Bad 80's throwback or an AMAZING Treasure?

So I found this lamp and it was white with gold around the trim.  The gold was fading and looked pretty cheap, but I saw such potential with this...and did I mention it was $3.00 ummm and it works!

Here is what I ended up with.  I don't know how I feel about it so I am asking for your help... any ideas?  Do you love it or hate it?  I think it's much better than the old and faded white/gold number, but I don't know.... I think it looks too shiny and something you would find in a house in Miami during the 80's.  I am going to buy a linen barrel shade and see if that helps. If not, I will probably be painting it another color. Something less "Miami Vice".

SAVINGS! SAVINGS! SAVINGS!

I recently discovered Garage Sales, Thrift Stores and Thrifty Shopping. I am hooked!  I love that I save so much money and that I can get AMAZING things for next to nothing!  This is what I scored on Friday.  I went to EARC (a thrift store that helps the disabled and the handicapable).  I am redoing my kitchen and have been coveting a farmhouse sink for years, but I WILL NOT spend $1500.00 on a sink when I can do the entire kitchen for less than that.  So while I was in the HOT HOT sun, I found a sink.... Kohler, cast iron, 2 sinks, 4 holes, PERFECT CONDITION.  Below is a picture from Lowe's website. It's not the exact sink but so dang close.

 I paid 25.00 for this sink....Lowe's sells it for $563.55.  A total savings of $538.55  I know, I am in shock as well.  But wait there's more... 

I found this beautiful 15 light chandelier at a garage sale for $25.00....Lowe's sells the EXACT same one for $380.58.  A total savings of $355.58!   Hold on to your seats because I have one more bargain.

I found this little beauty on the clearance rack at Lowe's for $11.99...It is originally $44.98, and if wonders never cease when I got to the counter it rang up as $9.99!  That's right ladies and gentlemen a total savings of  $34.99.


I am just tickled pink at all the wonderful deals I got this weekend.  I am going to spray paint the chandelier a silver because my house is silver, and I have to buy the light shades for the bathroom fixture, but I totally came out ahead.  If you aren't a math whiz (neither am I, thanks calculator) I spent roughly $60.00 and saved a whopping  $929.12!!

The Painted Pitcher

Per the usual I was checking out all the killer blogs I follow, and I came across this amazing idea from Monkey See - Monkey Do I knew I had to do this. All my dishes are white and I have been collecting white bowls for years so this would fit right into my evil plan.  I started with a $3.00 pitcher and bowl set from The Goodwill (my fav).  I set it on top of a 2X4 so air could circulate underneath.

HIDEOUS RIGHT?!

I can't believe I am going to paint over such beauty...ugh.

I painted them with a $1.00 can of spray paint from the Dollar Store and sprayed until my little hand cramped up and I feared I wouldn't be able to use it anymore.

Pretty SWEET right?  I took these inside and let them dry overnight and the next day I took a can of window cleaner and turned the pitcher upside down so I could get all the darker parts I missed the day before.

I decided to paint on my deck we are tearing out this summer instead of the driveway...there were questions and disapproving looks.  Next time I will use a base primer and a more expensive can of paint because on the 2nd coat there are little crackles in spots (I thought I was going to have an apoplexy, but decided that it looked rustic and like it was supposed to look like that) well not really, but there was nothing I could do to fix it so you know "silver lining".  I am pretty excited about how it turned out and can't wait to do more, after I get the use of my right hand back. I am so investing in one of those spray paint guns! I absolutely love how this turned out! It looks pretty close, only smaller to the one my dad bought for my mother. He paid $160.00 at an antique store...and he is known as the "money saver" at my house pashaw!


Please disregard my horrid couch. I haven't learned how to sew yet, but I have big plans for a slipcover!

Whoooo! doesn't love a bargin?

This Saturday I went into "town" to pick up some burgers for Brian and I  from the local Cafe. It was so dang hot there was no way I was cooking. Crescent comes alive with garage sales on the weekends and Saturday was no exception.  One of my favorite stores is open only on Friday and Saturday.  It is a complete junk/hole in the wall and I was almost eaten by a spider, but I was able to get some wonderful treasures!  Everything I bought needs to be revamped, but for only $15 and a near death experience can you blame me for being excited?  I found this little owl that was from the 60's I think. It is 20lbs of solid plaster and  concrete (OK so maybe it's just plaster, but dang is it SOLID). I could definitely see me  shattering my foot if it's ever dropped.  I passed right by it at first because it is a bit rough, but at second glance I saw it just needed a little love, and I have a lot of  love to give. The lady was asking $10 for him ( I know right?) I offered her $3. Ladies and gentlemen meet Oscar...

I am kind of in love with the etched flowers, leaves and hearts.  I know I can't keep him this color because it does not go with my house and his feet/claws disturb me. They look like worms.  So I did my old standby and gave him a coat or two of white.

I think I his finished color will be a mocha brown, sage green, or a bright red. I'm pretty sure I can paint over any color I don't like.  What are your feelings on Oscar's final color?

Keep looking for all the other goodies I found on Saturday. I will link to this page.

It's like crack...but not as bad for you

I am sure you know by now how much I love to cook. I was a vegetarian for a while (before I moved to Crescent and my Doctor and lack of meat free dishes changed that). I also have dabbled in the art of eating completely animal free (vegan)...I couldn't do it for long I LOVE cheese, but I picked up a few things along the way. Believe me my 18 year old brother and friend loved these cupcakes and my father said it was the BEST coconut pecan frosting he has ever eaten. Give it a try you never know how much you'll like something until you try it. My mother also pointed out this is a perfect treat for people who don't have access to dairy or for a delish food storage dessert. My family is hooked...

The Best Vegan Chocolate Cake Ever

3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup cocoa (I usually add a little more for a richer flavor)
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons white vinegar
3/4 cup oil
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups cold water

Directions: Preheat oven to 350. In a large mixing bowl or mixer (use the batter attachment) combine dry ingredients. Stir in oil, vinegar and vanilla mix until it's a paste. Slowly stir in the water a cup at a time. It won't seem like it can take that much, just keep stirring. After all liquid is incorporated stir or mix for a minute or so more. Bake at 350 until the middle of the cake is springy to the touch or a knife inserted into the middle comes out clean. Immediately turn out and wrap with plastic wrap. This keeps the cake super moist. Let cool to room temperature before frosting.

This makes a little over 2 dozen cupcakes, one bunt cake, or two 9" rounds. Be sure to adjust the baking time.

This goes great with a coconut pecan frosting, which is listed below. This is by far the best vegan cake recipe I have found, and I've been looking!

Preparation time: 50 minutes

Coconut Pecan Frosting

1 stick margarine (1/2 cup)
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup soy milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions: Boil together all ingredients in a medium to large saucepan over medium-high heat for 8-12 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Pour then spread on cake while frosting is still warm. Let set up for a few minutes before serving (sets up faster if you cover it and place it in the fridge).

Serves: enough for one 2-layer cake, or 24 cupcakes

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Nesting...

I love the idea and look of a bird's nest.  I love how cozy they look and how I hope one day to have a few little chicks of my own... I came across this AMAZING find and KNEW I had to make one for my little nest.  I love googiemomma and am pretty sure we should be besties... She has amazing taste and I am sure this won't be the last time I link to one of her ideas.


I have a million little twigs and things in my back yard. In fact during the last storm the hail and wind knocked a couple of branches down. You would think I could make a nest in no time flat, but if you remember ROGER you are well aware of my "nest skills".  So I searched everywhere for a nest and came up empty. I tried to twig up and create one of my own, but it was not happening. I had almost given up hope for this project when low and behold I was walking through Family Dollar and found this creation!

ABSOLUTELY HIDEOUS, but has such potential...and yes if you can see that tag it does say $2.50. SCORE!  So I stripped all the leaves, and mini pine cones, fake plastic eggs, plastic flowers and a couple of squishy birds.  I added moss with a glue gun and came up with this comfy cozy nest. Just waiting for some little blue eggs.

Now onto the eggs. I gathered my materials: 3 wooden eggs, 3 leftover Halloween pencils, hot glue gun, and craft paint. I am not sure of the colors I just grabbed ones I had in my paint box.

I am afraid to use an exacto knife, really tall people and being hit by a train, so I went to Hobby if I didn't have a church I'd worship there Lobby and found some cute little wooden eggs.  I had the hardest time figuring out how to paint the eggs and then it came to me...I took an egg and hot glued it to the top of a Halloween pencil I had left over.  TA DA

 I then took them outside and put a coat of white spray paint on them as a base and placed them in a cup filled with sunflower seeds I was going to throw out.

I let those dry and then painted them a nice blue. I wanted lighter when I started, but as they dried and I placed them in the nest I really liked the darker blue.

After I flicked some brown and white paint on the eggs they were finished.  So I moved on to the frame. I was thinking of using an old frame and painting it gold, but I really liked this creamy white frame and felt it went better with my home than a gold one.

I decided to use burlap inside the frame because I couldn't find the perfect decorative paper or printed fabric, and I love love love burlap.  After I glued the nest to the mirror It looked a little bare and like the frame was too big for the nest.  I was super frustrated but then had a stroke of genius and decided to raid my ribbon box.  I found a cream that matched the frame almost perfectly and it gave  an added texture and dimension that I feel completed the piece.  I hope you like my finished product.  I only took a picture of it by itself because the table I want to put it on has not been refinished yet...this weekend I hope to start it.  I am in love with this I mean I LOVE IT!  I hope you enjoy.