Curbside Kit

It is important to always be prepared for curbside finds. There will be days when you don't set out to look for anything but you find something fabulous. Nothing is worse than having to pass it up because you weren't prepared. With this in mind, I have compiled a short list of items that you should always keep in your vehicle in your Curbside Kit. If you were a Girl Scout or were inspired by Nancy Drew you will probably have most of this in your car anyways, if not you probably should.

1. The most important item is a charged cell phone. I like to go out in a van (one without stow 'n go seats) and if I haven't planned on curbing or doing the sales I probably won't have taken the seats out. If I have a cell phone I can call one of my friends or their menfolk who can come with a truck or van to help cart off the find. A cell phone can also call for muscle to help move a heavier piece.
2. You also want to have a large pump style bottle of hand-sanitizer. Believe me there will be times when you don't want to have to mess with the cap. This is always handy to have anyways.
3. A roll of paper towels is great too. If there is a lot of dirt/dust/??? hanging off of your find you can try to get the worst of it off prior to loading it into your car. Plus you can wipe off the worst of whatever is now on your hands before slathering them with antibacterial gel. This is something also good to have to check fluid levels when stranded at the side of the road.
4. An old blanket or drop cloth is handy to protect the inside of your vehicle from getting too dirty. I would pack a separate one to actually use yourself if you should get stranded on the side of a road in the middle of winter.
5. Bungee cords, ropes etc. Just in case your trunk or tailgate can't contain your treasures.
6. A heavy duty flashlight, to better see your treasures and scare off the critters I mentioned in the last post!
7. A box or bags to put your smaller treasures.

That's all I can think of at the moment. What would you add?

The Curbside Chic Mission

My goal here is to share my love of curbing and garage/estate sale-ing (technically you have to go over a curb to get to a garage!) with the world. I want to share my finds and my ideas and plans for them. I would also love to feature your finds and ideas.

What is curbing you may ask? It is when you see that fabulous antique dresser, pretty pot or formica table sitting there on the curb nestled between the trash can and (one hopes) the recycling bin. It has been abandoned by its former family because maybe it needs a little tlc or because their tastes have changed and it doesn't fit in any more. It just isn't loved any more. But like an abandoned puppy or kitten you see its potential and realize you do have space in your heart and home for it. You pull over to the side of the road (hopefully signalling and giving those behind you plenty of warning, perhaps circling back around the block so as not to cause a bigger pile at that curb!) and get out and wrestle your find into your vehicle and take it home, where hopefully you will have a long and happy relationship.

If you are like me, you might feel a little furtive and want to channel your inner cat burglar but it is ok. Be strong and remind yourself of the service you are doing for this find and for the environment by keeping such finds out of the landfills.

Where I live it is perfectly acceptable to curb...many take a lot of time to display their goodies much like the "free kittens/puppies" signs you see in the country so you don't have to ask but depending on where you are and your local curb culture it might be a good idea to ask the owner before you take anything away with you. Certain municipalities actually have outlawed curbing so be sure you know your local laws. If that applies to you, know that you have my sympathy and remember you always have garage and estate sales. Or the option to take your curbing elsewhere.