Slowly but surely this bar area will get done!

Moving at a snails pace, but my freshly painted mirror
and french bulldog is helping move it along!

A college girls "grown-up" bedroom!

This is my version of a college girls slightly "grown-up" bedroom, I want my space to be fun and personal with a young and put together look. 

Brass Goodwill Lamps

                                                Brass Goodwill lamps for $10.00 and navy                      
                                                  blue lampshades for $10.00 from Ross

Brass for my sisters wedding!

My sisters wedding is coming up with lots of brass details so I've been on the look out for a few more pieces, heres what I found:

Two brass candle sticks originally $1.50 each, on sale
 for .75 at a local church thrift store!

Brass bowl, on sale for $2.50

Lampshade redo!

I had painted this lampshade and done a pearl glaze on it,
I had tried this with a cream lampshade I had for my dresser and
loved it, but when I tried it in pink it did not turn out successful
when actually turned on. (see below)

                                     

I had picked up this fabric in a $5.00 bin at Hancock Fabrics
it was supposed to be to redo a chair cushion but I had
had it with my lampshades the other night and chose to use it
for them instead!

Finished! This is the tutorial I used
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/116108496613893772/

A few fun updates for my apartment!

Picked up this container at Goodwill today for $4.00! Not exactly sure what
or why these items were in there, but I've been looking for a jewelry holder
and this was perfect.

After I placed my earrings etc in it.

$8.00 item I picked up today.

I chose to use it for more jewelry that I had no place for!

This tray was something I picked up from
 target a few years ago, but had been wanting
to replace. 

Found this brass tray today for $4.00 and thought
it would be the perfect item to hold all my bathroom
products.

Tips and Tricks for your search!

Here's some things I do when looking for new items, and the places I look to get the best deals. When thrift store hunting you might have to visit the store a few times, but when you find a great deal it makes the search worth it!

Best places for inexpensive accessories:

Ross- pillows, lampshades, basic rugs, curtains and rods

Goodwill and thrift stores

Tj Mxx (check sale sections first)

- bowls can be used for jewelry or catch all bowl for keys etc..

-miscellaneous teacups, pitchers, glasses can all be used for vases

-Most stores have a set day they mark items down, call them and know that date, this way you'll get the best price!

Thrift Store Tips:

 -These stores usually have set days where they set out new items, call them and they'll tell you the day of the week

-When it comes to furniture most places will hold it for a day or so, check their policies on this.

-Pillows can be used for inserts for new pillow covers just be sure to give them a good wash!

-Clothing can also be used for new fabric for pillows!

-Lamps can be revamped with a little spray paint, make sure they've been test and work

-Side tables and Coffee tables can get a new look with new hardware and paint, much less expensive than buying them new and they have a lot more character!

-Don't dismiss an item for its lack of cleanliness, there are plenty of tutorials online for how to clean it!

-When looking at chairs and couches remember reupholstering is always an option, especially for chairs where you just have to replace the seat!

Craigslist:

-Always take a friend when purchasing an item

-Most of the time you can haggle with the seller, but don't lowball them or you might lose the item altogether

-Like shopping at thrift stores know that paint can completely change the look and feel of the piece!

-If pictures aren't very clear don't be afraid to ask the seller for more

-Wood pieces: looks can be deceiving if you aren't certain what it's made of ask the seller so you aren't surprised when you go to pick up your item!

-If you see an item in stores that you really want but might not be able to afford check craigslist!

-New area rugs can tend to be expensive, especially wool ones, check craigslist first.

-A little mileage on your car is usually worth the deal you get!

Spindle Leg table!

Picked this up from goodwill for $25.00! Would love to
use as dining room table but due to space issues it is currently
being used as our bar.

Art for the bedroom!

The mats of these photos were a pale pink and could not be
detached from the actual photo so I just painted the matting!

Floral photo on left, once again mat couldn't be removed so
I painted it a tan color. The other two were also goodwill frames
I removed the original photos and replaced them with fun
floral/glitter cards I got at target!

Mirrors, Mirrors, Mirrors!

Pulled this out of the trash to use in my entry way!

This mirror was from goodwill but the back was not attached
with some industrial strength glue it was good as new,
was only $7.00 at goodwill!

You could probably guess, but goodwill does it again.
$5.00!

Bedroom Side Tables

$13.00 goodwill side table with anthropologie knob

$23.00 serving table from goodwill. I originally painted
it white to match my other side table, but decided I would
like it better in gray.

The after

Marble/wood coffee table

Marble/wood coffee table for 65.00 off craigslist, could have been $50.00
but we opted for delivery (: 

I used a homemade chalk paint recipe off pinterest to get
this finished look.  

Craigslist Stools

I found the base of these stools on craigslist for $25.00
so I sent them home with my mother who got them
tops!

So happy with the final product!

Unhealthy love for velvet

Two vintage velvet chairs I picked up for $50.00! Big plans for these

Velvet tufted sofa I picked up off craigslist, once again only $50.00!
I've cleaned it a few times, but still needs a good professional cleaning.

Chotchkies and Trinkets

In love with my brass $3.00 pineapple lamp from goodwill.

Another steal from goodwill, $1.00 each!

Brass tray now used for my Sake set my brother-in-law so kindly bought me (:

Fun little nut cracker squirrel holding my sisters amethyst rock
collection.

Painted this wine rack gold, currently waiting to be stocked! 

My free dresser!

Ignore the lack of decor in my place, this is a dresser I
received for FREE from a friend of the family with a new paint job
thanks to my mom and some new hardware she looks completely
new and refreshed. 

Goodwill China Cabinet

This china cabinet was found by my sister and I at goodwill.
It was $80.00 and without a key, after a few hours I picked the
lock and put a stain on it. 

We decided we liked the dark wood and have left it that way,
with some gold knobs from Anthropologie its one of
my favorite pieces!