That very next day, I was doing my laundry. And my routine is to do errands while it is in the machines. As usual, I went up to my local Starbucks (what did I EVER do without them there?! I could kiss them for opening one so close to me!) and on my walk back home, I almost walked down Leonard (a side street) - to avoid the pedestrian traffic of Manhattan Ave (a very busy street). But at the last second, I decided to stay on Manhattan so I could turn down Calyer and enjoy the sights and smells of the Christmas trees for sale.
As I approached Calyer, I was passing that crazy furniture store that I always pass. It used to look like this (but recently changed its name)
If you live in Greenpoint, you know it- they have the plastic "hand" chairs out front all the time. it also happens to be a bus stop, so people are often sitting in them. I mean plastic hand chairs- come on! You can't miss the place!
Anyway, I don't know what compelled me, but as I was quickly rushing down the block, I happened to look down, at the ground, and saw THE MOST PERFECT LAMPS EVER!!!!!
A little history: My ex husband got the cool lamps in the divorce. I can't really complain since I got the Heywood Wakefield furniture and all of his paintings. But I have needed a pair of lamps for my living room for forever. I looked a few times and when I did find a pair of 50's lamps, they were either the wrong color, or I didn't love them. And they were never less than 150 dollars for the set. Which is fine, I would pay that if I loved them, but I didn't, so I was lamp-less.
Giddily, I walked into the store and tried to play it off like I wasn't freaking out over these lamps (but inside, I WAS!)
Me: "Hi, how much are those lamps outside?"
Young Polish Kid: "Those aren't for sale- they're going to the warehouse."
Me, sensing this can go horribly bad if I am not careful: "But I'm a customer that may purchase them right now- why would you send them somewhere else?"
YPK: "We just put them out - They are supposed to go to our other store, the artsier location. We are having a party there tonight. Hang on."
YPK leaves to go in the back and talk to Older Polish Guy.
At this point, I hear them talking in Polish and I'm sure they are not going to sell me these perfect lamps.
Both men come back.
YPK: "Twenty dollars each."
Me (hiding insane amounts of excitement): "Cash ok? Here's 40 bucks."
I wanted to get out of there before they changed their minds. Before they raised the price or told me I couldn't have them. But that was not the case. In fact, OPG even plugged one in to test it out. It worked! I didn't even care if the other one worked. I snatched them up and got out of there.
And here they are in their glory!
On the floor!
Single view!
Lit up, on the right (with ugly cat)!
Not lit up on the right!
Lit up on the left!
Not lit up on the left!
Close up with my ugly cat that I hate!
Close up with both lights illuminated!
I love, love, LOVE my new lamps and can't believe what a steal they were. Not to mention, if I had not walked by that store at that EXACT moment, I likely would not have them right now! I totally attribute this to my new "nice" experiment. I am continuing to be nice to see how else I am rewarded!
