Sneak Peek!

I'm working on something that I think is going to be over-the-top amazing, if I may say so myself.

It's probably going to take a few weeks to finish, but I couldn't wait to share...

Here's a sneak peek! I can't tell you what it is going to be until you can see the final project so stay tuned, and in the mean time... enjoy!

Aren't you excited?!

Goodwill Duvet and Blanket

Finding linens at Goodwill is one of those silly small things that makes me unbelievably happy. I am a little weary of towels and pillow cases, but other than that there's nothing that a good wash can't make brand new! Especially in the case of curtains, blankets (picnic and beach blankets, too!), place mats, etc.

Here is one of my favorite linen finds, a new duvet (un-stuffed, it's summer!):

The duvet cover cost me $6.99, as did the blanket (pictured below). Nobody seems to think this blanket is quite as marvelous as I do, but it seems pretty thriftpologie to me! I LOVE it. The color is perfect, too. I call this color "old dirty pink". Josh insists that it is peach-which it absolutely is NOT. Just to clear that up. In my head, "old dirty pink" has a hint of a peach-ish/orangish/not-easter-eggish (thank goodness). That is the best I can describe it. Any suggestions? Do you know the color I'm talking about?

And if you don't like the pink color, or if you just need an additional bit of awesomeness...it's reversible!!

this picture is the truest in color  (FYI)

What do you think about linens from Goodwill? And what do you think about these in particular? I love them!

oh, how lucky i am!

Remember that really super amazing craigslist find I promised I'd post? Well, here it is:
(here is my "horrible picture" disclaimer, along with the "this is a before picture" disclaimer)
ta da!

It is a headboard from a real wrought iron bed frame. These victorian style frames were almost always shaped by hand, and in general no two are alike. Iron beds were very popular until World War I, when the iron was needed for the war efforts and beds were no longer made--or were melted down. I can barely lift this by myself, and I like to think I've got some spinach-fed guns.

I can't wait to refinish this. I thought about stripping the white paint first to see what was underneath, but the man I bought it from assured me it was nothing to write home about (but then again, he did sell this for $40). Anyway, it will definitely get painted...but should I paint it black? The only reason I hesitate to do that is because I absolutely don't want it to end up looking like one of the "iron" (steel) beds you can get anywhere. So, I'm thinking yellow...kind of a pale-ish/bright-ish yellow, that will give my new thriftpologie bedroom the colorful pop I'm worried it's already lost. 

Any thoughts?

on the frame? or the use of my new word, thriftpologie?

ps My sincerest apologies for the rambling. Indecision makes my speech formulation atrocious. 

surprise surprise!

I may just win Find of the Year tonight, check back later this evening (late late for you east-coasters) to see why!

all in a day's work!

So today, I woke up incredibly late, stumbled out of bed in the groggiest fog I've experienced in months and fought through a long day of work. Actually, it was quite a short day. I was a bit late, left a bit early, and I'll probably pay for it on Monday. The second I walked in my door, I had a sudden splurge of energy (and 2 cups of coffee) and got to work!
Let's hop to it so I can still go out and enjoy a beer with the ladies.

First, the small projects:

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frames (goodwill, $1.99/ea)

BEFORE

AFTER...

a little wipe down and some glossy spray paint:

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frame (goodwill, $2.99)

BEFORE

AFTER...

satin off-white spray paint:

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lampshade (goodwill, $6.99)

I'm not sure what I think of the finished product on this one. I like it, but I don't LOVE it. I also decided to go ahead and spray paint this shade, even though I read several articles warning me not to. Sure, fabric paint would have been smart! But considering the lengthy (car-less) jaunt that would have been required to obtain said fabric paint, I decided to go ahead with the spray paint and not worry too much about the loss had it been ruined. I suppose it worked out better than anticipated, although I'm not sure that I will actually be turning the lamp on unless I am the only one in the room to see the nice patchy light shining through spray paint circles.

BEFORE

I covered the vertical ruffly-bits with some foil and tape (yes, regular present-wrapping tape):

AFTER

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brass candlesticks (goodwill, $.99-$1.99/ea)

I adore these. So simple, so elegant, and now so shiny and classic.

BEFORE

AFTER (ta da!)

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stool

I already had this, but the top was getting pretty scratched so I gave it a quick rub down with some fine sand paper and re-painted it:

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and now, for my favorite!!

brass lamp (goodwill, $14.99)

I knew this lamp was going to be amazing, but it was just too easy! Even if it didn't look quite as wonderful, I would still be proud of how simple this was. Also, in case you don't know, I have a lamp fetish (and a thing for clocks, too).

BEFORE

I roughed it up a bit before painting it:

and, viola!

AFTER

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so, what do you think? A productive day, right?

ps Josh loves having all these projects laying around. (Are you crafting again, heute?)

so about those drinks with the girls.. I'm off!

sneak peek!

...of just a few of the things I purchased at goodwill last night. The sugar and flour containers are even better than what I have been looking for, and I've got a small surprise in store for what will come of them.

The little blue bud vases (?) are simply feeding my ceramics obsession, the picture frames are going to be spray painted, and the real silver (padded!) jewelry box I couldn't pass up. It's gonna be a charm once I can find some polish. It has a friend too, a real friend...but I am too tired to take anymore pictures tonight. enjoy! I'll post some "after" pictures once things are wrapped up!

Let There Be Light! and lamps a-plenty.

My sincerest apologies for the long and drawn out decade that was my last post. Clearly, it discouraged me so that I have not posted in over 3 months (although that's actually a short break for this blog)! With that said, starting now, I am going to make it my business to blog.

While my friends (boyfriend included) do their best to appreciate and find interest in my "crafting" and quite amazing (if I might say so myself) thrift store finds, I am going to post them here in case someone out there is (honestly) interested in seeing all of the time I like to waste making things better. yay! Shall we begin?

My first official project documentation is a lamp I found at a Lutheran Thrift Store with Blake. I kept picking it up, putting it down, telling myself to save the $9.99. Needless to say, I left with the lamp. It's one of those really girly things that makes me grumble with my opposing 2 favorite styles. I've been an all-things-mid-century lover for some time now, but for the last year or so the need for frilly, flowery, antique-y, anthropologie-esque things has leaped upon me. I still like simple, but ... well, you'll see what I mean if I actually start posting more as I've promised.

So for real this time,

BEFORE

AFTER