Decorating Do-Overs

Before

After a mini "Do-Over"

Merry Monday!

Do you all remember when Spanish was the decorating style? All the red and gold couches and chairs. The dark wood that looked like it had been chopped on with an axe? LOL. What about the country theme? The ruffled curtains, the blue and mauve ducks with bonnets. Then of course came the modern look with lots of chrome and black leather. Now today it's farmhouse, farmhouse and farmhouse.

It also seems if you don't have something, anything you can call farmhouse decor you are way out in left field. The younger generation wants a farm with all the animals too. Never mind the work involved in it. Just think about the baby ducks and chickens. LOL.

 I do think designers come up with the change in home decor just like the fashion designers come up with long pants, then the short pants scenario. With all this being said. How does a person keep up or better yet decide what their home decor taste really is?

I believe it is simply a matter of what you really like to see when you come into your home. What makes you smile? If there are items in your home that someone gave you and you took them because you felt obligated or you liked them to start with but now they have become an eyesore. It's time to move on. It's time to create a "do-over" so to speak.

The best way to create a "do-over" is to empty the room and then bring only the things back into it that make you happy. It might mean you will have a lot less in it too. This might also mean you make a list of things you would like to purchase to give your space new life.

Now don't think I'm talking about a whole new living room suite. The new things could be a picture or repainting a small table. Maybe even a new lampshade for an old lamp you love but know it needs an update. You may not even have to go to the store. You can always shop the house.

A lot of times you have jewels in other rooms that could be brought front and center to take your "do-over" room to another level. Sometimes the only thing needed for a "do-over" is to declutter. If old magazines, books or too many do-dads have overtaken a table removing all that stuff can make your room feel light and airy.

With all the different decorating designs it's all about what you like. It's what you feel warm and cozy with. After all isn't that what "HOME" is all about. It's your nest, very personal and an expression of the way you see things.

So don't let your eyes glass over with dollar signs and get all discouraged because you don't have a designer to come and redecorate your house. You have many talents you may have not discovered yet. Your home is a blank space ready and waiting for your "do-over."

Stay sweet and be thrifty .... always.

Cool Summertime Drink

                                           

Happy Wednesday to You!

Well, now that the 4th of July has come and gone we are officially in full blown summertime. You all know that hot is on the way big time. So how are we going to keep cool?

In the South sweet tea or fruit tea are some of our favorite coolers but there are many more drinks we could enjoy. One of my favorites is called Brunch Punch. This is a refreshing drink to have for breakfast instead of orange juice or with sandwiches for lunch on the weekends.

Here is the recipe for your next cool summer drink.

1 (46 oz.) can pineapple juice, chilled

3 cups orange juice, chilled

2 cups cranberry juice, chilled

3/4 cup powered sugar

1/2 cup lime juice

Stir together pineapple juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, powered sugar, and lime juice. Serve immediately, or cover and chill 2 to 24 hours. Stir before serving. This makes about 3 quarts. You could add orange or lime slices or strawberries to it as well. This would really dress up a pretty glass pitcher. Then just before serving you can drop an orange slice or a maraschino cherry in each glass.

I would like to say this is my very own concoction but my thanks must go to the 2009 issue of Southern Living Christmas at Home Magazine. You can add to or subtract some of the ingredients and make your own special cool summer drink.

Stay cool and stay thrifty too!!!

Low Cost Update

Hello to all you thrifty folks,

With spring in the air we are all ready for a few updates. I decided to start with the mantle since it's the focal point of the family room and of course it has the all important television over it. LOL.

Many years ago when home parties were all the rave I had a Southern Living Show. Oh, the beautiful home decorations they offered. They were a little pricey but depending on your total sales from the show you got a percentage to spend. This was definitely "Thrifty Sissy" type of shopping. 

One of my first picks was two pottery vases. I had a friend who was really good with floral design so she decorated them. I have used these for a long time on each side of the mantel and I still like them. But they needed a new do. Here it the original version.

 Now I did take the tall sticks out of this vase and incorporate them in the new design.

I bought a bundle of pussy willows at the Lawn and Garden show to put with the sticks from the two vases. The earthiness of the pottery vase, the brown sticks with a little greenery thrown in creates a new look. The total cost of this update was $10.00 and a few minutes to place all of the design together. 

If you are considering a spring update Joann, Hobby Lobby and Michael's always have 40% off coupons and plenty of spring flowers and greenery to choose from. You really don't have to have a decorating degree to replace old flowers with a few fresh ones. Or you could buy one of those flower bundles and stick them in a pitcher or vase for a quick update.

Either way it's spring. So let's celebrate. Remember to stay "Thrifty!"