triple the thrifting, triple the fun

I've seen a few fun sites where people are sharing their thrifted outfits...thought I'd join :)

All 3 outfits you see pictures above (Brooks is wearing the same outfit in both) are solely thrifted. I'm addicted to thrifting (giving something a second life:)...clothing, shoes, jewelry, furniture, toys, books, vases, kitchen items (I scored a gorgeous bundt pan for $1 last week. YES), you name it.

Brooks and I had a fun time with photobooth (hence the grainy shots).

"kisses"

"knuckles"

"airplane"

...those are our kind of model poses ;)

*****************************************************Spiritual health:Ensign - July's First Presidency MessagePhysical health:going to yoga at Skills Fitness tonight...can't wait

Shabby to Chic DIY Photo Gallery

I've been working on this framed photo display for a while now.

I was inspired by my stellar sister-in-law Becca :) She has a wall filled with unique white frames and beautiful pictures of her little family. I couldn't help but follow her lead!

And I thought I'd share how I created mine with all of you :)

- PATIENCE IS THE KEY to this whole project! I've been collecting frames for months now...every time I go thrifting I go down the frame isle...$1-3 each, me likey :)

- INSPECT THE FRAME...even little nicks and scratches on wood will show up and be more apparent after you paint the frames.

- CHECK THE BACK...some have little nails or staples to hold the glass and backing (which makes it hard to remove). Go for the flat metal holders, or holders that kind of spin :)

- ALWAYS REMEMBER POTENTIAL :)

- WIPE OFF...and sand to smooth any areas you notice need it.

- SPRAY 1 COAT OF PRIMER, not much goes a long way.

- SPRAY 2-3 [light] COATS OF PAINT...if you over-do it the paint will bubble or crinkle :(

- BE SURE to let each coat dry before you apply the next.

- I LOVE KRYLON spray paint {from Walmart). Each can is under $4. (I used less than 3 of each for this project)

- Almost forgot this one...I chose to develop a group of photos from a sweet outing we had (remember that?)...you can go with a theme or just a collection of various memories :)

- I first ORDERED THEM AS 4x6's [from Costco, best prices I've found]...then decided which one's I wanted to enlarge.

- I FIRST ROLLED OUT some heavy duty construction paper (from our remodel) to create a "template." You could use wrapping paper too :)

- I displayed the frames and photos the way I wanted, then marked where the nails should go.

- TAPE UP "template" to the wall...then HAMMER (or in our case wrenched;) THE NAILS in the wall.

- After the nails were in we ripped and cut the paper off the wall, leaving the nails right where they should be! :)

- I used picture hanging nails (from Lowe's) and Command Picture Hanging Strips (from Walmart) to get all the frames up.

I included lots of details, but I promise it's not hard at all! Just patience with collecting and painting the frames :) But it's SO worth it. That's my favorite wall in the house now ;)

I've found [on my beloved Pinterest] a few more unique ways to display photos that'd I'm excited about...can't wait to get going on them!

** I'm sharing my project here:

Whipperberry

Under The Table and Dreaming

Tatertos and Jello

The Stories of A to Z

Go see what other creative bloggers have been working on! :)

i heart thrifting

Since the start of this year, I've solely done my clothes shopping at thrift stores.

I plan to continue for the rest of 2011 :)

It saves mulah and I think it's helping me be a little more green...thrifting is just a stylish and more personal way of recycling, right?

Today was a VERY good day at my local thrift store.

I went in looking for an Easter outfit, and I totally scored one...plus some ;)

(I'll openly admit I take full advantage of any excuse to buy a new outfit...holidays, weddings, celebrations...who's with me??)

Here she is:

top: $4

skirt: $4

shoes: $6

Close-ups :)

I also found another shirt and pair of semi-flat wedges...the 2 tops are similar (both button up, light colored, faint pin stripes) but I couldn't resist! Plus this one below has a slight empire waist so I can wear it next time I'm prego!

top: $5

shoes: $4

more close-ups :)

And last but not least...this LOVELY bowl. It seemed to be glowing in the shelf :)

I canNOT wait to fill it with gorgeous pears and oranges and place it in our new kitchen!!

Speaking of kitchen...it's being painted today!...the can lights are being installed... and then hopefully Friday the cabinetry will be installed...then the granite in another week or two. *whew* It's all coming together wonderfully!!

We feel so blessed to be [finally] making this house our home.