Introducing the littlest handyman man at 551 East

A few weeks ago I <a href="http://tophomedesignz.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-husband-owns-leopard-print-socks-and.html">introduced</a> you my husband, Jake. I often feel a twinge of guilt when I say this is <i>my</i> blog or<i> I </i>restore furniture because he really helps me so much. We really love doing it together, (and he's gotten a little addicted to the power sander) so it's kind of a family affair.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">So I wanted to introduce you to the third member here at 551 East!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is Rhett.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lLl_8sQg8Q1D57PiDCYXjJbKxCpIj3RC6-KQ26eOxaD3OXGK_SBqI58f3E3P_VYGRk85PR6p7aPr948lupZ3LwTsl_U9agsxD8CeqYAissAhOZHRUwyt5GZ9slB4VyCbGeDXUhyAWD0/s1600/Rhett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lLl_8sQg8Q1D57PiDCYXjJbKxCpIj3RC6-KQ26eOxaD3OXGK_SBqI58f3E3P_VYGRk85PR6p7aPr948lupZ3LwTsl_U9agsxD8CeqYAissAhOZHRUwyt5GZ9slB4VyCbGeDXUhyAWD0/s640/Rhett.jpg" width="640" /></a>He is 10 months old.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YDAcIFeR5Vme9m_uMIRjmlch0NnYnCQm5ppAD22QdKXp9IWOMf3g5bjoKS4HxGlJN5S_otvW7pDn1hn_MX_phk3SjIVPkYGw0_k2itmoAn-mEoFdx1P2oFnhu89_7n4QzdeUiG4rTFk/s1600/Rhett2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YDAcIFeR5Vme9m_uMIRjmlch0NnYnCQm5ppAD22QdKXp9IWOMf3g5bjoKS4HxGlJN5S_otvW7pDn1hn_MX_phk3SjIVPkYGw0_k2itmoAn-mEoFdx1P2oFnhu89_7n4QzdeUiG4rTFk/s640/Rhett2.jpg" width="422" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's our little man and we just love him. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He loves blueberries, toilet paper, playing with the vacuum, playing in the car, all things dog, pushing his walker, taking showers, pointing, chatting it up with the baby in the mirror, and going to Home Depot. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He dislikes having his diaper changed, when I turn the vacuum on, being told he can't eat too much dirt, and his car-seat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BIuPPooKdXqNqhk0oUPonMmw7XYbI_u1X0LkwRItHNTY0pyMjucwlMhndnUW_o491kkI8clw8SNIZetHvS8aIF7-oLD1tjs2Ultxj6QPZ5x0Q7HrPorU0IaO5urjWgtXiYwdTZOJlhk/s1600/Rhett4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BIuPPooKdXqNqhk0oUPonMmw7XYbI_u1X0LkwRItHNTY0pyMjucwlMhndnUW_o491kkI8clw8SNIZetHvS8aIF7-oLD1tjs2Ultxj6QPZ5x0Q7HrPorU0IaO5urjWgtXiYwdTZOJlhk/s640/Rhett4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> He is our little handy man and we love working on our projects with him. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Except when he get's really clingy and then it's hard to get much of anything done. :)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcOxXseuna6A-jbqTfGsT0v0B0BI8C7M4V6Pnee2-TYJGcd0GbIb7s030To4v1Qk5qUiCV-n0MAc5OZynmCJkuMx4yB6O0GHnbSDyO2z7cdSkN6JxlwjSAgPbJiikhsz5j2qP_Eh3B1Q/s1600/Rhett3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcOxXseuna6A-jbqTfGsT0v0B0BI8C7M4V6Pnee2-TYJGcd0GbIb7s030To4v1Qk5qUiCV-n0MAc5OZynmCJkuMx4yB6O0GHnbSDyO2z7cdSkN6JxlwjSAgPbJiikhsz5j2qP_Eh3B1Q/s640/Rhett3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm excited as he gets older to teach him to do what I love doing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Maybe we should get him his own little tool kit for his birthday . :)</div>

Introducing the littlest handyman man at 551 East

A few weeks ago I introduced you my husband, Jake. I often feel a twinge of guilt when I say this is my blog or I restore furniture becau...

Read more »

Winner of Giveaway #1!

<div style="text-align: center;">Before I announce the winner of our $25 cash giveaway </div><div style="text-align: center;">I want to thank each of you who has followed, commented and given support and encouragement. </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">THANK YOU SO MUCH!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Really, I have loved looking at all of your blogs and  have tried commenting on as many of them as possible.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So many of you are doing amazing projects and things with your lives.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love it! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So on to the winner...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Can I get a drum roll?!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 100%; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div id="true-random-integer-generator" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 255); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 255); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 255); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 255); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #777777; font-family: verdana, sans; font-size: 9pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 148px;"><span id="true-random-integer-generator-title" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ccccff; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; display: block; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: -6px; margin-right: -6px; margin-top: -6px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">True Random Number Generator</span><span id="true-random-integer-generator-min-span" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><label for="true-random-integer-generator-min" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #777777; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Min:</label> <input id="true-random-integer-generator-min" maxlength="9" name="true-random-integer-generator-min" style="margin-left: 10px; width: 77px;" type="text" value="1" /></span><span id="true-random-integer-generator-max-span" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><label for="true-random-integer-generator-max" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #777777; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Max:</label> <input id="true-random-integer-generator-max" maxlength="9" name="true-random-integer-generator-max" style="margin-left: 6px; width: 77px;" type="text" value="100" /></span><span id="true-random-integer-generator-max-button-span" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><input id="true-random-integer-generator-button" name="true-random-integer-generator-button" style="display: block;" type="button" value="Generate" /></span><label for="true-random-integer-generator-result" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Result:</label><span id="true-random-integer-generator-result" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ccccff; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; display: block; font-size: 11pt; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 2px; padding-top: 2px; vertical-align: baseline;">11</span><span id="true-random-integer-generator-credits" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; font-size: 6pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 1px; padding-right: 1px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: right; vertical-align: baseline;">Powered by <a href="http://www.random.org/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #777777; font-size: 8px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">RANDOM.ORG</a></span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">And the winner is....</div></div><div><br /><dt class="comment-author " id="c6140175700203486222" style="background-position: 0px 1.5em; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px; margin-left: -45px; padding-left: 45px; padding-top: 1.5em; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/15960516215964917201" rel="nofollow" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;">Jessica Havican</a> said...</dt><br /><dd class="comment-body" id="Blog1_cmt-6140175700203486222" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 25px; margin-top: 0.5em;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">And I posted it about it on my Facebook!</div></dd><dd class="comment-footer" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 25px; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: center;"><span class="comment-timestamp"><a href="http://tophomedesignz.blogspot.com/2011/06/best-day-ever.html?showComment=1307506332203#c6140175700203486222" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;" title="comment permalink">June 7, 2011 9:12 PM </a><span class="item-control blog-admin pid-1342853136" style="display: inline;"><a class="comment-delete" href="http://www.blogger.com/delete-comment.g?blogID=1576972133361331381&postID=6140175700203486222" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration: none;" title="Delete Comment"><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/icon_delete13.gif" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" /></a></span></span></dd><dd class="comment-footer" style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 25px; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: center;">Congratulations<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"> Jessica!</span></dd><dd class="comment-footer" style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 25px; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ffd966; font-size: x-large;">$25 just for YOU!</span></dd><dd class="comment-footer" style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 25px; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: center;">Email me your information and we'll send the mullah your way. </dd><dd class="comment-footer" style="margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 25px; margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: center;">(And I'm thinking that as soon as we get to 100 followers we'll do another giveaway :)) </dd></div>

Winner of Giveaway #1!

Before I announce the winner of our $25 cash giveaway  I want to thank each of you who has followed, commented and given support and encoura...

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How to Thrift

Thrifitng is a great way to find treasures: furniture, dishes, lamps, art, clothing, linens, etc. It's like a treasure hunt...sometimes enhanced with a little competition. When we are going out to garage sales, antique stores, or Goodwill/D.I., I always feel the need to jump out of  the car and run to the sale/store just to make sure no one else gets my treasures. I know that sounds a little crazy, but in my defense, most "thrift" finds aren't easy to refind once someone else has bought them. Does anyone else get like this?<br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here are some of our recent finds!</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPjaXO89gexk6oPB_pm3Csv5Cy9mSDUBM3Spv_ULRgxemb9_4H109cSMdWoxKVsCvdDr5fZ1A55p4mQcTj1dSvTA0ycdghkATDBf3o0x1cjoyEQwGr0dAeezC6oSJy7Pv5TZNCPA1Pm0/s1600/DSC_0584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPjaXO89gexk6oPB_pm3Csv5Cy9mSDUBM3Spv_ULRgxemb9_4H109cSMdWoxKVsCvdDr5fZ1A55p4mQcTj1dSvTA0ycdghkATDBf3o0x1cjoyEQwGr0dAeezC6oSJy7Pv5TZNCPA1Pm0/s640/DSC_0584.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classically built desk</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqycIw1OYpErl_SiOXrbtVxEz5OnFl9JFC483F-YJl37Fet_2HmyPHSukescBWCnFUNOmRfssvTBImQerrWcLAjjP_6kPL-a2No1siL8SJ1ABoTuDeu-6aJ8Gog16Wwcg-r_ekcU7_cmA/s1600/DSC_0585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqycIw1OYpErl_SiOXrbtVxEz5OnFl9JFC483F-YJl37Fet_2HmyPHSukescBWCnFUNOmRfssvTBImQerrWcLAjjP_6kPL-a2No1siL8SJ1ABoTuDeu-6aJ8Gog16Wwcg-r_ekcU7_cmA/s640/DSC_0585.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQrfOqStDFKPcIo1weF7XGyVB8hQa5Qdki2FAqgs-1bNu9GnlvpnBQAYvpVAQtPGWT8cXRGyXyEJCHm7xTslYuXZ256IP2sfLDN0JPFqEKI_cBi7o_js_QpVcPUtdY8QUyS94L4pEaTs/s1600/DSC_0586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQrfOqStDFKPcIo1weF7XGyVB8hQa5Qdki2FAqgs-1bNu9GnlvpnBQAYvpVAQtPGWT8cXRGyXyEJCHm7xTslYuXZ256IP2sfLDN0JPFqEKI_cBi7o_js_QpVcPUtdY8QUyS94L4pEaTs/s640/DSC_0586.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyAvs5SghCM3pRm5hIvtcVTa9TDusguPiZM7o7PXGA5lak1u38fMg8a8JavQASK1FXGrKieDTPpyd_eQ0BhuIFKxifjuzIdgYudtxT5laGeYZluS-BfO3xCCJsiMbB-iblOBvg5Gjxlc/s1600/DSC_0596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyAvs5SghCM3pRm5hIvtcVTa9TDusguPiZM7o7PXGA5lak1u38fMg8a8JavQASK1FXGrKieDTPpyd_eQ0BhuIFKxifjuzIdgYudtxT5laGeYZluS-BfO3xCCJsiMbB-iblOBvg5Gjxlc/s640/DSC_0596.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children's Table</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2aJe_75bbYslyPHm2dLFcbp1RGBYAodAXnxDFuXjku5-Xu-SUXUVwm6u1TPKZr9rT-axgeDAI2xAeTGfmHKVUFzjHsexx8Hw1uSwaRiR4Bjoe9ud3IBesX5_MnXPIMXAp44Nc42DAAY/s1600/DSC_0589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2aJe_75bbYslyPHm2dLFcbp1RGBYAodAXnxDFuXjku5-Xu-SUXUVwm6u1TPKZr9rT-axgeDAI2xAeTGfmHKVUFzjHsexx8Hw1uSwaRiR4Bjoe9ud3IBesX5_MnXPIMXAp44Nc42DAAY/s640/DSC_0589.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French sitting chair</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQNPZ493nhRbJfr3RbaozB4YuEPNq55FOS22NUlqtGUT8vgjiq3d-7WrlrvEx_cRGGtfxiBtZbvt2WiiY1A1dUmAiNkNA-RFRh693nbwIzY7r_fIvs_Th-s0A2i35bg4lghknQDXoQ8M/s1600/DSC_0590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQNPZ493nhRbJfr3RbaozB4YuEPNq55FOS22NUlqtGUT8vgjiq3d-7WrlrvEx_cRGGtfxiBtZbvt2WiiY1A1dUmAiNkNA-RFRh693nbwIzY7r_fIvs_Th-s0A2i35bg4lghknQDXoQ8M/s640/DSC_0590.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi384w-wt6cYvXzKcKrGZswQ1xHQgoDLXlrVXrHOgB97-GIn26aHplX_NgXxgBswxJz7hh5dFJyX9MGk_LF4Ud9vOBN-MBk-ViZMqtv228_IHLlV4kLTEx6stkyHYfc5eXd7Mk-MGVckog/s1600/DSC_0592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi384w-wt6cYvXzKcKrGZswQ1xHQgoDLXlrVXrHOgB97-GIn26aHplX_NgXxgBswxJz7hh5dFJyX9MGk_LF4Ud9vOBN-MBk-ViZMqtv228_IHLlV4kLTEx6stkyHYfc5eXd7Mk-MGVckog/s640/DSC_0592.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Key hole chair (she goes with the desk)</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">All of these will be coming with us to the farmer's market!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thrifting can take some time. Honestly, it can also be frustrating. I'm still learning how to "treasure hunt", where to go, how to barter. Here's some stuff I've learned and if you have any tips PLEASE share!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ffd966; font-size: large;">{ Thrifting 101 }</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">1. Ask around for the best places. Thrifting can take a lot of time, so make sure you aren't going to places that don't have what you are looking for or aren't known for having quality items. Ask around or call the store ahead and ask what kind of items or styles they lean too and price ranges. Some thrift stores can be more expensive than others. And here is my 2 cents on garage sales. Like I said I'm still learning, but I have rarely had a great experience with them. I'm no pro and this is just my opinion, but if you're going to take the time to go thrift, most garage sales sell items that lean more toward junk than treasure so make sure you are yard selling in a good neighborhood/part of town for the most efficient t use of your time. And don't forget stores like D.I or Goodwill! I usually find great items there and the price on the sticker is often times negotiable. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">2. Decide what you are looking for. Most antique or thrift stores aren't set up like a regular stores. What I mean is that there usually isn't a chair section and a vases section etc. It can be really overwhelming if you don't have a plan ...but ...on the other hand, it's so fun to just go see what you find. So it's your decision. :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">3. Don't forget to look for other items.This will kind of contradict point #2, but always make sure to do a quick sweep of the whole place. You never know what you might find. :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">4. Before buying an item, take a good look at it. Obviously, what you're likely to find is used and probably kind of old. If you're planning on restoring it, make sure you can do the repairs that the item might need. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">5. Always see if you can get a lower price. This might be one of my favorite things about thrifitng. Prices usually aren't completely nonnegotiable so ask. Make sure your new offer is reasonable. The person selling it is also trying to get a good price. If you are buying several items, try grouping them for a lower total price.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, some days are better to go than others. I like going on Mondays because people usually clear out their "junk" over the weekend and take it in then so there are often times new treasures. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>What tips do you have?!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And don't forget to enter/tell all your friends about the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #ffd966; font-size: large;">$25 cash </span>giveaway! </div><div style="text-align: center;">It ends today.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And thanks especially to all of you who have entered, commented, and spread the word!</div>

How to Thrift

Thrifitng is a great way to find treasures: furniture, dishes, lamps, art, clothing, linens, etc. It's like a treasure hunt...sometimes ...

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