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A Few Good Finds + Shopping An Estate Sale

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Last week, my friend Jess and I were walking to a neighborhood coffee shop when she spotted a teeny neon piece of paper tacked to the window on one of the prettiest storefronts in Logan Square. The space was home to Butterfat Studios, a unique tattoo shop that was so much more than body art, rather, it was an artistic hub in our community. Scott and I would often stop to admire the gorgeous exterior wood molding, and we’d peer through the window, marveling aloud at the jungle of plants that just thrived. Thanks to social media, we (sadly) knew they would be closing up the physical shop to begin hosting pop ups around the country, so when this unassuming 8 x 11 sheet of paper boasted an estate sale, I texted the flyer to Scott, and he said, we’re so going.

It began at 9:30 this past Sunday, and although we arrived only an hour past that, the store was already thinning out. I started to get my ‘estate sweats’ (estate can also be substituted with flea or thrift, and I know you know what I mean), and we worked our way throughout the space as quick as one could while trying to take in every last thing.

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Amazing Rare Things | Plant Forms

As we were arriving, a towering (massive!) potted philodendron was being lifted out the door by two grown men. We were given free reign to poke our noses into every nook, every cranny. We worked our way through the main floor before heading to the basement, and while Scott debated a side table, I opened the kitchen cabinets and considered a handful of colorful mugs.

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Cabinet of Natural Curiosities

We reconvened, and after testing out a vintage fan (too rickety), we each nixed the idea of mugs and tables (although Scott was thisclose to going back for said table), and instead began sorting through the stacks and stacks of books. Bingo.

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Extraordinary Pigeons

As it turns out, the world’s most beautiful book collection has been living in Butterfat all along! It took all of our power to walk away with only four books. Scott, being as sweet as possible, asked me if my armload of 3-plus botanical books was absolutely necessary, but apparently, my resounding yes! wasn’t quite clear enough. So many of them could have been used as frame-worthy tear sheets, but I begrudgingly laid them all out and began the challenging whittling process. In the end, we both agreed wholeheartedly that these four should be cracked open and on display at all times. They’re too pretty to stay closed! We’re going to need more tables just to lay them flat all around the home – it only makes sense, right?

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Plant Forms | Extraordinary Pigeons | Amazing Rare ThingsCabinet of Natural Curiosities

We did leave with one extra item besides the books. A handful of framed photographs lined their hallway, and when Scott saw me looking over the coziest photo of this playground, I didn’t have to say a thing. It came home with us, too. That soft morning light warms my heart.

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Have you picked up any good finds this fall?

PS… More of our thrifty adventures, and a great article on what to expect at an estate sale.

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  • Kathy10.20.16 - 8:06 AM

    It’s my dream to get a tattoo from Esther…I have a bunch already (including my favorite super!nerd Zelda tattoo) but I am reserving space especially for her. That being said, have you SEEN her work? She has such an elegant, realistic style that’s so breathtaking you could hold up one of those books to a tattoo that she’s done and not even tell the difference!ReplyCancel

    • Kim10.20.16 - 8:36 AM

      Yes! Their work is amazing. A friend of ours has the most stunning floral tattoo from them (can’t remember if it’s from Esther or Stephanie), but yeah. I always tells Scott that I wish I would’ve started yeeeaaars ago on some sleeves. :)ReplyCancel

      • Kathy10.20.16 - 9:02 AM

        It’s never too late! It’s so addicting though, which I always thought was hilarious because when I got my first one I was like, this friggin’ HURTS like who in their right mind would go back for MORE? Um, me. Oops. The memory of the pain disappears surprisingly quickly.ReplyCancel

        • Kim10.20.16 - 9:58 AM

          Don’t tempt me! I already know exactly what I want! One day, I very well may be the grandma with two full sleeves.ReplyCancel

          • Kathy10.21.16 - 6:20 PM

            #goals. I mean. What.

  • Megan10.20.16 - 11:16 AM

    I love those books!!! They are so pretty… I would be equal parts wanting to tear out pages to frame them, and leaving them intact on the coffee table.

    And I love that playground art. It seems so peacefull…ReplyCancel

    • Kim10.20.16 - 12:53 PM

      Right? I have them closed up for now so I’m not tempted to tear out every page.ReplyCancel

  • Jeanette10.20.16 - 12:43 PM

    Wow, that photograph. Really love it!ReplyCancel

  • Jen10.20.16 - 9:57 PM

    What great finds – I’m honestly a little jealous!ReplyCancel

  • Stacy G10.21.16 - 6:48 AM

    Those books! I have a bit of an obsession for natural history posters and art. I have several replica posters, and I am always on the lookout for real vintage posters and books. What a find! I am sorry that you have to say goodbye to a neighborhood treasure.ReplyCancel

  • Micah10.24.16 - 6:13 PM

    The cover of that pigeon book is amazing!ReplyCancel

  • Jess Lively11.7.16 - 5:54 PM

    Yay! I’m so pleased to get to see what came of that fun shop!! : )

    Love you!!ReplyCancel

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