Around the House: The New Old Desk

That right there friends is my most recent roadside score. Apparently my neighbors had a garage sale a few weeks back and this desk didn't sale. It was then put to the curb in hopes that someone would provide a new home. Hello desk. Wanna come home with me? Uh-huh.

Right here is when I came to understand why no one had purchased this dreamy desk of awesomeness. Heavy. Back pulling, hernia inducing, heavy. Oh my mercy. All I could grab on my own were the drawers. Then the hubs and I had to take the guts and the top off in order to get it into my studio. Was it worth it? Hellz yes! This baby is a sewer's delight.

After wiping down every inch of the desk, I sanded the varnish off and stained the wood with an ebony stain that we had in the garage. (I couldn't stand the orange-y hue of the original stain. Yuckers.) Once the stain was dry, we put the top back on and bolted her down tight. We had to recruit some help (thanks sister and BIL) for getting the guts back in. You must be asking... "guts?" "What the heck is she talking about?" Only the absolute best part of this desk. The door on the lefthand side opens to reveal another "desk" that pulls out and pops up. Perfect for a serger. I KNOW! Sewers' dream. I die. I think it was originally intended for a 10 key or something. Not anymore baby.

After cleaning out the drawers, I lined all of them with some old wallpaper that I scored a long time ago at a thrift store. And then I replaced all the pulls, which was crazy difficult because 4" centered pulls are not the easiest thing to find. Especially if you want the pulls to actually look good. I finally found these amazing bronze beauties on myknobs.com. 

You guys, this desk is a total game changer. I can sew, serge and work on my computer, all with the swivel of my chair. Whaaaaat? Did someone say, "heaven." Amen sistah. In the end, my new old desk ended up costing my $31.00. It is by far the best thing I have ever scored in bulk trash. I love it so much it's kinda sick. Sometimes I go up to my studio to just sit at my desk and look around. All the natural light, white and tree top views makes my heart go pitter-patter. I want to sew all the time now. Praising God for the little ways He blesses us.

I hope your Mother's Days were amazing. Just like each of you. Happy Monday. xo

Good Friends, Good Finds

I got an email from my bestie the other day with a link and a quick little note saying, "I just read about this store, thought of you. xxc" Simple. And yet so special... My girls know me. They know my love languages. And they know when I need something as simple as a quick email that will assuredly deliver a smile to my face and heart. An email. A text. A goody bag. A cup of coffee. A hug. Prayer. How good is that? 

My home girl was right too... the shop she sent me, I love. Atomic Garden has so many cute things and something for everyone. I mean, wooden swords, original tree swings and slingshots? My boys would die. D.I.E. And then there's the cute kitchen and craft items as well as goodies for the bod, like hair powder (because how many of us have time to wash and dry our mops on a daily basis?) that is said to, "give volume to your tired tresses." Yes please. They have no idea how tired my tresses and the rest of me truly are these days. ha ha ha

I can't even begin to tell you how badly those gold scissors want to be in my craft room. Hello good-lookin'! 

How do your friends turn your frowns upside down? xo

Fab Finds Friday

Nothing major on this happiest of Fridays. Just thought I'd share a few local finds that made me drool. Klyde Warren Park recently opened downtown and I can not say enough great things about it. With a special park for the littles, games, books and yarn bombed trees, it may very well be my new happy place!

The girls behind #targetdoesitagain have convinced me to shop all the departments at Target. I found my new favorite leopard shirt in the plus-size section. This bad boy is going to be in heavy rotation for sure!

I found a one gloved wonder passed out cold on the couch... (he loves that glove and wears it everywhere - Michael Jackson would be proud!)

I found a happy little accident when letting my little spray paint with me outside. He wanted to paint the leaves gold and WOW am I glad he did... Hello amazing Fall inspiration! Cranberry and gold - I die.

Hey, guess what happens when you brag to the world about getting that extra hour of sleep last weekend? Your littles wake up at 6:00, 5:30 and 2:30 am throughout the next week. Awesome-sauce. Oh well, at least they love one another and are playing together well. Isn't that what room sharing is all about? Fostering a lifetime friendship?! (And yes, I am praising God for coffee beans this week.)

Happy weekend to all and to all an uninterrupted night of sleep that lasts for at least 7 hours straight! 

Anyone else find anything unexpected and awesome this week? xo

Fab Finds Friday: Target Does It Again

Recently I told you guys about my little love affair with Instagram; well the other day I found #targetdoesitagain through this new timesuck of mine. Seriously, I don't know how they do it but Target just keeps getting better. Not only are they doing amazing lines with guest designers, but now they're hooking up with two amazing bloggers (deep in the hart and ascot friday) for their take on Target's loot. These gals have a gift for putting pieces together; it's a little rock-n-roll, very wearable and a lot thrifty.

 And yeah, they're getting both their littles and their hubs in on the act. Ahhh...family. I love it.

How about you? Have you found anything insanely awesome at Target or on the web lately? Here's to the weekend and lots of found moments with your family. xo

Fabulous Finds Friday: Yellow Edition

I'm so excited to finally be able to share with you guys the little bits if treasures I was able to pick up while on our Summer jaunt through North Texas! It just so happens that everything I purchased was yellow -ish. The above fabric was picked up at a thrift store for $2.99. I got a little over 4 yards, with the original tags still attached! I originally thought I would use this fabric to make a curtain for our pantry door opening - like so...

kitchen via the telegraph

This was the hubs response...

homer via mirror

I mean what? Really? I can't believe he doesn't like it. It may still show up. I kind of love it. Sorry babe.

These beauties were found at a local thrift store for $2.99 each, while staying with my MIL. I love the yellow hardware. The pillowcase was 99 cents and couldn't be left behind. It's soo soft.

This last little guy is my absolute favorite and the picture just doesn't do him justice. He will be hung alone on a white wall for full dramatic effect! ha ha ha. Besides, he pretty much sums up how I roll; every time I look at him I think of Alice in Wonderland... "I'm late. I'm late. I'm late, for a very important date..." My big calls us, "the late Fishes."So this little white rabbit just may have to become our family mascot. (He was $2.99 as well. What up? That must be a favorite price among thrift stores.)

PS - he looks way more scary above than he does in real life. Promise. How about you? Find any thrifted goodness lately? I didn't want to have to out my girlfriends, but Julia, Lisa and Nicole... I follow your blogs and I know you have some stuff to share. Really good stuff. Just sayin'. I'm sure there are many of you that aren't allowing me to share the thrill of your finds with you, but for now I'm just outing some friends. ha ha ha - Have a wicked, awesome weekend. xo

Fabulous Finds Friday - Giddy Edition

Oh homies... It's been too long! It feels good to be back amongst the land of the connected. But I must say, living "disconnected" for a bit had its perks too.  You guys ready for some fab finds? My sweet cousin Mandy sent me some of her scores a few weeks back before the internet got swept out from under my feet. Mandy is the most supportive, loving, genuine and precious cousin in the world (and I married into the relationship - lucky me). With just a few bucks she brought home some seriously cute fridge decor, awesome cut glass pieces and a brass trunk that makes me drool.

 (ps - the cutie on the right with the dimples is my SIL - stunning huh?)

Awesome sauce right? While I'm here I thought I'd show you some of my finds since moving into the new house...

 yes, dallas is officially on the joe map! woot woot

 most awesome wall hanging housewarming gift ever - thank you MIL!

 ahhh...Ikea. you've done it again. rug in the playroom being broken in.

the mother of all front yard 50's planter box motes dug by my precious boys one drizzly afternoon.

There you have it. Some wicked awesome finds that didn't break the bank and a few sneak peaks of the hizzle. More to come. Happy weekend! I'm off to kidnap a Baylor Bear for the weekend. xo

Fabulous Finds Friday: A Week's Worth of Loot

You guys this series is gonna get real boring if I'm the only one sharing fab finds. Are you trying to subtly tell me that you prefer my weekly challenges? If so, lemme know. I can accomodate. I'm easy like Sunday mornin'. But since I did score some amazing things this week, I thought I'd go ahead and share. I went to an estate sale down the street from my bestie's and boom - scored major. I spent all of two dollars and got 7 postcards to create my own version of this, 8 coasters that might need a little dressing up and a McCoy vase for the MIL.

But no matter how good the deal, gifted fab finds are the best! Yes they're free, but the best part about them is that you know someone was thinking of you. That makes my heart warm. I have two of the very best MILs in all the world. Here's what they gave me this week...

Gold bangles, gold and green ring, lace clutch and and in yo' face red ring. I also got a rockin' set of earrings that I'll have to share later, couldn't get a good pic of them while wearing. They know me don't they?  I'm addicted to accessories and they are very well aware of my many weaknesses.

My last and probably most fave find of the week is a blog. I don't know why I haven't stumbled across it before, but it's lovely. Rarely do I read a blog that makes me smile (each and every 20 pages I've viewed thus far) and feel just overcome with joy. As I read Andrew+Carissa and looked at their images (both artists with amazing talent that share their gifts with Kinfolk mag and others) I can't explain what happened. My mood was elevated, I got all happy weepy at times and pride swelled within me as I thought of my motherhood journey. When my littles came in from playing with their PapaDude, I just ate them up with kisses and hugs - so happy that God chose me to be their mom. I have zero idea how one blog accomplishes all that, but Andrew+Carissa did. I am smitten and insanely inspired.

How about you? Is there a blog out there that moves you? Happy Weekend homies. Make it a joyful one. xo

Fabulous Finds Friday: Light/Rock

It's Friday. Let me say it again so that it really sinks in... IT'S FRIDAY!  Woot woot. As of tomorrow, me and mine will find our way back to Big D. Stoked is an understatement. But enough of that, let's get onto the loot... the fabulous finds.

My sweet friend Shon of The Sunflower Mama sent me some pics of an 80's brass chandelier that she turned into this century's gold...

Eeegatz... I see those brass numbers on craigslist all the time and I was thinking of doing the same thing! Great minds things alike. I love it. Well done Shon! Can't wait to see that baby hangin' in your casa. Send us a pic so we can all relish in the beauty. Ok? 

My MIL, who is always hunting the thrift stores, scored a huge box of K'Nex. She scored it for $3.00. But that's not the cool bit... see that rock? Well, my youngest pulled it out of the big blue box and upon further inspection... I noticed that it had some writing on it . I thought it was someone's name but it was actually scripture. Here's where it gets crazy cool... The verse is Joshua 1:9. That is my oldest's life verse. For realz. Be strong and courageous, do not be terrified for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9. Crazy right?  That we would find that rock is no coincidence. I love it.

How's that for ending the week on a positive note? ha ha ha. One super awesome brassy make-over and one well placed and timely rock. Fabulous Finds indeed. Happiest of weekends homies. xo

You know that feeling you get when you score that fab find for a steal? You want to squeal with delight. You want to hide it so that no one else will wrestle you to the ground for the goodness. I know that feeling. It's awesome sauce. Send me your pics and let me squeal in delight with you.