Why I love Thrifting...

I have really been needing a new sofa for awhile but it really wasn't in the budget to buy a brand new one so I have patiently been looking at the thrift stores for one. I found this one the other day - it is by Broyhill and in great shape and at a great price. All I need to do is touch up the wood with a stain pen or Restore-A-Finish! I'm so proud of my "new used sofa"!

Now that I'm finished with shows for the rest of the year, I am back in furniture mode so if there is anything you would like for me to look out for while I am out "picking", just send me an email!

Last Night's Open House

We had a great time at Beth's Open House last night. Beth Menke hosted the party and and showed her great jewelry line she designs and makes. Amy had her Pampered Chef set up in the kitchen with delicious samples, Shara had a Mary Kay table and Courtney had a Gold Canyon table so a great variety of items!





I took Cream Cheese Pound Cake and this is a recipe I really like and I promise it makes your whole house smell like the most wonderful vanilla buttery scent for hours!

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

3 cups sugar
2 sticks butter
1 stick margarine
6 large eggs
1 8-oz package cream cheese
3 cups cake flour
1 tbsp vanilla

Cream sugar with butter, margarine and cream cheese. Mix until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Gradually add flour, beating well. Add vanilla and mix thoroughly. Pour into a well greased and lightly floured tube pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 80-90 minutes until done. Cool in pan for 20 minutes and remove. May be frozen. Serves 16-20.

A Trip to Anthropologie

I had to meet someone at the Summit today and couldn't resist going into Anthropologie. They say a store or shop should appeal to all senses and Anthropologie does that from the minute you walk in! It smells so good, there is great music playing and everywhere you look is just so colorful and beautiful!

Southern Soiree

I met Kelli and Shawn at a trunk show I did several months ago and they have recently started their own event planning company, Southern Soiree. They are going to do an advertisement in a quarterly bridal magazine, "Engaged, A Wedding Library", and I am going to provide them with some vintage props for the photo shoot! You should check out their website, www.mysouthernsoiree.com, which will also link you to their blog and facebook page and consider them if you are planning a wedding or other type of event - I am sure they do a wonderful job!

Distressed Picture Frames, Burlap Cross Boards and Initial Boards

I am working on lots more distressed frames, burlap cross boards and initial boards for an Open House I am doing on Thursday at a friend's house so if you would like to order any of these before Christmas, just call or email and I can make them for you -prices range from $10.00 - $18.00! I will also be making more of the little houndstooth block frames.

Kitchen Hutch and Painted Piece

Here is the kitchen hutch/cabinet I ended up painting and distressing in black. It is in my booth at Encore!





Here is a piece I recently painted and distressed for Kristen - she is going to add cute knobs and put in her little boy's room!

Kitchen Hutch, Chest of Drawers and Etsy

So I just got a really cute kitchen hutch/cabinet piece that I'm going to paint to sell but sometimes it's so hard to decide on color! Here are some cute hutches I found on Pinterest - what to pick! I think I'm leaning toward gray or black but I'll post a picture when I get it done!








Here is a cute little chest of drawers in my booth with ball feet painted antique white and the drawers are a light gray and distressed!


Nate had a segment on his show today (The Nate Berkus Show) on Etsy. Etsy now has over 11 million members and over 800,000 active shops and sales in 2011 through September are over $350 million! It was neat because someone from Etsy who did the interview said that their offices are completely decorated in items from Etsy shops and when a new employee comes on board, they are given a handmade desk and $100 to furnish their desk with Etsy finds!

Etsy is a great place to find unique items and you can know that when you order from Etsy, most everything is handcrafted from a crafter or artisan and not mass produced! A lot of sellers on Etsy share their stories of how they started out selling part-time and eventually were able to quit their "day jobs" and have a thriving business selling online.

Wrapped in Warmth Blanket and Throw Drive

I saw on Hewy's "No Sleep in Helena" blog (helena-alabama.blogspot.com) that they are doing the blanket drive again this year. This would be a great way to give this Christmas season!

Here is what Hewy wrote on his blog:

Ashley L. told me that the Wrapped in Warmth Blanket and Throw drive is happening again at Helena Intermediate. This event has been covered in the news in years past and really makes an impact locally. They are hoping to collect over 250 NEW blankets/throws that will be donated to New Beacon Hospice in Alabaster. They provide in-home service to terminally ill patients in our area. It doesn’t cost much; Walgreens and Dollar General have them for just $3.99 and $4.99. They will be collecting them at HIS from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Please help wrap those in need in warmth this holiday season! I always want to instill a sense of giving in my children so I remember going with them to Walmart and having them chose a blanket and explaining how this would help someone else. I would encourage everyone this season (even with the tight budgets) to include your children in one of theses activities.

Here are some cute things I saw on Pinterest today!

Christmas decor doesn't have to be just red and green!


I love the fur stockings with brooches on the cuffs.

An interesting way to use those old silver trays.

Great idea to turn an old basket sideways and store towels.

Personalize a gift by adding the person's initial on the wrapping!

These stocking holdings are so cute and I know that Lamb's Ear used to sell these.

Add colbalt mason jars to a chandelier!