Fab Find Friday: What's in my Workshop

I have to admit, this blog has seen better days, but to be honest our mind is on other things...namely waiting for Baby Madia to show up! Today was my last day of work, so I am now officially on maternity leave. I celebrated with pedicure- classic OPI Red.

On to Fab Find Friday! My workshop has started to collect a number of items that I can't really do much with until I am without child and able to use my furniture stripper and paint products again. I probably have half a dozen projects waiting for a little TLC.

On the left is an industrial stool Chris and I picked up for $5 at a garage sale last weekend. I'm not sure where it will end up (Kitchen Island is currently in the lead), but it was too good of a deal to pass on. The item on the right was also a yardsale find. It's a wooden suitcase. I have never seen one before, not even at the antique shows. It has leather straps, and I have no idea what I will do with it, but that's half the fun right?

Weekend Find

I stopped by a garage sale on the weekend and found this really cute metal rack/planter/stand/I really don't have any idea what it is. When I asked the hosts how much, they said "10 cents, actually we'll give you a bag of cookies if you take it away." The garage sale was for charity, so I offered them a dollar and they gave me a bag of cookies and this lovely item. I don't know exactly what I am going to use it for, I think it would be a great stand for cupcakes if I had a bakery, but I do think a coat of bright spray paint is int its future! Right now I am thinking red or yellow, but we'll see!

Does this item look familiar to anyone? Anyone have any idea what it may have been used for in the past? Happy Wednesday!

Nursery Progress

This weekend we made significant progress on the nursery. Chris installed the crates for shelving in the closet. We moved the newly painted dresser to its spot, lined the dresser with fun paper and added colourful polka-dot decals to create an accent wall.

Close up of the dresser/change table

Cute anchor wall paper- a great value village find!

Crates bought at Michaels for 50% off installed for organization

We still have lots to do including adding shelves for books, hanging pictures and bunting, putting the crates and closet to use, filling the dresser drawers, setting up our crib when it arrives and figuring out a lighting solution (this is winning at the moment)

Christie Favourites

Last Saturday was my favourite day of the year; the Spring Christie Antique Show. It was an absolutely gorgeous day, which meant the prices were a bit higher, but there were definitely great treasures to look at!

Here are a few of the items that caught my eye, but didn't come home with me:
Top Left- This coffee table was amazing, but it was also $945
Top Right: This cart was a good deal, and I thought maybe it could be used in the Nursery closet, but I wasn't sold on it, and it wasn't there when I went back for a second look
Bottom Left: The orange door would make an awesome blackboard
Bottom Right: I loved this little shelf, but I didn't love its $95 price tag

I did end up walking away with two items, a small picnic basket and this great windsor back rocking chair. The rocking chair is going to get a fresh coat of paint and a new cushion, which will be the subject of a future blog post!

Dresser Hunting

We were on a mission to find a dresser for the nursery at the Aberfoyle Spring Sale. We looked at almost everything and as you can see from the pictures below there were lots of styles and colours to choose from. We're planning to use the dresser as our change table, so we needed it to be a specific height and length- tip: always bring your measuring tape to antique shows!

In the end we went with this cute 3 drawer dresser with original hardware and casters. It was an absolute steal at $40 and is clearly in desperate need of a paint job (right now, I'm loving the idea of bright red or cobalt blue). Most of the others ranged from $95-$250, and some were a bit too big for the space. We think with some TLC and a fresh coat of paint, this guy will be perfect for our little peanut

A Tale of Two Quilts

We went to the Aberfoyle Spring Show on Saturday and managed to walk away with not one but two cutter quilts in fabulous condition! I love looking through cutters because I love the shabby chic-ness and the colours and patterns are usually my style.

Boy-Cat's favourite is a small square patchwork number that was in a $10 bin of cutters. I loved it and didn't even haggle!

The second quilt was found much later in the day. I had just taken my pick up slip to the loading area for the dresser we found (more on that later), and noticed this sweet quilt. When I asked for the price, the vendor said $25, which was half of what he really wanted. He asked if I wanted it and I said I would have to think about it as I had already bought another that day. He said $20 if I bought right now. At that moment Chris showed up with my other quilt and I told the guy I only spent $10 on the first one. He immediately said, alright let's do $10 and it's yours...I handed him a $10 bill and didn't bother mentioning I would have paid $15. It is absolutely beautiful and in great shape!

Community Yard Sale

On Saturday morning, we participated in the community yard sale in our town. It was awesome to be involved in something community related as well as get rid of some of the stuff we don't use anymore. Tricia and I showed up at about 6:30 to unload our stuff. We had great volunteers help move stuff to our tables, and then we set up. Here is a look at our tables just before the sale started.

Chris showed up to help as well, which was really nice. Probably the funniest story of the day was when he was chatting up a local couple who were interested in my wooden boat shelves, and then I sold them to someone else before he could finish his conversation. I felt really bad! 

As they always say "One Man's Trash is Another's Treasure", we ended up doing some shopping while we were there as well. We found this sweet rocking horse that we thought would be an awesome addition to the Nursery as well as a brand new play yard, the high chair we had registered for, a Sleep Sheep and a some organizers for the closet. All in all I think I probably broke even or made a few dollars when I compare what I sold to what we bought, but we got some great deals! 

Tips for Hosting a Yard Sale:

1. Ask a friend to help- having Tricia organize the table while I priced things out was awesome, plus when things get busy- you'll want an extra set of hands.

2. Price high and then slash prices as you go. At the sale we were at- table owners would whistle and then let the crowd know all items on their table were $1 or 50 cents!

3. Establish price floors- some people will offer you next to nothing for things. For larger items, I like to establish my lowest price in advance so I can stay firm when I am negotiating. I ended up bringing home our manual mower because I couldn't get what I want for it- I will sell it on Kijiji instead.

Sale Season

 It's quickly becoming my favourite time of year, the spring antique sale and flea market season!

Here are the dates for the big ones I am planning to attend:

April 26- Lambton Kingsway United Church Flea Market

May 3- Our community yard sale (I have two tables!)

May 10- Aberfoyle Spring Sale

May 24- Christie Antique Show

On the weekend I was introduced to an entirely new kind of sale: The Mom Sale! I was invited by a friend to a sale she goes to every year hosted by an association of parents of multiples. It is basically an indoor yard sale of kids stuff. I didn't know what to expect, but the deals were great! One of the items I was after was a play gym as I heard these are great for tummy time and early engagement. I picked up the one pictured below for $3!!! After a quick spin in the washing machine and some new batteries, it's as good as new.

DIY Friday: Dollar Art

I have been MIA lately. I'm not sure what it is about 2014, but I haven't been taking as many pictures. I am hoping the Spring will wake up the photographer in me!

Last weekend I walked into a calendar store selling all of their calendars for a dollar because they're going out of business. I picked up a couple that I thought I liked for the art, and thought this one was particularly great. It is basically a calendar of positive messages, and I just love the font and colours.

I plan to pick out my favourites and either frame them separately or make a collage!

I hope you all have a great weekend. We're catching up on some Homeland, and I am exploring a small town with one of my girlfriends tomorrow. I promise to post more next week!

Bedside Love

My bedside got a bit of a makeover last week when I moved the wooden crate to the newly renovated sitting room. I moved in this little side table (originally picked out of someone's garbage) from the craft room and hung the bunting from our wedding above our bed.

The little rug beside the bed is actually a small afghan my grandmother made me years ago. I have it folded in half so I have a cozy place to step out of bed in the morning. It's just the right amount of eclectic!

Kijiji Escapades

I'm in the process of re-evaluating our space. We purchased a new couch, and it is being delivered this week. As a result, I am reviewing all of our furniture and the fit in our home. I have used kijiji before with mixed success, but thought I would try it again to sell a few items. I currently have a box spring set, a cupboard and shelving units for sale.

Here are the pictures of the cupboard and one of the shelving units. This cupboard has been with me forever, it has acted as a microwave stand, a recipe book holder and an entertainment unit. We just don't have a use for it anymore, so I'd like to find it a good home!

Here's what i've learned about selling items on Kijiji

1. Make sure you're absolutely sure you're ready to sell because sometimes things can move quickly

2. Add a bit of cushion to your price because people are expecting to negotiate

3. Be prepared to answer a lot of emails that go nowhere

4. Put "If this posting is still active, the item is still available" in your post. People will still email and ask, but it might help a bit.

Steal of a Deal

Chris is convinced we need a new sectional couch, so we went furniture browsing the other night to see what the market's like. One of the local stores is blowing out their inventory to make room for new stock, and there was a bin of clearance pillows. I fell in love with the bolster first because it reminded me of a grain sack. Chris found the linen one, and I praised his good eye immediately.

The price listed on the bolster was $55 and the price on the linen throw pillow was $89 (highway robbery only a furniture store- we paid $12 for each of them! I love a good deal, and $12 quality pillows is  good deal in my books!

Last Day of Aberfoyle

Last Sunday was the last day of Aberfoyle for another year. I love going on closing day because despite the cold, you can actually get some really good deals as it is the Sellers last chance to make a sale (the cold probably helps).

This was the first thing I noticed when I walked up to the market from the parking lot. I have dreams of owning a truck just like this...or a little older...you know for when I own a business in a quaint little town (think Julia Roberts in Runaway Bride).



The next bright light in my Aberfoyle trip was meeting up with this cute chick. It's been a while since we've seen each other, and I always love the time we spend together. For the record, this isn't her bike...but she really wanted it to be...you know for cruising around town!

As always, there were many things I loved that I didn't take home with me. Here are a few of my favourite things that didn't make the cut:

Top Left: Sweet grey chair; Right: Nice car blanket, perfect for Christmas styling. Bottom Left: Wooden crate that I was considering as a side table; Right: Sweet candy can from Halifax

I thought long and hard about this guy. I was thinking he might be perfect in a small corner I have in my kitchen, but alas I wasn't sure he would fit and wasn't totally sold on the price.

Last but definitely not least, I saw this guy as we were heading out, and he looked like someone had left him behind...many moons ago. There's something very sweet about this little guy, and I am sure he was loved by a few children before he made his way to this can!

In the end I picked up some hooks for my front entryway and bathroom as well as a little side-table that needs a bit of a makeover for the low price of $20! I will share the table in a future post:)

Happy Wednesday everyone- i'll be back on Friday with a Halloween themed post.

Goodwill Hunting for Treasures

It's been a crazy week as exemplified by my lack of posting. I still want to get up a number of wedding posts, but I am waiting to receive my photos from my photographers. Yesterday before meeting my friends for dinner, I stopped into a Goodwill store for a quick peak at their Housewares and Furniture Section. Here are three of my favourite things that I didn't take home:


Top Left: Wooden Birdcage ($10), Top Right: Wooden Baby Sled ($15) Bottom: Wooden Bench with Storage ($15)
The pillows definitely would have been left behind or recovered!

 
We have a relaxing Saturday and busy Sunday ahead of us. We're going to Soupfest if the weather holds out, and I am looking forward to making some goodies with all the great veggies that showed up in this week's farm basket! Happy Weekend everyone:)

Fab Find Friday: Aberfoyle Recap

I'm ending the week with my 200th post! Last weekend was Aberfoyle's spring sale, and as promised here are some of my favourite items from the show:

Chippy chicken coop chair, small wooden stool and cute Dove crate. I'm looking for a small wooden stool for my bathroom, but wasn't sold on these just yet!

Sweet industrial stools, shabby chic beauty desk, lovely mint accordion rack. I went back for the rack, but alas he was already scooped up...indecision sometimes leads to disappointment!

Popsicle molds, cute side table, the cupboard I almost bought and an old top-lifting  dry-sink

I don't have all the items I purchased that day photographed, but here are two of the bigger items I took home that day:

Beautiful milk-protein paint finished stool- the epitome of gorgeous patina. It is going to live in my kitchen!

Rustic Cupboard- will be refinished and used in my bathroom for storage!

The Aberfoyle spring show was excellent this year, and hopefully a sign of a great antiquing year ahead! Happy Victoria Day to all my Canadian readers. We have tons to do this weekend as it is my big Bridal Shower weekend next weekend and I will have my first out of town house guest!!!

Splurge or Save: Wicker Trunk

As you may recall, I purchased a large wicker trunk at the Flea Market a few weekends ago. I paid $5.

This weekend I went to the Aberfoyle Spring Sale and saw this guy with a $95 price tag!!! 

The moral of this story is, know the value of the items you're looking to buy and know what you're willing to spend before you approach a purchase (especially when there is room for negotiation). Dealers will have items priced differently because they paid different prices originally and because they have a history of selling items at certain prices. It's also a bit unfair to compare a flea market to an antique show. If you find something old, vintage, antique or just something you love at a flea market or thrift store- grab it! The price will be right and it won't be there for long. At an antique show, you should be prepared to pay a bit more.

I'll be back later in the week to show some of the items I loved as well as the ones that came home with me. Happy Monday:)

Fab Find Friday: Open Season

The Lambton Kingsway United Church Flea Market did not disappoint again this year. I was close to the front this year, so got a good look at the items before the sale opened. I only regret not being quick enough to grab a drafting lamp. Here's a look at my loot.

Wicker Trunk- $5
Old Mirror- $20
Yellow Euro Pillow Shams- $4 for the pair
Creamers- $1 each
China Plate- $0.25
Glass Jug- $1.00
Brooch and Earrings-$3.00
Vintage Tin- $0.25
Measuring Tapes and Lace- $1
Wooden Hoop- $0.50
Basket-$0.50
Tin Bucket- $0.50
Total: $37

Fab Find Friday: Vintage Suitcases

I found these sweet guys at Goodwill last weekend, and I just couldn't walk away. It was love at first sight. I'm still not sure entirely what I want to do with them, but that's typical. They were in gorgeous condition, and with a good douse of febreeze to the lining, they're fresh again! They are Constellation suitcases originating from the UK.

I am so excited for the weekend, I am heading to the annual Lambton-Kingsway United Church flea market. I always find great stuff, and cannot wait to check out this year's sale. Here's my post on what I found last year. I am also going to hit up a couple of estate/content sales on may way home. What are your plans? Have you started your flea market season?

Fab Find Friday: Wedding Dress

Sorry about the lack of a post last Friday, turns out I have a very exciting Fab Find to share, but I can't show you any pictures for obvious reasons...I found my wedding dress last Thursday night! I just wasn't feeling 100% about the jeweled numbers that were my top favourites from my shopping experience here. I liked how the gowns fit, but thought they were just a little too glitzy!

So, Tricia met me at Ritche bridal in Toronto on the Thursday night, and we went at it again! My consultant was Stephanie, and she was fabulous, a woman on a mission after my own heart...she had even been to Frenchy's in NB! Although I originally pegged Ritche as a little too fancy for me, they were hosting their Fall Sale, and the gown I ended up choosing was on sale! It does need some alterations, so I am currently looking for an affordable experienced seamstress (the store quoted $500!!!), but the bones are just right:)

This is a big check off my wedding list, and it feels good to have found something so lovely, and to have saved a little money in the process!

Fab Find Friday: Christie Deals

As promised, here are a few of the finds I purchased at Christie last weekend! The most exciting item was definitely the half pint crown jar. I have never seen a half-pint, and absolutely had to add it to my collection. I think he is going to live on my dresser:)

The bread box was also a good find, it was paired with a round tin canister for $9, I had no interest in the canister, so I told the guy I would give him $5 for the bread box. He said "That tin's tiny, it's not worth anything- I need $7", I told him the best I could do was $6 and he let me have it!

I loved this local Tea Tin! It currently holds some of my modern loose leaf tea canisters!

I bought one more item, which was a unique piece that I will use for the wedding, but I need to get a good shot of it before I share.

Happy Friday Everyone!