Thrifting, Fun Finds, and a DIY Holiday Ornament

Good gracious it's been a month since I've been here!  Last time I blogged I was actually in Nashville visiting my sister for the first time EVER at her house - we had a wonderful time and I plan to blog about Nashville soon for sure!  But I came home and got swept up in Thanksgiving, my birthday, and general holiday activities.  

So today I have a random mix of things for you. ;) 

-T H R I F T I N G - 

With a lot of (boring and necessary) house repairs happening lately, and extra medical bills than last year, I really haven't had the extra funds to go thrifting much this year.  It's such a fun hobby for me but I don't always have the luxury of doing it when money gets a little tighter. However, every year on Black Friday, my parents, siblings and I go shopping at Goodwill and then have breakfast at a local diner.  Chris always stays home with the kids (since Goodwill opens at 7 am!) and it's always such a fun morning.  I was so happy to be able to get out and do it again this year!  

Some wonderful soul decided to mark the children's books at mostly $1 each (usually they're almost $3! Insane.) so all of these books except the Dictionary were only 50 cents! (The Dictionary was $1). The ones on the left we will use for homeschooling and as Luke gets older.  I am a huge sucker for seasonal books and am helpless to say no. ;) 

I also got several Magic School Bus books, some space books, and a Bible for Luke for Christmas - but I didn't want to risk him seeing them out for me to take the picture.  

I also got these adorable Adirondack chairs for the kids for only $1 each!  I'm so excited for them to use them next summer by our campfire outside.  And I still haven't wiped them down or taken the stickers off! #classy lol

A fun Christmas shirt for Luke, a great Gymboree puffer vest for him, and the CUTEST sailor dress for Liv in her size that I could not pass up!  All just a few dollars each.  

The SOLE thing I bought for myself was the vintage chipped Santa mug - for a quarter!  I'm basically positive it is covered in chipped lead paint so it is a fun decoration only, don't worry. ;) 

Side note: I am now obsessed with pom-pom garlands.  They're the easiest thing ever! Buy pom-poms at a craft store, string a needle with thread and push them through - they're so soft it's ridiculously easy and it doesn't hurt your fingers at all.  They're just so darn cheerful. :) 

- F U N   F I N D S - 

If you've been to my house you know my slight obsession with elephants - it's like a little game to see how many mini ones you can spot around my home! ;) I was at Marshall's last night and I had birthday money and I simply had to take this Cynthia Rowley apron home with me!  It was only $9.99 and I'm in love with it! Lol! I use my aprons several times a week since I seem to be perpetually baking or cooking and it puts such a smile on my face.  

I also found this pretty gold mercury-glass ornament for only $1.99 at Home Goods.  I tucked it in to my Willow Tree Nativity set display, and I think it looks so pretty there! 

I also was so excited last night to find this dress!! I needed something to wear for our church choir concert on Sunday - something classy but not too flashy.  This Ann Taylor dress was at Marshall's on clearance for $15.00 - the Ann Taylor tag says $139!! (Of course that's clearly insane.)  But I was so happy to find a modest dress that would work for the concert and still would be somewhat cute. ;) 

-D I Y   O R N A M E N T    C R A F T -

Lastly, I wanted to share a SUPER easy and CHEAP craft you can do with your kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews...whoever. ;) 

Walmart sells these mini canvases for a dollar each (actually maybe they are two for a dollar?  My memory is failing me now since I bought them months ago).  So grab some brown paint or a brown ink pad and get your kiddos to make a thumbprint for you, then add easy antlers and some ears with a skinny permanent or craft marker....

Find some cute Christmas ribbon (you can usually find cute ribbon at most craft stores for only a dollar!) and hot glue around all the edges....

Then make a loop at the top, hot-gluing it to the back, so you can hang it on your tree - and don't forget to write your kids' names and the year! 

Add embellishments if you want - for Luke I did a red nose and for Livi I added a bow since she is almost never without one.  ;)  That's IT! So easy, right?!  Besides waiting a little bit to make sure the thumbprints are good and dry, this project is hands-on for all of like 5-10 minutes.  :)  

Okay, that's all I have for today! Enjoy the rest of your week! :)