A Real Closet

I FINALLY got around to installing a closet system in the girls' new closet last weekend. Since I moved them in they've only had a big ugly dresser in there with an overflowing basket on top of it. Oh, and a basket for shoes on the floor. This doesn't sound as bad as it truly was, and I don't have photos for proof. But trust me, it was a mess. The stupid thing about it is that I've had a ClosetMaid rack system sitting in an unopened box in my basement since we moved here. We bought it for our last house in NC and never installed it. I've known all along that I would use it in this room, but frankly, I was a little intimidated about getting started. Turns out, it wasn't that bad, with the exception of cutting down the wire shelves to size using a hacksaw. That was not fun, but it was doable. Basically, if you can use a tape measure, a drill, and a screwdriver, and of coarse, the hacksaw, you can do this. I'd rate it in the easy to moderate category of DIY for a beginner. I'm thrilled with how it turned out, though I couldn't get a very good picture. I'm very happy with all the shelf space since the room is small and I don't want dressers in here. This gives us plenty of room to hang dresses and shirts, with room still for baskets of jammies, piles of pants, a basket of belts and such, a small set of drawers for socks, panties, and tights, a hanging organizer for school outfits, and a hanging shoe organizer. There's even room for a big basket of purses and bags.

For some reason, blogger refuses to let me add any photos to this post. What's up with that?!

Wreaths are my thing this year...

I love pinecones. I also love acorns. On a recent walk at the state park I brought along a bag for collecting both, because more than anything I like FREE items for decorating. I had been dreaming about a pinecone wreath and piles of acorns.



Yesterday I finally got around to making the wreath and putting the acorns here and there around the house.




First let me tell you that all the acorns we found had lost their tops. So we collected a bajillion tops and bottoms and I hot-glued them back together. This took a little time, but it wasn't as bad as I feared it would be.



For the wreath, I planned on purchasing a Styrofoam wreath form, painting it brown, and gluing on the pinecones. Then I remembered an old wreath in my basement that we (my family) had made a few years back. It was falling apart and honestly, I don't think it was that great to begin with. It seemed nice at the time...

I yanked off the pieces that were still hanging on and was left with just the grapevine wreath form- which was perfect because I didn't have to worry about it showing through. No painting, fabric wrapping, or anything required. I glued on the pinecones in a few different sizes and kept one sweet gum ball from the old wreath because we collected it from the yard in our home in NC. I hung it on the door along with my indian corn and I think I looks great. I have no idea why the wreath appears lop-sided in the picture because it doesn't look that way in real life. Maybe it's the shadows? Weird.


And here are a few gratuitous Thanksgiving decor pictures...

Thrifty Finds

For months and months I've been seeing hand written signs around town that say, "Vintage Sale". I've been curious, but never made it over to investigate. Today the signs also said, "1/2 Price Sale TODAY". Now THAT I couldn't resist. I drove on over to check it out and holy moly, it was heaven on earth. It's a barn full of antique and vintage items, furniture items, architectural items, farm items, dishes, knick knacks, linens...you get the idea. Their prices are fantastic to begin with, and EVERY item was 1/2 price today. I may need to go back. I tried to control myself, but COME ON! I spent $29.50 and got the following items:


I've been keeping my eyes open for a large enamel ware pitcher. Won't that look gorgeous with peonies in it next summer!? I've also been looking for an old scale. I don't know. I think they're cool and just a fun country item. I've also been looking for milk bottles. These tend to be a bit pricey. This one is little, but it has the name of a local dairy company and it will be a perfect little bud vase. (And it was only $4)



I just loved the vintage cake plate and carrier, especially the crystal knob.


Those candlesticks will be the perfect addition to my Christmas decor. Why not for $6 for the pair?


The most expensive item was the giant pitcher- $11. What?! The scale was also $6 and the cake plate was $2.50. Too fun!