September 11, 2013

estate sales strike again

Saturday was a peaceful day. The hubs and I had both had long, stressful weeks and we had zero plans for the weekend. A rare treat. The girls slept in and the sun was shining. Life was good. If I was in a Disney movie, I would have been singing in a field with a blue bird on my shoulder.

We went out to breakfast and were heading to the park for some quality playground time when we drove by my favorite Saturday sight - an estate sale sign. My sweet and loving hubs, who knows me so well, immediately said "drop us off at the park and you can run by and check out the sale." (he gets an extra Christmas present this year) I threw helped everyone out of the car and drove over to check it out.


It was crowded but I wasn't finding anything that spoke to me. Until, on my way out, I saw him. I smiled and he said "pick me."

His trunk was "injured" as the lady told me, but all of his parts were right there next to him just waiting to be put back together. And at $2.50 I couldn't go wrong. If this dude was in tip top shape he would be a few hundred. Until...crap. I was so busy enjoying my lazy Saturday that I had been too lazy to remember my wallet.

I ran out to the car and checked for loose change. I found a dollar in quarters and took a chance. I explained that I wanted the broken elephant and was it negotiable. "All I have is a dollar," I said in my best 'take pity on my' voice.

"I'll give it to you for $1if you promise not to use Elmer's Glue to put it back together. That just won't hold like you'll want it to," said the old lady in charge.

Umm, OK. That's a deal.


I love his detail.


And I think I will name him Elmer. In honor of the coo coo lady who let me have him for $1.

Do you have any good estate sale stories? Do you have something you couldn't pass up, even if it wasn't in the best shape? Have you ever tried to glue something this heavy back together using Elmer's? I didn't think so.

And remember, there is still time to sign up for your chance to win a $200 gift card to Target! (oh yeah). Giveaway ends Friday!

39 comments:

  1. Love the elephant ... I just passed one up at Brimfield last week for $75.00 but his parts were all there!! You are making me regret that I didn't even attempt to haggle a little and bring him home!! xo

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  2. I think Elmer is the perfect name. Have you heard of these books? You don't have to paint him rainbow. ;) http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/elmer

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  3. Awesome find!! He's so cool and eclectic ;)

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  4. Hilarious! Elmer is precious! I love his color and detail! Good luck on putting him back together!

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  5. Get out! He's so freaking awesome! I am wondering what glue you are going to use.

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  6. Great story! I'll be interested to hear how you put him back together...

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  7. That's an amazing find! Love it!!! xo Kristin

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  8. AWESOME!!! Best deal I have seen in awhile! Make sure to post a picture when you are done. :)

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  9. MC carried two, exactly like yours, home from Asia in the 1960's!! We had them for years. I gave them to our son years ago. He has since moved to China, and yes, they are back in Asia. I was so fortunate to find a neighbor who had 4 white ones, they also carried them back to the States around the same time. They sold all four to us for $25! Only one was broken and fixed. I am thoroughly enjoying my new friends, Dolly, George and Gracie, and Julius!! I use them all over our home. They are great!!! But I miss my two original green ones....

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  10. Love Elmer!! I'm totally smitten fight now with anything emerald/malachite green! I went to an estate sale last Saturday and scored a few household items for $15 (brass, amber & milk glass), nothing as smashing as your find!

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  11. Yes he is great and did you get his friend the little phone ha ha.

    Ali of Dressing Ken

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  12. LOL!!!!!! Love that elmer glue sealed the deal! I just found the most amazing mirrors at an estate sale!

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  13. I love him and I love his name! I've never been to an estate sale but I've always wanted to go!

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  14. haha Elmer! The name is so fitting. I need to hit up more estate sales!! xo

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  15. Great story. You weren't going to use Elmer's glue were you? Can't even get a cup of coffee for $1.

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  16. Haha! Yes, call him Elmer:-). Love his colour and beautiful design. Great score!

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  17. love that story!! I love a piece with history!

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  18. I hope he lives in your house forever and ever and your grandchildren hear the story of how you loved him despite his imperfections, bought him for a dollar, and gave him a new home!!! It's a good story.

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  19. Wow, what a deal! I love it!! I've been on a hunt for some of these fabulous elephants... so fabulous!

    XOXO,
    The Glam Pad

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  20. Oh, he's a prize! Try Gorilla glue. My dad swears by it!

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  21. He is truly a treasure. So happy he found you! :)

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  22. Great Story! I love that you're naming him Elmer and that she even cared what you used to put him back together. I'm dying to know what they did to poor elmer--he's missing his base too. I know this because I have two of his siblings. :)

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  23. Love Elmer, he is so cute, LOL at digging through the car for change. I would have taken that table in the top photo also.

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  24. What a story - can't believe you got him for the change out of your car. That is pretty amazing. I've bought some very flawed things from estate sales before but never anything quite so broken or so cheap!

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  25. need to get myself to some estate sales!!! I have been saying that for a year! Great find! Love her name:)

    Laura
    House Envy

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  26. That's awesome! What a fun find. There was a huge estate sale in my parents' neighborhood and they forgot to tell me about it...apparently there were Persian rugs. I almost disowned them for keeping that info from me!

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  27. What an incredible deal!!! I have a huge soft spot for elephants and the color green so of course, I love him. Both remind me of my grandmother Yai-Yai who was such a wonderful inspiring woman. This is so her style, too! Love it! ;)

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  28. He's cute and elephants are so great! I have never been to an estate sale. I have enough trouble passing up thrift stores so I'm nervous finding another place to find things!

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  29. Oh my god, I love him. I have no doubt you'll nurse him back to health. And the colour is amazing! xxx

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  30. what a great find! can't wait to see him all fixed up and see where you put him!

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  31. That is gorgeous, what a great find! Love the colour!

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  32. $1?!!!!! Downright criminal.

    (not judging)

    Well done.

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  33. regardless of whether that you are simply just starting out Making use of your first apartment or perhaps you\'ve got a good well official abode, estate gross sales usually are a Mecca of furnishings to be able to appoint a good home inexpensively.svfunding

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