Murphy bed…

This beautiful Murphy bed would have been mine if it wasn’t in Lolo’s consignment shop in St. Helena, California. I wish we could have seen the inside of the Murphy bed cabinet.

 

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• Inspirational decorating with thrifty finds
• Repurposing floral frogs
• Affordable watercolor art and frames
• Classic black and white purses
• 10 Chalkboard paint ideas
• Five Free Cell Phone Features
• Organizing with jars – Part I
• Organizing with jars – Part II
• Organizing with jars – Part III
• Dishes add color and whimsy to the garden
• Wallpaper Art
• Transforming a Goodwill table
• Repurposing flashcards
• Top 10 ideas for recycling greeting cards
• Hoops and fabric equal art
• Decorating with drop cloth curtains
• 10 uses for orphan sheets
• Organizing with Gladware
• Round robin clothing exchange and more

Thanks for stopping by Cottage Lifestyle and examiner.com.
Renee

Unique letter placement…

I have seen letters used in creative ways… but I haven’t ever seen one on a chimney…what a clever idea.

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• Inspirational decorating with thrifty finds
• Repurposing floral frogs
• Affordable watercolor art and frames
• Classic black and white purses
• 10 Chalkboard paint ideas
• Five Free Cell Phone Features
• Organizing with jars – Part I
• Organizing with jars – Part II
• Organizing with jars – Part III
• Dishes add color and whimsy to the garden
• Wallpaper Art
• Transforming a Goodwill table
• Repurposing flashcards
• Top 10 ideas for recycling greeting cards
• Hoops and fabric equal art
• Decorating with drop cloth curtains
• 10 uses for orphan sheets
• Organizing with Gladware
• Round robin clothing exchange and more

Thanks for stopping by Cottage Lifestyle and examiner.com.
Renee

If Santa doesn’t stop by…

…you’ll know why.

Happy Holidays!

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• Inspirational decorating with thrifty finds
• Repurposing floral frogs
• Affordable watercolor art and frames
• Classic black and white purses
• 10 Chalkboard paint ideas
• Five Free Cell Phone Features
• Organizing with jars – Part I
• Organizing with jars – Part II
• Organizing with jars – Part III
• Dishes add color and whimsy to the garden
• Wallpaper Art
• Transforming a Goodwill table
• Repurposing flashcards
• Top 10 ideas for recycling greeting cards
• Hoops and fabric equal art
• Decorating with drop cloth curtains
• 10 uses for orphan sheets
• Organizing with Gladware
• Round robin clothing exchange and more

Thanks for stopping by Cottage Lifestyle and examiner.com.
Renee

Recycling cans into art…

I love the creativeness of people and wonder why I didn’t think of that. Spotted these ‘canned’ fish at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts in Minnetonka, MN.

Don’t you wonder how many cans and how long it took to make it?

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• Inspirational decorating with thrifty finds
• Repurposing floral frogs
• Affordable watercolor art and frames
• Classic black and white purses
• 10 Chalkboard paint ideas
• Five Free Cell Phone Features
• Organizing with jars – Part I
• Organizing with jars – Part II
• Organizing with jars – Part III
• Dishes add color and whimsy to the garden
• Wallpaper Art
• Transforming a Goodwill table
• Repurposing flashcards
• Top 10 ideas for recycling greeting cards
• Hoops and fabric equal art
• Decorating with drop cloth curtains
• 10 uses for orphan sheets
• Organizing with Gladware
• Round robin clothing exchange and more

Thanks for stopping by Cottage Lifestyle and examiner.com.
Renee

Recycling cans into art…

I love the creativeness of people and wonder why I didn’t think of that. Spotted these ‘canned’ fish at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts in Minnetonka, MN.

Don’t you wonder how many cans and how long it took to make it?

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• Inspirational decorating with thrifty finds
• Repurposing floral frogs
• Affordable watercolor art and frames
• Classic black and white purses
• 10 Chalkboard paint ideas
• Five Free Cell Phone Features
• Organizing with jars – Part I
• Organizing with jars – Part II
• Organizing with jars – Part III
• Dishes add color and whimsy to the garden
• Wallpaper Art
• Transforming a Goodwill table
• Repurposing flashcards
• Top 10 ideas for recycling greeting cards
• Hoops and fabric equal art
• Decorating with drop cloth curtains
• 10 uses for orphan sheets
• Organizing with Gladware
• Round robin clothing exchange and more

Thanks for stopping by Cottage Lifestyle and examiner.com.
Renee

Back to blogging…with a lot to share…

Yikes, it has been a while since I have blogged. I was traveling for work and didn’t have an opportunity to post, then I was traveling with friends and having too much fun to post, and when I came home I seemed to either be too busy shoveling snow or too tired to blog. I got out of the habit after the first week of not blogging…reminded me of exercise…once you don’t exercise for a few days all of a sudden a week has gone by, then another week of no exercise.

I am recommitting to blogging. I have a giveaway winner to announce, my interview with Linda McDonald of Flea Market Style magazine, and a lot of photos of homes that I either spent time in or stalked while in California.

The photo above and the photos below are of the home of my friends Bill and Marie. I have known Marie since 1982 and almost always stay at with her and Bill when I am in the Bay Area. Bill’s uncle designed the home.

The jug below was used to hold sake.

Fresh fruit on the front porch make for a warm and colorful welcome.

The picture below is a tree from their yard, but I can’t for the life of me remember what these are…other than striking and messy when they hit the ground and you step on them.

The persimmons were spectacular and made for a beautiful display.

In one of the houses that we toured in St. Helena they cut a full branch of persimmons and set it on a buffet.

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• Inspirational decorating with thrifty finds
• Repurposing floral frogs
• Affordable watercolor art and frames
• Classic black and white purses
• 10 Chalkboard paint ideas
• Five Free Cell Phone Features
• Organizing with jars – Part I
• Organizing with jars – Part II
• Organizing with jars – Part III
• Dishes add color and whimsy to the garden
• Wallpaper Art
• Transforming a Goodwill table
• Repurposing flashcards
• Top 10 ideas for recycling greeting cards
• Hoops and fabric equal art
• Decorating with drop cloth curtains
• 10 uses for orphan sheets
• Organizing with Gladware
• Round robin clothing exchange and more

Thanks for stopping by Cottage Lifestyle and examiner.com.
Renee

St. Helena Holiday Home Tour…

I am in California on business and plan to spend the weekend in Napa Valley with friends enjoying the St. Helena Holiday Home tour.

I plan to announce my giveaway winner in the next few days. Thanks to those who participated.

 

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• Inspirational decorating with thrifty finds
• Repurposing floral frogs
• Affordable watercolor art and frames
• Classic black and white purses
• 10 Chalkboard paint ideas
• Five Free Cell Phone Features
• Organizing with jars – Part I
• Organizing with jars – Part II
• Organizing with jars – Part III
• Dishes add color and whimsy to the garden
• Wallpaper Art
• Transforming a Goodwill table
• Repurposing flashcards
• Top 10 ideas for recycling greeting cards
• Hoops and fabric equal art
• Decorating with drop cloth curtains
• 10 uses for orphan sheets
• Organizing with Gladware
• Round robin clothing exchange and more

Thanks for stopping by Cottage Lifestyle and examiner.com.
Renee

A thank you gift and a giveaway…

I received this beautiful fruit bouquet from my friend Karen. If you haven’t ever heard of Edible Arrangements…check them out. Of course I immediately gravitated towards the chocolate covered banana.

If you missed my giveaway announcement click here to check it out.

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• Inspirational decorating with thrifty finds
• Repurposing floral frogs
• Affordable watercolor art and frames
• Classic black and white purses
• 10 Chalkboard paint ideas
• Five Free Cell Phone Features
• Organizing with jars – Part I
• Organizing with jars – Part II
• Organizing with jars – Part III
• Dishes add color and whimsy to the garden
• Wallpaper Art
• Transforming a Goodwill table
• Repurposing flashcards
• Top 10 ideas for recycling greeting cards
• Hoops and fabric equal art
• Decorating with drop cloth curtains
• 10 uses for orphan sheets
• Organizing with Gladware
• Round robin clothing exchange and more

Thanks for stopping by Cottage Lifestyle and examiner.com.
Renee

AllModern.com giveaway…don’t miss out!

AllModern.com is hosting a giveaway here! You could win two of their spectacular iittala Origo Bowls. I selected these bowls due to their vibrant colors (I think it will appeal to all of you) and upon reading about iittala. Established in 1881 by legendary designers Kaj Franck (1911-1989) and Alvar Aalto (1898-1976), iittala has a long tradition of glass craftsmanship. Mouth-blown, non-leaded crystal in combination with vibrant colors has long been a staple of the brand. In addition to the art glass, iittala has proven successful with their supremely combinable lines of dinnerware. All products are compatible with one another to cater for every occasion as well as personal taste. Objects with a clear thought, created in order to achieve long lasting, everyday use and inspiration.

I must say AllModern.com has something for everyone. Looking for a dining table…their five piece dining sets are on sale. As I was perusing the site the Caroline Cottage Tavern Pub Table in antique red caught my eye for obvious reasons…if you aren’t into red check out their other pub tables.

An important Giveaway rule: This giveaway is only for US or Canadian residents.

Ways to enter: You can do one or more of the following…each counts towards an entry.

1) Leave a comment about anything here.

2) Visit AllModern.com and come back and share your favorite find.

3) Sign up to follow my blog.

4) Post the Cottage Lifestyle Giveaway graphic above (by copying the graphic or the HTML code below) on your blog either on the sidebar or in a post and let me know you have it on your blog. If you do a post and put it on the sidebar that will be worth two entries.

5) If you follow my blog you will be automatically entered.

6) Visit my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com and leave a comment.

Giveaway HTML code:

<p><a href="$clip_image004[5][3].gif"><img title="clip_image004[5]" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-bottom: 0px" height="240" alt="clip_image004[5]" src="$clip_image004[5]_thumb[1].gif" width="216" border="0" /></a></p>

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• Inspirational decorating with thrifty finds
• Repurposing floral frogs
• Affordable watercolor art and frames
• Classic black and white purses
• 10 Chalkboard paint ideas
• Five Free Cell Phone Features
• Organizing with jars – Part I
• Organizing with jars – Part II
• Organizing with jars – Part III
• Dishes add color and whimsy to the garden
• Wallpaper Art
• Transforming a Goodwill table
• Repurposing flashcards
• Top 10 ideas for recycling greeting cards
• Hoops and fabric equal art
• Decorating with drop cloth curtains
• 10 uses for orphan sheets
• Organizing with Gladware
• Round robin clothing exchange and more

Thanks for stopping by Cottage Lifestyle and examiner.com.
Renee

Roadkill Rescue…

Found in the neighbor’s garbage and dragged home. Took a slipcover class and using material my friend Anita had given me, I made a slipcover. I must say it was painful for me to sew this slipcover.

Blogged for Infarrantly Creative’s Roadkill Rescue party. 

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• Inspirational decorating with thrifty finds
• Repurposing floral frogs
• Affordable watercolor art and frames
• Classic black and white purses
• 10 Chalkboard paint ideas
• Five Free Cell Phone Features
• Organizing with jars – Part I
• Organizing with jars – Part II
• Organizing with jars – Part III
• Dishes add color and whimsy to the garden
• Wallpaper Art
• Transforming a Goodwill table
• Repurposing flashcards
• Top 10 ideas for recycling greeting cards
• Hoops and fabric equal art
• Decorating with drop cloth curtains
• 10 uses for orphan sheets
• Organizing with Gladware
• Round robin clothing exchange and more

Thanks for stopping by Cottage Lifestyle and examiner.com.
Renee

My one year blogging anniversary…

I have been a junker for years…hitting garage sales, flea markets, occasional sales and antique stores at every opportunity and where ever I was travelling. In September of 08 I had time on my hands and started actively seeking out blogs that shared my junking and decorating interests. Some how I stumbled upon My Romantic Home and A Beach Cottage, and my blogger stalking days were in full tilt. I just surfed from one inspiring blog to another, ultimately becoming inspired to start my own. I didn’t know anything about blogging but thought it would be fun to learn something new. I am not sure why but the day I started -- I made a decision to blog every day for a year. About every four months during the past year I questioned why I made that decision, and wondered whether or not I would be able to do 365 posts in a row. I am surprised and happy I made it.

Thank you for visiting my blog and following along, and for the kind words along the way. I am not quite sure how often I will post going forward…I am guessing at least a few times a week, but not seven.

To celebrate my anniversary AllModern.com is sponsoring a giveaway…details to follow. In the meantime check out their website.

I thought I would share my favorite post and few others posts that capture my junking and decorating style.

My Best Garage Sale Find Ever

I am seeing Stars

Guest room of my dreams

Blue shutter headboards

Before and After

Screen Porch

Strings of Pearls

Repurposing Old Coffee Jars

Sit Long Talk Much Laugh Often

Trapezoid Quilt

Paddle Decorating

Pink Frames

Busy Baking Bread

Almost didn’t buy this

Things that make me smile

Firewood storage

Front Porch

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• Inspirational decorating with thrifty finds
• Repurposing floral frogs
• Affordable watercolor art and frames
• Classic black and white purses
• 10 Chalkboard paint ideas
• Five Free Cell Phone Features
• Organizing with jars – Part I
• Organizing with jars – Part II
• Organizing with jars – Part III
• Dishes add color and whimsy to the garden
• Wallpaper Art
• Transforming a Goodwill table
• Repurposing flashcards
• Top 10 ideas for recycling greeting cards
• Hoops and fabric equal art
• Decorating with drop cloth curtains
• 10 uses for orphan sheets
• Organizing with Gladware
• Round robin clothing exchange and more

Thanks for stopping by Cottage Lifestyle and examiner.com.
Renee

Downtown art…

These beautifully painted horses were on display in downtown Ocala, Florida. Many cities select an item to be painted by various artists and have them off to raise money. In the Minneapolis / St. Paul area we have had Charlie Brown and Lucy, and I have seen cows and other animals throughout my travels. What have they painted in your city?

 

I am two days away from my one year blog anniversary. I set a goal to do a post a day for a year and for a while I didn’t think I was going to make it.

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• Inspirational decorating with thrifty finds
• Repurposing floral frogs
• Affordable watercolor art and frames
• Classic black and white purses
• 10 Chalkboard paint ideas
• Five Free Cell Phone Features
• Organizing with jars – Part I
• Organizing with jars – Part II
• Organizing with jars – Part III
• Dishes add color and whimsy to the garden
• Wallpaper Art
• Transforming a Goodwill table
• Repurposing flashcards
• Top 10 ideas for recycling greeting cards
• Hoops and fabric equal art
• Decorating with drop cloth curtains
• 10 uses for orphan sheets
• Organizing with Gladware
• Round robin clothing exchange and more

Thanks for stopping by Cottage Lifestyle and examiner.com.
Renee

Colorful bags…

Just a sampling of the multitude of colorful bags from the Markets of Marion in Ocala, Florida. There was every color combination and style imaginable.

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• Inspirational decorating with thrifty finds
• Repurposing floral frogs
• Affordable watercolor art and frames
• Classic black and white purses
• 10 Chalkboard paint ideas
• Five Free Cell Phone Features
• Organizing with jars – Part I
• Organizing with jars – Part II
• Organizing with jars – Part III
• Dishes add color and whimsy to the garden
• Wallpaper Art
• Transforming a Goodwill table
• Repurposing flashcards
• Top 10 ideas for recycling greeting cards
• Hoops and fabric equal art
• Decorating with drop cloth curtains
• 10 uses for orphan sheets
• Organizing with Gladware
• Round robin clothing exchange and more

Thanks for stopping by Cottage Lifestyle and examiner.com.
Renee