My Treasures From the Just Between Friends Sale...

As you know, I recently attended the Just Between Friends sale in my town. It's a twice yearly event in the Spring and Fall or, for me, Christmas in April and September!!! It's no secret that I LOVE going to this sale. I have since my first one - back when Gavin was a toddler. My first purchase from my first sale was a baby walker. It was a steal - in perfect condition - and I bought it hoping that it would encourage Gavin to take some steps. It worked!! I have the best photos and videos of Gavin in that walker - and Brian pulling himself up to stand and pushing his brother around the kitchen. Ever since that purchase, I have been a devoted fan and friend to this sale and it's wonderful leaders, Tracy and John Panase.

Anywhoo.... I know you're wanting to see my treasures from the sale. My photos aren't the greatest (I'm totally losing my touch and think I should probably schedule a checkup with my eye doctor!) but the bargains are crystal clear.

I wasn't looking for a ton of things this time... mostly play clothes for both kids, winter boots, coat and snow pants for Hope, and I always check out the toys. One thing I love about JBF is that you can constantly rotate your toys to keep your kids interested. I can buy toys at one sale - and sell toys at the same time. And if I buy a toy that isn't a hit, it can go in the pile to sell at the next sale! Same thing for clothes. I just switched the kids drawers and closets from summer to winter clothes. I have a pile put aside that they may still fit into next year... and then I have a pile that I put into bags that I'll sell at the next sale... and I also have a small bag of clothes that I know wouldn't pass JBF's tough inspection (a stain or a little too worn, etc) so I have them set aside for charity.

The night before the sale is always unbelievable. Rows and rows and racks and racks and stacks that just go on and on... of everything!! Clothes and toys and baby equipment and games.

And shoes... oh, the shoes. There are so, so, so many shoes. This is just SOME of the shoes that I had to choose from in Hope's size!

There were more costumes this year than I'd ever seen before. I headed there first when I got to the sale. Brian hadn't decided what he wanted to be before I got there, so I texted some photos back home to get his thoughts... and he just wasn't ready to commit. But Hope is under my control and will be anything I put her in for the next few years (I hope). It was not hard to find something cute for her!!

Hope will be Dorothy from the Wizard of OZ!! Don't be surprised if her little basket has a kitten in it. We're all about going "off script" in this house. The costume is in perfect condition and has sparkly sequins on the skirt!! Best part - it was $2.50!! I found the sparkly red shoes separately and they were only $6.50. Pretty cheap Halloween costume!

 

I also got a brand new, in the box "Baby Alive" for $8.00 to put aside for Christmas.

One of Brian's favorite things I got for him (which he spied before I could hide it for Christmas or his birthday) was this light-up globe. He turns it on a lot in his room and loves finding different countries. It was only $8.00!

One of MY favorite finds was this game center! It's a Foos-Ball table, a pool table, a ping pong table, a hockey table and it has checkers and backgammon. It will be a great addition to our basement - and it was only $30.00!

When it came to clothes, I got exactly what I came for. A beautiful Land's End down coat that isn't bulky - but is warm - for only $7.50. Seriously! $7.50!!

I found a gorgeous pair of Columbia snow overalls for Hope for only $9.00...

...a pair of Merrell snow boots in her size for $12.00...

...and an extra pair of boots in a bigger size for $7.00, just in case!

While we're talking boots, I could NOT resist this swanky pair of Pedipeds for our fashionista! They were only $6.00!

And while we're in the shoe section - here are the other shoes I got for Hope. Glittery high-tops for $4.00...

Brand new, in the box shoes by See Kai Run for $8.00. These shoes generally retail for about $35.00!

I found a bunch of cute shirts and scored all five for $7.50.

Velvety loungewear (ha!) for $5.00.

And a couple outfits that will be cute around the holidays! I got both for $13.00.

I really did well in Brian's section. He got a brand new pair of corduroys for $4.00 and athletic pants for $3.50...

A collared argyle shirt from Gymboree for $2.50...

And I loved these two items. Brian picked out the skater shirt on the left for $1.00! The one on the right was a brand new hoodie. I really like the color blocking! And I loved the $5.00 price even more!

But my favorite find in clothes was when I came across a consigner that was selling a ton of clothes from Crewcuts - the children's "J.Crew." These long sleeve shirts (which are the softest shirts ever) retail between $17-$25.00. I got all five of these for $21.00!

And these three Crew Cuts shirts for $12.50.

This compression shirt ($2.50) will come in handy under his soccer uniform when the weather gets cold! 

And he's already gotten a ton of wear out of this Nautica zip up hoodie. It was only $2.50!

I knew Brian would love this thing - even though I had never seen or heard of it before. I stood there and googled it and saw that it retailed between $25-$60 online. The consigner was asking $18.50. I also saw that I could have bought it on Ebay for the same - or less - used. But it looked interesting, it was in front of me, and I'm all about instant gratification! I took a chance and bought it. We ended up giving this to him all wrapped up on Gavin's birthday. It was a BIG hit! Well worth it.

I also got a brand new, in the package, gift for Hope to give her on Gavin's birthday. A Fisher Price Noah's Ark. I paid $15.00 for it. It retails for over $25.00 new. You can tell that Hope loves it because one of each of the animals is already scattered God knows where around the house.

Brian also got a a fun basketball toy that keeps score electronically - brand new - for $10.00...

...and Hope got a Weebles tree house for $12.50.

Oh, and I also splurged and bought her this adorable stroller for $2.50. She was so happy that she rushed in to kiss me at the end. Watch!

I spent about $280.00 at the sale.

But get this...

I MADE $539.41 selling 148 items! And, if you recall, I barely did any work since I used a valet tagger!

But wait, there's more!

I coordinated a neighborhood yard sale in my old neighborhood that same weekend and had a sale myself in my old driveway and made over $400 selling a bunch of stuff we regretted moving to the new house. Whew!

Not too shabby, eh? I'd say it was a pretty good weekend.

Thank you, Just Between Friends, for another amazing sale. I'm already excited for Spring!!