Instead of the usual “It’s the sidewalk sale, it’s hot, it’s crowded and people got up early” story, the paper decided to actually get out and shop this year. A handful of staffers got $20 on the house to spend in a designated category, tweeting and blogging along the way. Not my worst assignment ever!

I did my due diligence in the home decor category (and scored a couple cool things — check them out on our live blog, the 1 p.m. entry). But, let’s be honest, it is impossible to not be distracted by all the other random items out there. I’m sharing a few.

Things I wanted to buy but didn’t:

http://www.lawrence.com/users/photos/2012/jul/19/237929/

http://www.lawrence.com/users/photos/2012/jul/19/237930/

Things I didn’t buy, and didn’t want to:

http://www.lawrence.com/users/photos/2012/jul/19/237931/

http://www.lawrence.com/users/photos/2012/jul/19/237932/

http://www.lawrence.com/users/photos/2012/jul/19/237933/

http://www.lawrence.com/users/photos/2012/jul/19/237934/

http://www.lawrence.com/users/photos/2012/jul/19/237935/

http://www.lawrence.com/users/photos/2012/jul/19/237936/

Things I bought but don’t really know why:

http://www.lawrence.com/users/photos/2012/jul/19/237937/