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Friday, April 6, 2012

I Brake For Yard Sales ~ Book Review & Giveaway

This Giveaway has ended.

I recently had a great opportunity to review I Brake For Yard Sales by Lara Spencer, and I grabbed it!

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I first came across Lara Spencer when we lived on Long Island and she started out on News12 Long Island, our local news channel.  She was so cute and perky ~ you just knew she was going to be moving on up in the media world.  I knew she was into decorating and even saw an episode of Kathy Griffin’s show where she came in and helped Kathy decorate her home.  When I saw this book, I knew I had to get a look at it.

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Kathy Griffin actually does the Forward.  I know she’s a “like her or hate her” type of person, but I like Kathy Griffin and apparently she is great friends with Lara.  This is a paperback book. Some of the chapters are entitled: Destination: Decoration!; Estate Planning; The Gift of Thrift; Refinishing School; and From Duckling to Swan, just to name a few of 9 chapters.

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Lara talks about rescue, recycle, reinvent, renew, reuse, repurpose . . . , and don’t we all do that and share projects that incorporate those things here in blogland.

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Not only are there great color pictures to go along with lots of inspiration and ideas, but Lara shares the prices paid for many of the items.

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Of course, Lara has more opportunities than many of us to travel all over and she takes advantage of that by visiting places like the Rose Bowl Flea Market, Goodwill, and estate and yard sales in Connecticut. She even has her own garage crammed full of stuff she’s found!

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She shares many useful tips such as, “It’s not a bargain if it has bedbugs. Leave street couches right where you find them, and be sure to inspect upholstered secondhand pieces carefully”.  She also shares a page of tips on what to bring with you when you are going out flea marketing.

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I found this book to have lots of pictures that provide inspiration and ideas for some of your own finds or to help you find and look at things in a different way. Lots of tips that are very helpful also, as well as a listing in the back of the book of some places to visit.  Great job, Lara!

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Things worked out so that this month will be filled with giveaways! So let’s get it started by giving away a copy of this book.

To enter, leave me a comment telling me if you break for yard sales, flea markets, antique marts, thrift stores, or all of the above!  You do not have to have a blog to enter, but you must leave me an email address to contact you if you win.

For extra entries you may:

  • Tweet about this giveaway, come back and let me know in a separate comment;
  • Blog about or put this giveaway on your blog sidebar, come back and let me know in a separate comment;

This giveaway will end on Friday, April 13, 2012, {an unlucky day to some, but to one person it will be a lucky one!}, at midnight EST.  Winner will be chosen via random.org and will have 48 hours to confirm their win after contact or another winner will be chosen.  

46 comments:

  1. I don't...but now think maybe I should!
    Happy Easter!
    xo Cathy

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  2. Whoo hoo I am first to enter, yay!

    I would love to win this book.

    She is adorable.

    Thank you so much for the review and giveaway, Kathy!!

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  3. I definitely brake for all of the above! You never know what you will find unless you stop and take a look!

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  4. I definitely brake for yard sales - especially ones with midcentury modern furniture

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  5. Sounds like a great book ! I would love to have it. I do break for all of the above !

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  6. What a fun book AND post here today. I am NOT signing up because I have won so many giveaways this year...but someone will be thrilled! xo Diana

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  7. Oh, YOU know I brake for yard sales!!!! Today Becky and I are headed up to Redding for Roses and Rust tomorrow and we're braking for some shops along the way!!!!

    xoxo

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  8. You bet I brake for them all! The thrill of the hunt you know. Love Lara (hate Kathy) so please count me in for a chance at her book!

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  9. Not only do *I* brake for garage sales BUT... I took my son driving one Saturday for his student driving hours and he was so happy to be practicing behind the wheel UNTIL I made HIM brake for a yard sale... He said "Really MOM???" and rolled his eyes!! I just had to stop! No, really, I did!!! :)
    Marcy

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  10. Hi Kathy,
    I definitely brake for yardsales and all of the above. What a great give-a-way!
    Fran

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  11. I do slow down for the garage sales. We don;t have very many around here that have good things. I love to stop at all the others. Love flea markets, barn sales and seasonal vintage/antique shows.

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  12. Just got home from a yard sale, it was awful but hope resides for Saturday sales. Thanks for the review.

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  13. I love hitting auctions, yard sales and the like...its a great place to make a score!!

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  14. They don't call me the "yard sale queen" for nothing around here. ha!
    Not only do I brake for yard sales, but have "trained" my husband to immediately look for a parking place when we're out driving and I yell "YARD SALE!!!!"

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  15. I like Lara Spencer (and Kathy Griffin btw). I watch her on GMA every morning. Her body is disgustingly perfect and I hate her for that! Ha! (Just kidding). I always find it interesting for someone who makes a lot of money to be so thrifty like that. I would love to win her book and learn some of her tips. Thanks for this great opportunity!

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  16. I saw her on GMA talking about her book....Looks like a great one..I was going to order one on Amazon...Great giveaway Debbie...definitely is a book to own!

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  17. D Herrera

    I would love to win this book, I always brake for yard sales, flea markets, junk store

    dherrera@tidewelll.org

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  18. Totally brake for yard sales now I even have an app to find them ;)

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  19. I tweeted the giveaway. Although I have to say I'm not a big Tweeter. Should I be admitting that?

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  20. Been braking for yard sales for a lot of years; also love thrift shops and estate sales! Have a great day!

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  21. I remember her!

    Would love to be entered for the book!

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  22. Hi Kathy...Would love winning this book! I do brake for yard sales, flea mkts, thrift stores, garage sales, any place I think I can find some exciting bargain!
    Have a Happy Easter.

    Peace and Blessings,
    Nancy

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  23. I BREAK FOR ALL OF THEM AND THENSOME!

    Kathleen

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  24. I tweeted it!
    https://twitter.com/#!/CharmBDiva/status/188446293629218817

    Kathleen

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  25. I break for garage sales, thrift stores,estate sales, etc. whenever I possibly can. This sounds like a great book.

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  26. I love to break for yard sales!

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  27. Hey Kathy~I put down my Fred Flntstone brakes for all sales.
    I watched the whole process of Kathy Griffin reno and Laura's transforming of Kathy's decor.
    It was hilarious watching their interaction. Two personalities you wouldn't typically see together.
    Thank you for such an awesome giveaway.
    Sweet wishes,
    Sara

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  28. Hi Kathy,

    Count me in as I love decorating with things that are second hand. It makes decorating so much more fun.

    Dee

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  29. Kathy I really adore both of these women!! Of course I would love to win this book.

    My new mission is to make treasures out of found pieces, and pass them along to family and friends, unless I really really need it!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  30. What a great giveaway, Kathy. I really like her use of color, especially the room with all of the red accents.

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  31. Of course I brake for yard sales... and estate sales, thrift shops, etc, etc, etc :) Thanks for the great giveaway!!!

    sally_puckett@yahoo.com

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  32. I love thrift ships but don't get to many yard sales. Thanks for a very fun giveaway!

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  33. I used to, but life got so busy. I need to start back again:).

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  34. Great giveaway. I would love to win this book. Please enter me.

    Smiles~
    Marilyn

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  35. Always Have to break for yard sales and free stuff sitting on the side of road.

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  36. I don't own a car but my sisters take me to the salvation army once a week..I get so excited knowing I am going. I have decorated half my apt. From items there. I even covered a chair with a skirt I found. Can't wait for the garage sales...I would love your book...all I do is get ideas from everywhere...love...love...love...

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  37. Hey, Kathy! I don't know how I missed this earlier. The book sounds great. I break for thrift stores, antique malls, and antique flea markets! I'm slowly learning how to yard sale. What a fun give away! Thanks, ~ Jamie

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  38. me and my husband always break for yardsales and anything, yard ,garage or house with a sale sign up, he even gets into it now.i love making old things look new and unique and redecorating our home with them so it would be perrfect to win this book to see how im doing compared to an expert :) - D
    email hardworker293@aol.com

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  39. Of course I brake for garage sales and yard sales - Love to go to thrift stores and the like - but my choices are limited. I love to watch Lara on GMA and I saw her segment on her book`- and would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to win it! Thanks so much for the opportunity to try.
    Hugs -
    Carol @arewethereyet

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  40. I sure do brake for yard sales, flea markets and curb side freebies! Count me in on this giveaway. I would love to win!!

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  41. Garage sales, yard sales, second hand stores are all on my list! This looks like a wonderful book. I am really enjoying having discovered your blog ! Not sure if this is open to Canada, but am hoping so :)

    Tea
    lgravill@sympatico.ca

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  42. I need this book for my $10 garage sale coffee table! I also love someone who appreciates living in COLOR! :)

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  43. I don't go to garage sales much anymore, but I love to browse antique stores now! I would love to win a copy of Lara's book!!

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I always enjoy reading your comments! Kathy