Thrifty Finds
Have you ever bought something that, as you were paying for it, totally convinced you that you were indeed bonkers? I have many, many, times. More than I care to admit.
My sister and I went thrifting yesterday and had a lot of fun doing it! Well, we only hit two out of the ten on the main road out here but, hey, you can only do so much before naptime. And I had a couple "yep, I'm bonkers" moments.
First moment: The trunk.
I've always wanted a trunk. Yesterday I walked in to Goodwill and here was this trunk for $12.25. The handles on each end are broken off but I don't care. I have a trunk.
Two more awesome finds: a gray vase and a flower pot. I'm planning on using the pot to make this fake succulent planter from Liz Marie Blog that I linked to here.
Starting The Garden
Virginia weather is crazy. Yesterday it decided to rain, sleet, and snow. All in one day. So much for spring. Although the sun looks like it's trying to poke out of the clouds right now. It's a valiant effort.
I finally started my garden yesterday. It's about two weeks too late so here I am hoping I haven't killed it already. I decided to start small so we are only planting tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, carrots, and lettuce, although I'm thinking about adding onions.
Inspired Fridays
This week has been rough for me what with the lice and then, as if that wasn't enough, the whole little family came down with a stomach bug. The laundry has been never ending. But things are looking up and it is Friday!
I've decided that Friday will be my day for posting links that have caught my eye over the past week. That way I can work on the projects over the weekend, right? Riiiiight. I hope you find some inspiration for yourself as well!
I've decided that Friday will be my day for posting links that have caught my eye over the past week. That way I can work on the projects over the weekend, right? Riiiiight. I hope you find some inspiration for yourself as well!
Gray Areas
I'm in the middle of a master bedroom makeover.
Up until this point, our bedroom has been a weird mixture of blue, brown, green, and pink. It wasn't amazing but it wasn't as bad as it sounds either. Trust me.
The pink happened because, pre-marriage, my old bedroom was brown and pink. I just brought my pink and flowery pillows with me. The green happened because I had random old green glass bottles lying around. The blue and brown were deliberate and look quite lovely together, in my humble but right opinion.
Before we had the little man, we had a one bedroom apartment with light brown walls so any color worked with it. When we moved in to our bigger place, our bedroom came with light yellow walls. I'm sure I could work the yellow with the blue and brown, but I'm just not a fan of yellow. Even such a nice, creamy, buttery, yellow.
Several months ago, I found these at Target.
And I fell in love. And I was inspired. And I obviously bought them. So much for trying to be thrifty.
Gray.
Up until this point, our bedroom has been a weird mixture of blue, brown, green, and pink. It wasn't amazing but it wasn't as bad as it sounds either. Trust me.
The pink happened because, pre-marriage, my old bedroom was brown and pink. I just brought my pink and flowery pillows with me. The green happened because I had random old green glass bottles lying around. The blue and brown were deliberate and look quite lovely together, in my humble but right opinion.
And I fell in love. And I was inspired. And I obviously bought them. So much for trying to be thrifty.
Gray.
Thrifty Finds
My Nana was in town last week. My Nana is awesome.
Instead of making yummy food for you, she showed you how to make it yourself. She taught me how to make a grilled cheese sandwich. And she always had Little Debbie snacks, Kool-Aid(which we were also taught how to make for ourselves), and Pepsi. Her house is full of books. She loves good stories and loves to give us grandkids new books to read. She always tells it like it is.
Since she was here, we went thrift store shopping. Going to thrift stores in an exciting event in my family. My Mom decorated my sister's wedding and my wedding almost entirely from the thrift store. And no one could tell! My Mom is awesome too. It runs in the family.
I happened to find some pretty awesome material at a few different stores.
Instead of making yummy food for you, she showed you how to make it yourself. She taught me how to make a grilled cheese sandwich. And she always had Little Debbie snacks, Kool-Aid(which we were also taught how to make for ourselves), and Pepsi. Her house is full of books. She loves good stories and loves to give us grandkids new books to read. She always tells it like it is.
Since she was here, we went thrift store shopping. Going to thrift stores in an exciting event in my family. My Mom decorated my sister's wedding and my wedding almost entirely from the thrift store. And no one could tell! My Mom is awesome too. It runs in the family.
I happened to find some pretty awesome material at a few different stores.
I found this lovely gray material for less than $3.00. Gray is my new favorite color!
The blue and white are pairs of curtains. They are too small for my windows but they might work nicely as new pillow covers. Or I could cut a strip off the blue, sew it to the white, and have color-blocked curtains. Hmmm...
I also picked up this little IKEA mirror for $0.99. It's a little beat up and the mirror doesn't sit flat so it will be a little DIY project.
All this for less than $20!
I love thrift stores.
The Plague
Okay, so maybe it's not the plague. But it is my own personal plague.
Lice. Lice everywhere.
I really thought twice about this post. Who wants to inform the world that they have a problem with hitchhiking bugs and unbearable itching? Shoot, I would have been starting the revolt against Pharaoh if he didn't let the Israelites go. I give you my stuff, you leave, I get better? Good deal.
Since we're all about being real here, up the post goes. I have been terrified of getting lice my entire life. I'm sure the fact that I've always had long thick hair had something to do with it. The hubby thinks going through his short hair with a fine-tooth comb is a painful process. Yeah, I'm sure...
So, would you care to take a peek at my house this fine week?
Lice. Lice everywhere.
I really thought twice about this post. Who wants to inform the world that they have a problem with hitchhiking bugs and unbearable itching? Shoot, I would have been starting the revolt against Pharaoh if he didn't let the Israelites go. I give you my stuff, you leave, I get better? Good deal.
Since we're all about being real here, up the post goes. I have been terrified of getting lice my entire life. I'm sure the fact that I've always had long thick hair had something to do with it. The hubby thinks going through his short hair with a fine-tooth comb is a painful process. Yeah, I'm sure...
So, would you care to take a peek at my house this fine week?
Put Some Vinegar On It
The hubby decided to throw me a surprise party over the weekend. This was my cake, made by my awesome sister-in-law. It makes me extremely happy. Doo wee ooooooo...
Ahem, I burst into song quite randomly. Ignore it. Or join me 'cause that would be awesome!
Hello, My Name Is Elizabeth, And...
I am a perfectionist. I am also a procrastinator.
Unfortunately, that spills over into my house. I have several rooms that I just throw stuff in. And you know why? It's because I keep waiting until everything is "perfect" and I can decorate it just so.
But the other day I was minding my own business, reading other people's blogs, when someone, just out of the blue, gave me a swift kick in the pants. Enter the Nester.
I've been following her blog for a bit and always find some great ideas, and some great encouragement. I love her catchphrase: It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful. This particular post however, totally transformed how I had been looking at my home. You really should go read it.
Unfortunately, that spills over into my house. I have several rooms that I just throw stuff in. And you know why? It's because I keep waiting until everything is "perfect" and I can decorate it just so.
But the other day I was minding my own business, reading other people's blogs, when someone, just out of the blue, gave me a swift kick in the pants. Enter the Nester.
I've been following her blog for a bit and always find some great ideas, and some great encouragement. I love her catchphrase: It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful. This particular post however, totally transformed how I had been looking at my home. You really should go read it.
You can find the post here
Before, I would come up with all kinds of excuses. I wanted to wait until the room was painted, or I thought it would be a waste of time because I was just going to change it later, or I was waiting for that one perfect item. The reality was, I was going to be waiting for a long time with a really messy, uninviting, home. So now I'm going to try and take the time to make my home warm and inviting with what I have right now.
I've already worked on my guest room and it turned out better than I thought it would. That's another post for another time.
Are there any rooms or projects in your house that you are holding out on?
Tales From The Sick Bed
Or a hot, steamy cup of vanilla caramel coffee. Whichever.
In the beginning throes of our illness, I had to make a run to the most alluring place on earth: Target. Well, I didn't really have to go to Target but, as I said, it's the most alluring place on earth. It doth not compare to Wally World. It takes courage to show your face in the Walmart here. Courage and desperation.
The Kitchen
It has been pretty gloomy in the area this week and, honestly, so has been my mood toward my house. I keep looking around and seeing all the areas it needs help. And then I think of all the money I don't have to spend. It's quite depressing at times.
I've been trying to see what I can do around here that doesn't cost anything. Or much of anything. So without further ado, I introduce you to:
My kitchen.
I've been trying to see what I can do around here that doesn't cost anything. Or much of anything. So without further ado, I introduce you to:
In Like A Lion...
March is upon us! Man, time goes so fast now that I'm a grown-up. March was always a fun time in my house growing up since we had three birthdays to celebrate in the immediate family. More if you count the cousins. And then there's St. Patrick's Day and this year, there's Easter.
I'm usually not one for seasonal decorating. I do a little for Thanksgiving, and a little bit more for Christmas. And that's usually it. I'm thinkin' I should try my hand at it this year though. Especially since it will give me more to share with you!
So...I started looking around for some inspiration and found a boat load of adorable, green, March, stuff.
So...I started looking around for some inspiration and found a boat load of adorable, green, March, stuff.
Luckiest People Alive Printable
I love the garland! And that printable has a way more modern feel than most St. Patrick's Day decorations. And I know I have some plain candles and green bottles sitting around. And if I don't have time to get around to it because I have a clingy toddler attached to my leg, at least we'll have some pretty pictures to look at. And I should stop beginning all my sentences with and.
What are your faves? Do you decorate for the seasons or is it just too much trouble for you?
What are your faves? Do you decorate for the seasons or is it just too much trouble for you?