1 day ago
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter, everyone! I hope you have a chance to relax and enjoy this special day with friends and family. I'll be back tomorrow with Features from the link party...it's open until 10 pm (EST) tonight, so be sure to link up if you haven't yet!
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Share Your Best Post! {And a Weekend Surprise}
Happy Saturday! What are you up to today? I'm co-hosting a "baby brunch" for my sister today. Please pop in to link up YOUR best post of the week at my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. Today's the day to link up because I'm busy rounding up more Features for Monday! I'd love to know which ones caught your eye.
All kinds of posts are welcome here: We have recipes, party ideas, room makeovers, crafts, printables, tips and tricks, home decor, DIY, fashion advice, and more! The code for the button is near the end of this post, or you can add a text link back to me within your post.
This is just a quick "sneak peek" snapshot of all the awesome projects that have been shared at the party this week. You can click the party link above to check them out and share your own project! I'd love to Feature you in tomorrow's post!
If you haven't linked up yet, hop on over! Be sure to browse some of the amazing projects that have been shared.
If you missed this week's posts at Serenity Now, here are some links for you:
And guess what? Today's a special early edition of the Best of the Blogosphere at Centsational Girl. Swing by to see what Kate and I rounded up this week. We found some great projects to share with you!
So, what did you have up your sleeve this week? Come by and share it with us here! Be sure to check out some of the other bloggers' work too. Here's the button in case you'd rather use that than a text link back.
More Features coming Monday!
* If you are a Pinterest user, Pin from the original source so that each blogger gets credit for his/her work.*
If I've featured you, feel free to snag a button for your blog here.
All kinds of posts are welcome here: We have recipes, party ideas, room makeovers, crafts, printables, tips and tricks, home decor, DIY, fashion advice, and more! The code for the button is near the end of this post, or you can add a text link back to me within your post.
This is just a quick "sneak peek" snapshot of all the awesome projects that have been shared at the party this week. You can click the party link above to check them out and share your own project! I'd love to Feature you in tomorrow's post!
If you haven't linked up yet, hop on over! Be sure to browse some of the amazing projects that have been shared.
If you missed this week's posts at Serenity Now, here are some links for you:
So, what did you have up your sleeve this week? Come by and share it with us here! Be sure to check out some of the other bloggers' work too. Here's the button in case you'd rather use that than a text link back.
More Features coming Monday!
* If you are a Pinterest user, Pin from the original source so that each blogger gets credit for his/her work.*
If I've featured you, feel free to snag a button for your blog here.
Friday, March 29, 2013
::Weekend Bloggy Reading:: Link Up!
Welcome to my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. With Easter on Sunday, I'm going to do a little something different this week. The party will stay live through Sunday night, and I will be featuring most of the Highlighted Links on Monday morning.
This is the day of the week where other bloggers stop by to link up their best post of the week, and readers get to browse tons of fun project ideas. If you're new here, don't forget to "Follow" or subscribe so you don't miss future parties and projects! Please be sure to read my guidelines before you add a link.
This party is a great place to showcase your very best post of the week (home decor, crafts, party ideas, recipes, DIY, tips and tricks, etc.) and to see what else is out there.
Here are a few of my faves I spotted around the web this week:
~Photo Vases from PVC Pipe via Cheltenham Road (featured at Mod Podge Rocks)
~Peach Vanilla Bean Bundt Cake via Week of Menus
~Mint and Coral Bathroom via Lookie Loo Photography
~And Me? I'd love it if you have a moment to click over. This week featured:
Time to link up your best post of the week!
This is the day of the week where other bloggers stop by to link up their best post of the week, and readers get to browse tons of fun project ideas. If you're new here, don't forget to "Follow" or subscribe so you don't miss future parties and projects! Please be sure to read my guidelines before you add a link.
This party is a great place to showcase your very best post of the week (home decor, crafts, party ideas, recipes, DIY, tips and tricks, etc.) and to see what else is out there.
Here are a few of my faves I spotted around the web this week:
sources listed below
~Painted Steps with Board and Batten via Unskinny Boppy~Photo Vases from PVC Pipe via Cheltenham Road (featured at Mod Podge Rocks)
~Peach Vanilla Bean Bundt Cake via Week of Menus
~Mint and Coral Bathroom via Lookie Loo Photography
Time to link up your best post of the week!
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Spring Break Activity Ideas for Kids
Today's post will have a few ideas for you, but I'm hoping that you dear readers will be able to add to my list! I love having my kids home for Spring Break, but (let's be real here) it can be a long week when they start getting bored. I wanted to share a few Spring Break Activities for Kids that you can do at home, and a few that you can hit head out on the town for.
Activities at Home:
- Sidewalk Chalk
Driveways are great for this. The elementary school down the street also has a huge blacktop area that makes a nice blank canvas.
- Paper Dolls
It's not too late to pick up some for Easter baskets. Target had a cute Barbie paper doll set in the coloring book aisle.
- Bring those Audio Books inside!
If you don't have a CD player, pick up a cheap one at a big box retailer. I have a great list of audio books for kids here on the blog. This could make for a quiet half hour or so for you to get things done while they listen and use their imaginations.
- Games
Hide and Go Seek, Candyland, Chutes and Ladders...those never go out of style
- Be artsy
- Send them outside
- Rainy day? Try a learning toy
- Host a Book Club
- Have a regular old playdate!
- Work on your green thumb
Activities out on the town:
- Head to a favorite store
- Library or bookstore reading
- Park it
NightDay at the Museum
- Craft Store
- Bounce around
Okay, it's your turn! Please do share your own ideas in the comments.
If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Mr. Pencil (LeapFrog Kids' Ultra eBook Review)
The lovely folks at LeapFrog asked if the girls and I would like to review another LeapFrog product, and I readily agreed. They sent the new Mr. Pencil Ultra eBook a few weeks ago, and I thought I'd share my thoughts on the product tonight. If you want to know what the girls thought, I think the photo below tells you everything you need to know:
It's always a sign that you picked something cool out when it looks like a pair of ravenous wolverines ripped open the package in a frantic effort to gain access to the item inside. I left the box out on the table one afternoon, and made a mental note to show it to the girls later and get their thoughts on it.
I found Natalie not too long after, sitting in the family room, face animated with pleasure, LeapPad2 in her hands.
"Mommy, where did you get this?" she looked up. "It's pretty awesome."
I'm just glad it wasn't a birthday gift for a friend or anything! We had a chat about not opening things that don't belong to her (yet), and then I asked her what she thought about the eBook.
She thought the story was funny, she liked that there were characters you don't see every day (talking pencils), and she loved that the story had games to go along with it.
I'll add the "trailer" for the eBook below. Hopefully you can see it; for some reason it disappeared earlier. (You'll have to click over to see it if you're viewing this in an email or Reader):
As I've said before, as a parent, I appreciate the fact that LeapFrog does a great job to create learning opportunities with their games, apps, and eBooks. With Mr. Pencil (The Lost Colors of Doodleburg), kids have room to grow with reading levels that adjust according to their abilities, a visual dictionary, handwriting activities, and mini games that bring the stories to life.
With this particular eBook, I love the activities designed to help children practice proper letter strokes and also to master difficult letters as they improve. This is a great, fun supplement in addition to preschool!
Do your kids enjoy learning games and eBooks?
If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments!
LeapFrog sent the Ultra eBook to me to review, but I was not financially compensated. All opinions are, as always, my own.
It's always a sign that you picked something cool out when it looks like a pair of ravenous wolverines ripped open the package in a frantic effort to gain access to the item inside. I left the box out on the table one afternoon, and made a mental note to show it to the girls later and get their thoughts on it.
I found Natalie not too long after, sitting in the family room, face animated with pleasure, LeapPad2 in her hands.
"Mommy, where did you get this?" she looked up. "It's pretty awesome."
I'm just glad it wasn't a birthday gift for a friend or anything! We had a chat about not opening things that don't belong to her (yet), and then I asked her what she thought about the eBook.
She thought the story was funny, she liked that there were characters you don't see every day (talking pencils), and she loved that the story had games to go along with it.
I'll add the "trailer" for the eBook below. Hopefully you can see it; for some reason it disappeared earlier. (You'll have to click over to see it if you're viewing this in an email or Reader):
As I've said before, as a parent, I appreciate the fact that LeapFrog does a great job to create learning opportunities with their games, apps, and eBooks. With Mr. Pencil (The Lost Colors of Doodleburg), kids have room to grow with reading levels that adjust according to their abilities, a visual dictionary, handwriting activities, and mini games that bring the stories to life.
With this particular eBook, I love the activities designed to help children practice proper letter strokes and also to master difficult letters as they improve. This is a great, fun supplement in addition to preschool!
Do your kids enjoy learning games and eBooks?
If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments!
LeapFrog sent the Ultra eBook to me to review, but I was not financially compensated. All opinions are, as always, my own.
10 Free Spring Cleaning Printables
My sister-in-law and I are hosting a very informal "baby brunch" this Saturday for my sister, who's expecting in May. The brunch is going to be at my house, which means I have all sorts of straightening up and cleaning to do around here. I'm busy with those chores in addition to other responsibilities this week, so in the spirit of the season, I thought I'd round up some fantastic Free Spring Cleaning Printables from my Pinterest boards to share with you!
Pretty fonts, easy to read:
This one is several pages with nice photos and a checklist:
Clean by zone.
One job at a time. I like the grid-style list.
Clean out your closet with a specific guide!
Love the "boot-camp style" mention
This one is several different pages with the same pretty header.
Several color choices for this one.
Make your own list!
Have you started with your Spring Cleaning yet? Do you keep a household binder or use printables?
You can follow my Printables Pinterest Board here, and you'll find my Housekeeping and Homemaking Board here. I also have a Spring Cleaning Tips post here on the blog if you're interested!
*Each source is listed below the photos. Please be sure to Pin from the original sources so each person gets credit for his/her own work.
If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments!
I like the graphics for this one:
Pretty fonts, easy to read:
This one is several pages with nice photos and a checklist:
Clean by zone.
One job at a time. I like the grid-style list.
Clean out your closet with a specific guide!
Love the "boot-camp style" mention
This one is several different pages with the same pretty header.
Several color choices for this one.
Make your own list!
Have you started with your Spring Cleaning yet? Do you keep a household binder or use printables?
You can follow my Printables Pinterest Board here, and you'll find my Housekeeping and Homemaking Board here. I also have a Spring Cleaning Tips post here on the blog if you're interested!
*Each source is listed below the photos. Please be sure to Pin from the original sources so each person gets credit for his/her own work.
If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments!
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
10 Must-Follow Pinners on My List
I'm a little overwhelmed this week with a very big to-do list, trying to spend time with visiting family members, and fitting in all the school and extra-curricular activities the girls have going on...Spring Break doesn't start until the end of the week! Yet, no matter how busy I am, I can always squeeze some time in for my Pinterest boards. So I decided to a little PSA on the blog today and spotlight some of my favorite Pinterest users. If you aren't following them, you must!
First up is Michael, from the Inspired by Charm blog. You can find his Pinterest boards here. Michael has impeccable style and Pins some of the tastiest looking recipes and beautiful home projects I've seen!
Ashley from The Handmade Home. You can find her Pinterest boards here. Ashley Pins some great DIY and Home projects, but I also love following her because she has a great sense of humor and often finds things that make me laugh.
Chelsea from Two Twenty One is a blogging friend who has guest posted here a few times, but she has also a fab set of Pinterest boards. A quick browse of her boards reveals sophisticated style with a fresh color scheme.
Becky from the Organizing Made Fun blog is the queen of helpful organizational Pins. You can find her boards here.
Linda from Craftaholics Anonymous finds great craft ideas. Her Pinterest boards are here.
Catie from Catie's Corner has a great eye for fashion and picks out the cutest ensembles to Pin. Although I can't wear about 98% of them, I love to RePin her stuff! You'll find her Pin boards here.
Angie from The Country Chic Cottage Pins DIY projects that are cool, but look realistically achievable! You can find her boards here.
Kelli from Random Thoughts of a SUPERMOM has a great line-up of family friendly Pins and also some amaaazing recipe finds! Her boards are here.
I also RePin a lot from Jen, who writes the popular Tatertots and Jello blog. Jen is not only a very dear person, she also has a great eye for spotting inspiring projects! You'll find her boards here.
Maria from the two peas and their pod blog Pins fantastic recipes and recipe round-ups. Her Pinterest profile is here.
Hope you found some new Pinterest users to Follow today! Of course, you can find my Pinterest boards online as well. I Pin a lot of recipes, DIY, home decor, and craft ideas. I hope you find some great inspiration to try out over Spring Break!
What are your favorite kinds of things to Pin?
If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterst, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments!
Monday, March 25, 2013
Birthday Parties: Who are We Impressing?
Last week, I announced the start of a new series here at Serenity Now, Birthday Parties 101. The series is a how-to on birthday party planning...from start to finish. (You can read more about it here.) We're going to look at ways you can plan a memorable party for your child, without spending a ton of money. But before we get into all the fun and creative stuff, I think it's important to look at our motivations behind why we plan celebrations for our kids. Let's encourage each other this week, shall we? Birthday parties should be fun, not stress or guilt-inducing!
For a creative person, it's invigorating to see all of the fabulous ideas out there on the 'net. At first. After the 47th party idea you've bookmarked, it can sometimes begin to be a little overwhelming. You begin to wonder if the cupcake tower you planned will be cute enough and will Johnny be crushed because you didn't hire that elephant to give rides at your circus party? It becomes more of an issue of measuring up than creating a fun environment for the kids.
There's nothing wrong with planning a big party for your child if you can afford to, just like there's nothing wrong with doing a quiet dinner at home with family. It really all comes down to our inner-motivations. Do we hope to outdo ourselves and wow everyone, or do we want to celebrate our children and offer a fun time for guests? Birthday parties should be a time to cherish, not to stress and feel guilt over!
I'll be the first to admit that it can be very very easy to get swept away with party planning. I have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to entertaining and party ideas. Part of my job for the BOTB series at Centsational Girl is to browse other blogs and websites and find inspiring ideas to share with others. I'm constantly seeing beautiful projects that I would love to replicate. I've found myself eyeing supplies and goodies in stores and thinking, "Oh wouldn't it be just too cool to try this for the party?" and before I know it, I've spent more than I intended.
For a creative person, it's invigorating to see all of the fabulous ideas out there on the 'net. At first. After the 47th party idea you've bookmarked, it can sometimes begin to be a little overwhelming. You begin to wonder if the cupcake tower you planned will be cute enough and will Johnny be crushed because you didn't hire that elephant to give rides at your circus party? It becomes more of an issue of measuring up than creating a fun environment for the kids.
And that's where we have to pause and examine our motivations.
Who am I throwing the birthday party for?
Is it for my child?
Is it for the other moms?
Is it for my blog?
Birthday parties are an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful gift of life. A day to make my child feel special. Ultimately, it's up to me to decide whether she needs a mini roller coaster in the backyard to see how much I love her.
Am I having the mini backyard roller coaster built because I know it will impress the other moms, look better than what I did last year, and guarantee me some high traffic blog days? Or am I having the mini backyard roller coaster built because I know it will blow her mind and I can do it without going into debt or stretching our budget too far?
It's so important for readers (both bloggers and non-bloggers) to remember that many of those gorgeous Pinterest images you see are styled and photographed specifically for a blog post or website. Sometimes a blogger is paid to use specific products, or they receive them from a company hoping for a shout-out. Often, we only see a small part of the picture. You may see a super-cute project in front of a lovely backdrop...but you don't see the mess on the other side of the room.
Case in point, my kitchen sideboard:
Yet it clearly doesn't look like that here:
My point is, we don't always see the full reality online! Don't beat yourself up if you don't have the extra cash to recreate a stylish party set-up you've seen, whether it was on a blog, a party site, or Pinned on Pinterest. If you truly love the idea you spotted, but it doesn't fit your budget as-is, then think of ways you can change it up to fit your needs!
I try to ask myself whether or not I like the idea because I think it will impress the other moms or blog readers, or if it will really add to the enjoyment of the day for my child. That litmus test usually tells me whether or not I'm going overboard.
There's nothing wrong with planning a big party for your child if you can afford to, just like there's nothing wrong with doing a quiet dinner at home with family. It really all comes down to our inner-motivations. Do we hope to outdo ourselves and wow everyone, or do we want to celebrate our children and offer a fun time for guests? Birthday parties should be a time to cherish, not to stress and feel guilt over!
Do you struggle with feeling like you have to measure up come party time? How do you combat those feelings?
I'm still working out some details for the series...a fab blog friend made some great suggestions last week...I may expand it to include some features, a few guest posts, and an end-of-series link party. Hope you'll stop back by to stay updated!
If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Highlighted Weekend Links--Share Your Best Post!
Hello, hello! If you're here to link up to Weekend Bloggy Reading, it's open for new links until 10 pm (ET) tonight. Please share your best post of the week with us...crafts, recipes, home decor, book reviews--all kinds of posts are welcome.
On Saturdays and Sundays, I like to share fabulous projects from the link party with my readers. I add many of these Features to my Pinterest page as well as Facebook, so be sure to link back in your post!
Here are a few links from Weekend Bloggy Reading that caught my eye:
~Baby Nursery Reveal via eleven Magnolia Lane
~German Chocolate Cake Recipe via the sweet spot
~DIY Painted Curtains via Sand and Sisal
On Saturdays and Sundays, I like to share fabulous projects from the link party with my readers. I add many of these Features to my Pinterest page as well as Facebook, so be sure to link back in your post!
Here are a few links from Weekend Bloggy Reading that caught my eye:
~Baby Nursery Reveal via eleven Magnolia Lane
~German Chocolate Cake Recipe via the sweet spot
~DIY Painted Curtains via Sand and Sisal
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Share Your Best Post of the Week!
Happy Saturday! What are you up to today? Please pop in to link up YOUR best post of the week at my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. Today's the day to link up because I'm busy rounding up more Features for tomorrow! I'd love to know which ones caught your eye.
All kinds of posts are welcome here: We have recipes, party ideas, room makeovers, crafts, printables, tips and tricks, home decor, DIY, fashion advice, and more! The code for the button is near the end of this post, or you can add a text link back to me within your post.
This is just a quick "sneak peek" snapshot of all the awesome projects that have been shared at the party this week. You can click the party link above to check them out and share your own project! I'd love to Feature you in tomorrow's post!
If you haven't linked up yet, hop on over! Be sure to browse some of the amazing projects that have been shared.
If you missed this week's posts at Serenity Now, here are some links for you:
So, what did you have up your sleeve this week? Come by and share it with us here! Be sure to check out some of the other bloggers' work too. Here's the button in case you'd rather use that than a text link back.
More Features coming tomorrow!
* If you are a Pinterest user, Pin from the original source so that each blogger gets credit for his/her work.*
If I've featured you, feel free to snag a button for your blog here.
All kinds of posts are welcome here: We have recipes, party ideas, room makeovers, crafts, printables, tips and tricks, home decor, DIY, fashion advice, and more! The code for the button is near the end of this post, or you can add a text link back to me within your post.
This is just a quick "sneak peek" snapshot of all the awesome projects that have been shared at the party this week. You can click the party link above to check them out and share your own project! I'd love to Feature you in tomorrow's post!
If you haven't linked up yet, hop on over! Be sure to browse some of the amazing projects that have been shared.
If you missed this week's posts at Serenity Now, here are some links for you:
More Features coming tomorrow!
* If you are a Pinterest user, Pin from the original source so that each blogger gets credit for his/her work.*
If I've featured you, feel free to snag a button for your blog here.
Friday, March 22, 2013
::Weekend Bloggy Reading:: Link Up!
Welcome to my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. This is the day of the week where other bloggers stop by to link up their best post of the week, and readers get to browse tons of fun project ideas. If you're new here, don't forget to "Follow" or subscribe so you don't miss future parties and projects! Please be sure to read my guidelines before you add a link.
This party is a great place to showcase your very best post of the week (home decor, crafts, party ideas, recipes, DIY, tips and tricks, etc.) and to see what else is out there.
Here are a few of my faves I spotted around the web this week:
~Burlap Bunny Napkin Rings via dreaming in color
~Easy Spring Centerpiece via Simply Klassic Home
~Caramel Pecan Monkey Bread via Positively Splendid
~And Me? I'd love it if you have a moment to click over. This week featured:
Time to link up your best post of the week!
This party is a great place to showcase your very best post of the week (home decor, crafts, party ideas, recipes, DIY, tips and tricks, etc.) and to see what else is out there.
Here are a few of my faves I spotted around the web this week:
sources listed below
~Faux Beadboard Wainscotting via The Chronicles of Home~Burlap Bunny Napkin Rings via dreaming in color
~Easy Spring Centerpiece via Simply Klassic Home
~Caramel Pecan Monkey Bread via Positively Splendid
Time to link up your best post of the week!
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Easter Basket Filler Ideas {Easter Gifts for Kids}
Tell me I'm not the only one who finds it hard to believe that Easter is almost upon us! Weren't we just opening heart-shaped boxes of chocolate? I wanted to share a few fun Easter Basket Ideas with you all today. We try not to go overboard with Easter baskets for our girls...wanting keep our focus on the Reason we celebrate the holiday. But, it is so much fun to find sweet little gifts to tuck in baskets with that bright colored paper grass!
Natalie and Michaela Byrd have winter birthdays...which means we do the bulk of gifting and merry-making in December and January. And then they wait the whole rest of the year. Like any other mom, I love seeing my girls get excited about little gifts and surprises, so I try to find cute things to fill their Easter baskets with. Without getting crazy and adding Disney World tickets or a pony or something. I usually add a plastic egg with some chocolate candy in it, a chocolate rabbit, a book or small toy, and a few inexpensive accessories.
Here are a few ideas for boys and girls that I thought of:
Here are a few ideas for boys and girls that I thought of:
candy (chocolate bunny, eggs, jelly beans, lollipop)
hair accessories
cute socks
baseball cap
cute socks
baseball cap
jewelry
nailpolish
action figures
coloring book
crayons
car toy
frilly socks
sunglasses
beach towel
small beach toy
DVD
book
doll clothes
cute t-shirt
craft supplies (stamps, foam stickers, pipe cleaners, beads, etc.)
bubble bath
lip gloss
cars
bouncy balls
seeds and gardening tools
keychain for a backpack
pool toys
tickets to a movie or local children's play
doll clothes
cute t-shirt
craft supplies (stamps, foam stickers, pipe cleaners, beads, etc.)
bubble bath
lip gloss
cars
bouncy balls
seeds and gardening tools
keychain for a backpack
pool toys
tickets to a movie or local children's play
What do you add to your kids' Easter baskets? Any more filler ideas?
If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments!
If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Salvation Army Finds {Thrift Shopping}
Michaela Byrd and I had a few minutes to spare yesterday, so we stopped at our favorite thrift store, our local Salvation Army. I don't currently have the budget, the space, or cooperating weather to make any large makeover purchases, but it sure is fun to look. Won't you join me for a little thrift store makeover shopping today?
I fell in love with this hutch. Can totally see it in a nice shade of gray with patterned paper on the backing, or maybe a stencil.
These stools just need to be sanded down and freshened up with some paint. A fun color would really make them pop!
These little side tables are cheap and easy to find. I found one at a yard sale once for $0.75. They're great to use in a guest room as an end table...just throw some pretty fabric on top and accessories with a small tray, flowers, a pitcher, some old books, etc.
Spotted three dining table sets with absolutely beautiful bones. I would kill for a workshop area to work on these. Okay, I maybe wouldn't kill, but I would really twist somebody's arm!
Would that last little round table be perfect for a small breakfast area? Needs a coat of glossy white paint and some pretty fabric for the cushions!
Outdoor living alert! I'm not a big fan of the dark green, but it's so easy to spray paint metal furniture (I have a tutorial for how to paint metal outdoor furniture here on the blog!). These would be so cute in punchy summer shades with inexpensive cushions you can find at any big box retailer.
This desk reminded me of one that my friend Kate from Centsational Girl worked some makeover magic on for her daughter's room. As Kate has shown, pieces like this can work in many different color schemes.
Not digging the peachy colored drawer fronts, but glass knobs would make a stylish update to this dresser, right? What color would you paint it?
A woman was already staking out this four poster bed and dresser set. Judging by the look she gave me when I tried to snap a shot of it, I'd say it's making its way home with her today.
I've seen lots of filing cabinet makeovers online in the past 6 months or so. Not only a great way to store paperwork, but why not keep your fabric or other craft items inside?
Don't forget to look at the accessories! Desiree from The 36th Avenue completed a fabulous makeover on an old suitcase like this. A fun way to store craft supplies or doll things:
These guys are vintage...I've seen the same ones in my Nannie's house.
Our Salvation Army also has boxes of free books outside. These are great to use to add height to vignettes, or just as extra decoration. There are loads of book page crafts online too...I'd rather use old, discarded books for stuff like that.
We came home with a few books for a dollar. My girls love Berenstain Bears books, and we didn't have this one, so I picked it up, along with a historical fiction piece Natalie can read when she's older and some first readers that we can keep in the car.
As always, it's fun to window shop. Not quite as satisfying as bringing home that awesome find, but still enjoyable.
What have you spotted in your local thrift store lately? Which of these pieces would come home with you?
If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments!
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