Another GIVEAWAY...

But this time it's from my amazing sister Mindy. These economic times have definitely taken their toll on her sweet family. It is inspiring to me to see how they have united and risen above the challenges - facing them head on and still realizing peace and happiness in spite of it all. Let's send her some LOVE!

Now on to the goods of the giveaway. A FREE 11x14 print of the temple of your choice (and free shipping). Head on over to Bellissima Portraits to see how you can enter. And guess what you can earn EXTRA entries! These pictures are perfect for Christmas gifts. Don't live in Utah? Who cares? :) The SLC temple would look Fab.U.Lous in your house... admit it :) You want it. Now go enter for your chance. It may just be your lucky day! PS. The giveaway ends TOMORROW. So go enter NOW!

Ready.Set.Go

For a little taste of her goodness cast your eyes upon these lovelies...

What has ONE DOLLAR done for you lately?

Last week I was running errands and it was fast approaching lunch time. I generally would just go straight home because (1) lunch at home is WAY cheaper than going to a fast food restaurant and (2) my boys go down for their nap right after lunch. BUT, I still had another place to go. I wanted to visit a friend who was anxiously awaiting news from her husband then currently in the middle of a 8 hour interview for PA School (Physician's Assistant). To help pass the time for her we decided to go through the Drive-Thru at Wendy's, raid their Dollar Value Meal, and make a surprise visit for lunch and play time for our boys (she has two boys the same ages as mine). Two 5ct. Chicken Nuggets, two Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers, two deluxe burgers, and a large fry later our total came to $9.43. Not too bad for feeding 6 people...

But I don't think that beats the deal I got at a garage sale recently. It all started with these two frames. Nothing was priced so I asked how much. He shrugged (yes "he", always ask the husband if he's available :) and said "One dollar for the pair." Sweet! I'll take them. I handed him a dollar bill and kept meandering.



Then I found a slotted spoon. I don't know how I've made it through six years of marriage without a slotted spoon. Every time we have canned corn or green beans or _____ (you name it) I would wish that we had a slotted spoon. I asked him how much. He shrugged his shoulders and said "Just take it." Really? Thank you! Then I found a baseball - perfect to go with the little thrift store baseball glove in brand new condition I recently got for my little guy's 3rd birthday coming up in just a week. Again, he said "Just take it." Wowsers! What a deal.



Just when I thought all my luck had surely run out and I headed back to the car with my goodies. Then I saw this in a pile of real junk (not connected to the garage sale) - this lonely little cupboard door that I have zero clue where it came from or what it could have been used for - it's at least 1.5" thick. But it had a chunky door knocker and some deep groves. I snatched it up and asked him what it belonged to. His response, "I have no idea, I was just going to throw it away. You can have it." Stay tuned for a makeover on this freebie :) I'm still in shock that I got all this for one little dollar...



So there you go. That's what ONE DOLLAR has done for me lately. How about you?

CONGRATS...

The winner of the blog giveaway was Lauri from Putting My Two Cents in. She was chosen randomly through Randomizer.org but the absolute crazy thing is that we live just ONE MILE from each other! JOYS OF HOME is a blog located back East (at least I think so). What a huge coincidence that the winner is practically my neighbor.

Joy announced the winner Friday morning and within 2 hours Lauri had contacted me with what items she wanted to claim as her prize and I was at her front door step. It was so fun to make a new bloggy friend. She chose two Christmas stockings that are going to look STUNNING in her home - they are the perfect colors to compliment her style and color scheme. It's like they were custom made just for her!

Congrats to you Lauri! Can't wait to see your Christmas pictures adorned with those stockings!

It's GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

I'm so excited I can hardly contain myself! My heart is racing with anticipation as to how the next few days will unfold...

To see for yourself go check out Joys of Home. Enter for your chance to win... and spread the word to earn more entries :)

Have a HAPPY DAY!

Save the Date...

For 6 years I hung a very businesslike (and oh so boring) calendar prominently on my kitchen wall (for the world to see) - I mean, to keep our family up to date. My Dad recently started building shelves and frames with tin and created this darling tin for me. It's even magnetic.

It sat leaning against my wall for probably 2 months before it finally hit me - or rather inspired me with a functional and asthetically pleasing use. Now I print my own calendars and it suits us perfectly!

Sometimes I'm just partial to BLACK

It's true that sometimes I'm just partial to black and can't hardly resist the urge to break out that can of spray paint. A while back I posted about a hutch makeoever I had finished. Slowly it is getting accessorized (somehow it gets cluttered much more quickly). In the process of refinishing it we accidentally shattered the glass shelf that goes in the top cupboards and we have yet to replace it. But when I do, I'll be looking for a few more things with accents of red.

Another reminder of the cute but not so fabulous "Before"


The stunningly gorgeous "Now"

Coffee Table Reveal...

I love it when you find just what you're looking for at just the right price. I have been perusing craigslist for a coffee table for probably 6 months and sometimes people want just a little much for their possessions. I saw some U.G.L.Y coffee tables that were listed for $200+. Crazy, I tell you!

I stopped at Goodwill one Saturday morning. It wasn't just any Saturday morning. It was 50% Off Day! I spotted this coffee table under some end tables that had just been claimed by another customer. After she hauled out her goods I staked out my grounds and waited ever so patiently for a worker to come close enough. It hadn't been marked with a price so she called over the furniture guy and he shrugged his shoulders and said $17.99? Sold! My precious coffee table only cost $8.98.



With a little sanding, some Heirloom White spray paint, some Dark Walnut stain, and Wipe-On Poly she's looking like a million bucks - or at least $50. I think I'll keep an eye out for a dark bronze drawer pull to replace the wooden knob. Anyway, here is her grand reveal.

Thanks to inspiration from
Lettered Cottage
320 Sycamore
Thrifty Decor Chick