Tag Archives: Goodwill Score

Indoor Romantic Picnic

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     This post has been sponsored by NewAir. While this is a sponsored post, all content and opinions expressed here are my own

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The INDOOR ROMANTIC PICNIC with the Perfectly Chilled Wine

Since we’ve become empty nesters and as the onset of Autumn begins, I try to think of creative ways for my husband and I to spend quality time together.  We don’t go out as often in Autumn and Winter as we do during Spring and Summer, and there are fewer indoor activities to partake in.   A few weeks ago while out on a usual thrifting escapade, I came across this vintage picnic basket and thought – hmmmm…  we could do indoor picnics (sounds romantic right!?)…it’s something we’ve never done and it would be a new exciting adventure, especially since we’ve started trying different wines.   I personalized the basket by adding a monogram, lined the basket for warmth and replaced the plastic dinnerware with gold rimmed dinnerware, confetti glasses and gold flatware found at a thriftstore.

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Why use plastic when china is nicer.  I always want to impress

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Plan a menu of a few favorite finger foods and lastly, keep the wine chilling in our NewAir wine cooler unit.

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Now let me tell you about our fancy wine cooler from NewAir.    It’s an upscale new appliance with a sleek modern appearance that matches the kitchen and accents the look.

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With dual temperature controls it’s the perfect way to ensure all our wines and champagnes, stay at optimal temperatures. The unit is totally easy to regulate with one touch of a button and it runs quiet as mouse.  Because of its compact size and smooth base, the unit has mobility to be transferred to other rooms or it can also be mounted under a counter.

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Although it’s compact in size, take a peek inside to see that it holds up to 19 bottles

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The blue light gleams a soothing effect (especially at night) and we can dim the light to soften the glow or we can simply turn it off.wine-cooler10

The sleek modern structure doesn’t take up any additional space in the kitchen.   Another great feature is just in case you have children/teenagers around, you can lock the unit and it comes with 2 keys .  When I’m no longer using the picnic basket, I can swap it out and use it as a stand in the kitchen for a wine glass/coffee cup station.  I used my favorite DIY antler tray and it sits perfectly on top.

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Occasionally after work I like to wine down (chuckles.. yes.. wine down..) from a long day and these flutes are the right size for me to have a perfectly chilled glass to start my evening.

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Now that you’ve seen our swanky NewAir wine area and know how to create that romantic indoor picnic – I’ve got a surprise to announce…drumroll please….. NewAir is giving one lucky reader a chance to win a NewAir Wine/Beverage Cooler of their own. Isn’t that exciting news!!!!   Starting today thru November 30th at 11:59pm PST you can participate in this amazing GIVEAWAY!  

NewAir Fall Fun Giveaway!

Here is where our fun begins!  Imagine how many cozy nights we will share sipping our favorite chardonnays, merlots, proseccos, moscatos, etc.. now that we have the best wine chilling system.

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Tonight it’ll be just us, soft music, chilled wine, a few munchies and a deck of cards.  We’ve created our indoor fun – who knew having a wine bar could help create so much fun..

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It all started with our NewAir wine cooling unit and a picnic basket

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Hubby says let’s pop the cork and get ready!  So  CIAO everyone!

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Until next time – Happy hunting while you thrift your house into a home!

Smooches!!

Jamala

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inspired by DIY: Lauren Renfrow Antler Tray

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. By now you know I’m a bit of a thrifty person. I love having beautiful things in my home, without breaking the budget.  By being inspired by other bloggers to create their version of a designer style, I decided … Continue reading →

Light Up My Life

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Hey! Hey!!  I know it’s been a while but I’ve been trying to catch up with myself.. The heat is on and the thrifting scene is HOT!!!!  I’ve been on the go and I still found time and energy to hit a few thrift stores.  I hope you’ve been staying cool.  What I first like to say is Atlanta is one big thrifter’s paradise…Oh my goodness!!!! I can’t wait to go back and hit the scene.  I thought Charlotte was booming —- but chile, let me tell you– Charlotte ain’t got sugardity on Atlanta.  I want to recap with you all the wonderful items I found in the past few weeks from going to Atlanta, to Charlotte and then Jersey.  My lamp fettish has gotten off the chain.. Lamps galore.. and the best thing about lamps is- there’s a ba-zillion out there in thrift stores. In this post I’m going to feature a round-up of the favorite lamps I came across.  All didn’t make it home with me, but I snagged a couple.  Look at these beauties I found…This pair of classic ginger jar chinoiserie lamps would look awesome in a living room and at $17.00 ea.. they were a steal

I found these beauties – perfect for a garden inspired sunroom (or if you love birds).. they are an excellent accent.    I love the iridescent sheen and soft glow on the glass

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and here’s another pair that I came across – do you see that price.. $20.00 ea.  My brain was on lamp overload – I kept wishing I had a place to put them (I’ll regret leaving them later).  They’ll look excellent with your Fall decor.. the rich earthy tones will accentuate the rooms’s accessories.

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This brass beauty was only $10.00 at Goodwill in Atlanta – perfect behind a reading chair

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I simply adored the pineapple leaf inspired top

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I came across this pair of mint green & brass beauties at Palmetto Thrift Store in Columbia, SC.  They were marked $15.00 for the pair and the store was having a 20% off  sale so that made them $12.00 for the pair (yes – these came home with me)

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Retro cool!

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This modern mother of pearl lamp was  a mere $28.00

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A little brass table lamp for $6.00 was another bargain.  I loved the black/gold lamp shade.

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I got this modern wood/pewter lamp for $2.99 at Goodwill in Maryland. It’ll be perfect for my son’s new place (and he liked it -wooohoooo!).   It didn’t have a shade – but I’m not worried about that.. One will turn up.  If you follow me on Instagram then you know recently introduced my son’s brick cottage house he bought. He took a step towards freedom from rent to owning his home.  It’s a fixer-upper but it’s most definitely worth it.  You can follow along with us and the new hashtag for his home #brickcottageproject in which we’ll be showing the re-hab journey.

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And last but not least…. I snagged this retro chandelier for $25.00 for his new place as well – (he wasn’t too much a fan of this but I assured him once he gets it hung in his kitchen – it’ll look fantastic)

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One thing for sure.. it won’t go to waste… !  I hope you enjoyed my luscious lamp finds.  It’s so much fun when the thrifting scene is good.  At prices like these – you can play switcheroo anytime and not feel the pinch in your purse.  Remember as always- Happy Hunting and enjoy Thrifting Your House into a Home!!

Smooches!!

Jamala

 

 

 

Like New Again

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Every Spring I get excited about sitting in my “She-Rest Haven” and love finding little items to decorate with.  I try to change a few items every year just for a bit of a new look.  This year instead of focusing on the small items to place around – I became inspired by a shower curtain I picked up from HomeGoods a few months back.  It was in the clearance aisle marked down to $10.00.  The beautiful bold print caught my eye and I thought it would be great in the gazebo with the nice subtle tones of the greens and blues.

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I figured the bold paisley fabric would make perfect pillow cushions for the Better Homes & Garden outdoor set I purchased a few years ago on sale at Walmart.  The set is still in great condition, however, the seat cushions show wear and are not firm anymore, not to mention the fabric has seen better days.  Two years ago I recovered the back cushions made some floral throw pillows from scrap fabric.

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It held up pretty well, but the seat cushions just bothered me.  I saw how another blogger buddy, Brandi, painted  her cushions because the color had faded and they looked really good.  I thought about doing the same, but mine were just a bit too flimsy and needed stiffening.

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So I bit the bullet and made the decision that it was time to really kick it up and get the cushions reupholstered professionally.   I found the perfect outdoor fabric that complimented the shower curtain fabric and headed to the upholsterer’s home to get started.  A few days later I was picking them up and they look fantastic!

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In fact – I think they look even better than when I first purchased them (especially as for the color scheme of them), here’s the original fabric (booooooring)

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I know…..not that exciting… but hey – I got the set at a fantastic price and it was sturdy.

You feel me?..  besides…. the fun part is always changing it to reflect your style.

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The two colors were blended perfect and I love the new look.   It actually looks and feel like I have a new set.  Ta-daaaahhhhh!!!

 

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So much prettier …..  I wanted to add another twist of color and saw a delicious orange/pink fabic (with these little fish pattern) and thought that would be a fun pop of color.  A bit of tropical blue mixed with some orange crush made a nice contrast for the pillows and kinda reminds me of rainbow sherbert.

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I’m so thrilled about the new look.

Found these dainty tealight chandys at Ross’s Dress for Less for &6.99 ea

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I couldn’t resist the yoga cat I found at AtHome store

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This flower pot was a thrifted item for $1.50

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The little vintage tin I picked up from Goodwill for $1.00 holds decorative napkins.  Mixing old and new items gives a space a bit more character

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I kinda have a secret fettish for collecting these type tins.  They’re so useful in so many different ways and they add a decorative touch around your space.   Here are more of my At Home goodies… (I think I’m about to get hooked on that store)

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and at night it looks even more enchanting..

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Recovering the cushions saved money and I’ll have this set a few more years.  I can’t wait to hang out in here with my besties – just us girls listening to some music, having some sips and dips and simply “chillaxing”.  How’s your  “get ready for Summer” going?  You’ll see me post more about my “Rest Haven” this summer, but in the meantime – as always – “Happy hunting while Thrifting your house into a home!”

Smooches!!

Jamala

 

 

 

$2.00 Tuesday

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Hey Guys!! I know you probably think I’ve fallen off the bloggysphere..lol,  but actually I haven’t.  Between my computer acting up, my hands hurting and me just taking it easy, I’ve just been piddling along.  I’m still out here coming across items to share. I’m also making a few changes in the home, which I’ll be sharing with you this week, but in the meantime I’m touching base with a few more $2.00 Finds.

I found these two Mottahedeh french planters at an estate sale.  They had some rust inside but for $2.00 – I definitely think they were worth it.

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I cleaned them up and put a couple plants inside and they’re good to go..

 

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So two for $2.00  – I’m satisfied..

Now, check out what Lesley over  at ThriftThrift lucked up and found.  She was pretty happy when she scored this awesome American Eagle laptop case.

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Pretty cool huh??  I love that blue & white print.  Hop over to her blog and check out her other thrift finds.

And Erin over at Live Pretty on a Penny found a cute turtle at Goodwill which she glammed it up a bit to display with her other collectibles.

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It’s the power of paint and how it makes a difference.  That turtle definitely fits in with her other collectibles.  Visit Erin and see her beautiful home and how she designs on a dime to Live Pretty on A Penny.

We all enjoy our $2.00 finds and remember if you score a great deal use hashtag #urthriftygirlfinds to be featured.   After all, it’s not how much it costs, but it’s how you style it!

So happy hunting my dear friends?

Jamala