The United Estates of Madge

When I was younger, my mum used to take me to estate sales--and I can clearly remember hating them with a passion. I always thought they were kind of creep-tastic. Here you are rummaging through some dead persons belongings; suitcases, vases, jewelry, clothes and the occasional underpants, most of which smelled like old people, were dusty/dirty, and really-- whomever is running said estate sale you're attempting to sell a candle that has been burnt for about 3 hours? Not a 12 year olds cup o' tea.

Like many other things I previously resented my mother for, I now thank her for. Any lucky Madge, I now live in a metropolitan city that has SEVERAL estate sales per weekend. Today, my BCF (Best Colleague Forever) and I ventured to a few sales. The first sale was a bust. The second, an encrusted gem!! It was outside the of the city, and for the record: quite difficult to get to. However difficult it may have been, all items were at least 70% off.
I heart Ikea. I heart cheap, Euro-trash furniture. And for the past few months, we have used what is supposed to be a bookshelf from Ikea to house our china, barware, etc. It was different, it looked nice, but it wasn't what I had in mind.

I have this philosophy when shopping, "If you hesitate--you must wait." And may I recommend giving it a spin--it truly works. I went from room to room at the estate sale, saw tons of furniture I liked, but I hesitated. And then...before my eyes laid the most vintage, 1950's, cocktails after work, Mad Men, dresses with belts and crinoline, smoking cigarettes and not knowing they would kill you, buffet I have seen. It was exactly what I pictured. The price $250. The guy who was running the show came over and noticed I had a few other small items in my hand, we discussed prices, I added that I really liked the mirror and lamp that were displayed with the buffet and ladies and gentlemen...$140 later I walked out with the following: 1 buffet, 1 mirror, 1 lamp, 1 tea pot, 1 black patent leather belt, 1 paisley scarf, and 1 frame full of of vintage photos.

The buffet is perfect, thanks to BCF's hubby for being my personal moving service. It houses all my china, barware, plater, AND flatware. Great storage space.

And storage, A-freaking-mazing...

The mirror is great too--it's HUGE! I told my hubby that I it reminded me of something that may belong in Versailes.

The lamp is pretty awesome, it has quite a bit of flare. Really interesting detail...in dire need of a new lamp shade  though.

And here are the tea pot, belt, and scarf...

And to me, these are worth it all. These were the first items I picked up. Immediately I was enthralled. Who are these people, where is Sugars, was this the previous owner of the estate, and who is that man she is looking ever so longingly at? I like to imagine that it was her secret love on a secret vacation to someplace fabulous where they ate at a bakery Anything Goes at Sugars.

All these photos were compiled into a frame, hence the reason for the discoloration. The frame had really seen better days, decades even, so I carefully started removing the back of it and this was what I found behind all the "secret rendezvous photos."

I was really hoping it was going to be an envelope of $100's--but I'll take some quasi spooky kids dressed to the nines!