Sometimes I'll spy something thrifty and have a very specifc purpose in mind, assuming whomever I use it for will like it too. But that can be a miss at times.

So when I saw this 50-cent-pot-bellied-thrift-store owl, I thought it was perfect to hold Reese's precious colored pencil set. He loves to draw with real art pencils.

But I also thought this owl looked a little scary so the plan was to spray paint it. I put it up in his closet to safe keep until then. I spent the entire afternoon on Labor Day cleaning out his room. Entire afternoon. Boys can quickly destroy a room with all their antics and what Reese calls his "Karate chop incidents."

After I cleared his dresser, I rotated some of his decorative things. Even boys like to display their precious items. His glass/rock frog collection took its turn in the drawer and all of the Beyblades went back in the minnow bucket. I pulled out the owl, plopped in the pencils and put it on his dresser. I was surprised that when I told Reese I wanted to paint it he said "Noo. I like his blue tie!"

So now he proudly sits guard over the pencils and its colors and strangeness all seem to work, don't you think?

Here's to those simple things that can make you happy.

Friday finds

For a while, I've been scouring thrift shops for that ornate and, ok, slightly gaudy mirror I needed for the entry way. I had a few options with some frames I had on hand but needed to have a mirror cut to fit. Knowing I probably wouldn't get around to doing that anytime soon, I waited.
The waiting finally paid off when I stopped by the Goodwill and found this mirror for $1.99. It was a dull, dark gold color until I used Rub 'n Buff in Gold Leaf to spruce it up.

I stopped by a garage sale on a whim on the way home from taking the kids to school. Fridays are the big garage sale days around here. So the .50 cent owl who lost it's top is put to good use on the craft table. I'm debating on whether to spray him some other color.


I like anything in galvanized metal so when I spotted this minnow bucket for only $2.00, it came home with me.

And now it holds only plants, no minnows.

Under $5.00 and happy.

Linking to: Remodelaholic

Chubby Cheeks thinks

Funky Junk Interiors

Fingerprints on the Fridge

A hoot of a gift

I'm trying to get back on track with posting. It's been really busy around these parts. Forgive me. I'm not always able to juggle it all, at least not very well. So let me get back on track by showing you the sweetest thing sitting in my office.

Have you ever received a gift from someone that simply surprised you, not only by the gift itself, but by the thought behind it? That happened to me recently.

My friend Solviej (pronounced Sole-vye, vye as in "bye") surprised me with a birthday gift: An owl pillow she knitted and sewed herself. Isn't he darling? She used cream and blue yarn as well as blue and brown felt. I am always amazed at handcrafted gifts and think of them as some of my greatest treasures.

I love my owl.
Unfortunately, so do my kids and I keep having to look in their rooms to see who has taken him. They hear me yell from down the hall, "Has anyone seen my owl??" and someone will point me in the right direction. One of these days I expect to get a ransom note for candy.

I'm so glad Solviej started a craft blog to showcase her handmade goods. I've been hoping she would do that since she is very talented. She can whip up hats and scarves like nobody's business. You can also find her here.

Besides the gift, the best thing about friends is they get you.

Have a great day! We're off to a well-baby visit...how about you?

Whoo knows

People collect specific things for different reasons. Some items are sentimental, some things are handed down from generations and some things are just plain fun to collect.

When I was 7, I had a thing for rocks. I don't know why but the criteria was that it had to be either a shiny rock or one with an interesting shape. Everywhere I went I inspected rocks. I remember being on vacation with my family and finding some cool ones at a rest stop in New Mexico. They were rust colored with metallic flecks of gold. I found out they were called Goldstone and those became my prized rocks.

I was sure it was worth a thousand dollars. It wasn't.

I'm not sure what ever happened to them. I think my dad threw them into the concrete mix when he poured our patio.

That was fine because I was over that phase by then and on to teddy bears.

I started to like bears when we went to Yellowstone and my mom fed real live bears marshmallows along the side of the road. Looking back I realize she was KA-RAZY for doing that. My dad videotaped her which was even more crazy. People pulled over when they saw her and snapped pictures. So in about 50 homes across the country are old pictures in shoe boxes of an unknown woman feeding bears.

The only bear which remains from that collection is Jean-Paul, the bear Jon got me for Christmas when we were in high school.

Since then I have never "set out" to collect anything. I just find something I like and then after a few purchases of the same thing - boom, I have a collection.

One theme/collection I do seem to have going on are my owls. My grandma sent me an adorable owl quilt when I was 8. Although they are becoming trendy (which is one thing that usually makes me not like something) I still think they are pretty cute and you can find them somewhere around my house.

My daughter asked a while back if I was becoming an owl lady.

My answer: yes.

What do you collect?

Committed to thrift shopping - picks of the week

Although the past month has been really busy for us, I can always manage to squeeze in a trip to the thrift shop. I even made it to two local antique malls that I haven't been to in quite some time. Because of the direct competition between booths in an antique mall, you'll find some sellers with really good prices. You may just have to search a little bit harder.

Come along as I share some finds from the day...

This bird planter and owl were cents a piece. Both had finishes that I didn't like and were a little rough. The bird looks like she's gossiping to the owl. He looks less than enthused. "Did you see that Cardinal over there? He thinks he's all that with those red feathers..."

The frame was $2.97 at the Goodwill. I'm thinking a bold color choice here.

The globe was $3.00 at the antique mall. I originally bought it for Reese's room but I put it atop the shelves in the living room so it wouldn't be used as a bowling ball. I think it just might stay there. I bought a great, old one about 10 years ago but it was ruined somehow in our last move.

This little box of vintage type was $2.00. It has all the pieces and even the box is cool. This is one thing that can be used and displayed at the same time. Reese's room is shaping up to be a vintage modern space so it will find its way there.

I loved this tablecloth the minute I saw it and knew it was quality. For $2.50, it came home and I didn't even have a chance to use it before it met its fate with purple nail polish. I'll have to go with plan B for it when I figure out what plan B is...

I just happened to hit the Target and Pottery Barn delivery day at the Goodwill so this mirror and a few more things caught my eye as well. This has a home in my oldest daughter's room.

And just in case you're wondering why all of the thrifting trips?? I am committed to accessorizing and decorating my house on mainly thrifting items and showing that great things don't have to cost a fortune. I call it being "Thrift Store Chic." Do you want to be that way with me?

My mom would go to antique shops all the time and we always had interesting things to look at in our house. By saving money and going the thrifting route, I can afford to invest in other quality pieces and update this old house into this cool house. Just wait and see.

linking to

Remodelaholics

Twee Poppets,

Coastal Charm,

Just a Girl,

House of Hepworths,

Somewhat Simple and

Second Time Around

This week's thrift store picks are a hoot

During my travels around town last week, I was on the lookout for ceramics and I saw this little owl. Although he was cute in his original finish...

high gloss white is more my style.

He sits on my night stand protecting my journal. On a side note, the skeleton key is from our first home we purchased as newly weds and where we welcomed two babies. It's funny how you get emotionally attached to a place and time. We lived in a 106 year-old Victorian farmhouse. I was sad to say good-bye to that house and our friends. Even though I still miss the friends, I would never want to go back. It was perfect the way it was and could never be repeated. The key stands as a little reminder of a wonderful time.

I also found this owl next to the other. His form, color and funky retro style caught my eye. I knew he would fit in somewhere. For now he is hanging out on the bookshelves. I saw on Etsy that there are sellers using this same vintage owl to make a mold and create new owls. They sell between $25-$39.00. The bottom of the owl twists off but I am not sure what it is for. It looks like it could be for a votive but it doesn't seem to be the right size. I thought maybe it was an earring holder at first but the candle would make more sense. Whatever its purpose, I like him.

Again, the owl theme was everywhere. This mama and baby were already white but had a dull finish. A little sprucing up gave them new life. Cute, no? This is for Blair.

And last but not least, what would a trip be without getting some more chairs?
I know, what is it with me and the chairs?
I have a problem I guess.

But seriously, I use them.

Ever since I bought the other 3, I have been thinking about all the others they had. My husband thought I should go back and get a few more. Love him.

So I went back but there weren't many left. Most of them were plastic which didn't interest me. I bought the last 3 of this design and thought they needed a paint job but that is an easy fix.
When I perused my new Country Living magazine, I was happy to see these very same chairs on a page and they had that paint job. Of course I can't find my magazine at the moment or I'd show you.
Think bright red chairs in a really cool playroom.
So now I'm thinking red...if only I had the cool playroom.


And see?? I'm using them here.

Blair's Spring picture 2010

Any good finds this week?

Linking up to Thrifty Thursday at Tales from Bloggeritaville

and Domestically Speaking's 14th Power of Paint party , Southern Hospitality's Thrifty Thursday, Fingerprints on the Fridge and Metamorphosis Monday