August 18, 2009

One cool yard sale.

This past weekend brought me to a yard sale at this peach of a house...


Isn't she a beauty? I was in the house a couple of years ago when it was on the Historical Society's home tour. It was one of the homes that made me say, "This is the town I want to buy a house in." Two years later, we did!

The yard sale was a fundraiser for
Ocean Grove United, a local group committed to promoting a diverse and welcoming community and to ensuring the rights of all residents. Without getting on too much of a soap box, I will say that our town is a very diverse one and I believe in loving all of God's children. Ergo, I'm a a big supporter of OGU's mission.

And when a yard sale was held for their benefit, I actually woke up early. Earlyish? And I was rewarded with what I have long considered the Holy Grail of yard sale finds: A perfectly vintage Westinghouse oscillating fan. In working order. For four dollars.


How cool (pun totally intended) is that? Someone actually stopped me on the street on the way home to ask where I got it, and to tell me, "even the fan thinks you're cool." I told her how much it was and her response was "Four, forty, whatever. I knew I should have got out earlier."

I got a cute
Nippon poppy plate for a dollar that I'll use for one of my crafty plate stand projects.


And a cloche (OK, cheese board cover), also for a buck. I'll use it to cover one of my
crafty dishes. Maybe the new poppy one!


That was all at the sale, but the fan was really the find of the weekend. Of the year? Could be.

After dropping off the (HEAVY) fan at home I moved on by bike (lest I lose my prime parking spot) to my favorite little store Country-by-the-Sea in Avon-by-the-Sea. They were having a big outdoor anniversary sale (with free food. Yay, free!) but all I managed to find was this tablecloth ($4), which I'll use to make tote bags, now that I've embraced the sewing machine.


When I got home and unfurled it, I found out it's quite a large rectangle with minimal wear so I'll get a couple of bags out of this for sure. I like the orange edging so I have to use my little pea-brain-not-quite-yet-wired-as-a-sewer to figure out how to incorporate it as some sort of trim.

In the same store I also saw this gorgeous hall table for $145 that I've been trying to convince myself should come home to the shore house.

But I don't think there's any room left at the inn. Or money in my wallet, for that matter.
Hop on over to Bloggeritaville to see what "fan-tastic" thrifty finds others came across this week. That's where I'm headed...

26 comments:

Formerly known as Frau said...

great finds...your fan is very cool!

Tina said...

Oh soooo jealous!!! I love a good tag sale and we are tag sale poor in this area. oh, I'm need a good sale fix like that.
enjoy your fab finds.
T

Jean Martha said...

My fingers! My fingers!

Love the fan...

Purple Flowers said...

Absolutely love that fan - so retro! Enjoy it in this weather, while sipping ice tea, and of course your feet propped up!

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Pea green with envy over here!! Great sale items.
♥, Susan

Leila said...

Thrift envy.

The table is excellent!

j.cro said...

I'm glad you're feeling better!!!! Nice fan!!

s. pearce feldman said...

great finds! you certainly kept busy!

Joyce said...

Wonderful treasures Laura! The poppy plate looks again like the work of a china painter. Did they sign it? Enjoy my friend! xoxo

Sue said...

Hi Laura...happy to see you back on your feet....or in your case your bike and out finding those great bargains...Love that fan and such a deal....Did you know Kathy Trocheck AKA Mary Kay Andrews has a blog...it's great if you haven't seen it yet....Cold Milk!!!

Sue said...

Forget last comment with stupid question.....Hey I'm a grandmother now I'm getting old! I saw where you had a link to Kathy's blog and I missed that when i read the post...isn't her beach house adorable...

Jen @ RamblingRenovators said...

What luck to find not only the perfect fan, but also in the perfect colour!

Maya said...

That house looks awesome. What an interesting roof line..., and a vintage fan..., that would get me excited too!

Anonymous said...

dare I say it, fan-tastic finds! love the fan-great color! i did make it to CBTS and found a cute blue ball jar, but no quilts. enjoy your treasures! Maureen

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Laura

I love diversity -- nice fundraiser -- wonderful prices!

I love that fan!

Jane said...

I love your fan. I have a similar Westinghouse fan on display on top of a bookcase in my office (I got it for a good price but not $4.00!) There is something very nostalgic about those old fans! Thanks for sharing.

Fifi Flowers said...

LOVE that fan!

j said...

OOOOOOOH! I love the fan!

Old Time Cindy said...

That fan looks like it is an aqua color?!? Cool buy!!!

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Girrrrrl......the fannnnnn! AWESOME! you did AWESOME! I mean everything is wondeful...but the fan...yes so COOL! I am so envious! Great finds my friend!Thanks for linking up this week!
Leigh
Tales from Bloggeritaville
www.lbratina.blogspot.com

Linda Lou said...

Wonderful stuff - love the tablecloth and the table...I need to spend more time at yard sales, and take you along with me!

Free Art Printables said...

WHat great stuff! The fan is awesome!

Pearl Maple said...

Beautiful treasures you have found there, you just know a darling house like that has got all kinds of interesting things inside. Thanks for sharing a peek with us all.

Kristin - The Goat said...

I love the fan, too! I've got one that isn't in very good condition, so yours looks brand new!

Maureen said...

Have to say it... "Cool" fan!

Laura @ Shoot-Scoop said...

I love that fan. Love it. Lucky girl! We're having a multi-family garage sale on Sept. 19. But it is selling newer stuff in favor of the stuff you and I look for!