Thursday, January 17, 2013

Let There Be Light...



Ahhh, see that beauty up there?  It just replaced the fan we've had in our bedroom for the past 14 years.  But shhh - don't tell my husband.  He'll probably notice it in about six months. (God bless him --he's not real observant!)  He "thinks" he needs the fan.  He doesn't - he needs the air conditioning.  Trust me, it will not be missed!

But isn't she pretty?  I layed eyes on her last Saturday afternoon.  I stood there, gazing up at her, thinking, "I don't need you.  But I want you.  Badly."


I came home and asked my daughter if she would like a chandelier in her room.  To my amazement without blinking an eye, she said, "Yes."  Well, that just meant a trip back to the store first thing in the morning.  At 9:01 I arrived.  I bought it, rushed home, walked into her room, chandelier in hand, and we both said, "Nope.  Doesn't look good in here."  Bummer.  Now what?  Since it can't be returned, I had to find a place for it.

As I walked down the hall and past my bedroom, I stopped.  I peered in and saw that awful, but familiar fan.  "Wait!  Maybe it can go in here!"  As I stood up on the trunk at the end of my bed, I got this huge Cheshire cat grin.  "Oh, yeah, Momma likes it in here!"  

Good ol' Gregg hung it up yesterday.  I love it!  And guess what, someone by the name of Ed didn't even notice it!  Aren't men funny?

Here are a few of my finds from yesterday.  I had an hour to kill before my treatment, and what better way to waste an hour than to run up to the Salvation Army!  And be still my heart, it was "25% Off Day" to boot!


I have a thing for enamelware.  Found this baby for $5.99, plus 25% off.  I picture it filled to the brim with hot tortellini soup.  Or, knowing me, come summer, filled with white daises in the backyard.  


This Ironstone teapot.  Only $4.99 with 25% off!  
Tea anyone?


My kids and I love having our own carafe of water at dinner time.  These were $1.25 each.  


I had an old chippy chair here for last few years.  One more rain drop, and it's gonna break.  Picked this guy up for $3.75!  Given how heavy it is, I think it can withstand the elements really well.  And I love that it's already black - as it balances out our black shutters from the other side of the house perfectly.


So that's it!  So fun!  I spent a grand total of $21.67 (bought a few things for a friend too).  

Now get out there and be good stewards of your money -- go thrift!












  

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Vintage Garden & Bloom...



Hi, Girlies.
Guess what I just found?  An adorable store that is so stinkin' cute, 
I can't stand it.  

I introduce to you...
Vintage Garden & Bloom (I just love the name!)
If I were to own a store, I think this would be it.

It's decorated for Christmas.  Vintage syle.







It's filled with all things farmhouse, cottage and yummy.



Lots of vintage floral accessories.
(Really love this green metal candle stand -- shoulda' got it!)




I really want Santa to bring me this green wicker table, but I have no where to put it!  But it's sooo me!


And there's a charming little patio in the backyard...


Filled with old patio sets, fountains and birdhouses...


And this wall filled with old slate chalkboards is adorable, but my photo doesn't do it justice...


I met the owner Laurie Turner just a few days ago.  We started chatting, and I promised to blog about her new store as it's only been open for one month (Shocking, actually, because it looks as if it's been there for years!)  It's located smack dab in the middle of Thousand Oaks Blvd. and Erbes, but it sits back off the street quite a bit and it's very hard to drive by and not see.   Laurie has a great eye for display and it's simply charming at every turn.  

Laurie is a retired school teacher.  One day she asked herself what her passion was.  "Gardening and vintage junk," was her answer.  So she mustered up the courage to open up her own shop.  Once everyone finds her, I'm sure she will be a hit.  She's warm and sweet -- and even thinking about getting a store cat!  Is she my kind of girl or what???

I know I've blogged three days in a row, but I wanted you to see her store and pay her a visit in case you need any last minute Christmas gifts for your friends (or yourself!)

Vintage Garden & Bloom
1696 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.
805.379.1418

She's in between Lupe's Mexican Restaurant and Nothin' Bundt Cakes.

Here are her hours:


Why pay for a sign, when you can make a cute one?
Enjoy!!!


















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