Saturday morning shopping

I prefer to do my shopping without any kids in tow. That hardly ever happens. I would prefer to do my shopping with only one child at my side. That can't always happen.
Saturday morning I had both kids, one hand in hand, and the other strapped to my chest. This could possibly be the worst way to get any real shopping done. But, if you are a parent you know that its always better to get out of the house, than to spend your day looking at them thinking, what are we going to do now. Sometimes I even stare, and think why ? Why are you moving my furniture around ? Why are you grinding Cheerios into my rug? Why would you pull that lamp down on your head?
So, back to the pictures. We got up early on Saturday morning, with an estate sale advertised as second day, half off. It was close to the house, and I was feeling brave. The sale didn't pan out to have much left, but to keep the 5 year old happy, he is usually allowed to pick out something from a sale, just to keep him interested. So, he decided on two small plastic horse figures and a container full of clothes pins. I try not to question his choices, because when I'm out sale-ing the last thing I want to hear is, "what are you going to do with that?"
Leaving that sale, we had mapped another rummage sale we  were going to hit up, and stumbled upon a church flea market on the way. Flea markets are a way better option for anyone that has kids in tow. I think being outside, rather than inside an estate sale, and the fact they usually have refreshments, which can sometimes help avoid buying some crap you don't need, and will most likely be donating to the goodwill.
This flea market had you typical flea market junk, but one vendor suited my taste perfectly.
He had just closed a shop in Chicago that specialized in Mid Century modern. Perfect.
I would have filled the car , had I not already with our big ass stroller. But probably for the best, I decided to choose one thing that I would have kicked myself for not buying. And here you have it. This beautiful original painting, done in 1960. The colors go perfectly with the rug in our living room, it has been beautifully framed, in a large grass cloth and wooden frame.
I was having a hard time making out the signature until I found what you can see in the third photo, tucked into the back of the frame, printed with : Maria Scotoni Paulstr. Reflects Dune Ville Zurich.
So, a long story for a purchase that I couldn't leave behind. We all left the flea market happy, I with a baby strapped to my chest, carrying a huge painting, 5 year old hand in hand, him in his other a chocolate chip muffin. Saturday morning shopping.

Of questionable taste

I love it, my husband thinks it maybe the ugliest thing he's ever seen

I bought this lamp recently on our trip to Oklahoma. It was at this little thrift store, in this tiny town that we nearly didn't find our way out of. It wasn't priced, and when we asked about the price we were told $5, but it happened to be 50% lamps day! I need another lamp like I need a hole in the head, but I couldn't leave this handmade ceramic beauty behind. When i got home I was having a hard time deciding on an appropriate shade. That weekend i did a little Sunday estate sale-ing, and came up with this handmade wool fiber shade for just a couple of bucks and knew it would be perfect!
So, I believe these two pieces are soul mates, and my husband thinks I may have lost my mind.

Awkward Family Photo

1970's ?

                                                                 

I try to keep this blog about things secondhand and not about family, but I purchased this one-piece outfit for my youngest just because who can resist a baby in a velour jumpsuit? its hard to tell from the photos how big the bells are, but they are big ! I think I will spend the next few months searching for matching jumpsuits for our Christmas card.( If you know me, then you know I don't send out Christmas cards, but this year will be different!)

These things find me...

What can I say, these things find me.
Yesterday I was on my way to pick up one of my son's friends from a camp in Webster, a area in town that I don't spend a whole lot of time in. Mapquest had giving me really poor directions, and I was a little afraid with the detour I had to take I was going to be late. As we cruised down the street out of the corner of my eye I thought i spotted what could be a cool lamp in a trash heap. I had no time to investigate and we were on a busy street that had no shoulder. After we made it to pick up our friend, I decided to go and take a closer look. I had to actually pull into the driveway to get off the street and I jumped out, picked up the pieces and just threw them into the back of the car, all while trying not to embarrass my son. He is used to me grabbing things out of the trash, but I didn't want him to have to explain to his friend it's a regular occurrence.
When we got home I was very excited to pull all of the pieces out of the car and see that not only had I just found one amazing lamp, there were TWO lamps that needed to be reassembled. I wiped them down with Goo Gone and Magic Erase, There were a couple of bulbs broken in the sockets, so I carefully removed those and replaced with 4 small nightlight bulbs for each lamp. Both lamps still work without having to get into doing any repairs, one lamp as a crack in the shade, which I used Mighty Putty to fill the crack so it won't get any larger. I think they will go on either side of my sofa, but I will need to do a little rearranging first.
So there we go, these things find me. I sold 15 lamps over the weekend to lighten the load at the house, and quickly these lovely lighting beauties knew even though they weren't perfect, they could find a loving home with me.