you are just lucky to find things at garage sales." I don't think that's true. I think everybody can find treasure at garage sales. So here are some tips that work good for me that I've learned over the years.
-I stop at garage sales even if it doesn't look like they have anything good from the road. I would have passed up that little old ladies on Sat. (I got the red purse and two small pitchers from her) She just had two little tables out and most of the stuff I wasn't even remotely interested in. But then in the middle of what seems like junk will be a treasure. So don't prejudge. (plus the lady was the sweetest- that was worth my stop right there.)
-hit them when they start, the good stuff goes fast especially when it's priced good, I wake up early on Sat. mornings I get up around 6:30 because I am so excited and I look online to find where some are that start at 7. (KSL classified is where I look) Most of them start at 8 or 9 so I hit some early ones first. I usually just stay close to home there are plenty to be found.
-if you see things are priced high, grab a simple item and see if they will come down in price (I don't try to rip people off and usually things are priced good, but some garage sales are just overall priced too high, by the end of the day when they haven't sold anything they will come down) So if this is the case, I don't waste my time at these ones and just leave. There are always tons of great priced garage sale treasures just waiting to be found!
-think outside the box when you see items. Imagine them painted/sprayed a different color or re purposed.
-keep a list of items that you are looking for, (hold off buying items at the store because as soon as you do, you'll find it for 1/8 of the price at a garage sale) If there are tons of things at the yard sale ask if they have an item (ex. toddler boys shoes size 7) then they can direct you to the right area or tell you they don't have it so you don't waste time looking. Sometimes they may not have it out but be willing to sell it. On Sat. I asked if they had any tiny My Little Ponies and the lady went inside and came out with three and then she didn't charge me for them when we totaled my amount.
-don't be afraid to stow things away for Christmas and birthdays. I found a brand new hat for Conner on Saturday that I am tucking away. Kali accidentally saw it and wanted it so if he doesn't like it, I know she does. I've found ipod docks that I've given the kids, toys, clothes, ect for birthdays. I also have found things I use for reward charts. Sometimes I give the kids things that they need now after I go garage "sailing" but more often I tuck it away for later.
-sometimes there are cute boutique homemade items at garage sales that are super cheap. These are great for girlfriend, Visiting Teaching, and Mother's Day gifts. I keep that in mind when I shop.
-I used to grab things at garage sales for great prices and then resell them on Ebay, craigslist or KSL. Baby items sell great on KSL- especially during the winter when there are no garage sales. Also name brand clothes in great condition. (Gymboree has been my best seller for clothes on Ebay)
-for everything you bring home, take an item to DI or a local thrift store (or have your own garage sale) It's easy for things to add up. So make sure you are getting rid of stuff you no longer use or have outgrown.
I have garage sale withdraws during the winter! DI is fun but not as cheap! I'll have to do a post of some of my latest DI finds though because there are treasures there too! My house is decorated with garage sale and DI finds in every room. I would say that's where most of my home decor comes from.
For my friends that live close and want to come around with me next spring. I'll help you find treasures of your own!
