Garage Sales, Etc.

Garage sales hold a most important place in my heart. From a very young age it was something special that my mom and I shared--it was never my older sister's 'thing', so for a couple of hours I was able to steal my mom's attention. Nowadays we have a strict routine--Friday mornings we get up early, grab coffee and we're off with the garage sale section of the newspaper as our guide for the next couple hours. Special weekends include big church rummage sales and flea markets.


There is a certain culture to garage saleing that I love--at what other time do you balk at the price of a paperback book being more than 50cents? ...Negotiating is acceptable, and trying to pay with a 20 if you're only spending a little is a definite no-no. 


My mom and I are always searching for different things. She's usually looking for school supplies or books for her classroom, and I'm always searching for clothes and antiques. Growing up, I was always the only one my age at garage sales--I rarely saw other tweenie and adolescent girls there. This was fine by me and still is: that way, there isn't much competition for the things that interest me most. I think the prospect of people's unwanted stuff either discourages people from going to garage sales, or just plain grosses them out. A lot of people have a definite thing about buying old shoes, and my mom is convinced that every hat has a family of lice living in it (yet she'll buy used dishes). Nothing really grosses me out except underwear and bras...because lets be honest, that's grimy. 


I began collecting vintage dresses at a very young age because the style, at times outlandish, fascinates me. The fabrics feel different...smell different too. And SOMETIMES, you find something truly spectacular.


A couple of years ago, at a big garage sale in Byram, NJ held by BARKS (Byram Animal Rescue and Kindness Squad), I found a cute mustard yellow woven purse that I spent approx 10cents on. When I got it home, I found out it was a "Bottega Veneta" bag...worth hundreds! 
This year I've made out like a bandit. I found a vintage Beatles Mirror that I paid $1 for, and just recently I found an orphan Annie gold locket that I paid 50cents for...just found out it's worth $128!
Now THATs what I call a bargain.


There have been several times that I've needed something and have been able to find it almost instantly at a garage sale. Things like Foreman grills, lamps, coffee makers are a dime a dozen. It's hard to go to a store and buy something full price anymore, which serves as one of the only down side of intense garage saleing. 


It's hard to tell how much money we've saved by our unusual pastime, but it isn't about the money. It's about the excitement of finding unique things, the time spent with my mother, and the mystery that each stop holds.

7. 16. 10 ~ Here's whats going on in my life:

Found out a little while ago that Daddio is going to let me drive their little Ford Taurus out to Boulder! So I am starting the road trip back on August 14th, 2010, after stopping in Marblehead Mass (insert LIKE button here) for a quick kiss from my long-lost boyfriend who will FINALLY be done hiking the Colorado Trail in about 2 weeks.

Driving the car out is important because it means I can continue my Etsy endeavor throughout the school year !!! (Christmas gifts, guys...think of the possibilities). Sales are...ok...but I am still finding the best way to advertise and get more views in my shop! No matter what my selling status is, I am still out and about constantly finding unique vintage items to share. I try to list stuff everyday! I have collected sssooo much stuff and looking forward to displaying it all.
I'm a little worried about shopping in Boulder. To be honest, and no offense to all those Boulder-ians (does that work?) out there, I'm not sure Boulder is in the top cities for style. I think people out there are more concerned with the durability of their clothing as they throw themselves up mountains than the fashionable appearance. BUT, I will accept the challenge and find cute vintage items no matter where I go.

 

I wish mine looked that good after 100,000 miles.

Just looking at this picture makes me feel like I am breathing fresher air already!

  Northface and Patagonia, you're all fine and dandy, but you're the anti-fashion.

 

 

 

 

Windbreakers!

OK,
I have been waiting for windbreakers to come into style for a very long time, since I was rockin' them as a totally unfashionable  little girl! They just haven't gotten the credit they deserve. Windbreakers allow you to wear crazy colors without seeming too out of place, they're super lightweight and fun, and well...here's some current ones I scouted. We can do better than this!!! Cmon Urban Outfitters, jump on this trend.
There isn't very many options to choose from on Etsy either...so you know this one desperately needs some sort of revival.

OK this may not seem like a big deal to the expert Etsy seller, but I was just featured in a treasury for the first time! I couldn't be more excited. PLUS, the treasury is adorable! The Right to Remain Silent, by Etsy seller treasurebooth. Love it!

Pretty Pretty Prints & Pleats Vintage!

Another day, another seller...I also stumbled upon these talented Prints&Pleats girls when I was making my "Put a Smile on" treasury.
This one I'm LOVING for the impressive ratio of scarves:everything else in the shop. The girls, Tara Hagye and Katie Manuszak, are responsible for some of the vintage reconstructions. They're from NYC (whatup!) and they've got that city feel to a lot of their "projects".
Ok, I know the shop hasn't been updated in a couple of weeks, but it is so worth checking out. For these items especially: 

Etsy Feedback:

Kellylou says, "Yay! The dress just came and it is so sweet, I love it. You were great to work with and I would definitely buy from you again. "

You certainly are Great, GrandmaAgnes!

I am SO excited to rave about GreatGrandmaAgnes's Shop, which is appropriately named after her great grandma (adorable!). I first stumbled upon her shop while searching for those happy models for my "Put a Smile on Showcase"...her photos DEFINITELY made me smile. She is a very active seller, listing more than a couple of new (vintage) items a day! Ooooh MEN, she even has vintage treasures for you guys!

She has a ridiculously attractive SALE going on right now--buy one item, get another 1/2 off! ...And I haven't even begun to describe her fantastic vintage finds.

But instead of listening to me go on and on, check out the shop! And my personal favorites:

Etsy Feedback:

JennsGoodVibes says, "Gorgeous Dress! In wonderful condition. Recieved it quickly and thanks for the discount, couldn't be happier : )"

(I say, "ME EITHER!")

Take a ride on the ElleTrain!

Now we take a look at a seller who recently received some questionable press. She was featured on Regretsy.com for one of her pieces, but I adore her because she embraces it with a, "well they say there's no such thing as bad press...right?" in her shop Announcement. Well Elletrain, it's time for some extra-good press, because I love your shop!

What I love about her shop is her insane shoe section! She features just as many vintage shoes as she does dresses, and who doesn't appreciate a good vintage shoe section? The sizes range about 6.5-9, so she's  covering a lot of us. 

And Regretsey.com dress pick aside (which is not...THAT bad), she has some really lovely dresses. Like her gingham dress...I want that! 

She loves ballet, I love ballet...she loves vintage...I love her! So check out the shop. She's really wonderful!

Etsy Feedback:
 

Enimie says, "Lovely blazer, and thank you for the present"  

(I say, "PRESENT?!")

VioletaVintage...just as endearing as it sounds.

Bright red lips pop from these fantastic photos of VioletaVintage's fabulous collection of vintage apparel. She comes from Barcelona, and she brings all the style of Spain into her gorgeous vintage shop. She updates with new pristine vintage items regularly, displays cheap international shipping, and offers a 10% discount to all returning customers! Believe it or not, it doesn't end there! She has two other Etsy shops:
http:/www.AbyMackie.etsy.com 
http:/www.WildandBeautiful.etsy.com 

VioletaVintage, you're a true BarcelonaBeauty!

Etsy Feedback: 

Poshdee says, "ooooooh, gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!"

Why so serious?

Utilizing my Etsy power, I created a new treasury: WHY SO SERIOUS? Featuring the happiest models in the Etsy world!

Fresh as mint, sweet as plum: Mintplum on Etsy

MINTPLUM!

Mintplum has only had a shop since May 16th, but boy are we glad she's here. She lives up to the words in her profile that say she loves luxurious fabrics and striking textiles because all of the items in her shop are so special. And affordable! It's always amazing to stumble upon a shop that isn't just out to make money, but someone who you can tell really adores vintage clothing and wants to share her eye with the rest of the world. So to the rest of the world: check out her shop... immediately!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/mintplum

Here are some of my favs:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/49254011/vintage-crinkle-seagreen-boho-dress-by

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/49052083/vintage-balloon-pant-with-floral-band

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/49038343/vintage-1970s-pastel-salmon-puff-sleeve

Cherry Bloom Vintage

There's no mystery as to why Cherry Bloom Vintage is my second victim. She is a stay at home mom with a daughter and still finds the time to list fresh vintage pieces nearly everyday. All 200 feedback comments are not only positive, but she seems to have some "fans" out there. In mostly every vintage Etsy clothing store there are a couple of swamp-monster vintage pieces that makes you wonder what ever possessed the seller to pick them up...but that is NOT the case here. I browsed every one of her 79 items and smiled at them all. OH, did I mention her prices are cheep cheep cheep?!!

So, DUH! Check it out! : http://www.etsy.com/shop/cherrybloomvintage

I've got a weakness for puffy sleeves and that little pink rose is to die for.

I personally adore belts that clasp in the middle like this one.

 These shoes could be in any shoe store today and would sell like wildfire...the fact that they're vintage makes them extra-special.

Bipolarbettygoods says, "Absolutely infatuated with this seller. I check her store at least once a day...."

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cherrybloomvintage

You go, GoGoVintage!

Here is why I love GoGoVintage's Shop:

GoGoVintage offers garments from a wide variety of Eras that are both affordable and in good vintage condition. Her prices are totally reasonable and she features a killer sale section! She clearly has an affinity for vintage dresses (as do I) and she has over 100 dresses for sale as of 6/25/10! All of her 65 feedback comments are positive and from the comments I gather that she packages her items in a special way for her customers. Plus, her model seems to be having a great time, which makes me want some of that.

So do yourself a favor and check it out! 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/gogovintage

Here's some of her items that caught my eye:

Gotta love a good ol' ROMPER!

This skirt makes my heart beat a little faster...

Sigh. Who doesn't have a weakness for lace.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/gogovintage