Midwestern Treasure Troves: Estate Sales Recently

You never really know what you’re going to find at an estate sale. For instance, last week, we stumbled across this priceless gem:

Look closer…

closer…

Ahhh piquant lemon lime flavor, how could we resist you for that long 16 years? Finally, for a mere $2.00 (I didn’t even know Gatorade expired), you can be ours! We’ll just conveniently ignore the ominous game expired looming at us.

In particular at estate sales, I always like to see the weeeeeird stuff people collect. Three weeks ago, the woman collected cow totems and the man was obsessed with trains. This past week, I couldn’t escape bowling mementos (prizes, pins, pens, jerseys) only to find out the couple had owned a bowling alley. My roommate loves to go to collect cardinal ornaments (I had no idea people had so many things with cardinals on them. Now that I’ve noticed, they can’t be unseen! Seriously, go check your house). And of course, I’m always on a mission to locate the hats (with varying success). So here’s the haul of the past two weeks:

  Estate Sale One
Niles, Michigan

Bird picture: 1.50/ Carpet Bag: 20.00/ Scarf: 5.00/ Globe Tin: 1.50/ 2 pairs of antique earrings 1.50 each

This one was fairly blase’ no great stories here. Leigha and I were on a mission for headscarves, and as you can see, I found everything else. I styled the headscarf and carpet bag here.

Estate Sale 2
Elkhart, Indiana

Needlepoint of my future house: 7.00/ Sailing shirt: 1.00/ Legit fur stole: 7.50

Next stop- Russian Aristocracy

Texture Combo.

I stayed relatively calm throughout this venture, but J raided the place. I’ve never gone to an estate sale with anyone who walked away with more than I bought, but in J’s defense, at times, it was like walking through an Urban Outfitters giveaway. Like these smashing new swim trunks:

Panda-licious

PreFontaine Meets Brooks Brothers: A Real American Tradition

California, here he comes.

J also managed to snag several tomes on the (alleged) conspiracy that was the Clinton presidency and a 1950s guide to a Successful Sex Life in Marriage (approved by the American Medical Association, New York Daily, and Catholics of America- all for two dollars!). But the greatest find of the day was probably this little guy:

Upon seeing him, Joe immediately said, “Herbert?” And with his reluctant grin, Herbert returned Js gaze.

This sassy little strigiform is making me seriously reconsider my views on love at first sight. He’s so bold, yet demure! Suffice it to say, he and J have already moved in together. May you be so lucky in love on your next adventure! Happy Friday!

 

Boon from the Boonies: Estate Sale Treasure

‘Twas beauty that killed the beast!

I realize it’s Valentines, but I’m home alone watching King Kong by myself, so I would prefer to write about something entirely irrelevant to the holiday and fashion week.

My roommate and I are serious about some estate sales. Prices are negotiable. Discoveries are around every corner (and some of these old birds really fill every nook). You learn about tons of new old things that you never knew existed. Adventure is out there, and it’s so affordable!

Today’s Capture.

I can’t wait to force someone to wear these.

The only real cons to estate sales are that:
1. You never know how big the “estate” really is. Even when people put up pictures, it’s often quite hard to tell is that one shelf of books or are you really stocked? Do the three tables constitute “lots of furniture”? Do not lure me in to your glorified yard sale. I do not want your old knappy Keds.

2. There is a reason the estate is being liquidated, and it is often unpleasant. As I descend like a locust on old hats and hat boxes, it’s an ominous feeling to know the person that owned these articles is… gone. As my friend Dominick so aptly stated, “It’s a visible reminder you can’t take it with you.” I prefer the happy couples selling everything so they can escape to their dream home on the beach.

While the estate sales  just South of Atlanta are alright, generally prices are a bit higher and the estates are more heavily trafficked. One of the few reasons that I enjoy rural Indiana is because finally the laws of supply and demand have harkened towards my favor. Since being here, I’ve never paid more than $10.00 for a vintage hat. One of the few reasons that I enjoy rural Indiana is because finally the laws of supply and demand

Today I got:

Peter Pan Collar Dress:  3.25
2 skinny and one square tie: (75 cents each) 2.25
a crazy cool white puffball hat: 4.50
Score! 9.50

However, when you’re shopping do remember to inspect your merchandise. When I got home I realized that my dress has two holes in the waist….

How’d they know I needed to take in the sides?

To find or keep yourself abreast about estate sales near you, sign up for notifications at these very obviously named websites:

1.  http://www.estatesales.net/
2. http://www.estatesale.com/
3. 1st Dibs (though this one is national and based around luxury items)