The amazement that was the first Pay What You Can Yard Sale

We came, we sold stuff, we made money. And it was grand...

This weekend was my first ever attempt at a Pay What You Can Yard Sale - the yard sale that helps charities and idea makers out by selling items for what folks want to pay. While the turn out was lower than I wanted - I wanted a million, I got 17, the folks who came were very excited about both Pay What You Can Yard Sale and Show Party - the theatre group that this Yard Sale helped out.

We made $157 - not bad for a sale that wasn't really publicized and was inside a house. I very much want to do this again! If you want to make money for your charity or idea, let me know!

Some pictures of the goods:

I leave you with a Top 12 list of ways that you know you are the thrifty one of the bunch. 

Pay What You Can Yard Sale

Best yardsales in Chicago: 

#3 - Andersonville Yard Sale 

#2 - Lakewood Yard Sale

#1 - Ravenswood Yard Sale

Grand prize epic best yard sale ever - Pay What You Can Yardsale

That's right! The sale this Saturday! Buy what you want, pay what you want can. Sales go to the theatre group, Show Party.

It's going to be epic!

And now, something else that's neat:

Here's a blog about stuff

Easter Flea

Easter was my first trip to the flea market of the season! I went to do a little shopping, do a little studying - My buddy Matt and I will be vending sometime this summer.

Wolff's flea market is pretty decent in the fact that you can get some quality vintage items, but also the cheapy dollar store items too. I tend to shy away from the cheepy stuff, but it's nice that I can buy a brush or a new tank top there for a dollar, on my way out of the market.

Got some great signs, an apple box and plastic charms - one of my addictions. I love those plastic charms and whenever I find them for less than $5, I grab them.

Go to Wolffs Flea Market - epic!

Also, come to this! 

The most epic honeymoon ever and Pay What You Can Yard Sale

Come to this, you. Yes. You! Buy a lot of great stuff, Pay What You Want!

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Been an awesome couple of weeks! Logan and I got married in 2008, were finally able to go on our honeymoon. We decided to travel route 66 from Illinois to Las Vegas. We tried our best stay on route - sometimes route 66 just stops without warning.

We stopped off in Pontoon Beach, St. Louis, Amarillo, Flagstaff, Vegas, Idaho Springs and ...Richland Utah. It was quite the epic treat.

Palo Duro - the 2nd biggest Canyon in the US. Shot at 3:30 a.m.

Cadillac Ranch - Texas

In New Mexico, we stopped off at Tucumcari Trading Post. Or rather...we drove past and I did an illegal U turn cause I saw pretty signs. Owner Gary Cardwell is trying his best to keep the past and route 66 alive in New Mexico. If you ever get a chance, stop in and ask him about his store. You can spend a day here. 

If you are a sign freak, bring money. You'll spend it. His prices are well priced for what he has. 

...I wanted to buy everything...

The worst photo ever taken at the Grand Canyon.

I didn't take this, but I spent some money here. Next time your in Flagstaff, go. Great shop and good folks.

Prices are fantastic.

Also, we went to In and Out Burger for the first time...oh my god...

That's all for now.

Swap and Shop Awesomness

It's the most thriftiest time of the year!
Where the yard sales are prepping,
And Wolff's Flea is opening and everyone cheers!
It's the most thriftiest time....OF THE YEAR!

Folks, we are getting closer and closer to what I call the yardsale season! Yes the weather here in Chicago took a big dump on us this March...but April is two days away and today it's 55 degrees! Today would be a good day to dumpster dive as everyone is in the spring cleaning mode...as I'm sure you are too. Soon there will be yardsales every which way, estate sales, sales, sales, woo!!

Wolff's Flea at Rosemont opened this morning too! Didn't go, but I was up at 2 a.m. this morning thinking that there are some folks getting ready out there for their first flea market of the season in one hour. That's right...those folks get out there at around 3 a.m. The first shopping folks get out there to by at 4 a.m! 

Learn more about Wolf's Flea Market

This season, I feel, is going to be a good season. I'll be announcing an epic sale next week that you need to take part of...stay tuned!

And finally, wanted to talk about a great event I went to last week. Two amazing women put on an event called Swap and Shop out in Logan Square. It was geared towards 12+ women. There were BOXES UPON BOXES of clothes. (About 50 folks - my guess - came, we all walked out with at least a full bag...I walked away with three). There was a cute little photobooth, and VannaTease from Vaudezilla came and did a little burlesque. Such a fantastic event! 

(that says SWAP)

Photo by Jessica Hinkle

Regina and I!!!!

Photo by Jessica Hinkle

Yes!!!

Photos by Jessica Hinkle

VannaTease, So Amazing!!
Photo by Jessica Hinkle

I also met some incredible women there. I'll admit it, I'm a size 16. I love good food, I take care of myself and I look good! I'm fortunate enough to live and work in an environment where folks don't judge you because of your size - they judge by your attitude...as they should and boy do I get in trouble sometimes. 

But I'm not usually in a place where folks look just like me and folks are so incredibly supportive...and I just met the folks! About 10 items I walked away with, they were recommended to me...again, by folks I just met. It was such a supportive event and I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE!!

There isn't one coming up - but put this link in your favorites!

All for now.

Things coming up and this shelf I found outside and Pam is awesome. Change your clock.

February was quite the interesting month. It snowed literally every other day. It was 0 or below almost every day. We got a new CEO at work. (Nice work David Munar!) And work, work, work, work.

Not much to report on the second hand side - but I did do a few things:

Pam's Goodbye to Wham Bam Pam Clothing Swap

This was a great event and shame on anyone who said they were going to and didn't because they missed a hell of a good time.

Not only was the act awesome, LOOK AT THIS COSTUME!! HAND MADE!!
I'm excited when I can sew a button correctly.
(Photo by DW Garcia)

It was a little bitter sweet because Pam was getting rid of a lot of her burlesque costumes. Wham Bam Pam, Pam's stage name, went around the world and US amazing her audience with her beauty - both herself and her epic hand-made costumes - her spunky dances and her adorable raunchiness. I will miss Wham Bam Pam, but I commend Pam for knowing when it was time to hang up the tassels.

Don't worry though cause you can still see her host at various shows throughout Chicago. Here's to you Wham Bam Pam, for being one of the founders of the re-birth of Burlesque in Chicago. Also, Pam is great :)

On a side note, I learned that Chicos makes good things and their sizes are way different than anyone else out there. I kept eyeing these amazing work clothes, but the tags said size 1 and 2. I'm a size 16. Towards the end of the night, I picked a piece up, realized that it was a lie and then was explained how the sizes worked. Donna Touch's mom is great and I have a brand new work wardrobe!

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The shelf

Found a great ikea shelf outside! As I was walking home from the train afterwork, the shelf caught my eye! Dumpster Diving!!!

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Three things you should now about!

MARCH 16TH: Super Awesome Clothing and Stuff Swap: Bring your stuff! Take some Stuff! Guys, Gals, clothes, things, fun! Yes! Hosted by Me.

MARCH 23RD: Are you a size 12 or better? Then come to the Swap and Shop!

(from the hosts)

A clothing swap and vintage pop up shop for sizes 12+
DJPhoto boothRaffles sponsored by:Re-DressChubby CartwheelsVirgie TovarEarly to BedCandy Strike
Live burlesque and cabaret performances from Vaudezilla's Vanna Tease!
Swapandshopchicago@gmail.com
Swapandshop.tumblr.comFind more info here:
FAQ:http://swapandshop.tumblr.com/post/77012170319/swap-and-shop-chicago-faq


Facebook Group:

Do you like saving stuff, being frugal, want to know how to be frugal, like good conversation - join the Non-Consumer Advocate!

That's all for me. Another season of sales are coming soon!!! Warmth!

VaudeEstateLaphant

Just another snowy Saturday. This weekend I went and played at the Brown Elephant - love doing that!
Also went to an Estate Sale in Albany park - I would mention the estate sale group...but they really weren't on their game at the sale. They really looked like they didn't want to be there. Nevertheless, we got some great things. Logan got a meat grinder and a canning thing that helps to make jam. I got a plastic santa.

Also went to the first clothing swap of the year at Vaudezilla! This is a great event, if you are in the Chicago area. Not only do folks bring street clothes, but also burlesque wear...as Vaudezilla is a burlesque troup and studio. If you are a dancer or performer, this a great chance to trade off costumes that you no longer use for some new shiny ones. I got a sweater, some frames...and other awesome things that are not G rated. Oh, I also found a Bozo costume.

Short and sweet on my findings:

Vaudezilla Studios - a nice studio!

Findings from the Brown Elephant, Clothing Swap and Estate Sale

*The cups on the right - tons of cups for the CHILI COOKOFF!!*

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Last week I got some great feedback on dumpster diving. My good buddy, Elisabeth, shared this flickr site with me, called perfectly good. Excellent photos of what one person has found in Chicago's dumpsters. Check it out!