The Early Bird Gets The Worm!

I know I’ve talked about this before, but I just can’t help mentioning it again! This past weekend, my neighbor, mother, her good friend and I decided to wake up at the crack of dawn and go hit some garage sales! Trust me, its so much better rummaging through someone else’s garbage, because there, you find things that no one else will ever have. There are always interesting, funky little trinkets, art, furniture and more that you’d never find in any department store, and best of all, most likely its one of a kind!
This particular weekend, I was on the hunt for something great for my apartment. Well, when I tell you I hit it big, I really mean it. This isn’t some vintage baby stroller (which is the treasure I picked up last time), its way better! Amidst my travels, I came to the last garage sale on the list: Yes, we were smart about this. My neighbor and I mapped the whole thing out, searching the classifieds first for the sales we wanted to go to, and then printing out directions from one to the next, as to make the trip a smooth one, and it totally worked!
Anyway, I was a bit unmotivated after we hit the first few, because everyone else seemed to be finding such great stuff and I had yet to score big! I picked up a hat and a beautiful jeweled bottle opener, but my mother walked away with probably $500 worth of copper cookware for $60. My neighbor found a great rocking chair for $20. My mother’s friend picked up a few trinkets here and there and a great hat as well. But I wanted something big, something I could really show off, something grand!
First of all, we decided to hit sales all over West Orange and the surrounding area, that’s where there seemed to be the most going on within relatively short distances from each other, and so that’s the section we attacked. We got up super early and hit the road because as they say, the early bird gets the worm. It’s so true, I must say, because it was indeed obvious that we weren’t the only bargain shoppers out on the prowl that day. We must have arrived at the first home a little after 9:30 a.m. and it was already lurking with shoppers galore. This happened to be an estate sale of an old woman who had recently passed away. It was entirely obvious from what was being sold, that she had taste. This woman certainly wore her Sunday best every day, and paid great attention to detail. She had lots of great things, however, the people handling the sale of all of these items had them entirely overpriced. I stumbled upon a chair that I was interested in, total antique beauty, but it was $300!
So, we headed out to our next destination, which is where my neighbor picked up her new rocking chair. I have to say, we learned quite a lesson at this one: Never judge a book by its cover. As we approached the area, it was a bit run down and didn’t look to promising. But, we parked the car anyway and headed over, and to our surprise, came across some great finds! I didn’t actually buy anything, but the other three in my troupe did.
Like I said, I was feeling a bit discouraged, but that all changed when we pulled up to the next stop on the list. As I got out of the car and walked over, I didn’t see much that caught my eye. I quickly gave all of the items on display a once-over, and thought I’d be leaving empty-handed, again! But alas, as I was getting ready to leave, out of the corner of my eye I noticed a great piece of furniture that had gotten past me the first time. I stood there, looking at what almost looked like a buffet table that would be an additional piece to a dining room set, but as I got closer I realized it wasn’t that at all-it was something even better! What I found just so happened to be a 1950 Phillips radio and record player. It’s in perfect condition, working and all, with all of the original paperwork to go along! This is a great piece of furniture, a true conversation piece and full of history. When closed, it looks like just another cabinet, but when opened up it boasts the tuner radio on the top half, and a record player on the bottom that slides out on its own shelf. Like I said, it came with everything, original paperwork and even the little round plastic adapters to play 45s!
I peeked at the price tag and thought, “Oh great, I finally find something great and can’t afford it.” I thought the sticker said $250, but I asked the owner anyway, and am so thankful I did! It was only $25-what a steal! In a burst of excitement I blurted out “Sold!” and graciously paid the seller. It was quite clear that this was a cherished family heirloom because she was actually crying a little bit when I loaded it in the car and took it away, but I assured her its going to a good home. I will cherish this just as much as they do.
As I was walking away, the woman who sold me the radio said, “Go home, sit next to it with a mojito and enjoy!” I said, “I plan on it, but it’ll be a bloody mary, instead.” Her response, “That’s actually my favorite drink!” and so I said, “See? I told you it was going to a good home!”
The Phillips radio is now proudly displayed in my dining room for all to enjoy and I couldn’t be happier!