Fun Bags: Fave Finds and Go-To Spots!

Y'all know me.  I've professed my love of granny things.  I love lace and wicker and vintage and ruffles and eyelets and floral prints.  I love all things old lady.  I've recently indulged in my obsession with funky bags and many of them have an old lady appeal.  I guess you could say I cleaned out my closet before the move.  I parted with a lot of my bags because I wasn't carrying them.  In the new area, I've found several thrift and antique shops; I've even explored neighboring towns.

While in an antique shop, I spotted a cigar purse.  It was cute but it was pricey.  I left it and proceeded on my thrift shopping journey.  Then, on the same day but in a different spot, I found one with a price I couldn't pass up!

$3.98?!  Goodwill for the win!  I was smitten.  It was pretty.  It was unique.

Wait.  Is that a cat??  With a hat... and a tie?  With rhinestones? Yep, it was also old lady.

BUT that bamboo handle with that fabulous coloring on the box... the original price tag from the artist.. I had to have it.  Before I purchased, I convinced myself and my shopping buddy that I would wear it.

Islanders, I wore it and I wore it well.

Dollar Tree Finds for the Holiday Season!

Islanders,

I try to visit Dollar Tree once a week.  I love to see the new shipments but I've also been pulled there to purchase supplies for the kid's projects.  I post my findings on the Instagram story but I found so many goodies on my last trip, I had to blog about it!  I found several Elf on the Shelf goodies.  These are perfect for stocking stuffers or Elf gifts on some days.

I love the nail stencils and stickers too! They're great as an addition to a spa gift set, stockings or as gift toppers for nail supplies.

OMG!  For a limited time, you can find these cups Aladdin insulated cups at your local Dollar Tree!

I bought them to fill with goodies for the kid's teachers!  These leather tassel keychains are on trend!

These boxes were perfect for the neighbor goodies we made.

I've seen these Rite Aid closeouts at a few Dollar Tree stores.  They're great for dry skin!

This cookie is the perfect stocking stuffer!

I also loved the animal themed goodies.

There were owl lotions and lip balm, and animal-themed lotions for on-the-go.  One of my other favorite seasonal goodies is the mug.  These mugs are really nice and they are large so it's perfect for coffee lovers like myself!

I found several but these items were my favorite!

Be sure to visit your local Dollar Tree for amazing finds and cheap prices!

Christmas Tour 2017: Merry Thriftmas!

Howdy, Islanders!

Thanks for all of your kind words!  I reallly love how our decor came together this year and it feels good to know others can appreciate a good deal!  I hope you're inspired to save some money and check your local thrift store for great deals and amazing finds.

Our new place doesn't have a fireplace or a mantle or anywhere to really hang stockings as a focal point.  There is a large angled island that has a raised ledge.  The ledge isn't wide enough for a stool to sit underneath so it's really a privacy ledge to keep the island's workspace/counter separate from the main living area.  I debated among three spaces for the stockings - hanging from the spiral staircase, hanging from the television credenza, or hanging from the ledge. 

I pulled out the Target Dollar Spot candle houses from last year.  I bought several for the ledge in the kitchen.  Other than the houses, I kept two of my trees.  You may recall the trees from years prior:

They were on the table last year.  For years before, they were displayed in the grandfather clock:

I loved my trees and I collected a few after Christmas each year.  With the move I decided to keep two trees.  The others were given away when I opened my home for the neighbors to come and clear me out.

All that to say, I picked up a bag of brush trees (photographed above) for $1.18.  There were three sizes.  These trees are used in crafts, collectible town villages, and decorative displays like our garland.  I added a few to the sides of the Dollar Spot houses.  I also used one of the lighted garlands from the Goodwill Outlet haul where I picked up the wreath and pink tree.  Each piece of greenery cost $.60 and this garland only needed a little fluffing, some thrifted bulbs, Walmart poinsettia clips and some ribbon to turn out beautifully.  When looking for a place to hang stockings where there's no fireplace, I checked for the following:

- Minimal people traffic (NO DISRUPTIONS)

- Focal point

- Greenery can span the length of the area

I love how the quick, easy and affordable garland turned out.  

The only other kitchen decor is the Goodwill finds, including the vintage set of tin canisters (they have the 12 Days of Christmas wrapping around them), the glittery wood-frame snowman, and the glitter reindeer over the fridge.  

The coffee table got a season update with a reindeer, an electric mini tree (with lights), and my vintage Merry Christmas sign.  

The dining room table got an update when I cut strips of wired ribbon to wrap placemats and placed the adorable Christmas tree napkin rings.  

For the centerpiece, I used a wreath I decorated on the table and placed a lantern in the middle.  It all came together perfectly!

The front door also got a thrifty update.  For less than $20, I was able to create a beautiful display using things I had on hand and those that I purchased from Goodwill Outlet.  I thought it turned out beautifully but I was really excited when someone knocked on my door to buy my wreath!  I made it for about $9 and they paid $45!  

Islanders, how cool is that?!  I didn't mind selling it because it gave me an excuse to make another.  I found a larger wreath at Goodwill Outlet and it filled the door nicely as well.

I am very pleased with the simple yet fabulous decor.  I stuck to that which we have become accustomed.  It didn't matter that we would be packing up and heading to visit family for the holidays.  Half of the holiday joy is building excitement for Christmas and the new year.  Thanks for your patience as I shared our home's decor.  I had so many DIY and thrift shopping tips I couldn't fit in blog posts so, those were exclusive only to the Instagram story.

I can't wait to share the Dollar Tree finds of the season!  There are so many awesome items perfect for decor and for last-minute gifts.  Stay tuned!

Christmas Tree Decor On A Budget

I love Dollar Tree.  Islanders, you know how I love Dollar Tree.  Oh, and speaking of trees (because... well, get it?)...

I shared details of our fabulous Christmas tree yesterday.  I mentioned that it came with clear LED bulbs on it and, while they are beautiful, it had an electrical issue:

Considering the value, it was an easy fix and actually, the person who donated it already had white lights strung on the middle portion so, SCORE!  I know I've already said it but -- like, for real y'all -- we had nothing for the tree besides our 14 family ornaments.  Well, almost nothing.  While shopping at Goodwill, I stumbled upon a section for Christmas villages.  There were several tiny homes on display and my inner granny got the best of me.  I bought five of the tiny buildings and I decided this was the year to finally have a beautiful village under my tree.  I shared how I've always wanted a village on my Instagram story (@tmkeese). OMG!  Are you following me?  Seriously, it's behind-the-scenes access to all things Fabulous Island.  Check daily for some really cool things like deals, tips, crafts, and sneak peeks.  It's different from the blog because it's an in-depth look at thrift findings with price comparisons and more.  I digress.  Anyhoo, with the naked tree standing and plugged in, I pulled out the village and placed it under the tree.

That was all I had and the budget (have you moved?  It's so expensive!) was next to nothing.  I didn't have hundreds of dollars to spend on an over-the-top tree.  I don't think I would even if I had it to spare.  I just wanted something beautiful.

I headed to Michael's.  I found gold tree picks and a few ornaments.  The tree picks were priced at $5.99 with an additional 40% off, making them only $3.60/each.  Large rolls of the wired ribbon for trees and wreaths were on sale and would cost about $7 after the discount.  I was excited to leave with 4 picks and 4 rolls of ribbon... that is, until I saw the checkout line.  It was frikkin' ridiculously long!  I left with nothing.  I walked across the parking lot to Dollar Tree.  It was a GREAT day!

I found ornaments of all sizes but I really loved the extra large ones.  There were a variety of finishes in gold, red and silver.  I decided I was going for a metallic (primarily gold) tree.

The reindeer photographed above was tabletop decor but I bought two for our tree.

 

The Merry Christmas sign was large enough to make a statement and looks great in the front center of our tree.  The best deal of that day was the tree picks.  Ones very similar to the ones I almost purchased from Michael's were sold at Dollar Tree for 2/$1!  I got two kinds, the glitter fruit pick and the gold bird tree pick

Also, while on a trip to my local Goodwill Outlet, I found several goodies and, because they're sold by the pound, I got a large bag of stuff for $1.30.

Included in that price was the roll of pearls and trim.  I believe it is made for clothing but I saw it and thought it would work perfectly on our tree!

You can see both in the following photo.  They just add a touch of whimsy and class.

They also compliment these ornaments on the tree perfectly (from that same Goodwill Outlet bag):

With the ornaments on the tree, the last piece was the star.  I know for a fact the Pier1 Imports star that I had was packed and supposed to arrive to the new place.  I know I wouldn't give it away because I paid a pretty penny for it.  It was beautiful.  It was, however, gone... nowhere to be found.  I headed to TJMaxx, I'd hoped to find the perfect star but to no avail.

I found a star in my box from the rustic mom tree of 2013. 

I spray painted it gold and added glitter.

Every year, the man has one job.  I buy the decor.  I determine the look.  I allow the kid to place the family ornaments on the tree.  He has one job: to put the star on top.

Every year.  1 job.

Every year.  Crooked star.

Every year, we have a main tree and Munch has a tree in her room.  It is always a lot of fun pulling her tree together and this year, her tree is pretty amazing.  See you tomorrow with the deets and a tutorial.