Bargain in The Hamptons

Hard to believe one can find a bargain in a town where a bagel with lox will set you back $17 (you read that correctly). But a Saturday morning yardsaling in East Hampton turned up these four lanterns for $2. They're lovely kerosene lanterns made in Czechloslovakia. The seller wanted me to take the bottle of kerosene as well but I declined. With hurricane Irene at our doorstep, that probably wasn't a wise decision.

I also picked up a few pieces of costume jewelry at the Annual Fisherman's Fair for a few bucks. Could have scored some nice furniture for very low prices, but unfortunately the kids' bikes took up the back of my van.

127 Virgin Takes the Plunge!

I've wanted to check out the Route 127 Sale for years, but I live in New England, several states away. This year I finally made it! A carefully timed visit to relatives in Toledo gave me a full day at the sale. It was fabulous, exhausting, bizarre and well worth the long drive to Ohio.

My first mistake, planning an overly ambitious route. I started in West Unity, directly west of Toledo.

I thought I'd head south as far as Van Wert (about 60 miles) and then head east along the Lincoln Highway which happened to be having its annual sale at the same time. I thought I'd go as far as Upper Sandusky (about 75 miles) and then head back north to Toledo. I didn't account for all the sales and the visiting time. Although I've lived in the midwest, I forgot how friendly everyone is. I had to stop and chat, sign guest books, and report on my finds. In the end, after 8 hours travelling along 127, I made it about 30 miles from my starting point.

Here's my first stop at a church in West Unity...



I am still having trouble deciding what I enjoyed most--the sheer volume of treasures, the odd scene along a rural highway lined with yard sale signs and RVs and U-Hauls displaying license plates from all over inching along, or the sporting-like sense of community the whole event sparked complete with local signs to cheer us on "Welcome 127 Garage Salers!"

In any case, I've never enjoyed thrifting more! Despite the ever-present dusty exercise equipment circa 1980 and the piles and piles of used clothing, I managed to fill my trunk with treasure. Here's a peek at my thrHaul:

One of my first purchases, a pair of vintage troll earrings: $2.

It was Christmas in August for this Jewish thrifter. I just love these vintage plastic elves. The pair: 50 cents.

Notice the price tag on this new box of Hershey's Kisses ornaments from 1990: 10 cents!

I found four of these mid-century glasses with a gold and red design for 50 cents. That's 50 cents for all four.

I also found a load of cross stitch and needlepoint kits for $1 a piece, some vintage tin boxes for $2 each, a few vintage tablecloths (50 cents and $1). All told, I spend less than $40. Well, not including gas of course!

I'm already dreaming of next year.