Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts

Thrifty Thursday (on Friday)

I absolutely meant to share this post yesterday, but caring for my grandmother every day has had me a bit distracted. As a result, you're getting Thrifty Thursday on Friday. Lucky you! I did get a tiny bit of thrifting done as well as found several deals over December. But, the bulk of my attention was taken up with Christmas.

In fact, everything got put away before I could snap any pictures, and I had to steal the above photo from my video. Oops! In any case, at least I remembered to get the video recorded so you can see some of what I hauled home. Take a look at my December Thrifty Haul.

So, did you find any deals in December?

Peek at My Week: September 23-29

I started the week with very few creative goals but allowed myself to get absorbed in a couple of challenges and to take time to appreciate nature. By the end of the week, I was bursting with inspiration. There's definitely something to the whole "being creative breeds creativity" thing. 

Of course, we didn't start the week with a whole lot of inspiration as we continued to work on replacing the old deck.
 On Sunday, the first new board was screwed down! Pat had to replace some of the structural boards that go under the deck, but fortunately, the bulk of them were in good condition.

Though it is (was) September, it's still blazing hot here. So, we took a dip in the pool too cool off after working on the deck, and I spotted this treasure floating on top of the water.
I thought it was a dragonfly wing at first, but Pat's pretty confident it's a cicada wing. It does feel thicker and sturdier than most dragonfly wings. I've got it stashed away for now.

On Monday, I began gathering supplies for Sarajo's Honey Do List Challenge

But, realizing that I needed filigree beads, I took a trip to the store.
Alas, I didn't find the filigree beads I was searching for, but the two craft stores and two thrift stores I visited yielded plenty of other supplies!

While grocery shopping on Tuesday, the pumpkins at my local farm market caught my attention. 
I'm always amazed at the wide variety of pumpkins and gourds that Allegri Farm Market carries this time of the year. The fairytale pumpkins (farthest to the left) really are magical. 

Though I was at my mom's on Wednesday, I didn't let that stop me from getting a little work done. 
Her patio is always a great place to get some photography done in natural light. However, I was rushing to get the photos taken before the heat and rain set in.

While stopped at a gas station later in the day with my niece, I had an enlightening experience that really made my day. I shared it the next day on Twitter.


Thursday seemed to drag and weigh me down as it rained all day.
There was also the weight of the Ford/Kavanaugh testimonies. So many feels.

On Friday, I realized that I still needed to make some Fairy Art for the Art Elements Challenge
I busted my butt for several hours making my Fairy Necklace and Altered Paintbrush Fairy and ended up with a desk full of yummy supplies. 

I was relieved at the end of the day that dinner had arrived on the doorstep.
We decided to try Hello Fresh this week. I still had to cook the meal, but was excited it was going to be something new!

Saturday meant we were working on the deck replacement again. Of course, that was only AFTER we caught the early Bama game!
Actually, Pat worked on the deck replacement. My job, in general, has been to haul away the old boards. The rusty, protruding nails in all of the boards made my clumsy self so super nervous. But, I prevailed and got all the boards in the dumpster without incident. Whew!

Once again, we followed hard work with a dip in the pool. We're still surprised that it's the end of September and the first full week of Fall, and we can still get in the water. Admittedly, I'm not dunking my head, just getting in enough to cool off a little. 
Again, I found treasures in the water. These half-eaten acorns were scattered along the floor of the pool. I was fascinated by the squirrel's teeth marks still visible in them.

That was the bulk of our week. Let me share a little more inspiration that I found over the course of the week:

That's all I've got for now. I'm up to my eyelids in ideas and trying to figure out where to begin.
Here's wishing you an amazing week ahead.
Happy October!!

Thrift and Craft Store Hauls

Y'all, I'm just popping in real quick to share a video I made last week with some of my latest thrift and craft store hauls.

Of course, right after I uploaded that video (with two separate hauls), I found this stack of goodies on the library's free shelf.
There were travel brochures, a neat couple of books, and that small catalog that has great old ads in it.
I apologize for this being a short post, but I am trying to get back on track with the blog. I've got a huge list of ideas. Now if I could just commit and post already! This is a start.

Anyway, what goodies have you found thrifting and shopping lately?

Local Feature: Silverhill Market Gift & Garden

The other week, the Southern Bloggers Jubilee group met at the Silverhill Market Gift & Garden. I was so excited that this was the location for our meeting.

I've passed the place several times heading from Fairhope to Robertsdale on 104 but am usually on a mission and don't have time to stop. Our meeting was the perfect excuse to take a look around this lovely shop.

Out front is the garden area of the market.

There were plants and cute decor tucked all over the patio and porch.

From the front doors you enter the gift area that includes quite the variety of accessories and decor. The interior retains the original home's layout with lots of little rooms. (Even one of the bathrooms has been somewhat converted into a display area with the old toilet covered with merchandise - It's really cuter than it sounds. I promise!)

Silverhill Market has a great selection of art from local artists and craftsmen. There's even a small building of antiques (not pictured.) Everything about it is eclectic and quirky, but still full of upscale boutique style.

Our group met in the back of the main building where there's a coffee shop. It has a nice selection of coffee as well as a few other treats. Everything was very reasonably priced too!

Just off the coffee shop is a beautiful bamboo garden into which alcoves of seating areas are situated.

I believe there's a little bit for everyone at the Silverhill Market. Don't believe me? Go see for yourself! The Silverhill Market Gift & Garden is located at 16320 Silverhill Ave in Silverhill, Alabama, It's open 9am-5pm Monday-Saturday. It's a great place to explore.

Thrift Store Scores: Buttons and Chandelier Crystals

When I get stuck for inspiration or bored with a current project I tend to go thrift store shopping. However, often it feels as if I am PULLED in the direction of the thrift stores rather than just wanting to go shopping. This was the case yesterday. I have something on my desk that I like, but I just wasn't feeling it. I was feeling a trip to the thrift stores and was being pulled in one direction in particular.

I'm SO GLAD I listed to that instinct.
One of my finds
I wound up scoring two jars of buttons and a baggie of miscellaneous chandelier crystals.

I wasn't having luck at the thrift stores so I headed over to a favorite antique mall. I kinda wish I had taken a picture when I walked in the door because there were over a dozen jars packed with buttons.
Most of the other jars were larger than this. I also think these were originally peanut butter and jelly jars (separately) and I find that so stinking funny.

All those jars were there when I walked in. By the time I walked out, so had several other people. . . all with jars of buttons!

Fortunately I got there first and had the best pick. I'm absolutely smitten with finding the jar of all Mother-of-pearl buttons. SMITTEN I say!
I know they're not all MOP, but the majority are!
A better look at the buttons from the PB jar. What a selection!

As well, I'm glad I didn't pass on the baggie of crystals. I almost did and would have regretted it once I got home. I just know it.

I felt the same pull to shop last week as well, pulling over at yet another antique mall. This one was much larger and took me much more time to locate what had called me there. I walked out with these beauties. (Sorry for the pictures, the light's not so great here in the morning.)
Rhinestone buttons and brass key holes

So it seems that my last few treasures haven't been found at thrift stores at all. The keys and first chandelier crystals were at a flea market/yard sale and these last two were at antique stores. Do I still call it thrifting? Is it antiquing? Is junking too vague a term? Whatever it is, I'm glad they my muse is leading me to find the scores that I want/need!

What great finds have you made recently?

My Christmas List (part 2)

I'm still working my way through the Challenge of Color blogs, but couldn't wait to share another Christmas list with you (and my husband).

This list is more centered on beads that I would love to find under the (still non-existent) tree or in my stocking. To compile this list I went through my favorites on Etsy as well as through my bookmarked links. I know I'm leaving off a TON of wonderful artists, but I made this list by what each favorite currently had in stock and what I would want. If I left anyone off, please let me know in the comments!

For this list, I'm linking to both the shop home as well as the item(s) that I like the most. So, in no particular order here's list number two!

ONE

Handmade Flower Burst Copper 3 hole oval Drops

TWO
Woodland Shore - Bird Bead Set

THREE
Pennant Pendant Set
Off to Sea Pendant

FOUR
Early Fall/Ceramic Acorn and Leaf Charm and Bead Set

FIVE
Little Fox Bead - Sleepy Woodland Critters

SIX
Tiny Hot Cocoa Disk Beads
Falling Leaves Cuff Connector - Teal

SEVEN
Yellow Cobalt Blue and Black small recycled glass and stoneware clay pendant, charm, or earring set
Soft and Sweet Double loop Pendant Stoneware clay and Recycled glass

EIGHT
Handmade Lampwork Glass Beads - Autumn Organics

NINE
Lampwork Glass pairs/ green sparkle and ivory glass

TEN
Glass Enameled Earrings in Iris Purple

Now, for Pat's benefit. . .I don't have to have ALL of the items on both lists, this is just a sampling of some gifts from which you can choose. As well, on THIS list, if something is sold out. . .take a look around their shop. They may have listed something even BETTER!!

In addition to the specific beads I've shown, some of these artists do offer Gift Certificates for their shops. That would be a great option also.

One last option in regards to gift certificates are my favorite local shops:

If you haven't done so yet, let me know what's on your list. And, like I said above. . I know I've left some artists off. Leave a comment letting me know who I left off (even if it's YOU) and a link to the shop(s) I've forgotten. The holidays make me Crazy-forgetful like that!!

A Little Scare (and Meal Plan)

Since it is Halloween, I'll recount a tale of fear and fun for you. (The accounts in this story are real.)
My sparse decorations this year

For my birthday, the hubs gifted me with a check to get some new clothes (don't cringe, that's what I requested.) After an early lunch on Tuesday, I set off for the outlets in Foley. I cracked myself up and cringed on several occasions with the random observations/thoughts I was having. I wanted to tweet these thoughts, but I was intent on getting some clothes bought, so I resisted the call of the internet and shopped on. My random thoughts included (be reminded that these were formed into tweets in my mind)
The Frights: 
  • Is it just me, or does anyone else ever have an unnatural fear of forgetting to put your clothes back on and leaving the dressing room in your underwear? Just me . . .
  • Why do stores have to play the most godawful techno-dance music at full volume? Do they believe this will increase your desire to quickly buy something and get out? It sure doesn't make me want to stay there!
  • What the heck is with ALL the people browsing JUST where I want to get? As well, why do they have to block the aisle so I can't even get past them? GAH!!
The Fun:
  • I WAS able to tweet about the group of (what I believe to have been) Mennonite women going into the Cornningware outlet.

Overcoming Fear:
  • In addition, I later tweeted about gathering all my courage to actually go into the Michael Kors outlet and try on something.     {They were actually very friendly and the sale items were reasonably priced, but there just wasn't much to choose from.......I guess I should have prefaced this revelation with telling you that I am intimidated easily by people/stores that think they are better than me. I grew up with clothes from K-Mart and Sears. When I finally started shopping at the Gap in high school it was a BIG DEAL for me. So stores like Michael Kors' are still quite intimidating (especially the price tags.) I'm a saver at heart and always will be, but I think I'm gaining some nerve at long last!}

Result:
  • So. . .while I'm still not quite done spending all my birthday money, let me go ahead and reveal that I got a really good deal on some pants and jeans, a skirt, a dress, a sweater, a dress shirt, a short sleeved shirt, and about FIVE long sleeve shirts.

Like I said, I still have some money to spend and my frugal self wants to spend it at the thrift store. I'm hoping to head out there after lunch.


Speaking of food. . .Since it is Monday, let me go ahead and share my Meal Plan for the week.

Breakfasts: Cereal/grits, toast, pumpkin cream cheese muffins, omelets, waffles, breakfast burritos

Lunches: Soup w/grilled cheese, ham quesidillas, hot dogs, tuna noddles, pepperoni pizza puffs, pasta carbonara, PB&J

Dinners:
Fish w/mac-n-cheese, peas
Dirty rice w/corn
Crockpot ham w/rice mix, corn

For more meal plan ideas, hit up I'm an Organizing Junkie for all the Meal Plan Monday links.


Here's a sweet little bracelet to go with all the candy being handed out tonight!
Assured Bracelet


I'm off for some shopping and revelry.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN Y'ALL!!!

One Sweet Birthday! (and BTW)

I insist, you must hear about my birthday weekend.

  • My dear, sweet husband surprised me with a small birthday gathering in my honor on Friday night. 
  • I really had no idea about the party, yet ESP or intuition or something advised me to put on something presentable, do my hair, and put on make-up. Weird.
  • This surprise included a birthday treat along with a face full of whipped cream...so much for the make-up.
  • Afterward, we went over to some friends' house for key lime pie, beers, and a show. 
 
  • Saturday was mostly a lazy day of football.
  • We spent the evening with Pat's family watching the Alabama Crimson Tide STOMP the Tennessee Vols!! (woohoo!)
  • His family gifted me with some new crimson gear and a card that makes farting noises. . .seriously.
  • Sunday started with an early morning looking at property.
  • Since we were near it, Pat and I decided to get some Krispy Kremes for breakfast. We even went in for the Hot Donuts now. Boy was that a bad choice. . .as I was sitting down to my doughnuts, the chair caught my pants. Before I knew it, my ass was on display for all of the Foley Krispy Kreme patrons to enjoy. Fortunately, my shirt was stretchy enough for me to pull it over my behind as I scooted out the door.
 
  • After a change of pants, we spent the afternoon with my family.
  • My mom slaved over had a HUGE family meal complete with a whole turkey, scalloped potatoes, and brussel sprouts (even though my grandmother and I are the only ones who like them.) It was delicious!
  • We ended the evening with some "Walking Dead"
  • My actual birthday was Monday and Pat gifted me with some cash-for-clothes as I had requested. 
  • We had a yummy dinner at Mellow Mushroom and met a friend to see "Paranormal Activity 3."
  • I spent all day Tuesday out shopping with my birthday money, I'll get to shy shopping in another post maybe. It was a nice day alone.
With FOUR DAYS of celebration and fun (and a few embarrassments), I really haven't been at my bead table much, just popping in every once in a while to pick at one thing or another. As such, this is its current state for Bead Table Wednesday.
The somewhat neglected bead table
The beads I won from Gaea
Peanut beads I ordered from WhimBeads
And some more Shabby Beads that are working their way into a necklace.


There's more Bead Table Wednesday in the Flickr Group.
Bead Table Wednesday


In addition, I've had some pretty big scares over the condition of my hard drive AND a virus to deal with. So there's been limited use of the laptop while we backed it up, saved serial numbers, eradicated the virus, and all the other things Pat did to take care of it (I have NO idea.) In that time, I wasn't able to list anything new in the shop. Since things seem to be running a bit smoother this morning (knock on wood, as Pat says my hard drive could just drop dead at any minute. EEK!), I went ahead and listed a new necklace.
Live What You Love Necklace


Lastly, I want to mention that Sally at WireWorked is giving away this pretty little bracelet. Go over there to leave a comment and find out how else you can enter!


I really must go because in addition to not blogging, listing items, or making anything; I've also not done any grocery shopping. It's a MUST DO before the cats revolt! Of course, I also don't have a menu made so I have no idea what groceries to buy (other than cat food.) GAH. If this is what getting older is going to to do me, I might as well just stop right now. Yes, I think that sounds nice. Wait. . .that means no more surprise birthday parties. Nevermind. Forget I ever said that. I quite enjoyed the surprise.
Now, to actually go get something productive done.

Bead Box 19(ish) Stocked

  Confession -  this isn't really number 19, as it's been over two years since I shared one of my bead boxes and have gone through a...