Refinished Table

UPDATE: Sold and out the door within 2 hours of post.  Sold for $190.

This table was my blood, sweat and tears for a week- I bought a belt sander, stain and 2 cans of polyurethane to get it looking tops.  Which if you ask me- it does look tops, definitely a "hammered finished" however, wonderful!.  I bought the table for $40 (plus $40 for the sander, 23 for the staining supplies) and am listing it for $225.  Two people came to look at my couches and gave me low offers on the table when they saw it, so hopefully it will go fast.    It is so much prettier than my own table, I wish it had more stools.  It actually came with five stools which is kind of a funny thing.  

Sofa and Love

Update: Sold for $350.   Funny thing, EVERY person I talked to on this couch was from India.  Then I was thinking, I am almost certain they had couches like this in "Bend it like Beckham."  To funny.  

I bought this set from my mom's neighbor as well for $125.  I had to de-dog this sucker.  For those of you who don't already know, I am not a huge animal lover and I was up to my elbows in dogs hair with this sucker. . .  seriously it. was. gross.  

After washing all cushions in the washing machine, steam cleaning the arms and taking a lint brush to the entire couch to remove hair that stuck in the fabric like needles it is looking pretty great. There is a little wear on the arms, but I figured I would still try for $425.  The cushions are reversible. 

I am not particularly thrilled with this staging job. . but I am tired and need a matching set of  pictures to hang over this bad boy.  This will have to do.  

Twin bed revised

Sold for $50.  

I refinished this bad boy today.  It is looking quite nice if I do say so myself.  It was a challenge attempting to stage this in a room that already had bunk beds and large dresser, so I did the best I could. I spent 13 dollars on paint and then decided to buy another sander- a palm sander this time.  

After watching my brother Josh go through 2 packages of sand paper and 4 hours sanding a mini dresser I felt that I HAD to have a belt sander when I refinished the table and chairs that I have yet to stage and post - needless to say you don't have a lot of control with a belt sander and it made for a very weathered look :).  

Here is the twin bed repainted and repaired(thank you wood glue).  I am starting the bids at $80.  We will see if I have a shot at that.

Another lesson learned

Around the block this guy was selling an awesome wicker sectional that you could piece together in several different ways.   He was asking $150, rather than saying "YIPEEEE! I'll take it" or "What is the lowest you can go?" I said, "well I am not able to spend that but if you don't sell it call me and I will give you $75."  

IDIOT!!! Of course it sold by the time I came to my senses- I could have made at LEAST $200 on the baby.  Lesson: YOU DO NOT STEAL SLOWLY!!!  When someone is offereing an incredible deal, take it and quickly!  

Funny Story

So I followed signs to this garage sale that said "Everything $1 or less" only to find a piles of dirty stuff and this cute bed that screamed "PLEASE REFINISH ME, I HAVE POTENTIAL!"    

Oh cute bed, I will make you pretty again.  No one was next to the pile so I knocked on the door and dogs went wild.  "SHUT UP JASMINE!  STUPID DOG!"  bark, bark "SHUT UP JASMINE! SHUT UP!"  "DON'T DO THAT, STOP. . .Did someone knock or something?"  

Me through the open window, "Yes, I wanted to buy your bed."   She sticks her head out the window, "Did you see my stupid sign. .  .Do you want the rails?"  

After some more yells at the dog and her little girl, she answers the door wearing only a t-shirt.  I am praying she was wearing underwear underneath.  I paid for the bed and she continued to talk to me bottomless for another 5 minutes.  Please lady, just let me leave before you move and see more of your crotch than I already have.  She explained the lovely signs(with

 misspellings and all) story from top to bottom(less)- someone stole shoes from her garage sale when she took her daughter to school.  

I have really met nice people in my neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods, this was the first time I thought - YIKES, "that really really sucks" that we have scary spice living "amonst" us.   Poor lady. 

So this is the project I will be working on this week.  I spent $2 and it has some real potential for cuteness.  

Keeper Clock!

I tried to bargain for this a bit more, but the lady wasn't budging - and she didn't need to.  This clock is AWESOME!!!!  I paid $20 for it which seems like a lot for a garage sale, but considering a clock like this retails for over $300 typically I am not a bit sorry I invested.  It looks so great in my living room!  LOVES IT!

New Finds

Update:  SOLD for $275. There was only one person that emailed and that was all we needed!  

This lovely PERFECT set was purchased for $100. It is lovely!   I am listing it for $275, we will see what I will get.  

When am I going to learn!?

UPDATE:  SOLD for $90, bought for $40.  I feel bad selling it for that, honestly I didn't realize until she showed up, but one of the chairs legs was completely split so I knocked the price down myself for $20.  She was so sweet and did day care and had a sweet autistic son, I should have just given it to her for $40.  

So the not as fun part of my side gig is staging my garage sale goodies!  Usually I enjoy this kind of thing- the actual decorating part is fun, the carting kitchen tables and couches and bookcases in and out of our small 1100 square feet home. . .. not as much.  I resisted bringing this table inside, but I need to sell it and I need to do it right.  Here are the after pictures of the same table listed on your right.  Looks better huh?   All this work better be worth the $75-90.  I am beginning to wonder already. 

Dresses

Bought the divine dress Lauren is in and another one with tags(saved for Christmas) for 2/$5.  This dress still had dry cleaning tags on it.  Most people do not go to church every week, so dresses are purchased for holidays, weddings or pictures and never used again.  I have scored some absolutely beautiful dresses for my girl. Dress: 2.50,  Lauren and Buntsy loves: PRICELESS!!

Living room set

UPDATE: SOLD IN FOUR HOURS FOR $350.  

This adorable set was purchased for the bargain price of $75.   The cushions were a mess - complete with booger on the under side.  However, I put the cushions in the washing machine and they cleaned up PERFECTLY!!!  They look brand new.  I am selling them for $350 hopefully.  

Large Bookshelves

UPDATE:  Sold!  $100 deposit put down, to be picked up on Saturday with remaining money to be paid. She didn't try to negotiate price, so I am assuming it will be for the whole $350!  YEAH!!!!

Pictures do not do this piece justice- it is solid wood and gorgeous.  7 feet tall and 4 feet 2 inches wide.   It is in mint condition. . I bought it for $75.  I have it listed for $350.  I may be asking a lot on some of these items.  Time will teach me what goes and for how much!  Hopefully things will sell very quickly!

End Tables

Update:  Wood side tables sold for $55, Glass tables sold for $55.

Purchased set for $20, listed for $80.
Purchased set for $28, listed for $80. 

Jeans & Hand bags

Two pairs of Seven for All Mankind. . for a very skinny, very short girl.  To be ebayed. 

Sevens: $1 a pair

Kenneth Cole Purse: $1.  For me to keep. 

UPDATE: Gave the jeans to some sweet teenage girls at church and hopefully made their day!

Stools and more stools!

Listed for $45, Update: didn't realize the wood was cracked on the back of the stool, sold them for $15.
UPDATE! Listed for $35: SOLD for $35!
I bought both these sets for $8/pair.  

Small Bookcase

Update: sold for $10. 

Adorable book case, I bought it for $5.  Selling for $25.

Bull's Eye!!!

I found soooooo many incredible deals today. I am peeing myself.  Most are in PERFECT shape- one requires a little work, but will be worth it!  Many posts to come!

Today's misses and finds

I found some treasures today!  Unfortunately someone found them before me and I am crying I missed incredible deals on a table and chairs and some side tables. . . .sob, sob.  ... sob  

I found this set for a good deal, they are not in perfect shape, but there are lots of chairs and stools too.  I paid $45 and hope to sell it for $130 which I think is a great deal for a large table - just think if it was refinished in black or a dark stain.  It could be fabulous. 

What sells!

Sets and neutrals.  I am selling the copper lamps to your right for my mom.  They are great, but they are smaller - she just wanted to get her money out of them so I just posted them for $15 since I hadn't had much interest in my other lamps which I think are AWESOME.  I have gotten loads of emails on them.  Between the stools and the lamps I am left with the conclusion:  people like lots of the same thing!  Sets Sell!

Closeout Clearance

I was lacking one major fashion accessory- a chunky black necklace- and decided to check out clearance at Claire's.  Well, I didn't find a black necklace of my dreams but I did find a fine black necklace and some major clearance!!!  All their clearance jewelry was $10 for $10.  I loaded up on earrings and tons of stocking stuffers for Boo girl.  Here are my Claire's bargains.  If you need stocking stuffers for yourself and daughters, go quickly!  All of the above jewelry for $12.  

New Picture

I bought a new picture at a model home garage sale a few weeks ago that I loved and wanted to work so badly.  My mom later found this one for me- my early birthday present, at a yard sale for $10.  It is large and beautiful and works perfectly in my kitchen.  Thanks mommy!

Beautiful Pots

I found all three of these pots at a yard sale for $15.  They are heavy and fabulous!  I saw the exact pots at an incredible home store in the area called Razmataz.  They retail there for $80 each.  Since I rearranged my living room they are kind of hidden behind my massive armoire. After Christmas I am going to redo my gigantic plant shelves and give them an honorary position up front.   

Posting some of my favorite finds

Since my little business is just taking off, I decided to post some of my past treasures.  I got the below fabulous item for $2 at a yard sale.  On the back, they still had the original $85 price tag!  Sweet!

Lamps for Sale

I found these lamps today for $2 each(sold by a husband, disapproving wife in background). The shades on the lamps were in horrible repair. Luckily my mom had a few extra shades at her house and I replaced them. These are currently listed for $30 each, no emails yet. They are gorgeous sturdy lamps and I wish I had a place for them honestly.

I told Ry I hoped things sold quickly so I could get my investment back- he said, "what you mean your $4?". . true dat love, no hurry on the lamp sale.

Keepers!!

The only piece of furniture that was missing in my home was a perfect bench for my entry. I only buy things for my home if I LOVE them and if the price is right. I would rather sit on the floor than buy a chair I wasn't in love with. I didn't have to wait long after redecorating my front room to get this bench of my dreams!
I stumbled across this garage sale today with incredible furniture at reasonable prices, but not prices I could make money on with craigslist. He was asking a $100 for this bench and I of course asked $50- he said $75. Then I noticed a new-in-the-box printer/copier/scanner for $45(our printer broke two days ago for good and wasn't working too well before that). I got both items for $115(my mom pitched in $15 for an early Christmas present-she already got me an early birthday present, thanks mom). My husband is thrilled with the printer and I am just giddy when I look at my beautiful bench.

As Lauren said, "Wow grandma!! The legs on that bench match our other furniture!" Yes she is my daughter!

Bar Stools

Today I learned that matching bar stools are an excellent investment! I purchased all four of these stools for $20 at a garage sale this morning and sold them in four hours for $80! $60 in the bank!

The Sectional

This is it; the piece of furniture I KNEW I could make money on. This sectional was in mint condition and was purchased for $175- a steal as the couch retails for $3000. I sold it for $450, $100 less than I was asking at the time. . . the woman was a dealer. As I told my mom, "It was like I was dealing with myself, it was awful!"

I can't complain too much though. I made $275 for very little work and now that it is out, I can walk in my house again.

So to this sectional, I thank you for waking me up! Cheers!

The Purpose

It is no secret that I love a good deal. . . and know how to find them! With the support of a loving husband and mommy, I decided to turn my hobby into a side job. . .maybe someday career.

On this blog I will post my latest purchases and sales as well as the treasures I have decided to keep for myself.

If I can make one point with this blog it is this: BEAUTY CAN BE ENJOYED ON ANY BUDGET. I intend to prove just that!