Vintage Circus Party

Last year I saw these masks in the dollar section at Michaels Craft Store. I thought it would be such a cute idea to create a vintage circus party were kids could dress up, adults too if they want, have a photo booth, games, cotton candy and maybe a monkey playing the tambourine, ha!
I never got the masks because I didn't have a baby to throw it for but now I do and the masks are back!

They look so cute in Doak's room above the photo booth sign Johnna made for his baby shower that I'm keeping them up.

The dollar section also had these adorable cards. First things first... Invites!

5 packs/6 in each: $5

Perfect masks for a photo booth!

These masks are awesome! Enough said.

6 masks: $6

Doak has the right idea but in the next photo the mask went right into his mouth. So, since my entire family with be at the Outer Banks this June for his 1st birthday I'm going to save this party for his 2nd year. He'll have more fun when he's a little older.

I love these bags too! My dad has a popcorn machine, thanks to my sisters from last Christmas, and these bags are perfect to put popcorn in for guest. I would also have caramel popcorn with peanuts so they could create their own Cracker Jacks!
oh, and Animal Crackers for the little ones.

5 packages/6 bags in each: $5

I'm a sucker for stamps... had to get them. I'll find something to do with them.

5 stamps: $5

I can bring out Doak's classic looking Jack in a Box's! I found one at a thrift store and Uncle Denny got him the other.

  

I always make sure my "Thank You" cards match my invites in some way. People probably don't even remember or care but it's one of my things. These are perfect!

5 packages/6 in each: $5

Even the backs are cute on the invites and thank you cards.
It's all about the details.

Overall I spent $26 for a party for 30!

Invites, Thank yous, favor bags, masks, and stamps.
Everything else could definitely be done DIY style. Decorations, food, games, dress Derek up as a clown... I don't need to spend much more except for a monkey.
How much do monkey's run? : )

The items turn fast in the dollar section of Michaels so if you are diggin the circus idea... go now!

Have a good one!

Melis 

FREE Photo Book!

I decided to create a photo book of my "InstraPhoto's" from my phone...
I love how the photos create a quick look into the last two months in these random snapshots.
(See below)


Free 8"x8" ends today... don't forget to add the promo code: 5EFR-6818-H4SB-PEWAD6
They charge for shipping but I added a bunch of 8x10's and if you order more prints that add up to $30 you can also add the free shipping promo: SHIP30.
Both promo's work for the same transaction!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Last day to get a free photo book...
see link:

http://www.shutterfly.com/freephotobookmarch26/?rilt=cta_btn&mpch=email&CID=FOC_124819&UID=003033970819 

SPRING CLEANING~ Make $ doing it!

Ahhhhhh... organization!
Spring is almost here and my closet was due for a major revamp.

1st up... Neutrals. 

Black & Whites. Some Gold.

Prints & Patterns

More prints and patterns...

and more prints & patterns.

It's pretty obvious what you will usually find me wearing in the Spring! 

BEFORE:
After your closet gets to this point it is hard to see what you have. When I was done I felt like I had a new wardrobe. There were so many things that I forgot about and was I so excited to reunite with and wear!

AFTER: Right Side

AFTER: Left Side

I was planning on selling this pile of vintage dresses I collected.
BYGONES Vintage Clothing Store, in Carytown, is amazing but the first two 60's and 70's dresses didn't date back far enough.

tip: Other options: RUMORS BOUTIQUE or PLATO'S CLOSET
These are awesome way to clean up you wardrobe. If they like you clothing your can receive cash or credit to the store!

I have earned $17 at Rumors before and got $14 credit at Plato's closet.
 

        Lace Collection:

This dress was from the 1950's. I purchased it from BYGONES a while back for Dan and Johnna's wedding and they bought it back. There was no way my waste is getting back into that ridiculously tailored dress after having baby Doak! Haha.

Bought it for: $55
Sold it for: $35

note: If you want to sell your items at BYGONES you have to make an appointment. Same goes for another sweet little consignment store in Carytown called, Clementine.
It could be weeks until you get an appointment. 

I love this lace dress too!
I found it at a thrift store. Don't know where I would wear it but figured for $3, why not. I could always sell it for more. 

Found this very costume like dress for $5 at a thrift store. I would never have anywhere to wear it but it would look
awesome in an "Anthro" or "Free People" ad.

note: I can definitely sell it for more then $5. I looked up the designer online and her stuff goes for $30-$200 a dress, depending! 

BEFORE

AFTER

Boots and shoes all lined up.

and of course... Doak in the middle of it all!

Happy Spring Cleaning!

Do it... it feels amazing and you may make a few extra bucs!

Have a good one!

Melis

Thrift Store Find~ Beach on the Brain!

My family goes to the Outer Banks every summer and I can not wait... 3 more months! The weather was so warm this week that when I went to the thrift store the only items that popped out were pieces perfect for a beach house.

note: I love the idea of a clean white beach house while using natural materials throughout and modern accessories.
 (Example above)

ANTHROPOLOGIE:
CORDAGE ARMCHAIR
$1,298

The materials are obviously different from the "Anthro" example but it is still a really cool and unique looking chair.
It would be a great addition to a beach house... would also look great painted a bright color!

Great woven design

Best part: Since it has been sitting for a month it's 1/2 off!

Thrift Price: 20 bucs... not bad!

I have posted about these chairs before but had to show them again... they would be perfect as is or painted w/ some new cushions.

note: There were four of these for $119 total BUT they were gone when I came back to get them.

Chair Detail

This screen is great...
In a bedroom you could hang it and create a really high headboard!

Thrift Price: $36

Screen Detail
Love the metal corners

LOVE, love, love these black lanterns!
They would look great anywhere.

note: These I saw at an antique and were at bit higher @ $45 each. haha, still so cheap! 

                      side note :

One thing I did end up purchasing was this baby Adirondack chair! It will be perfect on our deck this summer.

note: I plan on getting a really cute cushion but can't decide whether or not to stain it or paint it...
I'll be sure to post the before and after. 

My side kick! haha.

Have a good one!

Melis

John's House~ DIY Snapshots

My brother John and his girlfriend Kelsey just got a new place in Charleston, SC. They were inspired by the blog and I've had a lot of fun with them checking out thrift stores, via photo text, and seeing the items that they have found "thrifting" that have potential for their home.

Last weeks post was about the painting above. I had John for "Secret Santa," this Christmas and as his gift he asked me to paint something for a large open wall in his living room. So I did... an abstract 4'x4'!

FREE PAINT SWATCH PROJECT

I wanted to add something in the room that matched the colors in the painting. So I grabbed some paint swatches and laid them out in three frames. 

The candle holders where already at the house! It was awesome how perfect the colors were to the palette I had introduced to the space. 

John did an awesome job turning a baby changing table into a bar.
The rustic table in front was sitting in their shed... I wanted to take it home with me!

Chalk Paint!
John made his lady this turquoise framed chalk board, where he marks everyone's scores for games like connect four, corn hole and curse words... 25 cents a curse word adds up. I would know after staying the night there. : )

 And with the left over paint Kelsey had fun painting wine bottles!  

This white desk was once a traditional brown color. John sent me a photo text from the thrift store saying that Kelsey wanted to turn it into her vanity. She also turned this traditional chair into the perfect desk chair by using a bright aqua colored paint and covering the seat with a great patterned fabric.
Love them both! 

Makeup Holders
These glasses were Kelsey's friends junk... she wanted to get rid of them but Kelsey saw potential!

It's all about function and the color is perfection!

Love this turtle/ measuring cups... and Flurry the Betta fish in the thrift store bought HUMONGOUS wine glass! 

                        side note:

As far as DIY was concerned this weekend... we made a point of DIY memories.
No plans, just fun!

Have a good one!
Melis