Zannee’s Blog at BargainsLA.com

So many of you stopped by my Moms Estate Sale I held last weekend, I was truly overwhelmed and very grateful.

But what we all missed as we were busy remembering my mom and sorting thru her remaining things, was my husband secretly off in the corner selling his prized electronics and camera collection. He took the opportunity of this sale to sell enough goods so he could afford buy a new LCD flat screen TV.

On the Sunday, after the sale, we headed off to one of our time favorite haunts, The Outlet by ELS in Monrovia. There, as I was talking to the owners, long time friends of my moms about her passing, while he checked out a dozen or so wide flat screen TV…. From Plasma to LCD to rear projection all at savings of 30%-50% below original retail.  Most are from Costco or Sears and are showroom models, customer returns or last season’s models.

I simple wasn’t in the mood to take any joy or interest in a TV purchase, but he was and since it was our 21st Wedding Anniversary, I let him off the hook for his rather bad timing.

He ended up picking out a Sharp 42″ LCD TV for $899. This would go for $1299 at Costco right now, $1600 - $1900 elsewhere.  When we got home, I let him do his electronic –wiring- sound- thing setting it up while I took a nap.

In the end we saved $300 for a brand new product, complete with both a manufacturers warranty and a 30 day warranty from ELS. Yep it looks good on my antique mahogany secretary hutch and… yep the picture is great and I am glad we saved a bundle. I guess it will be a few more weeks before I will feel like enjoying it. But if you’re in the market for a new flat screen, do check out ELS first. Mom always said this was the hardest working family she’d ever met.  I agree!  I am glad they work so hard to offer such great deals on so many cool things.

The Outlet By ELS
1532 S. California Ave.
Monrovia, CA
626.357.8449
http://www.bargainsla.com/bargains/source/elsoutlet.htm

Open Wed-Sunday only.

I just don’t get the Super Bowl thing.

When I was a teenager I got it. Went to a lot of football games back then. Maybe that’s cause I had a crush on the quarter back of my high school team. But I also regularly went to Rams games… geeze does anyone remember the Rams used to be a L.A. team? My friend’s dad built those electric football helmet golf carts and I always got to ride on them and watch the games on the field at the coliseum during home games. I knew back then how the game was played, who was who, the names of the Rams team and their stats. But that was then and this is now… and LA doesn’t have a team, so I have lost interest.

Now I look forward to the sales and shopping that go along with Super Bowl Sunday.
This year, instead of hitting sample sales and mall sales, we went antique shopping. Cause it was cold and rainy my daughter and I decided to hit some old favorites out in Saugus.

On Soledad Canyon Road in Saugus is Country Antique Fair. (21546 Golden Triangle Rd
Santa Clarita, CA 91350 (661) 254-1474). I have previously purchased many unique items here including a 1930’s hurricane lamp for a mere $11 and a collectible set of Epiag china for $120 along with various unique collectible books and cooking pieces.  Today we walked away with a small Raggedy Ann doll for $15. I happily walked away empty handed.

But across the street is the Santa Clarita Antique Center, (21515 Soledad Canyon Rd # 101, Saugus, CA 91350. (661) 259-6980). Here they have better collectibles and furniture at a bit higher prices. Bargain hunting takes more “know how” here. But I did spot a superb English antique corner hutch in a dark oak from 1910 for $720. Normally it would sell for over $1000.

I was looking for something cheap to protect my antique bedroom dresser from damage by my tea cups that regularly sit upon it. I came across lots of ornate metal serving trays from 1940-1960’s at $35-$180. But, frugal “me” settled on a couple of 1940 cardboard placemats with hand painted country landscapes for a mere $10. These will do the job and fit in with the decor without cluttering up the space. I also fell for a miniature white porcelain creamer for just $5.

The delightful day ended with lunch at Mimi’s Café. I still think I had a better time cruising for antiques with my daughter then watching the game. But to each his own.

I suppose if L.A. had a Football team, and it was in the Super Bowl, I’d let my daughter ride out on an old electric football helmet and watch the game too. Heck, I’d drive the darn thing myself. But this time, shopping was better.

I am a real believer in buying something you really love and that makes you happy.
I don’t fall in love with cars, jewelry or even shoes. Sometimes I fall in love with antique furniture. But what will get me in trouble are fabulous handbags. The only thing that keeps me in check is the retail price of these lovely bags.

When I missed the Roxbury Warehouse Sample Sale back in December, I kept thinking about a couple of specific bags. One I had seen on the Roxbury website.
www.roxburybag.com

The other I had seen at Arden B’s last year at the Glendale Galleria. It was made out of leather and pony hair (my fave!). But I was still in my Kooba handbag kick and though I loved the bag, I didn’t give it a second thought and walked out.

Actually both of these bags were well out of my meager financial range until I heard about the sale. But even at the sale, I would be spending a great deal of money.

So I didn’t go to the sale. Both of these bags ranged in price from $350-$560. Even at 50% off at the warehouse sale, I didn’t go. I had overspent over the holidays and had to curb my enthusiasm for awhile.

So in January I started to cruise the web to see who had the line. I found one dealer on Ebay and started watching his auctions. Though I couldn’t be 100% sure it was authentic, I was sure enough to eventually bid on the Zebra print pony hair bag. I gave in to weakness and got it for just $89.

It showed up 10 days later and had obviously been stored for a long period of time. It was stiff. So I stuck a bunch of books in the bag, sat it on the floor of my bathroom while I took a very hot, very long shower. Afterward I treated it with a leather cleaner. It softened up nicely.

It ended up being a lot bigger than I thought, so I am now gonna use it as a brief / business/ carry all case. Great for TV shoots to carry everything from shoes and makeup to run down sheets and water bottles.

Normally I buy one really nice bag a year. This year I have bought two. My my my, I am getting spoiled.