I just love to look in other people's windows.

I tell myself it's not creepy since I'm not trying to see any people. In fact, I get annoyed if the people inside are blocking my view. I just want to see their homes and how they've decorated. I'm always looking for new ideas.

I'd never trespass, and I certainly don't use binoculars. Okay, I might do the latter if I had some. Mostly, I just walk or drive past, slowly. I can't tell you how many wrecks I've nearly had while driving past houses whose occupants were kind enough to leave the curtains open after dark.

Usually, I don't bother during the day. You can't see much. But, I accidentally hit pay dirt this morning. Read more...

Ceramic pulls perfect for restyling vintage furniture.
Photo © Leah French

You probably know the flea market is a great place to buy furniture that just needs to be spruced up a bit. Broken or missing hardware is a common issue, but usually one of the easiest to fix. Sometimes you can even find the replacements right there at the flea market.

I see hardware while flea market shopping all the time -- new, antique, and sometimes fantastic handmade pieces.

I spotted these colorful ceramic pulls over the weekend. If they'd had just two more of the red ones, they'd have been perfect for a piece I'm planning to use for extra storage in my tiny kitchen.

If you have pieces you're working on, it's a good idea to keep the hardware measurements with you. You're pretty safe with knobs, but the space between the screws varies with pulls and handles. Nevertheless, if you happen to fall for something really special, you can always fill the holes and drill new ones, especially on painted pieces that need a fresh coat anyway.

• Which Furniture Is Worth Fixing

© Yard Sale Treasure Map

Have you tried Yard Sale Treasure Map yet?

I have. It's love.

Using Google maps and Craigslist garage sale listings, it was created just for planning yard sale routes. It's easy to use and free.

I asked creator Shawn Kolodgie what inspired Yard Sale Treasure Map.

"My wife and I came up with the idea because of watching the tedious way that my mother-in-law plots out her weekly Saturday adventure for treasure using a paper map, sticky notes, and a newspaper.  I was amazed to find out that no online tools existed and the yard sale sites that did exist were for the most part either exploitative or not very useful... with the exception of craigslist.org of course."

Ahem. Substitute a highlighter for the sticky notes and that process sounds a little too familiar.

• How to Use Yard Sale Treasure Map

If you're planning to hit the flea markets and estate sales Sunday morning, don't forget to turn your clocks back an hour before you go to bed Saturday night. With an extra hour of sleep, you'll be well-rested for your treasure hunt.

I forgot last year, and ended up waiting in the car for an hour. Ah well, at least I had a giant coffee to keep me company.

Happy hunting!