It is all about you know who….

Picked up this adorable popcorn tin for 50 cents as I thought it would be the perfect storage container for Lollie’s dog treats.

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• 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

Second Life…

My friend Lisa gave me this quilted teddy bear. I love when a quilt is repurposed. I thought s/he would look cozy in the ‘red room’. Thanks Lisa!

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• 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

C stands for…

Bought a gold colored letter C at a garage sale for $2. I already have a gold C, but couldn’t pass this one up as it is the initial of my last name. I didn’t have any idea as to where it was going to go and what color it would become. Decided to paint it red and for something different, placed it on my coffee table, and decided it could stand for cottage, coastal, or coffee table. I kind of like it on the table.

My dog Lollie also has her initials sitting out on a shutter on top of the radiator.

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• 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

2nd Time Around…

I made a slipcover for a chair I pulled out of the neighbor’s trash. Blogged for 2nd Time Around over at A Picture is Worth a 1,000 Words.

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• 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

Going green by going white…

Picked up this grungy, light green hamper for $16 at a local antique store. Scrubbed and painted her white. I have a friend coming to stay for a few months so this will serve as a hamper in her closet. In the meantime, it is in my bathroom. Amazing how a little white paint can make such a difference.

A while back I was blog surfing and read about a tool that made spray paining easier. Checked my local hardware store and they didn’t know what I was talking about. Since I was spray painting 8 items this weekend and have plans to spray another 4 items next weekend…I wanted to find this tool. Got mine at Home Depot for $2.49. WOW, it kept my index finger and thumb from going numb, I didn’t need to wear gloves, and it made spray painting go much quicker. Run, don’t walk to get yours.


Blogging as part of Between Naps on the Porch’s Met Monday and Southern Hospitality’s Thrifty Treasures.

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• 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

Future coffee table and a fabulous wedding video…

I have always wanted a coffee table with large wheels on the base. My neighbor David found this base with large wheels and asked me if I wanted it. YES…please! Now I am on the hunt for something to put on the base to use as a coffee table.

Angelo Surmelis from Rate My Space had this wedding video on his blog yesterday. He said it was a Minnesota couple. Totally worth watching. Thanks for sharing Angelo.

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• 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

Function, Form and Color…

 

This pitcher jumped out at me at a garage sale. Found everything about it attractive. The combination of the blue and light beige appealed to me even though it really isn’t the color palette in my home. The shape isn’t anything new, but for some reason it is art to me. I don’t like a lot of clutter on my kitchen counters, but I want to keep this out. The seller wouldn’t let me have it for less than $3…at the time it seemed like too much money…now it feels like money well spent.

 

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• 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

Floored…

I have been wanting a plastic floor mat for my quilting area for a long time…but I was too cheap to buy one. Found one at a garage sale for $2. Now my garage sale $15 red chair rolls easily. Can’t wait until this winter when I get back to quilting.

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• 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

The city by the bay…

Three weeks ago I was in San Francisco giving my 14 year old niece a tour of the city and Bay Area where I once lived. I have always appreciated the diversity of the homes and the architectural details. I am not quite sure if this is a condo or a single family home…either way it is stunning. It is perched on a hill and has a stunning view from all windows and the roof deck.

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• 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

Pull up a chair…

Stop by our A Southern Daydreamer and see what others are sharing for Outdoor Wednesday.

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• 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

More Chandeliers…

Ever since I got the garage sale buy of my life…I have been noticing chandeliers every where. Last week I was in Charleston, SC for business and stayed at a historic hotel, The Mills House. The chandeliers in the hotel lobby caught my eye. Wouldn’t this first chandy look fabulous in my dining room?

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• 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

Appetizer time…

Picked up 18 restaurant style, off-white appetizer size plates for $3. I thought for 17 cents a plate they would be perfect for our s’more nights, and I won’t care if a few don’t make the summer. They were still in their plastic wrapping when I discovered them. The two spoons were a quarter.

Stop by Southern Hospitality and see what others scored.

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• 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

Blog Party 2009 at Oronoco Gold Rush Days…

Amy with Junkologie and WhisperWood Cottage is hosting a blog party at her booth during Gold Rush Days in downtown Oronoco, Minnesota!

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• 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

Taking the day off…

Mom sent me to let you know that she is taking the day off…she was in Charleston, SC for 4 days this week and needs to focus on household projects. This is me, Lollie on my first day with mom back in November 06. I was 8 weeks old when I flew in from Tennessee. Mom had just given me a bath and thought I needed a sweater on to go outside before bed time. Enjoy the day.

Mom is looking for thrifty shopping ideas for her thrifty shopping column. If you have any suggestions, please send an email to Cottagelifestyle@hotmail.com.

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• 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

Simple quilt rack…

This quilt rack was suppose to go in my recent garage sale as I don’t have a place for it. Simple design, could be made with scraps of wood. Easily painted any color. Draped a quilt on it and hung it from my dining room cabinets so you could see it in action.

Made the jean quilt out of old jeans from friends and family. Not sure what happened to the photo below. It is difficult to see the design on the front of the quilt in this picture…but you can see it in the picture of the back of the quilt (second photo below).

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• 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

Puzzled?

I grew up in northern Minnesota…cold, long winters. Puzzles were a favorite family past time. I bought this new, unopened agate puzzle at a garage sale for $3, as it reminded me of the agates you find on the north shore of Lake Superior. It is only 500 pieces…doable, but yet challenging and fun to do this winter.

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• 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

Garage sale recap and an award…

I said last year that I wouldn’t ever have another garage sale…but I didn’t keep my promise. Hosted a sale with 5 others on Saturday. The weather was picture perfect and we had a fabulous turnout. I did pay for an ad in the local paper, and used craigslist and kijiji.com. Everyone except me did very well. My big items didn’t sell so I need to get them on craigslist. I was in Ft. Lauderdale on business last week, so I was short on time and wasn’t as prepared and organized as I wanted to be…so the merchandising was lacking. I am going on record and saying it here publicly with my right hand raised…this was my last garage sale. Whenever the time comes and I leave this house I will have a moving sale…so that won’t count.

Kathy (my kindred junking spirit) over at Sylvia’s Vintage Daughter thinks my blog is fabulous and sent along an award. Thanks Kathy. I am forwarding this award on to five fellow bloggers that I enjoy visiting.

Please visit…

Chez Larsson
The Maisy Report
V and Co.
Just Beachy
Homebody

Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• 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

Gifts from Garage Sale Gal and an award…

On Friday evening, Deb from Garage Sale Gal stopped by with her husband Pat. It was great to meet a local fellow blogger. Deb brought me a beautiful set of note cards and note book, and being a fellow animal lover she brought treats for my gal Lollie…extremely generous. Not only do Deb and I love garage sales, flea markets, estate sales, thrift shopping and dogs…we are both chocolate lovers. Deb is an antique dealer and rents space at two local shops. Thanks Deb!


Nancy over at Nancy’s Tidbits sent me an Attitude of Gratitude award. Thanks Nancy.

The rules of accepting and sharing this award are:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs that show an attitude of gratitude
3. Link to your nominees within your post
4. Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award
5. Share the love and link to this post and the person who nominated you for the award.Tell us how you've come to have an attitude gratitude. For me, I am thankful that I am happy, healthy, employed and have good friends and family.



I would like to nominate these people for the attitude of gratitude award.


1.  Sweet Something Design
2.  My Good Life in Nebraska
3.  Cozy Little House
4.  Garage Sale Gal
5.  Forever Vintage
6.  For the love of older homes…the journey they entail
7.  Small Home In The Country
8.  Old Beach Bungalow
9.  Thrifty Miss Priss
10. Colby Cottage Happenings


Check out my Thrifty Shopping articles on examiner.com.

• 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