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Alright...I might have a slight problem. And...it might be thrifting a little too much. The thing about thrifting is...you have to do it a lot to find the best stuff. Since all the 2nd-hand stores I know of put new things out daily (sometimes a few times daily)...it behooves a person (such as myself) to visit often. Or more than often...like every day...like a couple times in a day. *Ouch*...that even hurt me to admit!

Anyhoo...my frequenting of the Goodwill's and Salvation Army's of the greater Des Moines area has lead to some fantastical finds!

Now...I must say...this waytoocute board game from the 1950's did not come from a thrift store, perse...but from an extremely random estate sale. I say it was random b/c it was literally held by 2 women, selling all their hoarded possessions (read: me in about 40 years), in a 19th century house that was completely torn down to the studs. So...not only was I surrounded by decades of really cool stuff...but I was pretty much in heaven in this dilapitated structure. *sigh...*

I couldn't snatch this beauty up fast enough when I spied her on a side-shelf at Salvation Army. I had almost given up hope on this trip (on which I dragged 5 other people who do not enjoy thrifting)...thinking I wasn't going to find any treasures. And then...I saw a yellow dish. At first I thought it was plastic...it was so shiny! So...I reached out a pensive hand, only to be so wonderfully surprised! Pyrex!! Not only Pyrex...but a 1950's hostess dish...including the lid! Eep! I have my grandma's red hostess

(sans lid)...so I was thrilled to be able to find this on intact. Oh yeah...she was only 99 cents to boot!

Now...this trio (sadly missing the 2nd biggest bowl)...was another last-minute find at Salvation Army...only a different location. It was actually the first time I'd ever seen the Americana (harvest colors w/ a white band around the top). The bowls aren't in the best condition...but I was able to snag all 3 for less than $5. I'm pretty sure I can get 'em all cleaned up...getting rid of some of the scuff marks.

I am really super excited about this thrift. We're basically redoing the main level of our house...painted walls, cupboards, and

built-ins...plus new flooring. So...I'm wanting to change the decor up a bit too. I don't necessarily have any kind of a budget for that, though. When I spied these battery-operated paper lanterns (originally from Pottery Barn) at Goodwill...I knew they would be a great addition to the space. They were still in the boxes...and all work (had my fingers crossed on that part). I got a lot of style for under $8!

I know that thrifting isn't for everyone...and it takes a bit of consistency and effort...but I totally think it's worth the time. I've found so many things that (with a bit of elbow grease & lots of soap), have helped me to make our house a lot more stylish...w/out spending a lot of money. I also like the thought of giving really cool things a new home...a new purpose.

~Hilary~

On the Cheap

The hubs & I had a b-day celebration for his dad waaaaay back in May. It was just supposed to be a laid-back get-together (b/c our house has been torn apart from projects since late March)...but I couldn't leave the table naked. So...I pulled together a few things I've thrifted recently and a few snippets from our yard.

The table cloth (a vintage sheet) and the crystal cut glasses are all from Salvation Army. I picked up the super-de-duper frog @ a flea...I couldn't resist his wide-open mouth and chippy green paint. Back in the day (when we first got married) I was very into Fiesta...the s&p shakers are remnants from then. I should probably put those dishes back into my regular rotation...what a waste, otherwise.  Last, but not least...the "flowers." We don't really have much for pretty flowers, etc (we will next year!!!)...but I do have quite a few hosta. A couple leaves from those...and cuttings from a purply plant (how scientific)...voila!

The total cost of this table scape...less than $5. :)

~Hilary~

Ummm, yeah...

Miss Addy has pretty much the coolest aunt...ever! Oh wait...that's me. Awkward?? Not if it's true. ;) I've been getting a super-de-duper cute room ready for her over the last few months...
and it's finally done!

So...without further ado...the room!

I love how the wall art pieces turned out (although...I'd be lying if I said I won't be looking for additions). I thrifted all of these for less than $1.99 each...bam! I was going to paint all 3 of the chalk pieces, but the hubs said the colors on the flower basket were too pretty to cover up. Awww.....

Heart-shaped cork board *swoon*! I picked this beauty up from my favorite Salvation Army for only 99 cents...ohmygoodness!! Now...it just needs some pics on it.

My heart skipped when I spotted this embroidered lovely @ the flea market...and at $2...it was a steal! Other thrifty finds...the yellow ginham metal basket was only 50 cents...and I found the Ikea pendant lamp for $2 @ a garage sale a couple years ago.

I needed a little space to set odds & ends...so was thrilled to find this bench @ the flea market for only $25...made out of reclaimed lumber. The mountain scene painting was picked up @ Goodwill for less than $2. I found the cuter-than-cute tea set @ a second-hand store. I especially love it b/c it's not saccarine sweet pink...but my favorite shade of green.

Storage space is pretty limited in this baby-sized room...so I snagged this chippy, white cabinet @ a re-sale shop to solve that problem. For Addy's things, I bought storage boxes w/ lids...and jewelry organizers to hold some of my things (see my accessories story here). The stacking blocks on the floor are something from my childhood...vintage from Germany.

 This bed is pretty much my favorite 'story' of this whole project. One day I was trolling Facebook...as I do (too often)...and a lovely lady from my church posted she was giving away a picket fence twin bed frame. Did you hear that?!? FREE!! I couldn't reply fast enough! Bonus...someone else saw the post and had a free mattress. All we had to buy was a box spring. How amazing! The bedding is a mish-mash of new and thrifted + a vintage chenille bedspread. Another freebie...the nitestand...holds a vintage lamp my mom had bought for me a long time ago (plus thecutestever tiny box of tissues & a bowl full of succulents). Last...but not least...in this corner of the room...a vintage straw bag I discovered @ the Goodwill.

Just one more pic...b/c I am 'completely, and perfectly, and incandescently happy' w/ the results. (Just a little play on a quote from one of my most favoritest movies, Pride & Prejudice).

Now...if only she were old enough to stay the nite in her big girl bed. Guess I'll just have to enjoy the room for now...

~Hilary~