Estate Sale Adventures

Last year, I was driving thru Belmont Shore early in the morning on my way to Huntington Beach. I like to take side streets so I can check out all of the old houses and apartment buildings along the way. While I was on one of these small streets, I came upon a sign for an estate sale. I decided to check it out because it was in an old, 1940's ranch-style home and I figured there had to be some treasures....and there were. I bought a couple small things that are now placed around my apartment and I just love them. I thought it was so brilliant the way the sale was handled, a 3rd party was brought in and took charge of the whole sale so the family didn't have to worry about it. This company, Trunk Full of Treasures set up and organized tables full of items for sale in each room, had staff members in beige polos close by to help customers and a credit card machine at check out! I loved it. 

After that sale, I started to follow them on Facebook and found out it is a local company that mostly handles homes in the Long Beach area (perfect). One great thing this company does is show what will be for sale on their Facebook page so you can see if it is worth your time before heading over early in the morning. I was lucky enough to be able to go on the first day of the sale this past Friday. I got there at 7:30 because the sale started at 9:00. There were several items that I had seen and knew I needed to grab. Here are pictures of the sale:

A line formed around 8:30. I am glad I got there early!

I was the 8th person in line and SO glad I wasn't any further back. If I was, I wouldn't have gotten the milk glass items I wanted most. The sale director explained the layout of the house and where each room was, which helped me because I had viewed the pictures online. I was able to bee-line it straight to my favorite finds in the kitchen. Of course, I was too busy elbowing old women to take pictures of everything when I entered the house but took a bunch of photos after the initial frenzy was over.

I am upset this picture is blurry because the vintage wallpaper was so great! I loved the design and avocado color.

This was the Christmas room

 The backyard was filled with planted pots, figurines and outdoor furniture. This outdoor sofa is to die for!!! I would've bought it but I don't have anywhere to put it.

 

 

 

Checking out. I brought my own bag and used one of the plastic baskets they lend out so I could carry everything. They used an iPad this time to ring me up. I entered my cell number and received an electronic receipt as well as the paper. Very cool!

These are the biggest score for me!!! I have been searching for hob nob, milk glass salt & pepper shakers for a while now. I had seen similar sets on Etsy for $25.00 a pair. I got one for myself and one for my friend, Marilyn.

I loved this serving tray. Underneath the portraits of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip it says "1952 The Queen's Silver Jubilee 1972".

Cameo night light

Here is where I placed some of them

  

If you are interested in going to an estate sale, you don't have to go to one held thru Trunk Full of Treasures. You can look in the Pennysaver or online to find one near you. If you are wondering if they are the same as garage sales, I don't think so. They are better because estate sales typically take place after someone has passed away and a family wants to liquidate everything inside the loved one's home. This means you can usually find older items, collectibles and vintage finds the person has held on to over several decades. Garage sales are normally done when people are moving or need to clear out junk to make room for more junk!

Taunted & Irritated at Costco

I went to Costco last week and while I was grabbing a cart I checked out the new items. Of course I wanted half of them! I got really excited when I saw they had the Magic Bullet. It looks like such a fun appliance (if you can call it that) and I'm surprised I don't have it already. I keep telling myself I need to start blending drinks but haven't yet. But of course, just after I decided that $34.99 was a reasonable price, I remembered that I can't buy it. This realization was frustrating and irritated me for a couple minutes. I hadn't felt restricted by my resolution before that day but standing in front of Costco looking at all of the shiny toy teasers, I didn't want to worry about searching thru Craigslist or thrift stores. The frustration dissipated quickly and I decided the Magic Bullet wasn't essential but I realized it was the first of many times I would feel that way in 2012.

So I left with just a couple items. I've been eating Coach's Oats oatmeal everyday for over a year and I love it. It isn't like regular oatmeal, it has a different consistency similar to Cream of Wheat. I was hooked after the first time I tried it. If they don't sell it at your local Costco or markets, you can buy it online. I highly recommend it, it is really tasty and so good for you. I also purchased Late July tortilla chips and 180 Almond Pops. Both are vegan and both are addictive!

Food, Family & Fire King

I've found a new love for cookware....especially Fire King brown glass. My grandmother gave me two cooking dishes a couple years ago and it started my obsession! At the time, I reluctantly took them home and had no plans to use either; I didn't want to take them out of the cupboard because I hated the color. They sat unused until I found another piece at one of my favorite thrift stores last year. By having three pieces, it meant I had a collection....I love adding to collections. This spurred my quest to search for more.

Fire King glassware has been around since the 1940's and is made by Anchor Hocking Co. which was established in 1905. I never see advertisements for their products but it's a huge company and their glassware is everywhere. I wouldn't be surprised if you had some Anchor Hocking dishes in your kitchen. Fire King used to me made in several different colors with cute names like 'Forget Me Not' and 'Anniversary Pink' but now it only comes in clear glass.

I have been using my pieces a lot lately to cook vegetables for dinner. Carrots and Brussels sprouts are my favorites but you can make a number of vegetables with the recipe below. I like to throw heaps of several veggies in at the same time so I can eat them over several days. Below is the recipe and a play by play..

Preheat oven at 400*

Cut up vegetables in small pieces

(Brussels sprouts in half, broccoli or cauliflowers in quarters, baby carrots don't have to be cut)

Place vegetables in the dish and pour olive oil on them until completely coated

(oil can vary based on the amount of veggies, I like a little extra to make them crispy)

Add salt, pepper and Italian seasoning to taste, lemon zest is good too

Cook for 45 minutes, stirring every 15

My grandma passed away on January 11th and I miss her so much. Dinda was so generous and amazing, the center of my family and a mentor for many on how to love and care for others. The Fire King glass was just one of the millions of things she gave me that was hers and I am so grateful I have them. She will be in my heart and I will remember her daily in the many things I do to be like her. Here are some pictures of her from the last two years.

Taken March 21, 2010

She loved In n Out and would treat herself after every chemo treatment.

Taken April 8, 2011

My last photo with Dinda - September 20, 1925 to January 11, 2012. <3

Taken December 22, 2011

Taken c 1987 - Forest Home

Berlin / Fingerprints

This place is great and a hidden, hip treasure. They have some of my favorite things in one beautifully, renovated building. There are two parts to the experience: eats and entertainment.

Berlin is the coffee shop connected to the record store and created by the owners of Portfolio Coffeehouse.

They serve coffee, loose leaf tea, healthy breakfast and lunch items and sweets. A local pastry makes the vegan desserts and they run out all the time. Every once in a while, I call when leaving work to see if they still have any cupcakes. Tonight they hadn't run out, sooooo I got one. It was really tasty!

I wanted to plan my 30th birthday here this past October just because I love this table so much. I decided against having a party but I do think this place could host some amazing events once they get their beer/wine license. The communal table is beautiful and the succulents melt my heart. When the weather is agreeable, they open the sliding doors on the left. The urban setting, a cup of tea, a good book and music via headphones can make for a great afternoon. It's a mix of New York, Seattle, a little bit of Paris and one of the many reasons why I love Long Beach.

The cafe leads to the book store in the back.

My beautiful and intelligent friend Leah & her boobs are part of a photography exhibit.

The bookstore has new and used books. Check out the brick in the back, I love it. 

Here are a couple of my favorites that I saw while searching for new reads.

And then there's this jewel about releasing your potential and energy with the help of dragons and pearls..... I'm sorry Rebecca, I don't think I am ready to catch it.

Fingerprints was a staple in Belmont Shores on 2nd Street for years but moved to its new location last year. It is a music store that sells new and used CDs, records, DVDs and local products like clothing and jewelry. They also have shows in-house. Their website has a picture of the Foo Fighters playing in the store! Every time I go into the music section, I like to think the giddy excitement I feel is similar to how teens in the 80's felt when searching for something new. I always walk in hoping to find something that will make me love music more and find a new artist that can articulate what I feel. There is so much music to discover, it can easily take hours to cover the many racks. Lately I have been really into collecting records. I don't have a record player but plan to get one soon.

So here are the things I came away with, totaling $17.93:

Finally got this book!

This was only $.50, I had to eventhough I know how it ends.

And a record.

I confirmed with the cashier that the books and record were all used. He gave me the heads up to make it easier in the future:

Green price tags - New

Yellow price tags - Used   

Orange price tags - Sale Item

How clever!