Thrifty Monday

Well, I didn't make it to the yard sales this week! My partner in crime is under the weather! (Hi Mom - Love You!) So, I thought I would show my fireplace. It's chocked full of thrifty treasures!



I have kind of a nature/bird theme going in my family room. The tile, brick and paneling were all recently re-done when we moved in. They were well thought out and look really good together. Unfortunately, they have a bit of a pinkish tone. That's not exactly what I would have chosen for my Autumn color scheme. I decided to go for it anyway and I think it still works.

Here's the rundown of what I have on my fireplace starting on the mantel going from left to right:


Oops...left a couple of candles on the mantel, didn't mean to do that! The topiary has a match on the other end. I got one of them at Michael's with a coupon and the other I found at a yard sale shortly after! Bird house art from Hobby Lobby - when they had one of their framed art 50% off sales! The green pineapple candle holder was from a yard sale. I love the yellow bird candle holder! I got that at a thrift store for $6. I thought it looked good with the pineapple 'cuz they are the same kind of metal.


Okay, so confession time...see the little metal sign that says FAMILY? Well, it's hanging on a big fat nail that I can not take out! I didn't want to do a traditional centered piece of art, so I just had to find something to hang there. That's what I came up with for now. Got the FAMILY metal sign at Hobby Lobby when metal stuff was half off. I love the mini topiary and white iron bird! Those are from the thrift store, paid a couple of bucks for each of them. The LIVE-LAUGH-LOVE is from Kirkland's. I bought it with a gift certificate I got as a house-warming gift. They still sell a similar sign with those words, but they changed the design a bit right after that. I like this one best.


So I really like things made of wire, like little chairs, birdcages, baskets...I've had these a long time and I don't remember where I got them or how much I paid. The lamp was a gift from my mother-in-law, she couldn't use it anymore. The metal square art is from Hobby Lobby (50% off) and the "C" was a gift.

That is a one-of-a-kind original watercolor painted by my Mom! It's one of my favorite things and it is in a place of honor so I can look at it every day! Thanks Mom!
More little chairs, bucket was a gift. I just stuck some fake Hobby Lobby grass and berries in it. Those are extra pillows from our sofas.


So, that's a peak at my family room! I wanted to do it now, because I've started decorating for fall. It's all different now!

I'm joining Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch and Today's Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality! Let's head on over and check out all the treasures and transformations!

Words to Live By

Comparison destroys contentment!
- Unknown

Has this ever happened to you?

You get up in the morning, get yourself ready for the day. You look in the mirror and think - Hey! This looks okay! Then you get to your destination and look around at the other women. Suddenly after noticing a friend in her new outfit, you look down at yourself and think - What was I thinking? This doesn't look good!

Or maybe you are okay with that 6 year old sofa in your living room. It's seen better days, but it's comfortable and it still goes okay in your room. Then you go to a friend's house and they just got themselves a brand-new sectional! You go back home and look at that sofa again only this time you see a dusty old piece of junk!

Why do we do that to ourselves? That's the kind of comparing that we just don't need to do! And the sad thing is...many times those same women are probably doing some comparing of their own to our lives and feeling the same way!

Here in Blogland we do a lot of looking at each other's homes, DIY projects and crafty ideas! That kind of looking is a wonderful way to inspire us! But, that doesn't have to be comparison - maybe a little admiration, and some inspiration - that's all good!

We are all just trying to do the best with what we have and that's why I love it here! I have really enjoyed "getting to know" all of you! Thank you for your lovely comments and encouragement!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Show Us Your Rooster Party!

It's time to join the party over at Bella Vista! I've been waiting and waiting! I just can't wait to see what everyone is going to show us!

DISCLAIMER: I discovered as I was taking pictures, that I don't have quite as many Roosters as I thought I did! It seems some of my Roosters are CHICKENS! He He

...oh well! Here we go!



Now comes the chickens!


Thanks for looking! I can't wait to see what everyone else has!

Art from Reclaimed Wood

Love this! It's from Pottery Barn - of course! They just do everything right! I think a person could duplicate this design if they had a pile of scraps, a saw, some paint and a lot of free time! Or they could just buy it here.



Another great piece of art from Pottery Barn!

Pottery Barn

Who doesn't love stars?

Pottery Barn

I may just have to buy myself a circular saw...



...and some wood...I guess buying new wood would kind of defeat the purpose, huh?



I have the paint and the nails though... :-)

Thrifty Monday & Transformed Tuesday!

Hey everybody! My little project is just some cheap melamine doors my stepdad found in the dumpster! They look like they were from a kid size cabinet. He thought I might be able to do something with them. I had these cork squares that I got from a yard sale for 25 cents. The doors were already white and I thought I would just stick the cork inside the frame on the front of the door. I used some ribbon to hang them by the doorknobs. Easy peasy!


I just covered the seams with how I put the stuff on the cork board. Now I have a place to put my inspiration photos near where I sit to do my blogging - which is at one end of our sunroom.

Here's some more bargains from my home office area:


I love the framed art from Kirkland's that I got at a yard sale for $2!!! It still had the $69 price tag on the back!!! Birdhouse on a stand and metal bucket are both from yard sales, too! The cloth napkin is another bargain from Pier 1!

I'm joining my favorite Mr. Linky parties:
Met Monday - Between Naps on the Porch
Today's Thrifty Treasures - Southern Hospitality
and Trash to Treasure Tuesday - Reinvented!

I love seeing what everyone has come up with this week! Please head on over and check them all out!

Words to Live By

Never, never, never give up.

- Winston Churchill

A favorite quote from days gone by...one that I have heard from my Mom...seen on funny posters...but it is so true!

This one's for you today Mom! I love you so much and I wish I could make it "all better" for you today just as you have done for me so many times! You are the strongest person I have ever known and that strength is what will get you through now. Look upwards and turn to the One who can get you through! I am praying for you and I love you soooooooo much!!!

~ Your darling daughter!

Hooked on White Kitchens

Country Living

White kitchens! I am hooked on them! I know that they may not be the current trendy choice, but I think their classic qualities make them timeless! There is just something about the clean, fresh feeling of white cabinets and bright colors!

Country Living

Of course, kitchens with a little whimsy in them are the best! Casual style - open shelves, rustic sign, using above the cabinets as storage..

Country Living

White and rustic! Perfect combination! Love the old farmhouse sink and antique table turned island. The wood floors painted white and chandelier for a kitchen light keep it casual.

Country Living

Painted white floors, mis-matched stools, open shelving & fishy accents make this kitchen so warm and inviting!

...and a few more Country Living

Country Living

Country Living

I joining Hooked On Friday over at Hooked on Houses! Click here to see what others are hooked on!

Color Inspiration

I have a favorite color palette. It has been my favorite for so many years and I just keep sticking with it for my family room and dining room areas. It makes me think about family, good times and why I love it when the seasons change! It just so happens that my favorite colors are the colors of Autumn! I guess that's not a big surprise since that's the theme I chose for my blog design, too!



In fact, I daresay that I think Fall has almost replaced Christmas as being my favorite holiday to decorate for! (I said - almost!) I am planning on getting out all my decorations next week! When are you putting out your Fall decorations? I put mine out early, but I also decorate for Christmas starting the day after Thanksgiving!

I found a really neat toy when I was looking at colors for this post. It's called a Color Palette Generator! You upload your photo and it finds all the colors for you and creates a palette! You can give it a try here.

More colors of Autumn that inspire...


What is your favorite color palette?