Thrifty shopping at the ReStore

On Saturday, hubby and I went to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. The closest one to me is in Temecula, CA. But you can find ReStore's all across the nation. If you have never been, you need to go. If you are into being green and/or thrifty. It's the ultimate.

For any of you that live in southwest Riverside County in Ca, the address to the Temecula location is above. And I just found out that they opened a 2nd ReStore in Lake Elsinore. I'll have to check it out sometime.

My ReStore has had a ton of shutters. Right now shutters are 2 for $5.00 for all sizes. I want some, but not sure what I'd do with them. I'm torn between these ones.

And these ones. But I'm leaning towards the first ones. I thought I could turn one sideways & add some hooks to hang towels in my son's bathroom. But I thought these shutters would make a great headboard for my niece. Decisions, decisions.

You really never know what you will find at the ReStore. They usually always have some tiles. But this weekend, they had a ton.

And they had lots of cabinets.

They always have paint & toilets,

Sinks and counter tops. I loved this sink. It was $30.00.

And do you need a new door? They have doors galore.
Someone had painted this on one of the doors. I thought it was funny. I might just have to make a sign that says this for my laundry room.


They had a bunch of new appliances.

And lots of wood molding. $3.00 a piece.


In the front of the store they have a showroom. Here is where they have a lot of appliances, tile, lamps & furniture on display. I forgot to take a photo of the furniture.

Need a lamp to revamp? This is the place.

Hubby loved this lamp with the lions. But it was a bit pricey. Sometimes they will have lamps 1/2 price.

They sometimes have decorative tile & this week they had subway tile for 10 cents each.
I liked the fruit tiles. But had no need for them.

And what did I buy?


I got these cabinet drawer fronts. I thought they would be perfect for making signs. They were $1.50 each. I want to make one that says "Toilette" for my master bath. If I ever get one made, I'll be sure to show you.

And I got this vintage cabinet door for $2.00. I think I will make a sign out of this one as well. Not sure what it will say. Maybe I'll make it into the laundry sign. We'll see.

If you've never visited a Habitat for Humanity ReStore, you need to. They have lots of cool stuff that you creative gals could make over. And even if you are not creative (like me, I can only copy) you can usually find something there.

And if you are remodeling what better place to donate your old doors, windows, cabinets, sinks, toilets, etc? Or if you or someone you know is a contractor and have left over supplies from a build, donate them to the ReStore. The money they raise in sales goes for a good cause & you are keeping the planet a little greener. Sounds like a win/win to me.




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Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Speaking of mothers, how many of you read NieNie? I know I do. And I know that a lot of you do as well. Stephanie is one of the most awesome of mothers or woman that I know. I don't know her personally, but feel that I know her through her blog.

In honor of mothers day I thought I would share with you a video. It's about Stephanie Nielson, survivor of a near-fatal plane crash and a beautiful mother. She shares her story of a beautiful life centered on faith in Jesus Christ and love of family.

The video is long, but worth watching.



I have been following Stephanie's blog at NieNie Dialogues ever since I heard about her plane crash back in August 2008. She also has an awesome sister named Courtney who has a blog called C Jane Enjoy It. Courtney posted a lot about Stephanie's accident and took care of 3 of her 4 children while Stephanie was recovering.

I recommend you read both of their blogs someday (if you haven't already). You will find both quite inspirational and even funny. And both have a way of making motherhood the most noblest of callings. Which by the way, it is. But especially Stephanie.

This is the perfect video for Mother's Day.

Swagger Wagon

Are you a soccer mom? I'm not. But someday my grandson may decide to play soccer & then I might get my second chance at being a soccer grammy. And if and when my grandson decides to play soccer, I may just have to get me a Swagger Wagon.

This video is dedicated to all you mommy's and daddy's and let's not forget the grammy's.



I want a swagger wagon after seeing this video. Don't you? Who ever thought it would be hip to own a minivan? Look out SUV's, the minivan is back!!!

Hey, my niece plays soccer. Maybe I could be a soccer aunt.

A Mother's Day tablescape

Mother's Day is coming up this Sunday. Not sure what I will be doing at this point. I guess I better figure it out real quick. I'll either go down to San Diego to visit my mom. Or maybe I'll see if she wants to come up to my house. Or maybe I'll send everyone away & have the house all to myself and do what I want. Sounds like heaven to me.

Since I haven't figured out what I will be doing for Mother's Day, I haven't even thought about a new tablescape for this year. And since I have been feeling so lazy I thought I would recycle another tablescape from last year. But I love this one & I hope that you will too. I originally posted it on my family blog last year. I have updated it for this year.

I live in a family of all men, so I figured the only way I am getting a nice table for Mother's Day is to set it myself.

If we stay home we will eat dinner out in our backyard. The weather has been beautiful here in southern California aka: SoCal. A little on the warm side, but last year at this time it was already 100 degrees here. So 80's is nice.

If I were to choose the menu (and I am), I would have hubby BBQing steaks, potatoes and corn on the cob (he will if I go and buy it). That is my all time favorite meal. Some salad would be great too (need to have something a little healthy). And we can't forget strawberry shortcake for dessert (What? It's Mothers Day). Do you hear that boys? You've got to give men lots of clues as to what you want.

Even though I live in a family of boys, the table will be very girly. Cause I am a girl!!! And it is my day!!! So they will just have to live with it. I'm sure they will insist that no photos be taken of them sitting at such a girly table. But we'll see.

I purchased the tablecloth & napkins from a website called Crossroads Cottage last year. She is no longer selling this particular tablecloth or napkins.

I love these napkins.

For napkin rings I used pewter curtain rings & clips. I then clipped on a silk rose.

Here is a photo of a place setting without the napkin on the plate.

The white dinner plates came from The Dollar Tree last year for $1.00 each. A dollar!!! I love how the edge has a basket weave. And they are white!!! Did I tell you they were a dollar? And you know I have an obsession with white plates.

For salad plates I used my Bordallo cabbage plates. I love that they are green. I got mine on clearance at Ross last year for $2.49 a plate. I've seen them in pink on some other blogs, but have not found the pink ones in person. I would love to have pink ones.


My silverware really means a lot to me. My Grandma gave me this set when I graduated from High School. I used them in this setting as they have roses on them. My Grandma had a similar set and I got her set as well when she passed away. I had to search high and low to find these in all my stuff. And anyone who knows me knows that was no easy task. I have a lot of stuff. I unfortunately don't know who they are made by. I'm not good at remembering stuff like that. I'm lucky I can remember to feed myself each day. And take one look at me & you can tell that is one thing I don't forget. lol.

I used my favorite thrift store goblets again. I only have a couple of sets of goblets, so you will see them all the time in my tablescapes. I'm more of a dishaholic, not a gobletaholic.

Here is my centerpiece. I used my Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic pitcher that came from Mervyn's years ago when Shabby Chic first became big. I had never heard of Rachel Ashwell when I bought the pitcher. I bought it because I collect pitchers & I love roses.

The silk roses it holds are the $1.00 flowers from Walmart (years ago). But I think back when I bought them they were actually only 88 cents for a bunch. Does Walmart even have $1.00 flowers anymore? I know they still have silk flowers, but I don't remember seeing the $1.00 ones lately. Don't get me started on Walmart's downsizing of their fabric & craft departments. Not a happy camper here.

The wire charger underneath the pitcher came from Target last year. I have four. It was in their Easter decorations. I wish I could say that I purchased them on clearance after Easter, but no, I had to have them. Didn't want to take the chance they would be all gone, so I paid full price. Hard to believe, but sometimes I give in to temptation.

Then of course my Target birdies Harold & Maude couldn't wait to be back in a tablescape. Did you ever notice that they have roses on them? I never noticed until just now.

The vintage candlesticks came from a thrift store. When I originally saw them I took them up to the counter to ask how much (they didn't have a price tage). The girl told me $4.00. I thought too much & passed on them. A few days later I went back to the thrift store & they were still there. By now, they were calling to me. This time a different woman was working & she said they were $2.00 for the pair. I said SOLD!!!! I was so happy that I waited on buying them. I love these as they have roses on them too. Are you catching a theme?

I see you eyeing that pool. Doesn't it look refreshing? I know you just want to jump in. It's not quite warm enough to go swimming yet. Maybe in a few weeks. You will just have to come back. But bring your own towel.

Here's one final look at my table.

Well thanks for visiting my Mother's Day tablescape this week. Let's hope I figure out exactly what I'm going to do for Mother's Day and that it turns out the way I expect. But you know how that can go. Especially if you have kids. Even if they are adults.

What will you be doing for Mother's Day?



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What's in Grannys Attic?

One of my favorite places to go antiquing is at Granny's Attic Antique Mall.


Granny's Attic is located a few blocks from Old Town Temecula. Because it is not located right in Old Town, it has much better prices.

Now I love to go antiquing, but I don't have any money right now. But I can still window shop.


So how about you come along with me and help me window shop. I'll show you what I would buy if I had money. Come on in!!
Even before we go in, I spy something I would love. This beautiful fountain!!! But it's not for sale. It sits out front of the store. They have to chain it down to keep it from being stolen. And I can see why.

Look, milk glass pulls!!! I want them. I already have some clear glass pulls & knobs, but aren't these milk glass ones to die for?

How about these galvanized tin pots, buckets or what ever you would call them? Looks like a big tin cup. They are huge. They would make a cool planter.

I just love anything old & rusty. How about you? This would look great in my back yard.

And I love these. Medallions, or what ever they are called.

Why can't I remember what anything is called while I'm writing my posts? That is why I could never be a writer and hated writing my descriptions for stuff I would sell on eBay. I forget what everything is called.

No matter what they are, they are fabulous. Wouldn't know what I'd do with them, except just admire them. And maybe drool some.


I adore these glasses. They would be great for a tablescape. I can't remember how much they were. My brain doesn't work sometimes. I'm blonde you know. Which is a great excuse for forgetting things. Comes in quite handy. I use it to it's fullest advantage.

How about this chandelier? Maybe I could talk my son into getting it for me for Mother's Day. I'd love to put in my bedroom. Do you think I could convince hubby to give up the ugly ceiling fan? And I would hate to dust all those crystals. Maybe I could talk my son into getting me a maid as well.

I want one of these rusty metal letters in the worse way. But they are like $30.00 a piece. Way out of my price range. And I didn't see a "K".

I want this scrolly thing! It's only $14.00. I don't think it's old though. Looks like someone just made it. I asked hubby if he could make me one & he said YES. Now if only I can get him to actually make one for me. And where would I put it if he does? How about on top of my TV armoire in my family room? Oh hubby........

I just love, love, love this silver brides basket. But it's like $90 something dollars!!! I did find a cheaper brides basket at a thrift store a few years back for just a few bucks. Not as nice as this one, but it works for me. Don't you just love the shape of the handle on this one?


I love the carved birds on this hat stand. But alas, the hat stand is not for sale. It it were, I'm sure it would be out of my price range.

I think we need a little sunshine. How about we go out back to the garden area? Lots of cool stuff out here that I would love to take home. And everything is on sale!!!

This iron gazebo needs to come home with me. Right now!!! But not at $1000 it won't. Too bad I didn't win the Mega Millions lotto last night or it might be.

How about a bird cage? Too pricey. If I still had my cockatiel, I might be tempted. Heck, I'm still tempted. But still too pricey. Ooh, look at the gargoyles. I love gargoyles, even though they are creepy. Reminds me of Paris, or maybe Ghostbusters. I prefer Paris.

I'd love me some iron gates and/or fencing. The rustier the better. Wouldn't iron fencing be great around my estate, I mean house? Iron fencing with ivy growing up through it. Perfection.

Why oh why is everything I love too pricey? My mom always told me that I have champagne taste on a beer budget. And I don't even drink.

I hope you have enjoyed our little trip to Granny's Attic. Thanks for coming along. Can you believe that I did not spend one cent? Me niether. I think it was a first for me.

Don't you wish that you had a granny who really had such fabulous stuff in her attic just for you? And you didn't have to spend a dime?

Well a girl can dream can't she?