Please listen to the music from Chicago icon Buddy Guy as you read this post!
Chicago
The Windy City!
The Lakefront!
The museums!
The restaurants!
The music!
The nightlife!
The history!
There is so much to love about this great city!
It has been repeatedly brought to my attention that Chicago has one more gem.
Craigslist!
I took that for granted until last night, while under the influence of a fever brought on by the common cold, ( a fever fervor, if you will) I decided to go on a virtual Craigslist shopping spree across the continental United States.
You have been right all along. Chicago does have the best Craigslist! Though I admit I googled the distance between my home and Atlanta, Georgia as well as the distance to New York.
I might go.
It could happen.
It could!
I am an avid Craigslister, prone to spontaneous bursts of Craigslisting (a word I made up to make it seem as if I were actually doing more than merely scrolling online, page after page, when I should be doing laundry). It's an action verb! I also Craigslist to music. It burns more calories that way!
This could be big! A national pastime!
Competitive Craigslisting!
People! Take note! Do you realize that you may just be looking at the world's first Olympic Craigslisting Champion!?
Handsome Husband calls me The Craigslist Whisperer.
Craigslist is my muse, my diversion, my idée fixe!
I have had terrible bouts of sanity, wherein I have considered putting an end to my Craigslist habit. Alas! I cannot! The siren song is too powerful!
It has led me out here into Blogland where I am surrounded with friends who enjoy the hunt as much as I do! It has brought me into the homes and lives of people I now consider friends. It has relieved me of the burden of poor furniture buying decisions of the past! I can merely post my items on Craigslist and people pay me to take stuff I no longer want! Poof! Gone! In it's place there is MONEY! A beautiful thing indeed.
I can't quit you, Craigslist!
French daybed ends. What are they called? Do they even have a name?
The rest of the French daybed. I don't know what this part is called either. All I know is that when you put all three pieces together you get a daybed.
It's at the furniture restoration place.
It needed some repair and I am having them upholster it too.
Plaster frieze from a German hotel. Four feet long and approximately two feet tall. There are two.
Concrete lions. Long story. I promise to tell you about it later.
This isn't from Craigslist. Handsome Husband bought it for my birthday! It is almost four feet wide and three feet tall!
If my camera was working I would take a photo to show you how it is displayed.
Soon!
Then there is this...
It was FREE!
Free!
Gilded mirror, over nine feet tall and five feet wide.
Yes! Over nine feet tall!
As an aside, there is really no such thing as a free nine foot tall mirror. It's not as if I could put it in the old car and drive off. This required three rather large men and a semi truck to move it. Nonetheless, it was worth it! No?
Note the details. I will be doing a post on this mirror soon! You are going to love it. I promise.
I blurred the reflection because the mirror is in my bedroom and Handsome Husband was still asleep! I should have tried harder to get a better shot . However, I am impatient and I have no shame. I was too excited to wait for him to wake up. He works nights. I suppose that if you look really hard you can see his flannel pajamas and maybe even Faerie Princess the kitty sleeping on his head. Don't tell him I told you about Faerie Princess. He claims he has an image to uphold.
I purposely kept the chandelier from the lobby of a demolished French hotel in the reflection! It is about five feet tall. I bought it five years ago on ebay.
Sorry for the poor image quality.
My camera gave up the ghost and I had to use Gracie's iPad to take the photo, which doesn't have a flash.
That digital camera had it all. There was nothing it couldn't do. I'm gonna miss it.
*sigh*
Live fast, die young.
So, how about you? Are you a Craigslister?
xo
Andie
p.s. In case you missed it, here is the link to my Craigslist Tutorial, wherein I share tips that have helped me find the myriad treasures that populate my home!
Craigslist is constantly upgrading and making it easier to navigate the site, which means their modus operandi has changed a bit since the tutorial was posted, though not enough to change the game or anything.
Happy Craigslisting!
You are the queen of Craig's List....that mirror is AMAZING.... as are all the other goodies you have found!!! I am a Craig's List junkie too but haven't found near the amazing stuff that you have!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
~Des
So far I consider our Craigslist here a wipe-out... a whole-lotta-ugly. I've come across someone that may be your twin.
ReplyDeleteEither that or your arch-enemy... if you were in the same area you'd be chasing down similar items. Have you read
http://victoriaelizabethbarnes.com/ ? The term 'cut from the same cloth' comes to mind. She goes after giant fancy mirrors and armoires etc. I'm trying not to be jealous of all the giant fancy mirrors you (and she) have found.... but I'd never get my husband to bring them home, so I think it's for the best that I just view YOUR ornate things! SIGH!
~ Violet
You do find the most incredible items on Craigslist. I've never taken the leap to even look. Just can't imagine that I'd find anything incredible here in TX. '-)
ReplyDeleteHi Andie, I told you that you have the best Craigslist in your city!
ReplyDeleteSee what have I been telling you every time I visit and you have another great find, or steal, and now FREE? How can that be? And why oh why could I have not been the one in our area for this kind of find?
I am looking forward to seeing what's going on with that big crown, I'm thinking it will sit in your garden beds so vines can climb on it, or ornamental of sorts.
As for the lions can't wait for that story. Well my dear, I am going to try and get back to sleep. Your beauty always adds the best inspiration to my dreams.
Xx
Doré
You're KILLIN' me here! That mirror! Here (as in "Create Beauty's comment) Craigslist is kind of a wipe-out, too.
ReplyDeleteHey!
ReplyDeleteHow are you going to repair the top left corner???
Ha!
You thought I wouldn't notice that???
Unicorn magic.
DeleteNot really. The restoration place down the street is making a new finial and molding.
Yes, have noticed your Craigslisting successes mentioned over time.
ReplyDeleteHave used it for the first time recently. Putting heavy equipment on for my contractor. And it's selling !
XO T
OMG that chandelier is absolutely gorgeous...I WANT IT! I found our house on Craigslist, does that count?
ReplyDeleteIt sat on a pallet in storage, then in our garage for years! I cried when the electrician hung it! LOL!
DeleteWow! You found your house on Craigslist! That's kind of a big deal! You have to tell the storty!
xo
Are you ready? I will try and make it short. Lost everything a year and a half ago after sending hubby to rehab and no he never returned. Packed up that ole kit bag, never looked back and ended up in a beautiful 1930 bungalow 700 miles away. This home is featured in the movie "Tammy" as Tammy's to be released July 2, 2014 starring Melissa McCarthy. My slumlord failed to maintain the sump pump forcing me to move due to black mold. With 2 weeks left before being on the street I found a lovely 5 bdrm, 3 bath home on Craigslist. The landlord advertised the rent amount, but then added..."or whatever you can pay with option to buy." There is an angel looking over my shoulder. :) XO
DeleteYou are unreal!
ReplyDeleteIt is your belief and positive energy that brings these wondrous items home to roost with you.
You have Craigslist mojo in spades... I love it!!!!
Maybe you should develop a course in finding the best of craigslist and travel the country giving seminars??
XO
Oh! I could come and visit you if I went on tour!
DeleteWe could dine in your beyond stunning Dining Room then have coffee in front of your beautiful fireplace!
xo
Andie you simply astound me! That mirror is glorious....free! Is that a canopy for the daybed? It was hard for me to tell. I miss your visits and must try harder with Kansas City Craigslist!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
CL is terrible around here. I cannot believe all the things you've found. Please remember me when you want to sell something. I love it all. What do you type in when searching?
ReplyDeleteDonna,
DeleteHere is a link to a Craigslist Tutorial a did a while back. I hope it helps...
http://divinetheatre.blogspot.com/2012/12/craigslist-tutorial.html
xo
Your CLs finds are amazing. I've never seen anything around here like what you can find! Your home supports them beautifully too. You're too much, most darling little one! :) Thanks for popping in to see me and your sweet comments.
ReplyDeletebe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
What glorious finds! Everything is always so beautiful and unique! That mirror for free??? I have been all over my local Craigslist and never find anything like these items. I keep looking though! Hugs, Leena
ReplyDeleteI might have said this before, but you really make me laugh! Xx Sharon
ReplyDeleteWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO you have to be the best Craig's lister out there, Andie! You have a GOOD EYE for one, they you relentlessly HUNT! GO GIRL! And girl, I love the music you have provided for this most wonderful shopping spree! I cannot believe what you find....all the French goodness? And that daybed, Bonne mère....that is going to keep you busy and happy! The gilded mirror. Do NOT tell me how you obtained that....all I know is that "There is no one like you", Andie.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for coming to visit. Anita
I call you the Craigslist Contessa, no one and I mean no one can hold a candle to what you find. The mirror? GORGEOUS!!!!!!!! The French day bed, same. Your beautiful birthday crown..amazing! You deserve it all and then some, keep the Craigslist inspiration coming, love every minute!
ReplyDeleteOh, you have it bad, girl, the Craiglistitis. There is no cure, but we are your support group, happy to listen and to see the results ;-).
ReplyDeleteSupport group? LOL! More like enablers! :)
Deletexo
You can't find a twelve step program for your addiction?
ReplyDeleteIf loving this is wrong I don't want to be right.
DeleteI bow to the Queen!
ReplyDeleteA friend was over last week, hadn't been here in a while, and she was noticing things in the house that she didn't remember. Over and over the conversation went like this:
Her: "I like that. Where did you get it?"
Me: "Craig's List."
Repeat, over and over.
All you have to do it open your mind and imagine the possibilities for things you normally wouldn't buy. So many treasures and pretties!!
I am just as addicted as you are! I have 7 armoires and 12 chandeliers! I love it and I can't stop.
ReplyDeleteI am just as addicted as you are! I have 7 armoires and 12 chandeliers! I love it and I can't stop.
ReplyDeleteI am just as addicted as you are! I have 7 armoires and 12 chandeliers! I love it and I can't stop.
ReplyDeleteYou need to start a blog so we can see all your stuff!
Deletexo
Andie
Came to you via Victoria Elizabeth Barnes' blog. Love her; now, I love you, too! Both of you make my heart swell with pride that I am NOT ALONE! You give me credence! Love the beautiful Craigslist finds. Love the free mirror, damaged or not! My mom used to tell us all the time, "Beggars can't be choosers", so for FREE, we bow down and say Thank You to the Craigslist Gods!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for stopping by! It's always nice to make new friends!
Deletexo
Andie