Tag Archives: african american blogger

It’s Your World!

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I hosted a NYE party for the first time since living here and as I was preparing the table and foods, I had the music playing to get the vibe flowing through me.  As me and my mom danced around the kitchen to “house music” this song came on and I said – I must share this with you.  Even though the words are pertaining to a relationship, it doesn’t matter because the meaning of the title says it.

It’s 2015 and guess what…! It’s your time to shine, It’s your time to make it happen and it’s your year to do You! because guess what – It’s your world.. As we ring in the new year filled with new beginnings, we reflect back on the mistakes we’ve made and learn from them. We think about what brought us joy – and we keep doing it more..It’s all in what we call the book of life.  We are born and then we die.. the dash in the middle is what me choose to do to make it our world.  Of course there will be moments where you’ll second guess yourself, that’s natural, but guess what, if you mess up.. just do it over.. and over and over again until you get it right.

As Steve Jobs quoted:  Your time is limited – don’t waste it living someone else’s life.  Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living the result of other people’s thinking.   Don’t let the noise of other’s opinion drown your own inner voice.  And most important – have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become.  Everything else is secondary.

Live your life to the fullest, let your loved ones know how much they mean to you and remember to create a world around you that makes you happy.   You’ve only got one life to live.. Make it count!  And in the process, remember to dance – dance and dance… even if you get sore (like me), then praise God thanking him for making it all possible.

As for me and resolutions, I don’t make them because the reality is.. I don’t keep them.  However, every year I promise myself to make each new year a little bit better than the last.  Some how, some way, every little bit helps.

Now — let me share my little creative moment I had while preparing the table.  Remember the vintage glass swan collection.  I needed some dip bowls and looked at them and said “hmmmmm”…why not?  Here they are..

I was totally pleased with how they added a little touch of elegance to the table.

I plucked some magnolia tree leaves and put them in a vase of water (also featured are pink faux roses) added some floating star glitter candles

And this folks is a part of my world, that I love sharing with you.

The evening was simply fun filled with my family, a few good friends, good music, and laughter.  I forgot how much fun Taboo really is..  🙂

Peace and blessings and again —- HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I hope you enjoyed this song as much as did…(my knees still hurt from dancing — oooouuch)  LOL!

 

Leaves me Alone!

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Hey everyone…it’s been quite some time since we’ve spoken.  Fall is dreadfully upon us  (and I’m still trying to figure out where did summer go?)  I love reading all the blog posts about Fall and the beauty of the colors and warm tones this season is filled with. But for me all I see is this!

Leaves!!!

Leaves!!!!   and more

Leaves, leaves, leaves… too bad they can’t leave me alone.. lol… but that’s a big wishful thinking.  Needless to say, I just walk past them with blinders on until the last one has fallen..  We had someone come blow them but a couple days later – it didn’t even look like he was here..  So in the meantime I get my joy looking at all the beautiful posts everyone is doing to make me appreciate the beauty of Fall. My neighbor, Cassie, who is also an online DJ hosts Soul of the Blues posted some beautiful Fall pictures to try to inspire me to get into the Fall spirit.  I really enjoy listening to Cassie’s station.  You can check her out here.  She’s on every Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun.  So join us, she’d love it.. and she’ll give you a shout out too – just listen and log on to Facebook to let her know you’re on.  Tell her Kim sent you  :-).

 

I enjoyed seeing all the Halloween costumes people were posting..  My little munchkins looked so adorable…

Anytime you say “picture time” to Ms. Ava – the hand automatically goes on the hip – chuckles… what’s up with that???

The painting of the shop has been completed and the light fixture has been hung..

Things are moving along pretty well.  I lucked up at the fabric store and found the perfect fabric to hang at the window.  I’m so glad I kept my old dining room curtains.. They were perfect to hide the back area (which will be a small storage area)

Pulled out the Brothers to get the window curtains done… (how do you like the fabric? – I thought it was a perfect match for the chandy)

With so much bamboo in this area…. I used a piece of bamboo for the rod  (I’m no way near a bonafide seamstress – so panels are always the easiest).  I used the same fabric for the front and back because I couldn’t decide which side I wanted to face the outside..

I hope all you seamstresses out there aren’t cringing because I used a black thread (which is noticeable up top)  but I kinda like it.. (forgive me) but I can take constructive criticism (tell me if it looks REALLLLLY bad).

Our small town had  some excitement that took place .. I know some of you might know the show American Pickers..

Well guess what –  they came to Whitmire!!  Yes, we all were very happy about that.. They came picking in our town.. 🙂

 

Steve can be a bit of a flirt..chuckles..  but it’s all good.. We were happy they came…

Too bad my shop wasn’t open – but at least I got a picture with him standing in front of it .

The grand opening is scheduled for Nov. 29th.  So wish us luck for a successful event.  Oh and a big THANK YOU to American Express for sponsoring ShopSmall Saturday and sending of all the materials to make it a great event.

 

We’ve also been approved for  Neighborhood Champions – which means Pieces of Time is listed as a Neighborhood Champion in South Carolina on their site.  Yipppeeee!  This is a great start..  and we’re excited.

I hope all of you are doing fantastic and since you probably won’t be hearing from me until after Thanksgiving.. I wish you all Happy Thanksgiving and may God bless you a wonderful time spent with your loved ones.   Smooches and Hugs…

 

 

Tray Chic!

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Hey, Hey!! It’s your thrifty girl here.. First off,  I want to say thank you to all those who voted for me in the Krylon Paint #miycontest.  This past week- that was the only thing on my mind, and thanks to your help I took 3rdplace – whoohooo – My goal was 1st place, but better luck next time for me.

now that’s over with, I finally decided on the look I wanted for the 4th and final tray.  Remember a few weeks back I started on the makeover of these four cranberry trays:

Here are three of the new looks

This Jonathan Adler tray retails for $150.00 – no offense- but REALLY???   smh…

It’s very similar to these Pier 1 trays that I got for $5.00 ea during a clearance sale years ago

 

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and this Pottery Barn (looks for less) sells for $29.95

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I fell in love with the glossy white, so I sprayed it with two coats of Rustoleum glossy white.  I also added a special touch to it.   Oh sure, I still have plenty of the wallpaper samples, but for this one I decided on shelf liner paper.  It’s durable, wipeable, and beautiful.

Contact Brand Grip Prints Non-Adhesive Shelf Liner, Virtu Black, 18" x 4'

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Here is the finished look for the tray

Hand-painted the edges with Martha Stewart Metallic Gold for that extra Midas touch

The vintage gold-rim glasses are the perfect touch for this serving tray

 

So now it’s “Tres Chic”

 

Has anyone decided to do a  tray makeover yet??   If so… please share…

These tray designs are also featured in my Steller Story 

 

 

 

Monday Makeover – Part 6

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Good morning everyone.. I hope you had a fantastic weekend!  Today’s segment of Monday Makeover features this table  I came across at Goodwill last week.  It was marked $4.75.  I dawdled around trying to decide whether to buy it or not, but since it was Tuesday (senior discount day) that means 25% off which would put it slightly under $4.00.   So, what the heck,  I bought it.  (btw.. Mom was with me)

 

 

I found this tray for $2.25 a while back…  ( I love these trays)

I decided to revamp the table this weekend.. First I had to disassemble it..

small table2

The brass was tarnished quite a bit

small table1

These were the decorative backings on my dining room chairs.   After the makeover, (if you missed it click here to view) I decided to leave them off, but,  figured they’d come in handy for something else.

It pays to save things , because you never know.   My goal was to spruce up this bland table, perhaps add a little more pizzazz.

I chose Krylon navy blue and Rustoleum metallic bright gold to kick it up;  the ornaments added the perfect touch.    Here is the table’s new look

 

The bamboo tray was revamped with a new look as well.  I really enjoy working with trays and love how this one turned out.  I spray painted it with the brassy gold and of course, used more of the wallpaper samples (I have so much of it – I need to use them.. remember – as I said – I’ll be happy to share – just let me know)

My intention was to use it on this table top, however, it was too big..  But guess what?  It fit perfect in between the top and the little rack.  So, I used it as a makeshift drawer.   Here is the table now

 

 

Doesn’t it look a thousand times better!!

 

The black curly wrought iron plant stands didn’t match too well –  A quick spray gave them a brighter look

The gold gives them a more richer appeal (mind you I paid $5.00 for the pair at a yard sale about a year &  a half ago)

 

 

This tray went from Plain to Pretty

And the table went from Terrible to Terrific!

Have you recently given an item a new look?  If so, please share

Design Idea by :  JamalaWallace :  aka   UrVintageGirl

This makeover is featured on  Hometalk

Follow along my thrifty journey on  Twitter and Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

Friday Finds

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The week has come to an end and so has summer.. but your thrifty girl’s finds are still going.  Me & Mom went thrifting in Columbia, SC at the Palmetto Thrift Store and here’s what I found during our journey:

A perfectly good leather club chair.. Price tag $35.00  – what a bargain  (if only I had room in the truck to bring it home – smh)

In the corner I  spotted this really nice mid-century lamp.. The teardrop base mixes perfect with the barrel shade (of course I would work a little paint magic on it.. )  However, they were asking $30.00 for it..  hmmmm… I’ll wait on that…

I also saw this kitchen chair, which I loved….Can you imagine how great it would look with new fabric!!  I wish they had three more..  drats!!  Do you see the price tag ????  Yes – $8.00

Unfortunately none of those came home with me.. but what did come home with me were these wonderful barstools!  We went to the grand opening of the new Salvation Army in Chester, SC and of course lady luck was with me…

 

They were $40.00 for the pair.. That was a big deal.. considering they still had the original store’s ticket price of $99.99 each stapled under the seat.   Although they came home with me but they left the next day to head to their new home..because weren’t for me.. They are for my son, Jamil’s place.. He told me he wanted some barstools and I told him be patient.. I’ll find some…  and so I did!!   Like I always say.. Patience is a virtue.. It pays to wait …  Have you all gotten lucky lately??  If so , please share…  I hope you all have a fantastic weekend and I’ll see you Monday with a new Makeover.    Tah-tah!!!