Bohemian Yard Sale

The Craigslist post advertised a "bohemian yard sale" with an actress and costume designer having cleaned out her closet and selling her wares. I'm there!! It was worth the trip out of my own town, and into East Brunswick:





Here are Jennifer Caswell and Francesco Paladino, and their daughter Lulu...they were two of the hosts of the sale, along with their friend Penny, a costume designer (the fabulous gowns were hers).



And here are more of their incredible items:





I bought the yellow repro railroad lamp...it had been part of an Anthropologie window display! I also bought this fabulous bag:



As usual, everyone was very nice, and I stayed to chat for quite a while. That's the beauty of garage sales...great finds, great people...what's not to love!

South Brunswick's Americal Legion Auxiliary Flea Market

On a perfect summer weekend when it's not raining, the humidity is low, and the sun is shining, crowds of people head to the Jersey Shore. Not me! I scour Craigslist and the South Brunswick Post (and Patch) for garage sales and flea markets. And what's better than a flea market? A flea market practically in your back yard, with practically professional vendors!

While there isn't a huge amount of outside space at the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 401 on Major Road in Monmouth Junction, the vendors were arranged to make the most of what room they could. I lost count of how many tables I visited, but they seemed endless! And the finds!! Vintage galore in all varieties; clothing, jewelry, kitchen items, and my favorite...a bowl full of vintage scouting merit badges. Many of the vendors were collectors with top quality items, and they really knew their stuff.

Aren't these post cards the coolest?
















Debbie Katko is the artist who created these beautiful paintings. She can sometimes be found at Englishtown, but if you would like to purchase one of her paintings, contact me by leaving a comment on this blog post.











I just love these merit badges...so vintage!



Local organizations like churches, schools, etc. and this week, the American Legion, often hold flea markets, and their space fees for vendors are typically reasonable ($10-$20). They attract collectors with fabulous items, who are vendors at many of the local flea markets...I recognized several from my weekend "picking". The vendors are friendly and knowledgeable, and I usually do as much socializing as buying. All in all, it's a GREAT place to score some terrific finds, and meet some nice people, as well as support the local organization hosting the event (the organizations usually raises funds from the vendor space fee, but I can't speak for all events). If you're like me, and love to rummage through flea market tables, I highly recommend the locally-sponsored "fleas". Having said that, if you regret missing the one at the American Legion, or if you want to visit the vendors again, many of them can be found at the Columbus Flea Market, or the Englishtown Flea Market. Be sure to keep your eye out for future local fleas as well...maybe I'll see you out there!

Mona Kay

Saint Augustine's Columbiettes Garage Sale

Note: While I typically post about events right after they occur, several factors, including illness, delayed this post. However, here it is...enjoy!

With spring and summer, comes garage sales, and with garage sales come sales for a good cause. These are my favorite! While Garage Sale Divas, Thrifters, Junkers, etc. are great people anyway, there's nothing better than getting such like-minded people together to support something worthwhile. The Saint Augustine’s Columbiettes of Kendall Park provided just such an opportunity two weeks ago.




From a member:

"Saint Augustine’s Columbiettes, of Kendall park, held a very successful garage and bake sale on Saturday, May 21 with the support of the South Brunswick community. What is unique is that all the items were donated and 100 percent of the proceeds will be given to a wide range of charities to help those in need. One of those to benefit will be a very special boy from the parish school, Edward Migliari, as his family is facing significant medical expenses resulting from his cancer.

The Columbiettes, is an almost-60-year-old Catholic women’s international organization affiliated with the Knights of Columbus. They are dedicated, caring women, committed to helping those in need as well as those serving our country in the military.

St. Augustine's Columbiettes will be celebrating their tenth anniversary this June 5th with a self-paid dinner at Pierre' Restaurant. During those ten years, they have raised thousands of dollars which were given directly to support many local folk in need for a variety of reasons as well as yearly scholarships to several students.

Their next fund-raiser is the Annual Spaghetti Dinner to be held in October."


They had a wonderful collection of items....I wanted to buy every single one of those painted signs! I also would have taken home all those lampshades if I hadn't remembered that I was tripping over a stack of them in my storage, still waiting for their refurbishing adventures. I did, however, buy a box of veneer for furniture repair, and some gorgeous porcelain blue and white floral (my favorite!) switch plates. Everyone was lovely and friendly...I hope they do another garage sale soon!

Have a great week...see you at next week's garage sales!
Mona Kay

Flea Marketing in Kendall Park

There's nothing like a community flea market right in your neighborhood! Willows Swim Club in Kendall Park, NJ hosted a flea market this past Saturday, and I had a lot of fun meeting the very friendly vendors. Some are my neighbors, some are artists, some are local business people...ALL are terrific people who got up early on a chilly, over-cast weekend morning to haul their treasures from their vehicles to a spot in the Willows parking lot.








Brushill Nursery and Landscaping had a spot with information on their services and plants to kick off the gardening season. My booth neighbor bought some gorgeous pepper plants that made me want to start a garden of my own.



Another booth run by Cyd Webster, author of Struck by Lightning and other bolts of reality



If like me, you grew up in Kendall Park, the Willows Swim Club is an institution, its seasonal opening signaling the end of school and the beginning of lazy summer days. It boasts a 6 lane 25 meter pool, 2 diving boards, shallow section, separate kiddie pool, volleyball and basketball courts, and 2 tennis courts. They are located at 22 Sand Hills Road in Kendall Park, and membership is currently available.

It's great to have flea market and garage sale season in full swing!! I'll see you all out there. Fair warning...I brake for vintage dressers!!


Mona Kay

Junking Karma

Like any rookie, I am still learning my way around the "junking world". I'm starting to know where to find the best stuff, what is timeless and what is trendy - who knew there were trends in "junk"? I'm learning where I can haggle, and where I can't (fundraisers, Goodwill shops). I learned early that junking people are nice, and that good manners can pay off in spades.

So this weekend when someone running an estate sale was a bit on the nasty side, I was taken aback, but I kept my temper (not an easy thing for me), and moved on. I hated to miss the cute little chair that I had spotted, but it was not meant to be. When the pursuit of an item stops being fun, sometimes even if I win the thing, I just never have a good feeling about it; it's so much nicer to enjoy the experience as well as the piece you fall in love with!

So I was surprised and delighted when I spotted a darling old chair at a garage sale in my neighborhood on the way home!! No Victorian tufted velvet, padded armed delicate piece.... I instantly fell in love with its character, its almost ugliness.


Imagine my astonishment when I saw the price!


The people selling it couldn't have been nicer; I stayed chatting after I made the purchase. They put it aside for me so that I could fetch my CR-V to load it up.

I don't even care how hideous the upholstery is...it is so delightfully vintage, and VERY COMFY!! I curled up in it this morning with my coffee and nearly went back to sleep.

I believe in garage sale/thrift shop/junking karma, now more than ever. I try to be patient and polite, which is usually pretty easy, because like I said, "junking" people are nice! I'm amazed at how many times I have to forgo an item which has stolen my heart, only to find a different, sometimes better one around the corner....junking is just funny that way.

What has Junking Karma sent your way??

Mona Kay

Salvage Goods - Urban Chic Antiques

Salvage Goods in Easton, PA is not your typical antiques shop, a fact which is evident from the moment you walk through the door. Every item my eyes fell on, I wanted immediately - I could easily and happily re-do my whole house from this shop. I can also name about a dozen people who could do the same, and with whom I would fight over several items...my sister included! I spent forever in this shop, and plan to re-visit often....enjoy the eye-candy below & you'll see what I mean!












Salvage Goods is located on 24 South Third Street in Easton, PA, and they are open Wed-Fri 11-5, Sat 11-6, and Sun 12-5. It took me exactly one hour from the Princeton area (clear shot up 287 to 78)...just about the same amount of time it would take me to get to New Hope or Peddler's Village, frequent weekend destinations for me year-round. While you're there, you can check out some of the other cool & funky shops...that is, if you have any time left after shopping at Salvage Goods!

See you there soon!

Mona Kay