before and after: living room

I really wanted our living room to be bright and comfortable but after buying our house we were working on a tight budget,

I knew from experience that there were lots of ways I could cut costs but I also felt strongly about not cutting corners on some big items, like couches, that would hopefully last us a loooong time.

I still don't feel like the space is complete (I'm not sure I ever will), but because lots of our pieces were inexpensive I don't think I'll feel too badly about switching some of them out down the road if I find things I like better.

And I'm not in love with our bitsy tv on top of the piano, but it works for now especially when I need a shower and want to anchor Minnie with a show for a minute.

I went with white paint (big surprise...I'm having a serious moment with white), but the minute we painted over the blue and tan I felt like the space opened up and brightened up infinitely.

I was afraid the room would feel way too, um....white, but by painting some furniture, the front door, and adding colorful pillows and art I felt like it offset it just how I wanted it to.

So, if you're just dying to know where I got everything, here is a quick run down of the room:

Piano and bench: we found for $275 on KSL classifieds from a cute old couple. I painted the bench. I'm still thinking about painting the piano but I'm not sold on a color yet.

Couches: We got these from Down East Outfitters. They weren't cheap but we got them on a holiday weekend so they were an additional 10% off

Rug: rugsusa.com where most rugs are often 50% off

Dining table: This was originally $900 from West Elm but we got it at Down East Outfitters on clearance for $100

Dining chairs: Got these free from Robert's mom's neighbor

Lamps: Standing one is from Ikea and table lamp is from TJ Maxx...how I love both of those stores!

Coffee table: Ikea (I want to get a new one soon)

Side table: I got this thrift shopping for $5 and then painted it using paint the previous owners had left

Curtains: TJ Maxx

Pillows: The green one is from TJ Maxx and the long black and white one is from Ross but all the others are pillow covers from H&M home online for a steal! The couches came with lots of pillows that I didn't like so pillow covers were the answer.

Throw: Pottery Barn

Picnic basket: $8 from DI

Frames: Most of these are from DI for $2 or less. I looked for frames with mats and then painted the frames and the mats white. All of the other frames are from Target or Ikea.

Artwork: I bought a few pieces at art markets, thrifted a few and painted the flowers, ampersand and flamingo myself. 

Hallway rug: Urban Outfitters

Vases: thrifted, a gift and the small one is from H&M Home

Crocheted flowers: A gift from a friend who owns this cute shop on Etsy

Placemats: $3.50 from TJ Maxx

chippity chop and two fab finds

I did it. I finally got all of the little guts up inside of me and chopped off my hair. Wham!

Usually I regret cutting my hair, but this time I just feel plain old free. 

I was afraid it would look to "mom-ish" but I think it looks young enough, don't you?

If you don't, please don't say so. Then I might start having regrets.

On another note, let me apologize for the number of pictures of yours truly in this post.

It just turned out that way.

I found some great loot at the thrift store this week for ridiculous prices and I wanted to share.

When I showed Robert it was beyond him to envision what I was going to do with them. 

A men's oversized shirt and a grandma skirt? He thought I'd lost my mind. I was ready to prove him wrong.

shirt ~ thrifted for $1.45 leggings ~ f21 hat ~ h&m

boots ~ dsw watch ~ target jewelry ~ thrifted

I love me a men's button-up. They are the comfiest things on this planet, truly.
I feel like I used to be afraid of oversized things because I felt like they made me look big, but by rolling up the sleeves and pairing with leggings the proportions generally work out great.
And besides, you've just created the dreamiest outfit of all time...couldn't be more comfortable.

 

 

 skirt ~ thrifted for $0.69! shirt ~ old navy on sale for $2 shoes ~ nps 

belt ~ rue 21 forever ago watch ~ target jewelry ~ thrifted

Sixty nine cents. Sixty nine cents!! And it had pockets. How could I pass that up? 

I'll admit, it's a little grandma-ish, but grandma-ish is kind of in. And if nothing else, it is ridiculously comfortable and I can wear it when I'm pregs again because it has a stretch waist band.

Total score.

Happy Thursday!

fab find under $5 and the weekend

 

Dress ~ thrifted  Tights ~ Nordstrom Rack Shoes ~ Gap

Belt ~ thrifted Necklace ~ F21 Earrings ~ F21

Ok, so I know my goal was to find thrifted pieces under $4, but a comfy vintage dress for $4.95 is totally worth the additional 95 cents, don't you think?
I am a sucker for vintage dresses, not only because they are fun, but because they almost always fit well.
I feel like things were just tailored so much better way back when.

In other news, this weekend was a little lack luster for a few reasons. One being that Minnie Loo got the stomach flu.
It felt like Bob and I spent the majority of Friday cleaning out her car seat, the car, her bed and her clothes.
Well, not really, but the stench was enough to make me feel like it was hours upon hours.
The car still smells like throw up. Gross, I know.
The funny thing was, when she wasn't throwing up she was happy as a clam. One second after she threw up more than you could possibly imagine in the car she looked up at me, smiled and said "Hi!" as cheerfully as could be.
It was kind of heartbreaking and hilarious at the same time.

Bob was nice enough to stay home with Minnie Friday night so I could go out with two of my besties from college who I hadn't seen in awhile. World's best husband, I tell you. He stayed home and cried watching "UP" while I went out on the town. Love him. I also love that he's more sensitive than I am sometimes. Sorry Bob, but it's the truth. I love you for it.

Saturday was spent doing errands and seeing a few friends, which was nice. As I mentioned before, one of my closest friends, Veronica, is getting married next month and I have been living vicariously through her as she plans the wedding. We went to dinner and a late night Target run with she and Josh Saturday night and it was a grand old time. I'm very hopeful they will be some of our closest "couple friends", because all couples need "couple friends". They're not always easy to come by, but I can really see this working out with the four of us.

So although lack luster, I would say our weekend was pretty great. I feel like our lives are so planned out sometimes that it's nice to have a weekend with no plans at all.
Go where the wind blows you, you know?
And now...back to the daily grind.
Happy Monday!

fab finds under four dollars and a friday letter

 

shirt ~ thrifted $1.49! floral pants ~ American Eagle {on sale here...even cheaper in stores - I got these for $11} shoes ~ thrifted necklace ~ thrifted bracelet ~ thrifted earrings ~ Forever 21 bag ~ bought in Korea

Here she blows...the steal-of-a-deal chambray shirt I found yesterday at the thrift store.

I must say, I'm pretty proud of the price of this outfit. I think everything, including jewelry, was less than $30.

My eventual goal is to find an entire outfit under $10 one day. It's going to be tricky, but it's gonna happen folks. Hear ye this...I'm going to blow your thrift-shopping minds!

In the meantime, it is now time for a Friday letter.

Dear Minnie: I can't believe how old you're getting. You are now playing with dolls and it kind of freaks me out to see you being all motherly and nurturing. You're 14 months old! You're turning into a little girl already but I'm trying to ignore it. I wish you'd be a baby forever.

Dear Robert: Let's do something fun this weekend, like sit down together some place other than the dinner table for 30 minutes. School has stolen you away from me and I'm becoming the jealous girlfriend. Thank goodness it's the weekend.

Dear butternut squash soup we had for dinner tonight: You were delish. You could probably have used a little more salt, but couldn't everything?

Dear Downton Abbey: I've just finished your second season on Hulu Plus and have been made aware that it's impossible to watch season three online. WHAT?!! I am an addict who is now going into severe withdrawals until PBS and Hulu get their acts together. (Maybe I will now spend Minnie's nap time doing something a little more productive...maybe).

Dear Creamies we just bought at Costco: You are calling my name. Don't worry, I'm coming.

style on a major budget

Robert is a student, I am a stay-at-home-mum, and therefore, we are poor.
Like living on loans poor.
It won't be this way forever, but I must tell you, I have really had to do some serious reigning in when it comes to my love of shopping.
This has hurt my closet immensely. Before I got married I had a full time job and no one else to worry about. I would go shopping on the regular without a care in the world. Not so anymore.

Times have changed and so must my shopping habits and my closet has been suffering lately because of it.
Luckily, I am an avid thrift shopper and have therefore decided to try and find a few pieces each week to add a little spice to my wardrobe without breaking the bank.
Ideally these pieces will be $4 and under, excluding shoes, which are generally a little more pricey.
Yesterday I found a few pieces at amazing prices that I'm excited to style.

Chambray shirt (J. Crew): $1.49

Black boots: $7.99

Mini polka-dots skirt: $1.49

Thrift shopping is a little tricky because most of the clothes are wrinkled (as evidenced in these photos) or not hung properly so you really have to try and envision what the piece can become.

Honestly, I really have no idea whether a piece might work until I a) try it on and b) take it home and style it.

Usually if I like the way it fits, I'm sure it's going to work with something I have.

I'm excited to try styling a few of these pieces today and to see what I can come up with. 

I'll share tomorrow! 

thrifting {baby style}

Since baby clothes are less than half the size of regular human clothes, shouldn't they be about half the price??
Yet most of what I find for Minnie is just as much or more than what I pay for my own clothes.
To that I say...hogwash!
I've found a better way.
Yes, it takes a little more time and effort.
And yes, it may not be for everyone.
But for me, it's the best solution.
Thrift shopping!

Minnie has really grown over the last few months and was in need of some new fall clothes.
Yesterday morning we made out like bandits at Thrift Town and got her really great basics (essentially a whole new wardrobe) for $28.58!!
Less than $30 people!!!

Here's the loot...

~What we got~
3 T-shirts
2 long sleeved shirts
1 button-up
2 sleepers
1 pair of leggings
1 dress
A pair of mittens
1 coat
1 beanie

A few tips for thrifting for babies and kids:

* Make sure you look at each garment carefully to make sure there are no stains, rips or tears. Kids clothes can really go through the ringer sometimes so you want to make sure you're getting something that still has a lot of wear left in it.

* Check all the zippers to make sure they work and make sure there are no missing buttons. Nothing is worse than getting home and realizing the coat you bought doesn't zip.

* Don't be afraid to shop in the boys section for girls. I've shyed away from the boys section with Minnie because she is bald and won't wear headbands (we're working on that). Even when she's wearing pink people still assume she's a boy. I am afraid no more! I just pair something from the boys section with something really girly and I've usually got myself a winner. Plus, I think boy button-ups look so cute with tight little leggings on girls.

* Be patient and don't be afraid to walk away empty-handed. At almost every thrift shopping experience I've either hit a major jackpot or else I find nothing. Make sure what you're buying is something you're actually going to use and you're not just buying it because it's cheap. I've fallen victim to that too many times and ended up with a half closet of clothes we never use.

* Go thrifting early in the day. Most stores put out a bunch of new stuff each morning so the earlier you get there, the better selection you'll have.

* If you take your baby with you, find a fun book or something they can play with at the store in the cart while you shop. Minnie has about zero patience for shopping, but if I find something new she can look at while I'm perusing the racks she's usually content, at least for 10 minutes.

* When you get home wash everything before you let your beeb wear it. This may be a no-brainer, but you never know.

Min's sporting:
Shirt~thrifted~ $1
Pants~thrifted ~$1
Headband~homemade~$0.30
Shoes~Joe Fresh~on sale for $3.00

For a grand total of $5.30! Dreamy.

Now go and do some thrifting.
You can thank me later.