In My Closet- From Our Last Clothing Swap

While talking to some friends recently, we decided that it was time for another Clothing Swap. 

We had one in the fall, and now that the weather was getting nicer- it was a great time to get rid of items that we didn't want and snap up some warm-weather treasures from someone else.

Here was a favourite score of mine:

 

 I snapped up this dress at the Clothing Swap, along with many other great finds.

Floral Dress- FREE

Boots- Value Village $19.99

 

 

 Black Sweater- Thrifted many years ago

Purse- Salvation Army $4.99

I think this dress would be really cute with the addition of a scarf in cooler weather and a skinny belt- like the photo below.

I was having such a blast looking for clothing that I forgot to take many photos at the Swap. Here are the few that I took:

I seriously hope that Evelyn took this steller adult onesie. 

I felt it was time to part with this beloved sweater. I hope Sharlene enjoys it as much as I did. ;)

Leanne ended up using this dress in a school production that she is directing of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.

At the end of the night we even let the little's go through the clothing.

By shortening the straps, this shirt became an adorable dress for this young lady. I absolutely love that.

And this dress (?) stayed a dress, but with shortened and cris-crossed straps. :)








To all of my readers- try a Clothing Swap with your friends! It's a fun night out, and a way to swap out some clothing you don't wear for some fabulous new-to-you items. :)


You can read about other items that I have picked up for free a swaps here and here.



Blessings.

Shabby Chic Repurposed Clay Pots

I stumbled upon this post by A Shabby Moment In Time showing off how she turned some plain, terra-cotta-coloured pots into some items of absolute beauty.

I often see these simple clay pots in thrift shops for very little money. 

Here is what she did with her inexpensive pots. I think they turned out gorgeously.

 

 

 I LOVE the way these pots were painted in an imperfect, still-see-the-terra-cotta-through-the-white kind of way. And the white chalk paint has such a beautiful matte finish to it.

I also love the addition of burlap, fabric and lace flowers, and black stenciled lettering to further increase that vintage-feel.

She also painted this bucket with chalk paint and added the black stenciled lettering to it.The little cupboard was painted with chalk paint and has a small pole inside where she plans to hand her jewelry.

I also love this little caddy that she painted with white chalk paint as well. It would be so sweet filled with knitting yarn for the knitters, toilet paper rolls or magazines in the bathroom, blankets beside the couch in the living room, or ANY number or purposes.

I would love to see some stenciled lettering (depending on what it was used for) on the side of this caddy, too.

You can check out her site here to see the mirror and chest (with cushion seat) that she repurposed with white chalk paint. They are stunning.

In case you've never used chalk paint, but are curious about it- Here is a great, simple tutorial on how to repurpose a couple of night stands with eco-friendly chalk paint:

Hope you enjoyed this post on repurposing simple clay pots (and more!). Thanks for reading!

Blessings.

10 Ways To Add Interest To Your Hair With Not-So-Simple Bobby Pins

I read this post this morning on 25 Ways To Transform Your Hair With Just Bobby Pins on Aol.

And since I'm ALL about adding interest to your hair with little effort- I wanted to share some of my faves from this post.

I also love the added bonus that most of it repurposing your plain, boring, usually-hidden pins into items of beauty. And who doesn't have a tonne of bobby pins around?

Here are my Top 10 ideas:

I just LOVE this idea of gluing alphabet pasta onto bobby pins to spell out any word you desire. Then go over the letters and the pin with some nail polish. Voila! Custom hair pins.

In a similar way, I love these little wooden triangles that are glued to bobby pins as well.

Make your colour pins make a bigger statement by placing them in a chevron pattern. I have also seen 3 pins placed in a triangle pattern, and loved that look as well.

 

You can add a bit of sparkle to a simple top knot by gluing gemstones to your bobby pins. So easy and cute!

Love these red bobby pins. I EXTRA love that they match her lips. Simply paint your plain bobby pins with nail polish or craft paint (spray or brush on).

 Super duper adorable and easy studded bobby pin DIY here.

And you can always use your baby pins in the way that they were for- to be hidden. For this awesome fishtail half updo click here.

Also, there really is no other way than bobby pins to secure your fabulous milkmaid braids.

Love these 'Peppermint Swirl' bobby pins. You caould make them with any colour beads/wire that you'd like! DIY instructions here.

And lastly, sometimes the simplest things are the most beautiful.Try this Fold Over Bang Twist if you have bangs, or not. Click here for the DIY instructions.

Hope these ideas help you add some easy interest to your hair, friends. Long hair or short hair- thin or thick- bobby pins can be used on all types of hair.

I also love the tip of spraying your bobby pins with shot of dry shampoo or hairspray for some added tackiness and hold on the pins.

For all 25 bobby pin transformation ideas go to Aol's post here.

Blessings.

Repurposing Lego In Useful Ways Around The Home

I saw this post on BuzzFeed and immediately had to share some of my favourites from it.

If your children are anything like mine- they are OBSESSED with Lego. 

 

 In my home- it's EVERYWHERE. In beds, couches, under-foot...



Here are some great ways to repurpose that Lego in helpful ways around your home.

To hold your phone charger.  

How cute is this? You can attach a Lego mini-figure to a desk or counter with some velcro and you'll always have that cord exactly where you'll need it.

 

Use Lego to build yourself a desk organizer.

This is a great idea. You can keep you pens/ pencils/ scissors organized with some extra Lego pieces that you surely have around.

Use Lego To Make A Key Holder.

I just love this idea. Use a few pieces of Lego, a key ring and a mini-figure and you have a cool-looking place to hang your keys.

As A Cool Necklace Charm.

You can use a small wire loop to hang your child's favourite mini-figure around their neck for safe-keeping AND as an awesome fashion-statement.

Make A Fun Lego Snow Globe.

Create the mini-figure "scene" that you'd like. Use a water-proof glue to stick the Lego to small jar lid. Fill with water and add some glitter. Shake and watch it "snow".











I hope you enjoyed these ideas as much as I did, friends.


It's good to know Lego can be used as more than a toy and as a deterrent for burglers (when sprinkled across the floor). ;)


 If you've used Lego in other ways- please share with me!





Blessings.

In My Closet- Pleather Leggings

I love it when I see some cute pants (or another item) on a blog or on Pinterest, and I think to myself- "I'd love to find those at a thrift shop"...and then I DO!!!

Best. Feeling. Ever.

That happened recently with these pleather leggings. I believe I saw them on Pinterest, or somewhere, and fell in love. I wanted a pair- but didn't think I would find them in thrift shops yet. I thought maybe next season. 

Then I walked in a Salvation Army Thrift Shop

and there they were. AND they were 50% off!

Now, MY pleather pants are only half pleather. The backs are a black fabric. But, I think that is even more fun. And cooler (temperature-wise). If anyone out there has ever worn pleather, you know what I am talking about. It does not breathe. But...it's worth it because it is oh-so-fun.

Here are my super-fun, half-pleather pants:

 

Trying to show the fabric on the back of the legs.

Pleather Leggings- $3.99 ($7.99 - 50%) Salvation Army Thrift Shop

Black Sweater- $6.99 Talize

There you are friends, you NEVER know what you are going to find when you're thrifting.

Make sure to try it for yourself! Reduce waste by donating, Reuse someone else's cast-offs and Recycle some household items.

Our earth will thank you.

Blessings.

In My Closet- Valentine's Day Pencil Skirt

 Is there a rule that you should try to wear red on Valentine's Day? 

Hmmmm, maybe...but I'm not one for rules anyhow. ;)

The man and I went out for a delicious dinner sans baby (!!). 

Yes, it was an hour to an hour and a half wait when we walked in the door- but that ended up being fine since we scored a seat in the lounge rather quickly.

Since I'm still(!!) not back into my pre-baby clothes, I feel that my wardrobe is somewhat limited these days. Hence the infrequent posts. Sorry about that.

Here is what I decided on for our night on the town (which these days consists of dinners AND appetizers).

Blue/ multi-colour pencil skirt- $4.99 Salvation Army

Black Tank/Sweater- Owned forever

 

 Necklace/ Bracelet- Just One, world-changing fashion

Black Patent, Knee-High Boots: $7.49 ($14.99 - 50%) Salvation Army

I wish the lighting was better in my home, friends. My house was built in an era that didn't believe in ceiling lights, apparently....

I realize that it was already a week ago, but I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day with those you love...like, or at least tolerate. ;)

Love and blessings.

In My Dominican Closet (2015)

 I looked at the calendar today, and I couldn't BELIEVE that I have been back from the Dominican for almost a month already?!!

I sat myself right down at the computer and started writing this post. I had a reader ask me shortly after I got back for some tips on what to bring on a sunny vacay, and I promised to get this out before she left in February... Hope I'm not too late!

Every time I go away, I write about the thrifted items that I bring (Cuba, Dominican, and Madrid)...So this trip to the Domican Republic wouldn't be any different. :)

Apart from a sunhat, a few pieces of jewellery, and a couple of pairs of sandals, these are the thrifted items that were in my Domican closet (this year):

 

A couple of maxi skirts. And a couple of black tanks. This maxi skirt I wore over leggings on the plane and was able to easily take the leggings off when we landed in Punta Cana. The tank I wore under a black sweater and jean jacket, which I wanted to have in case the evenings were cool. I never needed it.

Skirt- Value Village $7.99

A couple of strapless maxi dresses. I love these for throwing on for breakfast or for pulling over a bathing suit. I also love that these can be folded over and worn with a tank if you'd prefer to wear it as a skirt. Extra versatile!

Flowered Maxi- $12.99 Value Village

A couple of comfy, cotton, easily-rolled and fun-to-wear dresses for the evenings.

Top Dress- $7.99 Talize (also seen here)

Bottom (2 pieces) Top- Castoff from friend, FREE

Bottom- Skirt $5.99 (also seen here)

And, of COURSE, I packed a couple more maxi dresses (my faves) that had straps. I love the comfort, that they can be dressed up or down, and that they can be rolled up to take up very little room in the suitcase.

Top Dress- Value Village 50% off $9.99

Bottom Dress- Value Village $12.99

And here is the Just One bracelets that my sister brought for my birthday gift. Love.

Well, thanks for reading about what I had in my Dominican Closet, friends.

If you are heading somewhere warm soon....don't forget the sunscreen! :)

Blessings.