DIY: Vintage Step Stool Chair

Almost a year ago, I found this chair on the side of the road. I swiftly turned around and stuffed the dirty thing in my trunk. I set it in the garage for a few months and kept debating whether or not it was worth fixing up because it was so dirty and rusted. While working on another project, we used a palm sander to sand the top of the chair and it came out so nicely that I knew we had to keep it! So I went and got paint and a butt load of painters tape and this beauty was born!

The first two pictures are from before we did anything but wipe it down a little bit. Then we used a wire brush attachment on the end of a power drill to get all the rust off the chair. This took some time, because there was a lot of rust! Then we used some enamel primer to paint a few coats on top of the seat because it was the most damaged part of the chair.

I spent probably an hour putting tape on this thing, it was so aggravating! But I wanted to make this thing beautiful, so I made sure to do a good job taping it up. Afterward, I took it outside and put two coats of red glossy spray paint, letting it dry between coats. I think it looks perfect in Levi's room!

Treasures #6

bowl // $1

vintage fabric // $2

skunk family // gifted!

pyrex mug // $.25

How adorable is that little skunk family? My aunt in Oklahoma sent me a package full of goodies and those little cuties were included. I have a slight addiction to kitchen ware, so I really try to limit myself to the best stuff- But if it's cheap enough, I get it anyway. Seriously, a quarter for a Pyrex mug... Sold!

DIY: Quilt Rack Makeover

Months before I even found out I was pregnant, I found this dingy little quilt rack at a thrift store for five dollars. It was rusted and beat up, but I just knew it had potential. When I found out I was pregnant and was reminded of my purchase, I knew it was time for the makeover! This project cost me a total of $9.

 before

First, I easily took it apart and sanded the rust off.

Then I put it back together, and made sure to tape off the feet with painters tape.

Then I used glossy white enamel spray paint, which was four dollars at Lowe's. I left it in the garage to dry overnight. Actually, it was left to dry for about two weeks until I finally took the tape off and got the final result pictures! Haha. 

I love how it turned out! My mom also made the quilt that is sitting on the rack for Levi's nursery! It's super awesome and I'm in love with the bold red border on it. I'll get a better picture of the quilt and show it off real soon! ;)

Treasures #5

pyrex // $3

vintage girl's dress // $2

antique saltine can // $4

crop sack // $5

We have two flea markets around here, and one of them is pretty mundane to me. They always have the same sellers with the same stuff and it gets old. The other (crappier) one is always full of junk but that's my favorite part of thrifting or antiquing! I love the hunt. I love the feeling of leaving with a haul as good as this one. 

Dalmatian Nation

outfit details
sweater: thrifted
jeans: Kohl's maternity
flats: Kohl's

I'm just a few days shy of entering my third trimester, and it's really starting to take its toll on me! I get out of breath so easily. After taking these pictures, we had a short walk back to the house but I was hanging on to Corey the whole way, haha. I'm seriously the most inactive I've ever been, but I just feel so busy all the time... And even when I'm not, it's so much nicer to just relax and take it easy while I still can. Baths and books: I love you.

I thrifted this sweater during the summer and totally forgot about it until I found it stuffed in a box a few weeks ago. It was too big for me when I bought it, but it fits perfectly now. There's no hiding this belly anymore. I'm just trying to embrace my new figure for the time being, and this kitschy sweater helps to do the trick!

Treasures #4

We've been trying to save as much money as possible for a down payment on a house, so I've had to cut back on the thrifting and yard sale-ing of non baby items. I still get out sometimes and spend a little money, so here are a couple finds from the last few months!

pyrex // $10

kitchen canisters // $5

pyrex // $5

jergens bottle // $3

What have you thrifted lately? I'd love to see or hear about it! :)

Treasures #3

I started this series a few months ago, but haven't kept up with it as much since we've moved around and now most of my things are in a storage shed. Last weekend, though, my mom and I went to about twenty yard sales and I scored some awesome things! Aside from a bunch of baby stuff (hello $75 savings on a baby monitor) here are some of the things I found:

vintage suitcase // $5

1986 Jenga // $1

huge mason jar // $5

dreamcatcher // $2

The huge mason jar was found at the flea market by my husband (good eye, eh?) and with a good wash and coat of paint for the lid, it's our new change jar. We're putting five dollars each week in there, then when it's full we are going to take a ballllin' vacation! With the size of that thing, I'm thinking Sweden. ;)

I'm thinking about putting the dreamcatcher in the baby's room, but I haven't really decided on decor yet so who knows. And going to paint all those Jenga pieces pretty colors for future family nights in our house!

What have you thrifted lately? I'd love to see or hear about it! 

Outfit: First Times

You might remember ModCloth having that huge sale a few weeks ago. It's when I found this Bettie Page top. I normally steer clear of anything pink, but something drew me to this and I had to get it!

outfit details
top: Bettie Page for ModCloth
dress: thrifted
shoes: Urban Outfitters

Corey took these pictures for me before we headed out to see one of our good friends for his birthday! He's redoing his garage right now to make it a workshop/hangout spot, so I'd been trying to think of something useful to get him. Then, as I was falling asleep for a nap that afternoon, it occured that I should get him a pegboard to hang tools on! We got a really good deal on supplies at Home Depot and he loved the present. Yay!

Hope y'all are having a great week! 

Treasures #2

I was going to do an outfit post today, but I got called in to work so I'm posting this during my lunch break now! Man, it feels so awesome to say that. Even though I'm not starting off with that many hours, it is such a good feeling to finally be making some money and thinking about getting a house! Weeee.

This is the second of many (very many) treasure posts to come. I had a bundle of stuff to take pictures of, and it seems like a lot of them are random cups and glasses. I have a tiny problem buying kitchenware!

yard sale // $1

flea market // 12 for $3

thrift store // 3 for $1

yard sale // $1 each

I'm really in love with the mason jar drinking glasses. I tried really hard to find a fourth one, and don't ask me why but it just feels nice to me to have 4 of things! Haha. The plastic yellow stacking cups are pretty awesome as well. I can't wait to have a cupboard full of random cups/glasses/mugs. :)

Outfit: Give Me Space

This outfit is one of my new favorites because I found the top and shorts in Portland, my favorite city! I took these at a friend's house while waiting on film to get developed. I still feel really awkward taking pictures in front of people, hence the awkward poses. It especially doesn't help to feel eyes staring from the other room! Haha.

I love these shorts so much. They're so flattering on my hips, but a little on the short side, so I've started wearing them with tights. I see all these bloggers with perfectly kempt tights, but realistically I cannot wear them more than two or three times before they get runs. And it's all downhill from there. My mom doesn't approve of them (hey mom!) but I kind of like the raggedy look anyway!

outfit details
top: H&M, thrifted
shorts: TopShop, thrifted
tights: Target
shoes: Urban Outfitters

Treasures #1

I'd like to think I score some pretty good deals when thrifting. I go all kinds of places like the flea market, yard sales, antique stores, thrift shops, and (my favorite) estate sales. I usually show up late to the yard sales, around 10 or 11, because most of the time the prices have been cut! Sometimes I'll go early and scout around, and if I make note of something I'll go back later and see if I can get it cheaper. I've found that usually the types of things I'm looking for go overlooked by everyone else. ;)

small Pyrex dish // $5

pretty stove pots // $1 each

70's blouse // $1

Pyrex tableware // $.50 each

belts for making cuff bracelets // $1.50

I'm going to start doing a "treasures" collection where I post some things that I've thrifted recently. I've been super busy lately, but I see a lot of free time on my hands in the coming months. I'll probably do these once or twice a month. Who knows, I might go a little bit crazy and have to make it a weekly thing! Have you found any awesome thrift finds? I'd love to see! Just leave a link in the comments. :)

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