Money for Books!

I am not a big spender. I tend to use it up and wear it out and sometimes even do without! lol

But I do love books! 

So when I won the giveaway that Brenda had on her blog, It's a Beautiful Life, I spent my giveaway money on books! 

I knew she would approve!

 

I always have books and movies in my wish list and I was going between getting some of the When Calls the Heart DVDs or books. And isn't it funny when you have a gift card, you start looking even more diligently! Like my happiness depends on making the right choice! heehee!

So I've been wanting a journal that I can use for writing AND sketching so I found this one!

And then for inspiration, I bought this book too, Keeping a Nature Journal. I am so excited to have them both and look forward to even more hikes with the nicer weather. 

And adding some art to my hiking journal.

I also splurged on Etsy and got a vintage reader. I already had Busy World and I found To and Fro from Three Bear Vintage.  She was delightful to exchange messages with too.

I might have gone slightly over my gift card winnings but I couldn't resist these wonderful books!

Thanks to Brenda for adding to my joy! Happy blogging to her! The link to It's a Beautiful Life is HERE. Visit her....you'll love her AND her beautiful blog! 

And shop Etsy's handmade and vintage items! 

I am praying for everyone in the path of Hurricane Sally...friends and family! Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

Too Busy? Too Bright?

I put the bold and bright comforter on the back of my sofa. (I spent less than $6 on it last week at the thrift store. See post HERE )

And then I put all the necessary things back in place. I sit in the center and put my computer on my lap when I blog. This is our lanai...or Florida room and it's bright and cheery. What do you think? Too bright and cheery? heehee!

Something to be thankful for today is this sweet young lady who is a new vendor at the Farmer's Market. 

(taken with my phone, sorry about the shadows)

I've been using the Mint Julep soap all week and I love it! So fresh and nice! The lemon bar is wonderful too! So sweet and fragrant!

Isn't it cute the way she packages everything?

And 2 of the presents I got for Mother's day are blog inspired!

(the item at the bottom of the pic is something to color)

Helen Phillips is one of my best blog buddies and wrote Pretty Patchwork Gifts! Her blog is HERE. She designs and makes the most beautiful quilts and softies. All the pretty colors that I love! I'm so pleased to get one of her books!

Our sweet Stephanie mentioned these journals on her blog HERE and I found the Gratitude journal on sale at Amazon so it went in my wish list. Hubby was sweet to shop on my wish list this year. Thanks honey!

Lots to be thankful for this week! How about you?

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.

I went to the Thrift store but…

I only bought ONE thing! It was all I could carry!

How do you like this mirror leaned on top of the bookcase in my bedroom?

It has a hanger on the back but felt WAY too heavy to try to hang. It appears to be wooden but it’s HEAVY, about 40 inches tall by 16 inches wide!

(Trying to get artsy with a photo of the top part of the frame. I like it’s simple lines!)

It was at the Hospice Thrift store.

(with MY name on it, so to speak)

Perfect for my bedroom.

I wanted to put things in front of it ‘just for show’ but I was too anxious to get all of my jewelry back on top to see how everything would fit.

And yes, I love seashells and turquoise!

What a bargain, too. I bought the book case at Target for $20 or so and the mirror for $10.

That’s pretty thrifty, don’t you think?

Hope you find something beautiful this week, too!

(watercolors are the Waterlogue app for IPADS)

I’m linking with All Things Bright and Beautiful,

HERE! Thanks Kathryn!

I’m proud of myself!

I needed something, so I made it!

I’ve been using fingertip towels in my bathroom and they are the perfect size.

But all I had were holiday towels and this lavender towel in the size I needed.

When I went to the department store to get some more new fingertips, I found out they were $14.99. They cost more than a regular hand towel.

Then I remembered I had some pieces of a white towel that I had cut up to make a beach bag and I made fingertip towels.

I have a little ledge next to my sink and that’s really all I need there.

I had the trim from other projects so I made 2 and have enough terry to make one more.

I’m in business now and happy with the money I saved.

That’s thrifty living and only took me all afternoon to accomplish! lol

Doesn’t it make you feel proud when you save money?

My Thrift Store SPLURGE!

I fell in love with a box…

yes, you heard me right!

I fell in LOVE with this box!

And I considered it a splurge because I paid $9 for it!

(But a few days later, I felt a lot better about my purchase when I saw a wooden box for $69 at a store that starts with a K and rhymes with holes.)

I also found this beautiful art that was custom framed ($1.75…which I considered a DEAL!!!) at the same thrift store, Hospice Thrift.

When I find something I love, I don’t think very long about buying it when I know the money is going to a good cause….and I’m in love! heehee!

I wasn’t sure where to display the box and the hinges are rusty, so I made a 'base’ to set it on.

 

I’m joining Coastal Charm for

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday,

Brenda at the Cozy Little House

for Tweak it Tuesday and

Make it Pretty Monday 

and The Home Coming DIY’ers

 Amaze me Monday 

and Inspire me Tuesday!

And for those that love antiques...

there was a bonus!

The original KEY was inside the box!

Doesn’t that make it even more special?

Step right in….let’s SHOP!

I’m always bragging on my favorite thrift store, Hospice Thrift Store in Jasmine Plaza.

And I’m usually too interested in shopping to take photos!

But today, I shopped, took my purchases to the car and went back in for a photo shoot.

The ladies are always so sweet and helpful and the shoppers are friendly and nice!

(I shop there so much that I know most of them!)

The clothes are in such great shape and you can’t beat the prices.

And don’t you love the dressing rooms with custom art?

Everything is displayed beautifully.

And they price the furniture to SELL! This china cabinet had a tag, $135 and a BIG SOLD tag, too!

Of course you may remember I’ve bought furniture there, too.

I bought the Entertainment center that our TV is in, then went to the furniture store and bought matching bookcases!

The ladies were busy working but they let me sneak in the back for a couple of photos.

I won’t try to put names to everyone…

just this one! Carol Ann and Me!

I’m joining Thrifty Things Friday!

Also Katherine’s Corner,

Ivy and Elephants,

and Jann for Share Your Cup !

So what did I buy?

 

Great stuff of course!

(yes, that’s a Caribbean Joe blouse for $1!)

A Little Florida Camo?

You just never know what you’ll see

in the “WILDS” of Florida!

Maybe an elephant dreaming of swimming in the cool turquoise water!

But maybe he’ll be content to play in the lanai on these hot days.

After all…our lanai has air conditioning!

Don’t you love his tail?

And look at that FACE!

I had fun making ‘Ele’ and used a pattern I found on the website HERE.

I’m joining Thrifty Things Friday!

(I used fabric in my ‘stash’!)

Also Katherine’s Corner,

Jeannie Marie’s ,

Ivy and Elephants

and Jann for Share Your Cup !

Have you made anything fun this week?