Guys, my treasure hunting mojo was seriously down for a little while at the end of the summer.   I was all down and out and feeling like a I needed a major score.  I know, I sound like I’m addicted to drugs.  But just vintage so it is ok.  Finally I hit big but before I tell you about how big I hit, let me tell you about the low so you can really appreciate the high.

It all started to go downhill on the yard sale scene.  Yes, there is such a thing as the “yard sale scene”.  Don’t question it.

First, I piggy backed a friend’s yard sale.  They were having a 2 day extravaganza.  Their first day was a blow out.  They were wheeling and dealing until they had to turn people away because the sun was going down.  Ok, that part is an exaggeration but it was good on day 1.  I had some goods of my own to unload so I decided to get in on the action day 2 of their sale.  Now, this was only my second time as a yard sale seller and my first experience was quite positive.  But apparently I brought some seriously bad karma to day 2 of the yard sale this time around.  We had all of about 8 customers and I think I made about $23 that day trying to unload my old junk.  We could literally hear crickets.  Crickets!

Lesson learned: 2 day yard sales are not a good idea.  Stick to one day. 

A week or 2 passed and I was still shaking that less than stellar yard sale experience off.  Nonetheless, I decided to get back out on the yard sale scene with cash in pocket.  I was ready to treasure hunt.  It wasn’t until the third sale of the day that I was ready to make a purchase.  I reached in my pocket to pull out aforementioned cash.  It was gone!  Totally gone.  I retraced my steps, went back to the previous sales and tore apart my house looking for the yard sale cash.  Gone!  A large sum of money too.  Ugh, it still hurts.

Lesson learned:  I dunno, maybe tape your money to your leg so you don’t lose it.

It took me a while to get my courage back.  But I did, of course.  Treasure hunting is my middle name.  I eased in slowly at the thrift store.  Scanning a thousand jackets, I came across this classic trench.  As I looked for the label (in the pocket), I realized I had a vintage Burberry reversible trench in my hands.  This is the stuff dreams are made of, friends.

Burberry!  Or Burberrys of London as this trench is labeled.  That is the name on labels from approximately the 1960s-1990s.  It is reversible.  Navy on one side and wool on the other.  This lame picture does it no justice.  I’m in love.  I haven’t worn it yet.  I just take it out of my closet and stare at it from time to time.

Next up is a swoon-worthy matching pair of chairs.  Can you believe I almost passed them up?  I spotted these at a yard sale but quickly remembered my strict “no more chairs” policy that I implemented on myself so I left the sale.  Thanks to all of your advice on instagram, I broke my own rule.  Thank you.  I went back and they were still there.  Fate.  I crammed those things into my car so quickly. I didn’t even care if a leg was hanging out of the window.  #crazyyardsalelady  They were too unique to leave behind a 2nd time.

Upon further research, I found that these chairs were by American furniture designer and icon, Ward Bennett for Brickel Associates. They are called the Landmark chair and are carved from solid ash wood.  They are so comfortable.  Comfort and simplicity were Bennett’s goals as apparently he had back issues of his own.

They are all original.  I love how the wood and velvet are worn in just the right places.  Gorgeous.  I am not planning on painting or reupholstering.  I am hoping to incorporate these chairs into a new dining table set up.  I will definitely find a place for them either way!

And, Pendleton.  Man, I love me some Pendleton and it seems to be finding me lately.  I have turned up 3 Pendleton jackets and coats in the last month.  I love their classic tailored shapes and funky plaids.

This little blazer is so golf outing chic, don’t you think?

My luck has certainly turned around.  These pieces need nothing more than some cleaning.  I’ve got my mojo back for sure.  Tell me, what treasures have you scored lately?