UncategorizedI Feel Like I Stole Something and My Blogging Desk August 7, 2013Well, that’s a complex title, but oh so true. Now that y’all have heard about Haven, I’ve got to share some details of The World’s Longest Yard Sale. I found some great things that I can’t wait to use in the house, but today I want to talk about my craziest and favorite find. Get ready for the story of how I basically stole the coolest kilim ever. I went hoping to find a cool kilim rug. I have a couple that I love, but I had hoped to find a large one at a decent price. I was not very optimistic about finding one, especially after the first day. I found this beauty at the very first booth we went to. Many of you commented about this on Instagram. I loved it so much. It was 5×7 and pretty good condition other than some worn edges. The price was $150. Now I recognize that isn’t such a crazy price for a rug, especially one that’s a hundred years old. But it wasn’t a price I could pay. I didn’t go with that much money and it was our first day and first booth…too big of a commitment. So I kept searching. Over the course of the yard sale, I found several beautiful rugs, but they were all around that price. On the next to last day, we stopped at a couple of booths to see what they had to offer. I searched through all the booths and didn’t really see anything. On the way to find my mom and dad, I passed back by a booth I had already looked through that was still unpacking. They had a trailer out in front of their booth that had been full or furniture when I first walked by. Now, all of the furniture was gone and laying on the bottom of the trailer was this rug. I stood there looking over it and noticed that the edges were somewhat worn, but I figured it was pretty old. I actually don’t mind a slightly worn look on certain rugs. I didn’t see a price on it, but it hadn’t even been unpacked yet. I saw a couple standing close by and I asked them if it was their booth. When they said yes, I asked if the rug was for sale knowing that if it was, I’d never be able to afford it. This rug is about 7×9′ and I knew it was old. They stepped over to the side and talked about it for a while. When the man turned back to me, he said, “Ma’am, I’m sorry, but I’m going to need five,” and held his hand, all five fingers spread wide. My immediate thought was, “Holy crap, five hundred dollars!” I was expecting maybe two something judging by the size, condition, and other rugs I’d seen on the trip. I asked him to clarify and he said, “I’m really gonna need five dollars.” Before I could stop myself, my mouth fell open and I promptly said, “Are you sure you only want five dollars?” Now, don’t ever say that when buying something, especially at a yard sale! Usually you want to haggle some on the price, not try to offer them more money. Do as I say, not as I do. I was just so shocked! He nodded a response and then his wife came over. She started pulling up edges of the rug and showing me where it was worn. She said, “Ma’am be sure you want it now. It’s pretty worn.” I’m thinking, are you serious right now? A large kilim for $5! I don’t care if there’s a two foot hole in the middle, I’ll layer something over it! I kept my composure then, quickly handed them five dollars, and told the man he’d just made my entire yard sale experience. Then I sprinted away, the large rug rolled up in my arms. My parents saw me coming and came towards me. I ran up to them and said, “I feel like I just stole something!” Then I asked them to guess what I paid for the rug. I don’t even remember exactly what they guessed because I was still in such shock, but it was somewhere around $50. Even that would’ve been a low price, but they could tell by my reaction that I had gotten a good deal. Their expression was priceless when I told them that I’d just paid five dollars. I could not wait to come home and find a place for this big rug. I’m not sure where it’ll end up, but for now, it’s in my front room under my blogging desk. I’ve wanted to set up this desk for a while and have a pretty place to blog. It’s definitely not finished. I mean, the pictures aren’t even hung. But it does make me happy and it’s a good start! I got this cowhide pillow on the yard sale too for $20. I added a little gold, greenery, a candle, and some pottery. The little pot is filled with all the new business cards from Haven. I’ve gone through some of them, but have to finish the rest! Get me some tea and I’m ready to blog! The pictures leaning are some of our beloved downtown that my sweetie took. Hopefully having a pretty place set aside just for blogging will really help me work on yesterday’s “Brick by Brick” philosophy. I couldn’t be happier about my $5 rug.
Jillian says August 7, 2013 at 5:50 pm Awesome finds! I laughed so hard at that story – all I could picture was the old Ikea commercial… “start the car!!!” Reply
Lindsay says August 7, 2013 at 7:18 pm Jillian, that’s hilarious! I didn’t even think of that, but it’s so true and now I’m laughing! Reply
Lindsay says August 7, 2013 at 7:18 pm Thank you, Cassie! I am still in shock about the price. When I was typing the post today, I kept asking myself, “Was that really the price? Did that really happen?” Reply
Jessica says August 7, 2013 at 7:10 pm Lindsay, That is freaking phenomenal! Congrats! I wish I could go on that yard sale trip! Maybe next year we’ll plan a big trip! 🙂 Reply
Lindsay says August 7, 2013 at 7:17 pm Thanks, Jessica! I think it should be a rule that all bloggers go. It’s amazing! Reply
Debbie w says August 7, 2013 at 7:14 pm I love a good treasure and the good story that goes with it! The colors are beautiful! Reply
Lindsay says August 7, 2013 at 7:16 pm Thank you, Debbie! The colors are probably my favorite part. As a girl who used to like only neutrals, I’m REALLY trying to bring in color. The rug makes me happy! Reply
Jesse @ Scout & Nimble says August 7, 2013 at 10:01 pm I.cannot.believe.it. You lucky lucky woman! That is so awesome and I can totally picture your face reacting to the $5 whole dollars quote. High five lady…you are a rock star! 😉 Reply
Bethany @ Dwellings by DeVore says August 8, 2013 at 6:43 am What a steal! I would have been so excited too! It looks great in your space too! Reply
Kristin @ bliss-athome.com says August 8, 2013 at 8:31 am That is AMAZEBALLS! Pardon my French! I cannot believe it!!! Score. I want to go on that yard sale next year 😉 xo Kristin Reply
Jennifer says August 8, 2013 at 7:07 pm Holy moly, girl!!!! That thing is beautiful. And five freakin dollars?!?! Wow. I love how your work station is shaping up! Reply