Thrifty Chic

I'm a big fan of architectural pieces.  This piece would be great as a focal point in a great room.  Sadly I don't have one nor a big enough car to bring this baby home...

Love the chippy shabby white table.  Do you think the legs were cut off?  I can't decide, hmmm.  Needless to say I did not bring this treasure home with me.

A couple weeks ago found this beautiful chair at my local flea market.... My cat has decided to sleep in it.  Every morning this is where I find him....

I admit I love to play in the dirt....and, yes, I love to pull weeds!   I love the outdoors working and enjoy spending my free time in my garden.

Sometimes I wonder if Cyn and I are not a little nutty??? After all who is crazy enough to stand in line outside in this bitter, cold Midwest winter just to scrounge for treasures at a local estate sale.  Although growing up, I had always wondered what the inside of this Georgian home looked like.  We endured the cold and three hours digging inside the house produced many thrifty chic purchases.  Needless to say, we were not disappointed. 

When we think of pumpkin, we think of pumpkin pie and Thanksgiving.  I have had this dessert at a bridal shower (Cyn's shower in fact) and it is to die for.  A dessert so yummy you can serve it anytime of the year.  Enjoy!

Cyn and I never did make it to Ikea this past weekend.  We will save that trip for another day.  Cyn and I have become so thrifty we have a hard time justifying each and every purchase these days.  We blame it on all the fabulous finds we score at our local thrift stores.  Such treasures to be had just waiting for us to find them.  The chandelier by far was the highlight of the day.  Not only did I grab that baby fast, I had not only Cyn but another shopper loathing my fabulous find.   Looking forward to the next fabulous find......Jules 

So I cannot tell you all what an inspiration my SIL, Jules, is to me.  Her house is PHENOMENAL.  Seriously, It is worthy of publication.  Anyhow.  I have been lucky enough to be on the receiving end of much advice and guidance on turning our house into a home.  I cannot tell you how grateful I am.  She has been kind enough to drive up here several weekends in a row to help me hang pictures, rearrange furniture and donate several treasures to my house beautifying.  I am falling in love with our house all over again!  I can see her potential again!  The icing on the cake is that my sweet hubby installed a chandelier I have had sitting in a box for five years, yup you read that right, five years.  So here are a few before and after pics of our work in progress.  Enjoy! Dinning Room BEFORE: ALMOST COMPLETE: I say ALMOST completed because I am still searching for more artwork and drapery.  Also the d...

So New Years day I did a little solo antiquing.  Hitting up my local thrift stores.  My favorite find was this little birdie salt and pepper set.  It has fantastic patina and looks great nestled on my dinning room sideboard.   I also snagged this great china dinner plate to add to my growing collection of mixed match china.  Sorry Jules there was only one!  But I did find a few cute little prizes for Jules.  Can't wait to share them with her this weekend!  Oh and speaking of this weekend, I am looking forward to my very first trip to Ikea!!!!

I so enjoy decorating during the holidays!  Any and all holidays for that matter.  My favorite is definitely Christmas.  I can honestly say that the inside of my home is warmly lit with the twinkling of white strands of lights.  Draped over garland on mantles and staircases, over mirrors, bookcases, and my grandfather clock....now that I think about it anywhere & everywhere.

My son, CJ.   Each day I am blessed to have such a wonderful son who is smart, funny, and great at anything he tries.   Who has no issues with kissing his mom whenever I ask….and I ask a lot (especially  when he bestows me with kisses in front of his entire soccer team). My garden.  I’m a weekend gardener and spent the past 12 years playing in the dirt.  No matter the weather I can always be found in the garden moving and dividing plants.  I move plants around so often that I actually have been known to forget where I have planted some.   My garden is shared by all.  It is a great pleasure to see the little ones walking thru the yard smelling the different flowers and looking for the lavender plants each year to smell and touch. Elegant Farmer apple pie baked in a brown paper bag.  If you have never had one, you don’t know what you’re missing.  Check it out, http://www.elegantfarmer.com/  Scented candles....

  My fabulous finds for the day. 

Love fleamarket Saturdays.  You never know what treasures you are going to find.  I enjoyed spending the rainy morning indoors seeking out my next found treasure.  Not only did I find one.....I found plenty of treasures that I could not resist. Here are some wonderful displays from today's market.

Decorating should be fun and exciting!  Each year I try to out do myself and use different decorations for my entryway.  Whether it be outlandish and colorful or monochromatic and peaceful.  D on't be afraid of changing things up!  Last year I was obviously in a colorful and playful mood.  Wonder what I will come up with for this holiday?  I can't wait to rummage through my treasures.....

The cold weather is here and I so long for the colorful and fragrant days of summer.  I wanted to share some of my garden with you.

“We do not remember days, we remember moments." - Cesare Pavese 

I love browsing craigslist for previously loved treasures.  However, I hate that everyone labels their items as "gorgeous" or "must see" even if it is the ugliest couch you have ever seen and from 1965.  I stumbled upon a fantastic secret the other day that will save you oodles of time.  You can now browse craigslist by pictures.  It is the best thing since sliced bread.  Seriously it is awesome!  All you do is go to   craigseasy.com   and down load the application to get the easy button.  So simple to do and such a great idea.  Happy hunting!

What a beautiful Sunday!  Cold, crisp clean air for treasure hunting; and treasure hunt, we did.  Who doesn't like to find fabulous things?  Especially at bargain prices.  Here's just a fabulous display of some of our great finds for you to enjoy delightfully displayed in my front garden.  What's great is that Cyn and I both love the same things but have different decorating styles.  Cyn loves the pale pastel colors and is inspired by the shabby chic look and my home is ensconced in dark brown, grey, antique beige and congo red walls (in my opinion, Ralph Lauren's best red by far). What a beautiful french print of a lovely young boy and girl embracing with a dog playing at the girl's feet.  The photo doesn't do this one justice.  The pale muted colors just ooze shabby chic and will look delightful hanging on the pale blue wall of the girls' playroom.  Cyn nabbed this charming piece quite quickly; this one was a definite...