Lawn Chairs and Cookouts
Yesterday I finally got the garage sale lawn chairs finished! Remember the old blue metal set we got for $10? The one that looked like it belonged next to pink plastic flamingos in, well, not our yard? Yes, those are nice shiny black now! Before:
Now:
All we needed was a couple fun cushions. Well, that has been a task. Since these chairs are so old no cushions are the right size! And, have you noticed how dull this year’s “summer” colors are? Blah! But, we stopped in at K-Mart just to check, and found a decent, fun and bright set. Not what we thought we wanted, but it will work for this year! They are a bit different shape, but when you sit in them and squish them down they are perfect. I would also like to add a couple red throw pillows to match the ones we would like to throw on the hammock (coming soon!). Here’s what we have so far:
Better! And Tony even helped me pick ’em out! So, we decided to celebrate a productive day (and the fact that it didn’t rain!) by grilling out and having dinner at the picnic table.
The pups even joined in! Have a great weekend!
P.S. Just for the record, the blue on the chairs was a really pretty color. But, we have a lot of red in our yard and it just wasn’t matching what we wanted to do out there. But, after already painted the set black we realized the new cushions do have the exact blue in them! Oh, well, sticking to the plan! Now they are versatile enough to change our minds on cushions all the time! (if they weren’t so ridiculously expensive!)
Bad Thrifter
It’s true, I’m just not a very good thrifter. I try, I really do. But I often come home empty handed and disappointed. First, a cute picture, and then the reasons I’m a bad thrifter- use them as reverse tips! 🙂
This was the only thing I was interested in after two thrift store stops yesterday. I am probably the only person who even thinks these are cute. But, I did think they would be a neat retro touch to a little girl’s room. I was actually so attracted to them I almost bought them just to save for the day when we might have a little girl’s room. But, that seemed waay too far away, so I left, once again, empty handed.
The reasons why I am a bad thrifter- things not to do:
1. I get disappointed and discouraged. I know very well that thrifting is about enjoying the hunt. I know very well that I need to relax and enjoy my time going through all of the junk on that dig for the perfect treasure. But, sometimes I am in a hurry to snatch something up and get upset when I don’t find anything that strikes me.
2. I am not open minded. I go into thrift store and flea markets with an idea of what I need and what exact items I am on the hunt for. Once I stop looking I know I will eventually find something like that, but until then I need to have an open mind and keep my eyes peeled for unexpected finds.
3. Sometimes I am just not creative. I see the items only exactly what they were meant for. I know that so many treasures can be repurposed, but often I forget to look at an item itself, and not its intended use. More interesting things can be noticed when thinking creatively.
4. I do not go often enough. I sometimes feel that on every trip to the store I have to leave with something. This should definitely not be the case. This hunt could take multiple trips. If you stop back often you will eventually happen upon the perfect find.
5. I forget that value is irrelevant. I find myself on a hunt for some treasure of great value. This is rare, and I know it. I need to remember that I am on a hunt for unique things that I love and want to surround myself with, not things with fancy brand names.
6. I need to remember to enjoy myself. I know perfectly well that this is a hobby. It probably won’t make me rich or famous, so I need to be doing my thrifting for me. If I forget about everyone else’s opinions I will enjoy my trips and eventually have unique and personal items.
Although these are things not to do, they are a good list of things to keep in mind when thrifting. Now, if only I could take my own advice. Can you think of any other thrifting tips?
More Party Ideas
It is still raining here in Illinois, and I am still tired from a busy weekend of graduation parties. So, we have no progress, no news, no excitement. But, I have seen a few more party ideas that are inspiring me to be a bit more creative when planning for the upcoming engagement party…
I love when details in party decor match or have the same vibe. We are going with a lot of red for the party, so not only is this bowl of drinks our color, but it just feels like our style. We are working on a similar idea.
Ki at Junk Camp made this condiment holder with vintage industrial light cages. I would love to be able to find enough things to make on of these in time for the party. Isn’t that adorable!?
Silverware in cans would mean less plastic garbage and an easier way to carry them all outside. I was also thinking about using our vintage picnic basket.
Galvanized buckets have a charm to them. These bottles are even pretty!
These last two vintage inspired photos by photographer Philip Harvey are just so pretty. I love the bright colored chairs under the trees. This will be more what our space will look like. The beach scene makes me want to some how hang a canopy over the tables…
Weekly Chair Love
I spotted this weeks chair love on Flickr. Yellow is not really my color, but I see so much potential in the baby. A nice white vinyl? Or black? This chair could be gorgeous. I love that tufting and the curved back!
“‘Yella’ Chair” By Robem.
Curvy Chair Love
This week my chair love comes from a random internet search. The fun, curvy arms on this baby just jumped out at me. What a beauty. I’d take a couple of these for my dining room.
Hopefully we get some sun tomorrow so I can show you a few pictures of the yard progress!
Engagement Party Decor
We are finally ready to throw the long awaited engagement party!! We have been patiently (or not so much) waiting for good weather and a finished yard in order to throw an outdoor fest. We now seem to have both (or as good as its going to get). So, bring on the party!
I have a few simple ideas swirling around in my head, but for some fun inspiration I put together a few photos I’ve spotted.
This idea is so simple and cute. Although the picture is more fall decor it could easily be summer-y with some sand or shells in the jars!
This scene is so pretty. We already picked up some red paper lanterns that are perfect to go under our trees around the fire because they are battery operated.
These vintage letters would look neat in our yard showing our initials or wedding date.
I love the colors of this space. We hope to use some random candle-light as this photo does.
Are you all in the mood for some outdoor time yet? We will keep you updated with our party pictures- the party is on the 20th of June…
Kitchen Lights
We found the cutest vintage lights for the kitchen! I had been scouring ebay for a set of school house lights- the hanging kind. I found a few, but was always outbid and they went to high in price for me to stick with it. The other day Tony was in our local hardware store and spotted a set of milk glass lights, although not hanging, but still super cute. The lights even came out of a local library in a recent remodel! So, here is a peak at how they go so well with our newly remodeled kitchen!
Aren’t they much better than the old burnt up stip lights? Also, we did a hole lot of yard work this weekend… so stay tuned to see how the yard is coming along! 😉
Vintage Cofee Table
We have another coffee table added to the shop. This one was so cute, but in bad shape:
And… Here’s the after:
Actually, it is also getting little white feet, but I couldn’t resist showing you how it turned out. Let me know if you are interested.
SOLD!
Counter-Tops!
They are in, and it’s official- I love ’em! Here is a dark before to remind you:
What an improvement, don’t you think!? It is all coming together so nicely. We do have a few more projects in the works. See that vent pipe above the stove? That is getting boxed in, no more tacky-ness. We also have a great set of lights that are being installed which I will reveal later. A few creative touches are in the process as well.
Notice the old microwave is gone and a hood was installed in its palce as well…
What do you think? Suggestions?
My First Ikea Visit- EVER!
Yes, its true. I’m a small town girl, never been to Ikea. We took a little road trip to Chicago this weekend with some friends to visit the monstrous store- WOW. Love it. That’s all you can really say. Tony even enjoyed this shopping trip- was it the beer that you can drink while there?? 🙂 We didn’t come home with too many exciting things this time, but we got what we went for- a new duvet cover! We also got a few pillows to replace the raggedy ones in the living room, and a yummy smelling candle. All on the cheap! I wish we lived closer because we will definitely be making the trip back when we need something!
The new duvet cover- looks like we need a bed-skirt too! – and the grey blanket is also from Ikea.
The big black and white pillow is actually a cover, which we stuffed with three of the old dilapidated pillows, and the black one is also new. We think they tie in the black curtains a bit better.
A cute little delicious candle- for $2.50 you can’t go wrong!
Also- the counter-tops are half in and looking great. They are planned to be done tonight!! Yay!
Make Mine Eclectic 
