It's a Goodwill Party!

Well helloooo ladies! OK, the party is finally here! I am calling this a Goodwill party, but you can link to anything you've purchased "second hand," meaning you purchased it at a thrift store, consignment shop, garage sale, your grandma's attic, whatever!

If you have read this blog for one minute, you know I love me some Goodwill! I have three pretty good ones within a five mile radius, and the best is right down the street. I have developed what I call my "Goodwill radar." I can sense a good deal waiting for me inside...you think I'm kidding! I have found some of my best deals with my sixth sense. Goodwill and I are like this. Tight, yo.

I know some of you have an aversion to Goodwill shops. (Ahem...Jennifer.) Whateva whateva people, you need to load yourself with a mask and some latex gloves and bear down. You can do it! You can bear it! You can walk past the elderly potty chairs and get through it. I believe in you. And if you do, maybe you'll find some treasures like I have. First some of my favorites...

With a bunch of $1.99 hardback books stacked on it: With the covers taken off of course, and they have to have titles I love.

This table is one of my all time favorites. I think it was $30, I can't remember it's been so long. It was AWFUL, awful, blech, puke green. Awful. But I saw it's potential. My dad actually took it and refinished it for me as a gift and now it's one of my favorite pieces of furniture:
Gorg! It's actually an antique, if you can believe it! I had a marking underneath that I researched (I'm too lazy to get my butt off the couch to look now) and it is really old.

This desk was also an awful throw up green (what's the deal with green?) and I painted it black and replaced the knobs. It was $20: Here's a few before and afters I've done in the past few months. I was looking for a little tray for the cat food and water, for, like EVER. I mean, I'm not paying $20 for a tray the cats eat off of. I mean, I love them and all, but really? This bed tray was $4 and falling apart:
With some glue and black spray paint, it turned out perfect:
Don't ask about the water fountain. Please. Just don't ask.
Last fall, our son was starting to get into Thomas the Train, and I researched the train tables and about threw up in my mouth a little. The whole shebang would be $250. One day, my Goodwill radar was at high alert, so I popped in and found this for $25:
It was in PERFECT condition, except where the tracks were glued down. I just turned over the table part and spray painted the table green:
I'm not kidding when I say I saved $225 on this thing! Now, if Hubby would quit buying train stuff, that would be great.

I showed you this last fall, it was $5 and I'm not really sure what it was originally:
I saw it as a little bookcase:
I love it! This little beauty was $2.99 and was OK in white:
But it needed some cleaning and I'm a black paint kind of girl anyway:
It still had a Crate and Barrel price tag on the bottom for $20ish.

I've had a bit of an obsession with all things glass lately, and my Goodwill doesn't disappoint. I found both of these for $1.99 each:
Our dining room cabinet has collected quite a few, although I haven't figured out what I'm doing with them yet:
Remember the jute vases? Yep, they were Goodwill finds:
That gorg tall carafe is fantastic and was $4!

Of course, my laundry room update consisted of mostly Goodwill and consignment shop finds:My little $3 mirror I made into a candlescape...I loved the detail!: I am loving our local consignment shop too -- I've made more than $200 by selling old stuff there over the past year. I find great little treasures there as well (that have completely blown the $200 I made. Huh.) My lamp that I transformed with spray paint and some ribbon:
My skeleton keys were $7 for five keys:
These candlesticks were on sale for $10 for both. I cut one down and glued the top back on so they weren't the same size:
This little doodad on my $20 sofa table is actually a $7 decorative shelf I turned upside down:
Sooooo...what have you transformed? Made your own? Made work for you? Do you need a mask and gloves or do you lurve Goodwill?

I have to mention the purpose of Goodwill while I'm at it -- they are a fantastic organization that help to employ people with disabilities at all levels of the business. These are people may not be employed otherwise. Goodwill allows these folks to be productive members of society, and that is a very good thing. OK, onto the party!!

I have taken down the Linky because of issues it was causing with my site...I've tried just adding the links but it's not working...I'm going to try to get this to work! If you would like to add your post, please leave it in the comments! Thank you so much!

1. Vivienne (lamp shades, canisters)
2. Vivienne (platter)
3. http://www.cleanandclassic.com/?p=1008
4. http://serenitynow4amanda.blogspot.com/2009/06/salvation-army-saves-day.html
5. Donna at Funky Junk Interiors
6. Lacey
7. Shortmama
8. http://mollythepirate.blogspot.com/2009/05/goodwill-transformation.html
9. http://imperfectlybeautifulms.blogspot.com/2009/06/goodwill-party-treasures.html
10. Fresh Poppy Design...CuTE DecOR!
11. Erin
12. mary's meanderings
13. A Beach Cottage ~ Vintage Shabby Old Dresser
14. Traci-Goodwill chair makeover
15. Kammy-Small Home in the Country
16. Living With Lindsay
17. Chrissie Grace
18. My Garden of Eden
19. Kinzie Sue
20. Kimba (headboard makeover)
21. Kimba #2 (tufted piano bench)
22. The Acting Mom
23. We are THAT family
24. http://lotsofloveformine.blogspot.com/2009/05/back-upi-have-spray-paint.html
25. http://ashleysbusy.com/2009/06/01/a-pillow-a-day/
26. melissa * 320 sycamore (green table makeover)
27. Brandy- Loving Blakely
28. Scatter Sunshine
29. TidyMom (nightstand makeover)
30. TidyMom
31. http://embellishedbayou.blogspot.com/2009/04/back-to-reality.html
32. http://embellishedbayou.blogspot.com/2009/03/switching-gears.html
33. Caren - CityMomma/CountryMomma
34. Lipstick and Laundry ~Jen
35. Caren - CityMomma/CountryMomma
36. ilovemy5kids
37. Sweetbippy
38. Andrea
39. Kara
40. Jane- Anthro find!
41. RedAries-Home decor
42. http://www.homebodyholly.com/2009/06/goodwill-party.html
43. Kelsee Webb ~Window Pot Rack
44. Kimm at Reinvented
45. Aunt LoLo - Teacup Pincushion
46. Jennifer
47. MyFragrantLife
48. http://smithsnapshots.blogspot.com/2009/05/thrift-store-frame-redo.html
49. http://smithsnapshots.blogspot.com/2009/03/you-may-see-new-link-on-right-toolbar.html
50. Rachael
51. http://apieceofpunkinpie.blogspot.com/2009/06/transformation.html
52. Reborn - Steward of the Gifts
53. http://inpassionatepursuit.blogspot.com/2009/05/core-pieces-in-frugal-wardrobe-trench.html
54. The Pleasures of Homemaking
55. Ode to Creativity
56. The Blessed Country Mom
57. Stacy (aunt's entertainment center into kitchen hutch)
58. Molly (sewing chair)
59. http://designonpost.wordpress.com/2009/03/24/goodwill-chair-rehab/
60. vanessa
61. Jen's Thrift Store Treasures
62. Noelle
63. Mustangkayla
64. Bren
65. Marie
66. http://caseysumner.blogspot.com/2009/06/goodwill-party.html
67. http://cherishedtreasures-terry.blogspot.com
68. Lila's Pockets (Everything Was Bought at a Garage Sale!)
69. New Every Morning
70. http://happychaoshome.blogspot.com/2009/06/goodwill-party-and-stool.html
71. Amy Breedlove
72. http://lifeon19th.blogspot.com/2009/04/i-think-i-am-in-love.html
73. Maridith
74. Anna See (thrift store finds!)
75. Josie
76. http://truthisbetterthanfiction-kim.blogspot.com/2009/06/goodwill-party.html
77. Giggles Galore
78. Holly (Mosaic Table)
79. Brittany
80. Brittany
81. Brittany
82. Andy
83. The Starr Family
84. http://ourheartlandhomehome.blogspot.com/2009/06/goodwill-party.html
85. June
86. http://thatsfamtastic.blogspot.com/2009/06/loveseat-makeover.html
87. A Little More Crazy Than Cool :)
88. Linsay
89. Lisa S.
90. Eileen (Earring Lamp)
91. Eileen (Egg Basket, Candy Dish, Bread Box)
92. Steph
93. Amy
94. Marie - Consignment Find
95. The Magic Brush
96. http://thetillmanfamily.blogspot.com/2009/06/goodwill-party.html
97. The Painted Lady
98. Colorfly Studio
99. Simply Saving
100. Kelli
101. http://ellisevents.blogspot.com/2009/06/bench-seat-check-pillows-check-check.html
102. http://barnesfamilylove.blogspot.com/2009/06/showing-off.html
103. Enchantresses 3
104. Melany (Pilarina's Workshop)
105. cher
106. http://meandmyinsanity.blogspot.com/2009/06/good-willgood-advice.html
107. Tammy
108. Eileen HUGE Goodwill score
109. Amber - table to tufted ottoman
110. Heather Happy Chippy Junk
111. Michelle B
112. http://www.moneysavindiva.com/2009/06/my-great-goodwill-finds.html
113. Jaron Hatch
114. Diana

See Y'all Later

I'm off to North Carolina today to visit the Hickory Chair factory and showrooms! After hearing Suzanne Kasler talk about how she designed her new furniture line, I can't wait to see how it's made. Cassandra of Coco + Kelly and Franki of Life in a Venti Cup took the tour last time and I was sad that I couldn't join them on that trip! I am looking forward to getting out of town and will definitely take lots photos and report back next week but right now I'm off to finish packing. See ya'll later!

Mother of two.

I have long considered myself a mother of two. Even before my son was born, I was a mother of one. One beautiful, sweet, lovely (step)daughter. It is hard for me to call her a stepdaughter. It just doesn't seem right. She has been in my life for such a long time, she feels like part of me, so I call her my child.

Not in a freaky stepmother kind of way, mind you. I had one of those a long time ago and learned a lot from that experience.

I was so incredibly blessed when this girl officially came into my life nine years ago. I was so nervous. I knew how bad a step-relationship could be, and I did everything I could to make the experience easier for her. But I didn't need to. She and I were thisclose from the very first time we met.

I don't know how I got so lucky. I never dealt with tantrums, never any anger, never blame. She welcomed me with sweet, open, nine-year-old arms.

Tomorrow she graduates from high school, and as hard as I am trying to keep the tears from pouring as I type, I just can't. She is a beauty, inside and out, and I am so incredibly proud of her.

The past nine years went by in a blink. No more begging to play Life, Sorry and Whoville-opoly all in one sitting. No more sitting at the table and trying to work through impossible fourth grade math problems. No more being afraid to sleep alone at night. And no more kicking us both out of bed (literally) while she slept. No more gymnastics in the family room. No more paint fights with her girlfriends when they are supposed to be painting her room. No more choir concerts, competitions, football games. No more seeing her whenever I want.

I hope she will continue to bring her sweet, crazy, funny friends over, and raid the fridge, eat all the food and stay up so late I am staring at the clock wondering when I will get to fall asleep. I hope she will continue to do little craft projects with me. I hope she will continue to keep me as a confidant and not be afraid to tell me anything, even when it starts with "Don't tell Dad..."

I dream of the day we drop her off at college. I think this is hard...leaving her there will fill me with so much pride and angst I don't know what I'll do. I dream of the day she finds the "one" and wants to start a life with him. I dream of the day she finds the job that she absolutely loves. And I dream of the day (hopefully a while from now!) that she has her own child, "step" or otherwise. So she can begin to understand how deeply we love her.

For now, I will need to get through tomorrow. I am so filled with emotion...I've put off all thoughts of this day, on purpose. It was too hard to comprehend. I am so proud, so excited, so sad.

My sweet step daughter at just a few years old, on stage with her Daddy:

Here she is on stage a young woman:
Tomorrow she'll be on stage becoming an adult. I don't know if my heart can take it.

The Sport of Kings and Hot Men

If you need something to do Saturday, May 30th, then I suggest you head over to Governors Island for some champagne and divot stomping at the Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic. Usually polo is played in more bucolic settings like Bridgehampton or Argentina so a match in Manhattan seems a bit out of place but not completely without precedent. Apparently, they used to play polo on the island in the 1930's and 40's. Who knew?! Britian's spare heir, Prince Harry will be playing, as will the only man capable of upstaging royalty, the muy caliente Nachos Figueras. Better start brushing up on your Spanish now ladies because where there is one handsome Argentine polo player, there are many! Adios Amigos!

Zigging the zag in Lack

Hans unzigs the zags in the Lack shelf for a neat bookcase.

He says, "I've felt for a long time that I liked the Lack Zigzag shelf though I thought it took up way too much wall space so I wanted to remake it and take advantage of the storage space it provided though without using so much space. I had made several drawings on ideas on how to change it before I bought it and I thought the hack would be easy, it wasn't. The shelf is made so that it can only be assembled in one way thus creating that zigzag-form.

To alter that I had to use a power drill to drill thru the holes for the wooden plugs and the screws so that I could alter the design. Unfortunately I got a bit carried away and drilled thru way more holes than I needed.



Fitting my new design in a straight manner to the wall turned out to be very difficult though. The original shelf's fittings are placed in a row but my alterations of the shelf placed the fittings in a much more chaotic pattern that was hard to get lined up correctly. My first try to get the holes for the fittings in the right places was made in this fashion.

 The idea was that I could make markings on the wall with the pencils, however it was way to heavy to hold up straight and in the same time make good markings on the wall i.e. it didn't work very well, my next idea worked better which leads me to this picture.


I was in luck that I had this very special screwdriver, otherwise I don't know what I would have done. Placing the shelf close to the corner was good in an artistic way but maybe not so good in a practical way. Anyways here's what it looks like when it was finished. I'm very pleased with the result and it fits nicely next to my desk."


My New Bench

My new breakfast room is almost finished. After searching for several months I found a wonderful nine foot long antique Belgian Table with an incredible iron base. The iron work is so interesting that I didn't want to hide the front of it with traditional chairs.
(I know the photo leaves a lot to be desired - taken on my cell phone)

So imagine my surprise when I saw this great bench at Wisteria and it was covered in a vintage grain sack like linen! The perfect size too!! So I ordered it!
It just arrived this morning and its perfect!!

I chose the red stripe versus the blue; but I really like them both!
Still waiting for my chandelier (Niermann Weeks) before the big reveal!
But wanted to share what I think is a wonderful find at a great price!
(and did I tell you I also had a 20% off coupon?)

It's never too Lade to be a winner

K.Gragera turns a hand-me-down Lade Bed into a stand, fit for champions.



She says, "This Lade Bed had been passed down from one friend to another friend to another friend. Finally it came to rest and my friend decided to recycle the wood and create an award stand for a Jiu-Jitsu Tournament
he was hosting.

The wood was sawed into different heights for the placements. Sheets of plywood were cut and screwed onto the frame. The top part was spray painted black. The graphic on the front was printed on very large
paper and mounted to the stand. 3 friends stood together on each placement to test if the plywood would hold the weight of 3 people.

This award stand was used at the Bay Area Open Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Tournament in Berkeley, CA. It withstood the weights of very large muscular men.



Williams Sonoma at Home

I was leafing through the March 2008 issue of House Beautiful when I saw a photo of chairs on a stair landing that reminded me of the new Williams-Sonoma Home store in New York. When I looked closer, one of the names of the designers, David DeMattei, sounded familiar. Then I realized that he is the group president for Williams-Sonoma and I actually met him at the opening party last fall. The home has a Williams-Sonoma feeling but is not a literal translation of the store. I'm swamped with work so for more information, you can check out the details at House Beautiful online. Bon Weekend!

















Photos by Jose Picayo

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