Train wrecks at thrift stores and my four boys.

Taking the boys to the thrift store is like throwing myself in front of a moving train – prepare for impact.

The boys love fast moving trains. The boys love watching things crash. And the boys love thrift store shopping.

I use it as a bargaining tool.

“If you finish your job, we can go to the thrift store.”

And chores get’s done in no time at all.

(Reef likes to think he’s helping by pulling the silverware out of the dishwasher).

Our favorite thrift store, when looking specifically for toys, books, cool clothes and anything else that crashes in front of us (that we later have to pay for), is Mesa Thrift on Main St. and Alma School and Deseret Industries on Broadway and Alma School.

Several months ago the counselor and I took the boys to the circus. Mayer begged for a $25.00 sword and we found it later at D.I. for $2.00. Thanks charma.

A sword fight ensues and things crash. Reef's weapon of choice? A lacrosse stick.

Reef wins and finally gets a turn with the sword. He's so determined.

Notice the toy spider on the floor.

Reef see's it and bolts. His sword is no match for a giant spider.

Chandler doesn't find any cool clothes, but keeps himself entertained.

Payson, my little pogo-stick, bounces around too.

Later, we find plenty of cool books and videos.

It's better then the library - no fines!

Notice when kids are at stores they ask for anything and everything. At thrift stores, I can say yes to that .45 cent book and those $1.98 shorts and that makes me happy.

Are you Color Blind?

Years ago when buying a new car I knew exactly what I wanted: A WHITE Toyota Camry. However, while negotiating with the car salesman, he couldn't get the car of my dreams. He asked me this very important question. "Could you be color blind?" "I beg your pardon?" I replied. "You see I don't have a white one, but I have exactly what you want, in red. "Could I be color blind?", I thought- "sure" And before I knew it I was driving off the lot in a brand new RED Toyota Camry. Now, red is a nice color, why'd I think I had to have white? Well, that question was answered the very next morning. Not only did my car look like I had gone through a mud bog after just one day, but each time I climbed inside I was blasted by the heat. Evidently, dark colored cars show the dirt and they attract the sun, which is not a good thing when living in Arizona. Needless to say I drove a red Toyota Camry for the next few years, each day longing a little more for the white one. I vowed never to be color blind again and have since driven a car, truck, van, suburban, etc. all in the lovely shade of white. I share this story with you in hopes to make a point that going color blind when purchasing something like a car may not be a good idea because it can't be changed without investing some serious cash. However, when garaging, going color blind is not only a good idea, it's almost a pre-requisite. How many times have I seen the perfect something or other at a garage sale, but in the wrong color? So, so many times. Which brings me to my latest project. I'm participating in the Shanty2Chic rustoleum revamp challenge and here's what I did. A few weeks ago I picked up this amazing picture at a garage sale. The picture wasn't exactly my style, but the frame was to die for. This thing measures over 3 feet tall and 5 feet wide- it was so large in fact, that it wouldn't fit in my car- My white car. So, we drove with the door open, frame sticking out. Every time we turned a corner my 20 year old daughter, who sat next to the open door, would scream. Luckily we were only a mile or two from home and at just $10 it was well worth the trouble.

First I sprayed the frame black using rustoleum's semi-gloss black. This stuff covers with one coat!

Then I used Rustoleum's Espresso to spray over the picture. This is a really high quality paint, it covered up really well.I then applied a crackle finish product, topped with a creamy white paint to get the effect you see below. I printed off a quote I fell in love with and then traced it on the canvas, using transfer paper. I then filled in the letters using a paint pen.
Here's the final product. I placed this on the wall going down the hall that leads to all of our bedrooms. I absolutely love the way it turned out. This was a super easy project thanks to a few great cans of Rustoleum spray paint.
The moral of the story is... Being color blind has it's advantages, but only drive white vehicles. Hope you enjoyed. Love, Kelly

Cookies and Cocoa Baby Shower

I feel like I've been MIA for the past few days. I wish I could say I've been on some exotic vacation, but the truth is, I'm throwing a friend of mine a baby shower. I saw the idea for a cookies and milk baby shower here and decided, since this is December, that I could do a cookies and cocoa shower for her. The first order of business was, of course, the invitation. I designed a cocoa mug invitation (with mucho help from Mr. Right and Photoshop) that folds up and ties together. When you untie the bow it reveals all of the important information about date, time, etc. When I finished the first one I was so excited. So I sat down with my scissors, ribbon, hole punch and glitter glue and went to town. A day or so later I was finished with all 70 invitations! (Whew) However, when going over the invitation list just to make sure we included everyone, it was discovered we needed 35 more! 35? So, needless to say, I've been a little busy. But now that the invites are all finished and delivered I can get back to blogging! So.... A little tip.

While re-doing our guest bathroom a few weeks ago (hope to have pics later) I ended up breaking one of the glass globes on our light fixture. "No biggie" I thought. I'll just run down to home depot and get a replacement.

Well... They of course didn't have a matching globe. Mr. Right thought maybe we should just replace all of the globes, but at $7 a piece I knew I needed to think of a more frugal idea. Low and behold, the very next day while out garaging. We come across this beauty...

I ask how much? They say, $5. I buy a few more items- that total $8, ask if she'll take $5 for all of it. She takes $6! Excellent. I go home, clean the globes, and wahla! Here's my new light.

I actually like it so much better than before. These shades give a much warmer glow. I guess the moral of the story is... You can find ANYTHING you need at a garage sale. Just be persistant. I will continue to prove this is true in future posts. Happy Garaging! Love, Kelly

Top Sells of the Week and a spider

I swear, I write in my sleep. You have to believe me.

I have a little keyboard in my head that is constantly typing.

This morning I woke up to the following title in my head:

Alone with a Spider

And my mind was chanting in rhyme, my mental keyboard typing the words out right in front of me.

I’m all alone with a spider and I don’t know what to do

I can sweep it in a dustpan or squash it with my shoe

I’m all alone with a spider and it takes two steps my way

Its cowboy boots begin to squeak and its blonde wig starts to sway

I’m all alone with a spider and eye to eye we stare

When its red cape catches on the leg of a worn-out wooden chair

I’m all alone with a spider; it checks its watch for the time

It swings its guitar across its back and starts to sing in rhyme.

So, in honor of the spider of my dreams, I'm going to allow it to rhyme my top Ebay sells of the week. Don't let me down, spider.

_____________________________

Can anyone say "totally out-date Levi Silver-tab jeans" for sell

Post them on Ebay and they'll sell for very well.

(purchased for .50 cents at a garage sell, they sold for $27.76)

Men's Guess jeans from the early 1990's, let's give Ebay a try

If they sell at all, I think I'm gonna cry.

(purchased at the same garage sell for .50 cents, they sold on Ebay for $12.50)

Abercrombie & Fitch jeans you never let me and my eight legs down

You sold for $20.50 after I paid for you with $1.00 dollar I had found.

This Ralph Lauren Polo large fleece jacket has been kept in the winter stash

It sold for $19.99, another reason why I love my dear trash.

A size 0 Banana Republic Dress, you know how we feel about your tiny size

But when you sell for $14.99, you turn into a prize.

This like-new zip-front Coldwater Creek shirt sold for $23.00 last week

I'm so happy about this my little mouth can barely speak.

______________________________________

We'll, surprisingly, Spider did a pretty good job, but not really, who am I kidding

For the love of Saver's

Monday at Saver’s is super sweet. Its dollar day and the customers here offer some good old American competition. Unlike Goodwill, if you don’t get to Saver’s early, all the good $1 stuff is gone. I arrive at 9:20 and the store is packed. The sound of hangers scrapping across metal racks of clothing is non-stop and there’s already a line of people waiting by the cash register to check out; a reminder I need to get here when they open next time.

Today, I drive to 56^th and Thomas, my old nanny stomping grounds. I was a nanny in Arcadia for 10 years and this neighborhood is like my second home. I can imagine the families I worked for donate used clothing to their local thrift store, so I should find some great stuff. Yellow tags are $1.00.

These New w/ tag TravelSmith trouser jeans are for the professional traveler. They don't wrinkle and are made out of durable fabric. They're not that fashionable (obviously), but like Lands End or L.L. Bean, they have an impressive following.

Do not be fooled by fakers. These Seven jeans fooled me once. Notice, I did not say Seven for all Mankind because these are not what they appear to be. Seven's, from what I understand, were made by Mervyns. Enough said.

Life is good. Heavenly! Gracious! A gorgeous Banana Republic black wool fully lined dress in perfect condition. I will never understand the size 0 woman (how do you do it?), but bless your heart and I hope you buy this dress.

A huge fan of Jennifer Lopez, I am. Why? I'm thinking about that and am not really sure. I think it's because she doesn't fit the mold. Yeah, I like that - and I want this skirt - really bad.

It can stretch with my belly, it's a great color and the fabric is so fun, but $12.99? I'm torn, but in the end, I place it back on the rack. Please, please don't tell Jennifer.

My J. Jill crush has found my again in the form of a cornflower blue size 16 cotton dress. It's like new and perfect for the artsy fashion conscious woman.

This gorgeous skirt is labeled Cordelia and I love it. I've never heard of the brand and for $7.99, I'm not sure I should risk it. I've had too many "what if" items that haven't sold.

So, I pass on this beauty. I come home and look it up at Cordelia Lifestyle.com and guess what? This skirt sells new for $425.00. Sometimes you win some, sometimes you lose. Does anyone have a hanky?

So, I do a bit more research on Ebay. Cordelia is not just a high-end store based in L.A., but it also sells at Anthropologie chains all across Amercia. A skirt like this sells on Ebay for $50 to $70. Just another kick in the gut, but I'll get over it.

I find a gorgeous Tommy Bahama Size 14 Silk skirt. It's so light and airy and going right in my stash for summer sales.

This lovely Liz Claiborne skirt is not a yellow tag, so I'll pass, but the price of the original tag catches my eye. I pause for a moment. $118.00? Really? I'm so spoiled. I get everything I want dirt cheap.

Why are clothes so expensive? What a public service I offer to consumers of the world. Next week, this skirt may sell to me for $1.00 and I'll sell it to you for $9.99. Isn't America great.

I'm in love with this DKNY skirt because it has a hint of cashmere running through its fabric veins and anything that has any cashmere is a sure sell.

I just like this skirt. Funky, vintage and a strange woman staring back at me. What does she know about me that I haven't figured out yet?

It's so crowded in this crazy-house thrift store and I haven't seen any empty shopping carts. I'm carrying about 40 things on my one arm now trembling arm. Doesn't anyone see I'm pregnant? Nope, they don't. I'm still at that stage where I just look really fat.

CP Shades! I hold you dear to my heart. I used to nanny for the sweetest lady who shopped at CP Shades all the time. A saint she was, because she gave me all her hand-me downs. I set trends at ASU, wearing my expensive organically-dyed clothing. $5.99 for this little gem is worth it.

Ann Taylor? Could you be anymore beautiful?

Another faker to mention. Studio M sure sounds a lot like BCBG Max Azria, which sometimes sells under the label Max Studio.

I think this suspicious Studio M sells at JC Penny.

Where as the real thing, sells new at Nordstrom for $198 new.

Aren't they cute?

My last mention is this Baby Phat drama-drama shirt. Now, I love Kimora and she's really something special, but this shirt, with its bling-bling weighs about 50 pounds. I can only imagine the postage!

Happy Saver's Shopping to those of you who are ready to brave the masses. Email me your stories of dear trash and I'll post them for others to see.

Sometimes You Fall In Love

It was 9:30am on a Friday.  After taking the baby to the doctor for double ear infections, Mr. Right and I had gotten a very late start to our garage sale day.  We pull up to the first house and there it is...

"I have to have that birdcage!"  I jump out of the car to see a $10 price tag.  I'm amazed!  It's 9:30, all the good deals should be gone by now, right?  Even though I think it's a great price, I still try to negotiate.  "Will you take $5 for the birdcage?"  "No, it's my brothers and $10 is the lowest he'll go."  I'm reminded that their must be a published book about having garage sales that says, "if you don't want to negotiate on your prices, just say the item belongs to some random family member and that they live in some foreign part of the country so you wouldn't be able to contact them to lower the price."  because I hear this response quite often.  But, regardless of non-negotiation, I have to have it, I'm in love.  So I shell out the 10 big ones and Mr. Right packs it in the car.  After a few lonely weeks in the garage I finally had the chance to paint it with my favorite Rustoleum heirloom white and then added a little Ralph Lauren faux technique, smoke, to age it.  I love the way it turned out.  Here it's pictured with my latest finds over the past month or so.  Mr. Right did a little photo shoot this weekend so I had him take a big family pic of all my latest acquisitions.  I'll be posting some before pics, as well as the prices I paid, all week.  

Now, the hardest part is finding a place for all my new lovelies!  Happy Garaging.  Love, Kelly