Thank You

I want to thank those who took the time to write to me after my last parenting post with words of encouragement and empathy. It is very hard to put yourself out there, to admit that you don't always have it together (much as you might like), but hearing from you and knowing I'm not alone helps.
Pouring your life into parenting to the degree that Jay and I have, and not having any guarantee that you will get the results that you hoped for is heart wrenching. To send him to college and hope he keeps it together is also very difficult. My prayer is that God will work in his heart in a strong way and he will make wise decisions.
I had a great conversation with my sister in law. She reminded me that our energy was not wasted, even if he continues to make mistakes. Ultimately, we taught him everything we knew to teach, and he will remember. It was just the thing I needed to hear.
I used to laugh at the phrase, "Parenting is not for wimps." Now I just nod and agree...'

On a lighter note, I do still wear clothes every day. (Which comes in handy when you spend a LOT of time talking to your kids about making wise decisions. :)

Tank: Target Micro Rib (I have this in 8 colors)
Skirt: Paperbag Waist, Thrifted (similar here)
Shoes: AE Flip Flops, TJ Maxx (similar here, here, & comfy here)
Watch: J Crew Timex Vintage Field, Band here
Bracelet: J Crew Leather Wrap (similar here)
Necklace: Thrifted (similar here, really cool here)

Oh, and running. Running helps too. :)

Thrifting Thursday (Home Edition)

Hooray for having Thrifting Thursday ACTUALLY on a Thursday this week! Even for you East Coasters, I am two hours under the radar!
This week, I am featuring my guest room for Thrifted Thursday. I have been working on this basement room since we moved in, and believe me it has been a mess!  This room was previously a storage room, with black and white tile floor. When we looked at the house online, we asked the homeowners if we could re-carpet the entire downstairs area to make it more useable. This room does not have a door, just a doorway. So I put up a tension rod and heavy black out curtains. Everyone who has stayed here loves it down there. It is cooler than the rest of the house, and since there are no windows, and I put up black out curtains, it is very dark. My friend John called it the "Cave". He wanted to move in! ;)
I had most of the components, but I was really lacking a dresser for storage.  I wanted something I could paint a vibrant color, so I started thrifting for one. I hit a few stores, over the course of a few weeks before finding this:

In great shape, but needs a little love.

I found all but the yellow in the mis-tint basket for $1.00.
How could I decide from these beautiful colors?

I removed all the hardware and sprayed it matte black.

I then spray primed the drawers and dresser.

Then brushed on the yellow.

I decided to go with the yellow because I really wanted to paint a desk or dresser this color, after pinning this.

I found this really cool painting at a thrift store in Virginia for about $1.
 But it was in a cheap frame, so I took it to Hobby Lobby for a new one.

These little birdies were at the antique store,
just waiting for me to come by. It was about $8 for all 4.

I scored the bed on Craigslist back home,
intending to use for Madison, but it was too big for her room.

A work in progress.

And here is the final result. Almost entirely thrifted.

This picture is taken from the doorway. You can just see the curtain in the side of the picture.
Bed: Craigslist
Sheets: Kohls
Duvet: Anthropologie (sale room floor!)
Throw pillows: Anthropologie
Quilt: Thrifted

Lights: Yard Sale, $1 per
Side Tables: Thrifted for $70
Settee: Jay's grandmother had it when HE was little!

My bff likes a body pillow, so the grey pillow in the back is for her.
It just has a Target velour cover on it.

Dresser: Thrifted at Habitat for Humanity
Lamp: Antique store in North Carolina
Vintage Fashion Painting: Thrifted at Goodwill (my kids would not let me walk out of the store w/out it!)
Tall Urn: Gift from Heather

Jay got me that lamp while he was traveling. My uncle re-wired it for me. It was a duct-tape job previously.
This is the painting from above re-framed. A standard white frame with a white mat heavy-weighted.
Really makes the colors in the painting pop.

Vintage Mason Jars: Thrifted at a Disabled American Veterans store (my fav)
Chair: Thrifted in Virginia

Table: File Cabinet
Bookshelf: Antique store

We have already had several children visit.
So I stocked up on basic toddler toys at Wal-Mart.

Thrifted pot.

My books from when I was younger.
I LOVE stacking things on books. I do it all over the house.

Well, there is your Thrifted Thursday. I hope something you saw gave you some new ideas!  I love this room so much that if there were a second bathroom in the basement, I would move down there!

Thrifting Thursday- Thrifted This Week PLUS Hints & Tips

When I talk to people about thrifting, the biggest obstacle I encounter for why people don't like to thrift is cleanliness. (Followed by, "I never find anything.") I understand that. I am funny about cleanliness too.  I happen to be one of those freaks who actually enjoys laundry, so having to clean a clothing item is enjoyable to me.  However, I am the worlds worst for remembering to take things to the dry cleaners.  Luckily, there is a dry cleaner in the same shopping center as my husbands office, so he takes things for me.
While we were in Denver, I thrifted this beautiful dress for $5.

Cold climate dress (clipped to polyvore.com)
Jay had it dry cleaned for me when we got back, so I got a dress for about $14. I don't always spend money on dry cleaning. In fact, I dry clean only a few things from my closet.  Even things that say, "dry clean only". See here:

Source: someecards.com via Debra on Pinterest

Fairly true in my case. Depends on how much I love it.
Most of the time, I check the fabric content, and figure out how to wash it in my washing machine.  I always decide if I am willing to take the risk on damaging it.  Next case in point, thrifted this week:

Moth Sweater Dress

Velvet Touch Sweater Dress

Generic Sweater Dress

Eva Franco Fluttering Pencil Skirt

Vintage original Lacoste/Izod sweater for Zach

The skirt and one of the dresses was dry clean only. I checked the content, and washed them on the handwash setting in my washer on cold. Then hung to dry.
Pretty much any thing can be cleaned. If it can't be. I don't buy it- in any department.
And because I am a little obsessive, I keep these in my car:

I use the wipes if I buy something I want to clean right away,
and I use the sanitizer every time I get back in the car.

If I buy something hard, I usually put it in the dishwasher to sanitize. If it is fabric, I use the washing machine. If it is upholstered, I either clean the entire thing myself with upholstery cleaner, or call a service person to clean it. Such as my awesome blue velevet sofa:

What is the best thing you ever thrifted? Do you have any tips for cleaning unusual items?

Cold Snap

I hear my East Coast peeps are getting a cold snap this weekend- including snow for some of you, so I thought I would share some wool plaid to warm you up.
I put together this simple look for church on a chilly Sunday. It was comfy and I loved the way it turned out. I think I might pair this skirt with a button down again soon.
Here in Kansas is it very seasonal. Chilly mornings, and mild fall temps mid-day. I am really enjoying it.  I know the cold is coming soon, though!

Shirt: J Crew, thrifted
Skirt: Anthro Easy Keeper Skirt
Shoes: Giani Bini, Thrifted
Belt: Thrifted
Watch: J Crew

 What is the weather like where you are?  I am curious about the West Coast, too. I hear Indian Summer?

"You Never Know What You're Gonna Get"

So I have been working on a thrifting series. I have taken some time to really think through my "method".  One of the things I love the most about thrifting is that you really don't ever know what you are going to find. As I will highlight in the series, you may walk into a thrift store, and spend an hour and come out with nothing, and other times you will come out with armfuls. This sweater is a perfect example. My friend Freda was here last month, and she loves to thrift as much as I do. So I took her to a really yummy place to eat downtown, and we hit the thrift store on the corner.  I scanned through the entire store, but really didn't see anything and was ready to leave. Freda was still looking, so I thought, "I'll just flip through these sweaters really quick." (It was 100* outside!)  All of a sudden, this little beauty jumped out at me.  Freda was a few aisles over from me, so I did the whisper scream, "FREDA! This is ANTHRO brand!!!"  She was excited for me, but she really doesn't get it. (It's okay, Freda- I still love you.)
So $6.99 for a Lia Molly? I will take that.

Sweater: Lia Molly Colette Cardigan
Shirt: Anthropologie Finessed Turtleneck
Jeans: F21 skinnies
Shoes: Nine West Janetta Flat

Here is another styling of this sweater in a different colorway.
It is really getting cooler here, and I am enjoying the chance to wear my sweaters. What is the weather like near you?
What is your best thrifted item?

On To The Fun Stuff.....

I never can stay sad for long.  I have too much joy in my heart, and love life.
I am kicking it up a notch in the photo taking department. Just for you, my lovely fans.
Oh, and I am moving around the house, so  you don't have to try too hard to see the background of my pictures. As requested. (See? I listen. Sometimes.)
Wednesday OOTD:

T-Shirt: J Crewlet
Sweater: J Crew NYC trip
Pants: Coldwater Creek Zipper Ankle
Shoes: Banana Republic (thrifted)
Earrings: Touchstone Crystal

Well.... At least I made myself laugh. Hard.
Thursday OOTD:

Shirt: Mossimo Striped Chambray, Target
Skirt: American Eagle, Dotted Swiss A-line, Thrifted
Belt: Thrifted
Shoes: Schuler & Sons Within the Lines, Anthropologie
Earring: Anthropologie Pearl Chandelier

New lipstick (thank you very much, Kara): Tarte Lipstain in Fiery

Oh, and Kara asked about my belts.  They are ABSOLUTELY the easiest thing to thrift. I almost always find at least one belt I like in every thrift store I stop at.  Leather belts can be a very expensive addition to your wardrobe, and I do buy good belts new from time to time, but the majority come from the thrift store.  In fact, when I went thrifting with Allie last week, I found 4 great belts at ONE thrift store!
And Heidi was asking about my house.  I love vintage housewares as much as I love vintage clothing/shoes/jewelry.  The round table you usually see in the background, along with the glass case that you can see behind me in some of these were given to me by my father in law- for helping him clean out his mother's home, when she went to a nursing home.  The blue velvet tufted back sofa is the thrift find of the century. In MINT condition, and only $50 bucks.  I had it cleaned professionally (but it was clean to start with), and it still totaled to under $75. The mirror leaning on the wall on top of the glass case, along with the three amber glass canisters were thrifted. The blue Tiffany lamp was from a German town in Iowa.  The pillows are all Anthro (gift cards from my Bible Study group for Christmas two years ago).  My favorite thing to hang on the walls is plates and platters, so that is what is hanging behind me. I don't like anything matching, so everything is very random.
Do you want to see more?  Have questions?  Also, I have about half of my house packed, so things are going to be rather bare until we start getting settled in our new home.

Dog: Scottie, Samson (real, not a prop)

MAXImum Effort

Today I sported another maxi dress, scored at the same time as the skirt I wore last week. A few weeks ago, I popped in Forever 21, which I affectionately refer to as: Foreverwishiwere21. I get a little paranoid when I go in there, because I just KNOW if I get carded, they will throw me out. I am WAY over the legal limit in that place.  Also, I break out in hives just walking by the miniskirts, and almost never wear my hair in a side pony tail (well, sometimes for Jay, but. well. um. So, yeah.)  But I had to go to make a return at the mall, and look at something in The Loft for my cousin (no, really!), so I parked at F21. I hit the motherload of deals there. I tried on 5 things and came home with 4 of them! That NEVER happens to me.  3 of the things I picked up were marked down, and when I got to the register, they were on further markdown.  The skirt I wore last week here was $8.99 on the tag, but $5.99 at the register.  The dress from today was $10.99 on the tag, but $8.99 at the register.  I was afraid to stand there too long, in case they snatched it back from me and hid it in the back!

Dress: F21 Maxi
Tank: American Eagle
Jacket: Gap, thrifted
Shoes: Anthropologie Schuler & Sons Summer Warrior Sandals
Necklace: Thrifted

Sportin' my new bag.
Anthro Petal Pouf by Deux Lux

I came home and took off the jacket, and put on a cardigan, just LIKE Mr. Rogers. Switched to flip flops and got busy packing and sorting again.  Things are coming along slowly but surely.

Now I am snuggling with my little man, who came home from school early with a slight fever.  Poor buddy. And I am wearing my most favorite loungers EVER.

Lilka Dreams of Springs Loungers