Flip the Switch

This past weekend was the monthly Scott Antique Market in Atlanta and being the awesome friend that I am I decided to take Heather from TwentySomething as she had never been before. Even though it has changed over the years since I was there last we did get LOTS of inspiration ideas. I think we spent less than $10.00 ea during the whole visit but let me tell you  --- some of those vendors REALLY like their items(if you know what I mean)

We also decided to swing by Anthropologie on the way home because well - who doesn't love that store??

One thing that I kept seeing at both places was unusual lighting fixtures. Lighting is not something I generally notice but Beth from The Stories of A to Z recently posted about Basket Lighting so it seemed I was seeing it all over the place.

Here are some other items, besides Lights, that caught my eye.

1. I totally want this for my home office! :)

2. Not a real clock, but the size and color -- fabulous!!!

3. Vintage Paper Roll - Loved it!

4. Books -- the next DIY project with Heather!

1. Keys -- I adore Keys!

2. Awesome old Pharmacy Desk(still had the labels inside the vertical drawers)

3. Loved this postal desk 

4. These vines balls were cool -- I could so see hanging a light bulb inside one!

Needless to say it was a fun trip despite the crazy prices of things!

Heather was overcome with happiness.
She also had one of those "lightbulb" moments hahahaha

My fave Anthropologie finds of the day.

1. Love these chairs

2. I am doing this -- once I find a big enough basket haha

3. Teapot Lamp -- adorable!

4. Letter Graveyard -- I could hear them *silently* screaming Buy Me Buy Me!

Can't wait to see what the next H and R Adventure holds!

Ikea Initiation

What do you do when your best pal calls you up and says "Hey girl, Since we are headed to Atlanta anyway - do you want to go by Ikea before we head to the museum*?"
Well if you are me you can't say "Yes, Yes, Yes." and "What time do we leave?" fast enough. You see until yesterday I was an I.V = Ikea Virgin!!. *hangs head* Yes I am 37 years old and I have never been to Ikea before -- sad isn't it. It actually always made me laugh when I told people that because I do like to shop so it was a shock that I had never experienced the fabulousness of Ikea before now.

I simply can not Thank my pal Heather from TwentySomething enough for introducing me to my new favorite place. YOU ROCK H!!! I tend not to say this around TheHandyman because he will think it is due to the furniture(he is a furniture builder after all so it is a little sacrilegious to purchase that elsewhere) but in reality it is due to all the wonderful accessories. If you have not been then you totally need to go and quick. They have the coolest items there.

Below are some of my favorites of the day.

 

1. Letter Bookends -- just happened to be displaying the best one -- B

2. Wavy Light Shade - so pretty.

3. Fabulous wall of photos. Even though white is not my color I could so see this in Black!

4. Baskets GALORE -- I was in heaven!

1. This light consisted of wires(sparkler size), Paper flowers, and buttons -- crazy!!

2. Pillow of the Day -- loving the colors and it had Birds on it which is always an extra plus :)

3. Dresser and Nightstand - these beauties were an lovely gray color with the cutest teardrop pulls <3

4. I am totally coveting this sink. The shape is so different and unique it was hard for me to resist haha

LOVE the colors!

This lamp was simply stunning..thin wood strips - loved it!
Above photo linked to Sweet Shot Tuesdays because I LOVE it!
 

Heather with her $19.99 find.

I know she will talk herself into it so we will get to go back soon and pick this baby up!

Emma was our photographer for part of the day and had to get the requisite self-portrait - love this girl!

 Our lunches for the day :)

Needless to say it was an awesome trip and I can not wait to go back. 

When all was said and done my total purchases equaled $3.60 -- see proof positive that I have awesome restraint!!

*Sidenote: If you are in the Atlanta area you should check out the Breman Holocaust Museum. After the Ikea visit we went and heard a Survivor speak then toured the museum. Very moving!

Do you have one of those friends who introduces you to new and fabulous places? If so - what was your favorite?

Thriftiquing 2.1

I am so behind on this post that it is sad -- but I have actually been doing crafting so in my eyes at least that makes up for the delay!

A few weeks ago I was able to spend a Sunday afternoon with Heather just hanging out. Now if you have been reading the past few weeks you know that when H and I hang out it really means spending time doing our fave kind of shopping ~~ Thriftiquing!

Here are a few of the things we spotted:

-- The Metal Chest was a tad pricey but it would be too cute to hold office supplies!

-- I have a secret plan for that fish basket ;) (hopefully it is still there HA)

-- I have seen better priced Spritzers but I loved all these green ones.

-- Vintage Chalkboard -- 'Nuff said!!

-- Cute little Kodak Photo Cutter -- LOVED it!

-- These Acorns were such a sweet pair.

-- Not sure what this huge wooden hand was made for but I give it props for originality.

-- Vintage travel banners and a fabulous old shutter!!

BEST PHOTO OF THE DAY AWARD

-Awarded to Heather@TwentySomething for not being afraid

to very loudly voice her shock at finding great prices on items

and for freely showing love to new found treasures!!  Love you girl!

Are you a lone thriftiquer or you do you like to hunt in pairs or groups? 

Are you a spur of the moment shopper or do you plan the trip for days?

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Can't wait till the next trip!!

DIY Date Nite -- Sneak Peek

What do you get when two friends together who are aspiring DIY home decor gals, a few free hours, various tools, and some paint?

The Beginnings to 4 new projects!

This is just a sneak peek at some of the projects that Heather from TwentySomething and I worked on today.
The full posts will be available here and over here shortly - so be sure to check them out!!

Can't wait till Friday H!!!

Treasure Hunting : Iron/Metal

One of the things I kept seeing on my trip down to Mart this week was Iron and Metal items. Whether it be a table or a bed, a lamp or a fan, almost every showroom I visited had some type of iron/metal pieces. The sad thing is the majority* of then were cheap reproductions that once in retail stores cost more than an original piece would -- so sad. *My fave showroom - Go Home has fabulous pieces!! I spent over an hour in their new showroom just looking around!

As I was checking out somethings in the WW of Craigslist today I thought I would see what iron and metal items I were listed -- you know, "just to see". It simply amazes me what some stores will sell knock-offs for when a little looking can get you the Real Thing at a much better price(and sometimes with a cool story to boot!)
*Click on Photos for more information*

#1- Iron Fireplace Surrounds

 

$50.00 - Great Price!

$250.00 - Has more detail

It is rare to find an actual Iron Surround these days as most are wood, however if you look you can find great vintage ones to use.

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#2 - Old Metal Beds

$25.00 Each - Awesome Price as I see these(real vintage) for $150+ normally.

Some online searching found the two knock-offs below - the prices are the average for a full size.

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#3 - Old Hand Water Pumps

Both for $60 (Fair price especially if the left one is as big as it looks)

These I found online but they have NO character at all! ;)

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#4 - Railroad Cart: 

$250 - Fair price if really original.

It is easy to find the hardware so sadly the shops that sell them are reproducing but selling as original :(

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#5 (my Fave Find today) Security Door

$150 -- Fab Price!!

Hard to find an antique door but the new ones(that look old) are between $500 -$900

These are just a few examples of real vintage pieces you can find with just a little looking. Heck sometimes you can find pieces that are completely Free* which is the best kind of deal there is!

*like the table I found for H - it is being delivered Saturday so I can't wait to see if it will fit :)

What are some things that you have seen in the stores/catalogs that you know you can find real ones of?

Sneaks and Surprises!

Happy Wednesday -- well kinda, I am just glad it is almost over as it has been one-of-those-days :-/

Anywho ~ I am just popping in real fast to leave this....

(loving this color scheme and hopefully it works out so I can share hahaha - no seriously!)


and this...

....... beauty that Heather surprised me with for Christmas! Little did I know that when she asked me what color I preferred that this was the reason. I just thought I was helping her pick out some prints for herself. -- I Love It!! Thanks H! btw-- she found these awesome prints from Lux Art over on Etsy, you should stop by and check her out as she has some pieces to fit any wall in your house. :)


What things have you been surprised with lately?






P.S. My Day 4 Challenge will be posted tomorrow as I am attempting to get to bed before 11 for the first time this week tonight :)