Garage Sale Heaven!

So, this last weekend I spent Saturday with my husband and some friends cruising through West Seattle neighborhoods stopping at garage sales. Apparently, this is an annual event where the city encourages people to participate and then they print maps to all the homes having garage sales. This year there was 206 participating homes! It was Heaven!! It was a beautiful sunny day, not a cloud in the sky and a warm, vaguely salty breeze coming off of Alki Beach.

I was well rested and equipped with all the necessary items! Snacks, water bottle, jeweler's loupe, chapstick, comfortable walking shoes and poker face (Never look too eager! You managed to live without that thing up til now so, don't sweat it). My pockets were loaded with small bills. (A must, when haggling! You don't want to haggle someone down on price and then ask them to break a $20. Yikes! Bad form!) We surveyed the map and decided to hit the areas were the sales were closely packed together. It was a pleasant surprise to find that in most of these areas we could walk from one home to another. In fact, most sales were actually within a visible distance of one another. With the event starting at 9am and continuing throughout the day until 5 pm we had an entire day to explore the area for bargains.

I've found that whether you are at an estate sale, garage sale, or even just a thrift store it's always best to bring a friend. Not because you're in any eminent danger but, rather they provide a second set of eyes. In this case my friend Barb was acting as my vintage scout. Thank goodness too because, she hit the motherload of vintage linens! An old suitcase overflowing with stunning hand towels, handkerchiefs, crocheted dollies, finger towels and oh so many other dainty and lovely things! The women running this garage sale was a pretty shrewd bargainer. (I love haggling!) However, I managed to walk away with about 12 things at a reasonable price. Some things for me and some haggled things for Barb and we were on our way to the next sale.

One of the most important lessons anyone can learn when it comes to bargaining for a better deal is this.....Be prepared to walk away and don't become emotionally invested in said item. As I've already said..... You didn't have this thing yesterday. Is it a big deal if you don't own it tomorrow? No. For example, Barb does alot of embroidery and found a women selling used floss containers for $1.50. Since Barb had no change she asked if the women would sell one to her for $1.00. No was her reply and so, we moved on. Not a big deal.

Eventually, even I was tired and ready for lunch. With my bag full of treasures we left the lovely West Seattle neighborhoods and found food. The best part of vintage hunting is returning home and sorting out, washing, and displaying my treasures. I added a beautiful chocolate colored hat to my collection. It's embellished with beads and what I believe to be horse hair but, feels like tickly kitten whiskers. I love it! I also get to spruce up my utilitarian, canvas messenger bag/purse with a delightful vintage sewing kit. Embossed gold vinyl, with a pretty kisslock clasp. Just adorable!

Many of these things I purchased will need to be rejuvenated and will be available for sale on my Etsy site in the next couple of days. (http://www.etsy.com/people/RejuvenatedVintage) So, if you love vintage as much as I do........check back frequently for updates, new merchandise and fun!

Hankerchiefs (Part 1)

The handkerchief is an incredible, multi-function laborer. I believe it to be one of today’s most practical, versatile and forgotten accessories. While shopping in a lovely vintage store I happened across some beautiful hankies that were very reasonably priced. As I was purchasing some the sales associate asked me “But what can you do with them”? Admittedly, I was very surprised to be asked this. Their many uses seemed obvious to me. I ended up responding with some vague answer about …..Oh, something. I couldn’t really respond. I was still in shock. However, the question has haunted me; it forced me to pause and think about my handkerchiefs. They have oh so many uses……

Of course many uses are fairly obvious.

1. Covering your mouth.

Not only does a handkerchief muffle coughs and sneezes but, it prevents the spread of germs that accompany illness. Likewise it can be used to avoid breathing in dust, foul odors and noxious fumes

2. Blowing noses.

Yes, I understand some people are adverse to this. Some people will even claim that it is an unhygienic practice. However, it seems that most people are under the impression that a hankie is used over and over again all week long. No. Used handkerchiefs are put in the dirty laundry. They are replaced with two clean ones every morning. (One for "personal" use and the other as a backup.) Most handkerchiefs are large enough for several uses without overlapping "icky". Besides, you’re not giving used hankies to anyone and they’re YOUR germs so, what are you afraid of?

3. Wiping/cleaning

Everything from burbling babies to the sweat from you brow. Handkerchiefs are handy to have around to clean yourself up with and dry yourself with.

4. Protection

A handkerchief is a useful item if you need to protect something. You can cushion and protect things such as fine jewelry, small ceramics, personal mementos, cash, clean clothes (Wrap smelly things such as socks and underwear in them to avoid contaminating clean clothes.), etc, etc. The list goes on…..

5. First aid.

A handkerchief can be used as a tourniquet. Soaked with cold water it can be placed on sunburned skin to ease discomfort. It can be used to apply pressure and stop small bleeding wounds.

6. Barriers

A larger handkerchief can be spread on a seat to keep your dress pants dry and clean. Similarly, they can be used as a napkin to protect your clothes from food spills.

7. To impress the ladies

Listen up gentlemen! The ability to produce a clean handkerchief for a lady in need will impress her beyond measure. It says “I’m prepared for any situation”. It is a gallant and chivalrous gesture that proves you are a gentleman.

But what else? Perhaps some of your handkerchiefs are just too pretty for these mundane tasks. Maybe, you just want to find a way to preserve and cherish a family heirloom. Or some of your hankies are stained, ripped, and worn. Rather than throw them out or hide them away, next week we will cover here some great ideas to rejuvenate and remake your vintage hankies.