Old School

I know I said I'd slow down on thrifting until I start and finish some projects, but my baby wanted to know if the desk I just bought was for her. It's kinda like when you fix your child a plate of food then fix yours...they want to eat from your plate even though they have their own. (it always comes back to food for me LOL). Anyway, I told her we could share, but knew it was time to get her own. Blog Sis is giving her a vanity, but when I found this, couldn't resist.

I was very happy to come across an "old school" school desk that will be perfect for her to grow into. It is already a cute turquoise blue. Plan to paint to wood purple (of course) and stencil on flowers (or butterflies, even!).

Best part...it was priced at $29.99 but I talked them down to $19.99. My first successful negotiation! Shine and Savvy would be proud.

Thift Store Finds

Blog Sis and I went thrift store shopping today and cleaned up. Found some great items that, with a little elbow grease and creativity, should make amazing pieces.

I think I'll cool it on the shopping for a while. Have plenty of projects in the hopper now.

• Here's what we found - Price (intent):

Beautiful solid wood antique desk - $19.99 (home office)

Carved wood chair - $4.99 (desk chair)









Solid wood buffet by Basset Furniture -- lovely detail (entry way) - $75









Hope to have updates soon.

It's a Small (Blog) World...

I had the best blogging day today. I found some great chairs on Craigslist. I emailed the owner and very quickly arranged for me (and my blog sister) to come see them.

When we arrived, just a few blocks from my house, we immediately noticed the garage was faux finished to look like wood grain and the wreath on the door looked custom made. Blog Sis looked at me and said "Somebody is just like us." and we had a quick laugh.

When the seller opened the door, after I noticed the beautiful chairs, I looked up into the most beautiful and cozy, classy home I'd been seen in Frisco. That's when Martha Stewart, i.e. Blog Sis, looked at the owner and said..."Do you have a blog?".

She hesitantly said, "Yes." "Let it Shine?", asked Blog Sis. "Yes!" The rest is history. Not only was she Shine, but she had posted comments on both our blogs! It was like new friends who were old friends. We started comparing ideas (okay, I was being nosy). Her mom (the sweetest lady ever) started showing us around to see all of the blogger's awesome projects. Her daughter even gave Symone a sucker, which made them blood relatives.

I won't go on, but it was really cool to connect with someone who is nice and shares and interest. I am hopeful that we will all stay connected via our blogs and I hope to buy more of Shine's hand-me-downs :) Her house is AMAZING!

BTW -- I am SO out of my league with them, but they can be my mentors (Blog Sis already was, but she didn't know it).

The Chair - Update

I finally found some fabric I love and resumed work on the chair.

Covered pad and bottom w/ batting:

Then nailed fabric on.

Next steps -- nail head trim and MAYBE cover the sides?

What do you think? Cover sides or keep caning?

Cool fact:

Went by an estate sale this morning and saw an antique chair pretty similar listed for $185! Not bad for $14.99 for chair and $20 for fabric, huh?

Cute Kills - Short Story

Yesterday at the airport in NC, I thought I was too cute in my white capris. I walked slowly through the security equipment, crossing the threshold with my usual smug look of "toldja I was clean", when Ole Otis from Martin comes up to me talking about "Please step into the chamber right there."

I was like "whatever, Gramps", but complied nonetheless. Raised my arms...machine took a picture. Turned the other way...machine took a picture. Finally, Ole Otis puts his hand to his earpiece, then looks at me and says "Do you have something on around your waist?".

I spoke, quietly, "Yes...it's a shaper." Of course, because he's 112 years old, he says "Say what?!". So I whisper, "I have on a girdle."

This fool yells into his mic, "She clean...SHE GOT ON A GIRDLE!". I liked to fell out for dead!!!

Next, Big Boned Brenda had to pat me down. Upon finishing the pat down, perhaps sensing my humiliation and defeat, BBB says "You doing right...keep wearing it or your stomach will look like mine."

LMAO, but still trying to figure out how the damn machine detected my Spanx. Cute kills.

My Living Room - update

Not sure if I can call it an update if I've never posted on it, but here goes.

Still working on it...what I've added so far:

• Rug (Target - Reg. $199, paid ~$129 after gift card and Annette's b-friend's discount)
• Ottomans? (ottomen?LMAO) ($25 ea. Garden Ridge)
• Pillows (Kohl's clearance - orig. $25; paid $9.99)
• End table from bedroom ($99 at tent sale from local furniture store last fall)
• Lamp (markdown from Lowe's; orig. $50, paid $12.50)
• No sew panels (fabric remnants ~$15; upholstery tacks and curtain rings $4)
• Paint (have 3 1/4 of 5 walls painted; 3 - a light green, 1/4 - a tannish gold; think will go w/ gold)

Still need/want/praying on -- different panels (not feeling), wall accesories, chairs (want to get rid of recliner), nice tv stand (and possibly flat screen TV)

Before:

Currently (but not finished):

Thrift/bargain Purchases

Okay...it's been a while. As is my MO, I have started and stopped about five different projects since starting the chair.

Since I opened my mouth on facebook and revealed I have a blog(not to mention endless empty promises to Anne) , taking it as a challenge to get back on my game.

Below are my most recent purchases (most found at local resale store)...stay tuned for updates (taking one thing at a time).

• Dresser - $24.99 (Symone's room; will sand and repaint top and sides white & change out knobs)
  

• Table: $29.99 (in pretty good shape; will probably just use Old English scratch cover and tighten legs)
  

• Chairs ($30/ea. from Craigslist -- really like, but kind of vintage so smaller in size; may not keep)
  

• Random end table ($14.99; will sand and re-stain; use in either study/guest room or bedroom)