I'm baaaccckkkkkkkk!!!

Hi everyone! Actually, no one is probably reading since I took an EIGHT month break! We have just been busy with the kids and enjoying every moment. I realize everyday just how BLESSED we are! We recently went on the Polar Express and it was a great little trip! Actually 17 of my family members went. We are Italian, what can I say? ;)
I'm glad to be back and hopefully I will be a little more regular here! I have tried to read blogs here and there. I recently got a new computer which makes blogging, surfing and everything else SO much easier! My old one was 8 yrs old!!!

Anyway, here are a few pictures of our trip! I love the Christmas season and wish it was longer than it is!

Down for a dime

Thank you for all your sweet comments on Madi's room! It really was a labor of love, no pun intended! ;)

I'm sure you all know by now that I am a bargain girl. I wanted to share one of my favorite things to find when I'm out thrifting. DOWN! Where else can you get down pillows for $2-$5? I have an extensive collection of down pillows. I just got these 2 beauties from Goodwill a few days ago. I have throw pillows, bed pillows, neckrolls, featherbeds, comforters.... you name it and I've got it! Even if I find a pillow with a hideous print, if it's down inside I buy it and re-donate the cover. Recycling my friends!

I have a few bed pillows that will be going toward the project of a chair cushion that hopefully will be done soon! Oh and don't listen to the dry clean only instructions, I wash them and they are fine!

Ok, so I've shared just one of my kooky things to collect, what is one of your kooky guilty pleasures? Have a great weekend! :)

A Dreamy Nursery......

I will warn you now, it is PIC heavy!! Of course I still have a hard time putting pics where I want them, so you have probably noticed I have twenty-something pics in this post! I just couldn't narrow it down. I love this room! There is a lot of sentimental things in here. A lot of my own things are in here. I found the crib on Craigs list for $25, still in the box!!! The bookcase was John's grandma's and he painted it white and painted the inside pink. I picked up the side table at Salvation Army probably 3 or more years ago. I loved it then and still do now. My dear friend Pam made the pillows on the chair, the diaper stacker and the beautiful handpainted "M" above the chair. There are alot of things that make this room special. But the most special part of this room is the sweet baby girl who sleeps in here!!

I obviously enjoy decorating (ya think?). So stay tuned for the boys' room makeover. They were sweet enough to give their baby sister THIS room which used to be their room! But they got a cool room as well now! :)

Tea time and an ice storm!

What a combination! I just have realized that I never shared my Christmas Tea with you! I was going through pictures on my camera and found them and thought I would share! I also found some beautiful pictures of the ice storm we had in January. Just thought I'd share!

I hosted a table at our Christmas Tea at our church. Each hostess had to be in charge of inviting 5-6 other guests, decorating the table (right up MY alley!), using your own china, decor and a favor for each guest. I invited my sister Dana, my sister Lisa and her daughter Talia, my friend Deanna and her mom Crystal and my good friend Anna. Oh and the hostesses also had to serve their guests tea and their lunch as well! We had appetizers, sandwiches, and then scones with our tea! There was Christian singer who performed for us. Paula Dunn, she was absolutely amazing! She had sung at our church before and she is this teeny tiny thing and what a VOICE comes out of her! She's cute as a button as well!

For the favors, I was at Michael's one day and THANKFULLY knew who was coming,lol. I found these ADORABLE pearl monogram ornaments for a $1, and Ballard Design sells a set of 3 for $19,lol! And I got each guest a little bar of Mary Engelbreight (I know I am spelling her name wrong, lol) soap and tied them both together with ribbon. Just a little something for a favor. It really was alot of fun putting it all together. I hope we do it again next year!

Ok, so I'm 3 months late with the pics, better late than never right??? :)

Why I love Goodwill!

I can't describe the rush when I find some little treasure I find at Goodwill! It's like hitting the lottery. Sometimes I will go there and get lost for at least an hour or two! I found this beauty and grabbed it fast! I can't wait to bring it home and clean it all up and get it back to it's original glory!!! That's part of my sickness, the clean up. That's an entirely different post or therapy session.

As I type I am listening to it perk away. I won't lie, part of me was waiting to be electricuted as I plugged it in, LOL. And was thinking maybe it wouldn't work, which then sparked me into thinking it would make a great lamp (even though I already have one, yes I'm sick, lol!). But then I smell delicious COFFEE being brewed right now! And I'm so happy about little find!
My sister and I went last night and did some thrifty shopping therapy. Where else can you find infant Ralph Lauren dresses for $1.99? Do I have to keep myself from squealing with delight OUT LOUD? Yes! I try to make a rule that I can't go shopping there, unless of course I am donating as well. Which is no problem the way these kids grow out of clothing and we seem to be always in some sort of "cleaning out mode". But I always have to stop in and see what is new. I always find some new little treasure that makes me so happy. Especially when I get 10 outfits (for a child that has more clothes than any 7 & 1/2 month old should have, but for 99 cents and 1.99 an outfit, whose counting?) , a very shabby chic comfy robe, a lampshade, a new spongebob connect four game for my boys , an easter egg kit, a stainless steel pot for melting chocolate and etc and a picture frame for $34. Seriously, how much more exciting can it get?
What is your favorite find at your favorite shop? I'd love to hear about it!

Progress........

Yes, progress! Can you imagine the wallpaper is ALL down and the walls are painted a lovely shade of Laura Ashley Olive #4. I had 382 paint chips and still went with choice number one. I'm glad I did though because I am loving the result. The wood looks so warm next to it. Now I can start obsessing on window treatments, how many panels, hang them straight or swag them, on rings or through the rod pocket. It snowballs, as you can see, lol. But it's DONE which makes me SO happy. I figured I'd show a sneak peek of the walls the fabric I'm thinking about covering the chairs with. Decisions, decisions!

Now you see it............Now you don't!

Yup, it's that time. It's time the dining room wallpaper comes down! I was glad the lady who put it up signed the wall because I couldn't remember how long it had been up! It's been up 4 1/2 yrs!!! That's an ETERNITY for me!

I'm ready for something new. I'm not sure what, but the paint chips are out! I can't decide between a nice olive green or maybe even a light gold? Jen, I even have your Bronzed Beige sample out! I can't decide though! Anyone have any ideas??? I'd love to hear them!!