Estate Sales: I'm Dishing all my Secrets.

I have been going to Estate sales with my mom for as long as I can remember.  You might be wondering what the difference between an Estate Sale and a Yard Sale is.  Well an estate sale is where everything in the house is for sell and you can walk through the home looking at everything whereas Yard sales are usually just items placed in the front yard.  I am not dissing yard sales but Estate sales are so much better.

If you are wondering how to find estate sales the best spot is to look in your paper. I know in Charlotte and Charleston there are companies that put on most of the Estate Sales and you can get on their email list.  They will email you prior to the sale with the location and pictures of the items for sale.  I am on the list here in Charleston and I get weekly emails.  The sales usually start on Fridays and last thru the weekend.  It is key to get there Friday or good stuff gets scarfed up.  It is also important to get there and get in line before the start of the sale because sometimes they only let a certain number of people in.  If you are not in the first group in you are just missing out on everything.

Estate sales can be overwhelming.  People are usually lined up outside way before they start and then it is crazy town once the doors open.  I love going with my mom because we can split up and divide and conquer.  Big tip is to bring a bag with you.  I always bring one of my recycled grocery store bags that way I can throw items in there quickly and keep looking.  Without a bag your arms will get full fast.  I have seen people carrying plastic bins to cram stuff in as well. 

 There are a few main things I look for at Estate Sales (now that I am writing this,  I am thinking is it a good idea to share all my secrets?  Oh well here you go, the wine is making me feel generous today.

{Jewelry}

Many estate sales have some great old vintage jewelry that you can score for cheap.  If if a necklace is broken you can easily fix it when the prices are so cheap.  Think outside the box.  Brooches can be remade into necklaces and rings resized.  Here are a few vintage items I scored two weeks ago for a grand total of $15.  I love vintage jewelry because it is so unique.

I looped the large pendant on a chain I already owned and have been rocking the heck out of it.

Two other necklaces I found at an estate sale downtown for $20.  Plus I also scored the Lucite tray for $5!

The necklace on the right is made out of ivory and such a cool piece.

{Dishes & Serving Utensils}

Estate sales are a great place to find random kitchen dishes.  A few weeks ago I found this set of vintage white cookware that you can use for individual souffles and pasta dishes.  Ina gave me the idea for that.  I got 8 dishes for $12.   I am always on the lookout for classic or vintage white dishes because they can match any other serving pieces.

I like to collect Sterling Serving Utensils for entertaining as well.  Here is another score, $2 for this great pair of old servers.  They need to be polished so don't be judging my tarnished spoons.  Look past the fact that are tarnished.  Silver is so easy to polish and clean up.

 

{Glassware}

Estate sales are filled with incredible glasswares.  Glasses are my weakness.  I think because I love to entertain and booze it up I love to have cute glasses.  Even if it is an odd number of glasses it is still a score.  When I entertain I love to mix it up and use different glasses.  I found these adorable star glasses for $10.  There were only 3 which probably steered most people away but it doesn't bother me and honestly Matt and I use two of them all the time.

I also love to find pretty pitchers to use for mixed drinks when entertaining.  This beauty was $1!!  I mean it cost less than a bottle of coke.  

Two other things I found recently, vintage crystal ice bucket and martini shaker.  Both were $4.

{Books}

I am always on the lookout for good coffee table books at Estate Sales.  Normally the books are super cheap at the sales.  Nowadays great coffee table books run $50+ a book and you can usually find them for $10 or less at estate sales.   Don't judge a book by its cover (literally)- I always remove those cheap paper covers.  I check the spines and covers underneath to make sure they are in good shape.  I look for books that interest me and that match the color scheme in my den.  I found all three of these ivory books at estate sale.  And actually now that I think about it my mom found the brass seashell at an ES as well!

{Concrete Potters} 

Concrete potters can cost an arm at a leg but usually they are dirt cheap at ES.  You may want to bring a man with big muscles to carry though because they can get heavy!  I know my sad pot is empty I am in the process of revamping my potters for fall.

{Random Accessories}
Estate sales are the perfect spot to score random decorative accessories for your home.   My mom found these adorable foo dogs for me at an Estate Sale in Charlotte.  Love them.

Other items to look for are Artwork, and Furniture.    Keep in mind the furniture can always be recovered or painted if you like it and the price is right!  Sometimes you can find smocked kids clothes as well.  And occasionally you can find legit purses.  True story my sister went to an estate sale and it was at the home of an ex-athlete in Charlotte and she score a Louis Vuitton Garment Bag.  Had it checked out it and was 100% authentic.  Moral of the story you can find great stuff at these sales.   Just remember not every sale is great in fact most aren't, you just have to dig and know what to look for.  I leave plenty of sales empty handed.  But it is the thrill of a good find that keeps me coming back!  So get on the estate sale bandwagon you will be glad you did- especially since I just shared all my secrets!

btw this is so unrelated but Sterling just said to me "Mama you are my favorite girlfriend."  Melted my heart.
and thanks to my girl Ashley who suggested I write this post!!

 xoxo