Thrifty Thursday....

It's been a while since my last post but things have been a little hectic in the Farrell Household the past few months...

Our youngest daughter was married at the beach in Destin last month so we have gained a son-in-law!! So, needless to say, I have been consumed with all the wedding planning ...a post on the wedding to come soon.

Now for my Thrifty Thursday finds..

Since I have "retired" my "9-5" job, I get to spend more time doing the things that I really love to do, such as spending time with my family and finding great deals like these.  I spent the day today with my other daughter, Amanda, in Nashville and she is a great bargain hunter too!! We didn't have very much time to shop so we stopped at the local GW down the street from her house.  Green is my fav color so my eye naturally spots things that color!!
Today, things with a yellow tag were half price so most of my finds were $2.00 or less!

I have been looking for a place to put our mail and keys and was planning a trip to Hobby Lobby but was so happy to find this for $1.99!! I am planning on paining this black and adding some labels to the slots and putting it in my "mudroom"..

 

This cute little basket was only $2.99! It really doesn't need a thing done to it but I am thinking about either staining it a darker color or painting the top with chalkboard paint..

This cool piece of fabric is really a valance that I snagged for $1.00.  I have the same color pillows on my chairs on screen porch and needed another one for my couch..add some trim and it's done..

This is the coolest vintage terry towel from Sears with the original tag still on it.  I love how it is reversible so I decided to split it in half and give half to Amanda and we are going to add fabric and make a funky little apron..

Watch for the "after" pictures on all of my Thrifty Thursday finds soon~!!

Friday Fashion Fun: I'm In the Mood for Love...

1.Kate Spade 2.H&M vest 3. Ralph Lauren Belt 4. Stella & Dot studs 5. J. Crew pants 6. J. Crew shirt 7.Ann Taylor 8. Michael Kors 9. Loubs 10. Cool Pin

Honey, you can buy me any of these...

Tuesday's Tip

I love dishes!! I have at least 5 different sets and I use them all.  I mix and match the cups, plates, and saucers with different patterns.  During this time of the year when it still gets dark early and it's cold outside, I like to add a punch of color to my walls!!

This is an expensive and easy way to change your decor or to do something with that long or odd-shaped wall in any room of your house..don't be afraid to use plates in other rooms!!

Pick out some funky or colorful plates and saucers in your cabinets (mix patterns and colors).  If you don't have enough to make a design like the one above, run over to Goodwill or Salvation Army and you will be amazed at what you can find for as little as 25 to 50 cents!!

Measure the wall that you want the plates on to find the center.  Start with the largest plate/saucer and then space them on the wall in curved or S-shaped pattern using plate hooks. 

You're done. New look for little to no money!!

Post your pictures on my Facebook Page!!

Wednesday's Word

Well, It's time to get back to the Swing of Things and I really have missed posting~!! So I will pick up where we left off with our Word for the Week

Gilding

This is a paint effect and is essentially the application of a gold finish. It can be achieved by applying gold leaf, or by using metallic powders.  You see this typically on picture frames but it also can be done on almost any object.  It also comes in a Silver leaf as well.  You can purchase the material for this project at any craft store.

Now, look for that "not so pretty" picture frame you have in the garage or craft room and head on over to JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby or even Wal-Mart, get your materials and do some Gilding..~!!

Fun Friday

First of all, sorry for staying away for so long..my mind was on our vacation here.  Then we had to come back to reality and back to work! I've been catching up on things for my "real job" but I sure have missed blogging!

So, we are down to the last 15 days before Christmas and if you're like me, there are always last minute gifts to buy.  My daughter and I always have the big idea that we are going to make all of our Christmas presents.  She usually does what she says and I always just have big ideas and never seem to get around to doing everything I want! But, I found a few cute little presents you could throw together and give as a hostess gift, teacher's gift or your neighbor for that matter!



This sweet wreath is a snap to make. Using hot glue, attach unwrapped candy canes to a foam wreath form until the form is completely covered. Glue red Christmas baubles around the wreath in a balanced arrangement. Finish the wreath with a tone-on-tone bow.

Or this cute one..

Purchase a bag of cookie cutters for a few dollars and turn them into a clever Christmas wreath. Hobby Lobby has all of them half price right now.  Form the shapes into a circle, then wire the pieces together. Attach a pretty bow with hot glue and hang the wreath from a nail!



Have a Very Fun Friday!!

Wednesday's Word...

Fleur de Lis

(pronounced “fleur-duh-lees” )

I have always loved this symbol. (I even have it in my logo~!!) It is one of the most recognized symbols across the world. Representing either a lily or an iris, traditionally, it has been used to represent French Royalty, and it is said to signify perfection, light, and life. The Roman Catholic Church ascribed the lily as the special emblem of the Virgin Mary. Due to its three petals, the Fleur de lis has also been used to represent the Holy Trinity.

Representing elegance and class, this enduring emblem has been used as a decorative element on everything from clothing, jewelry, home decor and most notably as the symbol for the Saints. The New Orleans Saints have had the Fleur de lis Emblem on their uniform since 1967. The black Fleur de lis outlined in white was a symbol placed on the helmet at the inception of the franchise. Interestingly, Louisville Kentucky has also adopted the noble Iris or Lily Flower as it's own symbol.

While the Fleur de lis has appeared on countless European Coats of Arms and flags over the centuries, it is particularly associated with the French monarchy. It remains an enduring symbol there and even appears on French stamps~! According to French historians, the three leaves represent the medieval social classes: those who worked, those who fought and those who prayed. Very interesting.

Wednesday's Word...

étagère

(pronounced "ett-u-ghay")

Crafted from wood or metal and consisting of at least three shelves, the étagère will be at home in any room of your house, from the kitchen to the bath.

Try one in the kitchen to hold spices or cookbooks. Maybe one in the dining room with your antique china and a potted plant or two is just what you need to warm up the space? Or maybe in the corner of the living room with a few books and other treasures, your étagère will complete the space with a little French flair. Try one in the bedroom to hold sweaters or jewelry alongside your vanity. One in the bathroom for your favorite bath salts and bubbles supplies elegant storage for a small space. The uses of etageres are endless and the great thing is that no matter where you put them they'll fit right in with a polished grace.

The étagère was very popular in France and England in the late 1800's. This highly decorative piece of furniture was and is not only functional but stylish as well. An étagère offers a graceful and elegant way to show off and store books and other treasures.

I have one in our living room that is filled with everything from antique books to baby pictures, special cards that my daughters made me, and even glassware- all in one piece of furniture. This is a versatile piece of furniture that I would recommend investing in.

The one pictured above is on my list to purchase because I already have the credenza that matches it!!