Suzanne Carillo

As my Estate Sale obsession grows I attended yet another one last Friday.

A massive old house filled to the brim with authentic antiques. Through the maze of hidden rooms and passageways that are inherent to very old houses loads of treasures were waiting for someone to give them a home. 

I was disappointed that I don't "need" more for my house honestly. The prices were excellent. For a brief moment I almost thought, I could buy a bunch and then resell them! Then my brain caught up with me and said, "Woa! slow down! That is all you need, a garage full of antiques. You are only a hop skip and jump away from full-on hoarder. " And as difficult as it is to walk away from amazing finds at these Estate sales that is just what I did. 

Until…

I discovered hidden in a secret closet along with a rack of vintage professional ice skating costumes (wild right?) was this incredible coat. 

When I saw it hanging there in all it's glory I literally exclaimed out loud, "oh hello! What have we here?" 

 I think the person behind me thought I was crazy.

That's okay. I'm becoming a "real" Estate sale junkie. I know they are a bit loopy after my near rumble with the Estate sale mafia.

The coat is called "The New Yorker" and it is made in Canada. (Hooray!)

I have never seen one like it. I am sure that it will keep me very warm this winter which is great since winter seems to have shown up like a terrible dinner guest this year…shockingly early.

The coat is heavy, and beautifully crafted. The name of the previous owner is embroidered on the inside lining. There is a deep pocket on the inside as well as a belt. I don't really understand why there is a belt or sash on the inside. Do you know what it's for?

I still can't believe it fits me. What are the chances?

At $35 it happily came home with me along with a couple of classic books and a tweed fedora from Ireland. 

I added my belt since it was missing the orginal but honestly it doesn't look bad without it. 

I asked one of the people working at the sale what they thought it was made out of and he thought it was sheep's wool. 

This was the year I said I wanted a vintage coat and the Estate sale fairy deemed me worthy. 

Although I'm happy with my find I can't help but feel a sense of sadness each time I enter someone's house at these sales. Knowing that woman was a professional ice skater, maybe toured with Ice Capades or something, loved needlepoint and cooking. Now her needpoint images were being sold for a few dollars. The costumes were $2. Her Gourmet and Bon Appetite collection of cooking magazines were free. 

The reality that all of one's personal beloved possessions become worthless once we leave this earth is very sobering. 

When you get right down to it, even though I enjoy collecting and searching for treasures, in the end we leave just as we came into the world, with our bodies.  The only thing we leave behind are memories with those that loved us.

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