Even though I worked over the weekend, I savored the wonderful weather we had in San Diego on Saturday. Low 80s, sunny, lovely, gorgeous. Sunday turned nasty, cold, cloudy, and windy but Saturday was perfect.
I spent time with Skylar and we went to the park together.
And got in some great runs and streamlined, 20 minute at-home workouts, too.
Backtrack to Friday, I found a great Craigslist score: A table that I plan to use for photography purposes. It was $20 bucks, it’s teak wood (pretty certain) and it’s perfect for my needs and available space.
I had looked around Target, local thrift and antique stores but wasn’t seeing anything that just grabbed me.
I went on Craiglist on a whim and found the ad for the table I bought within minutes of searching (a blessing unto itself because CL can be such a pain to weed through all those ads).
Turns out, the woman met me 18 hours later a few miles from my house with table in hand, and it’s perfect.
I can set up near my windows so I can get better shots. As I mentioned in my Making Lightbounces & Using Light post, the lighting I have in my house is iffy, at best, and I think having a table near my windows will really help my shots. I can walk around the table and try to capture the best shot and will not be confined to my dining room table or my kitchen countertops which has been the case for the past almost year.
When I went to my Food Styling and Photography Workshop, I realized that wood is a beautiful medium in which to shoot food photos. Both as a backdrop to set plate of food on top of…
….and just putting the food directly on wood.
I would have never thought so, but wood just seems to work wonderfully well, especially for certain food like burgers or chips or potatoes.
I wanted a table like Matt & Adam’s. Well, they actually have a large table and then have various sizes of wood planks with different finishes, paint, textures, that they can put on top of one of their tables, too.
White, smooth wood and a more rustic, planked wood “table toppers” shown on top of their bigger table. Change the “topper” to get a whole new look for your images.
I can put any kind of tablecloth, napkins, other wooden boards, tiles, you name it, on top of my new table if I don’t want the weathered look.
And just like my new tripod that folds up when I’m done with it, so does my new photography table. I have a small living space and just don’t have the space or desire for another table to be set up, permanently, just hogging valuable square footage and living space.
If all this table talk is boring, let’s move on to food talk.
How about the Peanut Sauce Baked Tofu I just made. Glad you all enjoyed that recipe and thanks for letting me know you love your peanut sauce, too!
Foodgawker liked it, too, which made me super happy!
If you’re feeling more like breakfast or a snack, try a Microwave Banana Oat Cake (vegan, GF, easy)
Top with, what else, peanut butter or sunflower seed butter, or other nut butter.Or make some No-Bake Oatmeal Raisin Carrot Cake Bites (vegan, GF, easy)
Questions:
1. Best thing you ate or did over the weekend?
Saturday’s weather was perfect. Sunny weather always makes me extremely happy. I just feel great when the weather is great.
I also had tons of time in the kitchen Sunday afternoon which was fun.
And my new table makes me happy.
2. Have you ever bought anything on Craigslist or Ebay? Or at second hand, thrift, or vintage stores? Ever sold anything?
I know I’ve mentioned it in the past but both CL and Ebay can be a great way to save money and find some unique, awesome pieces, and great deals in the process.
I have been an ebay member since 1998. I have bought and sold everything from maternity clothes to camera memory sticks to lamps to stevia on ebay.
I bought my Macbook which was just a couple months old from a local Craiglist ad and saved a ton of money in the process. (Not for everyone’s comfort level but for me, it worked)
I sold my Polar Heartrate Monitor I used just two times on CL
I have bought used/vintage clothes and like going thrift shopping for $3 tshirts
I bought vintage scarves to use in my photography shoots
I found the scoby mother I used to make homemade kombucha on Craigslist a year ago. It has since created hundreds of “babies”, some of which I’ve passed along to friends.
I love finding good deals and one-of-a-kind items. And, re-using someone else’s castoffs is great. Reduce, reuse, recycle. So you can think of using CL or Ebay as doing something green, right!
What have you bought, sold, or found on Ebay or CL?
If you’re just catching up on weekend posts, here are mine since Friday:
- Peanut Sauce Baked Tofu
- Tripod & Photography Page
- Soups, Salads, Dips, & Savory Recipes
- Just Noochy & Food Trivia
- Refunds and Sunshine
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Everything seems nice
I have that table! It’s so adorable and FYI, has held up outside in the elements very well so if you’re using it inside it should last forever!
THX that’s a great anwser!
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Awesome table score! Agreed on wood and I think that’s why I like my kitchen island so much.
That’s great about FoodGawker!
1. Went to the apsaragus festival still.
2. Yes, mainly Craigslist now – I got burned out by eBay’s policy updates for small time sellers. I’ve shopped at thrift shops too and find I’m appreciating them more as I notice quality take a hit on newer clothes.
OO! The tofu picture looks great! Your getting so good at that!
I actually made a really awesome purchase at a thrift store months ago….I desperately wanted an ottoman for our couch, but every one I found at furniture stores were at least $100 or more. So…I bought this disgusting looking ottoman (probably from the 1980’s) for $5 from a local thrift store, cleaned it up and decided I would spice it up! I took some really fun leftover material from the backdrop of the photo booth at my husband and my wedding, and covered the ottoman. It now looks like a retro, fun, decorative ottoman! It’s super comfy, looks really nice and I saved myself TONS of money!
Oooh the carrot cake balls and the baked tofu look amazing! I’m craving tofu right now. Yum.
Love your table! It looks perfect for your needs!
I think I am gonna need to start coming yo you for photo tips girl!!! Can’t wait to catch up tomorrow! xo
I can’t wait either!!!!
Your pics blow mine out of the water, silly girl :)
xo
Love the table! I have a big/thick cutting board that my brother made for me that I’ve been using for certain meal pictures, placed in the sunlight; I love it!
You are becoming QUITE the photographer!! Gorge photos!!
I used to sell a lot of things on eBay, but when they took away the ability for sellers to leave comments for buyers, I stopped. I got screwed over too many times and it was frustrating! I don’t know, I just don’t trust so many things. Plus, with all of the shady stories about meeting up with people selling things on Craig’s List…I don’t know I’d just rather shop at a thrift store!
However, I have to say that table is such a great find! I really like it and I love things that are easily made smaller and easy to store!
that is so true about the feedback/ebay issue. I know quite a few ppl who boycott ebay now b/c of that.
Nice table! What’s even nicer is it looks like you can flip the table around to get some different colored wood(the one picture it looks lighter on one side than the other) And it’s nice that you can just turn it 90 degrees and have the slats running the opposite way if you want. My hubby does a lot of woodwork. He’s actually super spoiled in that department, his dad used to have his own woodworking business so he has a massive shop full of tools and great wood that he can use for whatever he wants. I’ve been bugging him to make me a little table for my photography. He did make me the cutting board I use for my pictures now though(but I used it to cut things before I started taking pictures so it has all these cut marks, LOL)
I loooove second hand stores, but we don’t have much around here. I buy things off eBay though. I just bought a corn tortilla press actually. I’m much more likely to find something on eBay than in a store around here.
I almost pointed out the color change, i.e. due to shooting with the windows in front of vs. behind me, but didnt want to get too “geeky” with photography and lighting trivia but I am glad you noticed!
Btw when you submit to tasteologie do they take awhile to get back to you or notify you with an email at all? Just wondering :)
Um… I’ve never gotten an email from them. I haven’t noticed a button or option to get an email either. It’s kind of annoying, I’d prefer to get an email just so I know. Sometimes it takes up to a full 24 hrs(or maybe longer) to get whatever you submitted onto the site though so I just wait and see. If you find an option to get an email let me know because I can’t see it!
Ok I will lyk. So far, not on their site and no emails. Limbo wait and see mode I guess :)
I love used stuff! Craigslist, Freecycle, thrift stores, yard sales, you name it! I don’t think I’ve actually bought much on craigslist, but I’ve found a couple jobs and an apartment.
By the way, I made your microwave blueberry oatmeal cake with pb on top a few days ago, ang it was delicious! It kept me full till late afternoon! I’ll definitely keep this one around for when I have a long, busy day ahead of me.
thanks for lmk you make the microwave blueberry oatmeal cake with pb on top a few days ago, and it was delicious!
heyyy, great find! i like how the table folds up, great way to save on the always-much-needed space! looking forward to seeing all of your food photography!
i love putting my photos on wood because its so earthy and natural!
Awesome teak table find!
I agree with the wooden backdrop. It really adds a nice, cozy, rustic quality. Almost makes the food look “richer.”
I LOOOOVE thrift/garage sale shopping, but haven’t been quite brave enough for Craigslist, and Ebay to me, is a pain. (But I’m glad you have good luck with that!)
ooh – love your table!
I’m all about CL and Ebay. I used organic fitted cloth diapers for all three kids and recently sold them on CL as they had lots of life left – how awesome! :)
I cloth diapered Skylar for the 2nd half of her diaper life and diaperswappers was my best friend :)
I love the look of food on the rustic wood. It is pretty!!!
I have never purchased anything from those sites, but I have bought used books through amazon, and I have also purchased vintage clothing and jewelry through other sites/stores.
Nice table. Smaller, compact, foldable, storable, and easy to walk around while trying to get “the perfect shot”. Looking forward to seeing it in future food shots.
Best thing I ate on the weekend: red pepper humus on Mary’s Crackers.
Finds on CL / Kijiji: Trailer load of gravel (free); barely used pressure washer ($20); and picture window that we installed in our “office” at the paintball field ($40)
Craigslist is great! Good idea with the wood table, I’m lucky that our big dining room table happens to wood.
I had some lovely food this weekend including some homemade spicy west african peanut and sweet potato stew and sushi. Have a great monday! :)
We bought one of our steel case desks off of craigslist for $75 and it was in perfect condition. That was a huge deal for us!
Very nice photos. That burger looks so delicious :D
Well you turned me onto Craigslist in the first place — I’ve only used it to sell things though, no purchases.
And I think that table is perfect for what you need — and I like the slightly “weathered” look it has.
Best thing I ate/drank – Long Island Iced Tea on Friday was really good!
Tofu looks so yumm!!…. just cant wait to have carrot bites :)
Glad the weather was so nice for you on Saturday! Ours was the opposite- gorgeous Sunday, scary on Saturday. Tornadoes did touch down but not near our house (luckily!!). The table is fabulous. I purchased a coffee table on Craigs list and love it. I should go back on there and check for more potential items for the house! Best thing I did this weekend was plant my garden with Josh and my Dad. Since I’m not allowed to lift the heavy bags of soil right now, I more watched and helped every once in a while…I felt like a princess and I hate that! haha. Enjoy your Monday
Funny you should ask about CL/ebay/thrifting. I was just skulking around thrift stores and a flea market yesterday. I love vintage, love buying secondhand, and love unique deals. One of the stores I was in is actually named “Junk.” Love that.
Congrats on your table find. It’s cute! Are you going to buy some different styles of wood planks as well for photos? I’m sure any hardware store could hook you up. Maybe I should look for myself :-)
Speaking of vintage and wood, right now I’m in the market for cute drawer knobs for a dresser I’m re-finishing to look “weathered/distressed/antique.” I’m loving the way it looks already, and eager to put the finishing touches on it.
I haven’t sold much, but I have a feeling I will be doing that more in the future.
Have and awesome Monday. Xoxo!
Cute table! I need to scope out Craig’s List more.
Great table! I have a couple wooden surfaces I use for food pics…and they always turn out the best!
I am trying to buy a bike for my nephew on craigslist–it’s not that I couldn’t buy him a new one, but last year I got him one for $7 at a yard sale and now I’m having trouble thinking $70 at Target is worth it! Craigslist is convenient, but scoping out some ritzy neighborhood yard sales has also scored me major awesome kid stuff (books, games…and hardly ever used baby stuff from grandparent neighborhoods!).
Tofu looks so yumm!!…. just cant wait to have carrot bites :)
I have a table similar to that one that I use as a side table for my lounge chairs during the summer. I used to be an Ebay addict. It’s been a long time since I’ve bought anything off Ebay now.
yum… wood…
well, cedar plank salmon is at least ;)
That table is awesome!!
Such a great deal. I love the table. It looks great for setting up awesome foodie shots!
oh what a great deal!! I think craigslist is hit or miss depending on your city. Austin has some gret finds. We sell a lot of gear on there because everyone cycles!
Great weather here too! Lots of good sunshine. Cheers!
great score on the table. averie! the size and the teak wood will suit your photography needs wonderfully.
i’m lucky: i have a light wood floor and lots of natural light in the condo, and a dark wood dining room table – both make great backdrops. too bad i’m not *into* photography (yet!)!
never bought or sold anything on craigslist or ebay…have hosted a couple of garage sales over the years, to sell, stuff – that’s about it!
love the photo of your sunny saturday – send some sunshine up here, please!
I love that table Averie! I really like the “rugged” look and think it’s perfect for showing off food. And I love how it folds up so simply!
I’ve sold a LOT on ebay – mostly clothes and DVD’s – but not for a while now. It was great way to make a little extra cash!
GREAT find!! I love the weathered look for photos – weather it’s food, portraits or just for fuN! I see that table as being a perfect backdrop for you. I have an old wooden chair that I love using for photos…I just wish I had more weathered-looking cutting boards to put food right on.
Ever bought anything on CL or eBay? Oh, man; I’m an eBay fiend!! Since I live in a much smaller area than you CL is sort of hit or miss (I like to browse occasionally but there usually isn’t much) but I always check eBay first. I like being able to support local stores, but more often I’d rather have something slightly used of higher quality than brand new of lesser quality.
I love that table! It’s the same size and idea as my table…but mine is cheap plastic that I have to cover with table cloth! And yes, I totally agree with you – wood is a gorgeous backdrop for food. I often photograph on my wood cutting board for that very reason. It lets the food shine all on it’s own.
Love you lady!
You and I must be on the same wavelength! I was just telling Dustin the other day how I need two or three tables for window lighting; one high up, one medium level, and one very low to get excellent overhead shots. I’m a shorty, so I need it to be extra low, lol. Right now I use a stool and a TV table for easy portability, but I have been thinking about all the backgrounds and wood and materials and colored papers I want to use! This is so much fun right?
Excellent table score! That’s exactly what I was thinking of, too. Pictures will look fabulous on it! Wood just works for some reason. I think because it’s generally a dull surface that minimizes reflections and just looks like a rustic kitchen scene.
Craig’s List <3
Love CL. I just sold my polar, an old blender and my old sewing machine last month. I have a feeling I’m going to be selling more and buying more off it when the big move gets underway.
That table is really beautiful. I have such crap lighting an dcrap windows (the one in my living room starts at eye level and is above that…weird), that a table wouldn’t even help. Not that it matters since I’m moving out of here!!!! (soon.)
Now, I’m going to bed.
That is a great Craigslist find! I sell something awesome on Craigslist- myself! Lol by that I mean I put up babysitting ads when I’m looking for a job. So far, it’s been good. I think having great intuition comes in handy here.
Craigs list is awesome! My husband found our couch, Which was brand new! It can be tricky but worth it sometimes!
And ur pictures are beautiful!
I have that table! It’s Ikea: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20055690. It’s held up pretty well 2ish years but not really exposed to the elements (we keep it on a covered patio).
Wow, thanks for the link and LMK! I guess it wasn’t an “amazing” deal considering the retail price, but hey, it feels like an amazing deal to me still :)
Averie, I think I have told you before but I have a serious addiction to your microwave oat cakes. A very serious addiction.
I bought some fabulous cookie cutters on Ebay! They make me happy :)
Have a great night!
thanks for lmk :)