thrifting treasures

(Just a real-life shot of my girl and I this morning... bed head and all.

Keeping it real, folks...)

This past weekend, Trav and I did some spring Fall Cleaning this weekend.  Ahhhh.... our main focus was our closets.  It feels good to be organized and a little more spaced in between hangers and shelves.  I took some of our nicer clothes over to a consignment shop to see if I could get any money before I donated the rest.  $15.65! Pretty good to me....

Treking over to the Goodwill, Bella and I dropped off the rest of our junk stuff before perusing the shelves inside the shop.  Right before I left, I found these two beauties!!

approx. dimensions: 2' x 3'

price: $2.99

approx. dimensions: 4' x 2'

price: $8.99

My photos don't do them justice, as they really are beautiful.  I don't know much about art, but these aren't just prints, either.  They have texture and paint raised in certain places on real canvas!  I love them.  I'm thinking of spicing up the frames a bit and changing up the wall layout in my home.  More on those projects later...  Favorite part: I paid for them with the money made from Fall Cleaning with change left over!

Annnnnnd, a sneak peak of tomorrow's post:

Let's just say, I think I'm going to have a difficult time making her understand it's a high of 95* F today.  But, thankfully she'll be able to use it this weekend.  Again... more on that tomorrow....

SCORE!

My neighbor called me last night wondering if I wanted to accompany her garage sale-ing this morning.  Yes, out here in the midwest, people begin their garage sales on Thursday and continue them through the weekend.  Took me a while to wisen up to the fact that Saturday's are NOT the ideal day to go garage sale-ing.

Unfortunately, we didn't find any garage sales worthwhile, and as we were about to give up hope, we happened upon an Estate Sale.  Both of us inexperienced in this type of sale-ing, we relied on "strength in numbers" and headed into the house.

Estate sales are AWESOME.  Especially when you find them on the last day that it's going.  Everything was 50% off the listed price, and the sales guy was begging us to offer him what we wanted to pay.  I came away with some sweet loot!

1. Dresser:   $45    $5

: needs some major TLC, but for $5, I thought it could make a fun summer project.  I'm seeing either a future changing table or a buffet??

2. Side table:   $50   $15

: with some paint, this will make a cute side table in our living room.  I've been searching for one of these all over.

3. Bowls (on table):   $10   $5: for a set of three vintage, milk glass mixing bowls, I found a steal of a deal!

4. Desert glasses:   $2/piece   $1/piece

: so glad I found these!  Years ago, at a thrift store in Mississippi, I found two of the exact same glasses.  Now, with a set of four, I can serve ice cream to our guests in true fashion.

5. Vintage lamp:   $5   $2

: don't know quite what I'll do with this yet, but it has so much potential.  Spray paint?  Redo the shade?  Or just leave it... I'm not sure.  But, I loved the shape of the base.

TOTAL WORTH:  $114.00

TOTAL SPENT: $29.50


Now, to explain to Trav what all these "treasures" are upon his arrival home from work....

thrift store treasures

I've been asked many times, how do I find such good treasures at thrift stores??  Or, which thrift stores do I visit??  Here are a couple of thrifting tips that I've found helpful:

(I have a vision of putting mix-n-match vintage bedding on Bella's bed.  

I love vintage sheets for a variety of reasons, but mainly because they bring back childhood for me.

Here are some of my finds.  I think the most I paid for one sheet was $3.  

The rest were between $1-$2.)

1. Go OFTEN.  I mainly visit the thrift store on our military base, because it is so convenient for me (travel-wise).  It is only open 3 days a week, totaling 12 hours per week, but I try to find time to make a quick run there at least once every other week, if not every week.  Many times I leave with nothing, or something small (like a book), but if I'm faithful, something's bound to catch my eye.

2. Donate OFTEN.  I am constantly bringing things to the thrift store - at least every other time I go.  I don't usually consign, simply because the things I donate aren't worth much.  But, I find if I'm donating, I feel more connected with the business of "thrifting" and am bound to check my options there, first, before paying full price at a store.

3. Know what you're looking for.  This isn't necessary, but it certainly helps me not collect "junk" because I think that someday my great-niece might want a pretty shelf in her orange room (although I do fail and buy things when I don't necessarily have a place in mind for them).  Lately, I've been searching for vintage sheets.  I want to put mix-n-match vintagey, floral sheets on Bella's bed when she moves into one.  So, far, I've found a couple and it makes the find so much more exciting because I had those sheets specifically in mind.  I also love any sort of old book...

(I found this ooooold catechism by Martin Luther for 15 cents!!  What a steal!)

Copywrited in 1943, with a slight revision in 1965... Makes my heart go pitter-patter.

LOVE this section (actually, each section talks about how the "Head of his household" should teach these truths to the youngsters.  After this section on prayer, it says that you should go about your business cheerful, singing a hymn or reciting the 10 commandments.  :-)  

Also love this book: "Flat Stanley".  For a quarter.  Can't beat that.

4. Keep an open mind... especially if you're looking for something crafty to do, or make over.  A lot of times you simply need to forget about the color and imagine what a coat of turquoise spray paint might do for its physique.

Found this precious, wooden toddler bed (came with perfect mattress and mattress pad) for $40.

If the Lord chooses to bless my womb any time soon, we want both the kids to share a room.

This small bed makes it possible.  

Plus, it's adorable.  And wooden.  I love it.

Still in the basement though.  Not up for bed-training quite yet.

5. In answer to "Where do I thrift??" I say that usually, on base.  That's where I donate all my stuff and usually find my finds.  But, I also love any Salvation Army and Goodwill.  Each one varies, but usually those are good places to begin.  Any local-yocal place is a great way to support your community, as well.

So, there you have it!  Go ye forth and thrift!!

stylin' tips

Alright, all you crafty ladies out there! I need some help (since my mother and sister live too far away...):

See this adorable fruit-basket-hangy-thing?? The yellow was what clinched the deal. That, and the $1.49 sticker at GoodWill. Looks so vintagey!

Well, it's also a hangy-thing (as previously mentioned). And while I love the idea of hanging it somewhere, so as not to take up counter space... my kitchen isn't so "hangy-friendly."

Here's a snapshot of my kitchen (in the form of a collage, since my camera doesn't do panaroma shots. :-) See?? No place to really hang it without it getting in my face! Or walking straight into it.

But, here's my thought... hang a hook out of the ceiling right where this arrow is... and it'll kinda dangle about the bar strip. Whaddya think? Nay? Yea? Any other ideas?

female mathematics and us girls...

I'm not like the stereotypical gal: I don't like shopping. In fact, I really dislike shopping. The crowds, the frivolous spending of money, the envy and greed that enter into my perfectly content heart pre-shopping. I'd rather just steer clear of malls altogether. In order to do any type of shopping (clothing, groceries, Christmas...) I must have a list in hand - in order to keep me focused: get in, get out. That's my policy.

That said.... I'm a SUCKER for deals. Thrift stores, garage sales, consignment shops.... ahhh, they drag me in and I could wander around for hours. I LOVE a good deal! So much so, that my dear husband makes fun of me and says I have my own way of equating math. Take this for an example:
I wanted to buy Bella a Christmas dress. But, can't bring myself to pay $15 for a dress she'll probably only wear once or twice. I see one at the thrift shop: $2. Much more doable.

We had a Christmas party to go to... I kinda wanted a new top.... so I moseyed on down to T.J. Maxx. Found a really beautiful, chunky red sweater for $25 (still kinda pricey for me). But, it was previously sold at The Limited.... which means it probably was originally around $50.

So, according to my calculations... I paid:

$2 instead of $15

&

$25 instead of $50

thereby saving me a grand total of
$38.

Right???

Trav says not so much. He says I wouldn't have bought the clothing at full price anyway, so I didn't save anything. And while he does appreciate my thriftiness, he just can't understand the simplicity of my mathematics. Men...

Speaking of men..... I may just have a very handsome one walking through my door tomorrow.... more on that later!

thrift shop steals

I took advantage of Trav being home with the babe (more on her later!), and made a special visit to the thrift store - alone. Ahhh, the joys of being able to browse with no rush. And today was my lucky day! I found so many treasures... I couldn't wait to rush home and relay to Trav all the deals I found. And even though he was semi-interested, I thought I'd share with you all, those in whom I might find more of a kindred spirit for deals!

Books!

Francine Rivers' series on women from the Bible: $10 (5 books)

Two James Harriet books (love these!): 25 cents each!

A 1917 edition of "Little Men": $1.50

Dishware: $2

Headboard
twin-sized for Bella (eventually): $15

I grabbed a couple other treasures too. All in all, I came away with great deals! Gotta love it! Oh, and I wanted to show you a fun project I worked on this last weekend. I have WAAAAAY too many ribbons - all previously shoved in a shoe box in a drawer. Found this idea on some random blog... wrapping them around clothespins and displaying them in a glass case. Cool and cute! I just need a bigger glass vase...

That's all for now. Bella's crying upstairs. Ugh. The last couple days have been wearying and relentless... prayer is always appreciated!

boys... *sigh*

Our bedroom = blah. For being a gal that loves color and homey-ness in a home, our bedroom is one white blob of blah. I don't know... I guess I got burnt out on painting every other room in the house, so the bedroom took last priority. I've been conjuring up some ideas, though, to redo it as a project for when he next deploys. (think: Craigslist, refinishing, a splash of color...)

Yesterday, while at my weekly thrift store run, I scored a sweet deal. A t-shirt knit, queen-sized sheet set (brand new) for $14. I always appreciate new sheets, and we especially like t-shirt knit kind. This set even had some color in it, so I thought I'd surprise my husband. Came home, washed them, donned our bed, and waited for him to come home.

Later, I was out talking with some neighbors girls when Trav came tromping over to me, changed out of his flight suit into play clothes (for lack of better term).... meaning he had been upstairs and changed already (thus seeing the sheets!).

Our convo:
T: "Hey babe!"
J: "Hiiii."
some small talk
J: "So, you changed already..."
T: "Ya..."
J: "Did you like the bedroom??"
T: "Uhhh... whaddya mean?"
J: "You didn't notice?"
T: "What?"
J: "You didn't notice."
T: "What are you talking about?"
J: "HOW could you NOT have noticed??"

*sigh* Boys.... Sometimes (aka: most of the time) I just don't understand them...

Buuuuutttt.... Bella is a dolly. She and I had a good day today, which makes life just somehow seem, well, enjoyable! Here's a better picture of her eating "solids" (the other one in my previous post was rather scary... sorry.)

I *heart* Craigslist... and other weekend happenings

Craigslist is pretty much amazing... and here's why I love it:
- It's like garage saleing/thrift store shopping without having to leave your home (although, I do like to get out and leave my home).
- Bargaining is okay
- You know you're never paying full price
- You get to meet random people all over your local area
- etc, etc, etc!!

So Trav and I sold our table a couple weeks ago on Craigslist. It was one of those high tables with bar stool height chairs. We liked it when we first bought it (over 2 years ago), but I got so tired of hauling myself up on those chairs, and having my feet dangling, and not being able to scoot my chair in graciously. After a couple weeks of waiting and diligently searching Craigslist, my perfectly-desired table came up *for the exact price we sold our other table for*!!! Just like a trade-out! You gotta love it... Here's our new table - so tiny and cute (and it came with two leaves so it can go bigger).


Trav and I enjoyed our fall weekend - October is coming to a close and I think that's crazy!! Bella is our joy and delight - so fun and she is the perfect addition to our family. I think we'll keep her. :-) Here are some pictures from our weekend.

I must explain the picture below. Bella was having a hard night and was inconsolable. I bounced, rocked, sung to, loved on, kissed, held her... all to no avail. So I gave her to Trav while he watched the baseball game so my ears could stop ringing (she has a LOUD cry). A couple minutes later, I noticed that, not only was she silent, she was cooing! Peaking in the other room to see what had done the trick, I see her buck naked, cooing away up at her daddy. Trav told me he thought she might have wanted to be naked... and she quieted down right away.
"I think she's going to be one of those people that like being naked!" he concurred.

A nudist? I surely hope not!

Trying to win a smile from that darling face...

Babies, Blessings and Stupid Boys...

I think I will start with the "Stupid boys" part of the story... since it is fresh on my mind:

Trav and I were on base working out and after I finished, I went to the library. A little later, he texted me, saying he was coming by to pick me up, so I stepped outside to wait for him. As I walked outside, two enlisted guys were walking up to the library. I noticed them staring at me, but I didn't think too much of it. Only because (as all you pregnant/mothers know) since being pregnant, I feel as though everyone stares at my belly. Even this morning, Trav and I went to Panera Bread, and as I was ordering, the cashier stared at my belly the whole time! As though my baby were going to pop out right then and there! Anyways, back to the boys... they were staring, so I smiled and one of them said, "How you doin', ma'am?" "Fine, thanks," I replied with a smile. *Still staring at me* "Damn! Pregnant and still sexy!" Uhhh.... I awkwardly look away and wish I could think of a quick retort. Alas, none comes to me and I just feel really awkward as they walk away. I mean, that's pretty stupid for him to say that to my face, but especially a guy in uniform! Very untactful.

Onto the blessings! This weekend, Trav and I got some great deals on baby stuff! We've been needing some of the bigger items for babies and wondering how we're going to pay for everything! We really wanted to get a rocker/glider, but the more we've looked, the more I hesitate putting down the cash for one! They are really expensive! I mean, the cheapest one we've found (which wasn't comfortable, at all!) is in the mid-$100's. But, according to us, if you're going to pay money, might as well pay for something you really love and one that will last awhile. So this weekend, we looked around at a bunch of stores and online websites, all to no avail. I just didn't feel right about purchasing one. We were kinda frustrated with one another and the whole situation by the end of Saturday, but we put it to rest and just decided to wait a little longer before we made a decision. We've also been looking for a crib on Craigslist and finally found one that we liked for a decent price. The guy said that we could come by on Sunday and check it out/buy it. So Sunday afternoon, we headed over to the guys house and lo and behold! a beauty of a crib awaited us! Only two years old, primo condition and just beautiful!

The couple themselves are moving to Thailand and didn't want to get rid of it, but decided it was too expensive to move all their furniture. As we were leaving to go, the wife said, "We also have a rocker/glider that we're wanting to get rid of, if you're interested?" Interested?? We both looked at each other and said, "We are very interested!" Once again, this rocker is a beauty, primo condition and they sold it to us for only $70!! We made out like bandits! Once we got into our Jeep, loaded with all our goodies, Travis began to sing the doxology in perfect praise to the Lord for how He provides for us - even in our simplest and worldly needs.

We finished out the rest of our Sunday putting together Bella's room together. It feels great to have everything ready - a perfect, little haven to bring our baby girl home to. Here's my version of a virtual tour of her room. Some pictures have bad lighting... sorry.

(Oh, that Dodger onesie is not staying up there... my Aunt Janet sent that to us, much to my chagrin and Travis' delight.)

This morning, we had our last sono with Maternal Fetal Medicine and it was wondrous to see our baby girl. She looks like a real baby now! And well she should, as I'm just about to start into my 9th month. Her cheeks were round and chubby and her little fingers were grasping her toes and pulling them. :-) She weighs 6 lbs. 3 oz. right now and still has 4 weeks to go! As far as they could tell, she still has her bilateral cleft lip and palate, but everything else about her body and health is perfect. I praise the Lord for her little life and sweet, round face that we saw today. It blew my mind that the next time we see her, we will be holding her!!