thrifting 01

thrifting 01: Home Decor on a dime 

I am a thrift shopper. Yes, you can call me whatever you want. But I just love buying things at a reasonable price. I also love the idea of giving something a new life in my home. 

Here are some things I look for at thrift stores for storage/decor at home. 

Let me know if you want to see more of these types of posts. 

Home storage/display cases: 

Not all this is thrifted. But this display area in my apartment only cost me about $70 and come change. 

The display case of the left is something that I built from small crates I found at Michael's and wood boxes from Target. I put them together with some wood glue and voila- I have a cute display case for my cameras. Total cost around $30. 

The two green/sea-foam colored ones from TJ Maxx at about $15/crate. 

The crate on the left was on sale from TJ maxx -- slightly damaged $8. 

And the two crates up top were only $2 each at Salvation Army. 

Here is a closer look at the thrifted things: 

$4 total. The little chair box next to the plant was only $1. 

I suggest searching high and low for these crates. You can get them for decent prices. If you want to pay too much, I know whole foods sells theirs for $20/crate. 

I heard you can get them for free from Costco sometimes. 

Total cost: $70.00 and change

Jewelry Storage: 

This is an old magazine holder that I decided to use it as a jewelry holder. 

Total cost: $3.99 

Thrifted frames: 

10 frames with character: 

Total cost: $5.00  

Home decor: 

I decided to use this old wooden doll chair as a book end. 

Total cost: $3.99  

I've had this teddy bear for over 20 years now. He's been needing a new place to be. So, I found this cute miniature student desk at the Salvation Army. He looks perfect there with the backpack I made him a few years back. 

It's a weird find and extremely heavy. Too cute for words. 

Total cost: $8.99 

simple series 05

simple series 05: Pimp yo' wall 

Recently, I've been obsessed with decorating my apartment. So here is a little something I decided to do on my blank wall. 

Materials Needed: 

1. Frames! I thrifted about 10 frames for $5 at my local Salvation Army. I feel like the worker didn't want to scan all of them in, so I got a really good deal on them. Some had pictures I liked -- I didn't de-frame the pictures. Like the tiger picture. 

2. Chalkboard Paint - I have the Martha Stewart one. I think it was less than $10 for the bottle. Just a tip -- Get the spray paint type. It's easier. You will need a paint brush if you have what I have. 

3. Old picture book pages. I bought some books from a local hand me down book store at $4.99/lb. I tore out the pages and framed the poems/pictures I liked. I saw them selling pages like this at $1/page -- a little more work will save you moolla. 

4. Command Tabs! These are awesome for renters or people like me who don't want to deal with hammers and nails. -- $3-6/pk. 

Step 1: 

Here you can decide to frame the pages or make chalkboard frames or even put in original artwork! 

Step 2: Framed Chalkboards 

Usually most frames come with a cardboard bit to help keep the glass in place. I tried painting on glass and on others I used the cardboard. The cardboard is BY FAR a lot easier to use with chalk later on. If your frame doesn't have a cardboard bit. It's worth it to cut up a box to size to fit. 

You can just but the glass behind the cardboard when you put the frame back together. 

YOU will need 2 LAYERS of paint. Let it dry according to the instructions. 

FINAL Step: 

Use the command tabs OR nails and a hammer to put the frames on the wall. 

EL Fin! 

simple series 04

deeIY Air Freshener  

Materials: 

1. Essential Oils - I used Lemon Eucalyptus. Smells like a spa. Amazing. ($3.99) Some other oils like Lavender, Vanilla, etc will work. They tend to be a little bit more expensive. 

2. Crystal Mud or Bubble soil - Found mine at the local Jewel-Osco (AKA Alberston's) ** In the floral section- ($1.00)  

Directions: 

1. Put about 10-15 drops of your essential oil into a large bowl. Fill it with about 3 cups of water. Then add your "crystal soil". I only added about 1/2 of the packet into the water. Remember your beads will expand to about the size of a marble. Add enough to fill your container. 

This is what they look like when FULLY expanded. 

Add them to your container and ta-da you have your own homemade air freshener. Makes for a great gift. Use for your car. 

I decided to use twine to cover a mineral water bottle -- and filled it with the aromatic bubbles. 

If the smell runs out -- add more essential oil and water into the container and voila! You have an never-ending air freshener! 

For the mom's out there!! 

** For tactile fun with your kids. Just grab a couple of these water bubbles and have them play. They are completely non-toxic. And really great for counting and games! 

El Fin!