Viva La Yard Sale

Vintage Christmas Ornaments

2011-04-01T17:59:00.000-07:00

Christmas in Spring? April fools! Donna and I spotted a yard sale on Highway 95 and decided to pull in. Donna found a glass dish and I found a tub full of vintage ornaments... For a dollar! When I got home, I quickly unwrapped all the ornaments and cleaned them. Beautiful retro color schemes, shiny patterns, vintage shapes and some with glitter. They are mostly marked Made in USA and there are two marked made in Poland. I love celebrating Christmas in April, thank you Donna for spotting the sale! I want to gift you some of these fun ornaments!

Find of the Day!

2011-03-14T09:58:00.000-07:00

Seems to have been a great day for yard sales for Polly and Sherry... It was a bummer that Donna and I couldn't make it... But by the looks of Polly's retro photo, she stumbled upon the "find of the day". This vintage PanAm travel bag reminds Polly of one of our classic Stewardess Barbies from back in the day. Me too! I love this amazing vintage photo Polly styled like a pro!

Rosary ReMix

2011-03-07T10:37:00.000-08:00

I love rosary necklaces and have gathered quite a collection over the past few years. I find them everywhere from e-bay to yard sales and antique stores. To me they hold power and promise... They remind me to pray and also to give thanks. I imagine their long history and the religious lives they have lived. Recently I had them all displayed on my dress form and then moved them to my antique top hat. Always re-mixing your collections will give them a new life time and time again! Can I get an AMEN?

Twas Just Before Junking

2010-12-23T09:39:00.000-08:00

Twas just before junking

and all through the yard,

The Suburban was revving its

engine real hard.

Sherry and Polly

not willing to bend,

Were yet again waiting

for Donna and friend!

"The bus is now leaving!"

shouts Sherry real loud,

"We've got to press on

or we'll hit a big crowd."

We pass several yard sales

and wish to steer clear,

This one looks promising

It's an old granny with cheer.

She's selling her baubles

and trinkets of sorts,

Getting ready to move again

And now we shall score!

I with my skeleton key

and Polly with her kitsch,

Sherry's found some crutches

and Donna- A new dish!

We sing and we laugh

as we drive out of sight,

To all a great sale

and never ever a fight!

Happy Holidays!

Viva La Yard Sale

Eclectic Yard Sale Day

2010-10-02T15:58:00.000-07:00

What a fun Yard Sale day! We sure picked up an eclectic mix of this and that. Ranging from Sherry's prize unicycle and poinsettias to my miniature giraffe, Polly's "How to Keep a Man" scarf with such great tips like "Do look innocent" to "Don't be jealous" and Donna's Christmas plates for the Holiday party were pushing her to have (again!). It was a ton of laughs when we spotted an auction that was soooo un-called for and the world's largest yard sale sign! Thank you Donna for the delicious lunch at Mama Mia's and all the entertainment with your phone calls to Frank the waiter! Polly took this photo of a vacation home on the river, these people really love old water ski's and have built an entire fence out of their passion. We drive by this fence often and I always love imagining all the fun the individual ski owners must have had...All in all it was a great day and I loved every minute of it! Thanks girls, Viva la yard sale!

Follow the Signs...

2010-10-01T14:23:00.000-07:00

Today's sales were interesting to say the least. Sherry and I started out around 7:00. I always love a Church Sale but this church seems to have a sale every other weekend! I found a very old book for fifty cents and Sherry spotted a cute glass pumpkin as she's starting to gather decorating items for Halloween. After a a lot of whining (very early) on my behalf, Sherry agreed that we needed to eat breakfast and we stopped at Lizzy's for a quick bite. Then we headed out to the valley where we chased wet boxes and drove through many puddles! The sky was beautiful with dark clouds, some rain and bright sun peeking through. The weather didn't stop us nor did it stop the many sales who had paid big bucks to advertise. The sign in this photo could be seen from at least a mile away. This is what we call a perfectly designed sign. We see those wood silhouette cutouts (in the background) all over this town and this pic is dedicated to Polly because I KNOW how much she loves them! I was in love with an "old school" beach cruiser bike from 1959 at this yard sale. Great condition, I thought of Polly again, because these bikes she truly does love! We saw a beautiful huge rainbow and Sherry recounted a story of chasing a rainbow with her husband- I thought it was so funny how they ended up in the parking lot of KMart- How's that for a pot of gold? (Maybe for Martha Stewart!) Thank you Sherry for driving, stopping for the delicious breaky and making me laugh all along the way. Maybe our peeps will join us tomorrow!

Viva La Kohls!

2010-09-25T18:49:00.000-07:00

Today's yard sales were a total bust. Usually we go out and at least find a few items we cannot live without, but today, virtually nothing! Sherry did find a silver necklace with a black heart and I pondered a cool watch, but changed my mind when I discovered it didn't have a glass face. The weather was pretty good and brunch at Del Taco is always the best... Thank you Polly! We drove by many sales and knew from the car that there was nothing to be had. It was still fun to get together with the girls and catch up. After we dropped Polly off, I had some Kohl's cash burning a hole in my pocket, so Sherry and I went over to Kohl's where they were having amazing sales. I picked up some very cute Candie's wedges for 80% off and a couple of shirts. Sherry forgot her e-mail discount code, but she whined and still received the discount on her super cute shoe purchase (reluctantly)! Even though the yard sales were a bust- it was still great fun, we had lots of laughs and there's always next weekend!

Portland Fair

2010-09-20T11:11:00.000-07:00

Here we are again junking up North. I love putzing around the island, checking out new scenery, meeting new people and finding fun treasures! This time our hunt took us out to Portland Fair. Where the streets wind around and round until your dizzy trying to locate the sale. This one was half-marked. But we did find it! And Carole picked up an antique barstool which she intends to use as a plant stand. In typical Sherry fashion, Carole nudged the lady's price down ten bucks... She got it for $15... I always admire the bravery that goes behind asking for a lower price! Seems Sherry might have some competition up North!
It was a lot of fun and we ended up at the cutest Coffee Shop above the ferry. A delicious home made quiche and quick mocha and out the door for more fun adventures!
I am looking forward to next weekend junking back in Arizona with my sister and pals...
where I hear it is still very hot!

Viva La Yard Sale - North!

2010-09-11T10:47:00.000-07:00

Today was super exciting as it was my first time to visit real island garage sales. I hopped into my friend Carole's bright red car at 7:30 and off we went to the first sale that started at 8:00 on the nose! Just like Sherry and Donna, Carole has a load of island street info and knows the ins and out of this place! Our first stop was an estate sale, It was super cool with many rooms open in the house. A beautiful view and lots of good treasures. Carole found some cool jewelry, a vase and some other goodies. I bought a chart map and a very special island cookbook for Bella Donna, called "A Taste of Salt Air and Island Kitchens." I know she is going to love this vintage piece of island history! I wish you girls could be here with us and enjoy this beautiful island scenery and cool weather! We stopped at a few more sales, where Carole picked up a tibetan buddha icon carved from a beautiful piece of wood. We marveled over the gorgeous hand painted Tibetan painting and decided it was too rich for our blood. A gold pocket watch on a long chain called out my name until I saw that it was $50.00.

We met our friend Felicity at this sale with the view... I pondered buying a very cool retro telescope but came to my senses when I saw the ticket price of $30.00...

Thank you Carole! It sure was fun checking out the island sales and I look forward to next week!

Kitschy Carnival Cuties

2010-08-21T11:11:00.000-07:00

It is so hot in Bullhead City right now that the girls have now taken to getting up at the crack of dawn to miss the heat. It was still dark when we went out a couple Saturdays ago! We did manage to find a few sales and Polly found a great umbrella she intends to use as a prop for her amazing photography shoots. Donna always finds a vintage cookbook or 4 and Sherry is working on her household items. We ended up at the We Care Thrift House where we marveled over the completely overpriced items they considered antiques. I mean really, a smiley coffee cup for $35.00? Sherry did find some nice jewelry, though. We had a good time and then we had to go home, as it was quickly reaching 100 degrees! Here's looking to Fall and cool weather and more good times with the girls!
A nice collection of Kitschy Carnival cuties sit pretty on Polly's shelf... Amazing what you can find at a yard sale!

Confessions of a Purse-a-holic

2009-12-18T06:41:00.000-08:00

Whether they're hanging on hooks in her closet, piled high in a mound on the floor, or lined up in the garage for her next yard sale, Sherry's love for purses has reached an all time high. She admires all shapes and sizes and is partial to the color brown. She will not pay over $15 for any yard sale purse, and trust me when I say we have watched her haggle with the best of them and she always gets her way! She has a self-proclaimed addiction and no desire to find a cure.

What does Sherry look for in a purse?

-Must have exterior pockets for her husbands keys.
-Prefers at least 2 interior pockets for her glasses.
-The strap must fit over her shoulder perfectly.
-Has to be clean and look like new.

Weeding through her collection recently, she decided to put over a dozen of her cherished bags in her yard sale. She doesn't appear to be upset and I think we know the reason why...

She's just making more room for all her new purses!

The Little Things

2009-11-30T11:25:00.000-08:00

In honor of the holiday here is a poem from a cherished yard sale book, called "The Joy of Words".
It's the little things we do and say
That mean so much as we go our way.
A kindly deed can lift a load
From weary shoulders on the road,
Or a gentle word, like summer rain,
May soothe some heart and banish pain.
What joy or sadness often springs
From just the simple little things! - W. Hoey

Thank you to P&G for hosting the very best Thanksgiving at your home. We enjoyed the cornicopia of delicious food, conversation and bountiful decorations! The only way it could have been any better, would have been to have the rest of our family there! We sure miss you guys.

Black Friday came and went without a hitch. We did manage to get the sale items we were looking for. Polly and her son Ryan tackled WalMart and Sherry and I went to Kohl's mad house! Awake and eager to shop, I arrived at Kohl's just before the doors opened at 4am! This was the first time my sister and I ... 1.) Got up that early :-) and 2.) for a Black Friday sale! Not sure if Sherry has ever been to a BF sale, but in her classic shopping style she acted just like a pro. She knew all the tricks to get in and out fast! Thank you Sherry, it sure was a blast with all the crazy people! We attempted to go to one yard sale, but it ended up being just a drive-by. I think we are starting to get a little picky... or spoiled! It was all so much fun! I feel thankful that I live so close to my sister and that we have a group of girls who are mad about yard sales. I feel blessed that we get to go hunting for treasures each and every weekend! What are you giving thanks for this season?

2009-11-24T18:16:00.000-08:00

Alas, the holiday season is upon us! This year we are celebrating Thanksgiving at my sisters. I always love going to her beautiful home and spending time with my family! Polly and Greg are cooking up the turkeys and side dishes and we will be bringing some delicious pies, including pumpkin pie! I love all the scents the season brings, cheerful holiday music and decorations -Like these very adorable deer and the sweetest strawberry jar Polly found at yard sales recently. I am so happy and feel very lucky to live so close to my sister. By now you know we love to shop and although Black Friday is a hectic shopping day, we'll still get out there and walk off all those extra calories we ate for Thanksgiving! What will you be cooking up for the holiday season this year? Happy Holidays to all our blogger friends!

Elf Yourself Holiday Fun!

2009-11-19T14:43:00.000-08:00

My sister Polly has been going crazy creating these whimsical e-mail greetings with this fun site from Office Max. This time she elfed some yard sale finds... It's so funny to see these little dolls come to life and dance like there's no tomorrow... I especially love her new little man!
Have yoursELF a little holiday fun at this site, but be ready to laugh until you cry! To see Polly's Elf creation click here. So sorry to go WalMart on you with this early Christmas music, it just fit the theme so well! Have a merry day!

A Spoonful of Sugar

2009-11-14T13:32:00.000-08:00

It has been a blast this weekend at yard sales. We had to get up earlier than ever to all meet at Sherry's house at 6:30 but it was well worth it! Thank you Sherry, you are so sweet to be our driver!

My fun find was this Mary Poppins doll for a buck. Ever since she was blown in by the East wind to Number Seventeen Cherry Tree Lane I have adored this spunky little lady. She represents all the whimsy and carefree nonsense that I love! She was made by Horsman in the 1960's and sits pretty by my two cherished Mary Poppins albums from previous sales.

We all found so many great things, but I think Sherry found the most. She always looks for Southwest style decor and she hit the jackpot! Polly found some cute kitschy deer, a darling little doll and some cool baskets. Donna always finds the best cookbooks, a vintage Santa bank and some very cool gingham cloth napkins... Perfect for picnics and BBQ's! We all had breakfast at the Maverick which is not really the best choice but it was a scrumptious Krispy Kreme dream breakfast for champions... A spoonful of sugar and then some!

On the Road Again...

2009-11-12T09:48:00.000-08:00

WHERE? It's all in the map and we at Viva are more than serious about yard sales! And it all starts with Sherry the night before... She studies (and I mean studies!) the classifieds ads and maps out our entire journey for the week-end. All thanks goes to Sherry or we would be wandering around this tri-state area aimlessly! Her lists are thorough and they mark each and every Friday, Saturday and Sunday sale. We are all amazed at her knowledge of our towns many dirt roads, unmarked streets and short-cuts.

HOW? Sherry is also our driver. Don't be late or she'll leave with out you! Just kidding. She has the patience and knowledge, and because we don't want to miss our ride... that makes us all get to her place on time! Her huge 1997 Suburban carries all of us girls and our treasures with ease. Sometimes, as you see in this pic, she is a bit anxious and parks right up front... We like to call it panic parking. However, the more that you panic, the less you are likely to find at any given yard sale. As you can see in the next photo...

WHY? When you see things like this white elephant, you can sometimes get caught up in the why of it all... Why did I get up so early? Why am I so tired? Why am I complaining so much? I think the reason why -for us- is because we love hanging out with each other. The thrill of finding that perfect vase or vintage jewelry piece or Indian basket... The fun of laughing, having breakfast together and seeing new things... But mostly the fear of what we might miss if we don't go!

The Right Typewriter

2009-11-10T20:58:00.000-08:00

A vintage typewriter always gets my attention, especially when it's red! This one is a portable Royal and she is a beauty. She was found at a local yard sale and cost me a mere five bucks! I already own a sleek black Smith and Corona and thought to myself I might just like this red one better... But when I got it home and into my office...

...I have to say my old black Corona won! I am probably just used to it, but it fits on my desk and matches my decor perfectly! I think I'll be taking the red one to my antique booth to sell someday soon, unless one of my yard sale sisters' want it! Speak up girls, before it goes off to auction!

I hope you enjoy this little lesson in typing. Listen carefully and follow the directions! :-)

...And the winner is... Polly! She is the one who originally spotted this beauty and now that it is not perfect with my decor, you can have it, sister!

Asian Fusion- Junkin' Monday

2009-11-09T06:46:00.000-08:00

As long as I can remember, our Mom has been infatuated with all things Asian. Last year we went antiquing together and she spotted these Hong Kong chic bobble heads. We didn't buy them on that trip, but I kept seeing them! They grew on me and I recently went back to the store and purchased them. I placed this cute couple high on a shelf in my studio and started to see an Asian theme. I found the paper umbrella's that I adore at a yard sale for $5 (A pretty blue and vibrant red one) I hung them from the ceiling because I love to see the swirly pattern when they are open... Thank you Mom for being such an inspiration and teaching us to see the beauty in everything!

1970's Board Game- Clue

2009-11-04T08:40:00.000-08:00

If you were around in the 70's I am sure you are familiar with this entertaining game I picked up recently at a yard sale for just a buck. As I lifted the lid off the game it brought back a flood of memories. The popular patterns, fashion and colors all smacked of the 1970's and our Mom's kitchen decor... A blast from the past for sure! Clue is the murder mystery board game that let's you be the detective. Where you try to crack the case of a modern day who dunnit at the palatial mansion of Mr. Boddy. The answer lies in the little gold envelope resting on the stairway marked "confidential" on the center of the board. You move your colored token on the marble squares until you reach a room where you can then make an accusation. If the crime wasn't committed by Colonel Mustard in the study with a candlestick, then who was it?
Perhaps it was that arrogant Professor Plum in the Billiard Room with the rope? Nope that's not it either... I bet you can guess... It was the seductive Miss Scarlet in the conservatory with a wrench!

We have come across a slue of vintage games on our yard sale excursions and we will be sharing more of them with you in the future... Polly has an extensive collection of some very popular and fun games from the 1970's. She barely shared them with us back in the day (unless we washed our hands really good), but she's a little older now and I am sure she would be delighted to share them with you!

Click on the first image to learn about the

original inventor of this game Anthony E. Pratt. 1944

To read about the 1985 comedy called Clue,
click on the second image.

To buy the sexy t-shirt "Miss Vivien Scarlet"

click on the third image.

Love is Here to Stay

2009-11-02T18:13:00.000-08:00

Such a creative and inspirational couple, Kerby and Marjorie!

Two happily married peas in the same pod for 59 years - amazing!

Kerby so eager to share his fossil finds of yesteryear

from his main stompin grounds, Death Valley.
He carefully chose and collected granite
and being the rock hound he is, he knew exactly

which rocks would sparkle and shine in his one of a kind creations.

As you walk through his studio/art gallery/garage

it's hard not to notice all of the beautiful works displayed on

counter tops and in show cases but it's the hanging creations

from the ceiling that really catch your eye.

Beautiful wind chimes made using rocks he's shined

and sliced paper thin, hanging from delicate pieces of driftwood.

If the chimes needed a bit more sparkle and some more chime,

Kerby used chandelier earrings....which I'm certain he

must have snuck right out of Marjorie's jewelry box!

These two could not have been more proud of eachother

and were happy to compliment one another as they

spoke about their collections and art.

Marjorie is a writer and has written numerous books,

her most recent about her dear husband.

These two were not just a pleasure to meet
but a pure inspiration.

What a treasure was found on our garage sailing
on this particular day!!

The pleasure was all mine as Polly took me to meet this lovely couple

and to view their studio and creations.

Thank you Polly for taking these beautiful photos and writing this sweet

story about this lovely couple living life to the fullest!

Vintage Black Friday

2009-10-29T15:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Vintage Black Friday!

Today we have some rather sinister blackness to celebrate the season.

In honor of this special holiday I looked around my house
to see what I had to share...
(Click on images to enlarge)

My very favorite thing is my candelabra, perfect for this time of year
all though I have it out all the time.
Vintage black clocks, old glass door knobs and a chic red and black angel
are also out year round to keep me company.
We wish you the best Halloween and thank you for including us in VBF.

Now I am off like a "vintage black prom dress"
to see all of your exciting show and tell posts...

The Viva crew from left to right: Suzy, Polly, Sherry and Donna...

Some devilish decorations and decadent desserts

at Polly's Spook-tacular Halloween Party 2 weeks ago...

Check out the other girls participating in Vintage Black Friday,

Get on board and ride along with the caravan to Gypsy Brocante.

Junkin' Monday

2009-10-25T20:21:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday! Here we are for Junkin' Mondays to share some dolls we have found out on out on our yard sale excursions. We actually didn't even buy any of these cuties, but Polly took these wonderful photos anyway. I did however buy a vintage Madame Alexander bride doll for $2, that I just love. (Below) I believe she is from the 60's and stands about 12" tall. Her gown is flowing and she is wearing the most delicate rhinestone earrings. I looked her up on Ebay and she goes for around $100! The Bradley dolls in the upper right corner were popular in the 70's. They are so elegant and fashionable with their big eyes. Granny Goose appeared to be handmade, the designer of this one put a lot of love into her. The porcelain doll head in the lower right was a project for someone who never quite got around to the art of doll making as there was a whole box full of doll parts. Barbie is always in fashion, here she is in her signature pink with a her friend Tinkerbell. We hope you have a great week, see ya next Monday!

2009-10-24T05:13:00.000-07:00

Mozart's Haunted Masquerade Mystery

Celebrating Today

The Twenty Fourth of October,
Seventeen Hundred and Seventy Eight.

The festivities shall linger through the evening until
the sun rises on the East shore...

Solve the mystery and win a prize

from the Angel of Music.

Enter the mote through the Southern most canal

at Vienna's Burg Theater.
Follow the candle light that leads to the Grand Staircase.

It is there, in the Gallery, that we shall meet.
I will escort you and your guest to
Mozart's Haunted Masquerade Mystery.

Fashionably late, I beckon Sir Mozart to

amuse and entertain you with his

Symphony No. 40 Concerto.

Promptly catch a glimpse of thyself in the mirror as to be certain
you are perfectly suited to entwine in a celebration of this sort.

Take heed of the ghostly gentleman who appears rather stately
within this magical mirror...
He is the Angel of Music who has returned from the past
to find his one true mistress.

Could it be you?

Mozart agrees to perform hesitantly as he is admiring each and every
resplendent lady bejeweled in Venetian costumes and make up.

"Let them eat cake, drink wine and dance as though

tomorrow doth not exist." Marie announces.

As the the festival is winding down and the sun is rising
you have been the perfect guest in every way.
However we are aware that
all the world wide web is a stage,
and you have many more celebrations to attend.

...But wait!

An unexpected announcement from Sir Mozart.

"It appears a guest has left something valuable

behind in one of the canal boats."

Kindly leave a comment describing the item you left behind.

Whoever bestows us with the most elaborate and alluring description
will find a gift from the Angel of Music
at their doorstep in a fortnight.

Buona notte and sweet dreams.

A big thank you to Miss Cassandra for hosting this fabulous event...

Sip champagne, dance and follow your heart to
her creative nest at Artful Adventures and

all of the other extravagant blog masquerade parties happening today.

2009-10-23T05:38:00.001-07:00

Viva La Yard Sale is excited

to honor our favorite day of the week

Vintage Black Friday!
Today we want to share some of our reinvented

yard sale finds with you...

Polly was happy when she found these two cute sconces

for a buck at a yard sale recently.
She simply painted them black to go with her

office decor and they look great!
The sweet pop shoppe bottles were a gift from me

and compliment her new vignette.

This kitschy cool bathroom towel rack was re-purposed by Polly
to house a few of her colorful crafts in her office.

She sprayed it black and cleverly hung projects
from the towel bar on the bottom...

It looks fabulous and is one of my favorite things!

These vintage black kitties with their

piercing green rhinestone cat eyes were

purchased at a local antique store and they make me so happy...

We think they are purrfect for the holiday season!

Stop by Gypsy Brocade to see all of our other

Vintage Black Friday friends and their goodies...

Please join us tomorrow for

Mozart's Haunted Masquerade Mystery!

2009-10-21T17:35:00.000-07:00

You're Invited!

To Mozart's Haunted Masquerade Mystery

Please join us, Cassandra from My Artful Adventures,

and many other blog party friends,

Saturday the Twenty Fourth of October,

Seventeen Hundred and Seventy Eight.

The festivities shall linger through the evening

until the sun rises on the East shore.

And...

A prize shall be awarded to whom we
decide is the gold medalist of this particular Mystery.

A Hauntingly Magical Celebration!

2009-10-17T03:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome Guests!

You have arrived and you are standing on our front porch.

Beware of the mysterious one-eyed mummy.

He is here to check you in.

And just so you know...

You won't be checking out!

The Crypt Keeper keeps everything

at this Grand Estate in total chaos year-round.

And he'll curse you if you leave without saying goodbye...

So mind your manners

or the goblins will getcha' if you don't watch out!

Remember to follow the signs and pick the right path

or find yourself at Dead Mans Corner with nowhere to turn...

Raymond's Rest Graveyard is over the hill to the right.

I don't suggest you visit there after dark.

The least of your worries would be the bats flying above,

...they have been known to get tangled in the hair of unsuspecting guests

from time to time.

The black haunted house on the left with the old picket fence,

well that was once owned by the infamous

Sir Virgil the Third of The Black Cat Saloon.

Rumor has it that he died an untimely death from Scarlet Fever.

Went mad in that house and now haunts it every night after sundown.

But don't worry about poor Virgil and his bad hair,

tonight you'll be staying at Polly and Greg's Ghostly Estate

and there's no turning back now...

Some guests say it's haunted and

a few victims are buried there.

It's built atop a cemetery of dead miners and thugs.

And there's only one way in...

and out (if you're one of the lucky ones).

Go through the wooden arched doorway.

Swiftly tap the lion head door knocker

and wait for the lady of the house to answer.

She'll be the one in the billowy chocolate skirt and flowing scarf

holding a big deck of tarot cards, known for their demonic nature.

You will hear her coming, long before you see her.
Thousands of little metal coins and mounds of jewelry
adorn her wrists and neck.

Welcome to La Villa Firenze!

Enter if you dare...

but do not gaze directly into Medusa's eyes

or you shall be turned to stone in an instant.

Grab a candlestick to light your way, but don't be scared.

No need for that until night falls

and all the spirits come out in full force.

Do come in!

Sit a spell and let us spoil you rotten with our sinfully

delicious drinks and decadent desserts.

But remember-

Don't drink and blog unless you have a designated typer...

You wouldn't want to be slapped with a B U I from the Cyber Police...

That would certainly spoil all of our Halloween fun!

The scent of pumpkin spice and apple cider is in the air.

Fall leaves are scattered about.

Listen carefully and hear the ghostly sounds

of a pipe organ playing....

the distant chime of church bells ringing...

wild dogs barking and tomcats fighting.

Find a partner and dance to the music,

take off your mask and leave a comment,

we would love to get to know you better!

The ghosts like to play practical jokes this time of year.

They have been moving the party decorations around all day!

We heard a ghoulish giggling in the study earlier

and found they stacked all of our jack-o-lanterns up to the ceiling.

Join us out back for some wicked games like

Blogging for Apples

and who can resist the bidding fun that

eBoo
serves up each and every Halloween?

Right Click Slave

is a game of chance and will

and is happening in the basement as we speak.

You don't want any part of that...

especially when the lights go out!

maybe

you do?

The candy buffet is stacked with delicious treats.

Apothecary jars filled with chocolate eyeballs,

vanilla tootsie rolls and candy corn.

Pedestals piled high with cupcakes,

cookies and other goodies.

Don't be shy!

Take one!

If you don't partake now, the spirits will beat you to it...

...And trust me when I say they are

hungry little haunts

this time of year.
And we don't
want you
to boo-
hoo!

Double, double toil and trouble...

Just as this party is starting to bubble.

We've got to grab our brooms and invitations,

and head west to visit all of your blog celebrations!

You can ~~bog~~ blog hop with us if you dare at A Fanciful Twist...

But please don't rush off, stay a while and enjoy the festivities...

After all...

This party is for YOU!

Happy Haunting and many thanks to Vanessa

at A Fanciful Twist

for hosting this magical celebration!

Thank you Polly for taking all of these beautiful pics
at La Villa Firenze and in Italy!

...And for hosting the IRL party at your home this evening!

Vintage Black Friday

2009-10-15T21:38:00.000-07:00

Destiny brought us to Jill at Gypsy Brocante... And she so graciously hosts Vintage Black Friday where you post anything vintage and black. We are happy to jump on the gypsy bandwagon and share our wares!
At first I was thinking, huh vintage and black no problem. I've got my favorite... The Candy Man!

...And then I realized I was taking it too literal and it has more to do with the vintage black things we love than the musician/actors we admire! (Don't you just love Sammy? We do!)

For those of you who are new to us, we are 4 girls with a passion for yard sales, having a good time and living life to the fullest! Here are a few vintage black things we think you will enjoy...
This vintage black photo album and old postcards reminded me of my travels so I created this collage in Photoshop. The caption reads Traveling Heart- Gypsy Soul - A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving- Lao Tzu

At Viva La Yard Sale- Life is what you make it. To us it's either and daring adventure or nothing. This vintage poster was re-created in Photoshop with a black damask background and a famous quote by Helen Keller.

When it comes to humor, well... we love to laugh... Til' we cry! This poster is a remake of the old "Keep Calm and Carry On" British war propaganda poster.

Happy VBF to all our new VBF's! Always stay on the sunny side of the street and join us October 17th with Vanessa at Fanciful Twist for a Halloween Fete! A hauntingly magical celebration!

Thursday, Friday... Parday!!

2009-10-14T09:36:00.000-07:00

Just a few days and 3 more sleeps until the capacious Fall festivities on October 17th! Come one, come all! We at Viva La Yard Sale will be partying all day and all night! A Halloween Fete with Vanessa at Fanciful Twist in the day and a costume party with Polly and Gregorio at La Villa Firenze (her home) in the evening! I am anxiously awaiting all the fun to be had. I have always been enchanted with Miss Vanessa and her beyond fantastical imagination and do believe she belongs in Hollywood, creating magic on the big screen. Her photography and writing is amazing on her blog and flickr and she sells the most beautiful paintings, hand crafted sculptures and dolls in her Etsy Boutique.
As for my sister, Polly, well her imagination runs wild, too! Polly's photographs are artfully composed and can be found on her- chock full of creativeness- flickr site. Her romantic trip to Italy earlier this year was a photographer's dream and she proved it! She's been crafting and scrapbooking for many years and has been published too many times to count! When we get together and brainstorm, there are so many ideas, excitement and tons of laughs- It gets crazy! It 's been a few months of her pondering what to be for Halloween, alas she has decided to be a fortune teller of the gypsy sort. I bet she can predict what our future holds... A bevy of parties, joyful dancing and more than a few laughs! Happy haunting!

Town and Country Junkin'

2009-10-13T09:45:00.000-07:00

We are excited to be a part of Junkin' Mondays with Nice and Easy Antiques - Two sisters who share a passion for all things old, cottage and chic. They love to rescue items and give them new life... and that speaks to us! Someday maybe we can all go junkin' together. You won't believe it girls, but I just ~~rescued~~ purchased a mini van that sits all of us comfortably on our yard sale excursions. That's right the biggest junk purchase to date, a whoppin' $7,999 and it even has new tires! Most importantly the stereo is well equipped... but to be honest my new car is vintage. Yes its an 01. Not a 1901, don't be silly! This 2001 Town and Country is perfectly suited for all of us and the junk in our trunk! We are excited about all the new adventures on our horizon and nothing but the old wind on our tail. We'll be posting our yard sale pics on Sunday eve for the next Junkin' Monday event so stay tuned!

Join our Ghostly Gatherings

2009-10-10T20:20:00.000-07:00

Witches and goblins and creatures of fright,
don't miss this party on Saturday night!
Enter if you dare dressed in disguise,
meet lots of people who can't see your eyes.

All of us girls have been so excited about Halloween this year because Polly is hosting a wicked party at her house- La Villa Firenze -on October 17th! ...And we are also part of a blog party that will be happening that same day right here at VivaLaYardSale hosted by Vanessa at fanciful twist- Fanciful Halloween Fete which will include many other blogger friends, ghostly posts, no-calorie treats and tons of eye candy! For the last month or so, we have been collecting pieces of costumes from every yard sale not knowing exactly what to be. First there was Sherry with the perfect costume idea, Barbie Benton playgirl and her hubby, the classic Hugh Hefner. She found everything, down to the cigarette holder, old school lighter and the bunny ears! Then we found countless wigs that could be used for every costume imaginable from Amelia Earhart to the infamous gun toting outlaw Bonnie Barrows. Then came the hooded cape. All of a sudden the dracula cape turned inside out became Little Red Riding Hood's cloak for Donna's costume. Sherry quickly handed her a little white basket and said "Put some cookies in this and go and see your sickly Grandmother!" We all laughed and think that is a sweet costume! And last but not least the harvest of jewelry... Earrings, necklaces, brooches, anklets and even a long black belt made into an exotic choker for our diva friend! We have been captivated and confused by the endless possibilities. Our imaginations running wild, just as they did with the costume trunk our Mom created for us when we were little. It's been so much fun collecting all these costume pieces and Halloween decorations that whatever we decide in the end will be perfect! Join us here at VivaLaYardSale on Saturday, October 17th for some Halloween fun with the fantastical Fanciful Twist and many other bloggers... Then dress in disguise for the costume party at La Villa Firenze in the evening for some good ol' fashioned wicked fun! If you live in the area and would like to attend the party just leave us a comment! The more the ~~merrier~~ scarier!

DJ Wheeler will be spinnin' his tunes,
dancing, drinking and lots of balloons.

Be there by seven and get ready to party,
there will be food and libations so don't be tardy!

4 Things that I Love

2009-10-08T08:46:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we get carried away with our collections. A fascinating thing happens when we keep buying the same item in several colors or style. You start to see a trend. Color, shape and size can be your clue. When I started collecting old books I never realized what I liked until I put them all together. Gold gilded lettering, black or red spines and titles that speak to me. My rosary collection grew mostly from antique store finds. The one I cherish most has beautiful glass beads and it came from my Dad. Religious items started to inspire me at a time when I was losing touch with my faith. The Infant of Prague chalkware statue came from an antique store in Kingman and I just love it! When it comes to clocks, well I just can't pass them up. The older the better. My sister Polly and I are always looking for old pocket watches. She recently found a big box of watches at a yard sale. I wasn't with her that day or it would have been a fight to the finish!

My home office is filled with all the things I love. It's one of my favorite places to be. Surround yourself with the things you love and watch your own inner diva surface! Get carried away and then have a yard sale and pare down. Trim off the excess and you'll be left with a wonderful YOU!

Join us Oct 9th - 11th (Fri, Sat, Sun) for a big yard sale at Sherry's house! Don't miss this, we'll be posting some pics and funny stories of the event.

Living Together With Style

2009-10-05T18:58:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful time out junking this weekend and I found another book to add to our book club! The owner of this book told me he received this as a wedding gift. And then he said his happily ever after only made it 9 months. Needless to say the poor guy was left with a few bad memories and the two bucks that I gave him for this book!
Living Together - How Couples Create Design Harmony at Home is a wonderful guide which teaches new couples how to successfully integrate the stuff of their previous lives into an explosion of style, color and grace. This book shares insightful stories about many couples with very different tastes and beautiful photographs of the spaces they created together. When I met my husband I called his style Bachelor Sports Nut Chic. (Only there was no chic) The black panther coffee table and sports memorabilia collection didn't quite fit in with my French cottage style. We've been able to create harmony in our design style as he made a wise decision way back when to let me pick... and he pays! You can find this book for your own collection at Amazon today!

2009-10-03T13:13:00.000-07:00

It starts in the morning real early round' six,
Four girls get together and all get their kicks.

Firstly we ask "Where shall we go?"
and Sherry shouts out, "Why do you wanna know?"

Riviera's mysterious neighborhood of doom,
The letters in scrabble spell out g l o o m.

"Come in here!", shouts a lady and we all say "No!",
And when we do it's a collection from a southwest show.

The slide projector Polly bought has pictures that are old,
It works and its cool and so I am told.

Donna bought her favorite, which was the find of the day,
She's pretty sure she can sell it for bank on ebay.

Sepia tone photos from an old family tree,
A pretty nice stack of them, and all just for me!

The bicycle man is still peddling his bikes,
They're stolen and re-painted and NOT look-a-likes.

975 Roadrunner "Stop having your sale!",
It's old and it's tired and every week without fail.

I'm sure Ramar Road has many treasures to be found,
But Sherry keeps turning the car round and round.

Dizzy and hungry, Polly points out Paco,
Then we decide to have breakfast down to Del Taco.

We loved the church sale's interesting doll collection,
But not the creep with the voice and no direction.

Then there's the guy who acts like a dude,
He's just mean and an Indian with a big attitude.

It's all too much to take, can't you see,
We're just yard sale junkies looking for glee.

We laugh till we cry and all go to heaven,
Show us your sale, we'll be there at seven!

If that's too much to ask, we'll leave don't you know,
Because with Viva La Yard Sale around,

...It's a show!

Book of the Moment

2009-10-02T08:19:00.000-07:00

There's always something exciting here at Viva La Yard Sale. Today we are happy to introduce our brand new book club, and you're invited! We will host a shelf for amazing design books that inspire beautiful living and creative ways to re-invent your junk! Our wish is that our book club stirs up the passion in you to move out on to the open road... to discover how much fun being a yard sale junkie can be!

The very first book we're adding to our new creative library for yard sale junkies is titled Vintage Vavoom. Romantic decorating with one-of-a-kind finds. At first glance you will be drawn in by the beauty on the front cover. Then you will linger flipping back and forth through the pages spying every photo to learn how they create such beautiful and unique vignettes. What is "Vintage Vavoom," exactly? It's a sleek glass table decorated with mismatched china, tarnished silver teapots filled with calla lillies, an antique chandelier hung unpredictably in a bright apple-green powder room. It is the item you love- many steeped in nostalgia- effortlessly combined with a fresh, modern sensibility. Vintage Vavoom is more than just a nostalgic nod to the past. It's a wonderful excuse to surround yourself with the things you love every day... And an invitation to your visitors to get to know you better. Add this valuable design reference book to your collection today by clicking here.

Oscar the Artist's Model

2009-10-01T13:21:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful Spring morning, Polly and Sherry weren't available to yard sale on that particular day, but Donna and my husband were ready to go! We head up Highway 95 and spotted a colorful sign advertising a yard sale at a mobile home park. Now, to me that means elderly people with vintage items and great prices. My hearts starts racing and the thrill of the hunt begins. My husband is hesitant to park where all the cars are so he moves to the side trying to decide. "Hurry up!" I shout. Thinking to myself, all the good things are going to be bought. He parks and we continue into the sale at the Rec Room. Overpriced, busted up and nothin' but junk. Not even good junk. Donna still managed to find a few cool items and we leave. Then we see all the individual yard sale signs posted all over the park. "Yippee!" I think to myself, now I will find something!

And low and behold, at the second sale that we go to sits this incredible artist model that has to be antique. And it has to be mine. All mine. Today.

Very old and so cool I could hardly contain myself. I've never seen anything like this before. I panicked and ask the gentleman, without too much enthusiasm, "How much?" He tells me it was his Grandfather's and that it was used in a Warner Brothers Studio as a model for the cartoonists back in the day. "Great", I say again, "What do you want for him?" Finally he says, "Well, I wanted $300.00 but I'll take $150.00."
It was right around my birthday and being low on cash, I immediately started thinking of ways to pawn it off as a gift from my hubby! I was desperate and not leaving that mobile home park without Oscar... and Randy knew it. Eventually he handed over the cash and I was smitten with this new little man in my life. I recently found that he sells for $3,700 at an antique store in New York!
Oscar is from the 1930's and is made from celluloid, he is handsome and stands about 20" tall. He currently sits proud in my office and I fall in love with him all over again each and every time I see him.

Kitsch and Company

2009-09-30T18:27:00.000-07:00

When it comes to the world of kitsch and color Polly is the master! She loves collectibles, especially anything that is cute and campy. From hot pink to lime green and every color in between. From Mother Goose to Betty Crocker at times we think she's off her rocker!

But she always pulls it off in the end with the vision and creative intuition that she was born with. She puts her yard sale treasures together in masterful displays and takes beautiful photographs to boot! I love her whimsical nature and always smile when I see her creations! I look forward to our Viva La Yard Sale weekends together digging through junk and dreaming about the endless possibilities this world has to offer! Thank you sister for being so inspiring!

Home Sweet Home

2009-09-29T22:36:00.000-07:00

You never know what you will find at the Antique Cottage, a quaint little antique store tucked away off a busy highway in Fort Mohave, Arizona. A long time ago I found an old metal crate with 6 original milk bottles that now sits pretty on my front porch. I filled it with the most scrumptious Gerber daisies and I am delighted each time I enter my home. On another visit when I was shopping with my niece and nephew, Ryan spotted a really huge light bulb. I immediately fell in love and bought it. It now hangs in my studio and reminds me of my next bright idea and the fun times hanging out with Ryan and Lauren.

My daughter, Megan and I recently moved into the cottage. We rent a little space/bookshelf in the very back of the shop. It's small and jam-packed full, but it's ours and we're so proud of it! Most of our items were hand picked by us at local yard sales. We overfilled our shelves with love and all of our favorite things and waited for the fat cash to roll in. It's been a lot of fun and a lot of waiting! We have decided that this is a hobby and if we can just break even in this economy, we will be happy!

We are currently running a Fall Special- 30% off everything, and we mean everything! Some of the vendors at the cottage run specials and have ridiculous stipulations. We crack up at how petty they get with their "sales". -Not for items with red lines -Not for items under $5.00 -Not for items made before 1976 (how would you know that info?) and the infamous -On Sundays Only (Which is especially sad since they're closed on Sundays!)

Polly recently took these beautiful photos of our space and she captured the essence perfectly, as per usual! It has been so much fun and a real learning experience. Someday we may have to move out, but we will always have the beautiful memories we've created together at the Cottage. Stop by and see unique antiques and collectibles in all their glory. There are over a dozen vendors and lots of cool junk! Sift through the sales and have a good laugh at the fine print!

"Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun." - Mary Lou Cook

Creativity takes a certain moxie...and at VivaLaYardSale we think we have that!

Junk for Joy!

2009-09-29T12:18:00.000-07:00

Junk to jazzy takes on new meaning for us in our homes. We import this junk and re-create it to make masterful vignettes that are pleasing to us. We love these things that make our hearts sing out in pure joy!

Polly's kitschy swan trio strikes a chord of whimsy in her home office. Colorful, fun and useful too!

Sweet Pop Shoppe bottles tied up with ribbons and filled with love remind us of when we were young.

"Reading and writing and ryth-ma-tic, taught to the tune of a hickory stick" came to mind when I created this school days vignette. I love all the fun colors and the Dick and Jane illustrations. The miniature school bus parked behind the flash cards always reminds me of the good ol' times of careless adventure.

When an atlas jar is filled with a page from an old atlas, that makes me scream of pure ironic joy! A piece of an antique map was placed under the magnifying glass and reminds me of a trip to be taken. The letter "A" can mean anything from day to day depending on your mood... Awesome, Astounding, Amazing!

When I discovered this dusty old Johnny Walker I wasn't sure what he meant to me. When I brought it back to my studio and placed it all my with other swanky objects, I soon found that it meant the world to me! Clocks of all ages are piled high inside an apothecary jar, the true meaning of "time in a bottle".

The art of junking is so much more than getting a good deal... it's the thrill of the chase, the anticipation of the find and the junk we acquire and re-mix into our lives.
This is why we love yard sailing so much. We discover our hidden passions, we find our dearest treasures and we are so excited when they make it back home into our vignettes.

Viva La Breakfast

2009-09-21T07:51:00.001-07:00

Never underestimate the importance of having a healthy breakfast while out yard sailing. This time we all agreed Mc Donald's was the perfect stop. We ate, chatted and were surrounded by some very unusual suspects. Mc Donald's always seems to pull in a unique crowd! The homeless dude in the corner with the dark shades, the coffee clatch of men obsessing over world events and the crazy lady with the camera photographing everything (like this pic)! With our tummies full, my wallet empty and a few laughs later, we were back on the road and searching for more yard sales that Sherry hadn't been to yet!

How to Read the Signs

2009-09-20T14:09:00.000-07:00

One of the most important and exciting part of the yard sale ritual is our early morning reconnaissance mission to find freshly posted yard sale signs. Nothing makes us happier than seeing a sea of signs with the promise of finding that unique treasure!

We usually creep up to the corner and all start shouting out the addresses. Polly feverishly takes note and combines them with Sherry's classified list from the night before. Some signs we find are easy to read while others take a high powered magnifying glass and a few minutes to decipher. When out on your next yard sale excursion look out for these classic signs...

DOE Yard Sale Sign
Date Of Excluded; a sign lacking in vital information such as address, date, time, etc. The hot pink and black arrows are sure colorful but where is this sale and what time?

Sign of the Sheik
A perfectly flawless and aesthetically pleasing yard sale sign containing all critical information, made of a durable material, clearly legible, and posted in a location that makes it easy to spot. Balloons are a genius idea to attract attention.

The Classic Dan Quayle
This is an unintentionally comedic sign that may contain misspelled words or inaccurate information. At this sale on Lynn you will find "loats" of things!

Faded Glory aka Lame Duck
An expired and washed out sign that has been there for more than a fortnight. Clearly the sale is over! Proper etiquette dictates that these be removed once they are rendered invalid.

TMI Yard Sale Sign
If you've written more than a paragraph on your sign, you've gone too far. Save all the copy for your over priced classified ad. All this sign is missing is their date of birth!

We at VLYS think that half the fun of a yard sale is actually finding it! We are so grateful for our fearless leader, Sherry and her knowledge of our city's streets. Thank you Polly for taking all these fun pics! Good luck and happy junking to you all!

Viva La Yard Art

2009-09-14T07:45:00.000-07:00

Decorating the exterior of your home is always a fun way to show character. In our town people love to express themselves in the form of yard art. While driving around on our yard sale excursions we have come upon many unique displays. The barnyard rake gremlin was made by a man to scare away ghosts in his barn. Polly came across this cute chicken sign and she knew it was a must for her own personal chicken coop. The eagle has landed in this faux tree out in Fort Mohave. The owner of this creation cleverly disguised an otherwise unsightly post. There's always inspiration no matter where you look!

Polly holding her new chicken coop sign.

The eagle has landed in this faux tree.

Tips for Getting the Best Price

2009-09-09T08:56:00.001-07:00

Sherry, our fearless leader has been yard sailing as long as she can remember. She has taught us so much about the way to act when you want to get the very best deal. Here's a list of of 7 important buyer's tips we have learned from Sherry:

Never ever act like you love an item.
When getting ready to pay, act coy and merely wave your dollar then ask "take a buck?"
Always bargain when buying more than one item. Try Polly's trick by acting confused and end up getting two for the price of one.
Never show how much money you have in your wallet.
Find a flaw in the item and say "well if this wasn't broken, I would have paid you full price."
When an item is not marked try the simple phrase "how's a quarter?"
Devalue the item by saying you could buy it elsewhere for much less.

Retro Dress Pattern Project

2009-09-08T07:30:00.000-07:00

Polly's love for vintage dress making patterns inspired her to create this chic wall hanging. One day at a yard sale she discovered the scroll wire plate hanger and knew she would be able to retool it to create something special. Using the retro art from one of her sewing patterns, silk flowers and some buttons, she created the perfect union for her project. The patten leather red belt is a great way to add color and the finishing touch. This is an easy project and a fun way to display some of your undiscovered art. Consider taking some of your favorite old postcards or ephemera and re-mixing it to create new art for your home.

From Junk to Jazzy

2009-09-07T12:53:00.000-07:00

The art of yard sailing has really taken on a new meaning! We love taking other peoples' junk and giving it new life in the form of art! We grew tired of the old saying "trash to treasure" and decided ours would be called "junk to jazzy". Instead of showing you pics of "before and after", Viva La Yard Sale's come up with "past and present". Some of the projects we have can be a labor of love, while others are so simple, you'll just want to try it yourself! This time Polly created the simplest of vignettes by putting a kitschy Mariachi doll inside of a thrifted vase. So fun and effortless, yet packs some big color and whimsy in her home office. I have a bigger project on my hands in the form of reinventing a $5.00 yard sale chair. (Currently in progress, pics to come!) The fabric seat cushion has 4 layers of fabric that has been added over the years. The fabric spans 1970's avocado green paisley to a 1990 Southwestern stripe, that I bet was all the rage in its day. We will be posting lots of inspiration for our "junk to jazzy" articles and taking each project from the past to the present, so stay tuned!

A Few Good Things

2009-09-05T13:00:00.000-07:00

Last night we had a huge rainstorm. I love the smell of rain and the way everything feels so clean the next day. At seven a.m. on the dot we left Sherry's house awake and ready for whatever the day may offer. "Where should we go first?" Sherry asks. "A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving," I say to the girls. We all laughed and then followed many puddles and washed out roads to some promising yard sales, while checking out all the damage the rain had caused along the way. It was bittersweet, but we did manage to pick up a few good things.

Sherry found a witches cauldron that lights up, a box of hangers and a cute book of wives' tales among other assorted camping items and a beautiful scarf. We're always amazed when she tells us how much these things go for retail and she picks them up for mere quarters! Polly found a couple scary signs for her much anticipated Halloween costume party and also scored an amazing handbag which has a giant (and I mean huge!) safety pin for the handle, circa 1964ish. She's going to re-mix the safety pin to display her favorite projects with pics to come. Polly mainly takes all the photos for our blog, she has a passion for photography and is amazing at it. She just couldn't leave this red teddy bear behind, so she took this cute pic!

I was declared winner for "find of the day"! A blast from the past...I found the cutest little magnetic game we used to play when we were young. Tickle Bee!!! was popular in the mid 70's and the box says "The little bee that seems alive as you tickle him from bee to hive." I am tickled to have found it, but if sister really wants it, I am happy to part with it as she is the game collector. Earlier this year she found a game I love called Concentration. (And I was so jealous!)

I also purchased a rhinestone brooch in a dainty little blue box which I have already hung on my vintage brooch display!

We had a fun morning filled with laughter and tons of new inspiration! Our friend from church had her second yard sale this weekend and plans on having another next week. (We'll be back to see you then, Sue!) A yard sale for us is like a treasure hunt. We get to discover new areas in our town and have a blast along the way!

Viva La Yard Sale's Cast

2009-09-01T18:36:00.000-07:00

Meet Sherry, the yard sale spotter, who maps out the entire morning and tries to get us moving on schedule. Then there's Donna, the lady with the great laugh obsessed with glassware, vintage cookbooks and salt and pepper shakers. And last but not least...the backseat drivers Polly and Suzy. The crazy sisters with the never-ending wise cracks that always find an amazing yet inexpensive project or two at each sale. And most importantly all the nifty things we purchase and interesting characters we meet along the way!

The cast inevitably ends up having a late breakfast at a restaurant or drive-thru somewhere and is constantly asking the annoyed driver to stop for this and that.

What's so interesting about this blog you ask?

- Projects we pick up along the way with how-to's and photos included.

- Famous quotes like "Take a buck?", "How's a quarter?", and the ever popular "Can we stop for a drink?"

- How to size up a yard sale in 30 seconds while slowly driving by and disrupting traffic.

- Stories about the lawn jockeys (vendors) who secretly run a weekend store posed as a "yard sale".

- How to recognize a sub-par yard sale that's not even worth slowing down for.

- Behind the scenes stories. Getting inside strangers homes and meeting new people.

- The thrill of chasing boxes and where they lead.

- Early-bird aka lawn gypsies tips and secrets revealed.

- The much anticipated find of the day.

- Fighting over items and who wins.

- How to read the signs

- The "Free Box" jitters and how to overcome the weakness.

- Big ticket items and how to haul them.

- The constant jokes inside the car.

- Tales of other obsessed buyers that we see at each yard sale.

- Research on value and mark-up for re-sale.

- Swap meets, antique and thrift stores are occasionally included.

- Show and tell Sundays

- Secrets and tips on how to hide your purchases from your husbands. (They don't understand!)