Thrifting “lady date”

<p>Hey all! Thanks SO much for all the wonderful comments and emails about our sweet <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/02/introducing-peanut.html">Peanut</a>! Many of you asked, and he’s a Chihuahua/rat terrier mix. They called him a Chia Rat. ;)</p> <p>We had such a great day with him. He slept ALL night last night and didn’t make a peep! We had a great visit to the vet – and he’s really healthy. (That was a relief!) And tonight he “went” outside for the first time! (TWICE!) It was like potty training the Bub all over again – so exciting!! ;)</p> <p>Anyway, we’re figuring things out as we go. One thing I know for sure is that he LOVES our son so very <em>very</em> much. OH my…they are nuts about each other. It brings tears to my eyes every time I watch them together. </p> <p>I’m finishing up a few things in the basement before I show you the difference decluttering made. :) Until then, I wanted to share some finds from my recent trip downtown Indy to <a href="http://www.midlandathome.com/">Midland Arts and Antiques</a>:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx8ico0bbI/AAAAAAAAMWk/e8G__xWx9mk/s1600-h/image%5B12%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="300" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx8jY4hU-I/AAAAAAAAMWo/FEsK204wKgY/image_thumb%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Three girlfriends and I went for a Saturday “lady date” – as one of my friends called it -- (love that!) out to eat and then to Midland for some antiquing. </p> <p>If you live near Indy and you love the thrill of the hunt…you MUST take a trip there. It’s an old (HUGE!) warehouse full of fabulous finds. </p> <p>I snapped shots of a few things that caught my eye. As with most antique stores, you’ll find some good, bad and definitely ugly. :) You’ll also find real antiques, lots of vintage (especially mid-century modern right now) and also stuff you could also find at any Goodwill. :) </p> <p>I found a few clocks turned cloches:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx8kQnBunI/AAAAAAAAMWs/uDH9rF-AQw8/s1600-h/clock%20cloches%5B2%5D.png"><img alt="clock cloches" border="0" height="368" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx8ld8ExjI/AAAAAAAAMWw/t0Y4A6NiTw8/clock%20cloches_thumb%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="clock cloches" width="400" /></a> </p> <p>Do they look familiar?:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx8mek9TWI/AAAAAAAAMW0/oFAat2CUaDM/s1600-h/image%5B16%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx8neyAyAI/AAAAAAAAMW4/6BmOGjElggE/image_thumb%5B6%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="360" /></a> </p> <p>The only difference – I bought my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/08/before-and-after-party-clock-turned.html">80’s clock-turned-cloche</a> for $3 at Goodwill, and these were both over $40 if I remember right. :) </p> <p>The fabulous light fixtures are endless! Some are funky:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx8oK1D34I/AAAAAAAAMW8/0lgZb99ngK0/s1600-h/IMG_2020%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2020" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx8oyPDWdI/AAAAAAAAMXA/gK5jNFDgtKI/IMG_2020_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_2020" width="359" /></a></p> <p>If we had a wine cellar, I would totally put this there! But alas, we don’t. :)</p> <p>Some just need some spray paint and they’d be a close Pottery Barn knock off:<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx8poza1kI/AAAAAAAAMXE/D_TQR8ISym0/s1600-h/Picnik%20collage%5B9%5D.jpg"><img alt="Picnik collage" border="0" height="368" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx8qmXiJ_I/AAAAAAAAMXI/oCkOetGny9U/Picnik%20collage_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Picnik collage" width="400" /></a> </p> <p>And check out this one:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx8snN9IqI/AAAAAAAAMXM/oRs7TSNuLUI/s1600-h/IMG_2015%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2015" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx8tah81TI/AAAAAAAAMXQ/Nxv4SLAgzhw/IMG_2015_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_2015" width="359" /></a></p> <p>SWOON! It looks SO similar to the one hanging in our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/dining%20room">dining room</a>:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx8tz-yVbI/AAAAAAAAMXU/HEenHr4rHNo/s1600-h/image%5B17%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx8ul6DDQI/AAAAAAAAMXY/yKFmpVj-fb4/image_thumb%5B7%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="308" /></a></p> <p>And mine was a knock off of another Pottery Barn light. I think the one at Midland is even bigger, and is the same price as our Home Depot light (now $180 I believe). </p> <p>I found a gorgeous mirrored tray that would be stunning on any dresser or buffet:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx8vE8AsSI/AAAAAAAAMXc/UhJjJ5wAon4/s1600-h/IMG_2017%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2017" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx8vn4r_FI/AAAAAAAAMXg/uYP9iIuE7-8/IMG_2017_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_2017" width="359" /></a></p> <p>And this mirror would be beautiful as is, painted a bright white or even an unexpected color:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx8wBsc46I/AAAAAAAAMXk/OxNn6SfaPEQ/s1600-h/IMG_2019%5B3%5D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="IMG_2019" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx8wsJ6SEI/AAAAAAAAMXo/6Pfrzp3WVdk/IMG_2019_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_2019" width="359" /></a></p> <p>I loved these cane side tables:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx8xabG7zI/AAAAAAAAMY0/Xny02g58Vfs/s1600-h/IMG_2022%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2022" border="0" height="298" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx8yNPiIZI/AAAAAAAAMY8/aOvswdDg3II/IMG_2022_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_2022" width="400" /></a></p> <p>And I kept going back to this chair and ottoman:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx8ynf5OzI/AAAAAAAAMX0/uvmgNgLDxOI/s1600-h/IMG_2024%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2024" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx8zdxDKFI/AAAAAAAAMX4/aYToO2oEiOI/IMG_2024_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_2024" width="359" /></a></p> <p>They were in fantastic condition! I could totally see them in hubby’s office in the basement – but as  you know, I’m <em>getting rid</em> of stuff down there right now (for the impending finishing off of the space). </p> <p>You’ll always find the downright weird too. :) </p> <p>Birds on display anyone?:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx80Gv0c1I/AAAAAAAAMX8/QY2pfV-Bd3o/s1600-h/IMG_2018%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2018" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx80pkDa8I/AAAAAAAAMYA/Jq7veyfdKOs/IMG_2018_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_2018" width="359" /></a></p> <p>And these chairs in your dining room would be a conversation piece for sure!:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx81vk2RuI/AAAAAAAAMYE/LB49CAseDO4/s1600-h/IMG_2021_picnik%5B10%5D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="IMG_2021_picnik" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx82c_34MI/AAAAAAAAMYI/Va3q5SjQBo8/IMG_2021_picnik_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_2021_picnik" width="359" /></a></p> <p>:) </p> <p>I found a few goodies I took home from our trip, of course. </p> <p>I loved this little bird cagey candleholder:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx83BxwfgI/AAAAAAAAMYM/AasH9QM61Rc/s1600-h/IMG_3137%5B3%5D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="IMG_3137" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx83nGMEGI/AAAAAAAAMYQ/NRo5vXtr01M/IMG_3137_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_3137" width="320" /></a></p> <p>I won’t use it for candles though. I see a nest or something spring-like nestled in there. :) </p> <p>I have wanted a vintage fan forEVER…and this one caught my eye:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx84MdzbII/AAAAAAAAMYU/Yi-98Cu6R3w/s1600-h/IMG_3139%5B3%5D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="IMG_3139" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx843Gbx0I/AAAAAAAAMYY/yfpGkZBkU9w/IMG_3139_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_3139" width="320" /></a></p> <p>It was my biggest splurge of the day by far, at $25. I cleaned it up and considered spray painting it. But I also love it as is. Hmmm…</p> <p>I thought this two-sided mirror was so sweet and dainty:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx85PaMdzI/AAAAAAAAMYc/BhPqa4xZEWg/s1600-h/IMG_3142%5B3%5D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="IMG_3142" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx85loZJDI/AAAAAAAAMYg/pZfGzZh8WHQ/IMG_3142_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_3142" width="320" /></a></p> <p>It’s the perfect addition to my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/11/homegoods-mom-cave-giveaway.html">Mom Cave</a>. :)</p> <p>There were bins full of old Bingo cards:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx86ZpenfI/AAAAAAAAMYk/LU97v2sYWXc/s1600-h/IMG_3146%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3146" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx86wgJjXI/AAAAAAAAMYo/ZpUfjGA8A6U/IMG_3146_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_3146" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I only grabbed three for an idea for the playroom. I’m thinking I could use more though. </p> <p>And this little bunny letter opener was my favorite find of the day:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx87ghJgHI/AAAAAAAAMYs/c6FEF34da2A/s1600-h/IMG_3148%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3148" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWx88aoRmTI/AAAAAAAAMYw/CrKWXQLNIQ8/IMG_3148_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_3148" width="400" /></a></p> <p>It was one of those things…I thought it was just <em>adorable</em>. It was only $2, so I couldn’t pass it up. </p> <p>I had to leave midway through the shopping to get back to the sitter, but it was a good thing. I’m sure it would have been dangerous to stick around too much longer. :)</p> <p>Sometime I’ll have to coordinate a shopping trip for local readers and bloggers – it’s a great afternoon of digging for goodies! </p> <p>Have you found any great thrifting finds lately? Any good spots in your neck of the woods? </p>

Thrifting “lady date”

Hey all! Thanks SO much for all the wonderful comments and emails about our sweet Peanut ! Many of you asked, and he’s a Chihuahua/rat terri...

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10,000(!) and month in review

<p>Hey all! First of all, before I say anything else – I need to say a huge THANKS and a WHOOHOO! </p> <p>Tonight I hit <strong>10,000</strong> followers:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh2t4GOdvI/AAAAAAAAMUY/z2m_JJaH_EQ/s1600-h/ifyyo%5B6%5D.jpg"><img alt="ifyyo" border="0" height="352" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh2uWGk1sI/AAAAAAAAMUc/wZsYNjOSHQY/ifyyo_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="ifyyo" width="300" /></a></p> <p>I had to take a screenshot, just to remember that milestone! (I really, really hate that “followers” term by the way.) </p> <p>But it’s pretty cool to hit five digits. I now have 10,000 of you Squeezies! Squee<em>zays</em>. Squishes. :) </p> <p>Crazy!!</p> <p>Anyway, I want to try to bring back the month in review I started doing last year. It’s been a while since I did  recap of the month and it’s kind of fun (for me anyway, you may be snoring already) to see what I accomplished around these parts every month. (I link to each one if you want to check it out.)</p> <p>The start of this month was an <em>especially</em> special one. We <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/02/well-its-official-were-weird.html">became debt free</a> (except the house) for the first time in our adult lives!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh2u5Ck3hI/AAAAAAAAMUg/9kyu4ximgFI/s1600-h/IMG_2878_picnik_thumb%5B1%5D%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2878_picnik_thumb[1]" border="0" height="382" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh2vYr5ZNI/AAAAAAAAMUk/DCjggjy0Cgw/IMG_2878_picnik_thumb%5B1%5D_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_2878_picnik_thumb[1]" width="400" /></a></p> <p>It’s still so surreal. I find myself thinking about a bill and it hits me -- and I’m grinning from ear to ear. :) We haven’t called in to Dave Ramsey’s show yet – we’d like to take a trip down to Nashville instead. I’ll let you know what we end up doing!</p> <p>And I’m SO SO excited about an idea that Dave’s peeps have been helping me out with. I hope to announce it in the next couple of weeks. </p> <p>Next up this month, I took an unused spot in our loft and turned it into <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/02/work-what-ya-got.html">functional (and cute!) storage wall</a>:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh2vkGA2OI/AAAAAAAAMUo/NgfxVcU4To0/s1600-h/IMG_2928_thumb%5B2%5D%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_2928_thumb[2]" border="0" height="233" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh2wFXnAvI/AAAAAAAAMUs/0fdxGUtQsI0/IMG_2928_thumb%5B2%5D_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_2928_thumb[2]" width="350" /></a></p> <p>At the February Before and After Party, I showed you how I took a $5 <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/02/february-before-after-pretty-pitcher.html">Goodwill pitcher</a> and transformed it with spray paint:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh2wZ2kezI/AAAAAAAAMUw/Q1LysKnBRSY/s1600-h/IMG_2959_thumb%5B18%5D%5B3%5D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="IMG_2959_thumb[18]" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh2w0mvY7I/AAAAAAAAMU0/ybaEBMZSDw0/IMG_2959_thumb%5B18%5D_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_2959_thumb[18]" width="320" /></a></p> <p>Can you believe there were 499 posts linked up? Wowza! How cool is that?</p> <p>Since we’ve become debt free, we are now researching our first “cash” furniture purchase in a long, long time. I’m so excited about a <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/02/searching-for-sofa.html">new sofa</a>, I can barely stand it:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh2xbSUIhI/AAAAAAAAMU4/Rp6ADNQa7cw/s1600-h/image_thumb%5B3%5D%5B3%5D.png"><img alt="image_thumb[3]" border="0" height="288" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh2x8IGZyI/AAAAAAAAMU8/zaWbwTBErf0/image_thumb%5B3%5D_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image_thumb[3]" width="320" /></a></p> <p>There was a great response to that post – I’m pulling all the info you shared together and will do a recap post soon. Lots of great info!</p> <p>I worked with the folks at My Design Guide to provide my readers an affordable <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/02/online-consultations.html">online consultation resource</a>:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh2yYZD4eI/AAAAAAAAMVA/L08xEL_mf1A/s1600-h/image_thumb%5B2%5D%5B4%5D.png"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="image_thumb[2]" border="0" height="76" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh2yy4AHzI/AAAAAAAAMVE/p5kyOAuGuHg/image_thumb%5B2%5D_thumb%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image_thumb[2]" width="350" /></a></p> <p>I’m not able to do these anymore, so I was thrilled that they were able to help me and my readers out! </p> <p>My friend Beki shared the love with a <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/02/giveaway-weekend.html">fantastic giveaway</a> over at The Rusted Chain:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh2z8A3f1I/AAAAAAAAMVI/5GmnpOiPEUU/s1600-h/image4%5B3%5D.png"><img alt="image4" border="0" height="143" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh20A2Nm-I/AAAAAAAAMVM/MlSoW9Q5qmQ/image4_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image4" width="350" /></a></p> <p>And then one thing led to another when I took down the drapes in our living room and the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/02/color-in-living-room.html">transformation started</a>:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh20sAZSHI/AAAAAAAAMVQ/NyKgYdQEZkU/s1600-h/IMG_3006_thumb%5B5%5D%5B3%5D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh21Jk6u3I/AAAAAAAAMVU/uL4kEbJspDc/IMG_3006_thumb%5B5%5D_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="320" /></a></p> <p>When the ice storm of the century hit (that’s what I’m calling it anyway), and we couldn’t leave the house for days, I passed some time by <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/02/one-linen-closet-down.html">decluttering a linen closet</a>:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh21exgWiI/AAAAAAAAMVY/E68PzsKL05M/s1600-h/IMG_3051_thumb%5B1%5D%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh213gblMI/AAAAAAAAMVg/uEQOB9WeiHY/IMG_3051_thumb%5B1%5D_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="320" /></a></p> <p>You won’t believe how much STUFF was in there. (Many of you asked about the light I used, and a very helpful reader put a link in the comments!)</p> <p>Next, I showed you a total project FAIL – my beautiful <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/02/winners-and-project-fail.html">painted pitcher</a> didn’t hold up well, in more ways than one:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh22NMkP4I/AAAAAAAAMVk/7a3iw4rWSgY/s1600-h/photo%285%29_thumb%5B1%5D%5B5%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="401" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh22soIt_I/AAAAAAAAMVo/TfzdyN6z9UM/photo%285%29_thumb%5B1%5D_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="300" /></a></p> <p>Boo. I found a pretty and affordable replacement though. :)</p> <p>At the Organize It shindig, I showed you how I’ve been using Ziploc bags to organize <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/02/organize-it-party.html">games and puzzles</a>:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh223pvpkI/AAAAAAAAMVs/xrokrIvgwBU/s1600-h/Picnikcollage_thumb7%5B4%5D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="" border="0" height="350" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh23HmUaqI/AAAAAAAAMVw/wzpLAUq1DlU/Picnikcollage_thumb7_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="350" /></a></p> <p>LOVE those things. I used more of them in the basement today! (Check out the nearly 300 links at that party too.)</p> <p>And finally, this week I shared how I use <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/02/photographs-my-favorite-art.html">photos as art</a> throughout our house:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh23g5dD3I/AAAAAAAAMV0/IJ_XxQN-l0o/s1600-h/IMG_3190_thumb%5B1%5D%5B3%5D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWh24CdxJbI/AAAAAAAAMV4/P2l9Ag1q2NQ/IMG_3190_thumb%5B1%5D_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="315" /></a></p> <p>Of course, I’m so thankful to all of my wonderful advertisers…over there to the left. :) </p> <p>Whew! What a month! Thanks so much for coming along for the ride -- can’t wait for a great March! </p> <p>Have a wonderful weekend! </p>

10,000(!) and month in review

Hey all! First of all, before I say anything else – I need to say a huge THANKS and a WHOOHOO! Tonight I hit 10,000 followers: I had ...

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Photographs: My favorite art

<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXki8d9U7I/AAAAAAAAMSk/R9v7CJ83B0k/s1600-h/IMG_3222%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="675" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXkkN1n_MI/AAAAAAAAMSo/HKN8CSzMoqc/IMG_3222_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="450" /></a></p> <p>Well hello all! Can you believe it’s almost the weekend already? I swear this week has absolutely <em>flown</em> by. </p> <p>I got one project completed this week that I’m really, really happy with. (GLEE!!) And I did most of it with what I had, which is always a bonus in my book. :)</p> <p>When it comes to filling wall space, we don’t have much <em>real</em> art in our home. OK, let me rephrase…we have ZERO real art. :) </p> <p>An outlet Ballard Designs piece is the closest we get to actual art. Instead I’ve fill our walls with a bunch of molding and lots and LOTS of pictures. Bunches. Gaggles. :)</p> <p>Photographs are my <em>very favorite</em> art. They’re cheap (most of the time I print them out at home and almost all frames are from Goodwill), they’re easy, and they add a personal touch to our home that no art could. </p> <p>I’ve grouped framed pictures in almost every room in our house. The <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/playroom%2Floft">playroom</a>:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXkknHcbCI/AAAAAAAAMSs/Uwq_jCiJGMA/s1600-h/IMG_3160%5B6%5D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="playroom photo wall" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXkld70KdI/AAAAAAAAMSw/VoSWcY1AE_I/IMG_3160_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="playroom photo wall" width="320" /></a></p> <p>See that squishy face? That’s my baby:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXklgEOh7I/AAAAAAAAMS0/xY60y3_rJV8/s1600-h/IMG_3162%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3162" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXkmKDTMpI/AAAAAAAAMS4/ZnPIMYZI3vo/IMG_3162_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3162" width="400" /></a></p> <p>The cowboy is my Dad as a boy. <em>I could die.</em> :)</p> <p>That wall of photos is getting a redo soon. I may move the shelves around and am definitely adding new photos throughout. </p> <p>I filled an empty wall on our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/Stairs">stairwell</a> with photos as well:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXkmxIghlI/AAAAAAAAMS8/oyU_goHYXeY/s1600-h/image%5B12%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXknjELx9I/AAAAAAAAMTA/HCtLHFohtEg/image_thumb%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="image" width="327" /></a></p> <p>Don’t worry…the mice are gone. As much as I HEART them. :)</p> <p>And I used photos in a wall in our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/search/label/master%20bedroom">bedroom</a> as well:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXkoJ56oeI/AAAAAAAAMTE/pDy8c3xOuPo/s1600-h/image%5B13%5D.png"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="image" border="0" height="300" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXkpIkU5oI/AAAAAAAAMTI/2oEy4Ta8dxs/image_thumb%5B5%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="image" width="450" /></a></p> <p>You can see they’re usually hung willy nilly. I like the scattered look when it comes to framed photos, which is REALLY weird for me, since I’m the symmetrical queen. </p> <p>When I started the impromptu redo of the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/02/color-in-living-room.html">living room</a>, I knew exactly how I wanted to fill the space between the windows. I took at look at the colorway on the fabric I picked for the drapes for some color inspiration:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXkps0FGII/AAAAAAAAMTM/lJDWPPsd-_g/s1600-h/IMG_3208%5B3%5D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="IMG_3208" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXkqjlhZRI/AAAAAAAAMTQ/djwIUGsMF5k/IMG_3208_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_3208" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I big fat LOVE when they do that! It makes it <em>so</em> easy to work with. You’ll notice there’s 16 different colors in this beautiful fabric, which gave me plenty of options to choose from. </p> <p>And it turns out, I already had exactly what I needed. :) About eight months ago, I started collecting frames at Goodwill for an idea I had for the living room. I even spray painted them months ago – I bet it’s been about six months. </p> <p>But when I tried my idea in the room, I didn’t care for it (more about that later!) and left it sitting for months. And wouldn’t you know it – the colors I had already painted the frames worked <em>perfectly</em> for my new idea:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXkrJ6GqYI/AAAAAAAAMTU/XCuaPbx1ILc/s1600-h/IMG_3190%5B3%5D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="photo art wall" border="0" height="768" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXkrUYDybI/AAAAAAAAMTY/sqIhCpu8aXE/IMG_3190_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="photo art wall" width="504" /></a></p> <p>I<strong> love</strong> using what I have. And I love it even more when the spray painting is already done. ;) </p> <p>I started finishing off this spot with a Goodwill lamp – it was blinding me with it’s brassiness at the store, but I knew it could be a beauty:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXkr_plJtI/AAAAAAAAMTc/CB6pbhQ7lRM/s1600-h/Picnik%20collage%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="Goodwill lamp" border="0" height="414" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXksWJOQdI/AAAAAAAAMTg/sr4CnUAUQCE/Picnik%20collage_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Goodwill lamp" width="450" /></a></p> <p>Doesn’t it have the loveliest curves? Oh, she’s so darn pretty. :) I sprayed it with a primer and then a couple coats of Rustoleum’s Heirloom White. I had the shade, and added a ribbon from my stash around the bottom. I love how the color in the ribbon is an exact match to the light brown in the drapes. </p> <p><strong>That</strong> is what I’m talkin’ about! Totally by accident and it worked great. Whooeee!!</p> <p>I kept the accessories in the HomeGoods tray simple. I didn’t want them to compete with the art:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXksjxrjYI/AAAAAAAAMTk/L8kKPD5Xkds/s1600-h/IMG_3201%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="Homegoods tray" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXktXdKJzI/AAAAAAAAMTo/LHRKwSG8VPE/IMG_3201_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Homegoods tray" width="320" /></a></p> <p>The rattan ball was a couple bucks on clearance at Pottery Barn years ago. The books are those faux books, and I covered them with a linen fabric last year. </p> <p>The art is my very favorite part! They’re all shots I took (with my point and shoot camera by the way) last year:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXktvTX0uI/AAAAAAAAMTs/S0dnZn8vsPk/s1600-h/IMG_3175%5B3%5D.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXkuUZjpZI/AAAAAAAAMTw/auE7GUFn98A/IMG_3175_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="320" /></a></p> <p>I used a few of the wildflower shots (from our neighborhood) and a leaf from a hike last fall. I was going for bright colors that worked with the drapes. LOVE.</p> <p>I don’t even use mats most of the time – I just cut out white paper and use spray adhesive or double-sided tape to mount the photos right on top. You can’t even tell they’re not the real thing! </p> <p>Like I mentioned, I usually print my photos out at home (and usually just on basic printer paper), but this time I splurged a little bit. I uploaded them to Walgreens.com and picked them up an hour later. </p> <p>Uhh, hello?? How have I missed this fabulousness all these years? I knew about it, just never did it. And I’m now hooked. I think the five pictures were about $12. </p> <p>The new art is the perfect finishing touch for that part of the room:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXkuixxh-I/AAAAAAAAMT0/fEvmScAMMdc/s1600-h/IMG_3213%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="344" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXkvKQu_1I/AAAAAAAAMT4/NQ4RUoMO1kk/IMG_3213_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="500" /></a></p> <p>I’m so in love with it. I smile every time I walk in this space. </p> <p>There’s still much I want to do – not sure that mirror is staying on the right (it’s a little small). You’ll see a peek of a Goodwill coffee table that’s waiting for a redo. And there’s pillows to make as well. (I am going to attempt to make a pillow with a <em>zipper </em>people.)  ;)</p> <p>And if you look close enough, you’ll notice the drapes are different lengths, still aren’t hemmed (will they ever be? I don’t know, I don’t know!), and there’s a few holes in the wall I need to paint over. </p> <p>I was able cover most of those with the frames though. YESSSS. </p> <p>Because you know I’m a lovah of before and after pics, let’s check out the difference so far, shall we? The dark before:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXkwA_4YtI/AAAAAAAAMT8/_wZqN1fyNGo/s1600-h/image%5B17%5D.png"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXkw9qDDkI/AAAAAAAAMUA/PpIjzdLUM7c/image_thumb%5B7%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="360" /></a></p> <p>And with new drapes and a little reworking, the now: </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXkxLIVAJI/AAAAAAAAMUE/9HlYHFMiIQg/s1600-h/IMG_3183%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="bright living room" border="0" height="768" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXkxoQ3PbI/AAAAAAAAMUI/-cfpHRjURnE/IMG_3183_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="bright living room" width="503" /></a></p> <p>BOO.yah. LOVE it. </p> <p>I know many of you are loving the fabric as much as I am – I got it from Calico Corners and it’s P. Kaufman fabric:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXkx0ePpZI/AAAAAAAAMUM/IwTPMKaeuJo/s1600-h/IMG_3206%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="P. Kaufman fabric" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWXkySy0eDI/AAAAAAAAMUQ/ElHDYx_9riQ/IMG_3206_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="P. Kaufman fabric" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I’m trying to find it online and haven’t come up with anything yet. I’ll let you know if I find a link! </p> <p>So, do you use photos as art in your home? I know one thing – if we ever sell our house, the realtor is going to have a heyday with us. Aren’t you supposed to depersonalize? We’ll have LOTS of empty walls! Or they’ll just have to deal.  :) </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>P.S. The lamp shade on the side table was a vintage find years ago. Isn’t is perfect? </p> <p>P.P.S. The spray paints/colors I used on the frames were Rustoleum’s Heirloom White and Espresso and Valspar’s Everglade.</p> <p>**Adding this to my friend Melissa’s party:</p> <p><a href="http://theinspiredroom.net/2011/04/05/gallery-wall/"><img alt="image" border="0" height="240" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TZvFoV7cZPI/AAAAAAAAM48/N45hWA7F4Vg/image%5B4%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="image" width="240" /></a></p>

Photographs: My favorite art

Well hello all! Can you believe it’s almost the weekend already? I swear this week has absolutely flown by. I got one project completed...

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Organize It Party!

<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWMnlkFB6JI/AAAAAAAAMRQ/oRTO_l8pgY0/s1600-h/OrganizeItBasket23.jpg"><img alt="Organize It Party" border="0" height="240" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWMnmjV2lzI/AAAAAAAAMRU/7N4JZfpcKfA/OrganizeItBasket2_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Organize It Party" width="240" /></a>Well howdy! Hope you had a fantastic weekend and President’s Day! Did you get any purging done? Organizing? Getting rid of STUFF?? :)</p> <p>If not, hopefully you’ll be inspired to do just that after this shindig! </p> <p>One of my favorite little tricks of late is a bit of a decluttering/organizing combo. I’ve discovered a new love when it comes to organizing, and it’s not rocket science. </p> <p>It’s the good old Ziploc bag:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWMnnZFlRmI/AAAAAAAAMRY/vplnID8D9II/s1600-h/IMG_31365.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWMnn9Ga9yI/AAAAAAAAMRc/lgaQw12TYjU/IMG_3136_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="400" /></a></p> <p>This certainly isn’t anything new – I’ve seen folks all over blogland use them often. But it was just recently that it clicked how AWESOME they are for the kid stuff. </p> <p>I have a love/hate relationship with the boxes that the Bub’s toys and puzzles come in. I love that they are so easily stacked and put away, but <em>hate</em> that they fall apart so easily and take up SO MUCH space:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWMnoqvv2uI/AAAAAAAAMRg/R2-e-lugVHQ/s1600-h/IMG_28353.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWMno8yQXaI/AAAAAAAAMRk/PliKQh7R89c/IMG_2835_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="320" /></a></p> <p>Especially those memory games – the actual pieces take up <strong>so</strong> little space in that big box. </p> <p>So, I started using bags instead, and I LOVE IT:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWMnpdfAZ0I/AAAAAAAAMRo/6AO5382_SXE/s1600-h/Picnikcollage11.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWMnpt57tHI/AAAAAAAAMRs/JGZwGfFLnyA/Picnikcollage_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="400" /></a></p> <p>It’s such a simple thing! They’ve made a difference though. It must be something about seeing the pieces, or just the ease of getting to them -- but the Bub seems to want to play with his games even more now, and is so helpful when it comes to putting everything away. </p> <p>Now, we just toss the baggies in big bin, which helps the clean up too:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWMnpzS8ZrI/AAAAAAAAMRw/4gOoBdPDMtg/s1600-h/IMG_31343.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWMnqAh5LFI/AAAAAAAAMR0/BxDUSNodZIo/IMG_3134_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I now have 14 different games in that one bin – there’s no way 14 boxes would have fit. </p> <p>This makes Momma HAPPY. And you know when Momma’s happy, everyone’s happy. :) Ha! </p> <p>But really…it’s the truth. For reals. <em>YouknowwhatI’msayin’.</em></p> <p>I also used the baggies to organize the little addition I showed you in our <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/02/color-in-living-room.html">living room</a>:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWMnrUM8WyI/AAAAAAAAMR4/DzhAVnA1_xw/s1600-h/image4.png"><img alt="" border="0" height="566" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWMnsN-KMAI/AAAAAAAAMR8/JLLjAYD-GPQ/image_thumb2.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="400" /></a></p> <p>I pulled the former changing table/former office storage dresser into the room last week and LOVE it. </p> <p>Like I mentioned, even though this is our “formal” living room, we use the space pretty much every day. I thought the dresser would be a great spot for all of our puzzles. </p> <p>Oh, the puzzles. And…puzzles. Big ones, little ones, so many puzzles:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWMnscUJmRI/AAAAAAAAMSA/0xnWB3OKycE/s1600-h/IMG_31173.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWMns11xRAI/AAAAAAAAMSE/7Fu49IvRQ3Q/IMG_3117_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="400" /></a></p> <p>:) </p> <p>But you can see that I could barely fit four large boxes in one drawer, and that wasn’t going to work at all.</p> <p>Baggies to the rescue again:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWMntNV4jAI/AAAAAAAAMSI/VR3LU_E8NVg/s1600-h/IMG_31153.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWMntw2famI/AAAAAAAAMSQ/0bumvA9uE9s/IMG_3115_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Four boxes took up almost the whole drawer, and now six big puzzles take up just over half of the space:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWMnuJ3pDqI/AAAAAAAAMSU/KtN5ZdMB-3c/s1600-h/IMG_31203.jpg"><font color="#4c4c4c"></font><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWMnuVYGuWI/AAAAAAAAMSY/EiMDPK84b40/IMG_3120_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="400" /></a></p> <p>Do you hear the singing? I. love. it. It’s just such a satisfying mix of decluttering and organizing – getting rid of the bulky, torn up boxes, but still having everything separated and easy to get to. </p> <p>I’ve got the little puzzle pieces in bins, but am planning on putting them each in their own bags as well:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWMnvGJyLxI/AAAAAAAAMSc/MtKwZq-20VQ/s1600-h/IMG_31223.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_vswDWGRlsPw/TWMnvpAv7sI/AAAAAAAAMSg/Xpg1YRlIh_0/IMG_3122_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="400" /></a></p> <p>For the floor puzzles, I cut out a picture off the box so we have something to refer to when putting it together. :)</p> <p>Someday when we’re done with these, I’ll just donate them in the bag – I doubt the box will matter that much to the next family. It’s working out GREAT for us! </p> <p>So…let’s see what you’ve got! Link up any organization ideas, decluttering tips, even cleaning suggestions. Anything that will help us get our lives under control is <strong>perfect</strong> for this party!</p> <p>Make sure to link up to your <em>post</em> – not your blog. The party will be open through next Monday evening. </p> <p>Have fun and enjoy! (I accidentally made the boxes a little small, sorry about that! Tried fixing it but can’t for some reason.)</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center">Do you love Pottery Barn and Ballard Designs? <br />You’ll LOVE Knock Off Decor!</p> <p><a href="http://knockoffdecor.com/"><img src="http://knockoffdecor.com/wp-content/themes/pixelhappy/images/KOD-button.gif" /></a></p> <!-- start InLinkz script --><script src="http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=36246"></script><!-- end InLinkz script -->

Organize It Party!

Well howdy! Hope you had a fantastic weekend and President’s Day! Did you get any purging done? Organizing? Getting rid of STUFF?? :) If n...

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