The Estate Sale Before Work at Lakeshore

I love estate sales that happen to be a half a mile away from where I work. Such a good way to start your day! (The best part of wakin up is spending moooonnneeyyy). The sale was located in one of the fancy condos on Lakeshore. The condo was so pretty and had a great view of the half frozen lake. I very silly enough did not get picture of the view. I did though get a picture of the EPIC KITCHEN. 

My semi-smart phone can't do the kitchen justice. It must have been installed in the 1960s and no one must of used it except to clean since then as it was perfect. (keep in the mind, the mess is due to the estate sale) Not a stain anywhere, and the stove and oven still worked! The women who lived there, based on the photos and certificates that were being sold, was a photographer in WW2. In short, the person who once lived at this Lakeshore condo was epic. Happy trails to the wonderful person I wish I knew. 

Of course I bought things - a box of thread where every piece of thread was saved (!), needles in an old chewing tobacco tin, stir sticks, measuring pieces, tape (cause why not) a very pretty blue necklace, and a piece of wood with a mushroom painted in it. Jolly good time! I wish every work day could start off with an estate sale.

 

This sale was hosted by The Ageless Treasure - real nice folks who told me everything they knew about the place. Keep up with them at theagelesstreasure.com. They seem to have sales in Chicago and Indiana all the time.

And if you like estate sales in general - get on the mailing list at estatesales.net. 

(I'm not sponsored by anyone, I just like spreading good deals around). 

Happy Saturday. 

My First Really Really Free Market

Before

We came, we saw, we took stuff home for free. Last Saturday was my first Really Really Free Market. Also happened to be the first day this winter season where it snowed all day. But we had 11 dedicated folks show up get some awesome great stuff. I want to thank everyone who came and everyone who wanted to come, but had to do the holiday thing or were totally not coming out to due to snow.

Just a quick recap:
Lots of clothes, lots and lots of clothes
Random computer things
Dishes, yay!
Snow, lots of snow outside
Matt L. wearing a way to small t-shirt and looking...good! ya!

Excited for the Spring edition!

Own a piece of CTA History!

I'm about to bid on things that I don't need, and you should too!

Very short post. mmm...CTA stuff...

http://ricklevin.com/Auctions/Online-Auctions.aspx

Pledging my love once again to the Brown Elephant

So, I work at Howard Brown Health Center, pretty awesome clinic. Their feeder thrift store is The Brown Elephant - which is the best the thrift store in Chicago...pretty much the US as far as I'm concerned. Boutique finds at good prices. You can get the basic things - shirts, shoes and what have you - for $6. But they also have pop up shops every so often that showcases vintage items for prices better than any vintage shop would have.

Went there today for a project I'm working on at work...had to shop and found this tacky little number for my office-ubicle. (The red and white tree). Also found some cute little white ornament balls...or Yrsno as Ikea calls them. 

Short and sweet today!

The trip to get Beer!

For Thanksgiving this year, we headed out to New Glarus, WI to get the best beer ever that has the same name as it's town. Two cases, three fruit beers and apple ales for $95...not bad!

Before that, we bought a giant tent and stayed over night in Madison and...of all things...we went suburban shopping. 

Suburban shopping is when one goes out to the super centers and malls. I rarely do this anymore as there aren't really any of these in Chicago - or at least near me. And I don't shop full price or new stuff usually.

So when we do this...it's kindof a big and silly deal for us. 

That's the tent we got from Craigslist for Logan's show in January called Show Party (you should come!). Horrible pic, but the gent who was selling the tent is a huge flea market and auction buff. Love when I make second hand connections.

Now, sometimes I can't find the right thing at my local thrift store. Sometimes I actually have spend more at a consignment shop. Enter Plato's Closet - 5 minutes from our hotel. 

*Disclaimer...In case it's not obvious yet...* I'm a thrift store snob. If it's more than $6, it better a really good item. Some folks (Logan) call that cheap. I call it Snobby! 

I'll be real honest here...the Plato's Closet in Lincoln Park - the closest one to me - is not good. The stuff is decent, but they over price everything. Not a huge fan. The Plato's Closet in Madison though, very nice. Great items, great price ranges. Got a shirt and shoes for $10. And everyone was super nice, even though it was 8pm on Black Friday.  

Ok...Claire's is not a thrift store...and I am no longer a teenager. But let me tell you, that $10 for 10 items sale that they have during major holidays - don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about - is an epic sale. I've been doing this sale every time I've stepped into a mall since I was 15.  I bought $142 worth of pieces for $18.25 (I bought some special items too).

Oh, that Nikon Bag...not a thrift store buy either :). Used my savings from Claire's on a Gary Fong Diffuser. Happy Birthday to ME!

In route to New Glarus, the next day, we stopped off at a Savers. I did a little research before going in. Apparently it's a for-profit thrift store chain that helps out local non-profits in their area. Cute!

At first glace, Savers doesn't look like a great store. The plates and knick knacks are over priced and there's not much to look at.

But then I went to the clothes section. Lots of great work clothes from $3 to $8 - and the higher end pieces were from higher end designers. I got three new shirts for $15. Logan got two shirts and a new set of Keens (worn maybe once?) for $45. 

All in all, twas a good trip! Now to prepare for going to back to work on Monday...I can do this! 

A little rain ain't keeping me away from a Free shop and a Thrift store.

So I went back the next day to the Free Store. It was just as epic as the night before. Found lots of great things, and there was a dog show...a dog show! I didn't get a good pic as I was hanging outside. But let me tell you, it was epic. Noodles picked up money and put in a can! Yes!

A Sign, lots of clothes, a billboard for my yardsale idea, a sewing machine, trophies for the 2014 chili cookoff, another book, small jars, something for Marie (the green thing the couch), an Oscar De La Renta suit from the 80s, etc...

Overall, the folks who ran the Free Store seemed like artists, epic artists who have been doing whatever art they do for many years. They also knew how to run an event and were loving every part of what they were doing. These folks are inspiring!

If you want to know when the next Free Store is, follow their site!
http://thefreestorechicago.org/

Also did my usual stint at the Brown Elephant today. If you've not been to one of these stores...you're missing out on the best thrift store in Chicago. Three locations - Oak Park, Halsted and Clark. I used to work at Clark's store and now I volunteer/shop every couple of weeks. But yes, great items - hand picked for you by the staff who are knowlegable in all things antiques and cool things. And the prices are really great too for what they have. (Most clothes and shoes are $6!).

Some great pants for the Logan!

aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!! (Day one of the Free Store)

I swear I heard the Angels singing as I walked up to the free store this evening. (That or I was ready to get into a warm building as I parked my car a bit far away).

You walk into this empty old space, turned free store and you are immediately greeted by the folks who are running it - I caught the names of Melinda and Pam? I then just went at it. The stuff they had was pretty odd, yet useful. Old books from the 50s, 90s outfits. Shirts that fit me. Pretty decent books - for free!

Here's the haps.
You go to the Free store - which will be happening again from 12-8 by the way. 

If you have things to donate, bring them! If you don't that's fine. Just go and take stuff. Again...magic word here is Free! 

And if that wasn't enough, the folks hosting made cookies...COOKIES...and passed them out to the "Shoppers." I love every minute of it. 

Here's what I got from day one's "shopping". And yes, I am going back tomorrow. ! I'll be there around one if anyone cares to join me. 

(Got a bunch of stuffs for me, a coat for Logan, two shirts for Lizzy, a scarf for Lisa, and a board for Liz)

So, you're going right?

The Free Store

Tomorrow ONLY (11.16.13) from Noon to 8pm

Bring your stuff, and/or take their stuff...for free

4101 N. Kedzie

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1406156196286216/?

Group for future events: http://thefreestorechicago.org/

Mount Sinai Hospital Resale Shop on a Cold Cold Night

In route home from a meeting in Lincoln Park with Chicago Style SEO, I ran into this little jewel. Mount Sinai Hospital Resale Shop has the rare gift of being both a nicely put-together thrift store, and a store that has all sorts of neat little kitchy and epic things - and a lot of it. Prices were pretty great too. Found lots of nice shoes for $4-$10. Found Ferragamo's for $9! That were a size...5...I'm a 9 on a good day.

What I really liked the most about this place that it kept going! They utilized their back room area which I personally love because you get to see the behind the scenes of what will be sold later.
(Piles O Stuff! But still somehow clean!)

Check them out, they are most epic.

Mount Sinai Hospital Resale Shop

814 W. Diversey Parkway

Chicago, IL 60614

M/W/T/S: 10-5

T/F: 10-7

Sunday: 11-4

Look Kelly! I found a Cardboard Rhino!!!

And this...this thing! Going to my office.
Because I have the mind of a 6 year old. 

This is a post. But not like the ones you use to make fences with. That was a badly written sentence.

So, I have this tiny addiction. I love everything resale. Yardsales, Antique shops, Auctions, Estate Sales, Thrift Stores, Consignment Shops, Dumpster Diving, Swaps, you name it! This addiction has been a lifelong one - starting back in my childhood when my family would take me to yard sales in Mississippi. My first job was at Designer Consigner, a small consignment shop in Northern Virginia. Heck, one of my projects in grad school, the VCU Brandcenter was making a yard sale museum - later on after graduating I worked at a thrift store - The Brown Elephant. Addicted!

My day job is probably one of the best ones out there - I work at Howard Brown Health Center as a graphic designer. While I love graphic design, I know that I must do something again in the realm of resale. So join me on my journey as I figure out what that something is, won't you?

I actually have this super cool idea that involves fundraising and yard sales...but I need to talk to a few folks first to see if it's a good idea. In the mean time, starting this past summer, I've been "researching" all things resale:

Spoke with the Amazing Bryan about future "career goals" in resale. Good guy, great motivational writer. 

Went with Ebay and Toy Guru Alex to Wolff's Flea Market at the butt-crack of dawn - 4:30 am. 

Logan and I went to many many many yard sales and estates sales and Wolff's Flea Market.

Went to see my mom graduate from grad school on a Friday (She's now on her way to getting her doctorate, very proud!) - came back early that Sunday morning to go to one of the best yard sales in Chicago - the Ravenswood yard sale. 

Saw my first auction with Lena and David in the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

I was introduced to Flea Market Style Magazine...and yes I asked about freelance job opportunities. 

Took a trip with Brandy and her dad, Randy, to Shipshuwanna Indiana to one of the biggest auctions I've ever seen...or my 2nd auction.

I was introduced to a Really Really Free Market in the south side of Chicago - I will be doing one of my own in December. (Find me on facebook for more details - Candice Lee Conner). 

Went to Vintage Garage a few times with my favorite thrifting couple Michael and Brian. Also went with them to the 2nd best yardsale in Chicago - the Andersonville Yard Sale. Bought way too much...

Stopped off at Karen's Yardsale for a couple of her clients. Karen is the founder of Organize Me. A great business that helps you..well..organize!

And did my usual volunteering at the Brown Elephant - Howard Brown Health Center's Resale Shop. 

Along the way I learned of amazing designers who share the same love. One of which is Aaron Draplin - my current inspiration for keeping print design alive. Got to thank Rob Theiman for this little find. 

I hopefully will be taking on an internshipish thing this winter with YaYa's Antiques. Paul and Miguel are just the nicest folks ever and their prices are really great!

In Spring 2014, I'll try my hand vending at Wolff's Flea Market. Already have some stuff ready to sell. 

Alright, I've named and place dropped enough - Let's just say it was good summer. A great summer actually. One filled with all of this, plus awesome photo opportunities with Oomphotography, shows and plays!

Since this is my first post, I figured I'd show my favorite finds from the history of my finds - this came out to 33 pictures. Enjoy and welcome the crazy, eclectic second hand mind of Candice.

PS - no, I didn't kill a button blog. In fact, I might be selling my buttons soon. Fingers crossed! But yes...I need to post again.

Are you still reading. Cool! I call this photo set - pictures of things that I found in my house that I really am happy that I found. No set up, in fact I really didn't even move the objects from their place. But I did experiment with the Canon 7D and my Yungueo Flash. 

Ravenswood Yardsale...rolled that thing for 3 blocks...

That purple thing is an owl hat.

Rolodex from Nathan's Sale at the Andersonville Yardsale.

Buddha from the Brown Elephant.

Jeffrey's Clock: from another Nathan Sale. Nathan likes sales too.

Jeffrey I miss you!

AWSMRadio Couch: From the Brown Elephant.

Painting made of tree bark from the 1950s: The Brown Elephant.

Bubblegum Necklace: Wolff's Flea Market

My very last purchase from Diversity Thrift while in living in Richmond, VA.

Owls. Top from a junk shop in Michigan City.

Bottom from...some junk job in VA...I'm not sure why he's named Hancock.

Amazing: Wolff's Flea Market.

Poster: From Michael M's going away yardsale.

Yep. From the Brown Elephant. 

Somehow this light was still there in the last hour of an Estate Sale.

Repro from Lou's Antiques in Amherst, VA. Whatever, I love it.

I didn't know what these were at first.

They are old film canisters! From the Brown Elephant.

Bon Bon. Ok, so Bon Bon is one of the reasons that I know I'm destined for 2nd hand. I've had guinea pigs in the past, but NEVER have I had someone call me to let me know that a guinea pig had been abandoned in the alley way on the Loyola campus. Almost three years later, here's Bon Bon - the second hand piggy. The colorful thing in the back is from the Brown Elephant.

Bee Box turned into DVD box. From the Giant Auction in Shipshouwanna Indiana. ...When I bought the bee boxes, I thought I was getting ripped off because they lifted the boxes and there were no bottom to any of the boxes! The more you know!

My first Richmond purchase! Orange guy.

From an antique shop in Richmond.

Giant Magnadoodle: The Brown Elephant.

Clock from 1981. Not a repro. The Brown Elephant.

Crab thermometer and phone sign. Crab from the Brown Elephant.

Sign from a nice lady at the Ravenswood Yard Sale. I'm pretty proud to say that I liked signs before signs got big. Got this for 2 bucks. Saw it at Vintage Garage for $69.

My mother in law got me this for my wedding shower! It's a door handle!

From Lou's Antiques in Amherst.

We're....sigh...Redskins fans. 

Plaque from Wolff's Flea Market.

Pennant from the Brown Elephant.

The Brown Elephant. A gem.

I bought these assuming they were repros...but they are made of steal.

So...I think they are repros, but not the kind you buy at Michael's.

Got at the big Auction in Shipshouwanna.

It's a burger drawing. The Brown Elephant.

Bottle Opener: The Brown Elephant.

Yes! The Brown Elephant.

I just love this font! Wolff's Flea Market.

This year's fantasy football trophy. The Brown Elephant. 

Yes, I found it just like this.

My wares that I'm selling at Wolff's Flea Market in Spring 2014.

My wares that I'm GIVING AWAY at the really really free market.

Facebook me for more details. (If you are my friend and you live in Chicago...you were invited! Or at least that was my plan).