No More Mondays

This post is about following your dreams. Doing what you love. Being happy <em>every day</em>. And<strong> No More Mondays</strong>. I love that phrase. I first heard it about a year ago from the <strike>evil</strike> great financial guru Dave Ramsey. A man named <a href="http://48daysblog.wordpress.com/">Dan Miller</a> wrote the book with this title, about following your dreams and making your career what you love, not <em>what you love to hate</em>. That way there is no more <em>dread</em> on Sunday night. No more waiting for Friday to arrive. No more Mondays. <div><div><br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360376177446466482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNPPZ7QvhA_qJjXN3e_-LfozFrQl72gZETPYNb8mNS5oPYOa3DP9T0B4cf9kfiPZtXNQr_9pH_rBj531_3-HrgIxjM-j7FStFoH1tnHNrN3YV0dVWVpUIdzmdQRCVioDp6FvqFsOooCs/s400/scan.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 372px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />For me, it started when I was pregnant a few years ago. Many of you know how getting that news completely changes your focus. All the things you say you'd never do -- you want to do. I always said I would work full time after I had a child, but all the sudden, when it was <em>real</em>, I felt differently. I loved my marketing job so much. I loved the people I worked with. I was just getting <strong>bored</strong>. When I had started my position was brand new -- and I had built it up and was proud of it, but realized after a few years that it didn't need to be a full time position. So when I found out I was pregnant, I was hoping they would work with me on a part time/work from home plan. We talked for months about it and in the end their response was simple -- NO. I was devastated.<br /><br /><div>There are usually bigger plans for us that we just aren't aware of. I wasn't aware of mine.<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360375949901936274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgMmGDiQYnyWjK2Y2on45qcFwOZuJmMzUlr5cn8QP31wEIrkK9B-5eB9P1_qRKkX0RH8rF_HVNgYspNucWAI8wfuKoYNgbFe6XSdWvIpMs-mCbvn4jaSsObSTE2QSFuJIgLgmnXzSVhs/s400/Im000281.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Then our squishy-face-so-cute-I-could-die-I-love-you-more-than-the-moon son arrived. And as we all know, babies change everything. During my leave, I told my husband I wanted to do something <em>different</em>. My heart was calling me to something I really wanted to do -- decorating. I had tried for years to get into the business. I even got my own Web site, made business cards, talked to many interior designers, and it went <em>nowhere</em>. The only response I ever got from the professionals was I had to go back to school for another degree (this time in design) to make my dream a reality. I had just done another few years of masters classes, so there ain't noooooo way I was going back to school folks. </div><br /><div>But it was still calling to me -- and I was determined. Right before I went back to work, I made one last ditch effort to make my dream a reality. I e-mailed every. single. person I had known, knew or cared to know and told them my dream. I wanted to decorate. Did they know anyone? Could they help?<br /></div><div></div><div><br />Wouldn't you know it. We had a close connection that we didn't even know about. She owned a home decor shop and design firm. I called her that night and fell. in. love. I met with her a week later and she made my dream come true. She hired me on as her assistant to learn the ropes. I did it, I loved it, I thrived on it and I learned a lot. I got my first client just a couple months later. </div><br /><div>For more than two years now, I've been working with clients part time, helping them decorate their homes. I have loved it, learned so much and had so much fun. It has sparked my creativity, made me better, broadened my horizons. But now, something else has been pulling at my heart. </div><br /><div>I guess not <em>something</em>. Many <em>things</em>. Many people. <em>YOU</em>. I am so in love with writing this blog, I enjoy it so much I cannot tell you. I have met so many wonderful people, made so many new friends, and been more inspired through you then anywhere else in my life. I LOVE IT. </div><br /><div>Lately I've had this urge -- this desire to focus <strong>just</strong> on this blog and put all of my attention to it and really make it all it can be. So I've decided to do it. For the time being anyway, I'm not doing design work anymore. I'm going where my heart is telling me to go and that's here. I want to put more effort and time into it, I want to inspire you even more. </div><br /><div>I am so excited people. I am loopy!! Like, adrenaline rush, excited. YAY!!</div><br /><div>So to kick it off, I wanted to share a few of the changes and new things coming soon:</div><br /><div><strong>Consultations:</strong> </div><div>I've been offering these for a while now and will continue to do it. For $10, you send me as many pictures as you want of your space or large project. I'll give you a long list of my suggestions on furniture placement, paint colors, accessory ideas, molding projects, painting furniture, etc. All with your budget in mind. But now, I'm hoping to get new software so I can offer you a little more in the consult -- like using your pictures to show you what I'm talking about. I think this is so exciting, it's just going to be a learning curve for me. I haven't used a design program in forever. Any suggestions? Photoshop? Something different?</div><br /><div><strong>Facebook and Twitter:</strong> I've been doing both for a while now, but my I've been neglecting my Crackbook page badly, sorry about that. You can find me on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/Thriftydecor">here</a>. I have been loving Twitter like I never thought I would people. I used to make so. much. fun of it. Swear. But in the future, I hope to offer even more updates on both -- while I walk through Goodwill I'll take a picture and share how I'd make it fab. (Many of you say you need help with the creativity part.) If I spot a deal, I tweet about it. It's fun. And on Facebook (search Thrifty Decor Chick), I'm going to start highlighting some of your projects from the Linky parties. I'm giddy at the potential folks, I hope you'll join me. </div><br /><div><strong>Blog design:</strong> Ummmm...I've been a total slacker on this -- it's been in the works for MONTHS. I'm finally getting serious about it now, and we hope to have it up in the next few weeks. I'm so excited I could pee.</div><div></div><br /><div><strong>Advertising:</strong> As you know, I offer this now, but I've added some options. If you are interested in finding out more about them, let me know. And with the new blog design, your ads will be more prominent than before. </div><br /><div><strong>Getting the word out:</strong> I need your help you Web gurus -- how do I go to get my blog out there more? Do I need to register it somewhere? What the heck does "feed" mean? What is my url address (I thought it was my Web address)? I'm clueless folks. Do I need to improve my domain or whatever the heck that is? I have no idea what that is. Help. Please. </div><br /><div><strong>More projects and more FUN!!:</strong> Do you have suggestions? Ideas for parties? What do you think? Tell me!! Fall is going to be here before we know it, so if it's going to be anything like last year, I'll be posting fast and furiously. What do you want to see here? I want to know because I want <strong>you</strong> to be inspired and entertained. <strong>YOU</strong> are the reason I'm here.</div><br /><div></div>Thanks for putting up with my excitement folks. I know it's not a big deal to you, but I am so happy with this decision. It didn't come easily and it took weeks to make it happen, but I'm really happy I'm following my heart. I hope I inspire you to do the same -- whether it's in in your home, life or work. </div><div></div><div><br />Tomorrow is Monday but won't be for me. Because of you. <em><span style="font-size:85%;">Sniff.</span></em></div><div></div><div><br />P.S. Sorry I'm all gushy here but I'm all verklempt. Oh, and can I tell you how much I love you all and <strong>how much you all ROCK</strong>? Do you know how many e-mails and questions I got about my Summer Beer recipe?? Ummmm...<em>lots</em>. It's 12 ounces light beer, Diet Squirt and tequila and then a concentrate can of limeade or lemonade. That makes plenty. You could also use Sprite or another clear soda I'm sure. It's all good and you all rock. Smooches.</div><div><br /></div><div></div>

No More Mondays

This post is about following your dreams. Doing what you love. Being happy every day . And No More Mondays . I love that phrase. I first he...

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The details of the deck.

OK, well if it tells you anything, it's midnight and I'm just now posting because I've spent the evening on the deck <em>again. </em>One of my best friends came over tonight to chill outside with us and we ended up spending <strong>three</strong> hours out there. Ahhhh...heaven. <div><div><br /><div>I wanted to show you some of the details of the transformation so maybe you can grab some of these deals while you can. This is the only good thing about the summer stuff disappearing in <em>July</em> -- <strong>clearance baby</strong>. Run! Don't walk!!<br /><br />The first deal was the lights I got for the pergola. They were in the Smith and Hawken section at Target, on clearance for $10 a set:</div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359275041681193074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sx3Tb9Hp13fdMSYWIlcyvRVA2tv_Ai7nhG2yvD52OzhGtvKN_PNp_Jt_MbcGh34_LAQVA5lYQUHoze6iSPZrJFLtAj4WVB_vUJ56TBuyh5F7oUEyz2So6xeFQ-Adi3QIZ0abYcNYSd0/s400/DSC00769.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKyWjBO1eqhTPEyA8B5mrzRpB1KN5oKZJe8P57E2aMRcnxM0kg5E2fMf46yN5fE32K3sfvX3-V1NkchssIRg_Xyp6i9M0mveKtQ70pcc0KTPznsbTWjybmj1FyungOBm8geDhSQZJNBQ/s1600-h/DSC00767.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359275034251745234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOKyWjBO1eqhTPEyA8B5mrzRpB1KN5oKZJe8P57E2aMRcnxM0kg5E2fMf46yN5fE32K3sfvX3-V1NkchssIRg_Xyp6i9M0mveKtQ70pcc0KTPznsbTWjybmj1FyungOBm8geDhSQZJNBQ/s400/DSC00767.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> What kills me is I've had a set of these for years, but took them apart and don't know where I put the lights. (I used the twine balls for filler inside.) Ah well, $10 each isn't <em>too</em> bad. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hid the extension cords down the columns by spray painting the cords (ummm...is that allowed??) and then using little bits of cord covers I spray painted as well. No one will never notice them:<br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359273284865207266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAApu5kbJjGwV04hjV1WQlj8AYSWGuuowk64eWo9sy-XAwvmrrzdpB19pFBkFaucRaaJJBQsXqDt2xquohRvKeRM8feafWLEUb15g4qyFRFPXUGPv7_z6PEVsM_0JuLDdL-oSGHz75N0/s400/DSC00736.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /> I have to take care of the little details like this. It will drive. me. mad. otherwise.</div><div><div></div><div>The lighting on the table is simple, 50 cent Ball jars from Goodwill, filled with sand:<br /></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359277149988544386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5u65YqF7YQ80-9OpFe_OOom4KnepLgEVJ4zCfX1J8_JRNClAu0HsKpTjfmUgBA6FYiPt5wCoY4Wfdr57x2mF10VY5Jq2BXXrxdZlUONUwbThmnDAucEfPKB14Pu1NXyqjiGOjnO3wCaw/s400/DSC00731.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" />They had to be <em>Ball </em>jars -- in homage to my alma mater Ball State University! (Double pound to the chest.)</div><div></div><div></div><div>My little jars were in the dollar spot at Target a few months ago. Oh, how I love you dollar spot:</div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359273918507357618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aS9x9EIAanDulcCsqscfpp-TAaKfN-Qfsd2hxogE8-Alvh16n1TytSAPASS2FUmzAZcDK4h_dCT_vnmufL4i_t0Ay06zR1pcP6XGyYteYzHc5apKxwWkUqFg4kGMwVoI_VF8KLp_d54/s400/DSC00746.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></div><div>Kisses to you dollar spot. Hugs. Smooches. </div><div></div><div></div><div>The deck box is double the size of our old one and was another Goodwill find for $30. That's a lot for a Goodwill purchase for me, but this would be more than $100 in the stores:</div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_hs94NPu5VT1m60EFsPHUAlrVns5Vsf8U6k2t2of5TqRoOEz1MPylo43ah-Enlnh4E1MwOT6XrVcI7yl4k2hm07ZCN-9nIKKYSx9DMiCiXV3unMxx-StnJRqCuOYofztSGrGXqyham8/s1600-h/DSC00758.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359275023568110946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_hs94NPu5VT1m60EFsPHUAlrVns5Vsf8U6k2t2of5TqRoOEz1MPylo43ah-Enlnh4E1MwOT6XrVcI7yl4k2hm07ZCN-9nIKKYSx9DMiCiXV3unMxx-StnJRqCuOYofztSGrGXqyham8/s400/DSC00758.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> Can I mention how <em>perfectly</em> it matches the brown paint? I mean, it was meant to be folks. I did a little happy dance when I found it. Over a deck box. <em>Issues.</em><br /><br />The rug was $13 (I think) at Lowe's -- love it! It was my color inspiration. Just wish it was a tad bit bigger:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RgMp6l9Sa4OshwdtjqHkwQbSHXtq1HB_FYaBKTk7bQuns1KWADaATPaRxvKXYy9Cli66geJfyKssMaoCU9LmZjWagKTcILtuRrA1X9ROWFYwOsGAz_WjSBQe1l2gSVOe-ISujSdf0FE/s1600-h/DSC00757.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359275014210950482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RgMp6l9Sa4OshwdtjqHkwQbSHXtq1HB_FYaBKTk7bQuns1KWADaATPaRxvKXYy9Cli66geJfyKssMaoCU9LmZjWagKTcILtuRrA1X9ROWFYwOsGAz_WjSBQe1l2gSVOe-ISujSdf0FE/s400/DSC00757.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>The pots I already had and the flowers were clearanced out because they were about to die. (Look for these -- they just need water!) Did you know you can use stain on plastic? You can!:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJx_SAnZVLQiQ80xYC2VdNzzLu_vgpnqkpLJi0H8Qe3IaKy9LoMoNN8ehAmQVp2l40YvV7ZRnajLg-t8ElkFx1esi_0CY4PnJ9DVTGeLHkxYmOoWAKfMbvBo9-_AddWfhudKI19BuCHLg/s1600-h/DSC00756.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359274429817022258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJx_SAnZVLQiQ80xYC2VdNzzLu_vgpnqkpLJi0H8Qe3IaKy9LoMoNN8ehAmQVp2l40YvV7ZRnajLg-t8ElkFx1esi_0CY4PnJ9DVTGeLHkxYmOoWAKfMbvBo9-_AddWfhudKI19BuCHLg/s400/DSC00756.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 324px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>I stained these years ago to make them a bit deeper and they've held up perfectly. Took about five minutes each.<br /><br />The new light was from Lowe's and was $22:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHi-qK_kK0lpKjKT0nmGsHGZWQMEnzVznpDi-i-ITLCphBdVeTzFG4qUPtzQ_f0V_VzdP_cfngtDB95Qnf43tOoCrVWG2FF5LnAtzpXGkcKwgXakehRPvzY98GesL3SsxEwy-Y7l6yvQ4/s1600-h/DSC00755.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359274427418952754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHi-qK_kK0lpKjKT0nmGsHGZWQMEnzVznpDi-i-ITLCphBdVeTzFG4qUPtzQ_f0V_VzdP_cfngtDB95Qnf43tOoCrVWG2FF5LnAtzpXGkcKwgXakehRPvzY98GesL3SsxEwy-Y7l6yvQ4/s400/DSC00755.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 274px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>Adorable!</div><div></div><div></div><div>These shutters were so easy I promise <strong>any of you</strong> could make them:</div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359273919209057730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1d23enr3NsoSQc-hfTnisGfYviENTHah-ladpV_FNn7V_SaOQqAuSFtWYgia1BSFhe5Xij6EKs82s_nsjj9ABrbNmt6gWBYFBgmPH1CI4IAvqUNxXK_B053hXpUUn7W8n_ab0EqGIodU/s400/DSC00747.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" />AND unbelievably cheap. I wanted them to match the cottagey shutters we have on the front of the house so they needed to be uber rustic. I found the perfect materials -- fence posts!: </div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5QAJttKf1GkFseyvuJ0qILWFZ0wLCgEl_MNsS42gmkfV1v7-GqbUKKRtXZW4Fe6fOswFMEObDuV7QQO0dYcDN9RhXgTEZPgToe6SJlxA6BWxuf1R75EQwrduDjxW0wyzYqSa6B26XbM/s1600-h/DSC00753.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359274419719865858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5QAJttKf1GkFseyvuJ0qILWFZ0wLCgEl_MNsS42gmkfV1v7-GqbUKKRtXZW4Fe6fOswFMEObDuV7QQO0dYcDN9RhXgTEZPgToe6SJlxA6BWxuf1R75EQwrduDjxW0wyzYqSa6B26XbM/s400/DSC00753.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> They were something like $1.68 each and were six feet tall, just <em>slightly</em> shorter than what I needed. I used three on each side for the double windows and two on each side for the single window:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqhXVGA-nb5dNRVulYjKFS_ASR4XgMJiQJYKudsbKfTIjYZPNk6_9-cF0VdtyULLBkKWwB426v3fL7mEwjgZGj5yqBgJFNyMzMSgtnU6WHoJTLyRi6c0-8cqR-oBxJylK7yLj74ITul8/s1600-h/DSC00750.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359274416334375490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqhXVGA-nb5dNRVulYjKFS_ASR4XgMJiQJYKudsbKfTIjYZPNk6_9-cF0VdtyULLBkKWwB426v3fL7mEwjgZGj5yqBgJFNyMzMSgtnU6WHoJTLyRi6c0-8cqR-oBxJylK7yLj74ITul8/s400/DSC00750.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> I just cut pieces of the posts to the size I needed and measured one foot from the bottom and top:<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359273927604460098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqJvBjrVfR-4gKcTbnxXpyVMlm-IlNXxt4sgeQ3JWh434HC3eUfGoIWUS-wc0eDk6XRItdmjcTjDGhSh_fvFuBNRHc2Nrz-XpcY7uu9rA2XsHHxhLVMqgb16hQecnr2muZfAFZgm60as/s400/DSC00748.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" />I used liquid nails and a nail gun to attach the slats, but you could use nails and hammer them together. If you make your measurements, Lowe's or Home Depot would make your cuts for you. I love the detail at the top:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygu-Pu_gNsCfACkLLWFMMzj_9skoTjlgBWTJ8QhncXlVnxK0yS2dFkXC3v7Bc1CrXWtJ7gKX5-pr19zBWTAP-8Km9qpsVtognK9lYzhicFzWSzRagQ4J0HDLgXbr2tzmqosTyQkPbja4/s1600-h/DSC00749.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359274407987599858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgygu-Pu_gNsCfACkLLWFMMzj_9skoTjlgBWTJ8QhncXlVnxK0yS2dFkXC3v7Bc1CrXWtJ7gKX5-pr19zBWTAP-8Km9qpsVtognK9lYzhicFzWSzRagQ4J0HDLgXbr2tzmqosTyQkPbja4/s400/DSC00749.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> The planters were from Goodwill. Surprised? No? They were $2.99 and started out like this:<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359277141729050674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIRQrhmb_ilIcYR9EWumdfIfgwduGt74VEX1huyO5tV84HRTLz2lnr8ZJP-PYbxhj4w3A7664rcP94UzZOcoByMHtIslnErD6YRoJDh7FKMsOfMdPbVbnF7Yfg9y7cJVLYjLCJsfdcp1g/s400/DSC00702.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" />I spray painted them with outdoor paint and they ended up like this:<br /><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxez0DEj2NDUB9jvi6OjlXnpHS7KIMbkZmw199bXSYg3RERUZX4ydYOGby0W2iNZkN6W-xhViBmHajgELr_pMAPq9ySdcpIfJDs3uaxrxsNj_szqF_7gwqEZaU7QnlNDQw8jx_nPa-7So/s1600-h/DSC00743.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359273908135192322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxez0DEj2NDUB9jvi6OjlXnpHS7KIMbkZmw199bXSYg3RERUZX4ydYOGby0W2iNZkN6W-xhViBmHajgELr_pMAPq9ySdcpIfJDs3uaxrxsNj_szqF_7gwqEZaU7QnlNDQw8jx_nPa-7So/s400/DSC00743.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> I don't know if I'll plant anything in them this year or not. I may go ahead and do it because I know flowers will completely finish off the space. Loverly.</div><div></div><div><br />I <strong>hate</strong> when I love Walmart. I really do. I can't stand that place, but always find something I must have. Ugh. These were TEN BUCKS each on clearance:</div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359273315275671394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9AOCNShw7nOKMm9Kjh6-HbuANc4B2BtiSuCU0BE08S0_0cBnCGnUZLvVSLt8M5Wso5qGs-D53cT08YNmK_EpYu_8Rq81NnuujytICVIC8GMMMLS1twWh2I3XleEDxPQMUzXqGi6BGCk/s400/DSC00742.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></div><div>Can you even believe it??? I'm sure I'll find a great spot for them inside during the winter too. Adorable. For now, I've just put tea lights in them:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1h4NzphXgMEdR-MSLfp7ZzC0xWjm6ELTUSEk-YxLMjIFw_nIZr5BwRc26hPRfjlbnqZXan36rGTZSma_5WLC_jLGR4ICJR77UzqtbzC3Z5vSaVMIHIG8M9v18S0gW2_W28PGOwGt_jo/s1600-h/DSC00764.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359273905089203762" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1h4NzphXgMEdR-MSLfp7ZzC0xWjm6ELTUSEk-YxLMjIFw_nIZr5BwRc26hPRfjlbnqZXan36rGTZSma_5WLC_jLGR4ICJR77UzqtbzC3Z5vSaVMIHIG8M9v18S0gW2_W28PGOwGt_jo/s400/DSC00764.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></div><div>Our "summery" pillows were from Wally World as well, for $10:</div><div></div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359273292292591858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXUvBQuBJFxRWUqzkNmt9c6nsKCTDC_Ue2nCObukO3vQltGdBT4HygTrfwJeu6O-bH5zgb6PFfflYRdA62MCNbnvY_7HcpzgUROeyimiUnPU49E0MtneP3LeUEwG1v4p83aagaNfUAeA/s400/DSC00737.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></div><div>Just don't go buy any at <em>my</em> Walmart -- I need to go get a couple more. Back off!! <span style="font-size:78%;">Please.</span></div><div></div><div><br />Our tables are really plant stands. I didn't want to spend much and I didn't want them to be huge. These are perfect at $12 each:<br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359273302001375698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdwKtnLt-8sPBKVE2toHGrRJkmOHY9atlMGeYKOxjU1prq0AH6lezOcBdOECKguHuH2wjrG2tKnDf2R5azvmVfDLWw0T4WeCxJVsYkDOFsH7Qrohj_1s1be0LDhqBW39x8fLP64Q8UCM/s400/DSC00739.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" />I bought the cork thingamabobbers to put inside for a flat surface and they work great! I tied them down to make them a little more sturdy:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9_TGgHGQi3jVCupDOctEEyCn9AZVlQcHkdsRieXckI9yD86SqiAymvPwCcskxkeS9q5R159dSRFydWbvixz1_CsT90B-IadkxrlLnHqUAEbAvDHqQJm9JJ5c18jdIGKdNUVm20uSpTE/s1600-h/DSC00740.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359273304561343234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9_TGgHGQi3jVCupDOctEEyCn9AZVlQcHkdsRieXckI9yD86SqiAymvPwCcskxkeS9q5R159dSRFydWbvixz1_CsT90B-IadkxrlLnHqUAEbAvDHqQJm9JJ5c18jdIGKdNUVm20uSpTE/s400/DSC00740.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> And for entertaining outside, you need plastic that looks like glass to drink cool beverages out of. These perfectly ca-uuute glasses were on clearance at Meijer for $1.25 each!:<br /><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359275029779174018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2heKYKNKjMHqssMT9gZx1pmh4TgpeIfBI6ElQcAXIBt9Oz62IiFHn5YPFevNAHGaIJZTRlKayAhKwVLJWC233eT6XQ8NcBa8Pxjqn41HpX3yAU0NzVczp8JIgxyK8fbEpuZjd3QMWpSA/s400/DSC00760.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" /> No evening outside is complete without Summer Beer (at least for me this summer) -- it's soooooo good people! Equal parts Diet Squirt, light beer, tequila and one can limeade or lemonade concentrate. Amazing! I hate anything diet and <em>detest</em> beer, and this is my most favorite drink ever!<br /></div><div></div><div><br />Many of you asked about the furniture and the pergola -- the furniture was from Craigslist and the seller got it through Amazon.com I believe. The pergola was from Menard's, but we only found two left and had to call two stores. So if you have one nearby, call NOW!!<br /></div><div></div><div><br />Have a great weekend! I'll be back later with a big announcement I can't wait to share with you all! It won't be a big deal to you, but it is to me. <em>And <strong>NO</strong>, I'm not pregnant!</em> :) </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

The details of the deck.

OK, well if it tells you anything, it's midnight and I'm just now posting because I've spent the evening on the deck again. One ...

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A deck reveal!

Finally, <em>I know</em>!! I'm finally going to show you our deck transformation. If you've been following me on <a href="http://twitter.com/Thriftydecor">Twitter</a> you know I've been talking about this for the past week, and I know I've mentioned it here <em>just a few times</em> over the past month or so.<br /><br />It started a month or so ago with a few ideas in my little head. We weren't planning on doing the big stuff till later on. We just thought it would just be too expensive. Enter my friend Beckie over at <a href="http://infarrantlycreative.blogspot.com/">Infarrantly Creative</a>. We had lunch last week, and were talking about her new deck. She had passed along the name of the guy on Craigslist who had sold her her new outdoor furniture. I looooved it, and while I was down on the south<em>siiiiiiiide</em> with her she reminded me the guy lived right down the street and to give him a call...<br /><br />So I did, and that lunch turned into the most expensive lunch <em>in the history of mankind</em>. I got the deck furniture that day and stuffed my SUV to the gills with it. Then the next day, we went to Menards looking for the pergola Beckie and her husband had purchased as well. Found it -- SCORE!!<br /><br />And then the whole deck just came together. We. are. thrilled. I thought I would share a pic of the deck when we first built it five years ago:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXlEkE8oYXB6D6j09J2jSKt2Qlf_XlkkUTR_stpvos66V9jZ6rc_Ufk0Kg0m3IaQg55M-nrOKx54j_SRVrZCjM3702RA8xzygYT5QP_qnxvTqr3-8E8hx6zH9SN0f876ril9pTrBSsRk/s1600-h/deckstart"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358501846262351458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXlEkE8oYXB6D6j09J2jSKt2Qlf_XlkkUTR_stpvos66V9jZ6rc_Ufk0Kg0m3IaQg55M-nrOKx54j_SRVrZCjM3702RA8xzygYT5QP_qnxvTqr3-8E8hx6zH9SN0f876ril9pTrBSsRk/s400/deckstart" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>It's massive. Like 40 by 20 feet, massive. I browsed through deck books and found exactly how I wanted to stain it. Then we found a table and chairs set and a firepit that we've used since:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6tncCdnzUxYPaekI3c8S3QJQ9VBy0hyphenhyphenkGUpevMXUEfc5pj5P_xc_qthO2e4RZFJceuPmeTbCuqxRFuSi1FGqMFNMVQJRwtBH2BbzDlaGvz8fGIz0xU4sqDVoOpyGdxYLExmjarl-F2o/s1600-h/deck+before.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358501840321847202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6tncCdnzUxYPaekI3c8S3QJQ9VBy0hyphenhyphenkGUpevMXUEfc5pj5P_xc_qthO2e4RZFJceuPmeTbCuqxRFuSi1FGqMFNMVQJRwtBH2BbzDlaGvz8fGIz0xU4sqDVoOpyGdxYLExmjarl-F2o/s400/deck+before.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> I love the redwood and white combo on the deck. Luuuurve it. Just a little bit of advice to my peeps out there -- wait as LONG as possible to stain pretreated wood (<em>months</em>). We did not know this and did it almost immediately after the deck was built. NOT a good idea. Now we have to restain it every year. Fabulous. Oh, and I would not recommend a firepit on a wood deck. We had a screen that went over the top but it <em>always</em> stressed me out. Yikes. Fire + wood = not the smartest move. </div><br /><div>So anyhoo...the deck now looks like this:<br /></div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358501584636347122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiradV9yaZ1vvmTQflrUEocOl-S6kjFAq_o7rJ5BImfn2phrRdFCIVh0eUDfZeiwnbMHNh_1CBvk5nMZ6ULT4_d99J3xYE_J6CWNQl82tO3Z4kr1cmRu8AfICuHWuPGfBuM4Vx_uUvvE3w/s400/DSC00714.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Say it with me...<em>ahhhhhhhhh</em>. Oh good heavens we LOVE IT! We have wanted to build a pergola for years now. The sun is beating on the deck pretty much all day long, and it is <em>very</em> uncomfortable all summer. But this pergola is even better than a wood one -- we can close it or open it for shade:<br /><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6tUstvrGeDvVcs2SVO67JfA3y7hbkIsNeQMlkgrXTQzEfezFrVbTckudEhJlbtuuPQhGDE-xBQVzAMAr7Prv-2GPVc9TsofinR2EhYqe3WeiuX0ea_LhT8M47ZdLJgZqVrvWcqWgurk/s1600-h/DSC00716.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358501565141624994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6tUstvrGeDvVcs2SVO67JfA3y7hbkIsNeQMlkgrXTQzEfezFrVbTckudEhJlbtuuPQhGDE-xBQVzAMAr7Prv-2GPVc9TsofinR2EhYqe3WeiuX0ea_LhT8M47ZdLJgZqVrvWcqWgurk/s400/DSC00716.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>The deck furniture is exactly what I wanted for this space. I mean, <em>couldn't be more perfect:</em><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6q5606jO62ydfLHG6976Xab5H-3M5nyF4viv0ma8jzvh1R2TcunGI5me8ssfGqM9v8bbM9klxRm7usIk0MN6KN4rZ8zvb_TQop-zI926ZqbrjjuDlqG4vcJCUYEBOaCZUbQHfz4GncS8/s1600-h/DSC00717.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358501555808965058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6q5606jO62ydfLHG6976Xab5H-3M5nyF4viv0ma8jzvh1R2TcunGI5me8ssfGqM9v8bbM9klxRm7usIk0MN6KN4rZ8zvb_TQop-zI926ZqbrjjuDlqG4vcJCUYEBOaCZUbQHfz4GncS8/s400/DSC00717.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> It was $450 for seven pieces. It is soooo comfy. I wanted to do rust, olive and brown colors out here, and the umbrella we got is a rust color. But of course I can't find any pillows that work now, because everything is gone out of the stores! I've seen exactly what I wanted all summer but now they are all <strong>gone</strong>. (Do I need to remind the stores it's still <em>July</em>?) So I got what I could find -- some rust and some green and brown. They don't work together at all.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358500835226598898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMUQdrHazGEXpxY122_u_ucBQrkTsx5TFAyij6hc8RBE_wv8-OCyfY_CQ5mTpcBiEsySG_QoCb4gpI_KslkYKY6zVcBfnU1R8USPbMcsCCgLGNEhuxPpIAAwcJW-pVV8P8USdgvq307A/s400/DSC00718.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />But as hubby said, "We can use the red ones in the fall and the green and brown ones are more summery!" Ummmmm....who is this man?? Who took my husband? "More summery?" What kills me is he's RIGHT. :) <div><br /></div><div><div> We have spent more time on the deck in the past four days then all summer. I dare say, the past <em>year</em>. Seriously. We. are. in. love.<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358501586200181874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoR5B7tYstiVRTKKO5cE3jDeSDVidWlBayadqt4GFvfScVwVSPPl8zJhjWMVHI40wPL3L79UyP_OJNAEoq-X3pfh1xxKgewP-WVhKGNsaMqMBXFrAU7tWt7kCeascrenM68AdKePmvC3M/s400/DSC00713.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 295px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /> The second part of the transformation was the part I started first. The back of our home is just an expanse of siding. Bor-<em>ring</em>:<br /><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvFC8V6hvBdn9gvM16xD-Mt2-vMd7ENS5yFrx64fu8zEyDdubBwWpOAPFThn9XRtA7E8jBoDDWH5H_d0T0yB6gzt4wa34dCDhQRW0tLzoqfVOas_zqpqqIy5iLqmBFhR3aZ_dIaLJPVk/s1600-h/backbefore.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358499339280564914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwvFC8V6hvBdn9gvM16xD-Mt2-vMd7ENS5yFrx64fu8zEyDdubBwWpOAPFThn9XRtA7E8jBoDDWH5H_d0T0yB6gzt4wa34dCDhQRW0tLzoqfVOas_zqpqqIy5iLqmBFhR3aZ_dIaLJPVk/s400/backbefore.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 307px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> And the back door was equally as drab:<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzo6vcDGf5Wm_2yrGHZPg6IC_mD8e73jhl-MOQWKyjZyMjCZ_vuYsk1O4uyhHgb_bYJJPDLdQflG6X6RyIJoMuRprPddnW4Gz7jEHhF5yP0pEkmF1pJ9dsZ_s3ZfYZ-UmVxbK5CTknv8/s1600-h/baybefore.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358499332271204002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzo6vcDGf5Wm_2yrGHZPg6IC_mD8e73jhl-MOQWKyjZyMjCZ_vuYsk1O4uyhHgb_bYJJPDLdQflG6X6RyIJoMuRprPddnW4Gz7jEHhF5yP0pEkmF1pJ9dsZ_s3ZfYZ-UmVxbK5CTknv8/s400/baybefore.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 293px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> So I made some shutters that match the front of our house:<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358499315629030594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiedqmMamOZyu60a7VJ8JeoFloUJNYTz84tqYO4lo9AcfEa5M1HZyLSpRly_x6z4dhMKbpzc-ocJ5r59hictS8-6Z96C0Isvs8ea_JyAk2T9QqFFAoBvmURBuKJPz5UFaT5nlV1dQe3c/s400/DSC00728.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Ack! I love them!! I have been looking for window boxes EVERYWHERE and everyone is out of them. (Shocker.) I found two tonight but need a couple more...I'm checking around.</div><div></div><div></div><div><br />I also painted out the trim around the back door, changed out the light, bought a new mat (that was my color inspiration) and added some potted plants to warm up that area:<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeTeLyaO-Px1fgnTmdC4CZrZgtN8Eovl4X9zRNKOutGM-EeeeOU5tb4DnQU0QezWuqehddtsBtk_rm0gKgDqf6cNwEr2UgZsIlAoSNaCiC8gouJBDzSrFl2JEQLZTNLQ_FlenNeVsHXc/s1600-h/DSC00726.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358499324463657538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeTeLyaO-Px1fgnTmdC4CZrZgtN8Eovl4X9zRNKOutGM-EeeeOU5tb4DnQU0QezWuqehddtsBtk_rm0gKgDqf6cNwEr2UgZsIlAoSNaCiC8gouJBDzSrFl2JEQLZTNLQ_FlenNeVsHXc/s400/DSC00726.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> I cannot even tell you how different this space is now. It is truly another room. Our favorite time is at dusk/night:<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzh8s0xBwmXUw4k9UwtUoiUFJ-jdfc_7tbpiSl0zUkR2ojAglkUC7LVvPfqbfmxAUTUf_7HUmQSlLOFYhGzWNDiBGP-ti-pfVTJtnKIwgreka5oNbSrzNgH_0iE20JK3L3WcTSrT9_EWs/s1600-h/DSC00734.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358499311958373058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzh8s0xBwmXUw4k9UwtUoiUFJ-jdfc_7tbpiSl0zUkR2ojAglkUC7LVvPfqbfmxAUTUf_7HUmQSlLOFYhGzWNDiBGP-ti-pfVTJtnKIwgreka5oNbSrzNgH_0iE20JK3L3WcTSrT9_EWs/s400/DSC00734.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Later this week I'll show you all the details. There are some major steals I can't wait to share! Hope you enjoyed the tour, and thanks for putting up with me!

A deck reveal!

Finally, I know !! I'm finally going to show you our deck transformation. If you've been following me on Twitter you know I've ...

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I can't resist a par-tay!

I wasn't going to post tonight, but I can't stand missing a good party, so here I am! The Nester is having a <a href="http://nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/2009/07/price-my-space-party-8-pm-tonight.html">Price Your Space</a> party, so I wanted to share how I completed our entire master bedroom for what I think is a pretty good price. Many of you have seen this room about 15 trillion times, so bare with me.<br /><br /><div><div></div><div>Our four poster bed is one of my favorite pieces of furniture in our house. As we built our house, I stalked it at Bombay Company for about six months. Then I stalked it a bit more for about a year after we moved in. I kept asking the staff if it was going to be discontinued any time soon, my heart all a-twitter with fear that my budget constraints would keep me from getting it: </div><p><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357767390111662450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyzSpvlhOXxExNKnGN7zW3zz_WfmtMDaQG_kYDudNEND6ZrTISb-AievyOm9EMeMKasz0VAP6iNY-0dT2S7HVCFHyGFHoz03frA5zHzyOkDYNJpl3uFgKbiR3MV3G0BSIqEqqyo9uORI/s400/bed" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />All told I waited almost two years. <em>Ughhhhhhh</em> people. I should get an award for that kind of patience. Bombay used to send out 40 percent off coupons and finally, I got one at the right time. I got this beauty for $600! King-sized, four poster bed folks. For $600. Yummy.<br /></p><p>The bedside lamps in that pic are gone now though. I spent $20 each on new lamps, spray painted them and <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/06/another-lamp-transformation.html">stenciled the lampshades </a>for some bling:</p><p><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357767169797716818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHsihjpqN05sbAruxoNBdiCzxzSJT8LJIvNRcJ-6K_7dEppp-0hOJCJjbmpZ_OD56bHyaddvHPBwxeLu2kofVk25tSPmlJ4-M20d93K-vWhC2cvBWP8KwYYCBTMlAhS71i0NzsHk9wr8/s400/lamp2" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 284px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Our fireplace used to be peachy grodiness and we spent about $115 to redo all the tile. You can see the before <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2008/08/uh-oh.html">here</a> but the beautious result is this:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJUxXoZTojA_p7KucgKxaBMHFRugkzDUl52BX3kvgeYmaM_ccSKBahAWUk8Ahby6ViNHjYnXa5GTgesq6rwZyr3jABgI5ns5txo0Xq7Ws1m7c2z2V1ZXhjYUgkw-z5DKmU7bhZaQjx8w/s1600-h/fireview"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357767391745869250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirJUxXoZTojA_p7KucgKxaBMHFRugkzDUl52BX3kvgeYmaM_ccSKBahAWUk8Ahby6ViNHjYnXa5GTgesq6rwZyr3jABgI5ns5txo0Xq7Ws1m7c2z2V1ZXhjYUgkw-z5DKmU7bhZaQjx8w/s400/fireview" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a></p><p>Don't worry, I swear the brass in on my list to paint. (I know I keep saying that.)<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357767189761930450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUH_kZT3_-4S9U2wVA1OmQqPs5e1QxhZ07xqBXyM9cyexvaC4M7tAzPfHXAaITgA6Jdu7xC1w6CEDJX9Xy5MdU9itlVMjZYAoYzgNoMoIHysu9OkNB8DLTGpqP416K0bJEpWHjbxCJMBw/s400/fire2" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Speaking of the fireplace, I shared how I made my wallpaper art <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/05/wallpaper-art.html">here</a>. This filled the large space over the fireplace for around $20 (I already had the wallpaper):</p><div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357767183190863826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUh7s9HLi46WmxWGtw3HyDQC5tnw-5TDI3wB1kEueZDOpPqMsnHbnnNJ0BILtEETHkGoH4Qe-aHZxkLGRUrhX50i9j8vWTLDQ1hVYMPTFJQJTHc7cGi54WrVUD1X_GDLIqFKH2w-K3Arw/s400/fireplace" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div><div>This armoire was one of my first pieces of "real life, post-college" furniture, and it was a gift from my Mom. It was completely countrified, but <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2008/07/with-some-patience-and-10.html">I spent $10 to redo it</a> and now we really love it:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBa5uSeT9Rs73Ea_P0mgXXlEvdIXD_MHaf1utiC0G9BDp-KJpTXupW6XR8FlvEvEkIoffSt2bCx_aO7rIVSbOEN3vJ73A-6mOjBlTLdoUJcvHwmhFNCLw45c75TXza3k5n02gDDZ73YD8/s1600-h/armoire"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357767387032446338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBa5uSeT9Rs73Ea_P0mgXXlEvdIXD_MHaf1utiC0G9BDp-KJpTXupW6XR8FlvEvEkIoffSt2bCx_aO7rIVSbOEN3vJ73A-6mOjBlTLdoUJcvHwmhFNCLw45c75TXza3k5n02gDDZ73YD8/s400/armoire" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> The dresser is an antique that was my great-grandmother's. Sorry you can't see it well here, it's beautiful. I would have taken a new pic but our room is kind of a pit right now, so there. you. go. The mirror was a $10 garage sale find, the lamp was around $25 at Hob Lob:<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357767195403344274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOORMO5jmk_BqAoqmXI6NPGx6xCNJpBpGVZe6S4_cNukrZM7yxZpZEagRgXjjefuimACDBF_GLJSQTndIZ2PeRdwMQuw7bSLfrKvi131EOjpSRlwO1U4ExszjIYP6AHJsAGBE1cFz6JPQ/s400/dresser" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div><div>The wall thingys were free from hosting a Southern Living party. The bedding was a <strong>STEAL</strong> on eBay. I waited till the end of the auction and scored it (the duvet, two shams and two pillows) for $25. YEP. They lowered the price at the end of the auction, to get it sold. The other pillows were about $50 total at HomeGoods. </div><br /><div>I made the drapes myself with silk fabric. I used a coupon and even with a ton of yardage (to make them super long) they were waaaay less than $100. I don't remember how much they were, but I know I would never spend more than $60 on window treatment fabric:<br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357767379679675218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaof6XRusuEFYHo6otb3gmejXKMb52MA6z1y0e0WJJynW3ZmabOfCrKMy6Liw5bW56Z_fxfKCtrWD_5ia7F82oKjjBcqpJIlDAz-MofmdXEGBzvNZB7SmSu_TLbArzzd012jQOleOJOlE/s400/drapes" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div><div><div><div>Our side table was another after-graduation Target purchase, but I have no idea how much it was. We used to use it as an end table. The chair was a garage sale find for $15. I've never bought anything upholstered second hand, but this one I just fell in love with:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDLhfW8GDPrZZKR7NQALJHl5G2zpCGPK7K8bKpGZRfKtP0n4sxQRC6gWXKceLdIepP6tantD4XIpoiZN8uP3O0IbAIjH3nGfHCcCPhNqLKiTwUVOySKHUOp117DX7cJM2HXiDd3yBoJA/s1600-h/chair"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357767384884829682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDLhfW8GDPrZZKR7NQALJHl5G2zpCGPK7K8bKpGZRfKtP0n4sxQRC6gWXKceLdIepP6tantD4XIpoiZN8uP3O0IbAIjH3nGfHCcCPhNqLKiTwUVOySKHUOp117DX7cJM2HXiDd3yBoJA/s400/chair" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 337px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> My cutie fringy pillow was $7 on clearance at Sears. And my lamp was a thrift store find that I <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/04/lamp-transformation.html">redid with spray paint </a>and ribbon. It was $35, which is waaaay higher than I'll usually spend on a lamp, but I loved the shape of it: </div><div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357779064365562034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZXCSyhBvU6iEOM94RQ2rGL0L861jwaQqeUAm3f4fueHRU9hK-GOagL6L1JtaOy5PydHHAOCGzQuyNmsJmjLJzXE8YPoBplXmpEsyzpSC0XDCzM_bwVu9QMjt8bD7y9jbnqtrHw4tBmg/s400/table" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 249px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />(Sorry for the hodge podge of pics -- I'm taking them from a bunch of posts!)<br /><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrv2n5Fgfj3Kq7A9E5liFTD2CaWlA45jDXeekySyxF9dQETvawTRYVNQ1nJwLJemBJUpwRVHtJ2cfm3eR0LNiD8P4QAtb8KSOLqrHnwUV2fG-0Z7VmL_DK768DitIrvleQ3coPEaNQ3vA/s1600-h/lamp.jpg"></a>I looked high and low for an affordable storage bench for the end of the bed, and finally just found these rattan chests on clearance for $55 each at Tar-jaaay:<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357774274317561922" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIP2O9uTs5x6aWF8NisXoV9kJX7-aPsCrmBng-SEu6NUizLxZjvyDus-yVxvjE6zj8VuUKlUG_l_g811_lL6PdVOWgCK2WVa_MvYpDA8_-0cqvA_JmRsEDpodqUL3ecxcM3_haELl9X0/s400/storage" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 338px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" />Oh, and no bedskirt. Just a $10 fitted sheet. Thrifty is my middle name!!<br /><br /><div></div><div>The whole room adds up to a grand total of under $1200. It taken about five years to get it to this point. Not too bad to make our room the cozy, warm space that it is. OH! And paint -- so let's add on another $40. Please don't check my math skills, it's late. I'm not so good at that anyway.<br /><br />To see more pics of the room, go <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/02/so-fresh-and-so-clean.html">here</a>. And if you missed my last post, check out my table runner pillows! Lurve them!!<br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

I can't resist a par-tay!

I wasn't going to post tonight, but I can't stand missing a good party, so here I am! The Nester is having a Price Your Space party...

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Table runner pillows.

Well, no one won the dollar. (And don't doubt for a minute I wouldn't have sent it to ya.) Good guesses on what I made my new pillows out of, but no cigar folks. This time they were made of yet another table linen -- a runner!!<br /><br />Woweeee people, this one is almost as easy at the placemat pillows. It requires a teeny bit more sewing though. Hemming tape if you choose. Or glue. Maybe safety pins. Scotch tape? Whatever floats your boat. I found this runner for $13 at HomeGoods a couple weeks ago:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcF-dObxg-VvYGzTDVA7rsJeIbbx4FTTUPKbzLmc8zFdGZcnSHjt0_3ewefu4kp_rMVMYgxzegU980I6PNaSpw4I-x2gU2Yc2oc7U6Vrc_VjUD_NFhn2HJmLodJGzIhucrH3kMpIMkuTs/s1600-h/DSC00686.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357027451858372594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcF-dObxg-VvYGzTDVA7rsJeIbbx4FTTUPKbzLmc8zFdGZcnSHjt0_3ewefu4kp_rMVMYgxzegU980I6PNaSpw4I-x2gU2Yc2oc7U6Vrc_VjUD_NFhn2HJmLodJGzIhucrH3kMpIMkuTs/s400/DSC00686.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>I knew I wanted to use it but held off on making the pillows until I found solid pillows to work with. Can I <em>tell you</em> how perfecty these go with the placemat pillows? Ugh, I'm <em>dying</em>:<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZLBNs7d1U-Xn96ZKs8AmoSVpHcgDnrH2KFW4bOEVh8Rgk_m9RgfCQpKp60spmnCSdNYhDkgzqO3OuFMZPQWJ08rqOCdGb3J-cE8hyphenhyphen8Hkxk0sJkn92HHcBP1Pf9pkDdHYPKuq9ECpCyo/s1600-h/DSC00690.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357027440503867058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZLBNs7d1U-Xn96ZKs8AmoSVpHcgDnrH2KFW4bOEVh8Rgk_m9RgfCQpKp60spmnCSdNYhDkgzqO3OuFMZPQWJ08rqOCdGb3J-cE8hyphenhyphen8Hkxk0sJkn92HHcBP1Pf9pkDdHYPKuq9ECpCyo/s400/DSC00690.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> All you have to do is cut the runner at the size you want. Sew up one side and then the other, leaving a little opening to stuff.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobOESJ-v7jD8Y2PKaDDfNREPR-QPw356reiaMZJWUmIsn8loGBMH1hY6f5SwCDlbX5owiihpRvkBVLicf13UyNXLCiYaOW6xEaYJxkAag3gcyBXnd0yWQrhSbDxeVynP6o1XXpAKUors/s1600-h/DSC00691.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357027439401485010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobOESJ-v7jD8Y2PKaDDfNREPR-QPw356reiaMZJWUmIsn8loGBMH1hY6f5SwCDlbX5owiihpRvkBVLicf13UyNXLCiYaOW6xEaYJxkAag3gcyBXnd0yWQrhSbDxeVynP6o1XXpAKUors/s400/DSC00691.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Stuff it like a Thanksgiving turkey, sew 'er up and yer dun!! (Ummm...where is the hick-talk coming from Sarah?)<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYuSO-5cfvSmiqgSvam-Sy8TTRHBdJ9ZYt4J98qHTP8Y02X2jTV4sLVFe4FF1ibPG70Nzjt1Q_t9NEO4HWYqoG42scsv_YCfFTiixbPWGUxfop576H5lwpRRiG7mXxrd2jcbOP6e0o0Q/s1600-h/DSC00696.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357027427572177842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYuSO-5cfvSmiqgSvam-Sy8TTRHBdJ9ZYt4J98qHTP8Y02X2jTV4sLVFe4FF1ibPG70Nzjt1Q_t9NEO4HWYqoG42scsv_YCfFTiixbPWGUxfop576H5lwpRRiG7mXxrd2jcbOP6e0o0Q/s400/DSC00696.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 317px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a> Or if you a total cheater like me, you can have the sweet man who makes your stuff for clients sew up the two sides in about 15 seconds for you when you drop off your client's fabric. <em>Whatev.</em> I cheat. So what? Use what ya got ladies. (I sewed up the holes, OK?)<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXih-QJ9UatHuArghQyjsgFv2Jsl7puSgf0FOiKxneTD-7Xyjwo3yEdNPagqlrv9ovjG0i_jZwstk66OytTY0LbrmdH8l4CmqLVFap2jJbp6zkgA15jX6RXcOywIjyt9IMFrrD6seZRU/s1600-h/DSC00698.JPG"></a> </div><div>Oh goodness sakes I love them so. much. Next step -- scotch guard the living daylights out of all of them.<br /><br />Speaking of table linen pillows, my friend Amy at <a href="http://theredchairblog.blogspot.com/">The Red Chair Blog</a> posted the<em> same</em> project on the <em>same</em> day:<br /></div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357027564273829394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2e8ckqrUWYljh3vj22ufb12LTd8rau-jKesZJ3YZqpmH2G3222HlLIbvT6ZRok3syaR1znPXNEAuxFAogTmCh2mtxMToT_0S0wL3x4IW7js19iGLsW-WYFPymqWEvvjCdRWBtHC9lPXA/s400/placemat_pillow_1.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 286px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></div></div></div></div><br /><p>Freaky <em>deaky</em>. Hers is an outdoor pillow and I lurve it! Check it out <a href="http://theredchairblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/diy-hammock-pillow-tutorial.html">here</a>. </p><p>I am freaking out excited people -- I was recognized by a reader for the first time today!!!! We were out to dinner at a local (YUM-O!) pizza place and she stopped me. I was so giddy!! You <em>must</em> check out Kara's site -- she does amazing work refinishing furniture. Just gorgeous. She mostly sells to Indiana dwellers, but it sounds like she'll try to work it out if you really love something. And you will. Go check her out at <a href="http://lilapockets.blogspot.com/">Lila's Pockets</a>. <strong>Hi Kara!!!!!</strong> (Waving wildly.)</p><p>Have a great weekend! I could just die I'm so happy with how our deck is turning out. I can't wait to show you next week. </p>

Table runner pillows.

Well, no one won the dollar. (And don't doubt for a minute I wouldn't have sent it to ya.) Good guesses on what I made my new pillow...

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