So last Thursday I ventured out to my first estate sale. I had never been, and to be honest didn’t really know what to expect. But my oh my, I fell instantly in love. My cousin and aunt go every week, and they have agreed to tote me along on their ventures. I found a few treasures last week that I was smitten with, and today when we made the weekly date official by a second trip, I found even more goodies.
Josh’s grandmother’s cousin also died recently from a battle with skin cancer, and sadly his grandma had to settle her affairs in all of her grief. Several of us Duckett’s have helped her with the daunting task of cleaning out a house full of memories and preparing for our own estate sale. I have to admit though, I have been enjoying thumbing through all of the treasures she had accumulated through the years and luckily, I have been able to keep a few for myself.
I feel like I have come into a trove of old (but new to me) gems in the last two weeks. I took a few pictures to show off my new finds. :o)

I have started collecting a few religious items, medallions of saints, rosaries, and images of Madonna and Child. I was told that images of the two of them are a fertility aid. There is a statue (or fountain?) in Italy or Greece that people pray to for fertility I once read about and I have been collecting these images ever since. :o)

On the right is the small collection of medallions I have, and on the left are some of the gorgeous cameos I received from Josh’s family. The one on the far left (half cut off) was engraved with the family initials and the year “1910″ on the back. The large white one is also to die for, but I didn’t get a clear photo of it for you. It’s a woman in a coliseum type scene. Very Greek looking.
I also got these really old books today. The Tennyson’s book is dated 1876. The book on the right is the neatest old book I have ever seen. It’s filled with fun facts and tips on social etiquette, home keeping, medicine, grammar, the stock market, etc. It’s super thick! A fun find for sure! I also got some old books on Pompeii, and really cool Italian postcards and old maps…. Her cousin used to work for Buffums and I received a bunch of old employee manuals and guides on to get your first job, how to be a good sales person, etc. Some really cool things in that pile!

The vintage typewritter is from Josh’s family… I love it (and the color!). I took a bunch of vintage office supplies she had lying around. I also got some old French magazine covers, vintage prints, and those cute French looking statuettes.
Look how cute this old hair curler is!!! In it’s original box, with instuctions and super cute pink wooden handle!
Ok, now on to my VERY FAVORITE finds!!!!!


These might be some of my very favorite possessions…. the three old photographs are mounted on vintage photographer cards and were found today at an estate sale, but the two hats, the Parisian ivory brush, and two old photo albums are all from Josh’s relatives. The albums are filled with very cool old black and white images. You could have thrown rocks at me, and I still would have been smiling when I was given these amazing treasures! The only hard part is trying to find a place of honor that will give these special things a home that they are worthy of! Can you believe my good fortune? I feel so blessed to have married into such a loving family that trusts me to honor these special heirlooms.
I am meeting my girlfriend Summer for breakfast tomorrow morning, having birthday dinner with my father in law Friday night, I have my sisters baby shower on Saturday, and a mini photoshoot on Sunday for an upcoming “top model” shoot (6 year old birthday girl). So I have a busy weekend ahead… I hope all of you have fabulous treasure-filled weekends of your own!
P.S. The body of the house was painted two weeks ago (and I made sure to take photos) but we are not quite finished with the trim work, so I am waiting on that to share the “after” photos with all of you. Sorry it is taking me so long, I promise I haven’t forgotten!