Tag Archives: African Amercian blogger

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?

Friday Finds #2

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Hey there! It’s Friday and I have a 3-day weekend – so you know I’m HAPPPYY!! Clap along if you feel like that’s what you want to do! Hey!

Chuckles.. just thought I’d throw that in – so you catch my drift..

Today’s Friday Finds were not found by me but by a friend.  I was visiting my friend Elizabeth Claytor who owns a Bed & Breakfast in Chester, SC.  I love her big historic home.  You can view the lovely Inn Upon Moon River Plantation Bed & Breakfast  here, and if you ever plan to visit SC, by all means this is the perfect place to stay.  Elizabeth and husband David are the best hosts and you feel the warmth of their home and personality soon as you enter.  Elizabeth is another thrifty shopper like myself.   She made a few changes since the last time I had visited her and when I complimented her that’s when she told me about her great finds.. I think she has me beat!!   Take a look at her Fab Finds –

She stopped at the Goodwill Outlet (I never knew Goodwill had an outlet) in Charlotte.. and that’s where she found her excellent finds.. So get ready to say OMG!!

She found this chair.. (as is).. for $2.00  LOL.. I just couldn’t believe it…WHATTTTT!!!!  She YES!!!!  $2.00 whole dollars..

 

Really!!! look at this chair…  $2.00 — smh…

 

 

Then she found this entertainment cabinet for $4.00  — GeeezzzzLouise—- I’m floored… WOW!!! Is  all I could say….

 

For $4.00  … heck I’d like the natural wood look too!

 

Then she found this  storage chest for another whopping $2.00…!!!!! All in one visit..    I was completely flabbergasted over her FAB Finds..  I think she just put me to shame..  But boy do I LOVE IT!!!    Like I said.. it’s the thrill of  hunt!

All three pieces in this picture was a total of $8.00 .. Can you scream WOW!!!!!!!!!!      Like I did!

As they say birds of a feather flock together.. I met Elizabeth at my garage sale.  She was passing through town and stopped because she heard my blues music playing (I always play music during yard sales for my shoppers pleasures.. music and shopping is very therapeutic) and we began talking.  She asked to tour my house which I was happy to oblige and she loved it.  She began telling me all about her blues themed Bed & Breakfast in Chester and I got so excited – I went there and it’s been a wonderful friendship ever since..  I love those guys… .

P.S  If you ever want to plan a getaway to perfect small town big on southern hospitality – visit Chester and stay at the Moon River Bed & Breakfast… Tell them Jamala sent you  :-)…   (let me know and I’ll stop in to say hello, too)

And as David always  “Peace”

I hope all of you have an ABSOLUTELY PERFECT MOTHER’S DAY!!!!!!

Friday Finds

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First I’d like to say “TGIF”!!!  It’s been one of those weeks that Friday couldn’t come soon enough..I’m sure some of you can join me with this feeling.   I’ve been hitting Goodwill religiously every week and thought I’d start sharing my finds with you.  I’ve found so many great items, some I lucked up being able to buy – some I didn’t get there soon enough and lost out on.  I know you’re probably wondering “what the heck is she shopping for now?”  (like my husband does) but again .. remember the word.. THRILL..  gotta do it.  But actually, I’ve been shopping with a purpose also.  I’m helping my brother decorate his home.  He purchased a home last year and have been working at it little by little.  It was a fixer-upper that was a GODFATHER of a deal.. (you know – an offer he couldn’t refuse).  The price ($5,000) he couldn’t resist.  Trust me..I didn’t fault him one bit.  I’m going to take you on a journey of his house next week – so follow along.  But moving on to my Friday Finds..

I was coming home from work last Friday and came across this yard sale in town.. could you believe this set was $40.00 (there are 4 chairs – one just wasn’t in the picture).  Naturally – I snagged that.. of course the chairs will be recovered – in due time

This pair of wall sconces were snagged at Goodwill for $4.75ea.. They’ll get a face lift (of course)

This chandelier is perfect for his kitchen (which is yellow and white). This cutey was found at Goodwill for $9.75.  I’ll give the gold a new polished look

For me – I like this plate.. the color is springy.. so that came home with me for $1.75

Last but not least.. which I love.. This big Sunflower dish.. I figured it would look lovely propped on his counter.  His favorite football team is Minnesota Viking and he’s wanting yellow & purple in his kitchen.  So for $2.75 it’s in the trunk headed to its new home.

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This is one thing that I couldn’t buy.. can you say “drats, drats and double drats”  it was only $40.75 – Someone else beat me to it..

Well guys, these were my Friday Finds.. Tune in again for next Friday to see what else I snag.. Until then.. enjoy your weekend and Happy Hunting!!

 

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.

 

 

 

Got my “W”s!!

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I’m so excited,  I finally got  “W” monogrammed on the twin headboards- turned window treatment  that were above the master bedroom windows.   They’ve been plain for a while waiting for me to get my nerves up to try doing it myself.

A few weeks back our town had an auction and few people donated some items for the charity event.  There were a pair of painted Palmetto tree wine glasses donated for the silent auction.  They were really nice and I was told a local artist painted them.  Come to find out the talented artist has a shop right across the street from my house (duuuhhh)  boy did I overlook that hidden jewel.  I’m going to introduce you to Ms. Peggy Brickles very soon.   But moving along with my excitement.  I asked her if she does stenciling and she sure does!  So I picked out the letter and gave her a feel of how I want it to look.  Thank God she read my mind….   🙂    which I believe is part of the hidden perception of what artists do.. they visualize what you’re trying to convey and bring it to fruition.  OK –  So.. down comes the headboards (omg! can you say dust – chuckles…  ah-choo, ah-choo)  and I took them to her (dust free of course)  for her to work her artist magic on them.    A couple of days later I get a texted picture of the finished product and my jaw dropped..  PERFECT!!!!  It was exactly what I wanted… I couldn’t wait to pick them up.   This is how they turned out.

 

 

Didn’t she do a FANTASTIC job!   I applaud Peg for putting the cherry on top of my unfinished sundae (so to speak).   I got them home and up they went..

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Even the hubby liked them..