Wino

I'm stuck at  home today as my car is getting a state inspection so I thought I would share a thrifty Internet secret with you.  It has nothing to do with home decor and everything to do with my other love...wine!

My husband discovered this website called "Wines til Sold Out"  a few years ago and we've been hooked ever since. 

 WTSO.com is an online store that focuses on selling wine at 30%-70% off original retail prices.  They sell one wine at a time from midnight eastern standard time until it is sold out.  And shipping is free as long as you buy the minimum number of bottles stated on the front page.

Side Note 1:  My FedEx delivery man thinks I'm a total alcoholic.  It's actually really embarrassing, since its wine you have to sign for it so there's no hiding the truth...but totally worth it!!!  

Side Note 2:  I'm thrilled to say I'm being featured over at Knock off Decor!!!  What an honor!!!  Go check Beckie's site out, she showcases the amazing work of some seriously talented designers while giving those with less of a budget a chance to mimic them. 

Cheers everyone!!!

Wedding Signature Frame Minus the Wedding Signatures

A friend asked me today about the best and thriftiest place to buy frames to display artwork.  She wanted to frame some of her Kindergartner's artwork and the first thing I thought of was Michael's.  More specifically they sell a wedding signature frame that I think would be perfect for this.  I'm sure you've seen these at weddings, where you sign the matte instead of a guest book.

The frame is not wood but plastic so its not super high quality but I LOVE that the matte comes with the frame because those can really add to the cost of framing if you need to buy one per frame.  There is something about a matte that really makes kids artwork go from messy to masterpiece!

Plus if they are on sale (when aren't the frames on sale there!?!?!) or you use a 40% off coupon or hit on a day where your entire purchase is 20% off then you can get out of there without spending very much. 

Michaels

I've used these frames in my own home with some Etsy art from Annechovie...love her! 

 I can't remember the exact price I paid for the frames but somewhere around $10 each I think with some sort of coupon or sale.

My blog buddy Carmel over at Our Fifth House took it a step farther and added some fun fabric and a larger ornate frame behind her son's artwork.  Isn't that gorgeous!

Have you all every used these wedding guest book frames?  

Anyone have any other affordable frame options for kids artwork?

Anyone else feel horrible guilt when they trash most of the "artwork" their children bring home from school...usually once they are asleep and can't see the trashing in action.

Anyone else's "artist" find said artwork in trash and call you out on trashing it... 

making you feel even more guilty!?!?

White Stool

Usually a sign of illness if found in a child's diaper...

but in this case just a sick deal on a white ceramic garden stool at Marshalls!!!  

Marshalls (Mechanicsville Turnpike) $39.99

I'm hoping this is not the only Marshalls carrying these!  Let us know if you guys find them at your local Marshalls!  And somebody please go pick this one up!  It's a stool  steal!

Chiavari Chair

Just added this Chiavari chair to my Class and Trash space.  Think it would make a cute desk chair...maybe spray it or switch up the fabric to something a little more exciting.

Class and Trash $25

I was looking for an image of one being used at a desk and stumbled upon these fantastic bar stool versions.  If you are into the bamboo look they would be such a great alternative to the basic bar stool.    

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At $67 + shipping...they seem very fairly priced.

Would you all ever use these stools in your home or are they too "ballroom furniture" for you? 

Inspired Art

I've been antsy to get my artsty fartsy on lately. 

 I've been seeing so many inspiring things floating around the blogosphere and in particular from the lovely Julia at Pawleys Island Posh. 

 I adore her gold framed artwork (that she created herself!!!) in her living room and wanted to try to re-create it in my own home.

Pawleys Island Posh

So I had been keeping my eye out for a thin gold frame for a few weeks and couldn't find any that I liked so I took matters into my own hands.  

I found these cheapo frames at Michaels in the corner near the mattes.  They were $7.99 each and if you use a 40% coupon...forget it, they are basically free!

The frames are plastic though and super glossy so I gave them a good coat of my fave primer.  Then I glammed them up with the metallic gold spray paint.

I grabbed some thin canvas and a pack of oil paints and went to town.

Here's the thing.  I painted these things weeks ago and they are still VERY wet.  Whats the deal with that!?! I have no idea what I'm doing so maybe I should have treated the canvas first.  Anyone know?

I couldn't put the glass on yet because they are still so wet even after I took my hairdryer to them.

I do love how the frames turned out and the price can't be beat.  They are currently hanging over my loo so I didn't want to give you a distance shot because, really, no one wants to see that!

Julia! Hope you don't mind I totally hacked your artwork!  

If you love her stuff as much as I do, I think she does custom artwork so hit her up!

Bamboo X 3

I was out and about this morning while the kiddos were at preschool.  I popped into a few places I hadn't been to in a while and found some great stuff!

First up, Diversity Thrift.  Of course this bamboo-ish shelving unit caught my eye but the price made me roll my eyes.  $99?  At a store that I'm pretty sure sells old toilets.  Luckily this is the type of place that slashes its prices the longer it stays in store.  

Diversity Thrift $99

Then I happened upon this bamboo-ish table.  Not a huge fan of glass top tables but thought this one was photo worthy!

Consignment Connection $60

And this was the bamboo deal of the day.  Needs a spray job and a fun fabric switch-a-roo but love the details and see lots of potential.  The price is just right at $18.

Consignment Connection $18

Anyone running out to get any of these?!?!

Vintage Bottle Carrier

Love this old bottle carrier I spotted at Class and Trash yesterday.  I think the price is super fair!  Found many on etsy for much much more!

Class and Trash (upstairs) $18

LOVE the look of the blue vintage mason jars in these...using them as vases.

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Or to hold old bottles like this one.

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...or as a planter


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Possibilities are endless people...