Or so I thought. My brilliance lasted 3 days. It all started with this book. I Married Adventure by Osa Johnson.
Almost every stylish home you see photographed has a copy of this book casually propped on a table or bookshelf. And I must say, it looks great. If you're going to display books, make sure they are fabulous.
I Married Adventure is practically chic and, although I have never had a burning desire to own a copy, all that changed on Saturday...
...while I was browsing the GoodWill online shop. Didn't know there was such a thing? I didn't either. I found it and a copy of the book for sale. I thought I was so smart!! 
My bid? $7. I was getting it for a steal. I have seen them for sell for as much as $350 (Ebay) and as low as $40. But $7? I was a lucky girl. And no one else seemed to know about this website. Oh, I was pleased with myself.
For three days I kept checking back. And checking again. Nope. No other bids. I was going to get it for $7. I was a happy girl!!
Then it happened. Someone else started bidding. What? Someone else knew about my secret web site. I wasn't so darn smart after all. Well look here sister, I lost the last 3 things I was bidding for on Ebay and I wasn't losing this book!! Things had changed. Now I really wanted it.
The auction didn't end until midnight. Who stays up that late bidding? So I did what any rational shopper would do. I raised my bid. Then I raised it again. And went to bed with fingers crossed. And this morning I got a nice e-mail from Goodwill. I won the book!! For $7? No. $24. Still a pretty darn good deal. Plus I have the satisfaction of winning and that is priceless. But don't tell my kids because I always tell them that winning isn't everything. Which is true in sports. But not in shopping. P.S. If you just out bid me on the blue milk glass cabbage and feel guilty, e-mail me. I will send you my address and you can mail it to me. No hard feelings!!
pictures from: Habitually Chic, Eddie Ross, Style Court, Daly Essentials.
Sissy, that build-up made me believe that it was not going to be a happy ending! $24?! That's fantastic! Congrats. You might have to keep it.
ReplyDeleteLOL! Great story! I used to do the same, until I found the fantabulous esnipe.com! It bids for me! Six seconds before the auction ends. So I only have to place one bid (the bid is placed as low as possible, so you just have to enter your maximum bid, and you're set).
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the win though, you got it at an AMAZING price!!
Oh, and I just ordered a zebra rug today, and I feel very guilty about it... (promised mr b not to...)
Congrats on winning the book !
ReplyDeleteThere's an online goodwill ?! How did I not know this ?
It was me! I watched and waited... I bid $23.99 and went to bed. I almost got up to check to see if I needed to bid higher. And to my dissappointment I lost. But I am glad to see you won!!!! I'll find another, hopefully sooner than later. Ellen
ReplyDeleteP.S. I don't know anything about the blue milk glass cabbage!
You are too funny! I guess you really do notice all the details-I would have never noticed the same book in all those photos...
ReplyDeleteI know that feeling when you go to bed with fingers crossed... and first thing in the morning is to check your computer!! But no, never happened to me, I swear :-))
ReplyDeleteI've really never noticed that book, but it looks fab!
ReplyDeleteSometimes the thrill of the win is a lot of fun! I'll need to check out that website, I have no idea how I missed it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great deal! I've loved the cover of that book forever but I could never find a copy that I could afford. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThis is too funny. But a great win. I love the look of that book. And didn't know about that website!
ReplyDeleteWow - how in the world did you track down all those pics with the book?? I wonder - have any of the homeowners read it, or is it just eye candy?
ReplyDeleteOMG Sissy - I have the SAME book! A girlfriend gave it to me as a birthday gift several years ago! How funny. I must say it is a fabulous decorative item! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Had NO idea such a site existed - your cat is out of its bag!! ;)
ReplyDeleteScore!!! You are a styling gal now. Isn't it fun to get all jittery about bidding on a site like that??
ReplyDeleteYou should have kept the identity of the site a secret... others will be looking now, bidding against you on other treasures.
So jealous! I would love to get my hands on a copy. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteTwenty four bucks! that is great! You had me really scared that you had not been so smart, as I have not been so smart at times, when that adrenaline kicks in and you will WIN no matter the cost - oh, have I been stupid before, very stupid. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteEllen:
ReplyDeleteWhat a small world!! Thanks for being a good sport. If you still want a copy try Prairie Archives. They have a copy for $30.
thanks for reading!
sissy
Sissy, that's just awesome! I had no idea Goodwill had an online component, and Dagney that's brilliant about fantabulous.esnipe. I may enter the world of bidding yet! Yipes!
ReplyDeleteit's gorgeous! so happy you won.
ReplyDeletehappy!!! i am very intrigued by this esnipe thing...hmmmm...
ReplyDeleteSissy, I have been looking for that book forever. I have bid so many times on e-bay but just end up giving! So glad you got it!! You have given me hope :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a funny story! The thrill of the bidding! I felt the same way about seeing that book in every photoshoot! As a Stylist, I used to think it was funny and wondered if other people noticed it too, or if I was just a freak who read all of the titles of the books in images because it was just a side effect of my job. Then I stumbled across two different copies of the book myself at small, local shops for very little cost and felt pretty excited! It is a beautiful book and the two copies I have are different from one another in their own unique way! Love them! Another book I see in a lot of images is Rem Koolhass' SMLXL. It's like Where's Waldo!
ReplyDeleteamazing, i never saw the book, now i am obsessed about it and will go hunting! i was even at eddie and jaithan's (one of your pictures) and never saw it............thanks sissy for info on goodwill online...........who knew!
ReplyDeletedebra
I want that book so badly. Congrats, you're the best at buying things online.
ReplyDeleteIs it the content or the fabulous cover?
ReplyDeleteGee - now I want that book :)
ReplyDeleteI just have to say that I'm a huge fan of your site who looks forward to all your postings. Your comment about winning isn't everything being true in sports but not in shopping not only made me laugh, but I decided I just had to drop you a note to tell you how much I love your blog, your taste and your sense of humor. Keep them coming!
ReplyDeleteAll the best, Annie
I overpaid for mine, too. I haven't even read it. No desire, either.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on winning the book, and a big thanks for the new website.
ReplyDeleteOMG, I thought I was the only one who knew about this little secret. I was about to share it wiht the world too, because I had a post about it ready to go for tomorrow. I guess I'll wait on that one :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great find!
Just found your blog and read this post, that was funny! Glad you got the book and now I want one too!!!
ReplyDeleteDo you plan on reading the book too? What is it about??
Look forward to reading more of your blog!
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI loved your quote: "Winning isn't everything. Which is true in sports. But not in shopping."
You're my new Becky Bloom!
xoxo
And update - I scored one on Ebay this weekend for $40...more than yours, but not too bad. My husband just said I couldn't spend more than $50 on a book - hah! :)
ReplyDeleteI included it in this post: http://chasingdavies.blogspot.com/2009/10/fall-wish-list.html