My current obsession.

I scored this while visiting my Mom a few weekends ago. I still drool a bit when I see it in the office. It's ... just ... so ... awesome.

I see a bathroom and I want to paint it ORANGE.

I'll begin with the obligatory apology for such a lapse in posting. Here are some, but not all the reasons; work, family, new computer (hooray!), traveling for the holidays, etc. Please please please don't think that I was purposely ignoring all of you dearies! I wouldn't dream of it.

So, on with the good stuff. I managed to repaint our downstairs bathroom this weekend. I mean with all the oodles of time I have, why not spend some of it painting a room that has already been painted?? This marvelous idea stemmed from an impromptu Target trip where I found this AMAZING shower curtain on sale. At such a steal, I couldn't help myself. But, it just wasn't going to work with my *bright* green bathroom. The only reasonable answer was to use the inspiration I've been receiving via How About Orange, and just paint the room to match the shower curtain!

Here's a shot before ... GAMMA GREEN!



And here are a couple shots after I let loose with some Maple Orange!! Ooooh, even my husband loves it. It's just so warm and inviting. Yum.

We'll be heading out of town for Turkey Day, so I might be off the radar for a few days. But, I promise to jump back on track and get this train a rollin' once again! So, have a great Thanksgiving and happy creating everyone!

PS -- A special shout out to my friend, Jenny. I *promise* to come visit the shop after Turkey Day!!

The family that thrifts together, stays together!

Jeff and I went home this past weekend to spend some time with the family and to celebrate my Mom's birthday. We also celebrated the end of a long journey for me ... I passed my licensure exam. All in all, a great weekend!

Of course, there was some thrifting involved. So, first let me introduce you to the posse ...




Mom, the crew's fearless captain





Me, the co-pilot or the one in charge of the Navigon




LeeAnne, an innocent by-stander who claims to have just "married into" the insanity




None of us were on the prowl for anything in particular, but we packed the car full. HOLY COW!! We never even made it out of our small little town. We had to end our excursion, not because we were done, but because there was just no room in the car for more goodies. I had a small ladder sharing the front seat with me. Comfortable? No. But, sometimes it's just what you have to do. Here's the haul ...

Oh, and here's a shot of my loot in all its glory ... I won't even tell you all the STEALS I got. I was not disappointed by the bounty available in good ol' Irmo, SC!!


After visiting my family for the weekend and reveling in some hometown fun, I realized that I owe a lot of my thrifty roots to my Mom. The women in my family all share a common thread of creativity and frugality, and my Mom is no exception. So, thank you to my family -- my heritage, some might say -- for making me part of who I am today.

Happy creating, everyone ...

Check out all my THRIFTY finds!

BOOTY!! No, not a la Destiny's Child. I'm talking major thrift store finds. I've recently been toying around with the idea of starting up a booth a local antique mall. I'm still not 100% on all the details, but I told myself I would keep an eye out for good finds, and slowly cultivate my "booth collection."

So, over the past couple of weeks, I've stopped by some local thrift stores to give the ol' once-over and see what I could find. HOT DAMN! I don't know if it's because I was on the prowl, or if it was just a total fluke, but every thrift store I have been in recently has been teeming with wonderful goodies!!

Check it out ...

There are a few pieces I may keep (including the following 8 tracks; Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack, Janis Joplin's Pearl, Jim Croce's I Got A Name, and The Moody Blues' A Question of Balance).

Oh, and here's one piece that I have already put into use. I wanted to put something above the stove to hold recipes AND of course look pretty. I toyed with the idea of a cork board, but didn't know how well the would hold up against grease and cooking splatters (my husband is a FABULOUS, but messy cook).

Then, one day I was cruising the internet, and stumbled upon a great solution -- a tin platter. I wish I could remember where I found this idea, so that I could give proper credit ... but my brain is worthless right now. So, if you are the originator of "the tin platter as a recipe holder," please step forward and claim your rightful place in Clever-Clever-Land.

All right ya'll, I'm off to bed. Have a great week and as always, happy creating!