ANOTHER FABULOUS FRIDAY (I HOPE)

You haven't heard much from me this week.  I haven't done much shopping this week and when I have, I haven't had much luck.  I must of used it all up with my buys last weekend!  Well, I hope that luck comes back for tomorrow.  I'm headed with my antiquing friend back up to the O'Fallon, Illinois area to shop the shops there and then head over to Mascoutah to check out Popsy's Trading Post for the first time.  We went to The Painted Horse a couple weeks ago, but it was just before they opened their carriage house for the spring, so we're headed back to check it out!  I'm hoping we find a yard sale or two along the way too!  Oooh, or maybe a rummage sale!  I've got to get on craigslist and do some checking.  I also have an app for my phone, Garage Sale Rover, you should check out.  The Belleville News Democrat also has an app for garage sales.  I'm like a girl scout, prepared!

Front Window of The Painted Horse a couple weeks ago

I did make it to ZUMBA three times this week!  And that's two weeks in a row that I've made it to three classes, but who's keeping track (I am actually).  I LOVE getting my dance on!  I spent a lot of time in dance spots in my early 20's, maybe some of you from the area remember Mr. A's and The Elevator in Belleville.  Anyway, what fun getting my exercise and reliving my disco days, both at the same time!  And actually, I think my zumba deal is quite the bargain!  I go to Curves for Zumba class, but I am not a member.  They have this great deal where non-members can purchase a punch card for $20 and take 6 classes with it.  I like this pay-as-you-go option.  My life is anything but routine where I know I can go to a class at a specific time week after week or that I will even make it to class every week.  And I hate when I'm paying for something that I'm not using.  Ugh, the guilt.  So I think its a great buy that I only pay when I go, and if I don't go, I don't pay.


For instance, I usually go on Monday and Friday mornings at 9 a.m. (and on Tuesday evenings at 6 p.m.) but I can't go tomorrow morning (hellooo, I'm shopping!) so I went at noon today instead.  So, off shopping I go tomorrow with no guilt, I got my 3 days in baby!  Classes are held at a variety of times with a variety of instructors.  I was worried about catching on to the songs and dance moves and yet, also afraid of getting bored by the repetition of songs and steps.  But they do a great job of repeating enough of the steps and songs as for it not to be hard to learn but they mix it up and change the tunes often enough that you don't become bored either.  Hey, I've found out that "I'm Sexy and I Know It" (the song, not me, really)  It's been a LONG time since I've done any exercise on this regular of a basis.  Get this, I actually look forward to it!  Ok, not quite as much as I look forward to shopping but its a close second!

TAG, I'M IT!!!

Tag sales.  LOVE'M!  We were driving down to the cabin Friday, late afternoon and saw signs for one in Murphysboro - whoa, DETOUR!  But it had already closed for the day.  You need not worry, we got up Saturday morning and headed there, it was only about a 20 minute drive from the cabin.  We picked up a few fun things, take a look below.  Then, on our way out of town today, we decided to drop back in for the 50% off clearance (which most dealers do the last day of their sales).  And we picked up one more great buy!  Check it all out!

Antique Cast Aluminum (?) Urn Planter for $35 (Splurge for me but my birthday's next week so I told my husband he's done shopping for me!).  I LOVE it!

Vintage Concrete Planter - are you ready for this?  4 Freakin' Dollars!  Wait for it, wait for it . . . SCORE!!!!

Vintage 100% Wool Crewel (?) work pillow for $1

I CANNOT CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT OVER THIS ONE!!!  Antique (or vintage at least)  cast metal lion's head fountain priced at the already low price of $25 on Saturday, was unbelievably still there on Sunday and half price!  Yes, that's right, just $12.50!  Now, in full disclosure I have to say it has a chip out of the lip of the urn on one side (you can kind of see it on the left in the photo) but I'm just going to embellish (aka cover) that with moss I think!

A rug with a definite cabin/lodge look to it for $4, now at our bedside.

Vintage kitchen towel for $1

TRASH OR TREASURE

It's time for your weekly: is it "TRASH OR TREASURE"???  Here for your consideration is an old (vintage?  antique?) Cyclone Trademark Seed Sower, made in Urbana, Indiana.  So, what could you do with one of these?  Well, if its trash I guess throw it away, but, if its treasure, well then there are some possibilities.  What would you do with it?

Back side and bottom of seed sower

Close up look at logo on front of seed sower bag

BIG BARN BONANZA (#2) - ITS COMING, ITS COMING!!

This past weekend John and I rented a 14 foot U-Haul and loaded her down with "stuff" that is no longer needed at our house and we dropped it at "the barn"!  That's right!  Its almost time for another BIG BARN BONANZA!  I spent the afternoon yesterday at the barn, starting the set up for the sale.  The tentative date for the sale is the first weekend of May (5th and 6th).  And you just better block out the WHOLE weekend because its Millstadt's city-wide yard sales day on Saturday, it's Freuhlingfest in Maeystown on Sunday and I heard a rumor that there's going to be a flea market at the Waterloo Fairgrounds that weekend (maybe just Saturday, not sure)!  I'll be bringing you preview photos of items in the sale over the next month to whet your appetite!  Here's your first teaser!

I spy a pair of car ramps, a milk can, Christmas tree, bowling ball, golf clubs, dog crate, commercial steamer,  store clothing rack, a wine stand, hamper, tv and 12 feet more of good STUFF (including antiques)!

THOROUGHLY MODERN VINTAGE

Who's stuck in the 50's?  And I mean in a good way!  With a love of mid-century furniture design, memories from your childhood or the fun of the kitsch finds from that time.  If I've described you, then you'll want to check out Modern Vintage Decor on Gravois in South County (St. Louis, MO).  It is retro-riffic!  They just recently opened.  I shopped there a few weeks ago and went back last week to consign some of our vintage belongings.  I hated to part with them, but we're downsizing and selling the house so we had to say our farewells and hope that they will find a good home that will treasure them as much or more than we did.  So below are some of the finds from my first shopping visit and some of the items I consigned there last week.

I brought home this piece of marked McCoy creamware pottery to add to my collection of over 50 pieces!

Another drop leaf table - you know I LOVE these!  

COOL old projector - what a conversation piece!

NEATO camera!  8mm?

FUN vintage chair!  Can't tell from the photo (its better in person) but it has a metallic thread running through it!

One of our consignments.  We used it as a credenza in our office but could be used as a media center or bar.  Or how about made into a bathroom vanity?

Another piece we consigned.  From Lammert's Furniture Store.  We used it as a dresser but I think it would make a great tv stand/media center.

A blonde wood desk chair we consigned.  Its in great condition, so sturdy and heavy.  And stylin'!

On the left is a blonde wood with black legs file holder/magazine rack.  On the right is a beautiful wood and leather magazine rack.  Both were unusual finds that I haven't seen again anywhere but they're just not needed in the downsizing.  Sad to part with them though.

While some (or all) of these finds may be sold by now (I sure hope some of my items have sold) other new treasures have taken their place.  When I went in to consign this past week she had doubled her inventory since my first shopping visit.  For instance, last week she had gotten in a Heywood Wakefield Dog-bone dining set in wheat with table, 6 chairs and china hutch.

If you're interested in consigning, its very easy.  Take your items in, she'll inventory them and have you sign a contract and you're done.  You get 50% of whatever it sells for and she keeps 50%, a standard consignment agreement.  If you have further questions visit their website at www.modernvintagedecor.com and become a follower on facebook or twitter to be the first to hear about sales and promotions.

RUMMAGE FOR RUMMAGE!

Do you have stuff collecting dust and taking up space around your house?  I know I do!  I've been clearing things out around here, lightening my load.  And it feels really good!  The less "stuff" in your house the less "stuff" you have to clean and take care of, which gives you more time to go out . . . and look for new "stuff"?  (Is there something wrong with my thought process there?  Nah!)


So with all that in mind, if you need a easy way to dispose of all that "stuff," that also benefits a great local cause, think about donating it to the Columbia High School After Prom Committee Rummage Sale slated for Saturday, April 14th!  They will accept donations Friday, April 13th from 3 to 9 p.m. at the high school.  If you can't get it there then or you have other questions please give Kim a call at (618)281-6328 or email her at kstumpf@htc.net.


And don't worry, once you have all that cleaning out done, I'll give you a heads up to shop the sale a couple days beforehand!  You wouldn't want to miss it!

RUMMAGE RUMBA!

We had a busy weekend but I'm never too busy for a good rummage sale.  And I found one Saturday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Columbia, IL.  I got there just over an hour after it started but I still made some good finds.  And I only spent $6.85!!!

Box of beakers and pharmacy bottles as found for $5!!!

My box of booty organized on the counter!  Just $5! Yes, I'm pumped about this find!

KITSCH ALERT!!!  Got this for a future white elephant gift exchange.  Yes, that's right - 10 cents!

That's a Fostoria Americana creamer and sugar bowl (25 cents each), whiskey glass (50 cents),  a retro ice cream dish (25 cents) and 2 bird cage feeders (25 cents for the two and I needed one for my birdcage).

Double Oil Lamp Bracket for just 50 cents!  I may use it for candles or plants inside or outside, not sure yet!

Close up detail of the lamp bracket.  So cute!!!

Up next?  This Friday there's an estate sale at 2141 Lebanon Avenue in Belleville (headed towards Shiloh).  The sale is being held by Keil's Estate Sales, find out more about the sale at http://www.keilsestatesales.com/.  They have great photos of most of the items in the sale.  I'm eyeing some concrete deer!  My husband won't be happy 'bout this!

SATURDAY'S TRASH OR TREASURE?

This is the first in a series of posts.  Once a week on Saturday (but don't hold me to it) I'm going to post a photo of an item and ask the question of readers, "is this trash or treasure".  I see things when I'm shopping all the time that I ask myself that question.  A lot of times I'm shopping with a friend that I've antiqued/junked with since we got out of college (yes, many, many moons ago) and I've found sometimes something that I think is a treasure, she thinks is junk (and visa versa).  As the saying goes, "one man's trash is another man's treasure."  So, without further adieu, let's see what you think!

  

TRASH OR TREASURE?

I'll let you know what I think later, I don't want to influence your vote!  If you don't want to go through signing up here to vote please go over to my facebook page and place your vote there.  Here's the link:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Debbies-Bargain-Basement/266607570028663.  Just find the facebook post that links to my blog post "Trash or Treasure" and vote under comments!  

VISIT TO THE DISTILLERY (BUILDING)

LOVE the antler floor lamp!

I ditched the housework Tuesday and hit the town for a little shopping at two of my favorite local shops.  The weather was exceptional so I had to make it an exceptional day!  The Distillery Building on Main Street in Columbia houses two exceptional shops - Elements Off Main and Agnes Ross.  Owner, Erika Gregory Baum, keeps the store merchandised so fresh and fun to shop.  She has an excellent mix of consigned furniture and home decor along with jewelry bought at market and crafted by local artisans, a line of candles, handbags, women's and children's clothing, other local artists' work and more.   Check out the photos of a few of the finds at Elements.

60% select jewelry pieces!

Beautiful dining room set and tabletop items.

Think Spring!  with these tabletop items.

A pair of fun, funky and fabulous lamps!

I guess I had lamps on the mind because I found an antler lamp that I would have loved to have and I thought the two white globe lamps were just so fun and funky, I only wish I had a home for them too!  Maybe one of you can give them a good home!  Visit Element's website or find them on facebook for more information.

Agnes Ross is down a couple doors in the same building.  What a beautiful store, they just recently went through a remodel.  Lauren Nobbe, the owner, has exquisite taste and carries many lines of fine items from gourmet food to wine, Caldrea, K. Hall Designs and more.  Check out the photos from my visit there.

75% off items at Agnes Ross

Yummy gourmet food items.

The interior of the shop

K. Hall Designs and more

Oooohhhhhh, WINE!

I picked up a couple of bottles of wine on my visit (and enjoyed one of them last night) and an arts and crafts period reproduction copper light switch plate (whew, that's a long description!) that was 75% off!  Visit Agnes Ross' website or you can also find them on facebook.  I suggest "liking" both stores on facebook so you can follow their new arrivals, sales and promotions.

PART DEUX

More from my shopping adventures in St. Louis a couple of weeks ago.  The Green Shag Market informed us that there was another shop a block down, around the corner.  So we braved the cold and wind and blew down the street to Quintessential Antique and Furniture Company.  And were we glad we did!

What a wonderful shop.  Truly, the wonders.  So many unusual items, we found a very well curated selection.  

They had the most fantastic selection of corbels that I've ever seen, some beautiful wall hangings from needlework pieces to oil paintings.  Two of my personal favorites that I wish I could have found a home for in my home were a armillary sphere lamp for under $50 ( thought that was an unbelievable price for such a statement piece) and a large wall pocket, for lack of knowing exactly what its original use was.  I wondered if it had at one time been a wall mounted refuse can but in this incarnation I could see it filled with forsythia branches in the spring and red twig dogwood branches and evergreens in the winter, on a porch or entry of a house.

They also had a large selection of beautiful architectual pieces and furniture.  Here's the catch, they are only open the first 7 days of the month from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  That's easy enough to remember, though, 7 days, 7 to 7!  They are located at 5707 Manchester.  Find them on the web at www.antiquesstlouis.com or on facebook search for Quintessential Antique and Furniture Company.  Call them at 314-531-9701.

Next up was the furniture and home decor consignment shop Consign and Design Galleries, located at 10036 Manchester Road (one mile east of Lindbergh Rd.)  They had such an eclectic selection of items from new to vintage to antique.  Fun painted furniture pieces, repurposed items, like a sweet silver tray chalkboard, even jewelry.

Owner Nancy Cullen has done a beautiful job merchandising and organizing the store.  And there is so much to take in.  You really have to look up, down and all around to take it all in.  Why you'll see chairs hanging from the ceiling, just too cute!

With spring coming they had some wonderful wicker pieces to brighten any sunroom or porch and great accessories to go with them!  Find them on facebook and take a look at all the photos of their inventory.  You can check them out on their facebook page Consign And Design Galleries.  They are open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and even Sunday (I LOVE stores that are open on Sunday) from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Their phone number is 314-394-2222.

Next up (later this week or next week) I'll give you the 411 on Modern Vintage Decor.  I also visited there on my trip but I'm going back this week to consign some items so I'll fill you in on both sides (buying and selling) of the shop in another post!  In the meantime, get out there and shop!  And tell them you heard about them from Debbie's Bargain Basement!