June 18, 2013
Estate Sale by AdoredVintage, For Emma

This past weekend I woke up bright and early to get in line at an estate sale. I was 35 minutes early and already a line of 30 or so people were already in line. I didn't have much expectations for the estate sale, I never do actually (one is always disappointed when one has great expectations at estate sales), and so I got into line and awaited my turn to go through this little simple house.

My stomach always turns a bit when I see people go through an estate sale. The hurriedness, the franticness, the grabbing and going. Visions of buzzards over a carcass always come to mind and a wave of guilt washes over me as I am in line as well, waiting to see what's left over.

Estate Sale by AdoredVintage, For Emma

Estate Sale by AdoredVintage, For Emma

I wasn't at this estate sale very long, perhaps a total of 5-10 minutes. If that. I had a quick look and knew most of the real treasures were gone. You know, the big ticket things you'd see in my shop for hundreds of dollars.

I've learned at estate sales you can't really spend lots of time going through things because putting anything down means it's fair game for someone else. So, I had grabbed a bunch of clothes based on their print and if I generally liked them (a pile of cream, white, and beige lace detailed blouses!).

If it caught my eye I picked it up and promptly carried my pile of "treasures" to the front to be totaled up.

Estate Sale by AdoredVintage, For Emma Estate Sale by AdoredVintage, For Emma

It wasn't until I got back to my studio that I started to piece together who this woman was and really wondering what sort of life she lived, who was she?

I had picked up two books (among SEVERAL from the 30s, 40s, and 50s) These two I picked up because I quite loved the covers and also because they were in French. And well, I like to pretend I was French in another life. So I know she spoke French. Or at least she read French. Or maybe she was like me and just liked pretending so she would buy French books.

I had skipped over all the American Airlines memorabilia at the sale, I'm not really into aviation...but it occurred to me, was this woman a flight attendant in her younger years?

Estate Sale by AdoredVintage, For Emma

Her name was Emma. At least that is my assumption as it's written in one of the books.

She loved white and cream button up blouses. She had several blouses with sweet pearl button details, peter pan collars, delicate lace and embroidery. All finely tailored and in quality fabrics.

She wore basic and simple colors. She appreciated quality made things. She loved fine details in the objects she owned.

I bought several more pieces from the estate sale not pictured here. I wish I had a photo of this Emma who had such classic well tailored taste.

7 comments:

  1. What a sweet post. Cheers to Emma. p.s: I love to pretend that I am a Frenchie too.

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  2. Cakes and Pies, Cakes and Pies...my favorite kind of posts:) Love it all, especially the books.

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  3. It looks like you found some awesome treasures! I am always too scared to go to estate sales...with two little ones in tow, I doubt I'd be able to fight off all those other shoppers for the good stuff! haha.

    www.vintageinspiredblog.blogspot.com

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  4. It looks like you could call Emma a true lady. This is such a lovely way to share estate sale finds! There is always a little bit of sadness in estate sales. Well done. Now I'm crying a little....

    XO,Amber anatomyvintage.blogspot.com

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  5. This is so sweet. When my family and I go to estate sales we talk about what the woman or man must have been like. Sometimes they have a photo up.

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  6. Such a thoughtful post! I admire that you were thinking about the history of who this lady was. I'm sure she'd be happy to be thought of. I always wonder when I see old photographs how sad it is that they are anonymous and if there are relatives still living.

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  7. I love this post and the picture you build of Emma, and your gorgeous images really add to the post. (I also like to pretend I was French in a previous life.)

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Thank you for taking the time to leave me a little comment, I do try to respond back as often as I can. Have a lovely day! xoxo - Rodellee