Cheap but Fabulous Vintage Shopping #Frugal #Shopping

Post by Patricia: #Throwback post

Over the weekend I did one of my absolutely favorite things, shopping at thrift stores and estate sales.

It happened to be a particularly good couple of days to find some bargains. The Franciscan Dinnerware was a fantastic bargain at Goodwill. I got six dinner plates in perfect condition at only a dollar each.

They are listed at $10.75 each right now on Ebay. I remember these from my own childhood, so there is great sentimental value in having them.

This very heavy, old mixing bowl was only $3 from an estate sale I went to. It's perfect for cake making.

I love these dessert dishes for the upcoming fall holidays. They were $5 for six of them at the estate sale. Love the color.

I collect baskets, and this pink one was in perfect condition, and only $1. I think it has a sweet vintage feel to it.

I love old sugar and creamer sets. This French inspired one is something I'll use right away. Coffee and tea are even sweeter with this.

I love shopping for old and vintage items. When it's a day out with my girls, it's even better.

Do you shop for vintage? What are some of your great finds?

Frugal Friday: Pumpkin Spice Muffins from 99 Cents Only Store #FrugalFriday #Frugal #dothe99

I will admit I am obsessed with shopping at the 99 Cents Only Store!! I have shopped at them since I was a teenager in Southern Cali and would get giants candy canes for my classmates for Christmas. That was well over 20 years ago and I was hooked with the low price on hundreds of items.

Now as a Mom I find the need to be frugal a fabulous adventure of what can I find a good deal on today. The 99 Cents Only Store makes it fun for even my son since he knows I will more than likely say yes to things he will ask for. We went in today to grab some bread and take a peek at the seasonal items that were in stock. I ended up finding some Pumpkin Spice themed decor and a muffin mix. I squealed and my husband rolled his eyes when I saw the Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice sign. Its in my kitchen now! I decided to add my personal touch to a pre-made mixture by topping the muffins with honey and pumpkin seeds.

$3 for 3 items, I already had milk and eggs at home

It was hard to not buy ALL the Fall decor I spotted but I am waiting until we decide what our theme will be this year. I want simple with a tad of sparkle. I am sure I will find the things I need to make it happen. Here are some of the items I spotted on the shelves.

I was pleased with my semi homemade muffins that I will be bringing to work for a coworker who is celebrating her birthday. They are sweet and simple. I LOVE the Fall themed cupcake liners that I bought at the store.

Do you have a 99 Cents Only Store near you? What fabulous finds have you purchased there? Do you have any tips for a Semi-homemade recipe I can borrow for Fall Treats?

DIY Bench Makeover #upcycled #pinterestinspired #furnituremakeover

By Patricia

I've had this old bench around for years. I bought it at a yard sale, and it's been passed back and forth between my daughter and I a few times. I thought it really needed a makeover, and I was tired of the black wood and old fabric.

This is such an easy project to do, all I needed was some white paint and some new fabric. The new fabric I decided to use was actually an old drapery panel that I bought at the Goodwill for a few dollars. This was going to be a fast and inexpensive way to give new life to an old piece of furniture.

I took the bench outside and took off the seat, super easy since it just lifts out. It's a gorgeous day for an outside project!

I only had to do a little bit of sanding before I could apply the first coat of paint. Luckily the old paint was in good condition, but I would need to apply two coats of paint because I was applying white on the black paint.

Applying the first coat of paint. The can said it covers in one coat, but I could already see that wasn't going to work on my bench.

Here is the bench after two coats of paint. I let the first coat of paint dry over night because it was enamel, and it seemed to be drying slowly. Now on to the bench seat.

This is the drapery panel that I cut to size. I measured how much I needed for the bench seat, then I added four inches to each side. Using the staple gun made it very fast and easy to adhere the fabric to the seat. Super simple!

Going around the corners of the of the seat was a little trickier, but you just have to pull the fabric taunt and then staple it down. I didn't remove the very first layer of fabric, but it didn't interfere with stapling the new fabric on.

Here is the bench all finished! I love the light colors and what a big change it is. This DIY project was very easy and inexpensive to do. Love it!

What is your favorite way to Upcycle DIY Projects? Do you shop Goodwill or Yard Sales for DIY ideas?

Frugal Finds and Why I Love Thrift Shops

Everyone who knows me knows that I love fresh flowers. They make me happy, and I really get a lot of pleasure from seeing them on my desk or the dining room table. I never spend much money on them either, I buy them from the grocery store or farmers market at a low price.

Being frugal doesn't mean going without or not being able to enjoy the things you like in life, it just means you look for the things you want at a reduced price. And you can actually make the hunt fun and challenging, especially if you like shopping, which I love.

This vase was only $2.99 and I consider it one of my best scores ever. I'm a big fan of blue and white, so this is a classic piece that I can see keeping pretty much forever. It came from Goodwill on a day that pink tags were half off.

That is one of the things I really like about Goodwill, everyday offers some kind of savings. It can be half off, or 30 or 40%, or senior citizens day. Just go to your local Goodwill website for a list of savings days.

My granddaughter Ashley is a shopper too, and we have found tons of cute name brand clothes for her at a fraction of the price in department stores. Kids grow so quickly that it's a little silly to pay a lot of money for clothes that they outgrow in six months.

Maybe you're already a thrift store shopper and you completely understand why I love thrift shopping. And if you're not, give it a try.

There's no shame about buying, wearing, and using thrifted items. I'll never forget seeing an acquaintance of mine, a very well off and chic women, going into the dressing room at Goodwill with an armful of clothing to try on. Even rich people want a bargain!!

Of course, Goodwill isn't the only place to shop for deals. There's lots of places to seek out in your own cities and neighborhoods. I like small shops that are run by local charities that benefit directly from it's sales.

Here in the Seattle area, we have a store that benefits Seattle Children's Hospital that I love supporting because of all the good works it does for kids.

And don't forget about donating too, if there are things around your house you don't need, donations help so much, creating jobs and raising money for a good cause.

Happy thrifting!!