Small, but sweet.

Made a quick run into a thrift store today, not looking for anything in particular. There was a discount table in the back and this caught my eye.... 

Doesn't look to bad... A quick sand and two coats of spray paint... and voila -

This is the very reason I thrift shop. You never know what you will find. And you never know how beautiful something is with a little help :)

The bird pictured below I also found for FIFTY CENTS. Seriously. It was black, and i sprayed it baby blue. It's perfect!

Why I love a thrift store...

We recently moved into a new home closer to downtown... we also gained a third bedroom which will be great for weekend visits from friends and family. The problem is, no third bedroom furniture. Well, for those of you who know me - no room in my home will be left empty handed... Moving expenses can pile up quicker than a blink - so my budget limited by finding to thrift store bargains! And you will hear no complaints. I love love love finding trash and bringing it to life again.  So... with ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS - I began my search for furniture (minus a bed) to fill a guest bedroom. In a few short weeks and many frequent visits to local thrift shops (plus one Craigslist score) - MEET MY THRIFT ROOM!!!

(ps - bedding NOT included in the 100 bucks... though I wish it was.)

Step Nightstand and Wooden Chair
Both items were only TEN DOLLARS!!!!!

So, this night stand was in horrific condition, but for five bucks - who cares!!!! After lots and lots of sanding, priming, and then painting - it was brought back to life! New again... recycled!!!

before - a mess!

after sanding, priming, and painting.

adding hardware

looking absolutely lovely in the new room!

And now for the chair - this old thing was pretty beat up, and I kinda liked that! So I only sanded a bit to keep the natural old look before painting. 

before

yes, the chair was five bucks!!

AFTER!!!! With my hand sewn ruffle pillow :)

So, now we have a night stand and a chair for the new thrift room... but I had my eye out for a dresser to refinish... and luckily, I got a score on craigslist.

Meet the old dresser - for fifty bucks!

not bad for fifty bucks

this is the hardware I had to remove... they really had a
million different pieces... tacky!

hours and hours of sanding and filling holes...
then priming and painting.

all worth it in the end. 

I'm absolutely in love... it's the focal piece
of the entire room!!!

adding new glass hardware - still waiting on the
bottom pulls to come in.

MEET THE THRIFT ROOM :) 

the finished room - so cute and cozy! 

I really couldn't be more pleased and happy with how my room turned out! I can't wait for my first guest so come so they can enjoy it as much as I do :)

After purchasing the furniture, paint and supplies, then the glass knobs - I was right at my limit!  

Furnishing an entire guest bedroom for one hundred dollars.... not too shabby!

Back to the ocean we go!

I miss my family SO SO SO much. So an entire week with them is exactly what I need! My amazing dad said that this summer THERE WOULD BE NOOOOO BEACH TRIP! Well, of course he was bluffing, because my mom calls early in the summer telling me the week they booked the condo! My dad loves the beach, he just won't admit it! 
This week was filled with tons of fun. Seeing Christian for the first time in months, and being so surprised because he has NO teeth!!!! Seriously the cutest thing ever :) Getting a hug so strong from Ethan when he saw me for the first time - after pretending to be such a tough little guy... he can't fool me! And spending time with my beautiful baby girls, Lauren and Savannah... 
David and I jammed all the kiddos in the car one night and took them golfing. The girls parted ways to go see the new Twilight movie, and we took the boys for ice cream! My sisters and I (minus Michelle - she's very pregnant) went parasailing over the ocean - something we have been talking about doing every summer for the past ten years! That was an amazing moment... up in the air, seeing everything for miles - just us girls. An entire afternoon of sitting in a beach chair beside my mom, reading our books, with our chairs on the very edge of the water so when a wave comes, it just catches our feet. I miss these days so much and wish we could have had an entire month. There is never enough time. 

no teeth!!!

Lauren and Savannah being silly :) 

The gang
Savannah, Lauren, Christian, and Ethan

the most handsome boys in the world

Lauren Michelle - simply beautiful!

the golf gang
Lauren, Ethan, Christian, Ella, and Emily

The boys enjoying some ice cream

parasailing over the ocean

Greek Orzo and Grilled Shrimp Salad with Mustard-Dill Vinaigrette

If you are looking for a delish summer recipe - try this one! I have made it with and without shrimp, and both were wonderful. 

Ingredients

• 3/4 pound orzo, cooked al dente
• 1 large cucumber, seeded, quartered lengthwise, and sliced
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill, plus extra for garnish
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1/2 cup olive oil, plus additional for brushing shrimp
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 3/4 pound feta cheese, crumbled
• 16 medium shrimp, peeled and de-veined

Directions

Combine orzo, cucumber, green onions, and tomatoes in a large bowl. Place dill, vinegar, and mustard in a blender and blend until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add the olive oil and blend until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour the vinaigrette over the orzo mixture and stir well to combine. Gently fold in the feta cheese.

Heat grill to high. Brush shrimp with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill for approximately 2 minutes per side or until just cooked through. Divide orzo salad among 4 take-out containers or plates and top with 4 shrimp. Garnish with additional dill.

I added some fresh cut corn

enjoy :)