Only Got Twenty Dollars in My Pocket

If you know me or have been reading for awhile, you know that I am a thrifter. Almost everything in our house? Second hand. It started out of necessity. I moved here to Arizona with two cars worth of stuff - and that did not include dining room furniture, a couch, chairs, or a bed (for the record, I would never buy a second-hand mattress. Just...no.).

I needed stuff and I was not exactly swimming in money. So I started shopping at Salvation Army and Goodwill. With my Subaru, I could haul everything. Seriously. You know. Everything.

When we bought the house, we needed to fill it. As I mentioned, nearly everything is second hand. And we like it. We like to think we make it look good. At least to us. Some pieces we refinish, some we just clean up, but it has been fun slowly adding things to our house over time, instead of getting everything all at once.

Friday a cool thing happened. YHL, a blog that I read, decided to have a thrift store challenge. It was based on this song by Macklemore & Ryan.



I love that Leona is in that video. She was also featured on the front cover of Martha Stuart's Living a few months ago. Everyone loves them some giraffe. You can read about how I found Leona the Giraffe here. And you really should. It is one of my favorite posts.

The challenge is this: Take twenty bucks, go to a thrift shop, see what you can get. Also, take a picture of yourself with something mentioned in the song.

So here goes:

 The first stop we made was the Salvation Army. It was raining in Phoenix, and while I generally like the rain, I've been fighting something (again.) and was not going to stand in the rain while Jeremiah perfected his shot. So here it is. From inside Hazel.

 My found object was this mustard yellow (or as my brother would call it - Felicia Brown) Samsonite ("Oh! Samsonite! We were waaaaay off!") piece of luggage. Mostly I thought - this is some ugly shit. But at the same time, I was like, "I could totally buy this and never have to grab the wrong piece of luggage at the airport carousel again."

I got a few stares while posing with the suitcase.

Salvation Army was having the one year anniversary of their store remodel, and it was freaking packed. Mostly because everything was fifty percent off, but also because they were grilling hot dogs in the rain. You don't really have a Plan B here in Phoenix in case of rain. You just don't.

Anyway, I bought three books at a quarter a piece. The bottom three on the pile above.

Remember my pig head that I have had for years?

I totally found his water-loving friend! He was only two bucks, and he is so ugly that I love him. One of his eyes is slightly darker than the other, which is endearing. If a fake white duck head can be endearing. And I think that they can be.

Total spent: $2:75

Our next step was Goodwill, and it was packed and everything was also fifty percent off. I scored a Jones New York 3/4 length grey boatneck shirt, a light grey dressy tee, and a pair of long navy sporty shorts. I would show pictures, but all clothes are being decontaminated at the moment. I also got the rest of the books in the above picture.

My total spent at Goodwill: About $12.00.

Jeremiah walked up to me while I was searching and said he had found a belt. Apparently he has been looking for a casual black belt (I am sure at one point I told him his black leather belt was too dressy for some of his pants/shorts. That totally sounds like something I would say. With love, of course.) Anyway, he strolls up and says he's found a belt and it looks brand new. Had I ever heard of this brand? Holds up the tag. It's a Patagonia belt. This one, actually. He was excited to learn that he could open a beer bottle with it. Thirty dollar belt. Jeremiah's total: $2.00.

I didn't have any huge or super exciting finds (besides my duck and books), but I still like seeing what's new and what bargains are available. I can't really narrow down any particular favorite or best find - Leona was definitely up there. I have also had some great clothing finds and some great furniture finds. Like the tables I got for $1.25 each and refinished. Jeremiah has had some incredible finds - including $100 pants and ties for just a couple of dollars.

So there is my response to the challenge. Anyone else do the challenge? Anyone have a favorite thrift shop find?

It's Like a Chair, but Longer.

This summer, Jeremiah and I moved things around in the living room. The idea was, we have this sunny backyard with a beautiful pool and the window that faced out to the backyard was partially blocked by the couch.

After much debate and a little loud discussing (read: fighting), we moved the TV and the stand to the right of the window and the couch to the wall on which the TV used to be located. We also rearranged the desk area and have plans to relocate the shelves to be above the desk.

One problem that has plagued us since the beginning is that we never wanted the TV to be the focus - which is why things were open and the fireplace became the focal point. Now we have the window to look out and the fireplace. But the space did not feel defined. We were also left with the issue of not enough comfy seating. We had the couch and a few chairs. When we have company, though, we want them to feel as though they can lounge luxuriously, too.

We discussed purchasing a small loveseat (not a couch) to face directly across from the fireplace. It would help define the area AND AND AND offer that extra comfy seating for guests.

Saturday while strolling around Salvation Army (Am a total liar. I was giddily picking up books for twenty-five cents and gushing about a lamp that I wanted for seven bucks.), I found the perfect loveseat. Small. Big, movable back pillows. ALL slipcovered (and not some cheap after market thing). It was clean. Spotless, even. It was marked at $175. It was Saturday, though, which means 40% off. We were sold. When we got up to the register, it rang up at just under $70, and that included my lamp and books. The woman said that it was being additionally discounted. Whatevs. I am not about to question it.

There was some doubting as to whether it would go IN the Forester or ON the Forester, but Jeremiah's spatial giftedness won out and the doubtful Salvation Army worker and I had to eat our words.

The entire damn thing fit in the car. With the hatch closed.

We got it home, I immediately washed all the covers (By the way - underneath the covers? Spotless. Like new.) and set it up. We LOVE it.

 It has a texture to it, which is nice, because anything that can help hide spots (or fur) is a huge plus at our place.

We discussed it last night and decided that we have good couch karma. My first couch I bought at Salvation Army and sold it for a profit a few years later when a co-worker gave us her gently used leather sofa. We then bought a fun purple suede couch for the front room for only $250 at a consignment shop. And then we sealed the deal for about sixty with this little guy. Not bad.

Anyone else buy something fun this weekend? Anyone have a car that ceases to amaze them? Because my car is amazeballs.

A Little Perspective, Brought to You by Goodwill

I would like to premise this by saying a few things. One, this really isn't my story to tell, but by being in a relationship with one who writes, I would say that you know that you are forfeiting your story-telling rights. Two, as my mom told me when I told her this story, "Sometimes I think things happen for a reason." and this totally did. Fate.

Jeremiah and I were waiting in line at Goodwill. He had vinyl and I had books. We were buying separately, so when the lane next to us opened up, I shooed Jeremiah over as "The next person in line! That's you! Go!".

When he got there, the young guy that was checking him out noticed the long scar going from Jeremiah's ear to mid-scalp. Checkout guy asked Jeremiah how he got the scar. Jeremiah told him. Turns out that the guy had had the same surgery for a tumor removal. What are the odds?

And then he said:

"What did you have to relearn?"

Jeremiah's reply was that he had not had to relearn how to do anything.

This guy had to relearn everything. EVERYTHING. He could not even walk.

What a humbling experience. For someone (sorry, Jeremiah) who has been so impatient with the healing process and so eager to be back to his presurgery state, I think it puts things in perspective.

Jeremiah was able to bike for the first time yesterday. 

We are so lucky.

So I Bought a Giraffe This Weekend...

We went to Goodwill this weekend. Mainly because it was fifty percent off day, but also because I wanted to get out of the house a bit. And shopping for cheap books? Always fun.

When my arms were so full of books that I could carry/search no more, I walked over to Jeremiah, who was searching for records while standing next to A GIANT (stuffed) GIRAFFE. The giraffe was almost five feet tall, and it was wonderful.

Jeremiah: Find some books?
Me: Oh, yes. Who's your friend?
J: Huh?
Me: The giraffe! Are we going to take it home?
J: No.
Me: I want it!
J: No.
Me:Why not?
J: It's way over-priced.
Me: JEREMIAH. It is only twenty dollars and fifty percent off that. It would cost approximately two dollars a linear foot. That is NOT a bad price for a giraffe. Especially one of this quality.
J: Sighs
Me: I love it. I am going to buy it. I might even take it in to work. My students would LOVE a giraffe. Would you go get a cart?
J:No. I am looking at records.
Me: Okay then, you stay here with my giraffe and these books (dumping the books into his hands). Be right back! I get the cart, return, put the giraffe in the cart (making him well over six feet tall) and then this:
Me: So, watch the cart. I am going to go look at clothes.
J: Emily! No! Don't you DARE leave me here with this!
Me: Jeremiah. Yes. You know I can't drive a cart. This is true. When I lived alone I used to take two hand baskets instead of a cart. I hate carts.
J:Emily!
Me: Can't hear you! Take care of my giraffe!


Later when I was done shopping, I found Jeremiah because he was the only one driving a giant giraffe around in a shopping cart. And boy, he did not look happy.

Which is odd, because the giraffe made everyone else happy. Old people smiled. Little kids pointed and talked to it. Everyone loved it. Jeremiah, on the other hand, wouldn't even carry it out of the store. So I did. And as I did, a mom said to her son "The giraffe is leaving now. Say goodbye to the giraffe!" and the little boy waved and said "goodbye, giwaffe!"

I fought for a proper ride home for my giraffe friend, but Jeremiah insisted that it go in the trunk.

And now, pictures. Because you have to see the wonderfulness that is my giraffe.

"Helloooooo? Anyone home?"

No, the trim is not finished. Focus on the giraffe, people.

The dogs barked and growled. The cats ran upstairs. Maddie did some interesting crawling/running/escaping.

Right now Leona is upstairs in my studio. She matches beautifully and I am trying to decide if I am going to take her in or keep her home.

Holiday Update, Part 1

Did you miss me? I've been busy. I'm happy to report that I'm done with the thesis. I flew home for a very quick trip because I was determined to walk in the ceremony - and I did.

More on this later. Promise. Whether you want to hear about it or not. 

Hope everyone is getting into the holiday spirit. Whatever holiday it is that you and yours choose to celebrate.

We actually have two separate themes going on in our house. The back room is full of whimsy and the front room is very traditional. I'm in love with both this year. Last year I think we only put up the tree in the back room because I was taking classes and Jeremiah wasn't being a good elf helper.

Anyways, let me share how we cheaply furnish our house for the holidays.

First, see the stocking holder/hanger? It's from Pier One or Crate & Barrel. But I found them at Salvation Army for maybe a dollar each. And they were gold so I had Jeremiah spray paint them ORB. The stockings were on them but Maddie thinks it's fun to hang from the stocking and swing around a bit so for now the stockings are resting below.

For six years we've had the bright and colorful ornaments. Then each year after Christmas I go wherever and pick up more ornaments at 75% off. So now we have a very wide variety of colored balls. This year I used extra balls (heehee) to decorate the mantle.

It's Elmer the Holiday Elephant. He's ready to assist with all of your holiday needs.

The tree is decorated with a bunch of colorful ornaments. I also had enough to fill this vase:

And this one, too:

The blue glass canister is from Salvation Army this summer. It was a splurge at five or ten dollars. I NEVER spend that much on anything. But I loved it.

 

Here's the mantle:

It's a whimsical good time. The tree looks similar, with all those colors. I only took one picture. I'm not sure why. But this is one of my new favorite ornaments for the small tree. Clearance, 75% at Crate & Barrel last year.

Oh, and I did the entertainment center as well. All the glass items are from Salvation Army or Goodwill. The plate and stones, too. The twigs are from my backyard, the pine cones were clearanced at Target.

I'm quite sure that the wooden thing with the glass lid is supposed to house cheese and crackers. Cheese at my house is housed in my belly.

Lastly, the table. The linens are from World Market after Christmas last year. Then we have the gorgeous bowl (that has mysteriously cracked down the side and Jeremiah is vehemently denying he knows what happened) with more pine cones.

The front room is yet to come.

Does anyone else stock up after Christmas? I've heard that some people switch themes yearly. We are not those people.

Although, I think that we have enough of the brightly colored balls that we could do color-schemes/themes from within. Like just the red and green next year. Or blue. Or maybe pinks. Or...

p.s. Jeremiah wanted me to add that the tall glass vase on the entertainment center has been the most recent victim of our ghost. When we came home the other evening, it had been moved. Not broken or chipped or cracked or anything. But instead of sitting on the table, it was nearby on the floor. The concrete floor. Jeremiah thinks the cat did it. But how does a heavy glass vase fall from a high table/entertainment center onto CONCRETE floor and not break? And land right-side up, with everything still in the vase? It doesn't. It was moved by the ghost. I left the damn thing on the floor. If that's where the ghost wants, that's what it gets. Don't piss it off. Happy Holidays.

It's a Belated Thanksgiving. With a Completely Unimportant Table Story Thrown In for Good Measure.

Happy Thanksgiving! Late. I know. That's okay, right? Here's how the table looked for us this Thanksgiving:

I opted for yellows, greens, and some orange thrown in for good measure. The tablecloth is from Target on clearance. The place mats are Crate & Barrel via Goodwill. All glassware is from Salvation Army - plates, white dish with gourds, everything. The gourds are from last year. I  think they are dehydrated.

Table Story - As you may or may not know, I bought a dining room table for $10 at a yard sale when I first moved here. Love the table. Love the color. Rectangular. With a leaf if needed. Well, recently, we decided that we needed that leaf. What with all our guests. So we put the leaf in and everything was great. Except that it wasn't. The table now made for awkward movement around the nook. No one likes awkward nook movement. Am I right?

Meanwhile, we purchased a round pedestal table for the front room for games off of Craigslist for $35. Not bad. Had it for over a year and then came across and much more us round table at Salvation Army for only $25. GORGEOUS TABLE. We got it.

So we now have a total of three dining tables. That may seem excessive, but keep in mind that the total for all three tables is $70. We tried to sell the original table on Craigslist. It didn't sell. Crazy people, who wouldn't want a solid round table?

Then I had an epiphany. What if we dismantled my beloved rectangular table and used the old round one for awhile to see if it helps the flow in the nook? And things are flowing better.

And so that is why the table looks round instead of rectangular. Because it is. And that is my table story.

These two candle shots showcase two things. My love for candles and my love for glass.

The gourds that won't die.

Place mats that I probably should have ironed after I washed them but was too lazy or tired so I didn't. And all of the food. That we will be eating for the rest of our lives. Do you see the frozen fruit salad? You may remember that I made it last year. I was so excited about making it this year and I was telling Jeremiah about it and he said this "That sounds good. I can't wait to try it." I was all, "Um, you have." He claims that once he tried it on Thanksgiving, he remembered it. Not the best save, Boyfriend, but I'll take it. This time.

I don't have actual green dishes, so the plates are slightly turquoise-y. I've placed myself on a no-new-dishes-except-for-white-because-white-goes-with-everything restriction. So no green plates.

How was your Thanksgiving?

This year, I am most thankful for my readers. I don't know who all of you are - but appreciate you taking the time to read. If you'd like to leave a comment, I'd love to hear from you!

Donating Items

I felt well enough today to head out a bit with boyfriend. He had cleaned out a closet and I had cleaned some stuff out of the garage and master suite and I gathered FIVE bags full of clothes and other stuff. Mostly clothes.

When I got Mel I was reminded that the Arizona Humane Society has thrift shops. And they take donations. Of your crap. And then they sell it. And the money goes to save animals.

Here's the unpopular truth. I like animals more than I like most people. They are honest and forgiving and loyal. Mostly. And they don't tell secrets. And they don't laugh when I try on pants and they are too tight. And they help me clean up messes in the kitchen. And Jeremiah, bless him, does NOT run around in circles and jump around with his tongue hanging out when I get home.

So anywho, our donations usually go to Salvation Army. Or Goodwill. But they get so many donations. Our donations this time went to the Arizona Humane Society. When we went in, it was super busy and it was in a needy area, so I felt good about making the donations.

Plus, I found a great board game, Lush shower gel (!), and a beautiful white dish with lid for a total of $2.75.

I mention this because I was thinking of my brother who recently moved and was debating what to do with his stuff that he wouldn't be keeping. He wanted a non-denomination type of center. As an animal lover, it didn't even occur to me to think that a shelter could use my stuff, but they totally took it all. If you are looking to donate some items, you might consider your local shelter. Even if they don't take clothes, they usually are in need of office supplies, blankets, cleaning supplies, etc.

Just a thought. Not trying to be preachy. Just trying to do some good.

p.s. Aerosmith on vinyl. AND we've been cleaning. We're having company later this week, so we've been picking up around here. Maybe a video house tour? Hmm...

Work It.

My mom sent Atticus a Valentine's present. With a face like this, how could you resist?

She repurposed a boy's robe (that she found at a second-hand shop) into this coat/sweater for him.

It fits quite well and Atticus makes a top-notch model.

Isn't he a cutie?

He likesies. He seems to think that while wearing it he possesses super-camouflage powers and can sneak up on kitty.

What do you think? Cool idea to repurpose to old clothes, right?

p.s. Please ignore the fact that our sliding door is covered with dog slobber and paw prints. We like to consider it frosted. And ignore the fact that trim is not up on the wall and you can see the brown paint from the floor. Jeremiah got halfway done with the trim and I decided I wanted a tile floor. So he stopped. And then we got the roof estimate. So no tile floor. Yet.

Salvation finds find salvation

A while back (as in, nothing was painted, nothing was finished, we'd just moved in...so actually, a year ago.) I got this mirror at SalArmy. You can tell it was supposed to be on a dresser or something.

But I knew it had potential. If only we could turn it sideways and paint it, too!

So we did. And I also had Jeremiah hang little hooks so I could get these CUTE little letters (our first initials of our last names).
Here's what it looks like finished. The table was also from SalArmy. I paid about fifteen for the table. The mirror was five.
Please ignore the fact that there are two different types of knobs. I'm still deciding. And I'm not sure if I want the top of the table to be black or left as is.
Anyway, here is the setup for a grand total of about fifteen dollars!


P.S. I would like to introduce a little something I call, "What I'm listening to now."
What I'm listening to now: T Rex - Electric Warrior
It's Jeremiah's vinyl and it is one of my favorites. My favorite song on there is "Cosmic Dancer".

Bargain Saturday

I've been in a bit of a funk lately. Call it back to school blues, call it cabin fever, call it whatever. There's been brooding and moodiness and all sorts of stuff. So ignore the funk.

What I really want to share is some serious bargains I scored this weekend. Jeremiah's exciting purchases were limited to new bike wheels and a toilet kit. My buys were endless...and so cheap.

Apparently I'm going backwards or mixed-up, so here goes. My second stop was Pier 1. Love Pier 1. Especially when they have these glass tea lights on clearance. Sixteen tea lights (which can be reused with new tea lights when the current ones burn out) for under five dollars. They'll be perfect for a nice dinner or scattered on the mantle.
Now go back in time to Salvation Army with me. I got this canister for about a buck. Perfect for sugar, which seems to go quickly what with the hummingbirds and Jeremiah's tea habit. Probably not the original reason for the canister (I'm thinking coffee), but for us, it's the sugar.
I also found the exact replica of the Rubbermaid container that I was trying to convince my mom to give me this summer as she packed it up to go to the new house. About a buck. And we love Jell-O here, so this is a good buy.
And this bowl/dish? SalArmy. Could be used as a centerpiece. See below? Or as a fruit dish...Love it.
The glass vase came from Poland! $3.50.
Finally, while at SalArmy, I saw these glasses:
Not exactly my style, but I couldn't step away. They had a funky snake design imprinted on the bottom. They were on sale for $3.50. I used my new phone to google the glasses. Guess what? They sell for about $25 a piece. So I snatched them up.

Those are my bargains. It doesn't always work out that I find so many great deals, but when it does, it is fun. So fun. Nerdy bargain-y fun.

Sneak Peek

There's been some updating going on at the casa. Check it:
First we have the gigantic frames with some fun prints inside. They decorate an entire wall.
Next, the fireplace transformation is complete. Primed, painted, and decorated. Bam! I haven't yet found a suitable mirror for above the mantel, so I'm not going to show the 'place in all of its glory. Just yet. Soon, I hope.
OOh. Trim. Ohmygosh. How we love the trim. This is what it looked like just set against the wall. Can you imagine the beauty when it is finished? Wowza.

We painted the front room a color called Ashen, but I prefer to call it Frappe. Oh la la. We love the color. Trim to be added this week. Also watch for the UGLY chandelier to be replaced with something much more Emilie. She's the Euro snob, remember?
Another fireplace picture. These glass whatevers came from SalArmy. I heart them. They sit atop the mantel.
Oh, the windows. How I love the windows. The roman shades I got super cheap on clearance at Lowe's. The sheer curtains are from Ikea. Super cheap, super chic. Can I get another Oh La La? No?
Look how cozy this little area is! I usually work on lesson plans in this little nook. Love. It.

So these are just some of the updates. Still to be finished: Rug for the back room, sanded and refinished tables, mirror, and lots of stuff in the front room. Be patient, my Russian friends, be patient.

Love Birds

So Jeremiah got me these bird salt/pepper shakers for Christmas. It was sort of like this when we walked out of the store. Me: "Tell me right now if you aren't going to get those for me. I want them and I will go back in the store RIGHT NOW if you aren't going to come back for them." Boyfriend: "Just get in the car." I took that to mean that he would get them for me and he did! Want to see my shakers?

Don't you love them? I've always been a little chickadee and I've always liked to watch the birds, but lately I've been bringing them into my house, so when I was at Salvation Army on Saturday and saw this...

I thought, oh.my.gosh. and picked it up immediately. It was a dollar. One dollar. It matches my shakers perfectly. I don't have anything else to say. I'm just in love with my little white birds.