Project shelves and some other neat stuff.

My beloved Ben found these shelves at a thrift store and hung them in my apartment for me to showcase the dvd collection and my camera collection. I just love how this space turned out.

And then I got an idea, so I changed it up a bit by adding an old suitcase and some awesome vinyls.

Altogether, I spent no more than $35.00 on this entire section. I paid $3.50 for the chair, 50 cents for the pillow, 50 cents for the suitcase, around 1.19 for each record (yes, they are ORIGINALS! Crazy.) and $25.00 for the wrought iron tree which ends up being the priciest piece you see here.

I quite like it.

And last but not least, one of my most favorite things that my little sister got me. A shadow box for my earring collection. Not only is it practical but also decorative and a neat way to exhibit my jewelry. I love it.


And that's all for now.

:)

Skyisms.

It's been an unbelievably beautiful week down here in the sunny south. These are just a few examples of mornings this week in which I captured the sky's loveliness.

This morning in particular was my favorite (yesterday morning).



Thank you, God for painting us the most breathtaking pictures every day. They astound me.

Part Deux.

Here are few more of my thrifty finds.

1960 Imperial savoy mint green snapshot camera. In my opinion, there are few cameras out there that are as cute as the green plastic Savoy! Also, my Kodak Brownie Holiday from circa 1953. Totally love them both and both were under $10.00! Unfortunately, their film is so far past extinct but luckily they're cute and dainty and make for fabulous decor.

The radio I found at an antique/junk yard in North Carolina and paid only $8.00 for.

I found this unique, decorative wrought iron tree at the same antique/junk yard in North Carolina and fell totally in love with it. This aired on being a bit more pricey at $25.00 but I just had to have it! My sweet Ben actually ended up purchasing it for me and I am very much thankful. It's great for a focal piece or could be used to hang jewery on. I love the mint green and even the rust that bleeds through the color.

I just made over this area in my bedroom. The dresser was free and Ben totally surprised me by painting it and changing the ugly metal handles to delicate and beautifully painted glass knobs. I love it. The shadow box was a Christmas gift from my little sister and is perfect for my vintage earring collection. The radio was found at a local thrift store as well as pretty much everything else you see. The plaid chair came from good.will and I only paid a mere $12.00 for it! I was indeed a happy camper that day.

So, here's the deal. I love doing this and sharing my finds and ideas with all of you. I'm very seriously contemplating starting an etsy site so that I can buy, refinish and re sell items. I think it would be a fun project to do on the side that would also generate a little income. What do you think?

Hope you're all having a most lovely day!

Thriftiness.

As most of you know, I thoroughly enjoy thrifting. It's a hobby and is also very therapeutic for me, believe it or not. It's so much fun to find things that people deem as "junk" and make it useful and beautiful. As a matter of fact, I probably thrift shop more than I grocery shop. That is quite sad. I hate grocery shopping though, so it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise.

Last week, I found a few really neat things and I figured I would share them as well as the makeover I gave my bathroom :)

I found all of this at good.will for a little under $16.00. I absolutely love the mid century tea and coffee serving set and it looks fabulous in my dining room.

I got all three of these suitcases for $1.71. No joke. The two smaller ones were inside of the larger one and I don't think the thrift store had any idea. In any case, I was pleased when I discovered them! Can't beat it.

I decided to give my guest bathroom a makeover because it was most definitely bland and the epitome of boring. Everything you see in here was purchased from a thrift store with the exception of the shower curtain and toilet seat cover.


And I don't know where I got this idea but I really love this suticase that I found at good.will for only $3.00 and I wanted to display it somewhere. Why not stuff it with towels and washcloths? Also, the ottoman that it's resting on was found at good.will for about $6.00.


There you have it!

Inspiration.

I feel like I need this kitchen.

And this bedroom

Geez, I might be green with envy right now.

Hi.

This is my family (plus 2 boyfriends who ARE family). I miss them dearly. They're the best. No seriously, they're incredible.

Sometimes I get really homesick and cry and then Ben makes me feel better. He's simply wonderful.

Today might be one of those days. I really miss them.

It's the little things...

..that make my days so much brighter.

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”

Where you invest your love, you invest your life.

Life is absolutely beautiful. There are just those specific times and moments where I just sit and take in everything that is surrounding me- the beautiful people I get to share my days with, the amazing man who loves me through every high and every low in life, the fact that I have a God who is more gracious, loving and compassionate than my human mind can even fathom and the simple beauties that surround me every single day. I love the sky and the sun. Every sunrise and sunset captivates me and I always have to take a picture of it's beauty. I love life. I love the people in my life. I love God and I love creation. I am so thankful and rich in blessings.

God is SO good.

I took the last couple of days to reflect and resurge. I had some really good alone time and was able to work through some things in my life that I wish to change. It was healthy and I encourage everyone to take the time to do so if the need is there. The minute I feel like I have "everything figured out and worked out in myself" is the minute that I absolutely don't. God is teaching me so much about selflessness and about being "truly" humble and really loving and accepting others.

I'm in a place in my life where I wish to trade all of my judgement, bitterness and strife for love, acceptance and grace. To be like Jesus and to truly help those in need is my heart's desire and plan. I have failed to seize opportunities and I truly wish to change that. God opens big doors and little doors for us to touch others EVERY single day and I pray that I remain alert and attentive to those opportunities. Sometimes I get so engrossed in my own little world of my job, boyfriend, friends, church, facebook, twitter etc. that I tend to neglect the reailty around me.

I'm so thankful for everything that I am learning and experiencing and I pray that I remain teachable and pliable so that God can soften my heart and mold my character. It's all about willingness and submission.

My heart desires so much.

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor"
Romans 12:9-10

Gifted.

One of my favorite gifts I received this year (among many, of course) is this gorgeous locket from Ben's sister containing a photo of Ben when he was little. The locket came from an antique store that she owns and operates and isn't only beautiful and delicate but now holds sweet sentimental value as well.

I love it so much and will treasure it forever and ever.

Hello, 2011!

New Year's Eve was great! Ben and I went downtown for the third year in a row and coincidentally, it was only the third annual "Pelican Drop" that Pensacola has ever done. Therefore, I've been to all of them. My dear friend, Katie also accompanied us. All in all, it was a great way to ring in the new year!

They estimated there to be around 50,000 people and I would guess there were likely even more than that. Not kidding.

Oh and The Band Perry played!

New Year's Kiss :)

I am so thankful for everything that occured in my life during 2010 even though there were some very challenging and heartbreaking times. I am beyond thankful for the relationship I am in and would say that 2010 was also one of the best years of my entire life in that aspect! I've grown so much in this last year and honestly wouldn't change anything about it. God has truly blessed me.

I'm excited about 2011! I know it's going to be a great and exciting year. I have lots of hopes for it and I've set goals for myself that I am going to work to attain.

I hope you all have a very blessed and Happy New Year!