A Quick Hello

Just wanted to touch base with a few quick updates.  Things have been so crazy this past week and I haven't had much of a chance to blog myself or keep up on all of my favorite blogs that I follow.  Here's short (or not so short) list of goings on and random thoughts.

1. Ryan got the rest of his braces on and is somewhat miserable.  You can only eat so much applesauce.
2. I had a headache last week that lasted 4 days and finally went away on Thursday.  Not so fun.
3. Wes' tuxedo job is ending this week, he will be out looking for other employment.
4. I'm thinking of going super blonde at my next hair appt.
5. I have some exciting news to share with you next week (p.s. it has to do with cooking)
6. I was checking out the Christmas ornaments at Fred Meyer, oh how I love thee.

Cheers!

Speed Bumps

I rarely blog about things in my life that I am struggling with etc.  However today I am, I can't be the only one who feels horribly overwhelmed with daily life at times right?  I'm frustrated that it is taking so long to pay off our bills so that we can buy a house.  I wanted to pay off a credit card this week but the boy just announced he is going to homecoming.  We are so excited for him, not so excited about the expenses that come with it.  The pitfalls (and blessing) of being an uber planner is that I'm always thinking months ahead.  The Las Vegas lacrosse tournament is coming in November, followed by Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Thankfully the plane and hotel are paid for.  I just want to cry.  Why didn't I get a degree at college so that I would have a career that paid better than what i do now?  Oh, Lord give me strength today because frankly I just don't have any. 

Thrifty McLovin

As I scoured my garage finding items to donate for our lacrosse team fundraiser garage sale, it only made sense to buy more stuff to fill those empty spots.  Just kidding, these are some new finds from my thrift store expeditions starting from upper right: wood fall potpourri $2 came with pumpkin basket that I'm currently trying to spray paint white.  I already owned the orange glass purse vase .90 on clearance at Michaels'.  Red/white/blue checked Pier One tablecloth $4, Restoration Hardware sugar canister $2 (for my powdered sugar), small green transferware plate $1 & center two shallow glass plates $1 each.  I got these for the good o'l cream cheese with jalapeno jelly on top appetizer.  My good friend Julie gave me some home grown peppers this weekend and I chopped them up and they are ready to go into a jelly recipe.  The thrift stores are starting to put out their holiday items, you should go check it out.  I found myself getting rid of holiday items I bought and never used and finding items that I always wanted but maybe couldn't afford at full price are a bargain now.  Fall might be on it's way now, not sure yet we got fooled last week.  Cheers!

Halloween Pillars

I just made these last weekend and it was super simple and super cheap.  I first saw a display like this over at The Pretty Neat Company when I was looking for Christmas ideas.  I thought why not use them for other holidays as well?  Then the crafty cogs started turning in my head.  I went cruising my thrift stores and found three pillar candle holders in different heights.  I forgot to take before pics, sorry.  One of the pillars was green, the squaty one was brown and the other was actually a Pottery Barn mercury glass.  I spray painted them all Valspar satin black and wah-lah, three matching pillar holders.  I want to find candle rings for the pumpkins to sit on but love the way they look.  My striped pumpkins are from Walmart $3 for a bag of three.  I'm thinking of changing it slightly for Thanksgiving and then for Christmas as well.  People are so creative and I am so appreciative that they share there ideas. 

Thrift Store Love

Some of my newest finds from local thrift stores beginning at top right: green transferware plate $1, Mikasa jingle bell candy dish $2, brown transferware bowl $1.25, gold star napkins (.50) and sage green tablecloth ($2.50) , white serving platter ($1.99) and blue snowflake tablecloth ($3.99), swirled clear glass serving bowl, ($2), clear specialty drink mugs ($1).  I've been trying to find pieces that I'll be able to use all year round.  The candy dish I will fill with treats and give away at Christmas, it still had it's original tag on bottom.  The clear mugs I've been collecting because I want to make this yummy Dulce De Leche coffee from Pioneer Woman and thought it would look so pretty in those.  And at .50 a piece that's a bargain.  I've been looking for green and red transferware to hang up at Christmas.  Yes, I'm already planning don't judge me.  There are great things out there at bargain prices if you are just willing to look.  Cheers!

Ragamuffin Bag

Here is my Christmas version of Nester's Ragamuffin Bag.  I had leftover strips of fabric from last year when I made the Ragamuffin Garland for Christmas.  I love it, totally raggy, fun and different.  Only needed a little time on a Saturday afternoon and some hot glue.  I was in the process of making a Halloween one when I sliced my finger open on Labor Day causing an ER visit and stitiches.  Just like Nester suggested the purse came from the thrift store and cost me $3.  It was a woven/bamboo looking, but it doesn't matter because you are going to cover it up.  I used some woven black edging to cover the top.  This is so easy to make and you can customize to your liking.  I may continue the Halloween bag here soon, but I'm a little gun shy about my rotary cutter.  Cheers!

Ocean Alternative

 I am yearning to sit on a deck of a beachhouse looking out at the ocean.  Just relaxing, listening to the waves, reading a book maybe.  The last two weeks have been absolutely crazy, it's hard to keep my head straight.  Have you ever wanted just to be somewhere and not have to worry about anything?  I do, usually when I'm feeling stressed and overwhelmed.  When I lay my head down each night I fall asleep thinking about relaxing at the ocean.  I no longer live within an hour of the ocean, it's more like a 6 hour trip now.  I guess I will need to find an alternative to an ocean trip for now.  Cheers.