Holiday/Winter Porch

Holiday/Winter Porch

Our Christmas/Winter Porch was a little different than in years past.  Due to the fact we weren’t home much during the season, I wanted to keep things simple and decorations to a minimum so you couldn’t tell if we were home or not.

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It worked well since we didn’t return home until January 6th!  I still haven’t taken anything down.  It has more of a “winter” feel so I’m not rushing.  I love the amount of stress it takes off me!! I don’t have to worry about it until February and still be ok!!

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The wreaths on my doors are the same burlap wreaths I used during Fall.  I just removed the harvest colors and added a winder swag that I tucked inside the burlap.

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The two plastic silver ornaments hanging from the bottom of the wreaths have been removed but the wreaths will stay up a little longer (until I get time to change them!)!!

The rest of the porch took on the same wintery feel……

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The black and white ticking pillow covers came back out and I added some small pillow covers I made with this awesome black/gold/silver trees fabric!
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Finally I created some pillow covers for the rockers!

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These were the easiest project ever!!!!

I bought some burlap pillow covers from Hobby Lobby along with a stencil of snow flakes and a new sharpie pen!

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Then I just randomly placed the stencil on the pillow cover and colored in the lines!!

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Then inserted my pillow forms and set them on the porch!!

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Instead of putting up my christmas tree this year, I decided to place a fern between the rockers and added some mini lights!  Perfect for a holiday/winter scene without having to change after the holidays!

There ya have it!

My Winter Porch!!!

I know I’ve been missing for quite awhile and I apologize.  I’ve taken on a new job managing the Thrift Shop I so enjoyed volunteering at and it takes up quite a bit of my time.  Posts may be few and far between but I’ll always be here!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

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Tiny “Baubles”

Tiny “Baubles”

I’ve been at it again………………

……..remember when I added magnets to faux flowers and added them to lamp shades?

If not, you can see that post HERE!

This time, I’m using old button covers!

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Remember when button covers were all the rage?  Not so much anymore, right? So, they’re easy to find at thrift stores and flea markets!

I picked up these at the thrift store I volunteer at!  I bought the whole zip loc bag for $3!

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For today’s project, I’m working with these five!

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Please excuse the blurry picture.  My older hands just ain’t sturdy anymore and hubby was nowhere to be found to take the picture for me!

I removed the button cover “attachment” from the back of the button by using a sharp knife and “popping” it off!

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These were very simple to remove as they were just hot glued on.

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Once I popped them off, I hot glued a magnet (you know how I love my magnets!) to the back of the button cover.

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That’s It!!!  Another EASY PEASY!

:)

Here is my victim for these new magnets…….

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This lamp is situated in the middle of my living room and you can see this seam when you walk into the house!

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By simply adding the magnets to the seam by placing another magnet on the inside of the shade gave my lamp a finished look!

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Think of the possibilities!

I took one button and added a magnet to it and “popped” it on my antique scale.

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 I didn’t need a second magnet as the scale is metal and the magnet stuck to it just fine!

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 I love the vintage look and how it changes the look “just a little”.

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Don’t forget you can embellish with brooches too! I picked this one up at the Thrift Store too.

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I just pinned it to my lampshade in my laundry room!

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Remember, it’s all in the details!!

Hope you’re having a fantastic day!

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Just a little “boo”!

Just a little “boo”!

Just a few added touches for “All Hallows Eve” at the Manor this year…….

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My crystal spiders are out again!!

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I left my mantel “as is”.  I think it’s dark and creepy enough!

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I just added a few things to the area around the hearth.

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Remember my Doctor Bag Vignette?

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I added a ceramic crow and some orange mercury glass apples……

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….and opened my Edgar Allen Poe book up to The Raven.  Another spider is perfect!!

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I found this cute little lamp at Home Goods……perfect little light!

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I added Halloween straws in a glass vase (all found at Dollar Tree) for a subtle touch.

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And the top of the fridge holds a couple of favorite pumpkin lamps!

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I hope y’all have a wonderfully safe

Happy Halloween!

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Fall Around the Manor

Fall Around the Manor

I absolutely love this time of year………

……it’s a slow change in temperatures for us in South Texas but occasionally, we have a humid free day that let’s us know….

……..change is coming!!

;)

I thought I would share the fall touches around the Manor……..

…….keeping things simpler this year, at least for me!

I hope you enjoy!

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I tried my first attempt at adding a tray to my round coffee table.  I added an antique orange mercury glass candlestick with a battery operated candle on top (love those….can never have enough!) along with my glass pumpkin.

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I tried to bring in more texture by adding some orbs covered in bark along with some green beaded garland for “fallish” color.

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I placed my velvet pumpkins on the sideboard.

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Another decoration I absolutely love….
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Just adding some fall potpourri and a burlap flower to my bowl……

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….plays against the flicker of the lantern taking my church pew into Fall!

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A simple ceramic pumpkin in a beautiful chartreuse green…..

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…..says “fall” when visitors arrive!  Remember, sometimes less is more!

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I added a faux white pumpkin to my olive basket….

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…..with, of course, faux olive branches, and a little burlap!

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The fall mantle is very simple and much like last years.

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The kitchen/computer area was fun to decorate.  I picked up the framed images of fall at the thrift shop I volunteer at!

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My trio of pumpkins were surrounded by orange pip berries (also purchased at the thrift shop)!

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Adding more fall picks and a ceramic pumpkin from Bath and Body Works …..

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…..along with a cream sunflower from the Dollar Tree, completes the look!

More small touches in the kitchen bring us to a close…….

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Adding miniature pumpkins to a Dollar Tree vase……

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along with other added fall pieces and candles on my tiered serving piece is just enough this year!

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Another cream sunflower and ceramic pumpkin from Dollar Tree are perfect in the coffee corner!

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I placed a faux mum with some faux pumpkins and gourds along with wooden accessories and a pumpkin towel found on clearance last year at Pottery Barn to my salad bowl and stand!

See the tiny crystal spider attached to the mum?  Yes, I’ve added those that I used last year.

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That post is next!

I hope y’all are enjoying this season as much as I am.  It is the start of a magical time in my opinion!!!

Happy Fall Y’all!

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Fall Porch 2014

Fall Porch 2014

Gosh, I can hardly believe it’s October!!!

I must admit I LOVE IT!!!

It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t love Fall what with all the smells and colors and temperatures finally beginning to drop (a little)!

The Fall Porch is finally complete!

:)

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I had the most fun making these pillows for Plaid.  You can see that post HERE!

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I added a little fall color to the entry stairs….

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…….it’s amazing what a little “dash” of color will do!!

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My door wreaths were super easy to make.  You can see how I did it with the help of Laura from Top This Top That’s wreath tutorial!

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I put the black and white pillows along with last years fall pillows on the swing!

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I never get tired of classic black & white!! This year I added some burlap pumpkin pillows to the mix!

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They’re cute and fun and can stay there through November!

Of course, little touches are scattered here and there.

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I took my daughter’s rubber cowboy boots and added some fall foliage along with a pretty ribbon….

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….and placed them next to my sandwich board with a simple seasonal sentiment!

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My mini goat wagon got a touch of hay, ghords, an extra little pillow and a battery operated candle lantern!

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A very simple vignette in the corner that definitely says “fall”!

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I updated my pie basket by adding more foliage, some Dollar Tree pumpkins painted white and another candle lantern!

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Just adding a few metal leaf sprigs into my faux greenery turned this corner into fall.

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Last, I added a two more fake pumpkins from Dollar Tree that I painted white and stained with dark wax to the fern on the other side of the front doors!  I LOVE Dollar Tree’s pumpkins!! A stained glass lantern and a cream “funkin”, which I also stained rounded out the look.

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I just stuck the “R” sticker (you can find these at Hobby Lobby) on the pumpkin!

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Today, I turned my lantern around to show the “jack-o-lantern” side!

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That rounds out the porch!  Hope y’all are enjoying your Fall!  We were finally able to open some windows yesterday and air out the house!

WOO HOO!!!

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:)

Until next time……….

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Easy Fall Wreath!

Easy Fall Wreath!

EASY is my motto this year especially with volunteering and being away from the house more…….

EASY is my favorite word!!

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I needed wreaths for my front doors but wanted to keep it simple and EASY!!

 First I made a burlap wreath using a wire frame like this.

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Source

I followed Laura of Top This Top That‘s tutorial on making a burlap wreath. I used four rolls of burlap ribbon per 20″ wire wreath.  Her directions are perfect and it’s so easy to make a perfect wreath!

I knew I wanted to embellish them a little (’cause don’t we all embellish everything?)!!  But remember, EASY is my motto this year!

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I had these two berry/ball wreaths in the closet that I haven’t used for a few years.

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I basically just pushed them inside the wire form and adjusted the burlap.

Now that’s EASY!!!

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Thanks, Laura, for a wonderful tutorial!!! If you don’t know Laura, definitely check out her blog, Top This Top That!  You’ll love her!  I especially love when she chats about her donkey!!

Have a great day and remember, keep life simple……

….and decorating EASY!!

Until next time…….

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Adding Fall Color!

Adding Fall Color!

adding fall color

After finishing up the Fall touches on the front porch, I decided my urns and “orbs” needed a little something, something….

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Y’all know how I love my Orbs!!!  Last year, they were a different color….

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I decided to change them from black to cream and I have really enjoyed the change but when I set the white pumpkins in the cream orbs, they kinda disappeared.  So, I had to come up with a new idea!

I needed a little color!!!

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I purchased 2 large candle ring wreaths and 4 small candle ring wreaths that were 40% off at Hobby Lobby.

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I cut them in half……

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I simply placed the two halves of the larger wreaths into the orbs

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…..and placed my faux greenery orbs back in!

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I did the same thing with the small halves by placing them in the smaller urns and placing those greenery orbs on top!

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It was just the right amount of color and I love the green and orange together.  I think it’s a great way to transition from summer to fall since our temperatures are still topping 90 degrees!

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Sometimes I tend to over think decorating.  This was so simple and inexpensive.  I spent a total of $20 and I think it created a major impact!

The “Summer to Fall” Porch is just about complete!  Now, if only our temperatures could fall too!

Until next time……….

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Easy Stencil Pillow!!

Easy Stencil Pillow!!

 

 

This is a sponsored post by BluePrint Social, Plaid and FolkArt Stencils and Paints.  Although I was compensated, all opinions are 100% mine.  

Stencil pillow

Y’all know how I love to decorate my front porch for the seasons, so when a box of FolkArt Stencils and Paints arrived at my door, I was so excited to create a new look for Fall!!!

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The selection of colors I received are so vibrant and perfect for fall and since you can buy all of them, and more, at Michaels, it’s so easy to create something beautiful yourself!

I decided to create a couple of pillows for my rockers.  I used two muslim pillow covers I already had and began creating!

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First, I applied the FolkArt Stencil Adhesive to the stencil.  I love this adhesive!!!!  It’s so easy and simple to use and cleans up with soap and water!  Just follow the directions on the package and it’s a breeze!  Once I applied it, the stencil was repositionable and I didn’t have apply to any more for the whole pillow!

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Now the fun began!

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Next, I began painting! I decided to use all the colors except blue…..(I’ll save that for another time)!  In addition, I created another color by mixing Engine Red and Fresh Foliage Green to create a brown!

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The paints mix so well and don’t dry too quickly so I had plenty of time to create!!

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So super simple. After painting a different color in each circle, I then easily repositioned my stencil to the next section of my pillow cover and repeated step two.  The quality of the FolkArt Painting Stencil is amazing!  They’re durable laser cut designs that adhere securely with the stencil adhesive and wash up beautifully.

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Wallah!!

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The colors are so vibrant and beautiful.  The paint is not stiff and the pillow still feels soft!

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Since these paints are “multi-surface,” I decided to give another surface a try!

I had some grapevine “mini” balls that I painted to coordinate with the “dots” of the stencil!

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Again, very easy to work with!  The paint just glides on with no dripping or splattering!

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Putting it all together was so much fun!

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The pillows are perfect for the transition from summer to fall!

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After removing the stems from the grapevine orbs, they look great in a glass cylinder vase.

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I even had some paint leftover to stencil a ribbon which I tied around the lamp!

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The porch is ready for fall!!

I would highly recommend trying the FolkArt Multi Surface Paints, Stencils and Adhesive!!

For more information on these products, check out their media links:

The Plaid Palette Blog

Plaid Newsletter

Pinterest

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

YouTube

Google+

Until next time……..

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Thrift Shopping!!!

Thrift Shopping!!!

I know I’ve been a little “absent” from the blogging world lately…..

have you noticed?

I HOPE SO!!!!!

:)

Actually, I miss it terribly and have no plans to fall to the wayside anytime soon but I’ve taken on a new adventure!!!

VOLUNTEERING!!

I’m volunteering at the local military thrift shop and……

I LOVE IT!!!!

The only hard part is finding time to fit it all in……..and not spending too much money!!!

I think I’m their best customer!!!!

:)

That’s okay…..it’s for a wonderful cause!!!

So, I’m trying to organize my time better and will get my act together soon….

I hope!!!

:)

Meanwhile…….

I thought I’d show you a few “treasures” I’ve found at the thrift shop.

I picked up this guy for $15!!  He holds our towels when we’re in the hot tub!

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This flower-pot was $10! It’s huge and very heavy!!

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Here is a bamboo bird house.  I added three faux candles with timers.  It’s very pretty at night!!

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This little brass hanger was .50!!

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This is a beautiful ornate candle holder and bird in brass.  I think they set me back $5!!

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I love the detail!!!

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Here is a crystal ashtray but I think I’ll set candy in it!

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Finally, for today, I picked up a couple of lamps!  You can never have too many lamps, I say!!

This one is crystal with a brass bottom.  The sticker on the glass said “Poland”.  I believe I paid $15!

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This cute little telephone lamp is whimsical and fun!

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I honestly don’t know if I can shop regular retail anymore!!!!!  I love a bargain and repurposing things!

How about you?  Do you love thrifting?

I have more treasures to share but that’s for another day!!

Until next time……

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I’m being featured at From My Front Porch to Yours!!

I’m being featured at From My Front Porch to Yours!!

I’m so excited!!!

Today, Pamela of From My Front Porch to Yours is featuring my little ole’ blog in her series “How I Found My Style Sundays”!!!

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I’d love it if you’d hop over to her blog and check it out!!!

Thanks, Pamela!!!

Have a wonderful day, everyone!!!

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