Treasury Edition No. 2: Budvase, reflection, entryways, and dumpster dives.

This is a new series added to the blog, with the original treasury idea inspired by Etsy (where items of a similar theme would be put together for a mini collection of sorts). This is a collection of frugal finds, home design, affordable style, and other splendid bits and pieces from readers like you. If you missed the first treasury, meander over here. Enjoy!

My blue ceramic treasure: This Dutch Delft budvase I found at a consignment store that was going out of business. Originally it was a gift for my Grandma, and now it holds a handful of flowers in my home. It cost $5 and was made in Holland.

Natalie is one of those women who has classy style in her bones. And she is amazing at navigating the wide world of Craigslist. Lucky for us, she is sharing a few of her most recent frugal finds. Natalie found the oval mirror at the Goodwill for only $5. She painted the frame gold to spruce it up a bit. It adds some splendid character to her basement guest room. Next, the dresser was a furniture piece from Natalie's parents. After the piece was hidden down in her basement, Natalie decided to give it new life. With some sanding (oh how we all love this part of refurbishing), white paint, and a new spot in her entryway, this repurposed dresser looks so put together. To accent the design, Natalie painted the lamp shade black. I love this look! (If only I had more photos to show you her entire living room. It is black, white, and classy perfection.) Lastly, this is by no means a new one for the record books, searching for treasure by literally diving, yes, into a dumpster. But, when you get something great like this pedastool side table, completely free? Cannot beat that. Let's dumpster dive more often, shall we? Just wash up properly afterwards and sanitize the bajeebies out of it.

Treasuries are made possible by you! If you would like to be a part of the next collection, email me or read more about guest postings here. 

Weekend snippets.

Yesterday we ventured to Boulder with our neighbors for some tubing down the Creek and appertivos at a little Italian pizzeria. It felt like vacation.

Floatation

50 cent biscotti and happy hour espresso

Vintage scarf

Treasury Edition No. 1

One of my favorite necklaces I purchased at a car show. Yes, bargain hunting and vintage finds can come at the most unexpected times. Don't you just love this turtle necklace? What is one of your favorite "got it when I least expected it" finds?

This wonderful find is from reader Noelle, designer and art director of uzzicreative. A Goodwill tray (circa 1970's Great Britain) she snagged for $2 on her birthday, together with a succulent and salt and pepper birds she received as a gift, she created a fabulous centerpiece. I am loving the green and orange color combo. ("I stare at it every day for creative inspiration"-Noelle) All this for $2!!! 

Jenna of Jennasaurusfun whimsical hand-made goods found an amazing hot-air balloon print, an owl bank, and a voyage worthy embroidery piece. In her words: " 'Admiral Stock's Aerial Adventure' is a print that Blake (husband in above photo) and I purchased together at a Salvation Army while we were dating. We shared it and often joked over the custody battle that would surely occur if we were ever to break up. The painting feels like something that would be in a Wes Anderson movie.  I got the little, leather owl bank at a thrift store years ago and I love the way it works with other little things that I have collected on top of a stereo that grandma passed on to us when she got new ones. I found this embroidered ship at a garage sale for 2 bucks. We get compliments on it all the time and it has inspired me to try out some embroidery of my own (for example... my first ever attempt is the owl in the photo with the owl bank)."    This girl knows how to thrift. She has what I consider the gene. (Yes she is my cousin). And yes, she does have an Etsy shop.

Lovely reader Hillary put in some serious elbow grease, paint, and design detailing into this piece (a Broyhill hutch). It was an unsold garage sale item that was given to her. All she had to pay was her time and diy patience! You can read more about the project at her personal blog. It made me laugh reading about her paint suite and the commentary about her husband getting in the project. (Also, that her light at the end of the tunnel was to get a homemade pie on that hutch, no matter what it took). How pretty are those knobs? And don't even get me started about that yellow, grey, and aqua floral print. Love it, Hillary!

I would love to add your find to the next treasury. Just send me an image (it can even be a snapshot from your phone, no professional cameras needed!) with a short detail of your find at pearlspoppiespinkiesup@gmail.com and I will add it to the next collection of reader treasures.  As Jenna wrote me, "Its like a grown up show and tell series!"  I cannot wait to see what you have to share!