Simply Delightful

Even though I greeted my first day of summer break bright and early, I felt energized to make the most of this glorious day. Awesome to have a summer-like day ... love the blue sky and warm breezes. It would be nice to have several days in a row like this!
I decided to celebrate by doing something I normally can't do while working the school year ... garage-saling! I looked on Craigslist and narrowed my search down to just our area. With the price of gas so high you just can't drive all over town looking for a great deal. Fortunately, there were quite a few right near my neighborhood.
I stopped first in an upscale neighborhood and wondered if the items would be a little over-priced but to my surprise ... they had the best bargains of the day. Everything in this picture priced out at exactly twelve dollars ... what great "entertainment" for a reasonable price. I think the best deal of the day was the sweater on the right ... Banana Republic in like-new condition = $1.00! I even picked up a few Christmas ornaments in an estate sale free box. These make nice additions to my Christmas packages!
The second thing on my list was getting a pedicure and manicure. There is nothing as wonderful as being pampered. It seems like the last few weeks of school my schedule gets crazy and I just don't attend to things for myself. Today I tried my first shellac manicure. I read about it on Pioneer Woman's blog and she had positive reviews about it so I thought I would give it a try. The polish instantly dries without chips or smudges and is supposed to stay on for two weeks. I now feel ready for summer.
Here's to a lovely summer break ... I think I'll celebrate with a little nap : )
Hope you are enjoying relaxing moments this summer!

Thrifty Thursday

There has been a lot of chatter on the blogs I read about some fun finds at the Dollar Tree. I went in to pick up a few pieces to make this hurricane vase. You just have to glue one of the glass candlesticks and the vase together with glass glue and you have a great new addition to your fall decor. I found the colorful filler at Craft Warehouse and the candle was on sale at Pier 1 ... a wonderful spicy aroma!
The other item that has popped up quite often is the ceramic pumpkin ... yep, $1 and it matches the color scheme of our home so well.
I love a bargain and it's fun to see a touch of fall here ... there ... everywhere in our home! Even though it is in the 80's this week in NW Oregon, it's fun to put out our fall decor. I hope you have added a few great finds for fall in your home.

More Finds

Today I was scheduled to report for Jury duty in our county. I left nearly an hour before I was expected to sign in. I took the back roads, got lost due to road detours, went the wrong way down a one-way street : ( , and forgot to put the parking sign in my car before I left the parking garage. To top it off my shoes set off the security alarms. The least I can say is that I was stressed and a few minutes late. I am just not familiar with this part of the county and NEVER travel there! What a frustrating morning ...
After the orientation and spending another hour reading it was announced that we were all excused due to changes in the four trials scheduled for the day. I was happy ... it was nice to return to my summer break schedule and not have to worry about returning next week.

As I left, I decided to spend some time shopping, taking advantage of the opportunity to browse through a few stores in the area that I never get a chance to shop in. I went through Craft Warehouse and then over to the Cornell Goodwill. Wow! I hit the jackpot again this week ... just what I was looking for ... a Black & Decker rice/veggie steamer. Ours went out this spring after more than 10 years use and Matt let us use his -- a "loaner." The one I bought today is in new condition and I'm wondering if it was ever used. I also found two sweaters, one from Banana Republic, and more glassware. I love it when I find deals : )
Even though the day started out harried and stressful I returned home happy and content!

Good Goodwill-ing

While running errands this morning I thought I would stop in and check out Goodwill. It's been quite a while since I've dropped in and Thrifty Decor Chick always inspires me on her blog with her incredible finds.
The mornings there are much quieter than when I usually go so it was nice to leisurely look at everything. What great finds ... a Barbie camping chair for Calleigh, a beautiful dark red ceramic platter, a serving dish for crackers (October Cookie Day is coming up!), 2 pillows I have had my eye on @ Target (they are in brand-new condition) and a few pieces of glassware. I was tickled to discover these hidden treasures.
When I went to check out the clerk said I had a birthday discount I could use ... 25% off and when I told her my birth year she said I also qualified for another 10% because Wednesday is Senior Discount Day ... I know ... sad to say that I qualify BUT, I'll take it. I saved more than 8 bucks today on these great finds : ) Gotta love it!

Goodwilling

Every so often I like to stop by and check out Goodwill. I have discovered some amazing finds there. My inspiration is: http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/
"Sharing simple, inexpensive ways to decorate your home." She loves going to Goodwill, bringing things home, painting and altering ... giving a new look to the rooms in her home. I've taken notes and others in our area must be reading her blog too -- and buying things up before I get there.
Today my biggest find was buying this rubber boot planter. I picked it up and looked it over and moved on to other areas. Before checking out I went back and whew ... it was still there on the shelf. I got in line to pay and the gal behind me said that she had wanted the boots too but put them back. She couldn't think of what she would do with them. When I told her I was going to put them out in my flower beds filled with plants ... she looked very sad that she had put them down.
Come spring these will look great in the landscape ... I love whimsical things in the garden! And as I've mentioned before ... I love a bargain : )