trash and TREASURE

From the thrill of finding great deals to the satisfaction of turning someone else's castoffs into something valuable, I love everything about thrifting. While I'm always up for a good rummage or estate sale,there are a few annual events I look forward to...and tomorrow is one of them. Unlike most other bargain-hunting extravaganzas I attend, this time I will be working instead of shopping (but, really, why should the two be mutually exclusive?)

If you're local, I hope you'll come visit me this Saturday (TOMORROW October 6th) at Rocky River Presbyterian Church during our annual Trash and Treasure Sale. The sale is from 9-2 and for the last hour everything is half off. I was just there today pricing items in the childrens' room (that's right, this isn't one of those puny, half of a multi-purpose room sales--we've got six rooms with different departments) and EVERYTHING IS PRICED TO MOVE. ALL of the procceds from this sale are donated to charity so it is a great way to find amazing deals and donate to a worthy cause at the same time.

Curious, but unsure? Here's a sneak preview. Rather than full room shots where you can't get a good look at anything, I've opted to zero in a few select items I thought were interesting in an effort to give you a little taste of the sale. Descriptions precede each picture:

This children's rocker is really sweet. It comfortably fits both of my 45ish pound girls and I think they both wanted to take it home.

If you like mid-century furniture, the piece behind it is a set of drawers that is part of a bedroom set from that era. I believe there is a dresser with a large mirror, the drawer set and a full size bed. The set is located right next to one of the exits for easy shopper removal. The bedroom set is STURDY. I actually thought about purchasing it to replace the trendy, but cheap set I have in The Milk Belly Princess' bedroom, but after the major decluttering I went through at my house to get ready for this sale, I'm just not up for all of the heavy lifting that would be involved.

This little folk doll is in an area of the sale known as "The Boutique" which is a museum of sorts, lovingly curated by all of the volunteers who worked hard all week to prepare for the sale. I like how her posture suggests that she, too, is shopping.

My mother originally bought this larger-than-life Strawberry Shortcake at the estate sale of an American Greetings employee. My daughters loved it, but it was a little...much. I knew The Milk Belly Princess sold me out when my mother told me she heard I found it "creepy."

These puzzles/educational games are wooden and seem to be very high quality. I'm not exactly sure how they work, but my mom thrifted several games and puzzles for my daughters by the same company and my girls and I both love them because they are aethestically pleasing, sturdy AND educational. A new teacher trying to build a collection of classroom games would be able to put these to good use.

If the five dollar price tag on Miss Madeline's hat is off-putting, fear not. She is definitely one of the more expensive toys at the sale. (I think there is a vintage metal Tonka truck for $15 and some brand new big K'nex sets at about the same price, but most of the toys are a dollar or two.) I'm not sure if the high chair is a children's toy or more of a decoration for a doll collector, but I love the color. It would look great holding one of The Milk Belly Princess' baby dolls in her room, but her imaginary play doesn't really involve feeding.

This is in the room with all of the seasonal decorations. I'm not sure what season it is supposed to represent, but it reminds me of Parade the Circle.

Here is a small sampling of the many lamps for sale. The volunteer in charge of organizing this room (who is a thrifting/estate sale styling GENIUS) made the observation that, with green shades, this lamp would look really good. I know she's right because I've seen her house and it is brilliantly decorated.

The Apollo glass is one of several we donated. I originally bought eight and the matching carafe for The Mister as a birthday present one of the years we were dating. Then, we either received more as gifts, or the glasses mated in the cabinet because somehow we ended up with double that amount. I think it looks nice next to this taller, blue swirly piece.

There is a whole room devoted to books. While there are dozens of contemporary childrens' titles, I was drawn to the covers of these two vintage volumes. The Milk Belly Princess REFUSED to move her finger, so that's the little pink digit you see hovering over Nancy Drew.

Not sure what the story is on these McGuffeys. They are not first editions or anything, but that red leathertte binding looks smart. They would be perfect for the den or office of an elementary school teacher or principal.

Even though we have many of these titles, I really enjoyed looking at the artwork in some of these older Little Golden Books. We bought "Raggedy Ann's Tea Party" and "Nurse Nancy" when we were sorting on Tuesday. The Milk Belly Princess loved both of them (although the latter turned out to be a commerical of sorts for Band-Aids' mid-century release of "Stars and Stripes" printed bandages).

As I've been typing these descriptions I've been thinking of all of the other items I should have photographed, including:

an artist's painting set complete with a stool, an easel and oil paints that folds up into an easy to manage carrying case. $20
a unicorn pillow pet $2 (I know the little girl who donated this and she takes VERY good care of her things.)
a tiny vintage ambulance/abacus toy (ten cents)
two ruffly, twirly, swirly square dancing dresses

...and so much more. But my hour for writing this is up. I will have a very sad, scared little girl at tumbling class, if I don't hit "Publish" and go pick her up right this minute. I hope I've piqued your curiousity and see you tomorrow at the sale.