Auction Week...

So it was auction week again and I was so excited. After my bargain buys last month, I couldn't wait to get my number and start waving it wildly in the air (I mean, nodding discreetly and bidding like a pro). I convinced my friend Sheila to come with me...we were women on a mission.

What mission, you ask? Well...let me tell you, we were looking for a classy (and cheap) couch to sit out in the woods next Sunday when we take family photos. Sheila and I have big dreams of being photographers when we grow up and so we've decided to practice by taking each other's family photos this fall. I know exactly what I want and it involves a couch, some tall grass, wheat (or even some weeds) and some beautiful setting sunlight...check out http://www.kathywolfephotography.com/blog/ and see the family photo on the red couch...that's what I want.

So we decided that we could get a nice, cheap couch at the auction, store it in my garage, and lug it up on the hill next weekend for family photos. Here's Sheila trying out one of the options:

Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be, as that couch (and every other one like it) sold for between $150 and $300...definitely out of my budget for a one-time couch sitting, photo taking event. But we didn't let that keep us from having some fun, taking some pictures, and getting some strange looks while we were there!

Aren't these the cutest stools ever? I'm wishing I would have stayed to bid on them...they would have been perfect for my island. Unfortunately, they did not come home with me, and we did not snag the perfect couch at the auction this week. At least we saved enough money to buy queso dip, chips, and desserts at Applebee's afterwards. Not a bad deal, I'd say!

Auction Deals...

Steve and I went to a local auction tonight. If you've never been to an auction, you must go. Seriously. It is fun and addictive. I love that competitive feeling you get when you're bidding on something and you're over your limit but you keep going because you just want to be the winner. My heart races and I get all giddy (on the inside, of course). On the outside I'm cool and calm (can you hear Lady Gaga in the background: Can't read my, can't read my...no you can't read my poker face).

We don't go to auctions very often, but we have gotten some fun deals. There was the $4 chair that Steve bought behind my back. I was chatting away with my friends and I remarked, "who would buy that ugly chair. " I couldn't stop laughing when I realized it was Steve bidding two feet behind me. He painted it and recovered the seat and that $4 chair looks great in our morning room. We bought a tree at an auction (a swamp oak, planted at our old house). We bought a skydiving experience at an auction for $20...that was a deal. And I'll never live down the time I bought a used mattress at an auction. Just a word of advice here...never buy a used mattress at an auction. I had to pay to get rid of that thing the very next day (weird smell - even for the guest room).

Tonight we got some great deals. I'm thrilled. Check it out:

I bought this great mirrored shelf for $17. I love it, but I'm not sure where to put it yet and I'm wondering if I should paint it white or red or some other fun color.
And this mirror was only $1. It's nothing fancy, but I was thinking about painting the frame white and putting it in Kate's room. Or maybe not. There's so many options with this one. Did I mention that it was only $1?

So...if you've never experienced an auction and want a friend to tag along with you, call me. I'll bring my poker face and my competitive spirit. We can laugh at the crazy auction items and hopefully, score some good deals.