Teacups Teacups!

You are probably wondering why on earth anyone would need these many teacups--really, ever! I promise I am not a hoarder. And as much as I would love to host a tea party for the masses, that is not the why behind the large quantity of glass teacup purchasing either. These delicate little cups will actually become part of wedding decor in less than a week! My sister in law is doing most everything handmade, and repurposed, hence the basket and box loads of teacups.

Botanical Thrift.

Goodwill was extra good to me today as I walked out of there spending under ten dollars and with a collection of treasures that seemed to compliment one another. This was somewhat of a secret garden thrift, and even if only one of the items is actually going to help me keep flowers blooming, the rest still fit the botanical vibe. Not planned, at all! I walked into Goodwill with the intentions of picking up an old book that I could use the pages of, but then found so many other things I left without the book. Oops! I was thrilled to find a watering can that is well loved. The grass green color is just perfect, and it is hefty so I know it will continue to endure a life of watering my plants next spring ($1 and made ins the USA!). The watering can is vintage-esque (love!). We plan to plant some tulips, soon I hope, so they can get that winters freeze they need to germinate and bloom come spring. How fitting that this can has embossed tulips, cute right?!

The botanical coasters are a fun find. I plan to paint the wood edges. Maybe Robin's Egg Blue or Rose Copper. What do you think? The vases were also $1 each, and I plan to paint those as well. The red one is actually a hobnail vase (it is hard to tell from the photo). This vintage style is classic, so I was thrilled to find this! I am thinking the hobnail vase will look better as opaque white or blue (like THIS), and the white ceramic bud vase as a compliment with nautical stripes. I was really excited to find a delicate little floral tile. I love tiny details in my home, and the color combinations are just darling. I have a lot of cobalt blue in my kitchen, with hints of red, teal, and green, so I think this tile might fit just perfectly in there! Maybe in the space above my stovetop? Oh how I love floral prints. I will be sure to share what I end up doing with all of these treasures! 

We spent an hour at the park today, to end my botanical themed Thursday on a great note. Yellow and orange leaves are everywhere! We love this park. There are lakes, geese, cranes, dogs, fountains, boats, trees, and lawns that stretch forever. Just add the view of the city, and you have the reasons why this is my favorite neighborhood park. You can see more from our City Park afternoon over at my personal blog. Happy Friday!

Thrift store digging for denim, classic, and clean.

photo source 1 / 2 / 3

You may have read past posts on thrifted clothing finds and thought to yourself, "That is cute, but I am more of a classic jeans and blouse girl. And I never could find my simple clean style at a store like Goodwill...." And you may have just gone about your life never stepping foot into a thrift store or flea market with fashion on the mind. I hope this post causes a change of heart. As much as I love unique vintage type pieces in my wardrobe, I am also one for the classics (especially for work).  Yes you do need patience and yes you do see a lot more ugly than pretty, but I promise you, if you have the right thrifting mindset and an idea of the look you want (Pinterest can always help with this) you will find some classic threads for an unbeatable price. With the right styling and accessorizing, simple pieces can be worn many a ways, making it an even bigger bang for your buck.

My simple finds, all in one trip, all at one Goodwill:

Kenar white cotton blouse $3.99

Banana Republic striped button up $2.99

Guess button fly boot cut jeans $6.99 

New York & Co. little denim vest $1.99

Sanctuary tan capri pants $1.99

Ann Taylor cotton cargo pants $3.99 (tag still on!)

{Not pictured but linked up are the last two pants listed as well as the plethora of banana republic blouses I tried on but ended up not taking home.}

See, you can find good brand names too, if that's your fancy! 

Are you weary of the thriftstore dig, or do you get giddy at the thought?

Are you on the other side of the wardrobe fence, and needing to purge and donate to Goodwill? For some guidance on wardrobe simplification, read this post at Thoughts by Natalie.

We're not in Kansas anymore.

Gingham blue. Think Dorothy, Todo, and red slippers. Living in Colorado has made me consider adding a basket to my Townie and being at the ready for green skies that may spin and land me and on a yellow brick road. In the spirit of gingham, and with the trend of this summer, I was lucky to find this high waisted skirt at a thrift store. It cost me $2 and Matt's approval (we were on a thrifting date night). Paired with this "which way" shirt I got on sale a while back, it definitely embodies the feel of Oz. And instead of ruby red slippers, I went with nautical yellow wedges by Tom's shoes.  

Mini art collection additions.

Today it is going to be a scorcher. One hundred degrees! My cousin and I are planning on going over to the Cherry Creek Beach to lay out and wade in the water and possibly run through the sprinklers if we still need some cooling off. This California girl is used to having a pool or the ocean close by, but lucky for me there are still ways to sport my swimsuit and escape the heat in this mile high city.

vogue

Before I get my day started, I wanted to show you what the other $1.50 got me at Goodwill the other day in addition to the dainty gold trimmed cup. Once the second bedroom is clear of garage items, I will start my long anticipated list of projects and design for that room. One of which is a gallery of fun thrift & antique store prints, paintings, and sketches. These two little framed works of art will be a part of that collection. The navy frame with the flower print is from the 1950s and the windmill sketch may be more recent, but it has that old feel, which I love. 

One more thing. This blog has been viewed over 2,000 times and it has not even been a month  (21 days, but who is counting?) since I started Pearls Poppies Pinkies Up! Thank you for reading and following along. I so appreciate all of the blog loving and your support as readers. Here's to another month of old meets new, bargain hunting, projects, and ways to bring affordable lovely into your home. I feel like I am just getting started.

Dainty gold trimmed cup.

Ever since I was given my grandma's china, I cannot get pretty dishes out of my mind. I may have spent a good portion of "me time" looking at ways to display china on various vintage blogs and design images. And I may have gotten lost in types of china, color combinations, and hand painted detailing. And I definitely may have felt rather girly and ready to meet up for tea and crumpets. Growing up I would often imagine that I was Alice (in Wonderland), so maybe that is why I have a hidden love for tea party accessories. Regardless, no one can deny the femininity of a delicate hand painted rose on gold trimmed bone china. And no one can deny a good deal. I bought this tonight for $0.49. Yes, thats right, forty nine cents. Isn't it lovely?

Made in England

Cheerio!

(And for those of you that look forward to my posts, next up is a DIY guest entry!)

Dresser in the making.

When we moved to Denver, we left some furniture behind. One of the pieces we left was Matt's dresser, which was a freebie from a neighbor that I had just changed the knobs out on to make it somewhat appealing. The drawers never slid gracefully, it was black laminate, and it was just a mess, so we decided to ditch it with hopes of one day finding a better but yet still affordable "new" old dresser. In the meantime, the Expedit shelf from Ikea became, yet, another multi functioning furniture piece. This shelf has seen us through as a behind the couch entryway shelf, part of our office desk unit (when combined with the Ikea L shape table top), as home made wall wardrobe, and for basket drawer storage. It even survived, (dare I say it?) bedbugs. I wish I had more photos to show you all the ways it functioned, but that was before my days of blogging with a mac and having a trusty cannon to document. So use your imagination.

The expedit as behind the couch storage.

Up until two days ago, the Expedit sat against the wall opposite our bed. It was ho hum, not fully going with the feel of the room which is more vintage and less Ikea, but I could wake up and look at it without quickly wanting to close my eyes, which is all that mattered until we found a better dresser. The wall it sat on is not very wide, and the depth from the edge of our bed to the wall is constricting, so tall and thin was the optimal furniture piece for this arrangement. Also, with a wide and deep dresser on the other wall, my hopes to find tall versus short was a must.

  First room arrangement:

Yet again, Goodwill Denver to the rescue! I stopped by to drop off a donation of things we did not need after unpacking moving boxes about a week ago. And lucky for me I stepped into the store for a quick browse, since I was there anyways (And its in my blood, I tell you), and found the dresser I had been hoping for! It is tiered, made in Los Angeles, and appears to be vintage (yet, there is no date stamped on the wood, so I need to look into it). The size was more than perfect and it was in overall really great condition, with clean sliding draws to boot. Aside from needing a complete makeover, not too bad, right? The shape and size is the most important, everything else can be changed. I've already ordered these dresser pulls, have plans to start sanding this lovely to the core, and paint it! It really is such a better feel than the Ikea Expedit (although, shelf, you have been so loyal!) The gold mirror with the laced up stitching border was also a Goodwill find. I think it is so cute. 

Second room arrangement:

Inspirations for the redo:

Photo Credit

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Photo Credit

Photo Credit

I am still deciding whether I go with the worn painted look or stain the wood darker and go a little more industrial. I do love the cobalt and feel most compelled and drawn in by that color. And, how pretty is that hand painted drawer? Maybe I'll even go for a mix of the elements. Knowing me, it will be a day of the project decision. What are your color suggestions for this dresser knowing the feel of our bedroom? 

Goodwill {Denver} finds: Polkasquares, books, and snakeskin orange.

Yesterday was a crazy day. Our dog Shelby, who is the sweetest rescue dog I could have ever asked for and the best companion, jumped out my car window and was hit by a car. I know, this seems really scary, but she is doing okay. God was totally watching over us. Anyways, with her in ICU last night and today, I had to get out of the house because it was too still and quiet at home without her. I found myself at the Denver Goodwill because (one) I needed a little retail therapy and (two) only wanted that therapy to max out at ten dollars, given the up and coming vet bills as well as just wanting browse old things (sometimes there is comfort in that for me).

This is from the Goodwill Denver site (since I'm a local now). Although, there are Goodwill stores nationwide. If you don't know that much about Goodwill stores, here is a little more about them, from Denver to you:

We are Goodwill Denver – we translate the good in the local community to programs and resources that change lives. While you might know us through our Denver thrift stores, we're more than just a place for great deals – we have programs that improve our community and inspire hope, one person at a time. Goodwill’s retail division is comprised of a network of 22 retail stores, 3 outlet worlds and 16 donation centers throughout metro Denver and northern Colorado. Profits from these retail stores, as well as donor contributions, fund Goodwill’s highly successful programs in workforce development. We help people find the tools to success at work and in life.

You can read more about Goodwill Denver here.

These are the fun things I walked away with, all for $10. 

 

My heart swoons for navy with red. 

Both in outfits and in home design. 

Huaraches: From my San Miguel de Allende travels (with genuine tire rubber soles). Button up navy polka-square shirt: $4. Orange belt: $2. Red skinny jeans: Marshalls. Oh happy me.

A little bit old and grimy, but the spine of the books are what caught my eye. Such pretty colors. Two for $2 each.

If you live in the Denver area, this Sunday EVERYTHING is 50% in the store. What are some of your favorite thrifting finds? Enjoy your weekend!

Bargain art and a frame makeover.

I realize that so many of my posts lately have focused more on wall items, and I promise you, that's not the only trick in my bag. If you are like me, the minute you move into a new place you want to get things up on the walls. That is where my mind has been when it comes to setting up house. Hmm...now where to put this? and what am I missing? I really did not want to buy anything new to put on the walls, and when walking into a thrift store you can't always plan what you are going to stumble across. Yesterday, while on yet another impromptu thrifting trip, this framed and matted Van Gogh print caught my eye. I love Van Gogh's work, and can even say I've been to the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam (a must if you love his work and you happen to be in Amsterdam). I had yet to put anything above my dresser and since I have a print of Van Gogh's "The Bedroom" up in our room, I felt this might be a nice compliment. Oh, and it was only $6.99. Treasure find, yes. The marbled gold frame was atrotious, however, so i set out to use some of the celery sprig paint I had left over from my nautical mirror stripe project and give this thrift store find a makeover and a place to look lovely. 

Here is the print I already had up in our room:

The color of the frame worked perfectly with these off white framed portraits of Matt and me from our wedding day. Van Gogh's Irises no only pull together the two wedding photos but also make me think of that beautiful garden we said "I do" in over 3 years ago. I am really happy with how this wall turned out. The blues in the print go well with the blue jewelry box and lamp too. Wow, Goodwill really did do well for me, don't you think?

 

Gaudy frame turned minty fresh. What are you going to make lovely with a little paint makeover?