Super, Fun Weekend . . .

Ok, so I have been hard at work cleaning (house on the market), and clearing out (too much junk to move if the house ever sells), and feeding children, and driving children., and of course, let's not forget, forgiving a cheating ex-spouse! (On a side note real quick, I belong to a great support group at my church called Divorce Care, I highly recommend it for anyone going through a separation or divorce.

Back to my fun-filled weekend. I walk with a friend on Friday mornings and she mentioned this sale she heard about happening this weekend. It's called Brocante Vintage Market and it is held in St. Petersburg, FL, the first weekend of every month. So needless to say, it sounded fun and I sure needed a shopping trip. I haven't bought anything for the house in a LONG time (well, yes, it is on the market and I am clearing out - see above) but why should I let that stop me? Boy, did I have a great time there. Now I am the type of person who would rather pay full price, or more, to avoid major crowds. I got to the market a little after 10 (after dropping off another child) and it was still packed. I have heard that people line up as early as 6 a.m. No thank you! I will never know what items I didn't get because I wouldn't stand in line so no harm, no foul!

Here's some fun photos I took -

I love the vignettes,
such great merchandising!

Of course, I had my eye on that stained-glass
sitting on the shelf but figured it would
be damaged before I found a home for it.

The check out lines were brutal but
everyone was nice and apologetic.
Tip - bring cash!

Mom, Edgar Allen Poes! 

My purchases!
I have really been wanting some old trophies.
This one is from 1967 and was the hit of the
check out line because of course, we were
all checking each others goodies while waiting there.
I had several people say they wish they had seen it and
one offered to buy it from me. No deal!
I also wavered on the tray but could picture
it in my new house (even though I have
no idea what that house will look like!).

I did decide to pack up my goodies and save them for the new house. I also made another decision, I was planning on taking most of my current furniture to my new abode but decided I didn't want it. Too many memories. So I plan on selling almost all of it and will have fun, with the girls, looking for special pieces to create new memories.

With that being said, I had about 20 minutes to kill before picking up my oldest so I headed to an antique store that is new to me. Holy cow! This place is huge and there was so much to see. I didn't see any more trophies but I did come across this lovely -

Isn't it cool? It's on sale for $350 and I was told I could do
layaway. Think I just bought myself a Fat Tuesday present!?!?

 After all my shopping, we ran to the store for some goodies for dinner and I made a lasagna for the next day's super, fun activity - a Polo match in Sarasota.

I wish I could claim this recipe as my own but it's not,
it's Joy Behar's and it's the best - hands down!
Of course I had to make extras,
so my little one has eaten it for the past 5 meals!

It was a beautiful day to be outside.

Doing the divot dance at in between chukkers.

This was taken by my youngest and looks like
a Ralph Lauren ad.

At different Polo matches, there are different themes and this one was Italian. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures of our set-up/food but we had a great time (thanks again Michel for the invite) and even better food.

Needless to say, after a shower when we got home, I collapsed on the couch and stayed there for most of the evening!

Lots more to catch you up on but that is for another post!

Pier 1 - Literally - In The House . . .

Ok, so I imagine by now, you might be sick of me talking and blogging about Pier 1 but sorry folks, that's what's on my mind these days (I know, sad!). So I ran with my little coupons (I had the on-line one for 25% off all dinnerware and a 20% off 1 single item) to my local Pier 1 yesterday and could have had a field day! Here's what I got SO FAR . . . 

This is the pillow I really like and think I will keep
and get a couple more.

This is the pillow my oldest likes and wants me to keep.

This is both pillows together and I think the colors work
together, but not the pillows.
Thinking I could get 2 of each and put on separate chairs
in separate areas of the patio and still look great.
Thoughts?

This is going to be the chaise lounge pillow.
I agree with my oldest that I don't love the
purple in the stripes but I can live with it.
Kudos Pier 1, this outdoor pillow is crazy soft!
Usually the outdoor fabric is rough and not cozy.

My little stash.

In the spirit of using only cash and trying to be good, I bought 4 dinner plates and bowls and a set of the stackable wine glasses, in addition to the 3 pillows. My plan is to buy a few more every time I get a coupon or they go on sale.

I so wish I could use all my goodies this weekend and chill by the pool but I have got big plans instead. I am taking 14 girls and 6 adults to Savannah, Georgia, for Girl Scouts so I will share with you all our fun, but that is for another post!

It's Totally a Sign from the Shopping Gods!

Ok, so looky what I just got from Pier 1!!

I "Liked" them on Facebook and bingo-shazam! I get a coupon for the dinnerware I coveted.  Remember me droning on and on how I want new stuff for my backyard? Now I did read the small print (barely with my aging eyes) and am not 100% sure this is for the melamine stuff but yes, you got it right, I am hauling myself there after picking up my oldest from stupid early release (that just really messes up my schedule and I am glad it is going away next year!). I also have a coupon for 20% off one regular price item so I just might start on my pillow collection and see if I really do like it in the backyard. Happy shopping for me and I will let you know, but that will be for another post!

Pier One Love . . .

Ok, so normally, Pier 1 is not my go to store. I like it, and have shopped there, but it's not in my Top 5, if Top 10.  However, I was wandering through the other day, killing time during soccer practice, and I saw that they have outdoor cushions and I started paying more attention.

Hello, I have been looking for some fun cushions for my bar stools to add a pop, or lots of pops, of color to my downstairs patio area, by the pool.

Just as a reminder, this is what our deck looks like.

Now also bear in mind, I was going to go for a classy look but with my husband's outdoor "man cave" looking like this . . .

beer signs and beat up license plates and  . . .
(ignore the paint job on the front of the bar, that is going to be fixed!)

a Hogbreath's sign and a "Beware of Pickpockets and Loose Woman",
classy was never going to happen down here.
Let's go for fun and festive!

What do you think?
I think this may be a winner. I love all the colors, it blends
beautifully with the decking and pulls the blue from the pool tiles.
Is this a winner?

Now, remember my "more is more" mantra, I could NEVER in a million years, have non-matching pillows. In fact, as of right now, all I have left are faded Restoration Hardware (yes, RH, your fancy-dancy outdoor pillows fade - major FAIL!) pillows with a pale green coloring. SO, let's get some new ones to match my "really want" new bar stool cushions!

The have fun matching pillows -
(I really need want 2 of these for around the fire pit)

- basic stripes -
(I really need want 2 of these for the other chairs by the firepit)

- really fun stripes -
(I really need want 2 of these for the chairs by the bar/overhang)

 - must have lumbar support -

(I really need want 2 of these for the chaise lounges)

With all that being said dreamed, I decided to dream even bigger! Why not replace E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.?

Aren't these adorable melamine plates?
Lust.

Plates are important but wine goblets are THE. MOST. IMPORTANT!
Did I mention these are stackable?

These sippers are fun for the little kids or the big kids with frozen drinks.

I really wish there was a way to register as an old-married-couple and be able to get new things. Did I tell you that I added all this up, plus some matching serving platters (mine have faded or been stained from meals of years ago, honestly though, I have had this stuff for the past 9 years!!) and the total was over $750!?! Not gonna happen! Anyone have a coupon I can have? In the past, when I order large ticket items at Pottery Barn, I have bought coupons off of eBay but right now, the best I can find for Pier 1 is 20% off total, which is good but that is still too much to spend. Mama needs a BIG sale!

P.S. I did eliminate a bunch of stuff and got the total to $371 before 20% off coupon (which I totally would buy). Did I mention I would qualify for free S&H???? Did I also mention that they have two pieces of furniture that I think might work great in my foyer?

This is one of them. I like the gold accents and studs.
Heera Cabinet
The other cabinet is a bit more primitive looking
and for some reason they don't have it on-line.
Guess I need to run by Pier 1 and take a photo.

You are killing me Pier 1! Well, enough dreaming for now. I am off to pack for our Girl Scout trip this weekend but that is for another post!

Love Me Some Bargains . . .

Ok, so a couple of weekends ago, my niece was in town visiting my girls, and they all wanted to go see Step Up Revolution 4 in 3-D. Don't ask me why but for some reason, I had no desire to see it. I decided I would buy their tickets, drop them off and then mosey (would you believe I had to check the dictionary for how to spell mosey, being from the South, you think I would know that one!). The movie theater has a Target, Michael's, Marshall's and a lot of other, inexpensive shops in the same complex. I figured I would start at one end and "mosey" (I am SO going to keep using that know that I know how to spell it) to the other, ending up at Target.

Well, I went into my first shop (can't remember the name) and found the perfect pair of red patent leather ballet flats! Brings me back to the days of the red patent Mary Jane's my girls used to wear and now wouldn't be caught dead in them!

They are not a name brand but are ridiculously comfy. I think they will be great for fall and for the holidays. Plus, I have been looking for shoes to match the patent leather red handbag I bought on vacation this past spring break. They were regularly priced $85 and I got them for $39 and no tax! Score one for me!

Next stop, Marshalls. They were having a H-U-G-E clearance in housewares so I started to head there, but a sale in shoes caught my eye first!

These are Tahari and, again, crazy comfy! I love the pattern on them and can't wait to wear them!! They were regularly $125 and I got them for $49. Score two!

These are Coach tennis shoes and I thought I liked them. Then when I showed them to my girls, they said I was "too old" (ouch!) to wear them. Thoughts?? Can I pull them off? I thought they would be great with jeans and a tee or sweater in the colder month (just that one month). According to my girls, the tennis shoes won't go with my muumuu (holy cow, had to look the spelling of that word up too!) or accessorize with my walker! I don't usually like huge logos all over my shoes but these are real subtle and comfortable (gee, I want all my shoes to be comfy, maybe I am an old lady). I don't remember how much these were originally but I got them for $49. Score two-and-a-half. On to domestics. . .

. . . but, one more stop by clothing but didn't really see anything (no big sales there), so I moved on.

Got the pitcher and the large, green glass vase for $2 each! I am not sure what I am going to do with them yet but plan on getting my "craft" on. Maybe try some etching or glass painting? At that price, I can afford to mess them up! Score more!

Having $3 cloche envy?? It's pretty large and will be used a lot. I might try to add a monogram letter to it but will see.

I was on the fence about this but for $2, I thought it might make something cute for Halloween since it kind of looks like a spider web. It looks great in my head but not sure it will look that awesome in reality!

For $1, I can play diner all night long!

This was pricey at $5 (ha, ha) but I really like it, just not sure why though! It's got fun bubbles in the glass, is a great color and I even like the rope. I might use it as a wine holder or maybe a wine glass - just add a straw!! Another score!

I wanted to make a tomato-basil tart before summer was over but did not have a pan until now. Got this large, bad boy for $3. Hope the tart turns out as good as the pan looks!

After making a quick stop at the car, I headed to Michael's Crafts.

I got these monogrammed pulls for $.29 each (this would totally be a triple score but I have NO idea where I am going to use them) and these cool tags for $.39. Yeah! I also filled 2 carts with 80% off stuff but that is for my daughter's elementary school's Winter Store and not on my dime.

How sad but I didn't even make it to Target! On a buying high however, I did hit Tuesday Morning the next day (and it wasn't even Tuesday) but came across some goodies but a little bit more than the $3.

Can't remember how much this was but SO going to use it for Halloween - maybe to hold a glittery skull or something fun?? So many options!

Got a couple of these for gifts (and one for us). Got something else but using that as a gift for a blog reader so not going post it here.

This will end up as a gift too, but maybe for my hubby? Would look great in his "someday" Man Cave.

Well, it was a good run but now I am putting a self-imposed lockdown on spending - IF - not for a gift. I do shop for the holidays all year long and am already half done. So, I will share with you what I end up doing with all these goodies, but that will be for another post!