Thrift Stores Solve Problems

I love thrift stores. I can do therapeutic shopping and not feeling guilty in the end. How can you be in a bad mood after buying next years winter jacket for 10$?

Shopping at these stores solves a few problems. It is the ultimate in budget (next to free), AND it is ENVIRONMENTAL! Need new bowls? check Goodwill first. I bought a set of 8 for 2$. The key is to pop in every once in a while. You have to be patient as well. Have an idea of what you are looking for or would like to find in the next year or so...when you find it, it is SO satisfying.

I have one rule...If I see it and automatically say OH I LOVE it...then I buy it. The items are unique so I HAVE to buy when I see it, and if I have to hym and haw then I'll get it home and regret my purchase.


This is how I find cute skirts like this one...
And when you pay only 1$ for a skirt it makes it easier to wear rubber boots with them and clean out a chicken coop. I could not imagine doing that with a 50$ dress.

I've been looking for material for Lara because she decided she would like to make a quilt. I thought I would be thrifty and find a bunch of retro sheets for her. Unfortunately I'm not finding enough variety and may have to go to the local fabric store and buy scrap fabric (really should have gone there first) instead of being cheap.

My time has not been wasted however as I found THIS! O.K so it is a Queen size bed Cover, but I REALLY love it on my table.

It's so retro and happy. Adam thinks it is just AWFUL and GAWDY. What do you think? Tell me your real opinion. It won't hurt my feelings. I like it. I think it is one of those things you either love or hate. Kind of like when you go house hunting and you look at the decorations and think 'What ARE they THINKING??'

Anyway, take the poll on the sidebar for fun.

Oh! and speaking of domestic retro flowery type stuff....My Anne of GreenGables flowers are blooming!! Thanks Sara!!

Dining Room Update

I figured it was time to give an update on my dining room project.
Here is my original post with the pictures of the dining room as it was.

And here is one of the pictures....

Not TOO bad. But a little dull and boring.

We pass through the dining room a thousand times a day. It is the connection between the kitchen, living room and hallway.

I wanted something bright, cheerful, yet not crazy.

Here is the final result. Well, until I do a little more anyway.

I decided not to do blinds on the windows. We don't require any privacy, and it felt too 'put together'. Instead I made little covers for the chairs. This way I can change the decor depending on the season.

As you can see, the ugly radiator is still being used as a quasi shelf until we put in a fireplace.

Perhaps next year ;)

That's it for now.

Hope you enjoyed the tour.