The Best Garage Sale Find of the Year

Oct 13, 2016

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Do you like entertaining?  Let me tell you about my best garage sale find of the year and why you might want to start searching, too!

All spring, I looked at garage sales and flea markets for a beverage cart.  I wanted a wooden cart (affiliate) but only seemed to find the retro metal ones.  That could be cute for a cocktail cart, but I was looking for something much more versatile.

And then one day, a friend (my garage sale buddy who spent 13 hours shopping the Springfield Extravaganza with me) texted to say she was looking at a wooden tea cart for $30.  She included a picture and at my first available moment, I headed over and snatched up the cart for only $20.

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I refinished the cart in Old White Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan.  Yes, that particular paint is more expensive but I had gotten a steal on the cart so I splurged on paint that I love.

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Here is what makes this beverage cart so great and why you might want one too:

It is mobile.  Little casters and giant wheels not only add character but allow me to wheel that baby any where on the first floor.

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This particular cart has a tray that is the perfect spot for glasses.  The tray can slide out or be fully removed.  I used the tray to hold mason jars for guests to grab and fill up at our July 4th brunch.

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It is versatile.  The cart doesn’t lend itself for serving drinks alone.  I have used it as the cake table at our Finding Dory Party and as the collar-making station for my daughter’s Dog & Cat Party.

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It is expandable.  Originally, I thought I would remove the two leaves that fold out.  However, when it was all done being painted, I just couldn’t do it.  The two leaves came in handy for an expanded serving station for our bagel bar breakfast.

If you find one with a drawer, that is an added perk.  I have draped cloth napkins out of it for display as well as used it to hold plates and napkins for our meal.

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And just because it is technically called a tea cart doesn’t mean it has to be all girly!  At my son’s Star Wars Party, I used it as the station to make light sabers.

It is a wonderful cart and fits so many of my entertaining needs.  I am thrilled to have found it!

Not sure what kind of tea cart suits your style?  Check out the variety of options on Wayfair.  There are some great looking carts!