Some Fab Finds of Late

I'm back at bargain hunting full steam. I still can't understand how bargain hunters such as myself survive the winters around here. 6 months of no garage sales...truly its a shame. So all of those bargain happy folks like myself get way too excited at this time of year. Sign after sign scatter the roadsides. Its truly beautiful. Almost brings a tear to my eye...

I've had one too many brake slamming incidents in the past few weeks. Or the garage sale crawl...yes, you know the one. The annoying driver in front of you has slowed down to a snail's pace trying to read the garage sale sign? Guilty as charged!

There is always kijiji in those lean times. I'm a big fan. We have managed to sell a number of things on this site, including clothing, golf clubs, fish tanks, kitchen items, etc, etc. And we have always been able to find some great deals on there as well. Of course its not the same "rush" one gets at a garage sale, but good deals nonetheless.

So without further ado...

Abbi's bed canopy. kijiji. $10

We absolutely love it! Like we both want one for our bed. Rob and I find ourselves spending just a little more time reading goodnight stories, or heck, just hanging out. Abbi calls it her "circus tent." I was thinking princess castle, but oh well, its still darn cute. It sets up like a tent, and I was able to do it by myself with a hand drawn sketch by the lady who sold it to me.

Actually the lady who sold it to me works downtown so we went down and met her (rather than driving to her home in St. Albert - 45 mins. away). After numerous trips around the block I finally found 1 hour free parking (which involved parallel parking...shudder...). So after picking it up from her, we got hotdogs at a roadside stand and wandered around downtown for an hour. It was a really fun time!

4 Throw Pillows - Two square, two rectangular. kijiji. $25

Again, incredible deal. These pillows are from Finesse (a furniture store), and the lady bought them for $20 EACH! I love them. They go perfectly with my red theme, and they make our couches so much more comfortable. She said she had them on her couches for 5 months until her husband decided he didn't like them anymore. So I figure I've got 4.5 months left to enjoy them before my Hubby gives them the kibosh. Thankfully, he really likes them too!

On Saturday, my MIL (that's Mother-in-Law for you non-hip types!) and I went on a garage sale spree. I had made up a google map of 5 sales in our area. Plus, one in the Terwillegar area. Its a newer area, but fairly posh. So we thought we would check that one out first. Well, goodness, 5 sales later in that neighborhood. I mean it never ends. Then we started making our way back towards our end of town. I would say we hit another 7 on our way home. Whew! It was intense, but fun.

My grand total? $5.35! I really didn't spend a lot. My MIL got quite a bit more, but also got some really good deals. Her "big" purchase was a fairly funky, pink and green, retro sewing machine. $20. A pretty good deal.

A centerpiece basket. Garage Sale. $2. (With tag still on).

Don't pay attention to the broken wicker in the middle. It truly was in mint condition until Abbi got a hold of it in the backseat. Rob didn't realize what she was doing until it was already mutilated. Oh well, I figure it will be covered with something anyway.

Entryway Mirror. Garage Sale. $2

I love this! My best find of the day. I love it just the way it is, but I think in order for it to go better in our entryway I am going to paint it white and leave the black accents. Actually Rob thinks it should be painted too, which is impressive seeing as how he thinks I'm spray paint happy lately. We are planning to put some screw hook things on the bottom and turn it into a key rack as well. LOVE IT! (*Gotta love the self portrait there!).

Wall Art. Garage Sale. $2 each. (Bought the weekend prior).

I like these. Its not my favorite type of art, but I think they are cute, and will go nicely once our walls are painted. Where I'm not exactly sure yet, but the colors are definitely right. We have pictures similar to this style in our upstairs bathroom.

Brown Chandelier. Garage Sale. 10 Cents (Yes, you read that right...10 cents!).

This was the best deal of the day. We pulled up to a garage sale with a giant sign in front - "EVERYTHING 10 Cents." I can't speak for my MIL, but I know my heart skipped a beat! I imagine it was because it was the end of the day, so unfortunately there wasn't much left, but still! I've never seen such a thing. There was nothing I could really use, but this chandelier was calling out to me.

Yes, yes, I realize I already have a chandelier, and there was that whole chandelier hanging fiasco, that you can read about here. But still. This one looked so lonely. It needed a home. And for 10 cents I was prepared to make that sacrifice! Its got great lines and much potential. Even as is, I love it. Surprisingly enough...so does the Hubby. So maybe soon I'll be posting about chandy hanging adventures, part two!

So all in all, it was a successful trip. Even better when I only spent that much money. I also got a few shirts for Abbi, at 25 cents each, as well as Dora doll for the same price. Now that's my kind of shopping! My home decor stash is getting a little low now though. All of the things I had sold were funding my junking, so I may have to lay low for a while. Although I still do have $15, and when I can get all of that for only $5.35 I guess I have a few more garage sale weekends left in me!

Just had to include a few cuties of the kids!

Abbi enjoying her new circus tent ;)

A nude-y shot of Gabe. I love this one because he is being just so darn modest.
Isn't he adorable?

And finally a few to make you giggle. I was trying to get a picture of Abbi with her bright red lollipop. Little did I know the drama that was taking place in the background. My absolute fave is the third one. And I totally have Rob's permission to post these. We were both laughing so hard. He has no idea what he was doing but its pretty hilarious. Hope it gives you a giggle too!