Yard Sale Cotillion

My mom had a yard sale on Saturday. Read about the sale she had a few years ago, if you want to know how she rolls.

These pageant dresses hanging from tree branches are the "Open for Business" flags to let everyone know that the sale has started. My mom has been trying to get rid of them for years.

She was selling four-daughters-worth of prom, sorority, cotillion and semi-formal dresses. Every one more hideous than the next. Velvet, iridescent, tulle, plaid, lace. You name it - we had it. We even found my sister Megan's dress that still had a faint vomit stain down the front. Poor girl must have had a stomach virus that night. Or maybe it was too much Zima in her hairspray bottle.

These two are my sister Erin's pageant/prom dresses. I am proud to say that she was Miss Brigantine second runner-up in 1990. She clinched it with her performance of Honey Bun from South Pacific. I can't even begin to tell you how pissed off she is going to be that I just wrote the last two sentences. (Don't tell her that I found an audio tape of her singing Honey Bun strewn among piles of Sheena Easton and Boy George cassettes at the yard sale. I'm in the process of converting it to MP3 to share with everyone.)

(Don't worry - these ended up going home with Erin. She'll pass them down to her oh-so-lucky daughter.)

Erin may be known for belting out showtunes, but my mom is known for her fake plants. And trees. My sister told me that this sea of silky plants was twice this size before I arrived. We were all so proud of her when she decided to sell them. It is such a big step for a fake plant addict.

Our kids don't mess around when it comes to selling lemonade. That damn tip jar had ten bucks in it by the end of the day.

Remember my brother-in-law, Doug (Erin's husband)? He has a history of dressing up at my mom's yard sales. Saturday was no exception. 

I don't remember this type of clothing ever being in style, but my mom and sister wore it proudly in the 80's. And now Doug continues the tradition...

 

My mom was selling these empty wine carafes for fifty cents. She became irate when I told her that I was throwing them away. "Put them on the FREE blanket. Someone might want them." I need some backup here, readers. Do people really save these? I swear - I won't judge you if you do save them (well, maybe a little). I just need a second opinion.

Comments

[Sarah]

Hahaha, that jumpsuit is really something.

Personally those wine thingys would be either trash or recycling in our house.

[Queen of Fifty Cents]

Dang, wish I could have come to your sale! There should be more of them with guys modeling the merchandise. I'm just sorry you didn't get him into the gold and white number from the first picture--would have looked great with the cap!

[Linda and Laura Lilly Cottage]

Oh i did have an outfit just like that...the jumpsuit i mean and sad it to it didn't look that good on me!!! You know I would have kept the wine carafes to load up with buttons and cotton reels or even ribbons, because you can see through them you can use them for displaying all your bits!! But then I don't throw much away I probably even have that jumpsuit somewhere...hmm lets's not think about that...have a fabulous day, kiss noises Linda Lilly Cottage.

[Kate]

Sorry to say that I am collecting jam jars to rival any old lady's mayonnaise jar collection... In fact, I call the stack in the corner of my kitchen "My crazy old lady jar collection." But they're so cute, with the gingham lids... and I use them all around the house. So I am not a good judge of what is recycling and what is collectible. Hey, I can recycle them anytime!

[Alicia]

I would take the wine carafes. They're really cute and they'd look nice holding flowers or just on their own in a dining room? You even make them look lovely in that shot. lol!

[Barb]

We used to "decorate" with those Paul Masson decanters when we were in college. I think we had them on a bookshelf and put our loose change in them. But I must admit I got rid of them decades ago.

[Lisa B.]

Ok, there must be some sort of blogland award for Doug in his jumpsuit! What a hoot!!

[vintagesue of VRS]

OK, that jumpsuit is worth the yearly price of internet service! And, I'd HIDE those wine carafes ... even paid for them just to stash them. Thank god for box wine now (easily recyclable and inconspicuous). There's my dirty little secret!

[erinberry]

Oh my God! Loving the picture of your brother-in-law in the jumpsuit!

[Suzville]

Oh my. Wow - that is one brave man. Or perhaps brave is not the right word. About the wine carafes - I don't know, but I wouldn't throw them away until after the sale. You never know what people might buy.

[C.]

I just happened upon your blog (which i've thoroughly enjoyed reading) today and felt compelled to put my good word in for the carafes! I love them! We don't ones like that where I live, though. And my experience is that people will pay good money for the most surprisingly ordinary things.

[Kim]

I love my family but can I be in your for a while? I'm a little sorry your sister snagged Doug... He manages to bring something of the Power Ranger to that jumpsuit. As for the carafes, when it comes time to start saving urine in the basement with the newspapers someone in the family will be happy to have them.

[stephanie]

AHHHHHHHHHH! The jumpsuit is killing me!

[linda thompson]

I use those wine carafs for chilled water at dinner parties. They are pretty and elegant with sliced lemons.
Ya, you could get a quarter for each of those babies!

[Heather]

I was the sister that wore that beautiful black jumpsuit, along with a big belt and a 1/2 can of aqua net holding my very stylish high hair together. The mid-80's was a very fashionable time.

I'm quite jealous of my dear brother-in-law, since he looks infinitely better in the outfit than I ever did. You go, Doug!

[Karen]

You know, I've been wondering for a very long while when men's fashion was ever going to change. I've always felt kind of sorry for men, with so few choices. As in.."Hmmm...should I wear the blue striped shirt or the gray striped shirt with my khaki pants? Wait I know! I'll get really wild and wear pleated front khakis!" I think Doug is on to something. Maybe he could test it out on casual Friday?!

[maria]

Dude in the jumpsuit is HILARIOUS!!! It gave me a HUGE laugh here at work.

maria

[Sarah]

OMG, I didn't know they still made Zima! Your sis and I must be about the same age because I got completely trashed on Zima at my prom date's senior picnic. Soooo embarrassing.

Lurve the jumpsuit. WOW.

[Karen Murphy]

Tell your mom that for an extra couple of bucks you get your own wine carafe and its actually full of wine!!! Pitch 'em! But can't blame her for trying to make a buck.

As far as Doug is concerned...a little tighter might be nice. Sorry Erin, but you know its true! hehehe

[Wendy]

That photo is hilarious!

[Gabby]

Correct me if I am wrong, but weren't those jumpsuits worn with the pointy toed lace up boots?
Sigh.....my mom didn't let me wear stuff like that.

[Gail]

I can always count on your blog to make me laugh! Love the guy in the jump suit... why can't there be more fun men around like that? Thanks for the smile on my face!

[nina]

Doug is rockin' the jumpsuit and the UC cap adds just the perfect touch of whimsy!

[Jenny]

OK, this is blowing my mind. I was doing my usual thing, going through yard sale listings on Craigslist for Seattle and look at this:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/gms/733884541.html

I KNOW THOSE DRESSES! (Because I was thinking that I should comment that it's a shame no drag queens came to your sale, or they would have been gone in a flash ...)

Apparently this person thought they were so compelling that they decided to use your photo in their ad.

If I make it over there tomorrow I will attempt to find out what the heck they were thinking!

Too strange!!

[Donna]

I personally like to save wine carafes, I also like to save anything glass as plastic seems to be the way to go these days. Donna from MI