Monthly Archives: July 2012
Great Discoveries for Low Prices at Garage Sales
Garage sales are a great way to find things you need for a very small price. From Mustang parts to furniture, everything including clothing can be found at a garage sale. Many people use these types of sales to unload things they no longer need or to raise extra money. They may also be called yard sales, moving sales, or even estate sales.
The best part about these types of sales is some of the things you can discover. Some have used area sales to stock their thrift stores, buy and sell online for a profit, and to furnish their homes. Below is a list of some of the items that you might pick up at a garage sale.
Top Ten Items You can Find at a Garage Sale
1. Clothing
Probably the easiest thing to find at a sale of this nature is clothing. Many people sell baby clothing and adult clothing that no longer fits. The one issue with finding clothing at a garage sale is the condition it is in.
2. Baby Items
Since babies only need strollers, car seats, clothing, toys, cribs and other items for a little while, many garage sales will feature these items.
3. Tools
Tools are another very popular find at yard sales, since many people sell their old tools when they upgrade to newer models.
4. Car Parts
You will find many parts for cars at garage sales. Some might even find rare Mustang engines, while others may find very general items, like a steering wheel cover. If you look hard enough, you can find some very impressive car parts at a garage sale.
5. Collectibles
Another item that many search for is collectibles. This can include anything from Disney items to old antique coins. You may be surprised what someone will sell at a garage sale without knowing what it really is or how much it is worth.
6. Household Items
Dishes, silverware, glasses, knick knacks, pots, pans and other things you use in your kitchen and around your house are very easy to find at these sales.
7. Exercise Equipment
Most people have a habit of buying exercise equipment and either not using it or upgrading at some point. This means they have a surplus and they will sell equipment at their sale for very cheap.
8. Furniture
Just about any type of furniture you can think of will be found at these sales, especially moving sales.
9. Electronics
Many times, you can pick up televisions, DVD players, and other electronics at a garage sale. People upgrade these items all the time and sell their old electronics when they do.
10. Unique Items
Many unique things like jewelry, beer stines, neon signs and other items can be found at these sales. Nearly anything you can imagine can be found at a garage sale.
CJ, a guest blogger, regularly writes about many subjects, including finding Mustang Engines and other items at garage sales.
Drab to Fab! Dresser Refinish!
I’m going to start by saying, Don’t you hate it when you write something on an electronic device and then somehow it ends up getting deleted before you are able to send it to its destination??? Well, that just happened with this post 
Argh! But, because I’m so excited about this dresser refinish, I am going to write the whole.post.over.again. Here goes!
Everyone knows what Craigslist is, right? Well, I’m not sure how many people have discovered the “FREE” section on Craigslist. In my humble opinion, it is absolutely the BEST section! There are so many treasures awaiting, free for the taking! Free!!! Granted it takes some sifting through the junk, but there are some real diamonds in the rough! It is perfect for those with a creative eye that can see the potential where others cannot. Thanks to Pinterest (you all know how much I love Pinterest!), I am able to see the potential in some items that I wouldn’t have looked twice at before!
I’ve been browsing Craigslist lately for furniture for the new baby’s room (Yes! We have another little bundle of joy on the way!). I decided on white furniture this time around (to go against the gray walls). Baby furniture is perfect for buying second hand for a couple reasons. 1) It usually isn’t used for very long so you can find items in like-new condition. 2) Baby furniture in stores is absurdly overpriced. I mean, over $1,000 for a crib that you are going to use for maybe 2 years? Really??? Not this frugal mama! I bought all the furniture second hand in the first baby’s room, and plan to do the same for this one. Free would be even better 
Anyways, back to my exciting dresser re-do! I hadn’t had much luck finding white furniture in the FREE section of Craigslist. But then, there it was, in all of its (potential) glory! A large, 8 drawer, waist height, real wood dresser! For FREE! I was so excited! It was just what I had been looking for! It just needed a little elbow grease! I am still kicking myself for not saving the initial picture of it, but I took some pictures while it was in the works. I think you’ll get the idea of what it looked like.
The original color.
The drawers.
The hardware was a brushed brass color. It was a nice looking dresser. It has a couple nicks and dings, but overall, it was in great condition! It was about to get even better!!!
Here’s what we did:
1. Remove all hardware from the drawers.
2. Sand the shine of the initial stain off the drawers and main area. Since the drawers on this one had a lot of detailing, it was impossible to get in all the areas with sand paper. We bought liquid sander to do the job. (My husband had to do this part since the fumes are too strong for this pregnant mama).
3. Use a towel to wipe off all dust.
4. Paint with primer. We used a white latex primer. Since the dresser was going to be pained white, we wanted to be sure to give it plenty of primer to cover up the brown. So we applied two coats, letting it dry in between.
5. Once the primer was completely dry (we let it dry for 2 days), we applied two coats of white paint (again, allowing to dry in between coats).
6. Not liking the initial color of the hardware, I decided to spray paint all of the handles and metal pieces black. I applied two coats to these as well.
*Note: I did everything outside to be sure there was enough ventilation to do the project safely while pregnant.
I was so excited to get everything put back together and see the final product! My husband was too! When I had him pick up the dresser, he couldn’t see the potential. He begrudgingly picked it up for me anyway. He slowly began to see what I was imagining as we were getting closer to it being finished. The final product was even more beautiful that I had imagined! And DH was amazed at how great it looked!!!
Drab to Fab!
Doesn’t it look great!?!?! I’m sure there will be more pictures to come as I gather second hand goodies for the new nursery!
Now, go browse the FREE section and let us know the great stuff you find!
Love, M
Beauty is Pain, Foldable Flats are Relief! Kushyfoot Review
I think I might have mentioned before that I am a sucker for shoes. I can’t go into a store without looking at what they have for cute shoes. Now with that being said, I’ve got lots of shoes that I haven’t quite broken in yet. They all look amazing, but they’re not always completely comfortable when I do finally get a chance to wear them.
I usually save my heels for special occasions anyway, like weddings or a date night. I wear them for probably 2-3 hours and my feet start to kill. Sore feet are a pet peeve of mine. Usually I end up going barefoot, and my feet then get filthy. Not a great solution but it’s all I’ve had… until now.
Recently, I discovered Kushyfoot’s “Flats to Go!“. I’ve seen portable flats before but not sandals like these. They’re like a cute gladiator style and look cute with a dressy outfit or a casual outfit – so versatile! I put them on with sweatpants and they even looked good
Kushyfoot products are known for their reflexology properties, they’re made to massage your feet with every step to relieve aching feet of stress and tension. I loved the comfy feeling that I got when I put them on, I could just picture myself slipping them on after a long night in my fabulous heels.
I should probably also mention my very favorite part about these sandals – they’re foldable! They fit perfect into the little carrying case that they come in! My plan is to keep my Kushyfoot sandals in my glovebox of my car so that I will have them whenever I need them. The last time that I went running, I wore all my workout stuff and drove to a park to run outside. When I got done, my feet were aching/sweaty and I realized I needed to run to the grocery store still. I wanted to take them off, but I didn’t have any replacements… I think you see where I’m going with this! These “Flats to Go!” would have been awesome for that, but now that I have them – I’m going to keep them with me wherever I go!
They will fit in your purse, your car, your backpack, briefcase, the list goes on and on. Don’t try to tell me you’re not already thinking of the ways you would use these! It’s only natural. Ever wore boots or heels to a pedicure just to realize you can’t exactly wear them out afterwards? Kushyfoot.
You’re welcome.
Last but not least, there are plenty of other products that Kushyfoot makes that would probably interest you as well. They also offer more great legwear options such as toe covers, knee high socks, athletic socks, tights, foot and toe cushions, and flats.
Oh, and they’re affordable. You can order these foldable sandals online for $9.99! They also have these cute lace socks (foot covers) which are adorable! I’ve seen them on Pinterest and wondered where they’d come from! Now I know!
Be sure to check out Kushyfoot’s website for some great deals on all these wonderful products!
Hearts,
Ruby
Disclosure: I was not paid for my opinion or to write this post. I was simply provided a pair of “Flats to Go!” to review from Kushyfoot.
Not Your Mother’s One-Piece Swimsuit
One piece swimsuits are back, they have been for a couple years. But now your options are many! One-pieces are known for covering up imperfections or giving modesty to your swimwear out in public – and don’t we all love BOTH of those things? So when I’ve recently been on the hunt for a cute one-piece, I’ve found all kinds of cute styles! I just had to share some options with you guys, I think you’ll like them!
One Piece Swimwear by divinediva18 featuring 1 piece bathing suits
Which one is your favorite? I love that pink!
Hearts,
Ruby
Summer Fashion 2012
My passion for fashion has been going crazy now that summer is in it’s prime, and fall is right around the corner. Naturally I’ve been shopping left and right, but I have just been peeking at the collections that are out, I haven’t bought too much – at all! Hubby is proud. But from what I’ve been seeing, I’m in love. Bright colors, bold patterns, and retro styles. Don’t you just love it? It’s like a flash back to the 80′s. Anyways, I wanted to show some fun summer fashion for all kinds of looks. Here’s some inspiration!
