The passed few days I have been using my spare minutes to find accessories for the ROOM (yet to be named).  I have gone to Homegoods, Tuesday Morning, Pier 1, World Market, even Target and all of my local haunts and NOTHING.  I mean...NOTHING.  I found a throw pillow, but only one and I need to give it company in a bad way, as pillows and other accessories will bring color to the room.  So tonight Mia said...let's go out for a bit.  And where did she suggest?  The DI.  I don't go there as often I as used to and when I have...I leave less than inspired, but I did it anyway.  GUESS WHAT?  It was perfect timing.  Tonight, they had modern looking mercury glass lamp.....ohhhhhhhhhh!  I couldn't believe it.  I will probably change the shade to bring color, but I love love love it.  In fact, I love it so much, I almost bought another one like it online for $75.  Today's DI price? $10.  But most importantly, the style it gives the un-revealed room?  PRICELESS!

I am hoping this lamp and the deal it represented means my luck is about to turn around.  I am SOOOO enjoying this creative process.  Btw, stay tuned.  I just redid a chandelier that I will do a little tutorial on and I am thinking of doing a contest to name my new "lounge" room.

TTFN...SO Excited!

So doing my best to keep up with my budget so I know where I am, I decided that I am gonna take a minute and jot it all down:

• Started with my $100 in birthday cash
• Added $250 for sold table and wine barstools
• Spent $180 for new table, 6 new stools and ottoman for the lounge
• Sold 2 of the 6 new stools (the ones I wasn't sure about) for a profit of $40
• Sold my old bedroom chair $75
• Bought $10 in misc stuff at Home Depot (Metallic paint and bulbs)
• Just barely sold my glass bookshelf for $100
• Looking like now I have a whole bunch of new things AND $375 still to spend
• Still have vintage desk to be sold, 2 bookshelves, a vintage door and HUGE silk plants since I am going fresh and probably lots of misc stuff I can't think about right now!

The best part of all of this is that I am cleaning house, purging and really getting to some of the projects I have been procrastinating for a long time.  My spirit has been held down and this has really taken a huge weight off me and allowed me to FLY!  

Well, I have to say I am totally loving my mojo.  I had a little help today and with $180 of the $250 extra budget I got from selling the old diggs, I got ALL of this:

• New to me PERFECT table for my kitchen
• 2 new bar height stools for the island
• 4 new counter height stools for the lounge room (I couldn't decide what color, so I bought both)
• A cute little ottoman/table thing to accommodate for my guests when needed.

So I still have my original $100 and $70 leftover moola and the BEST part?  I have 4 old bar stools to sell (very cute ones, but no longer needed), 2 bookshelves and some vintage goodies to sell.  So I will have the budget I need for the BEST part...Decor.  Throw pillows, lamps (you all know I'm addicted) mirrors, artwork.  All the fun stuff needed to really personalize my space.  

Now for you, the time is to wait.   We are probably a week or so from at least a partial reveal.  Depends on what I can find for the right price.  But everything is looking amazing!  I am very excited and SUPER pumped to prove that you really can change your space on a super limited budget!

Oh my goodness!  The house is a little cluttery, but only because things are a changin'!  Today is a little bit of a chill day for me and my ladies because we had a LONG day!

• First of all, it was garbage day today, so now the bins are ready for re-filling and we must be re-inspired to do so.  
• Second, our personal household hero is on TV...Niecy Nash.  The girls and I absolutely LOVE "Clean House".  It isn't on anymore, but we watch it on Netflix when we need a little organizational mojo.  Tonight our break permits dinner and "the show".
• Third...I got 3 new decorating mags in the mail today, so I am hard at work in the inspiration dept.
• Finally...and WOW...is the dining room.  I can't give anything away until the reveal, but I can't believe how that room is transforming.  I can't believe I didn't come up with this sooner!  I can't wait to show you, but while we wait, I will whet your appetite by showing you before.  This is the pic as the dining room playing the part of the office.  I did this last summer after realizing the dining room playing itself was really not a functional use (at least not in our house)  You can see remnants of the dining room with my china hutch...just doesn't work.  I also have some favs in this room.  Like the vintage leather chair in the corner, and the light fixture with amber glass.  I even love the vintage door, but that is going to have to find a new role too.  In fact, after a few short months, I realized that the dining room doesn't really work as an office either.  The fact is, I love having visitors, and lots of open, connected space and I am hoping my transformation will accomplish that.  I will let you be the judge of that when the reveal happens!

For now, more work, more budget building, more organizing, and I do need to find a replacement table for the kitchen. It is island eating for us ladies :).

OMG...it has been a long times since I have worked like this!  I mean, I always work hard...but I have sold, rearranged, moved, shifted, rehung...but the reveal is yet to come.  There are components that have yet to be found.  Like a kitchen table...LOL!  Those little things!  But don't worry.  Before we are done here...this place will be turned upside down.  In a good way.

Well..this redhead has to be off to bed for tonight!

Holy cow!  Just 12 hours in and I sold the old dining room table.  This gives me $250 to my budget.  So now I present the kitchen BEFORE.  Now keep in mind, once everything is switch-a-roo, paint will eventually come.  I am thinking this room might be pretty as a mojito green, or maybe a sea blue.  I won't know until I find the rest of the components that work for this space!!!!  Hooray.  Off to a great start!

It's true, It's true.  I have been silent for some time...but I am ready to unabashedly prepared to break that silence for one of my most exciting, challenging projects yet!

The past 2 or so years have been full of a project or 2.  I refinished many a table, decoupaged EVERYTHING, began professionally staging, closed my storefront down (temporarily) and helped so many people find the creative in the.  But there was something missing in all that noise....ME!

So, in light of the worst winter we have had here in years, I began a self discovery of myself and learned that I am happiest when I CREATE!  The one constant in our lives is change.  And boy am I ready for it.

For this new challenge, I am going to begin a much needed redo of my house.  Both budget and horrible weather aren't permitting massive redo, but never fear.  It will happen.  The goal of Operation Redo....stage one, is to create a new feel to my home, without creating a dent in my budget.  So here are the rules:

• Anything I need for this redo MUST come from alternative sources, including my stash, or someone else's.
• Any new item purchased must be traded out by something old.  For example, I want a new dining table...but I can only get one if I sell my old set first.  All "new" items must be paid for with old.
• As always, NO fear of thrift stores allowed!
• I am allowed to spend NO more than $100 of existing money (not counting the sales I make in trade of new things).
• I can utilize the web and friends to help me in this mission
• Anything un-needed that is not sold or upgraded MUST be given away at the end of this challenge
• This challenge applies to:  My Living Room (the least in need), my dining room/converted office/mystery space, my kitchen dining area.
• All rooms must be completed in time for weather (and new inspiration) to accommodate eventual painting...later this spring or summer.

OK...rules are set.  Are we ready?  I promise a happy journey to all those who follow.  And I am sure there will be a tutorial on something or other as we go!