chill out.

a song to set the scene // we belong together by ritchie valens

Facebook Marketplace is going to be the death of me.

Or so I thought, as my gem and I drove out to buy some goods I found off the internet.

It had been the result of the previous night’s 11pm doom scroll through my newest online obsession: Facebook Marketplace.

Facebook Marketplace is a wild ride, let me tell you.

Sketchy and sensational, you can find just about anything on there. And on this particular late night stalk of mine, I found myself thumbing through photos of someone’s rather impressive collection of Pyrex.

Now this was my first time experiencing Facebook Marketplace, and apparently, there are some things to look out for.

A man was selling it, red flag #1 why my gem wouldn’t let me go meet him alone.

The man’s name was… the most generic name, and their profile picture was less than comforting, red flag #2 why my gem wouldn’t let me go alone.

And the man was located in a rather sketchy part of town, red flag #3 why my gem wouldn’t let me go alone.

And so, on a regular old Tuesday, my gem and I drove out of town to meet someone we met off the internet to buy some dishes.

While the gentlemen lived in a legit barricade, complete with aggressive NO TRESPASSING signs, security cameras, and blinds completely drawn, the young guy was really nice; and did, in fact, have an impressive collection of Pyrex.

Of which I walked away with, safe and sound.

A couple of online purchases later, my gem told me I needed to chill out.

Noooooooo. Not what a girl who’s opening up a vintage shop needed to hear.

Well, it was then that I fittingly stumbled across a 1950’s Philco refrigerator.

“Chill out” was right.

Now this I had to have.

I mean, you just don’t stumble across working refrigerators from the 1950’s in Alaska. So when you do, you buy.

Even if the seller is located 3 hours away.

What’s a 3 hour drive when you can be the proud owner of a rare and retro refrigerator?

So, once again, but this time accompanied by my mom, I drove out of town to meet someone we met off the internet to by a fridge.

And just like the Pyrex, it turned out to be a real score.

While the creation and curation of my vintage shop is another story altogether, I’ll tell you one thing: shopping for it is the best part. It’s by far the most thrilling and rewarding; and sometimes, full of red flags that turn out to be real scores.

And now? It’s all part of my business.

So the next time someone says I need to “chill out” on my spending, or “cool off” on my purchasing?

I’ll just go looking for another refrigerator…