Category Archives: Homelife

JMillz Place

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My oldest son, Jamil, has officially moved into his new apartment and I’ve been searching for items for his bachelor pad.   As I reflect back on how time flies, he’s grown and on his own, a part of me was saddened, but the other part was happy.  He’s all excited about it and truth be told – I’m excited for him.

I’ve been challenged not to use “antiques”  chuckles..Oh boy ..  here we go… Jamil said “Mommy – no antiques..” okay, okay, okay… but it’s all good.. I’m having fun doing his place.  He knows I’m a thrifty shopper, so far I’ve gotten a couple things from a consignment store – like his dinette set – which was half off,  I got it for $198.00.  He loved it, in fact, had to give me a high five on that score.  It was perfect for his place with a contemporary look.

I also found a coffee table at the same place for $32.00 – He even liked that too!!  So now I’m getting a feel for his taste.

He needed something to hang on the wall where his dinette set would be.   I had the perfect item in mind. I’ve had this big round rattan object for the longest and just didn’t do anything with it.  It was given to me by a friend and she didn’t want it anymore.. it was lying around collecting dust.   So, you know I gladly took it..I knew eventually I’d use it for something..(that’s part of my hoarder syndrome 🙂  .

I really like how it was made  – it would make a really nice wall hanging.

So, I decided to make a mirror for him.  I bought a plain round mirror from Michael’s for $7.99.   To get rid of the “baskety look” I spray painted it a metallic bronze.  Attached the mirror with hot glue and edged it off with twine.  So here’s his finished mirror.

 

I’m liking it alot and since I’m so excited to show you.. I decided to hang it on a wall at my house to let you see it   🙂

 

 

I was contemplating adding a few feathers on it (you know  how I love my feathers).. but I had to keep in mind (it’s for a guy) so I left them off (but boy – oh boy- was I tempted.

I’m like… hmmmmm… hey should I pass this up????  Chuckles..  I told him.. “I think you might be beat – because I’m digging it”  He laughed and said “Oh really” but of course I’m going to give it to him..  I can’t wait to see it hung at his place.  I’ll be showing you his “pad” in a few weeks.    I miss having him around, but when I go to see him, it makes me smile.

I hope you guys like the mirror I created.. He hasn’t seen it yet, so I hope he does too..    See ya!  Have a great weekend!!

 

 

 

Summer Breeze

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Hey there!  Today was an extremely “stay off my feet day” and do little as possible. The 49-mile two day yard sale we had was a great success and everyone looks forward to next year.   My twin sister, sister-n-law, and aunt came down for the for event and we had a wonderful time.. busy, but wonderful.  I’ll post pictures of some of the items we had for sell.   After everyone left,  as I sat back, kicked my feet up to relax in my “Rest Haven” I conjured up the desire to share my down time with you.  It was a beautiful day, the weather was perfect and made me think of the Isley Brothers -Summer Breeze when the sweet smell of jasmine passed through my senses as the wind blew gentle breezes to break the heat.  I thought back how my pallet project was well worth the sweat that day.  The summer chill-out spot went through a slight re-do.   Last year’s rainy weather made me realize I need to lift my set off the ground.  I searched for inspiration pictures and found this:

Of course having this type of flooring requires professional installation.. so I used the thrifty way to accomplish my look..  Pallets!! Free Pallets!! at that.   I laid them to fit the space, purchased a few luan boards and nailed them down to create a flat surface.

Got the boards hammered down and began to re-decorate the area.  It’s time to take a tour of my “She Rest Haven” … sit back , relax and enjoy it with me, while imagining the sweet smell of jasmine in your mind.

I found decorative  hanging tealight holders at Ross for $6.99 and they add a special bohemian touch to the space.

I painted the Rest Haven sign because I realized it just wasn’t feminine enough for me –  see it here.

Did a bit of re-arranging of the furniture

The palm tree plant gives it a more tropical feel.  The glass hurricane was a Goodwill find for $6.50 and the rose balls, I had for years, added the right pink palette touch to the table.

 

I used the last bit of seashells from the yard sale find to create my seashell “K”

Using scrap fabric to make accent pillows kept last year’s re-do very cost effective

I love mixing animal print with flowers

The bar cart is getting ready for drinks

The candle holder – a forgotten item packed away-was going to be sold at the yard sale.   I’m so glad I decided to keep it..  I wanted $8.00.. The person offered me $5.00 – I said for $5.00 I’ll keep it.. – so .. I kept it.. found my animal print candles for it and voila … love it..

 

A warm sunlight glow is always perfect

 

 

Ahhhhhh…….. do you feel the relaxation here????

The $0.50 painted wine glasses will be used to serve drinks outdoors

The raised floor really makes the space feel more like an outdoor room.  Just a few more touches to the surrounding area and this baby will be finished and ready for the Chillaxing to begin!

Thank you for tuning in to join me with my summer breeze – I hope you enjoyed it and look forward to your summer breeze moments..  See you soon   🙂

Peace…  Love… and Bright Moments …

Make Me Over Monday -Part 4

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Hello there!! I hope all is well with everyone…I’ve had a productive week and got quite a bit accomplished.  I’m in the midst of preparing for our town’s big 49-mile yard sale.. I hope the weather holds up because it’s going to be a lot to shop for.   So, if you’re interested.. by all means come pay us a visit.   Well, I have a fantastic makeover to show you today..I really like how it turned out..   I’ve had this bistro set for about 14 years.  I was going to sell it at the yard sale but decided not to – glad I didn’t.   Here is the table.. before

The chairs are equally bad.   The bad weather mixed with birds took its toll on them. The set is vintage wrought iron.  I adore scrolled wrought iron.. that’s what attracted me to the set.

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I decide to paint the set and give it a whole new look.  I could’t make up my mind as to what color to paint so..I chose a two-tone color.

I was going to attempt to do the cushions myself, but I realize my short comings  and a seamstress – I am not- so I recruited my dear friend Sylvia, of  S&A Alterations, who happens to be the local seamstress.   She saw the fabric I chose and was excited about my selection.  She got right to working on them and by the end of the week she was calling to say she was finished.  She delivered them (talk about fantastic service ) and we both were excited how they came out.  All though she refused to take a picture.. I talked her into it.. Thank you Sylvia!!!   🙂    You’re the best!!

Got the cushions all screwed in and here is the finished new look!!  Get ready to get excited…    🙂   I think you’e going to like it..  as for me… I LOVE IT!!!

 

So you see why I chose two-tone paint for the chairs…

 

I’m sooooooo glad I chose to keep it..

So… what’cha think????    Holla at your Thrifty Gal – If you like it, let me know it – clap your hands !!!  “CLAP, CLAP”

 

 

Break Time

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Hey Guys, it’s been a minute since hearing from me.  I took a break to play catch-up with a few things I needed to take care of.  Today I decided to say “Hi” and remember me (smiles)..  One chore I had, had, had to take care of was cleaning out my fridge.  I always dread this chore because I have to take out the glass shelving (which is a pain in the you know “what”).  There was spill and needless to say – time to get it done.  I purchased  some large placemats from Goodwill a while back for $1.00 and decided to use them on the shelves therefore, if there’s another spill – just simply take out the mat – wipe it down and replace.  Makes my job easier.   I even like the tropical color it adds to the fridge.

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I had some leftover so I decided to use them on my herbal cart too – to add a bit of extra protection from the rain

I found these cute little tags at Michael’s and used them for the herbal pots ( I have to get more)

Our town had a Mother’s Day Sale and I set up a table to sell a few things (which wasn’t a big success).  Trying to offer something unique and different, I was hopeful the candle wick dippers would sell.  As the old saying goes -If I was paid for every compliment, I’d be rich 🙁

The Wick Dippers were hand-cafted by LindaG of A Perfect Day to Dream.  These exquisite one of kind pieces sell for $10.00.  It is a perfect elegant accessory for candle lovers.  You can view the collection along with the Bohemian Butterfly Suncatchers on her site www.aperfectdaytodream.wordpress.com.  If you’d like to order one for yourself or as a gift, feel free to contact me or LindaG.

Aren’t they beautiful!!!

By using these, save your breath and there’s no smoke after putting the candle out.

Then I had the house power washed.. The dark stains on the porch were nerve wrecking.

It really made a difference –  looks a lot brighter.

(I’ll re-arrange it later.. I ordered a pretty rug to brighten up the space).  I’m changing the door color and I’ve narrowed my search to these two colors.  I’m pushing closer to the darker teal.  I’m feeling that color alot.  (Decisions, decisions)  Luckily I’ll only need a quart so if I don’t like it.. just move on to another color.  (What’s your opinion?)

The deck was finally stained.  I was nervous about the dark color but I actually like it.  I’ll be working on decorating it in the next few weeks.  I’m excited about that.  One thing for sure is – it’s going to be colorful!

I planted more flowers in the blank corner of the garden.  This week I’ll put mulch down and it’s finished.  This is the space before:

I filled in these pots and took them from this

To this:

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And in the midst of all this, I’m slowly getting my Chill-Out Rest Haven together.  I  can’t wait to sit back, relax and enjoy the summer.,

Lastly, I still want to show you my brother’s house.  It’s coming quite nice and he’s getting excited to be moving in there.

I also used this down time to blog search, catch up with email and find other inspiring pictures which I will soon share.   So, what have you been up too?

Weekend: Music and Projects

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Hello everyone, it’s been a few days and yes, your thrifty girl took a break from posting. But unfortunately not a break from home-work. Chores, chores, and more chores..  but it’s all good.  The hubby was away at a golf tournament for the weekend and that meant I got to play my music all day and as long as I like..yipppeee.. (he’s a TV person so I always respect him and either turn it  down or off when he comes in to relax) because I tend to turn the volume up when the music’s getting good.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous here – I couldn’t decide whether to do indoor or outdoor projects.. So.. I did a little of both.  I got up and chose the music for the weekend and Lou Rawls was first to go in the carousel (and I chose 4 more that consists of compilations of all old school r&b)  but I’ll stop there because I could go on & on about music.  Lady Love was one of those treasured songs between me & hubby and it stuck with me.  Of course over the years many more have touched our hearts but this was on my mind this weekend.   Besides there are so many good songs on this entire cd – I love it.

First on the list… laundry and the Laundry area.. Pet hair – everywhere.   Time for Diamond to keep her big butt outside.. diamod

Got that area swept and cleaned up and it’s back to normal

 

Next on the list – Front Porch – sweep the winter away along with the pollen and cob webs.. and begin prepping it for pretty.  Took time to paint these items to give them a fresh look.  The sedum in this pot grows so nicely.  The little black table became copper and the flower pot has a pink/copper new look

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It’s fresher look is most welcoming

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Old man winter did it’s damage to my Agave plants.. I’m really upset over losing them.. I’ve had them for quite a few years, but I guess they couldn’t hang in there.   Well have to say good-bye to them – sniff sniff.  🙁

 

I did a quick look around at the flower beds and everything else is coming back beautifully – so it didn’t too much damage.  Weeding the beds are my next week projects.. but they are looking quite good for me to not have done anything to them.  Thank God for perennials.

Next on the list was to finish potting more of my herbs.  I bought a variety of them and need to get them potted.  The herbal cart turned out very well and I needed another stand for some more pots.  I found this inside my storage area

And decided to revamp it with some spray paint as well, along with more flower pots.  I’ve got more herbs to have cooking fun with

Last but not least, my  back door needed a fresh coat of paint real bad.. The scuff marks were “not” coming off.  So, I gave up scrubbing and pulled out the paint brush.   I’m so glad I did it because it looks much better.

 

Well (in the mere words of Bugs Bunny) that’s all folks!   I hope you had a wonderful and productive weekend too!  Feel free to share your story with me.. I’d love to hear about it.  I also hope you enjoyed listening to Lou.