I was a lucky ducky last week, invited to an estate sale "pre-sale" which is for dealers only- they get to go in a a few days before the public estate sale starts and get first dibs on all the snaggable items! Who knew? And how did I get to go to such a thing? Because my awesome realtor Jeff is putting the house up for sale and knows how into vintage stuff I am, so he had the estate sale folks invite me. Thanks again Jeff!
I got to walk around a home FILLED with stuff to buy and no estate sale crazies to compete with! It was pretty much a dream come true. And buy I did- mostly just little stuff, there weren't any big ticket items I was interested in. But want to see what I got?
{a tea towel with a little sticker that says "Belgian Linen"- gorgeous and looks untouched}
{more little linen tea towels and a cute planter}
{binoculars in their original case, which is so so awesome and smells like cigars- was it once a secret hiding spot?}
{these adorable ceramic owl tiles which have a notch in the back for hanging on the wall- I have the perfect spot for them!}
{a sunny little apron and another linen tea towel with a hand-embroidered flower}
{a handful of cute vintage earrings- this is only half of them!}
{this pretty skirt + the skirt I was wearing in my engagement photos, a super soft and thin Pendelton wool cardigan and a pretty shawl scarf}
{this rug, which my dog promptly ate a big hole into the first night after I brought it home- thanks Otis!}
{this amazing necklace which is now one of my favorite finds ever!}
{and a wedding dress! Will it be my wedding dress? Probably not, although it fits me perfectly which is a little freaky. I had to get it just to get it!}
The white dress is amazing! And it definitely fits you perfectly.
Posted by: Jes | Jul 22, 2010 at 10:16 AM
Estate sales are the best! I got some of my best jewelry from helping somebody set up an estate sale - I was allowed to pick a few things to take as payment! awesome!
The tea towels and the Pendleton are my favorite finds of yours... and that dress! it is gorgeous!
Posted by: Emily Rose | Jul 22, 2010 at 10:17 AM
Omy gosh great finds!!! I LOVE the dress. I think its perfection!
Posted by: Ann | Jul 22, 2010 at 10:27 AM
That dress is great! It would look awesome a bit shorter.
Posted by: iris | Jul 22, 2010 at 10:28 AM
The dress is breathtaking. I have never seen anything like it and for it to fit you perfectly... wow! lucky lady!
Posted by: emmeline | Jul 22, 2010 at 10:30 AM
You snagged some great stuff! I LOVE that wedding dress on you.
Posted by: Christine | Jul 22, 2010 at 10:32 AM
that wedding dress is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It looks like it was made for you too! What a great find!
Posted by: Sarah | Jul 22, 2010 at 10:33 AM
That is the coolest wedding dress of all time. you should use it. so stylish and different and awesome!
Posted by: silvana | Jul 22, 2010 at 10:38 AM
going to have to agree with everyone and say how amazing that dress is!
Posted by: chelsea | Jul 22, 2010 at 10:38 AM
Wow, great finds. I would totally adjust that dress to be a mid-thigh length. Or would that be committing some big vintage crime?
Posted by: Adele {modernemotive} | Jul 22, 2010 at 10:39 AM
Great finds, but I want the turquoise table that you photographed them on!!
Posted by: Michelle | Jul 22, 2010 at 10:41 AM
wow what great stuff you scored!! love all of it!! thanks for sharing. :)
Posted by: nicolle | Jul 22, 2010 at 10:46 AM
I know, that's what I was thinking! It'd be more my style (and easier to walk in) if it were short.... hmmm!
Posted by: Miss Modish | Jul 22, 2010 at 10:48 AM
I have an old set of binocs in their original case and original box! My husband tried to get me to pass it off to the Goodwill...no way.
I like the dress, I think it fits you beautifully. I bet you could add your own touches and alterations to make it more 'you' and love it even more!
Posted by: Stephanie | Jul 22, 2010 at 10:51 AM
wow! you are the luckiest girl in the world! I love it all...
Posted by: christina | Jul 22, 2010 at 10:55 AM
Great finds! I love, love, love that white lace dress. So beautiful!
Posted by: afreckledlip | Jul 22, 2010 at 10:58 AM
The owl tiles! The earrings! The wedding dress! So much greatness.
Posted by: Mallory | Jul 22, 2010 at 11:24 AM
WOW! You got some great finds! I want that stuff too! I really really love the skirt you were wearing in your engagement pictures! So jealous! I actually like the white dress too, the bow is darling but I do think it needs something....maybe the neckline and the hem...?
Posted by: Laurie H | Jul 22, 2010 at 11:39 AM
That white dress looks amazing on you!
Posted by: melinda ke | Jul 22, 2010 at 11:51 AM
that freaking dress is HOT! HOT! HOT! And you look so freaking good in it! love it!
Posted by: pam | Jul 22, 2010 at 11:53 AM
amazing dress! i <3 estate sales...now i'm dreaming of being invited early...
Posted by: Jamie | Jul 22, 2010 at 12:00 PM
OMGosh you really scored! Apron = covet. Necklace = want. Owl tiles = yes please!
Posted by: sunny | Jul 22, 2010 at 02:00 PM
Oh my goodness, my grandmother had an exact same binocular and case set as the one you have! In fact I think my mom still has it. It's still in perfect condition. Can't remember the make though...I guess you don't expect to see the same vintage set when you are in the UK! :-)
Posted by: Ruth | Jul 22, 2010 at 03:13 PM
All I have to say is your blog and your constant stream of wonderful pictures from antique shopping and flea markets has definitely upped Portland on the "right" place for me (my coworker also used to live in oregon and raves about it). I have started to job search there as well. so if you know anyone in science or public health. let me know!! LOL
love your blog! and congrats again!
Posted by: Jen | Jul 22, 2010 at 03:45 PM
Wow what amazing finds!!
And that dress looks Gorgeous on you!!
Posted by: amanda | Jul 22, 2010 at 03:51 PM
Dang, girl, those are some amazing finds! :) Especially love the skirt, and the dress of course!
Posted by: Trude | Jul 22, 2010 at 04:01 PM
I think you SHOULD wear the dress. It is beautiful. And if you decide not to, you could shorten it to knee-length and wear it.
Posted by: Fiona | Jul 22, 2010 at 04:12 PM
I saw the suggestion of a mini. That would totally work, too, and would be super-cute in winter with colored tights.
Posted by: Fiona | Jul 22, 2010 at 04:13 PM
oh wow I would totally make that your wedding dress, "something old"!! Maybe alter the necline to a scoop or V! I love! You really can't go wrong whatever you decide to do with it...or even if you leave it alone, perfection!
Posted by: Evie | Jul 22, 2010 at 05:05 PM
My two favorites are the owl tile and the DRESS!!!! So cute and it seems soooo you!!!
congrats on all the great finds!
Posted by: AcanthusNichole | Jul 22, 2010 at 05:36 PM
wowzers!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE the owl tiles, the tea towels and apron - and of course the white dress, you look stunning in it I might add!
Posted by: Melanie | Jul 22, 2010 at 06:31 PM
Hang on to that wedding dress!! It's perfect on you.
Posted by: Sarah J | Jul 22, 2010 at 08:49 PM
I'm glad you had a good time although I wouldn't say you bought only little things, they are great! I was able to score a 50's coffee table that's really awesome. In the future I'll make sure you get the calls on the other pre-sales as well :)
Posted by: Jeffrey Yen | Jul 22, 2010 at 10:52 PM
wow you found some real treats!
the wedding dress is amazing
Posted by: Lauren Crawford | Jul 23, 2010 at 03:05 AM
You definitely have to wear that dress somewhere special. It looks fabulous on you.
Posted by: Laura | Jul 23, 2010 at 05:22 AM
Dang, HOmie!!!!!!!!!!!! That white dress is awesome!!!
Posted by: Stephanie Coop | Jul 23, 2010 at 07:51 AM
Looks like you got some awesome finds. All of it is perfect, but that dress is fantastic!
Melissa
Posted by: The Frugal Style | Jul 23, 2010 at 09:00 AM
If nothing else, you could do a vintage-inspired photoshoot with said wedding dress, maybe the day before or the week before? Something fun and completely selfish in the best sort of way. It really is quite lovely!
Posted by: Bridget | Jul 23, 2010 at 09:15 AM
I have a pair of binoculars just like that... case and all. they belonged to my parents via my grandparents. I love them.
That dress is fantastic! It's perfect as is, but would also look wonderful shortened.
Posted by: Terri | Jul 23, 2010 at 10:14 AM
First, I'm loving the dress on you. It does fit you perfect.
Those owl tiles are adorable. You came away with a nice haul from the pre-estate sale.
Posted by: Shell | Jul 23, 2010 at 10:36 AM
oh my god i **LOVE** that wedding dress. i would definite shorten it though but i think it's perfect. after the wedding you could dye it and have a super sweet cocktail dress for any occasion.
Posted by: rifferaff | Jul 23, 2010 at 01:55 PM
what luck!
Posted by: laura | Jul 24, 2010 at 04:15 PM
that dress...that dress...that DRESS!!! OMG I'm going absolutely bananas over here about it. What a great find :)
Posted by: Mrs. Lemons | Jul 25, 2010 at 04:33 PM
holy moly. THE DRESS. you look amazing. totally think you should keep it and wear it one day.
Posted by: Catherine | Jul 25, 2010 at 07:03 PM
That wedding dress is THE most gorgeous thing I have ever seen. Ever. Hands Down. Period. I love it.
You should keep it and/or wear it and then give it to me when I get engaged :)
Posted by: Annie | Jul 26, 2010 at 08:04 AM
love the owl tiles! you look great in the dress and i know i'm in the minority here-- but i think the print overwhelms your tiny frame and would take all the attention away from your face. but maybe it's just the lighting, don't hurt me!! :)
Posted by: lindsay | Jul 26, 2010 at 03:53 PM
haha! no way! Thats so funny! I kind of agree with you actually, it looks cool in photos but in real life it seems like the print is an awful lot. I actually found another dress that will be THE dress! Will reveal soon (needs some tiny alterations :)
Thanks for saying hello!
jena
Posted by: Miss Modish | Jul 26, 2010 at 07:26 PM
wow you look GORGEOUS in that wedding dress girlie!!!!!
amazing.
xo
Alix (modern kiddo)
Posted by: Alix from modern kiddo | Jul 26, 2010 at 09:43 PM
Oh! That dress is breathtaking
Posted by: Sandy | Jul 27, 2010 at 07:48 AM
glad i didn't offend! and looking forward to seeing the chosen dress (i have my first dress fitting next week). been lurking here forever, thought i'd finally chime in...love your blog :)
Posted by: lindsay | Jul 27, 2010 at 07:21 PM
If for some reason you decide to sell this dress I'd love to consider buying it! SERIOUSLY!
Posted by: Ali | Oct 27, 2010 at 03:03 PM