A new coat...

Remember this?

...it's FINALLY getting a makeover...

It's still in progress, but I'm liking the new coat already.  Some would say don't mess with the finish {but in reality, it wasn't all that great-lots of nicks and discolorations} but my new motto is this:

If you don't like it- paint it and make it new.  At least that's what I keep telling myself.  I don't really even like to paint, but for some reason I started and now I have to finish!

It was $8 well spent!  Inside the doors I found three different variations of vintage Contact Paper - none that I had any desire to keep, but it sort of told me about the woman who once owned it.  Also, there were about 10 little cup hooks on the inside of the left cabinet...seems someone had a tea cup collection at one time.  I wonder, as I paint, where this piece has been...what stories it could tell.  It'll never fetch a hefty price at a sale, but it's exactly the thing that will suit my diningroom well. 

I'm working on painting a bunch of mismatched pieces the same color...that makes it a set, right?

Another couple of days and I think it'll be ready for more pics!

"Happiness is making the most of what you have."

 {Rosamunde Pilcher}

Don't mock me...

My friends say I am thrify or maybe downright pathetic.  But, in my heart of hearts I don't really think that I am...my wallet would agree with my friends, but my taste would beg to differ.  I am thrify because I must be, and along the way I have learned to enjoy the hunt of a good deal.  And, my tastes have changed in the process.  No longer do I desire designer everything...I've found that I actually really LOVE to find "one of a kind" treasures.  My heart pounds when I pass a flea market or a country auction...I have no doubt that there are bargains standing by just waiting to be found by me!

I happened to be blessed to live in Lancaster County, PA where there are flea markets, auctions and yard sales a-plenty on any given summer weekend.  And during the dreary months of winter, there are at least a handful of other options to be had by thrifty shoppers like me. 

I'm not exactly sure what direction this blog will evolve into, but the underlying tone will be that it's O-KAY to be thrifty if you're living on a budget.  (You might even find it's ok to be thrifty if you're blessed to NOT be living on a budget, but I doubt you will find that advice here...just saying.)  Not only is it ok to be thrifty, I think you can be thrifty while still looking like you have more than two dimes to rub together.  Thrifty does not equal frumpy, cheap or dirty.  It just means you are careful with your money and actually enjoy the hunt of a bargain.  I like the mall and Boutiques as much as any other woman...but as a general rule, I don't pull my wallet out for just any full-price item - it has to earn the right to come live with me.

That reminds me of my favorite part of today...it goes like this: 

I went to Target this afternoon

(I had a coupon for $5 off a Swiffer Wet Jet AND my body was craving a popcorn combo)...

*WetJet, popcorn combo, bonus $.99 cute pink containers* 

...as I was walking through the front doors I heard a little girl and her mom walking in behind me.  I only vaguely paid attention to what the little girl was saying, but I got the feeling she was working on her mother's last nerve.  I'm pretty sure I was right, because as they whizzed by me in their red cart, the little girl asked her mom, "What am I getting, mommy?  Huh?  What am I getting???"  Without missing a beat, her mom shot back, "You're lucky if you get a ride home."