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792 Comments

  1. Jessica@CapeofDreams
    June 18, 2013 @ 10:13 am

    Wow. Just WOW. what else can be said?

    Reply

    • Janice S.
      June 24, 2013 @ 7:06 pm

      What Jessica said exactly.

      This story was brilliant. I fell in love, not just with the mirror, but with your mirror-troll and with you. I can’t wait to read more.

      Reply

      • Annie Sisk
        June 30, 2013 @ 3:24 pm

        OK, how inane is this: I’m a writer? And I can’t come up with anything better than this … ^^^ Janice S., WORD, with extra-excited hand motions.

        Reply

      • linn
        May 27, 2016 @ 9:59 am

        love the mirror! Love the story! Love the troll! Love the writer!

        Reply

      • Linda
        August 13, 2016 @ 9:18 pm

        WOW–what a FIND!!! Love your hunting dog nose, your taste in mirrors, and esp, your writing about it all!!! And I LOVE that mirror!!!!!!!

        Reply

        • JaZZe
          August 1, 2017 @ 7:48 pm

          I love her “Paul” He is infinitely patient.

          Reply

    • Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting
      June 25, 2013 @ 4:00 pm

      Totally and completely agree. I am so jelly over this fantastic find! You and I are so much alike, as are our husbands. My husband groans and moans every-friggin-time I find something on Craiglist I adore and want to see/get/buy. Why are we not neighbors?

      Reply

      • karon
        June 25, 2013 @ 7:00 pm

        Perhaps because if you two were neighbors you would be constantly jealous of one another AND fighting over each other’s items!!!

        Reply

        • Melissa
          June 27, 2013 @ 8:15 pm

          Karon (I think you are a guy), lay off the feeding into the strategy to turn women against each other. That’s an old technique. The only people who are jealous of anyone is men jealous of women which is why these women are so progressive that they accept technology and know how to use it their advantage and why their lazy sorry husbands hold them back by discrediting their savvy ideas. (sorry ladies about the husband comment, nothing personal)
          Get a life!

          Reply

          • Eve
            June 28, 2013 @ 6:39 pm

            I think you need to relax. It was a light hearted comment.

            Reply

          • Jim
            June 29, 2013 @ 2:44 am

            Their husbands are lazy and sorry because they’re tired of all the wild goose chases? You clearly have no idea what a balanced and respectful relationship is about. And even less idea of how much a guy does for a woman he loves. You ungrateful troll.

            Reply

    • Brian D. Meeks (@ExtremelyAvg)
      June 25, 2013 @ 5:58 pm

      This is a brilliantly written blog post. I can’t believe how much I enjoyed it. Wow, you really can write! Two points.

      Reply

      • Linda
        August 13, 2016 @ 9:19 pm

        I agree completely, to the highest nth degree!

        Reply

    • Claire
      June 30, 2013 @ 1:38 pm

      As a fellow craiglist-obsessed, score-hungry home decorator, I am very impressed, and a little bit jealous! The mirror is perfect where you put it–just beautiful! I posted your amazing story on my blog, which is dedicated to the best in Toronto craigslist furniture postings. May you enjoy your kingdom now even more.

      Reply

      • Jen
        June 30, 2013 @ 8:37 pm

        Victoria – you’re a woman after my own heart. I too scored the Versailles of mirrors on Kijiji with a four foot wide gilt wood sunburst, with nothing to go on but the seller’s faded 1962 Christmas photo from her late brother-in-law’s shindig (turns out the SIL was a pricey Palm Beach decorator…) Uncrating that baby in a storage unit, with reluctant husband in tow, was a sweet, sweet moment.
        Too many more mirrors in our future!!

        Reply

      • Keira
        July 1, 2013 @ 11:18 am

        OMG! I nearly snorted out my morning coffee reading this post! You are awesome, Victoria! I found your blog via Claire’s Take This Sofa and you are my new favourite. I particularly loved your post on the many very high end design blogs out there. So funny, and so how I feel. “the amount of posturing necessary…”. Ha ha! Most of the blogs I follow are Scandinavian based because I feel like their spaces are more attainable and liveable. Looking forward to reading more of your blog! Fantastic mirror by the way! Great find!

        Reply

    • Dianne
      March 13, 2016 @ 9:49 pm

      Oh my god! You are my mind doppelganger. I have had this same exact experience over Craigslist items with my other half. You have described the murderous intent face exactly and my response to it. I even said just exactly the same “And I was likeā€”look at me. Look me in the eye. Do you really believe I am leaving here without this? Because Iā€™m not.” Of course my miracle find was turn of the century goods display case from an old general store. But the build up, and the thought process , and end result are all the same. You are a kindred spirit!

      Reply

    • lana
      May 17, 2016 @ 2:36 am

      OMG!! is it telling that im heading DIRECTLY over to Craigslist RIGHT NOW!? šŸ˜® amazing mirror and amazing story! xo

      Reply

  2. KarenAnita
    June 18, 2013 @ 10:14 am

    Haha! I absolutely love this post! You’re such a funny storyteller šŸ™‚
    & what another amazing find! I’m terrible at finding anything online. I’m going to see what the UK Craigslist has to offer and keep you posted if I find anything!
    Karen x

    Reply

  3. Linley
    June 18, 2013 @ 10:18 am

    Majestic.
    I LOVE CRAIGSLIST!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!!

    Reply

  4. Melissa from the Blue House
    June 18, 2013 @ 10:23 am

    Oh my gosh. OH MY GOSH! Listen, I’m a good Christian girl who doesn’t even say the sh** word, and I almost said the sh** word when I saw that first picture of the tarp coming off.

    I’m so jealous I’m in actual physical pain AND yet I want to be your BFF. You find the best stuff!!

    Reply

    • Casey
      June 27, 2013 @ 5:53 am

      I’m an atheist and said Holy Shit before I even saw Victoria’s reaction. Out loud. To my cats. Good story thanks.

      Reply

    • Michawn
      June 28, 2013 @ 10:58 pm

      lol, melissa!! šŸ™‚ hilarious…your comment, and to see you here. fun.

      Reply

  5. Tracy
    June 18, 2013 @ 10:27 am

    That is the greatest mirror/story of all time. Nice work!

    Reply

  6. Kim
    June 18, 2013 @ 10:28 am

    Good thing he never posted a photo of the mirror! What a beautiful find! What a great husband you have too!

    Reply

  7. Sarah
    June 18, 2013 @ 10:42 am

    Wow! Incredible find! I’m about to hop on Craigslist now and look for my own Kingdom mirror! WOW. Wow. wow.

    Reply

  8. Brynne
    June 18, 2013 @ 11:02 am

    Dear Victoria Elizabeth Barnes,
    You are officially now one of my favorite bloggers ever. Your affection for Craigslist rivals my own, and I share your love for ornate, gorgeous, kingdom-y things. I can’t wait to see what you drag home next!

    Reply

    • Shannon
      June 19, 2013 @ 2:30 pm

      I second this. I second this SO HARD.

      I love your house, I love your taste, I love your writing, and I feel like I’ve finally found a blogger that I can identify with in a world of chevron, West Elm, and IKEA.

      Reply

  9. tammigirl
    June 18, 2013 @ 11:08 am

    First of all: Score! I’m jumping in the air high-fiving you in my head. Oh yeah!

    Secondly: What is Paul’s problem? He’s kind of testy all of the time. I really think he wants you to have NOTHING shiny. Nothing you love. Nothing at all. I think he would be happiest if you lived in a cardboard box under a bridge. Paul makes me sad. Maybe he needs counseling? I am pretty much certain he needs glitter therapy.

    Also, your mom is a great, supportive, loving creature full of joy for you and your Kingdom. As it should be.

    Paul needs to get busy on his Yul Brynner and quit trying to harsh your sparkly mellow.

    You know that Save-On-Crafts website? They sell German Glass Glitter by the pound. And it is wonderful.

    Reply

    • Maisy
      June 28, 2013 @ 11:43 pm

      Without Paul this story isn’t nearly as good. Paul is awesome. He does things he doesn’t want to do (REALLY doesn’t want to do!) for the woman he loves. There’s a bit of griping, sure, but it’s minimal and it’s funny. Paul deserves kudos!

      Reply

      • tammigirl
        June 29, 2013 @ 4:46 pm

        I totally agree with you Maisy. I kind of assumed Victoria knew I was mostly kidding about this. If not, now she does. šŸ™‚

        Reply

      • Kelley Hardison
        August 9, 2017 @ 9:59 pm

        I agree completely.

        Reply

  10. Sarah Wolpert
    June 18, 2013 @ 11:10 am

    Wow! Love it!!!!

    Reply

  11. Laurel
    June 18, 2013 @ 11:24 am

    OK… So the real question that I have here (besides my blinding jealousy over a mirror that a. would never fit in my house, and b. would never “fit” in my house), is why the heck did these people have a mirror that they couldn’t even get into their house in their back yard?

    Reply

    • AnnetM
      June 18, 2013 @ 1:32 pm

      I had the EXACT question!!

      Reply

  12. Garden, Home and Party
    June 18, 2013 @ 11:29 am

    Victoria,
    I can read the headlines…310 antique mirrors found near the woman’s lifeless body! Actually, I now see the wisdom of these mirrors from craigslist…they are an investment and in your old age, before you move to the old folks home, you can sell them and have a well-funded retirement. lol!
    Seriously, this is so beautiful…I love the “kingdom” top to it. It’s looks like it’s in great condition, especially considering the age. Wow!
    Karen

    Reply

  13. Heidi S.
    June 18, 2013 @ 11:34 am

    WOW! I’m totally jealous. I hope you were extra nice to Paul for carrying this thing!

    You are so funny! Thanks for making me laugh, I’m having a stressful day and it is just what I needed!

    Reply

  14. Eadie
    June 18, 2013 @ 11:40 am

    Oh my goodness, when I saw KINGDOM I about fell of my chair. I was like, “oh, it is all over for Paul. This will definitely be happening”. And I’m pretty sure all those cars and tractor trailers heard chamber music and horses whinnying as they flew past you and your kingdom. That mirror is beautiful and amazing. Curious- what were the final dimensions? Also, do you know the story of how it ended up in Rocky’s backyard? (if it’s worth telling). Oh Ms. Barnes, I enjoyed this post immensely and laughed deep in my stomach so many times. Thank you thank you!

    Reply

  15. susan
    June 18, 2013 @ 11:45 am

    I have GOT to quit reading you at work. I start making funny little choked snorty sounds trying to keep from laughing out loud ad EVERYTHING you write. EVERYTHING. Thank you for existing.

    Reply

  16. Bleubook
    June 18, 2013 @ 11:48 am

    Oh my GAAAUD. That’s gorgeous. I think I need to give you my contact info for your craigs list overflow. Please PLEASE send me a heads up when you find something you NEED but just cant HAVE. I’m right outside of Philly, your castoffs could be my treasures!

    I’m kind of obsessed with the antique wardrobe…

    Reply

  17. ellen
    June 18, 2013 @ 12:45 pm

    I want to be you for just one day!!!

    Reply

  18. Tonya
    June 18, 2013 @ 12:54 pm

    I seriously don’t know how you do it. AMAZING!!! and am I dreaming or does it partially match the mirror in the hallway?

    Reply

    • Molly
      March 1, 2016 @ 10:41 am

      Agree – I was like, “Wow, she has TWO Kingdom mirrors!”

      Reply

  19. Tonya
    June 18, 2013 @ 12:55 pm

    Also, you need to do a “my secrets to legit CL’s finds” post. Unless you did one and I missed it.

    Reply

  20. Jim
    June 18, 2013 @ 1:00 pm

    I don’t even know where to start. I’ll just be in quiet solidarity with Paul.

    Jim

    Reply

    • Stuart Richards
      April 14, 2016 @ 11:31 am

      It’s not just you, man. It looks like everyone’s gone crazy, but it’s just a narcissist and enabler convention up in here, so they have.

      Reply

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