Shake your money maker Monday

This is my daughters favorite song.  Before you get all judgy mc judgerton,  I was listening to NWA in junior high and I turned out alright (totally my opinion though).  Plus, watching her try to do the dance is priceless...and makes me realize I must get this girl in dance asap.  She loves music.  Here they are on Sesame Street!

I hope your Monday was worthy of shaking it!  

xoxo, 

Amy

Friday Faves-It's a Campout

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We are planning on taking our kids camping next month. (*disclaimer- could be subject to change due to inclement weather-hot and humid in the midwest- and chicken s___ parents who fear sleeping in discomfort.)  That being said, I think all children need to experience camping once in their lifetime.  I kind of feel a parental duty to take them for the first time and introduce them to this magical experience.

I hopped online today looking for a tent and got completely sidetracked by these beauties.  Now, no ordinary tent will do.  It may have to...but I will be dreaming of these instead.  I imagine living in the country where we can put one up in our backyard...near a fire pit...under the trees...under the moon and stars.  Like I said, I am a dreamer.  In the meantime, I will continue my search for something practical, along with some of those foam pads for comfort!

Friday is finally here!  I am heading down to lake late tonight for my annual "girls weekend at the lake".  The plan is to come home Saturday night early enough to see my kiddos before bed.  But, the husband reminded me tonight I might want to actually make it a weekend and give myself a break.  We'll see what happens.  Usually one night away is enough to clear my mind and regain my sense of self.  Funny thing is, the 2 hour drive with one of my besties is usually the funnest part.  We talk the whole way and before we know it we're there.  We've been doing this for over 15 years now.  Sometimes less than 10 of us show...sometimes there is 20+.   Our ages range anywhere from mid 20's all the way to late 60's early 70's.  It really is the best time ever.   For you youngsters out there here's my two cents: hang on to your girls (even if it's only a handful), the older you get, they really do become like family.  More like the sisters you got to handpick!

xoxo, 

Amy

Thrifted Thursday-via a garage sale!

I love the summer! Mostly for garage sales and swimming pools.  Thrift stores continue to raise their prices, so these are the months I try to hit garage sales.  Great stuff, super cheap (most of the time).  I do the slow drive by first...I only get out if I (or my kids) spot something good from the curb.  That something could be a sweet little old lady sitting in a lawn chair.  I know I have to stop there, because I adore older lady's and I love their stuff.  I think they like it too, because of the pure joy on my face.  Plus they like kids.  Estate sales do not like children.  Which is a bummer, because I used to love estate sales.  The mean women turned me off.

 I couldn't believe these cute baby clothes!

 vintage slips.

 tons of great fabric.

a chenille rug.

 and these two candle holders.

Are you ready for the best part?  Total spent: $11.10   Yes, you read that correct.  I would have posted the $2 vintage wooden record shelf...but I didn't grab it when I first saw it.  I walked around the corner and when I came back...gone!  Ugh.  Oh well, I couldn't be too mad!  I hit a couple more sales but I will save that booty for another post!

What did you find?

xoxo, 

Amy  

Linking up here:
Her LIbrary Adventures
Nifty Thrifty Things

Biking KC...a new series

I love my morning bike rides.  I loathe waking up at the crack of dawn and pretty much despise the first mile, but once I start waking up my mood changes and whatever stress I have is scooped up by the wind and is left behind in my tracks.  All of these photos were taken within a 1 mile radius of where I live.  I live in the "Waldo" area which is an older part of town filled with rich Kansas City history and a fair share of old buildings that are still standing and functioning.  There is no better way (in my opinion) than seeing your city via bike.   So, I plan on sharing some pictures of my rides not just to motivate me to ride more...but also to slow down and make those rides more about appreciation of my alone time in the city I love, than about working out...the sound of which kind of makes me want a donut.

Happy hump day!

xoxo,

Amy

Wordless Wednesdays at Jenni from the Blog
Wordless Wednesdays

Thrifting 101- Around the Home

Almost everything in my home is found, thrift, or family hand me downs.  You can decorate on a budget.  Just think outside of the box, or outside of the "big box".  Although I look forward to the day when I have a space big enough for a comfy extra large L shaped couch...I prefer to have things with memories in my home, things that are one of a kind.  Here is snap shot into just a couple of my favorite spaces in my home.

The needlepoints are my Grandma's.  I have almost every single needle point she had in her little house and they make me smile every day.  The cart is handmade by my fabulous non-biological dad.  I seriously am blessed in the step-dad department.  Along with being an awesome Grandpa to my kids he happens to be a killer wood worker.  I bought the red hutch at an antique market years ago and it's never left my kitchen.  Almost everything on it is thrifted.

The kitchen table was my husbands Aunt Irene's.  It has two leafs I can't wait to put in and keep in when we have a bigger kitchen.  The yellow dresser in the back was mine when I was a little girl.  I am so glad I never repainted or got rid of it.  Think outside of the box.  You don't always have to use furniture intended for one room or another in that particular room.

This cabinet was found on the curb.  It needs redone badly but is a solid piece of furniture.

The little teacups and saucers were my Grandma's and everything else is vintage from thrift stores and estate sales.

Just a few of my thrifted cookbooks mixed in with some new, next to my beloved deer vase (also my Grandma's).  Old books are cheap and easy to acquire at garage sales and thrift stores. 

Part of my vintage thermos collection (all thrifted).  

Thrifted glasses and Hamm's drink tray.  The bottles on the left are Polly's soda pop.  They were my buddy Steve's (the same one that left us his record collection).

Lesson:  think unconvetionally, there is no risk when it's inexpensive.  Look at the bones of furniture.  Can it painted?  Does it serve a purpose?  

Thanks for taking a peek into my home.  Do you prefer decorating with new, old, or a mix?  I would love to see your fab deco on the cheap.  If you'd like to share leave a link in the comment section!

Happy Thrifting!

xoxo, 

Amy

linking up here:
Under $100 Linky Party
Transformation Thursday
Creative Juice Thursdays
Her Library Adventures
Nifty Thrifty Things
Caps Creations
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Rae Gun Ramblings

Friday Faves

 

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The one above is from Contrary on Etsy.

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Aren't these amazing?  They are from the Mucho Mucho Bueno Bueno shop.  I have the phoenix necklace on the right with my kids names.  My son thinks it's the coolest and is always trying to steal it.  I say NO bueno to those sticky fingers.  Not with my favorite necklace.  The mama ring is on my list.  If you haven't checked out their blog you must. Check it here.

Going to a T-Bones game tonight for the boy.  Should be fun...it's Star Wars theme night and his whole team gets to go out on the field.  That's a pretty big deal for 6 year old.

Happy Friday!  I can't wait for the weekend!

xoxo,

Amy

Thrifted Thursday

A few goodies from an outing last week...

Floral (towel fabric) curtains and squirrel sprinklers. Yes squirrel sprinklers! How could I pass them up? I envision a little spray paint first.  They were $2 a piece.

I think they are pretty amazing. 

 A big chunky sweater.  They had all their sweaters half off, so although I didn't need another...I couldn't pass it up.

 A Diane Von Furstenberg embroidered carpet bag.  

Some more floral curtains.  I was thinking they might make a great maxi skirt.

I usually avoid new(ish) things, but I couldn't pass up these kicks.  They are practically brand new.

What good things did you find, or maybe I should ask...what found you?

xoxo, 

Amy

Linking up here:

Her Library Adventures

Thrift Share Monday at Apron Thrift Girl

Nifty Thrifty Things

Mod Mix Monday at Mod Life Vintage

Thrifters Anonymous at Color Blind Blog

Joyful Treasure Hunting

Thriftaholics Weekly at Meet Virginia Design

High on thrifting Thursdays

The Thrify Groove

Caps Creations

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Everybody play nice

A little weekend fun.

and then she turned on him...

i want my $2!!!!

muwahahahhahaha.

xoxo,

Amy

Linking up to:
Colours Dekor

1/2 yearly goals

Do you ever set goals only to realize 6 months later you've accomplished none?  Yeah, me too.  These are a few I had in mind back in January.  I've pretty much done none.  Not a one (at least consistently).  Summer is here, I bought a swimsuit for the first time since my daughter was born without getting the body first.  Oh well, call it motivation.  Anyways, I am putting this out there now.  I'm going to do it.  Maybe not everything, but I am giving it a go.  It's June 1st.  1/2 way through 2012.  Better late than never right?

I set a lot of goals on random notepads but never really go back and cross them off my list so sometimes I feel like I am spinning my wheels, while in reality I am still accomplishing my dreams...albeit a little bit slower than I'd like.  I took the Dream Job course from Red Velvet Art and I realize I need to continue making these lists, but cross them off, reward myself and keep it moving.  I tend to bite off more than I can chew.  I definitely did it this year, but summer is here and we are slowing down a bit so I figured it's a good time to regroup and get back to some goals for me.

If this post inspires you to set some of your own goals I'd love to hear about them.  I love reading other peoples goals, it's so inspiring and motivating!

Tomorrow my beautiful cousin Shelley from Crazy Wonderful will be here.  I am so excited I could pee myself.  I just might.

Happy Friday!

xoxo,

Amy