blog #481 >> Terry-Taylor Yard Sale Extravaganza

This weekend was the amazing Terry-Taylor yard sale in Longview, WA. Honestly, it's one of the unknown wonders of the Pacific Northwest. It's a large neighborhood where everyone has a yard sale on the same day. And since it's full of older ranch homes, everyone has some pretty awesome stuff. Thrifters flock from all over, and parking is certainly treacherous. Don't even try to park within the neighborhood itself. You will be lucky to get a spot less than a mile away. It's a bit like a carnival inside, there are church fundraisers, hot dog and elephant ear stands, and local political candidates trying to get a vote. Some people who aren't having yard sales, just sit in their front yards in lawn chairs watching the folks go by. I imagine it would be quite entertaining.

This immaculate yard has some fantastic yard ornaments, I wish I had gotten closer to take the picture.

Here's a "bear chair." He looks like he'd bite your ear off when you're not looking.

And although this picture doesn't do this bed justice. It's one of the largest, heaviest beds I've ever seen. One loose screw and it could crush you in your sleep.

Here's an awesome retro hair dryer.

And I'm sure everyone needs a hand in a jar. (from Budd's Curious Itch.)

And this is a picture of the remarkable pirate shopping cart. I bet the other shoppers quake with fear when they see them careening down the store aisles during the Black Friday sales.

And here are my Terry-Taylor finds. I got that yellow thermos for 50¢, the little spice jar for 50¢ and the cute caterpillar on a leash was $1, The pink secretary blouse was $1, the sock darner was $1, the vintage bandages were 50¢ each, Charles Dicken's, "Hard Times" was $1, and the owl mug was my big purchase at $5. A little steep for me, but I really liked it and I wanted it for a planter.

I also bought two other books, a 50's first aid book and an early copy of "The Moonstone," but I'm so depressed... No, that's not the word, distressed? No, that's not it either, disappointed? Closer... I'm just so sad that they fell out of my shopping cart somewhere between Terry and Taylor! I didn't hear them fall, and I didn't think they could, but they must have slipped through one of the one inch gaps along the side of my collapsible cart. I've decided to make a cute cloth bag to fit inside so that never happens again. I'm still feeling their loss. At least I'm only out $3.

I almost spent more on lunch than I did on all my finds combined! There were a couple of cute kids out trying to drum up business for their mom, "Are you guys hungry, you sure look hungry! Come on in and get some Hawaiian BBQ! My mom makes the best Hawaiian BBQ! Try a free sample! We got fresh baked pineapple upside down cake. We'll even entertain you while you eat!" What can I say... he was right, I was hungry! All I had for breakfast was a quick slice of toast before I left Portland, I had been walking around for hours, and it was nearly two o'clock in the afternoon. mmmm... Although, $7 is more than I would normally pay for a lunch, it was some of the best BBQ, I've ever had. And even though I can't remember the name of it, that banana drink for $3 was pretty remarkable as well.


A close up of the vintage bandage boxes and a couple of pictures of the cookbook my sister found.

One of the houses was having an Estate Sale, (I bought the owl mug, sock darner, and bandages there.) And if it were closer to work, I would have seriously considered buying that house! It was a beautiful time capsule home from the 60's. I wish I had sneaked in and taken a look at the bathroom, but it was really crowded, and I'm sure they didn't want us snooping around. It still had all the original lights, carpeting, hardware and appliances.

Take a look at the cute pink retro dishwasher! It was teal inside with a circular lazy susan rack on top. Yes, I opened it. I was trying to not be snoopy, but I could resist!

The lights were pretty amazing too!

And it still had the original countertops...

As well as this remarkable wall unit.

Anyways, the Terry-Taylor yard sale is once again, the best yard sale of the year. I don't even bother to going to any other.

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And as a bonus post, here's a picture of my first ripe eggplant!

Cheers,
T

blog #438 >> Cool Things!

I know, two posts in one day! I feel like I need to make up for being a lazy blogger lately. This is a collection of cool things I've found on Google Reader recently. If you want to see more of these cool things you should follow me, I share lots cool things!

These are a few of the mind bogglingly awesome dioramas done by Lori Nix. See more of them at her website here.

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Remarkable photos from Olivier Grunewald of blue lava from inside the sulfur mine Kawah Ijen, in Indonesia. See more here.

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Here are some very cute children who are very puzzled by outdated technology. They're adorable, but they make me feel so old. "What's this? I don't know... A carpet?" (Don't worry it's subtitled in English.)

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This is so extraordinary! I would totally buy stock in this company if I could! It's a 3D printer called Thing-O-Matic! It can print just about anything from a chess set to a coat hanger in 30 minutes. I am so impressed with this, it makes me want to go back to school and major in 3D modeling software. What would be even cooler is if you could throw the plastic back into another machine and then reuse it. They need to start working on that. Buy your very own here for only $1225.

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And this is the house of my dreams found on Retro Renovations. Unfortunately, it's on the wrong side of town and about 1/2 million more than I can afford. But it's absolutely stunning with a huge backyard.

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Now I'm not really one for staying out all night drinking, but this looks like a cocktail lounge that even I would enjoy. Anyplace that has a phone booth for an entrance has to be pretty remarkable inside. Found at SuperPunch and you can read a full review here and see their official website here.

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Not that I need another waffle iron, but if mine ever breaks down... I'm getting one of these!
Found here at Happy Things!

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While moving on to other delicious things to eat. I can't wait to try these Earl Grey Cupcakes. Trina made me some for my birthday and I'm sure they're going to be as fantastic as I think they will be! Cooked up by The Food Librarian see recipe here.

I also want to try her recipe for homemade mochi...mmmm... it all sounds so good!

Enjoy!
T

blog #387 >> Black & White Things I Like

Alright, I'm just going to have to post these to my blog and close a few of these windows. Here's a random collection of mostly black and white things, that I have been completely enamored with lately.

I absolutely LOVE this hat. Unfortunately, it's way out of my price range at $125. But if I ever see any similar fabric, I'm totally making one. It reminds of something Pearl would wear.
Seen here on Etsy.


I found these two lovely dresses on Bliss. They are also way out of my price bracket, but this is why I learned to sew. See them here... and here at makié. (I can also see Violet wearing these dresses.)

And I need to confess I broke down and bought a pair of these socks. In fact I'm wearing them right now. They're just so fantastic! These will be perfect for those long summer Model A rides. And they were only $15. Seen here at Sock Dreams.

Alright, so I like this shirt, but what's really impressive is her hair. How does she do that with her hair?! My hair is about that curly, but my hair is also a daily battle, which usually ends with my hair victoriously remaining in a frizzy, rampaging mess! Some days the best I can do is cage it with a hat. I really wish I knew how she got each curl to stand out and not frizz together... Photoshop?
See cute blouse here. (terrible glasses however... not that I can be one to talk.)



When I think of all the shapes a locket could possibly be, "whale" is not at the top of the list. I guess that's why I'm so taken with this strange and unusual piece of jewelery. I'm sure it must have a remarkable history, although I can only guess at it's true past. Perhaps it belonged to a whaler to enclose a miniature of his wife? Or maybe someone just really loved whales?
Seen here.

If this were my bathtub, I would never get out. Oh, and I'd keep a few battle ships around to play with too.
Seen here.





And here's a place I'd love to visit, although I'm sure it's not nearly this cool today, The U.S. Patent Office. This is why I need a time machine. It's verily a museum of inventions and the resting place of creative ideas. Metaphorically speaking, I image this is what the inside of a brain would look like. And an interesting side note Abraham Lincoln remains the only U.S. president to be issued a patent. Photos above from Shorpy, see here, here and here, and although it's color and I didn't post it, see here.



Another dress I adore, in fact I think I'm going to sew one similar to it for summer, but in blue. Seen here.


Poor house! It got squashed between the buildings! At 6 feet wide, (That's half the width of my living room) I think I might be a bit claustrophobic, but it does seem pretty open in the photos. And it even has a cute little 6ft garden out back.
Read full story at The Daily Mail here.
As they would say "There really is no room to swing a cat..."
However, if the price tag were lower, it would make a swell little home in London.



Found here at Tiny House Blog.

Another random Shorpy photo to admire. Just look at her shoes! This picture makes me want to run into my kitchen and bake a big cherry pie.

And last but not least, instructions from Ruffles and Stuff on how to hack your old cardigan and give it a vintage flair. I can't wait to pull some of my old sweaters out of the closet and transform them. Found at The Sew Weekly.

Alright, I suppose that's enough for now.

Cheers!
T