FALL-ing For you....

Is Colbie Calliat stuck in your head now too?!?! I LOVE fall, it has become one of my fave-y seasons! The cool crisp air means its time to pull these baby's back out......

Ugg's Bellvue II.....LOVE them! They look bad a$$ with a skirt, jeans and I should try them with shorts!!

Fall means pulling out those warm comfy sweaters that envelop you, pumpkin scented candles, pumpkin bread, chili on a sunday watching football, leaves changing, snuggling and DECORATING!!! I haven't really gotten much out in the way of fall decor as my daughters birthday party is next weekend and she's going with a tropical theme SO I will (patiently) wait. I did pick a lil somethin'-somethin' up while thrifting.....can you spot what it might be? In relation to fall?

It's the squirrel tryin' to get a nut (so move your butt to the dance floor hands up in the air - name that tune.....Everybody Dance Now!!). Isn't he ADORABLE?!?! I love that he is silver (and utilitarian....he really is a nut cracker! I found his half shelled walnut in our front yard...probably part of some real squirrely business).
He was a STEAL at .99!!

Speaking of thrifting, I picked this jar up the other day! I planned to put the new for the season Chips A'Hoy scary cookies BUT when I washed it I noticed there was a lil chip in the edge of the jar - not safe for lil hands (OR exposed food).
However I was determined to use the jar.....I put Lil' Debbie's Fall snack cakes in there (*after I taped over the chip in the glass - that way lil hands and food are protected).
See why I needed to use the jar!?!? It looks so fallish and happy with the others! hhhmmm. note to self: Fill large jar with scary cookies!
The return of fall also means the return of a beloved beverage of mine.....

Momma ♥'s her some Starbucks!

Have y'all tried the Extra Dessert (spelled with two s's because you always want double of dessert not desert) gums? They are pretty fab! I love the Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, the Strawberry Shortcake and my new fave for fall......

Apple Pie!! Can we say genius? Brilliant? FABULOUS! and only 5 calories per piece! I know it sounds crazy - how can gum taste like apple pie? But trust me, it does! Run out and get a pack today! Ok gals, off to work on some wreaths for my front doors! Ciao!

WIWW

WOW! I haven't linked up to WIWW in a LONG time! Either I forget to snap a picture OR I am in painting clothes! I am linking up with The Pleated Poppy http://thepleatedpoppy.com/2011/09/what-i-wore-wednesday-35/

I decided I wanted to try wearing my hair straight (which I did for a few days) BUT LOVE the sassy messy look!

What I am Wearing:

Oatmeal Lacey Tank - Target 2009

Cream Vest - Marshalls 2010

Jeans - Lane Bryant

Vintage Pearls - my Great Aunt's

Off to see what you all wore! HAPPY Hump day!

THRIFTY Tuesday

Hello my name is Janae and I am addicted to the thrift stores! There is just something about the "thrill of the hunt" that keeps me coming back.....when blog surfing, reading magazines or watching tv I am ALWAYS keeping my eyes peeled for new to me interesting decor items, jewelry, clothes, etc. Fortunately / Unfortunately there are 2 thrift stores less than 3 miles from my house....so that means LOTSA treasures! Maybe Thrifty Tuesday will be a regular post! FOr todays post I am highlighting 2 "groups" of items found on various thrifting trips within the last few weeks......

Lets start with the purses shall we?

From left top: Cork clutch / shoulder bag, gold croc print, grey snakeskin clutch and the "lil black bag"
This gold one opens to extend 2x the length OR can be used as shown when snapped together -bag features brown lucite handles and is vintage - FAB for day or evening! Was a STEAL at .90!
This lil cork number can be used as a clutch or shoulder bag when using the gold chain. How FAB would this bag look for summer with a pair of cork wedges? (granted I won't be able to use for the next 9 months BUT I will have it when summer returns. That is one of the HUGE hints for buying ANYTHING on a budget.....buy off season when you can). Price : $1.90
The lil black bag is PERFECT for those special occasions! The frame is silver and has a cute lil closure. How cute would this be with a flower or vintage pin tacked on? Price: .90
This by far is my FAVE of all the purses! Grey snakeskin clutch (that has a wrist strap tucked inside). Coach is currently carrying THIS .....

FAB python wristlet! Coach price : $198.00. While they are not exact, they are a lil bit similar and mine cost .45 . I will take a chance on .45 vs. $198.00! Although momma LOVES her some Coach.....and I do mean L O V E!

The next category in spin the wheel of thrift is books.....

I have divided them into categories......

Dictionaries:

L to R: THe oxford Dictionary of Quotations (Which I am planning to use as wallpaper in my craft room), The Winston Dictionary For Schools, The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language - these will come in handy for artsy projects!

This FAB owl graphic is actually a book of birds BUT will make a great fall / halloween decor item.
Speaking of Halloween, these will be on display during this spooktacular time of year! "Hannibal" and "Midnight of the garden of good and evil".
Biographies: L to R

On the Couch - Lorraine Braco

T.R. The Last Romantic - Teddy Roosevelt

The Way You Wear Your Hat - Frank Sinatra

(there is just something so romantic about the Frank Sinatra era)...Can't wait for a rainy day to dig into these!
L to R: English in action (again good graphics and words for future projects), Simple Abundance A daybook of Comfort and Joy and Rainy Day - lil pick me ups for when you're feeling blue.
I got all these for $6.00! I'd love to see all YOUR thrifty finds! Leave me your link! Have a GREAT day!

Grey French

I wanted a neutral but different color on my fingernails. I started with a warm caramel latte (and didn't wanna keep that because my toes were a deep {almost black} forest green)...then I used "Moon Over Mumbai" by OPI.....liked the sheer and sparkle but didn't wanna put several coats

SO I decided to add "Below The Belt" by essie for a white french tip.....LOVE the way they came out!

Dresser Makeover / Jewelry Shelf

I feel so guilty for not posting sooner - I have SO much to blog about BUT no time (as I have been knee deep in paint!) so this will be a major picture heavy post!!

As you may or may not know, we recently moved SO that means things that worked before, don't necessarily work at this house! I needed a lil dresser, didn't want to pay a lot of money - have been keeping my eyes peeled while thrifting BUT no luck! After dropping the kids at school I stopped by a garage sale and found this......

NOW, this is one of those pieces that you need you need to have a vision for because looking as it does, not many people would want it! It had good bones, and the price was right.....
SO I sanded it down......
Gave it a coat of silver spray paint and hated it......then I tried a "spa blue".....
And whiel it looks good, it wsn't right for the spot I had planned.....
It was meant to go right under this black shelf....
I LOVE how it looks, I now have a place for (SOME) of my jewelry and perfume storage...
Yes, I wear Brittany Spears 'Believe'...LOVE this fragrance
My girl Tia made this charm bracelet for me.....pearl, starbucks girl, minx.....LOVE it!
When organizing and displaying my jewelry, I like to try and think out of the box.....I believe the stand is a counter tip towel holder.....I have utilized the arms for bracelets, rings, necklaces and watches.....
EVERYTHING looks a lil better on a silver tray!!
These are my Great Aunt's vintage hair combs.....I like keeping them out on display....
Note sure what this lil silver caddy was originally used for BUT it now holds pearls and vintage pins (that I want to make a bouquet out of someday).

Have a GREAT weekend! ENJOY the fab midwest weather!

Goodwill Haunting

Went to Goodwill in Naperville (this is the BEST GW around....people stand around and wait for the stuff to come out from the back.....there are the crazies that steal stuff out of others people's carts, you get the idea). Anywhoo, they went all out for Halloween! When you walk in this table was there.......

A black dining table, black chairs, a candelabra with deep plum mums, covered in webs, a ghostly menu and black chandy's hanging all over......

If you had to use the restroom, you would be greeted by her.......

(SO CUTE!! A skeleton in a tu-tu for the girls and Mr. Bones sporting a black tie for the boys)
I was so inspired when I left I wanted to come home and decorate for Halloween (BUT NOT until October 1st). All throughout the store there were black chandy's covered in cobwebs and they had the most amazing largest selection of Halloween costumes you've ever seen. If you live near Naperville, this Goodwill is worth a trip! If ya go, lemme know! I will post pics of my treasures soon! Hope y'all have a FAB Labor Day weekend!

FALL Friday

I can't believe it's been a week since I have posted! I am in the midst of a million projects, trying to get in the swing of back to school, kids sports, getting ready for the flea markets and planning a birthday party! Two weeks ago I stopped in Lowes to find a burnt orange oopsey paint (which I am still on the hunt for) and saw they were having an AWESOME plant sale! Knowing I wanted some plants for some fall color I picked up a few things.....

Here is how my baskets look all planted! I totally LUCKED OUT!! Here's a price breakdown:

Coco lined basket - $1.87

Fuschia mum - .87 (such a STEAL)

Purple Sweet Potato Vine - .25

Purple waxy thing (no clue what its called) - .25

SO for two planters, my total cost was about $5.00!! Fab fall (pretty pop of fuschia) color!!

These plum colored spikes which usually retail for $9.99 each (and they are an ANNUAL - can we say RIP-OFF?!?!?). I LOVE them but have always been too cheap to pay $10.00, but they were on clearance for $2.00 (still expensive to me considering all the other ones were less than a dollar)
I am going to replace the flowers I have in my urn with the spikes for fall....simple and perfect coloring.
I planted this soup tureen with another .25 waxy plant and a 6 pack of moss rose.....
Hope ya have a FABULOUS weekend!