August 28, 2008

So *not* bizarre.

A couple of weeks back, I mentioned a local bazaar that turned out to be...well...bizarre. I'm sure there was a lot of good stuff before I got there (and a few diamonds in the rough remained when I got there, just no gems that I needed to take home), and since it was a fundraiser and all I wanted to buy. I did! But a lot of the stuff I saw wouldn't have made it through the Goodwill vetting process.

So as you can imagine, I was a bit skeptical when I saw this sign last weekend:


Though, as a bit of an obsessive compulsive recycler, I appreciated the fact that the sign had been around the block a few times. Don't you love the dates that look like they were crafted into new numbers two, maybe three times over? And that's *after* a piece of poster board was used to cover up even earlier dates? Kudos, ladies of St. Paul. Al Gore would be so proud!

I decided to go on Friday night to increase my chances of scoring, so I moseyed over around 6:45. And when I saw what was coming out the door, I was immediately kicking myself for not going when the doors first opened. Mirrors and rockers and linens...Oh my! Once again, the early bird got the worm (I heard there was a *line* by 5:30) and I apparently overslept.

I did manage to grab a couple of fun things:

That little tea caddy ($1) had to come home...because I already own "coffee" and "sugar." Score! The inside liner is cobalt blue and so lovely. I'll have to photograph the reunited trio.

The bag is fab-u-lous. For $3, I didn't even flinch. Take a look at the inside...

...I don't think it was ever used! Until I used it that night for a hot date with the mister and Uncle Dave (not really our uncle. Our friend. But kids dig him, so he's everyone's Uncle Dave.).

And the Hostess's Complete Handbook? Had me at "hello." When they said .50 cents, I think I stammered, "Are you sssssure?" (To put in context, Suzanne Somers' Eat Great, Lose Weight was $3.00.)

It's a 1950s handbook to happiness. Where else would you learn practical things like the importance of slabbing excessively fatty bacon on your "good looking" baked dish:

Or how to throw a "small, gay party":

I also bought (but forgot to photograph with my trio of goodies above) this 1940s juice jar which was on what I'll call the "good stuff table" and a total splurge at $7 (clearly St. Paul's has a hack in the congregation who knows that vintage kitsch is hot, hot, hot).


Even with that splurge my tab came to $11.50. The ladies were lovely (they worked it!) and deserved every cent for their efforts.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

oh my ga, 11.50 for a haul like that, you gotta be kidding me?? the bag along in Anthropologie, errr hello, how much do you reckon? love the book too, hmmm i need a guide to happiness round here lol

too funny your comment on getting a gold medal, imagine a thrifting sport in the olympics, boy those athletes have seen nothing yet when it comes to ladies with a thrifting need...

i feel your pain on your blue pots, ya know you *should* have rolled them on their side all the way home, I would've considering it! the last time there was council clear up in our road, there were 3 surfboards, perfect condition, our kiddos would've loved them, we passed them up walking home one night, next morning gone, then when we had to buy real price surfboards we were even more annoyed...first rule of curb junkin, pick up as you see I reckon...

Sarah

heidi said...

That hostess book is the best! If you ever wanna get rid of it or trade for it, lemme know!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Oh, I love the church sales too...but of course, I'll stop at about any sale with a sign out front.

You got some neato things. I had to laugh at the entertaining book..so funny.

Mrs. Limestone said...

Oh, I want that book. Those books are always hysterical.

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

sarah -- your comments crack me up as much as your posts! :-) You are still the gold medal winner. I mean...the stuff you find!! If my friend j. cro. cruises over and sees your "3 surfboards" comment she may actually faint.

heidi -- I feel like a could (should?) feature a page a week and people won't get tired. the photos are ammmaaaazzzinngg!

rhoda -- lol..."I stop at any sale with a sign out front." A new tagline! :0-)

mrs. l -- it is sooooo good. Are you gearing up for the big flea next week?! I'll...be working in Philly. Major, major sadness washes over me.

Anonymous said...

Laura, you really did score! Neat stuff! I particularly love the orange juice decanter. I was excited because my aunt had one like it, and I can still remember going into her fridge and getting cold orange juice in the heat of summer.

That's funny about the sign being recycled, but hey, you gotta admire them! Saved a tree... or at least a part of one. ;-)

What is it about getting a good deal? Makes your pulse race and your eyes dilate. Love it! Love it! Love it!

Sheila, The Quintessential Magpie (who is anonymous tonight on a borrowed computer)

Jean Martha said...

I want that tea jar!!!!

Anonymous said...

Ga, I would love to go shopping with you someday. You run across the best things! I finally went thrifting with my mom today...and I scored some Dr. Seuss books for the boys. LOL. That was as good as it got, but at least I love me some Dr. Seuss!

Unknown said...

Hi Laura,
Great finds! And I bet you had fun too!
Diane

Tina said...

Ooooooo, I love each find. I'm salavating over some of them.
Great job That book is a hoot.
Have a gay ole time reading it.
T

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

I love old books like that. Too funny. Makes me want to host a gay party of my own!

That sign looks like the ones I use for yard sales over and over again, taping new dates over the old. -Julia

Rue said...

Hi Laura :)

I have that threesome too! Tea, cream and sugar :)

Great finds! Now I just have to find one of those Bazzaars too ;)

Have a great Labor Day weekend!

Ms. Tee said...

what great finds - the bacon on the "good-looking dish" cracked me up. :)

Fifi Flowers said...

WOW... you're ready to throw the PERFECT party now!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

WOW Fabulous finds! I'm never lucky like that when I go thrifting.

Caren said...

I've been to plenty of "small gay parties" but somehow, they didn't look like the one pictured in your book. ha ha!

Thanks for sharing your finds with us!