Sometimes thrift stores nearly bring me to tears of joy. That's not all that hard to do, especially when I'm majorly hormonal, but today Savers' had me screamin' and dancin.'

It's been so long since we've had tiny boy clothes, I'm going crazy. The blues, browns, and lime greens, and all the lions and turtles and snails and puppies and dump trucks and monkeys have me gushing. Yes. I was definitely meant to have another boy.

For you visual people, take a look at the boyish baby cuteness.




And just because I'm a girl who likes to think about how much I saved rather than spent, I roughly estimated the value of all my purchases (everything. not just the baby stuff) based on brand and quality... easily $170.00. And that's being very moderate in my pricing.

So, THANK YOU to all you generous moms who donate all of your family's nearly brand new clothing (from stores that are too expensive for me to shop at regularly) off to the thrift store for me to sniff up.

To those women, I'm baking cookies and eating them in your honor.

I know it has been FOREVER since I've posted anything related to thriftiness, craftiness, or fun of that nature.  71 days in fact.  It's time. Reas took the day off work for Valentine's.  What?  He had a cold...he needed to rest.  So he stayed home and we finished up the work in the bathroom.  Very restful, and yes, it was totally romantic...it's a teeny bathroom. 

I love my new bathroom!  The beadboard makes it feel so much bigger.  And I love how it all of the sudden makes everything else look a little better.  I still plan to paint the cabinet and hopefully get a new faucet, but it already looks a kazillion times better than before. Speaking of which, I have searched and searched for a before picture I thought I took, but can't find it, so just imagine very boring.

No longer so!

 

A year or so ago, I framed out the mirror.  That was super easy and made a huge difference.  The trim is just glued over the top of the mirror with liquid nails.  Shhh, don't tell.  I'm pretty sure that's not correct installation procedure, but who's looking.  I found the trim at Home Depot and I'm not even sure what it is exactly. It's plastic on the outside and this weird foamy stuff on the inside. It's very lightweight so the liquid nails has worked fine.






I'm rather proud of my accessorizing in here since it all cost about $8 total. 

This flower box is one of my favorite thriftstore finds ever.  It hangs above the toilet. It was $1.99 at Goodwill, which generally speaking is a store that makes me fuming mad.  They get all their inventory for free and then charge incredibly outrageous prices.  Yes, I have strong feelings regarding stores that selfishly rip off thrifty shoppers.  However, every now and then it's possible to find a killer deal. 




I ripped apart a mini flower arrangement that I got at Michael's at 75% off and used the tulips to fill the box.  Wadded up newspaper and Spanish moss keeps all the flowers in place.  It makes me happy every time I walk in.  Bathrooms should make you happy, ya know.  With everything that goes on in there, we may as well surround ourselves with a little beauty.

My container that holds lotion,extra hand towels, and air freshener is actually a $1.00 flower pot from D.I.  Come to think of it, I have a lot of  flower pots that have just about everything in them, but flowers. 







  

Maybe this is common knowledge, maybe not. Hack the handle off of a way too country- looking wicker basket and you'll have a new updated look instantly. It's that simple. I've done it lots. Depending on how thick the handle is you might be able to use a steak knife from the kitchen drawer or you may need a little hand saw. Either way, it's easy easy. So before you send your old baskets out the door with the give-away stuff (especially the ones with the perfect shape that fit in that little spot), give it a try. It's like a cool magic trick.

I'm in project overload right now. So let's momentarily take a break from Maggie's room. I am still making progress, I just got a little distracted.

I just had the BEST thrift store night. Possibly one of my best ever. I'm still shaking with excitement and nearly hyperventilating. After a not so good day with the saddy crying babe, Reas shooed me out for an outing of my own. Ok, actually I told him I was going, but still. He was happy to take over. I started out at DI, of course, and came away with pure delight.

I've been dying to replace the boring beastly brass light of a thing on the outside of the house by the driveway since before we even moved in, but couldn't bring myself to fork out the $60 or more to do so. And oh oh my. There was a reason why. Subconsciously I just knew there would be something out there. I got this baby for $2!! I was too excited and forgot to take a picture of the BEFORE. She was a rusty bronze color. Now, after her little paint job she's ready to out shine 'em all.


NEXT. Now, you have to understand. I have this thing for ladders. I'm not sure how it all came about, but it's kind of weird. I've been itching for years, literally, to find me the perfect little ladder or maybe a few of them if my stars would all align just right. I found one TONIGHT. It was right there waiting for me to bring it home. Five smackers later and it's the newest member of the family - and it doesn't cry. Ever.




Now. If I could only decide where to put it.


It could be used for a strictly functional purpose and add a bit of shabby charm to the kids' bathroom.


Or...it could serve a purpose, but still make a fashion statement.




Or...it could just sit there looking good and telling the world, "I'm sitting here because this girl's got a thing for me."

I'm attempting to hide those disturbing electrical cords. Hmmm. I'll have to work with that a bit.

What to do, what to do?


Next. Yes there's more! I've seen jewelry trees out and about in blogland. I've been thinking about finding one for the girls' room. Funny how sometimes you just have to think really hard and then kabamm! there it is. That is - if you're willing to work with what you stumble across. Like this lovely, crunched up, hot pink Easter egg tree -EGGS INCLUDED! Probably not worth its .75 cents, but it was EXACTLY what I had in mind. Perfect size for a jewelry tree.


After fluffing and painting, I'm quite pleased with the results. And now Maggie is excited to put her jewelry away in its special little place.




And last of all, this is seriously the cutest little $1 egg collecting basket with the chicken wire and all. Although I don't have immediate plans to hit the ranch, I think it does a darn good job collectings books. And when my farmgirls call me up one day, I'll totally be prepared.




Then there were other things like a huge square down pillow form - who could possibly pass that up? And another little square tile to add to my collection. I just know I'll find something to do with them sooner or later. In the meantime, we might need to add on an extra bedroom for storage space.

All of these TREASURES for $10.75!

Or at least they USED to have clocks, until I made my run. Maybe you remember back when I posted about my mysterious connection with DI. That special bond that only a dedicated shopper can have with her favorite store. So explain this. Recently, Reas and I were discussing our need for a few more clocks around the place. My first thought, "OK, I'll check DI next time I'm there." I never remembered seeing clocks there in the past, but...


Here's what I've ended up with! Can you believe it?!?!? Yes, another miracle.




And to top it off, my kids will be learning their Roman Numerals. Really, could I have asked for more? Don't think so.

I'm considering going into business. You know, you give me your shopping list and I'll make your wildest dreams come true - for DIRT CHEAP!!!!! okay. Not really, but if anyone ever wants to tag along, I'm game.

Man, I love a good deal.

I think I must be making up for lost time while being sick because I can't sit still. If I'm not right in the middle of a project, then I feel lost. I'm sure it won't last long, with my growing belly and all. But for now, it's loads of fun.


Last week we had the bathrooms and laundry room tiled!!! After moving in in January, we knew the floors needed to be replaced right away, but there wasn't much left in the budget so we tried those peel and stick vinyl squares. Would NOT recommend them if you can avoid it, even if the fixer uppers on HGTV swear by them. They look nice at first, but don't be deceived - it won't last. So, we SAY we got tile for my birthday, but really it's because the in-laws are coming for Thanksgiving - shhh, don't tell. Being the crazy go-getter that I am, I always love a good excuse to get projects done. So when Reas had to pull the washer and dryer out, I thought it would be good timing to finally paint the very boring white walls.

I hacked the shelf apart and bought some new shelf supports. Cheap-O Wal-Mart ones, but they work.


This is my little red hangy thingy that I am quite fond of. It's actually the front piece of a drawer from my childhood dresser. I had that thing so long that I just couldn't part with it - or ALL of it at least. It pretty much fell apart in my hands, as you can see. But here it is, being all useful like. I glued on an extra knob in the middle.








I found this super cute yellow pot set at DI - not sure what to do with them quite yet, but they make me smile nonetheless.






So with the new shelving originating from the sidewalk, my DI beautifying accessories, and some stuff I already had, I now have a laundry room oasis. If only there were room for a comfy chair.