Craigslisting

I'm very impatient.  Of the 3 showings Frankie had yesterday, we've only gotten feedback from one (pretty decent review).  I'm hoping the lack of reviews from the others means they're working on their offers.  A girl can dream, right? Speaking of dreaming, I've been perusing my local Boston Craigslist again- never a safe pastime.  Unless something is beyond perfect, I can't justify adding another item to our tiny, already filled home, so I'll just daydream about the amazing rooms these pieces could go in.

If I didn't already know that my dining room can't handle a piece of this size, you can bet your bum I'd be taking this 1948 hutch home.  At $100 it's an amazing price for a beautiful piece that doesn't look like it needs any work.  Quick, I need a client room so I can design a space around this!!!

And speaking of pieces that I NEED.... I'm really trying to talk myself out of this one.  Alas, I shouldn't buy it, since we already have a bar cart and no space for another.  But it's an amazing price- $75 for a beautiful bar cart- please go buy it so I can live vicariously through you!  If you buy it, I'll even style it for you.

This little Persian rug would be a nice addition to almost any entryway.  Mix it with some more modern pieces and it'll lend a classic, collected look to the space.  Although not a steal, still a pretty good deal at $100.

This FREE sofa could definitely use to be reupholstered, which isn't cheap, but once complete, this would be an awesome sofa and still be less than comparable new sofas.  Just picture it: remove the skirt and arm covers and reupholster it in a crisp gray linen- timeless.

Not a home run at $60 (a bit overpriced if you ask me), I would LOVE to see this antique iron chair frame brought back to life.  The shape is so interesting- it just screams garden party!

And just for proof that people will put anything on craigslist and prices are sometime beyond ridiculous, can I interest you in a creepy metal mask for.... $300??  What the WHAT??

And now that I've scarred you for life.... have you seen any fun/scary/awesome deals on craigslist lately?

Marché aux Puces

I hope you had a wonderful, heart-warming and stomach-satiating Thanksgiving!  Although I loved traveling, I'm thankful today to be home sweet home. Within the past year, Hubby and I have developed a habit when we travel- we try to find some neat vintage treasures to help commemorate our trips.  So much more fun than coming home with plastic, mass-produced souvenirs.  We (attempt to) seek out vintage stores, antique stores, and flea markets and it turns into an adventure not only finding the stores, but finding items too.  Granted before this trip, our scavenger hunt only extended to travels in New York City and Montreal, but now we can add Europe to the list.

I can't say that we had time to go treasure-hunting in Germany (poo), but France was a different story. With the help of our river boat's friendly concierge, Dora, we found a few places to poke around in Strasbourg. A couple were closed, one was a bit too 'crafty,' one was way beyond our price range, but as per usual, the flea market- or marché aux puces (as Google translate informs me) was just my style.

We located the flea market after a guided tour of the area and we. were. cold.  After turning a few corners and getting away from the touristy areas, we found a cute (almost a bit too hipstery) coffee shop where we were able to warm up for a few.  I'd love to tell you their name, but I don't speak any French, and their sign was just a bunch of hipstery symbols, so....

Beyond the rockabilly music that was just a bit too loud, the hot chocolate was delicious, Hubby says the coffee was tasty, and the vibe was great.  Why am I talking about a coffee shop when I should be talking about a flea market??  Do you notice the vintage TV on the counter?  They had the place decorated with a fun collection of vintage goodies, so I had to ask them- any good vintage stores around?  Sadly, (as the girl at the counter told us) Strasbourg is lacking vintage stores, but the flea market is where you can find some good stuff.  OK.

Finally warmed up and on a mission, back to the flea market we went.  They had a huge variety, but the tough part always come in making a decision.

If I didn't already have a vintage camera, this would have been very tempting-  look at the options!

Can I interest you in creepy taxidermy seemingly attacking an even creepier wooden mask?

At this booth, I definitely had to remind myself that our luggage wasn't big enough.  That chair? the side table? and how about those rugs?  I loved the pattern on the folded red one, I just wish it had some slightly different colors.

Naturally, I couldn't leave a French flea market empty-handed.  I ended up with 2 small treasures that were easily transported home.  The old lock is about 5" tall for reference.  The carved edelweiss on the top of the box puts a smile on my face.

I hope ever country has flea markets.  I want to go to them all.  Every single one.  That's totally attainable, right?

Really People?

Sometime people suck, you know that?  Not you guys, but other people.  People who do this:

Yes that is the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore's only truck- stolen & burned.... with donations inside.  I reiterate- Really people??

If you've been reading here a while, you've heard me mentioned the ReStore more than a few times.  It is a wondrous place filled with potential projects and gems just waiting for a new life.  My personal ReStore rescues have included a countertop for my basement work area, an industrial light (also for the basement which is... um... still "in progress"),

a light for Clark the fliphouse,

recycled paint for the aforementioned flip as well as my own kitchen,

a sweet midcentury end table that was purchased to stage said flip but has since found it's way into Hubby's office (for $11),

AND my newest find from last week, a delightful floral painting.  I tried to walk away from it, but I just couldn't.  It's just HAPPY!  Probably just a school project (dated 1980), it's certainly not worth more than the $8 I spent, but I'd give it an A!

It's been moving from room to room this past week looking for the perfect home, and I think I may have finally found the perfect spot above my nightstand.  Once I 100% decide, it'll get hung on the wall.

We've shockingly  donated even more to the restore than I've purchased.  Any usable/resellable building materials, supplies, home supplies etc that were left-over from our first flip or our kitchen reno were happily donated.  All the ReStore proceeds go to local Habitat for Humanity projects.  I get rid of stuff I can't use, or buy fun stuff that I can use, and an awesome charity befits.  It's a win, win in my book!

I hope you'll consider helping the ReStore get back on the road- they're collecting donations for a new, less barbequed, truck through Go Fund Me.  Even if you can't donate, please share the link and stick it to those sucky people who did this in the first place!  And pop over to their facebook page and show your support!

(I apologize for the solicitation, I'm just so disgusted by the fact that this happened that I had to try and help)

truck image via Worcester Telegram & Gazette