Dandefind = Blue Quartz

We went to a gun show last weekend in Jefferson, GA.

I found a blue quartz rock.

This is the rock in context.

Guy wanted $15, he took $12.


Goes to show you can find a Dandefind for your home anywhere, even a gun show.

Now go find something !!

Dandefind = Green Cleaning

Last year I made some changes to "green" ways of doing things.  I wash my clothes in baking soda and cold water.  It has save me tons of money.  I also started putting 2-3 tennis balls in the dryer instead of using dryer sheets.  My clothes come out without wrinkles and (except for sweaters which need to be dried flat anyway) static free.

In the kitchen I started making my own cleaner using vinegar and orange peels in a spray bottle.  Works great for kitchen cleanups.  We have laminate floors throughout and I also use vinegar and hot water to mop the floors.

Before I mop I swiff the floors.  I have a Swiffer but instead of using the Swiffer or dollar store brand sheets I use washcloths.  They work great, and I save money.  This leads me to my Dandefind.

At the Dollar General I found 18 of the super thin washcloths for $4.00.  Right now Swiffer sheets at Walmart cost 24 cents each and are disposable.

Lets do some math.  Assume 2 sheets per day, 3 days a week = 6 Swiffer sheets.  Six sheets x 52 weeks = 312 sheets @ 24 cents each = $74.88 verses $4.00. Savings = 70.88 per year.

A supply of 18 washcloths will last at least 3 years and maybe more.  Potential savings over 3 years is $212.64. 

I can purchase lots of Dandefinds for that !!

Dandefind= Free Jacket

Today was a rainy day in Georgia.  One of those odd days where the temp was warmer in the early morning than it was in the late afternoon. 

I scoured my closet for a long sleeve sweater or jacket then realized it would do me well to buy one or two more.  It is late winter and spring clothes will be arriving soon so I expected the winter items to be on sale.

At lunch I drove over to our local Bealls Discount store and found a nice neutral sweater.  As I looked through the sale items I found this jacket.  I liked it because it is a classic shape and a material that can take me through the whole year except for the hottest part of the summer.

Price $14.99

I looked at the tag only to discover it was, believe it or not, 95% off.  That takes my $14.99 jacket down to 64 cents.  Yes folks, 64 pennies. But wait, it gets even better.

I have a Bealls loyalty card.  On Mondays everyone over 50 with a Bealls card gets an extra 15% off.  With my two purchases that amounted to $2.66.

Actual receipt

You can see that my club discount is much more than the cost of the jacket.  I got a jacket for FREE!!!!!!  Plus $2.00 off the sweater.

A Dandefind I just happened up on. 

Dandefind = Lidded Bench

I was walking through the furniture section of our Community Thrift Store and found this great lidded bench.  We have an Ashley entertainment center with the same finish as this bench.  It would be perfect for an entryway or under a window.  And the best thing was the price, only $4.00. 

Redecorating a Room in Six Easy Steps

The girls and I had a very productive day out yesterday.  Christmas deals were abundant.  My friend Dawn found some snowflake ornaments and I found an adorable candle holder. 

However my Dandefind of the day was the result of months and months of searching. Let me start from the beginning and bring you up to speed.

When I redecorate a room I follow a six step process. 

Step One:  Decide on theme or inspiration
Step Two:  Choose colors including main color(s) and pop color.
Step Three:  Look online for items that I think will fit the room and pin them to Pinterest.  These become my inspiration for locating what goes into the room.
Step Four:  Spend however much time it takes to locate the inspiration items.  Remember I thrift, antique and discount shop so most of what goes into one of my room redo's is a found deal.
Step Five:  Clear the room and paint.
Step Six:  Set the room with all my finds.

Step Four is the "unknown" because I will look forever until I find just what I am looking for at a deal I can afford.  

Last year I turned our daughter's former room into a feminine guest room.  This year I am turning our son's former room into a masculine one.

Step One:  Theme is updated 1970's style
Step Two:  Colors are of that period; Brown and gold with neutrals and textures and a pop of green.
Step Three:  Inspiration was very easy on this one because I lived through this period.  Brown glassware, thick rope, textured wall hangings, geometric shapes on the wall and windows and of course the iconic owl.  All with a masculine focus and updated feel.
Step Four:  I started off strong on this step.  Easy finds were a textured wall hanging of an owl.  Moss green pillows for the futon.  Brown glassware.  Geometric wall hanging.  However, the one thing I just couldn't seem to find was the curtains.  I knew I wanted that classic geometric pattern like my inspiration but could not find them anywhere at a price I was willing to pay - until today.
 
My friend Dawn wanted to stop into Kirkland's.  This is a store I don't normally visit and had only been in once or twice.  As we looked through the store Dawn told me about bargains she found here.  While looking in the back of the store near the Clearance shelf I turned around and what do I find but the absolutely perfect curtains for my room.  Ta Da!!!!  And they were on sale!!!

Gatehill from Kirklands's

On Sale!!

I also found this awesome 13" x 19" ceramic owl I could use for a table.  It was marked down but not low enough for me to purchase it yesterday.  I will keep watching now that I have found it.

Now I am ready to proceed to Step Five.  Of course I'll post pictures when I'm finished. 

If you want to check out my inspiration pieces for this room go to my Pinterest account and search for the board named "Inspiration: Masculine Guest Room" 

And if you are not a Kirkland's shopper already you might want to check them out at www.kirklands.com .

Home Decor Trends

I totally enjoy articles about home decor trends.  I normally don't follow trends by the letter but instead I find bits and pieces that will fit our home and lifestyle.  For example, a trending color for home decor in 2013 is blue.  Also trending are prints from nature as well as stripes.

Our home is primarily Tuscan style.  When I redecorated the quest room last year I used blue. So to update that room for 2013 I could look for some stripped or nature print pillows.  Or use a little bit of stripped wallpaper to paper the panels of the closet door.  Or find a textured blue and neutral rug.

Dollar Store Rug

Another great way to use a trend is in the kitchen.  Cafe curtains, table linens and dish towels are all great places to incorporate a trend into your home.

Cafe curtains. Thrift store find.

Place mats. Thrift store find.

I will be searching my local thrift stores and discount stores for my 2013 Dandefine trends. 

In the meantime you may enjoy reading up on more 2013 trends.  Have you seen Vicki Payne's show For Your Home on PBS?  She is a nationally recognized designer, home improvement, gardening and decorating expert. The article below is from her website and shares additional info on home trends for 2013.

2013 Home Decor Trends by Vicki Payne

Another good article on home trends for 2013 is from the Style section of the Boston Globe website. 

New Home Decor Trends for 2013 by Christopher Muther