For most of my adult life, I've been shopping at yard sales and thrift stores. I hate to shop in "real" stores, especially at malls. I make it a practice never to enter the big box called W@l M#^t - the idea is repugnant. I would guess that at least 75% of what I've bought as an adult (excluding food, of course) has been what is now euphemistically called "previously owned". This goes for my household goods, furniture, clothing, gardening stuff, and so much more.
Thanks to the return of good weather and the gorgeous, sunny days, the yard sale season is now upon us! This morning, while walking Zuma, I came upon a neighborhood sale where I bought this box of pastels for 50 cents! These days, I'm always looking for art supplies. At the local art store, this box of pastels would cost close to $30. Did I score?? You betcha!
I love yard sales for lots of reasons, not just the bargains. I really believe in recycling things. I love the adventure of finding the hidden treasures in somebody else's pile of trash. I enjoy the anthropological aspect of yard sales, seeing how people live and what kinds of artifacts they keep or discard. I enjoy meeting people in the neighborhood, doing a little artful haggling, and all while being outdoors, in the sunshine and fresh air, while getting a little exercise too.
My friend DPR wrote a wonderful post this week about recycling, GIGO, Garbage In Garbage Out. Some parts of the country have it SO together, and the Pacific Northwest is one of them. Another we experienced last year is Massachusetts. While visiting family and friends, we went to a dump/recycling center on Martha's Vineyard (and heard about another on Cape Cod). They have little "shops" set up where people bring a few things, and take a few things, free of charge. Business was booming in both the in and out direction. Picture the "bargain barn" of Santa Cruz for free! Wow!
So don't ever ask me to go shopping with you at the mall.....
7 comments:
SCORE on the pastels! Woot!!!
also something nice about not having to ask 'do i *really* like this enough to warrant the expenditure?'. i make far more successful purchases when i don't need to be be conscious about such things.
You sure did score. 50 Cents? Amazing. And they're good soft pastels, too.
Excellent find! I don't like to shop in retail stores either. We were probably meant to browse in open-air markets where the real light of day shines on everything.
wow - you scored BIG TIME!
On CBS Sunday Morning this weekend there was a story about the "Unclaimed Baggage Center" in Arkansas or some such outta the way place. The guy buys the unclaimed luggage from airlines and sells it. It's amazing the stuff that is in the store!! I couldn't help but feel sorry for the folks who lost their luggage, though. Some of the items inside were priceless heirlooms.
Beautiful colors in your "bargain"
I always love a bargain but this is an extra special find.
what a steal! you did GOOD!
i agree - flea markets and garage sales are such fabulous adventures. in the southeast there is one called the "longest outdoor sale" along HWY 127, ambling along 450 miles, spanning parts of KY, AL, and TN! have you heard about it? it was created in 1987 to lure people off the interstate and has become a huge hit!
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