when we lived in berkeley, i remember seeing the signs going up to advertise the annual white elephant sale...but i never went. this year, i finally did it. at the suggestion of mary at terrallectualism, i made it happen.
i didn't take any photos inside, there were just too many people and way too much stimulation. outside door #3 looks so calm, but don't be fooled. after reading online reviews, this newbie decided to go it alone-- hitting the preview sale hoping for a slightly smaller crowd--and sent my husband and kids on their own adventure for a couple hours. in retrospect, though my kids would have enjoyed looking at stuff and are well accustomed to pushy estate sale and thrift store crowds, i think a solo trip was the right choice. the sale is split up into departments, and items must be purchased from each one separately. first thing in the morning the shopping and buying went pretty smoothly, but as more people arrived and were ready for checkout, long lines developed. and you know how kids love lines ;)
once i was done i found a chair outside and used one of my trash bags full of vintage as an ottoman while i waited for my family to come pick me up. i bought a lot. perhaps too much. i bought for c&c, my etsy shop, me. i rationalize it all by reminding myself that i will make my money back, and that in the meantime my investment dollars will benefit the oakland museum of california. [a note about prices: i mostly stuck to the vintage racks in the women's clothing dept. while there were a few deals, most things were priced as they would be at a reasonably priced vintage shop. e.g. everything from a 70s sundress for $12 to a deco era dress for a couple hundred. a surprisingly lovely selection made for great shopping, but it ain't 99 cent day at the salvation army.] photos of my loot!? ha, that will have to wait as i am still trying to dig out from under it...
my husband and kids hit the adventure playground in berkeley as part of their non-elephant sunday adventure. i've blogged about it before, but it's worth another mention. if you have kids that are around 6 years and older, it is a terrific [free!] place to visit.
zip lines = fun
my kids made a friend who painted and later raced cars with them.
one of a couple of paintings my daughter added to the playground.
9 comments:
oh, that shiznet is cool. Nicole, you must be my patron Saint of playgrounds or something, cos that will be perfect. Sigh of relief. My boy will love it. I'm adding it to our virtual map thing right now. I like the photo of your girl about to go down the flying fox.My 4 year old goes on them now, and i have to turn away, and scream on the inside. Glad to see that you are still rocking your boots, and buying and collecting up vintage....look forward to seeing some of your loot lady!
hot damn that sounds like my kind of sale!!! glad to see you scored several garbage bags full of loot...always a good sign. and that playground simply rules. i want to paint and zipline there meself!
oohh! that would be fun to experience one of those sales. i bet you found some awesome stuff!
the playground looks super cool. i like your daughter's painting :D
Man, sometimes I think "why am I not living in Berkely??" Seeing posts like this only press me further. So cool. And how amazing to be at one of those sales. You are a lucky gal. At least we get to live vicariously through you :)
and thank you for sharing,
xx
J
p.s: I want a poster of that cute little elephant.
Fun day indeed! I can't decide if I'd rather be at the sale or at the playground...
Ah, the "I'll make money on it in the long run" rationalization, I know it well.
Oh man, I wanna see what you got!
I was thinking about trying to make it down for the sale in March (I've never been) but I'll only do it if I can go without Clover. Sounds like it would be too overwhelming with her.
Mary and I have talked about a future meet up to check out the Alameda flea market, neither of us have been, have you? You should join us :)
That playground looks amazing!
Sounds like a PERFECT Sunday- a little vintage, kids are having fun... all is well with the world! :D
I'm always trying to rationalize my inexpensive purchases. At this point it's not about the money (cause estate sales haven't been breaking me) it's the room I no longer have to store the goods I love. ;( Am I displaying hoarding tendencies??? nooooooo. It's so much more fun to shop than list items!!!
oh my goodness, what is so crazy is that we almost went to the adventure park on that same sunday! it would have been wild to run into you, but at the last minute we bailed on our plan and stayed in. we've never been, i'm happy to know it's as awesome as it seems.
so...whadja get, whadja get? it def gets nutty in there, i'm already gearing up for the free-for-all on march 3-4. i'm surprised to hear about the prices, as i have found some of fave pieces there for under 3 bucks. i wonder if they've gone up. hrmph.
i'm glad you had a good time and look forward to seeing photos of your loot, once you've put the shovel down. ;)
p.s. oh, and i second what missa said about alemany!!!!
blergh...that's me, mary, up there. still having trouble posting on blogger...
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