Spring Is Coming Soon, I Promise!

I was doing dishes the other night and happened to look up at the windowsill and saw this beauty that popped up from my African Violet, so I know Spring is not far behind.  This violet on my sill makes me happy when it blooms, I have had it for years, nursed it into this huge plant, and now it pays me back by bringing these lovely purple and white flowers from under it's leaves and brightens up my window in the kitchen.

After seeing my African Violet, I got into the mood of Spring and made a new wreath for the front door.  I purchased the flowers and the wreath over the weekend from Michael's, they had a 50% off sale (don't buy them any other way!).  So I thought, why not I'll get ready for when the sun starts really shining, and it's warm, and you can go outside and stay outside.....are ya feeling me people.

Dug out my hot glue gun, glue sticks, my paddle wire and got busy.

 I snip the flowers from the bushes with wire cutters, and then place them where I think I want them on the wreath, but don't glue them until I am sure.

 When all is placed then I glue everything.  I used coral, purple/lavender and yellow on a dogwood floral wreath. Total cost of the wreath was $16, and it now hangs beautifully on the front door.

Color Changing Decor

I am sad to say Summer is over, the house is in my Fall/Winter decor. I started with the first floor and am now on the second floor. I just switched the colors in the Master Bath, took out the coral and switched it with aqua and white, it tones it down a little for the darker months ahead.  It didn't take long, cleaned and scrubbed everything including the windows, and now I can say the house is done!  Not to say I don't have to clean the house, but with all the heavy work done, I can rest now until Spring!

                                       Before                                                  After

                                      Before                                                    After

Saving up for my new shower door, it's about $4000 because it has to be custom made, so the

 shower curtain will have to do for now!

Window Dressing

WHY, OH WHY, do builders put these big windows near soaking tubs?  It makes no sense to me at all.  When you're in the tub bathing, because that's what you are supposed to do in the tub, and you stand up to get dried off and get out, guess what, the whole neighborhood can see what you own!!!!  Why put a big window, that brings in a lot of light, in front of a tub?  You have to keep it covered up! And when you do that, NO LIGHT COMES IN! Every house that I have been in, that has a tub like this, has had the same window.  I even saw one that was right smack in the front of the house!  This window has been a thorn in my side for 10 years. Not only is it right on top of the tub, it's directly across from my shower, so everybody can see what you're doing in your bathroom!  It's crazy.  I covered the window up the best I could for 10 years, I even took showers in the dark, n-u-t-t-y.  I put blinds on it, then a set of white curtains, couldn't find anything pretty of course.  The window is an odd size and I am not a sewing girl, never have been, nor do I want to spend a lot of money on curtains. 

My light bulb went off recently, I know, it only took 10 years, right.  The window is 50 inches long by 64 inches wide, really an odd size.  The easiest thing to do was to set the rod at 72 inches, that's the highest I could go because of the cathedral ceiling in the room.  You used to be able to buy curtains that were 72 inches long, not anymore, you can barely find 63's.  SO the gears were turning, what can I do to fix this window without spending a lot of money for custom curtains?  Well guess what I discovered, a shower curtain is 72 inches long! I mean I did know that, but never thought to put them on a regular window.  And so my pain and agony about this window is finally gone, a shout out to my brain for giving me an answer on how to fix it.

This is that awful window.  Blinds don't even fit it unless you spend lots of money getting them custom made.  I'm sorry, but I will not give in to that, I hung two side by side.

I bought 2 of these pretty fabric shower curtains at Target.

I also purchased 2 sets of rings at Target so I could hang it on the curtain rod. I figured since I was hanging new curtains I may as well get a new shower curtain too.  I wanted to match it somewhat to the curtains.  I found this one at TJMaxx.  The coral striped runner, also at TJMaxx, was on clearance.

These are the white curtains that were hanging before, and now the shower curtains are hung.  I never opened the white curtains or pulled the shades up, because even closed and down you could still see through them.

I think it looks much better now, I can open and close them if I want by just pulling them, they glide easily. 

View of the neighbors, but at least when the curtains are closed they can't see me now!

Pulled up the old rug and just put a runner down, makes the room look bigger.

A couple of new towels and a new decorative plant to brighten things up.

Then it was time to switch out the shower curtain.  The old shower curtain was aqua, gray and white, the new one is coral, beige and white.  Right now the shower curtain will do, hopefully next year the new doors will be on the shower stall.  They are very expensive and have to be custom made because of the size of the shower.  

I'm all done this room now and the total cost was $106.94.  

This is what I purchased on a budget to change my room:

Target - 2 Shower Curtains - $19.99 each

Target - 2 Sets of Shower Hooks - $7.49 each

TJMaxx - Shower Curtain - $14.99

TJMaxx - Striped Runner - $12.00 (clearance)

Marshall's - 2 Coral Bath Towels - $5.00 each (clearance)

Marshall's - 2 Coral Hand Towels - $2.50 each (clearance)

Kirkland's - Decorative Plant - $9.99 

Let Me Make It CLEARance!

I had all intentions of just going to the grocery store with the hubby on Saturday, Valentine's Day, and as we were pulling in to the parking lot of the shopping center my husband says, "oh look a Dressbarn!", I said I was there the other day, he says, "well since it's Valentine's Day do you want to go in before we go shopping?", he is such a good husband, we don't really exchange gifts for Valentine's Day. Well, I couldn't turn that down, so in I went and this is what I found on clearance.  I always have my handbag stashed with coupons, and I just happened to  have three of them, one for 30% off 1 clearance item, and two 20% off  for any items in the store.  The earrings, all four pair, were on a 40% off clearance rack, so I scooped them up. After purchasing my items I also received a $15.00 off coupon for my next shopping trip in the near future, gotta love that store!  Why pay full price for anyhing if you don't have too. I will wait for coupons or a sale,  for something that I want or need, I will also check different stores if the store I use doesn't have what I want.  Do a little footwork, it will definitley save you money.

Earrings - Top - Coral, $9.60 and Copper, $4.80

Earrings - Bottom - Gold, $4.80 and Purple, $5.76

 Left - Blue Paisley Print Peasant Blouse with Beaded detail - Originally $38.00 on sale for $13.30

Right - Coral and Khaki Print Border Print Peasant Blouse - Originally $39.00 on sale for $31.20

 Floral Lace Print Envelope Blouse - Originally $38.00 on sale for $15.20

 Left - Aqua Sateen Ruched Sleeve Blazer - Originally $42.50 on sale for $12.75

Right - Oatmeal Hooded Ribbed Sleeve Long Sweater Jacket - Originally $46.00 on sale for $18.40

Blue Jeans Times Two

I have been a clothes hog since I had my first job in high school.  I would spend almost my whole paycheck on clothes, shoes, jewelry and handbags.  I still love clothes, but try to get more out of my pieces with creative ways to wear them. I took a dark wash pair of skinny jeans and paired them two ways.  Check them out. 

Dark Skinny Jeans, Grey T- Shirt, Camel Leather Jacket, Red and Navy Flats, Red Bead and Metal Necklace and Red and Ivory Twisted Rope Bracelet.

 Dark Skinny Jeans - rolled up, Coral Lace Tank Top, Oatmeal Sweater, Iridescent Silver Bead Chain Necklace and Nude Ballerina Flats with Marcasite Studded Bow.

Fashion Jewelry

I really have to get dressed up more when I go out.  I found a lot of jewelry in my closet that I have never worn.  Some of the pieces were gifts, some I purchased.  They got lost in the shuffle of all the things I have in there.  These are some of the pieces I have never worn and I know there are still some in there that I haven't found!  I know, it's embarrassing.

Purple flower necklace and earring set. 

Coral crackle bead necklace and earring set.

Red and white stripe retro hoop earrings.

Silver and bronze bead hoop earrings.

 Silver curl drop earrings.

Silver and lime enameled flower earrings.

These flower earrings are enameled with rhinestones and beads.

Style Me Fabulous Work Outfits!

The Dressbarn in my area recently re-opened after remodeling the whole store.  Sooooo...I grabbed my online coupons, because I never shop without coupons, anywhere, anytime or anyplace, if I can help it.  I wanted to see the store, so I went to their soft opening the night before the Grand Opening.  It looks fabulous, it's so chic inside! I had my eye on these leopard print jeans they had in the store and when I got there they only had one pair in my size.... WHEW! So I grabbed them they were mine.  Here are some  fashionable work outfits I put together for Fall.

  Papaya colored woven jersey knit/chiffon top w/gold back zip and rolled cuffs, $25.60.  Leopard print jeans, $26.00.  I also took the scarf off the store mannequin.  Hey! it was the only one in the store, it was only $16.00.   I paired all I bought with a leather jacket that I already had. - all at Dressbarn.  Necklace is from Charming Charlie's, $12.00 and shoes from Marshalls $39.99.

 The grey dress pants in this outfit are from Avenue, $29.00 - navy jersey knit dolman sleeve top is from Walmart $7.97, you can pair it with a bold color sweater, $17.00 and a silver shoe both are from Dressbarn.

Houndstooth woven knit faux wrap skirt, Lane Bryant $44.00 - paired with a gold tank, Target, $8.00 - black jacket, Marshall's, $19.99 - black riding boots, Payless $29.99 - Necklace, Gabriel's $5.00.