Supporting Your Local Community

One big thing I take into consideration when I am going to purchase something (regardless if I am looking for a great price or just wanting to find the best quality for my buck), I consider shopping local. Big box stores and chains (like Best Buy, TGI Friday's, etc.) lose what local owner have - they are right where we are. When I shop local, I give back to my city. The money I give a local merchant stays here -and I have found they provide the best services. Some of my favorite places to eat are locally owned right here in my own city.

One of my favorite venues in my city is coming up the weekend - called Arts in the Park. It is where local people bring their crafts, art, and homemade goods to one of the local parks, Byrd Park. It is free to attend and parking is also free. The people there are locals that live in my city and surrounding counties and they bring their items to the park for purchase. Some of my favorite pieces of jewelry and art work are from this event. It happens every year- during the Spring- and is one of the busiest times of year for my city. I am excited to share that one of my dear friends Lisa, known at The Pumkin Lady, will be there selling her items from her Spinbob Studios collections. I cannot wait to see her and support all these great artists!

If you are in the Richmond, VA area and are looking for great, local merchants to support, please check out this link for more! And, if you so happen to be in Richmond, VA this weekend, check out Arts in the Park!

A Bit of My Soul

Endings are hard. Difficult. They are part of renewal- a fresh start- a new beginning. I find myself in the midst of taking time out to discover the wise owl within. It is taking a break from the comfortable, the familiar, and stepping back to look at what was, and wondering if it will be.

How To Thrift for Furniture

Via Pinterest

Furniture may be one of the more expensive items you ever thrift - but it does not have to be. However, depending on the piece, it can last you for years- and may end up being one of your more favorite thrifted items. The most important element of thrifting furniture is variety. Go to different stores, flea markets, estate sales, etc - if you limit yourself to where you go, you may not find that diamond in the rough.

I find that when you are looking at used furniture, keep an open mind. Look at the piece and wonder how you can transform it. Would it look great with a new coat of paint? Can you add new fabric for a fun, festive look? Keep in mind all pieces of furniture have potential - you just have to imagine what it could be. Mixing and matching old and new pieces can be fun so think of how you can blend the item in with what you already currently own.

Before I purchase any piece of furniture, I always look it over. Does it have good bones? Was it built to last or will it break down after a few years? Will I still love it in 5, 10 years from now? Does it have handcrafted details? Does it have an iconic feel/look to it (70's, 60's)? Not all these things need to matter when you are considering an item - but these questions may help you decide if you want to invest in a piece that may not last you as long as you want.

Furniture is an investment, like a long-term relationship. It takes time to find the right piece that fits into your home and lifestyle. If you aren't 100% in love with the item, or find yourself second guessing it, then maybe it is time to pass on that piece so you can find the piece that you fall for from the start. Remember, the fun is in the hunt!

Happy Hunting Thrifters!

My Latest Thrifted Finds

I have been super swamped with the whole moving and packing we have been doing lately that I have not many oportunities to go thrifting lately like i typically do. But i did want to share with you guys my latest finds. If you have been following me on Instagram, you have seen some of the goodies i have snagged up.

I was so lucky to snag up these two beauties at my local Goodwill. I love Pyrex and this piece not only came with the top ( a very rare find indeed) but there were no chips/dings on it. Perfect condition and perfect price! I have also been keeping my eye on this set of owl candles at Target. It was pure luck of the irish that i found them at Goodwill - for an even better price!

One of the colleges where I live is University of Richmond. I often considered going there for law school but deemed that career path not for me. But, my love for their school still knows no bounds- even though I was never a student there. So, finding this beauty at Goodwill for $3 was a steal to me. Most of these shirts you buy online or at the campus can cost $20-$30 clams. Saving money makes this gal happy.

One of the places I rarely venture to is the Salvation Army. There was one quite close to me awhile back but after moving to this side of town, I have never traveled to this semi-new location. In the past, the Salvation Army  location that was near me was so picked through, i could not even find my size in anything. So, I stopped going....after many, many attempts! So, when this semi-new store opened near me, I had to check it out...and I walked away with a few pieces that I love. What luck was it to find an Express Blazer, Banana Republic Striped T, NY&Co. Blouse, American Eagle Sweater, and Mossimo blouse for all under $20. Man, what a lucky day. Sadly, the Salvation Army store closed within an hour of me arriving so I did not get to look around as much as I normally would have.

Take my advice, you can always find great pieces thrift shopping. And, for a fraction of what you would normally pay at the mall. Some of the pieces that my friends love (and I get complimented on the most) were pieces I paid the least for. Happy Hunting fellow thrifters!

Moving Inspiration

With moving around the corner, I have been searching for new ideas to keep my home space as fresh and fun as possible. The only possible bonus to moving is being able to decorate a new place a bit different than what you had before. With us moving to a bigger space, it is going to allow me to expand and try some new things. Here are some things I am currently loving.

Coffee Station



Amazing Living Room

Mini Bar



Rolling Side Table



Kitchen Organization



Rainy Day Makeup

My makeup routine is fairly simple- yet when the weather hits, most of the time I just want to grab a blanket and stay snuggled up in bed. However, there are times where I have to leave the house in a somewhat presentable manner.  For rainy days, I like to keep my makeup simple and subtle. This is what I use.



I always start with the base of my skin and work my way out.....starting with my lotion.

• I love this Yes to Tomatoes repairing acne lotion. It is a great base for my T-zone and helps prevent blemishes.
• After this dries, I add my cult classic Oil of Olay (with SPF 15- not pictured) on top. I have been using this lotion on my face since my teen years and it has proven to be a staple in my skincare routine.
• Next, is the CoverGirl/Oil of Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation. This is my miracle worker. It spreads easily (i use my fingers) and covers blemishes, skincolor variations and smooths problematic skin areas. It really is a great miracle worker- especially in a pinch!
• If I am not using my CoverGirl/Olay foundation, then I use my Bare Minerals powders. The price is no laughing matter but I have never found a better base of makeup in my life. It is worth EVERY SINGLE penny. This stuff was a miracle worker on my face during outbreaks in college. I will never use any other powder for my skin. I never break out when I use this product alone.
• For my cheeks, I use ULTA's Cheek Color. It is a budget fix that works just as well as name brand products with just as much pigment.
• For a bit of eye pop, I line my eyes with NYC Kohl Liner. These budget-friendly eyeliners pack a punch for very little money.
• Finishing the routine, I use CoverGirl's Professional Super Thick Lash Mascara. I could use a waterproof mascara but this formula makes my lashes look fantastic. If you want a good waterproof mascara, stick with the classic Maybelline.

And there you have it! Budget beauty buys that work in windy/rainy weather days. Remember, beauty does not have to break the bank!

A Few Quick Tips For Thrifting

Thrifting can be super easy and fun. It is not very difficult to do and once you start, you may get addicted to it. Personally, I think thrifting is like a treasure hunt to find the best deals for great items. Some people set a budgeted amount they want to/or are willing to spend. Others go in looking for that hidden gem. Regardless of how you want to approach it, you can get the same amount of enjoyment out of thrifting.

I will say not all trips are a success on finding items. Sometimes you will not find anything you love, some times you find items to laugh about or love the nostalgia of but do not want to purchase the item. That is okay, it happens to everyone. Do not get discouraged. Sometimes it is the place you go to has not had any new items of interest and other times it may be that items really aren't YOU. Why buy something you don't love? 

There are a few things i like to keep in mind when i go thrifting and i am gonna share some of my tips with you.

1. Hunt early in the morning. Regardless if you are huntung at a yard sale or thrift store (like Goodwill), it is important to get there early. It allows you time to shop and snag your treasures before most of the busy crowds get there and it gives you time to snoop around. 
2. Go Often. This is really no big surprise. Going into a favorite local shop and seeing what is new will allow you time to inspect the new items of interest. If you are shopping a store that has contstant turn arounds (like Goodwill, which is continiously adding new supply daily), you will want to shop those store as much as possible.
3. Buy something you LOVE. I have heard this regarding buying pricy art work..."if you don't love it, don't buy it because you are the one that has to live with it. Same with thrifting. 
4. When thrifting furniture, look for good bones. Was it made well? Is it going to fall apart when i sit a glass on it? Furniture can be painted and redone...but the bare bones stay (most of us aren't going to break it down and rebuild it)so look for a solid piece that will last.
5. Wear comfortable clothing. If you are going on the hunt for a dress, shoes, etc, you want to wear something that you can easily get in and out of in the dressing room. I tend to dress simple (jeans, tshirt, jacket, slip-on shoes/flats. It allows me to try on the clothing quickly and without a lot of undressing and redressing time.
6. Keep a List of items you are on the hunt for! I keep a small notepad in my purse or a mini-list in my wallet of items I want (a particular piece of clothing- good pair of cowboy boots....or something for a collection - i love owls so i look for anything owl related-..maybe a houseware item I need- hello Pyrex!) and when I go in a store, I try to keep an eye out for those items. It is an ever-changing list but i keep it handy incase I know that particular store is good for finding those type of items.
7. Search the store COMPLETELY! Visit the sections you would not normally visit. Go to the men's section...look over every hanger. Look at every item..move every plate in the stack. Take a risk and buy something out of the ordinary. I have found some of my favorite pieces by not wanting them at first (and DIY'ing them). And, if you still cannot fall in love with it/DIY/redo it, at least it was cheap or can possibly be redonated!
8. Thrifting can be expensive. Yes it can be cheap too but if you buy expensive items (furniture, jewelry), it can add up. Going in with a set amount you are willing to spend will allow you to not go overboard when you did not plan on it.
9. Thrifting for clothing can save you a bundle...but it comes with a cost. Some of my best finds have been clothing. And I have saved a ton if money by not going directly to the mall. However some clothing had to be altered, washed and de-stained, etc. Keep in mind some thrifted items DO need a little TLC.
10. Thrifting is fun. At the end of the day, bringing home items that would normally been out of my price range is thrilling. Going to a new store to check out their goodies has been fun while on vacation or discovering a new town. And, some of the nicest people work in thrift stores. 

So google thrift stores in your area and check them out. You not only may save yourself a ton of money but it is always super awesome to support a local business that caters to the budget-friendly shopper. Good Luck and Happy Hunting!!