Clock to Cloche: Before & After

Maybe it started with Beauty and the Beast (which happens to be my favorite disney princess movie), but I am really drawn to glass cloches. Hmm, come to think of it I also love libraries, french design, and tall, hairy men. Haha, kidding about the hair, but tall guys are definitely hott :)

                                                               1920s French Glass Cloches

I saw these these cloches at Restoration Hardware and had an idea. After a little searching here's what I found at goodwill for $2.99.                                          

Not cute. The saleslady reminded me that there was no guarantee the clock was working, and it could not be returned. Little did she know this tweety was about to be ransacked and completely put out of commission after I was done with it.

I painted the base with a left over can of white spray paint and cleaned up the glass. I am not completely sold on the white base w/my black and white wedding cake topper but so far I love the overall look.

And here it is on top of my kitchen cabinets.

I'm loving it!

It's football season!

Yesterday we were at the event to be at; the inaugural football game for University of Texas, San Antonio. And although I am not a roadrunner, I did support my husband's school by cheering on the team and celebrating as they made history. There may also be some footage of me throwing roadrunner signs, haha, but what can I say, it was a good time to be had.....well, once we made it inside the alamodome and escaped the 100 deg weather. Yikes. And yes I kind of had a meltdown (lol). But it was all good once we made it in the stadium.

gathering to welcome the football players

 Oh yeah, and we, err UTSA, had a record breaking opening game ticket sale. The previous inaugural game attendance record was 49,212. For Saturday's game there were 56,743 people who showed up to the game! It was insane!

We had front row seats in the student section right behind the goal post. Fun during the game. Not so much afterwards when the crowd decided to rush the field. Yeah, talk about crazy. 

Winners!! UTSA dominated Northeastern State 31-3.....in case you were wondering :)

vacay sway *

We finally got to take a much needed get away during our week long break between the end of summer school and the start of the fall semester. We rented a beach house down in Sargent, TX, just passed Bay City. It was amazing. No, the water is not the bluest, and it didn't have white sand but it was almost perfect. We woke up every morning to beach breezes, the smell of salt water, and beautiful sunrises with no one around but us and the puppies. We only saw a few people on the beach during our stay but the rest of the time it was our own private oasis. We never even leashed the dogs. They got to run up and down the beach completely free.

We woke up just after 6am every morning and Lucas spent his days wade fishing in the surf while I actually got to read through 3 books while laying out on the beach. It ended too soon but we are so glad we got the opportunity to relax and recharge before we get back to our busy school schedule.

 So peaceful.

 Lucas was completely in his element.

Yup, that tiny little guy went swimming right along with Lucy. He's only 3 lbs but he is all dog.  

Loving every minute of it ☺

* In case you aren't familiar with the term, this vid's for you  ↓

Extreme Frugaling San Antonio Edition

So in the spirit of saving, I decided to post some of my favorite recent finds on Craigslist for any San Antonians (or surrounding area ppl) who are looking for a deal. Geometric king headboard- $20! It totally reminds me of the West Elm window headboard which retails at $299.00 for a King. It just needs a fresh coat of paint and a gorgeous duvet. Are you seeing it now? Next is this wingback sofa for $40!! I know the picture isn't great but I can only imagine the potential! And just for anyone interested, I already texted the seller and he said it is about 7 ft long and very sturdy. Unfortunately for me it is too long as I was hoping for a loveseat sized sofa for my office :( Bummer. Although, I am still debtating about getting it to have reupholstered for my living room but we are already have living room sofas and I don't think Lucas will go for me just keeping it in the garage for a future  house :( Okay here's how I see this sofa after being reupholstered. img source Swoon. Is it wrong to hoard furniture? I am now thinking I am in love w/this couch! Anyone know how much it would cost to upholster a piece like this? White armoire $50   Again, not the greatest pictures, but how adorable is this armoire w/the little feet? And it looks like it could hold a small TV or you could remove the shelf and put in a bar to hang clothes in a children's room. I could see this in a little girl's room crammed full of princess dresses.  So there you have it. Hope you are inspired to look at the potential in second hand pieces. Now go forth and be frugal!

Thriftaholic for Life!

I have to share my amazing finds this week from Goodwill. Usually I stop by goodwill several times a week during my lunch break at work. It's close, convenient, and I am addicted to thrifting so what more can I say?

Here's how my last visit went. I was making a beeline for the furniture section and passing the clothing area on my left when I saw a pair of shorts sticking out like someone had tried to jam the hanger back on the rack but didn't quite accomplish that. They were adorable, fit like a dream, and I'm pretty sure I heard birds singing in the background...........Okay here's what really happened. They were a perfect fit, buuutttt, they wouldn't quite button up. But after some wheezing, gasping, and gut sucking in, I got them to close! And THEN they fit like a dream :) But here's the thing, the longer I wear them the more comfortable they get, so I think they just needed to be broken in a little. And to be honest the only reason they were a little snug is because the shorts are low-waisted so they sit on my hips vs my waist. But let's be honest, how many of you guys have to do some serious breathing techniques to get your jeans on? I can't be the only one :)



Okay but this post is not about miracle jean shorts that fit better the longer I wear them :)  This is about finding uhhh-mazing deals that will blow your mind. Here's a breakdown of what I purchased at Goodwill:

• miracle jean shorts
• decorative shoe box (w/the metal label holder)
• 2 framed and matted prints

How cute are these? Found them for my best friend's nursery.

Now first of all, Goodwill does not label prices on most clothing because there is a huge sign hanging from the ceiling that lists the prices. In this case, shorts, skirts and bottoms are priced at $2.99. The decorate shoe box had a price sticker of 49¢ and the 2 framed pictures were unmarked. Ughh. I know nice framed pictures can go for about $4-5 each and these were brand new with remnants from the original store price sticker on the glass. From experience I know Goodwill tends to price brand new merchandise closer towards retail cost. But...here's where it pays to be friendly to the Goodwill employees. José, who has rang up my purchases ony my last few visits, was at the counter when I got there. Thank goodness! I don't know what kind of senior discount, blue-tag special he was running but he glances at the pictures and says, “How about 49¢?” This is where I start stammering, flinging my money at him and trying to grab my goods before the Goodwill police realize I am practically stealing from them and have me thrown in Goodwill prison.

So yes, I know you may not believe it, (I have checked my receipt countless times) but somehow I walked out of that store paying a grand total of $2.13!! That's right, I paid 49¢ for each item. And that, my friends, is why I am addicted to thrifting. ☺

Craigslist Economics

One month later and I am back! Sorry for the hiatus. I really need to buckle down and post more regularly like Bethany at My Life in Words :)  So here's what I've been doing the past month: enjoying my summer break, going back to school for a 4-week summer class (currently in session), and enjoying the new HGTV shows, Home by Novagratz, and Season 6 of Design Star!! (If you haven't started watching it.....START!) Oh yeah, and wheelin' and dealin' on Craigslist :)

So this is the headboard I purchased 2 years ago from Craigslist, of course.

I liked the shape and style of it but as the room started coming together I decided I wanted a more substantial bed or a taller headboard. Two days after finalizing this decision, the headboard was posted on Craigslist and a few days later it was sold to the sweetest girl who was ecstatic to purchase it :) Then I spent another month debating about whether to buy another bed I found on Craigslist. After throwing out a few offers and checking the posting nearly every day I finally bought this king size bed frame. (Pics are from seller's craigslist posting).

Okay so before you start forming opinions, know that the rounded headboard is no more. It is gone, 

annihilated, destroyed. I just wasn't feeling it and thankfully neither was Lucas.

I either want to frame out a taller, more sculptural headboard, or leave it as a four poster platform and hang a sunburst mirror at the head of the bed.

I do not have any after pictures yet because the bed is waiting to be sanded, primed, and painted with a color I have yet to choose. So feel free to leave comments. Any suggestions are appreciated! I actually want to paint it a pale greenish-blue hue but for some reason Lucas isn't inspired at all my inspiration picture. He can't stop focusing on the national geographic looking pictures. sigh.

design by Martyn Lawrence-Bullard



So that is my current project. Oh and here is a breakdown of cost:

Old headboard (purchased 2 years ago): $60
Old headboard sold on Craiglist: $70    → Buy low sell high! :)  I recognized a good value when I bought the headboard, and even though I planned on keeping it, I knew if I needed to sell it I could definitely make my money back. 

New bed: Originally listed for $165, purchased for $120   → Don't be afraid to make an offer! ESPECIALLY when the listing says o.b.o.

So actually after selling my old heaboard I only paid $50 out of pocket for my new bed! Love a good deal like that. I'll be posting more about the status of my bed as I work on getting it beautiful for the bedroom :)

Pottery Barn vs Goodwill

It is hot, hot, HOT over here in Texas. This weather calls for sipping some ice cold lemonade or sweet tea from what better than a mason jar! I love these jars from Pottery Barn. They are so classic and at $24 for 6 not too badly priced. But..........then I found these great mason jar glasses at Goodwill for 49¢ each! I only found 4 but I am keeping a lookout for more to add to my collection. And just to compare, the only difference I can see between these glasses is the image on the front: PB has a rooster on the front while my glasses have a cornucopia. Other than that they have the exact same dimensions...I measured :)

my Goodwill steal

img by Pottery Barn

I Like Big Butts!

Haha, my mom is going to gasp when she sees this title. It's okay, Mom. It's just a little lyrical humor going on. But seriously, you are going to think I have really lost it. So it is no secret I am totally on board, over the edge, full-throttle in love with the whole faux taxidermy design thing. I love it! Case in point, my gorgeous deer "Carlos" who know resides over my televisión. Here he is the first day we met. It was love at first sight.

Now that I have my deer head, naturally I am looking to expand my horizons. Next on the agenda, a rhino head! Okay this next line will probably come as a shock to many of you, but it is times like this that make me want a young'un.....so I can decorate his room all boyish and stuff. And a rhino head would be just the thing for a little man's dwelling. But anywho, while having rhinos on the brain, I came across these images while visiting the blog Timmy the Wienerdog. The pictures are from the book, Survivors: A New Vision of Endangered Wildlife. I totally have to steal her idea (and I am borrowing her pics), but I think I will have to buy this book to tear out the pictures and frame them.

 It's a rhino butt!

How hilarious is that first image! And who doesn't love a little pink flamingo? I think these would be awesome in the main bathroom. Am I crazy for loving this rhino butt? I mean, it is a rhino butt!! Hilarious! I am already amazoning this as we speak! I am certain there have got to be even more fab pics in there. I am pretty sure you are all going to want to purchase this book to frame some of these pictures so here is the link where you can get it for $0.77 plus like $3.99 shipping. I mean you can't really beat that deal for multiple images you can frame, right? I think in some nice black frames with matting these can be fabulous. Please tell me if I have lost my mind :)

School's Out!

Spring semester is finally over! Last Wednesday I missed my first final. Yah! I was a complete no show! The thing is, I didn't even find out until Sunday afternoon when I checked my email and my wonderfully thoughtful teacher emailed me to make sure everything was okay. Somehow I had my dates wrong but thankfully my teacher said I could take the test on Tuesday with his other class. (Did I mention how great this teacher is?)
   So I am finally done, and I kicked butt! I have already started working out a little and I have a ton of projects I want to get started on this summer.

My first project is to get my hair trimmed, or layered, or maybe just start actually stylin' it! I know, I know...this probably means I will actually have to wake up more than 20 minutes before I have to leave the house, but I can see how it might be worth it :) Although I do love my sleep.

Ummmm, can anyone tell me how to get this look? Talk about gorgeous! I think I need to invest in a good curling iron.


As far as home projects, I am loving this starburst mirror!! Kristi from Addicted 2 Decorating created this gorgeous mirror from cheap wood shims. You can check out her blog here. Isn't it fantastic?

I am serious about recreating this look. I have been wanting to hang something above my bed and I think is perfect! Can't decide between the above look or the below, however.

Love this look so much! You can go see more pics at J and J Home. Love that this one is ginormous! It's 39" in diameter!

Alright, I think a trip to Home Depot is in order.....might have to look at paint colors for the bedroom too while I'm at it!

I Saw the Light

I was wandering the aisles at Goodwill when I noticed a large, green, wooden contraption. Okay, you're gonna have to stay with me on this one. I know it looks...well green, and dirty. And the top of it does resemble some sort of victorian torture device....but....I think it can be fabulous! And the price was right :)

       I would much rather show you the lamp looking better already with a good cleaning, but I am trying to keep things real :)

It's a wall-mount lamp! And I plan on making it beautiful. Nothing that a good cleaning, a coat of paint, and a modern shade can't fix.

I tested it to make sure it worked, and it does! Did you know that Goodwill has an electronic testing area? Yup, it took me a second to find it but then a nice man pointed it out to me. Word to the wise, though. Make sure that the light bulb is not right in your face when you plug in the cord. Yeah, apparently the switch was turned on already so I got a flash in my face. I guess you could say i saw the light ;)

Window Treatments

Finally put up curtains in the living room! I bought the curtain panels last year from Target for $5 each (gotta love 75% clearance sales!).  Saturday night about 10pm I kicked it in high gear, wipped out the drill, and attached my curtain rod and drapes while Lucas watched in awe. Okay, he might have mumbled something about me jumping into random projects on a whim, haha. I amaze him :)  Here's a few before and afters. Keep in mind the before picture is actually from about a year ago. But here's how the room has evolved since we moved in:


     Before:

                                            The room looks so different without carpet.
    After:                                                                   

                  Also notice how much more centered the couch looks on the window.

                              Loving how cozy it makes the room feel :)

I See You In a Different Light

I have a secret. I LOVE to thrift!!! Okay maybe that wasn't such a secret :)
Last Thursday, on my 30 minute lunch break from observing at the high school, I ran over to the Texas Thrift Store. Side note, I have to admit the first time I set foot in this place I thought it was disgusting, smelled funky, and it looked like a total junk pile! So anyone familiar with this place....yeah I know. But I have learned to love this store! And they have changed management so I think its a much nicer atmosphere.
But anyways. Thursday they were having a 50% sale on electrical stuff. And that's when I saw it.

                              (confession: I forgot to take a picture prior to installation)

It was marked $7.99 but with the discount I paid under $4 (tax included) for a light fixture! A LIGHT FIXTURE! I love the textured glass globe and the bronze finish. Love it! I replaced the light fixture above my kitchen sink with this baby. For those of you who don't remember, my previous fixture was an ugly, builder grade light that I hated the minute I walked in the house. Seriously. So while my husband took a nap with the pups, I learned how to remove an old light fixture and rewire a new old vintage light fixture without electrocuting myself. Hooray!
           

                                                 (can you see see its ugliness? It had to go!)

So i didn't exactly take pictures of the entire process but I did follow this handy dandy tutorial that helped me with nearly every step of the process:

I say nearly because on my new light fixture, the wires were both the same color, so I had to sort of "test" which wire went where. And voilà! No need for an electrician! **Prior to starting this process I turned off the switch things that keep the power on. Hmmm, my mind just blanked, but I think you guys know what I am refering to. Very important!!! Turn off the power before disconnecting wires!!!**

-And here is my beautiful pendant light after:

                              Yes! That is my deer head over the TV! Thanks for noticing :)                             

(This is from the same angle as the before picture.)

And it totally works!! Didn't even need to buy a new bulb. You can't beat that with a stick! Lucas still needs to get used to it. But I LOVE it!! And, while the pictures don't completely do it justice, having a pendant light in that spot totally makes my ceilings look even taller! Or maybe it's just me :)

Day 1: Create a Blog

     Done! Now lets hope I can actually try and update on a regular basis :) Stay tuned!