Plum Perfect Friday - Ongoing Master Bathroom Update

We have done without a towel bar and a hand towel hanger, for several weeks now, so it was high time that I completed the new mountings...SO, I did another Vintage Hook Shelf similar to the other one's that I have constructed in the past.

I have a thorough disdain for the cheap, basic, ugly fixtures that are put in tract homes these days...

truly "icky"!

This is a definite improvement, not only aesthetically, but adds ease in hanging. (The family SINCERELY dislikes the folding and hanging part!)...

...this way towels will have a better chance of actually getting hung.

Love it! A nice addition to my "frenchy vintage" theme.

After the large one was assembled, I had a portion cut off to make the hand towel version.

It is so-oo convenient!

Hope you all had a Plum Perfect holiday season!











Now, show off some of your functional ideas!

Rusty Rave Monday - For Edie: A Friend I've Never Met

Last week I stumbled upon a Blog called "Life In Grace". Another blog that I follow, (The Nesting Place) had posted a story about a fellow blogger who's family had experienced a house fire, and lost everything right before Christmas! This is how I heard of Edie's heartbreaking and tragic story...yet, what I have actually drawn from this tale is not gloomy or pessimistic...I have read of Edie's immense faith and optimism, and am truly better for knowing her story and have genuinely been inspired to improve my attitude toward my own tribulations and adversity.

We all have trials in our lives, no one is exempt or immune. Sometimes we feel that ours couldn't be any worse, or that they are never ending. I regularly have had my own pity parties within my private thoughts, then, put on a "brave" face outwardly so that I appear to be "positive and happy"! I am drawing closer to the realization that this is the challenge...this is what we are supposed to learn through our struggles...to be of good cheer, (sincerely) despite our pain! My new friend, Edie is carrying this out, and is an AMAZING example to us all!

Yesterday at church we were shown the following short video:



The thought at the end was what hit me the hardest:

"When you are compelled to give up something or when things that are dear to you are withdrawn from you, know that this is your lesson to be learned right now. But know also that, as you are learning this lesson, God wants to give you something better." --Enzio Busche

I wanted to share this with you because my new cyber friend, Edie, and this remarkable advice may have just changed my life forever! I hope it inspires and encourages you as it does me.

This post has been added to the Life in Grace Blog through a Linky Party, so I won't be having one here today. Stop on over and send some nurturing and love Edie's way. Ooops, oh and by the way, Happy New Year and Happy Birthday wishes to Edie, as well...

Jesus Is The Reason for the Season!

In observance of Him whose birth we celebrate...

Merry Christmas!

Plum Perfect Friday - Thrifty Gift Refinishing!

Whew! Well it's Christmas Eve and I've got my last minute gifts completed...Remember this headboard that I got my hands on for $5? It became a perfect Christmas present for one of my triplets' bedrooms!

Before.

Don't 'cha just love how it turned out?

It totally compliments the rest of her decor.

She's gonna be so surprised! I can't wait until she gets home and sees it all set up (I didn't think it would be to smart to put this under the tree)!


This was another fabulous $5 find for my 11-year old who likes to have tea parties. It was definitely in need of some TLC...it's not easy to see but, the chair seats were in pretty rough condition as was the table top.

I sanded and repainted the top and recovered the chairs, adding some little bows to the back.

How adorable is this now?

I made some napkins, placemats and added the same fabric to the window treatment.

Then I purchased a round table cloth, just in case she feels like getting really fancy...

How fun! I think I may be more enthusiastic than they may be, but that's the trouble of being a parent~

Hope your holidays are fabulous and that all your dreams and wishes come true! If you get a chance, post some of your thrifty gifts, I won't be posting at all next week, so that will give you some extra time.

Here's wishing you a "plum perfect" Christmas!

Rusty Rave Monday - Garage Sale Christmas Gifts!

Gotta love it! Once again, I have been lucky enough to find some fabulous items at garage sales that will be great gifts for my children! Some are vintage things that you can't find in stores, that they will absolutely love (cause they're a little like me)!

This is a Petri circa 1960's, 45 mm camera that we found for $2! One of my 15 year-old triplets loves this kind of vintage stuff. (I don't know if you can even purchase 45 mm film anymore, I had never heard of it, that's what makes it so cool to me!)

When we looked it upon e-Bay...we found that they are going for between $40-60!

Minus the top cover, it is in really good condition!

Remarkable! She'll love it!

My 11-year old daughter collects and wears hats, she is my little Mad Hatter...$1 for this gently used cutie!

She also collects and LOVES stuffed animals...Boyds Bears, under $10 collectively!

Woo hoo!

These are for the other two triplets...they are both extraordinary "writers" and passionate about traveling abroad when they are older. One is taking french and wants to participate in a foreign exchange program her senior year...

...the other triplet dreams about Ireland. I found this whole collection free of charge from a worn out garage sale merchant. My daughter will be thirlled!

Lasty, I have been looking for a floral sphere to go in this little gem of a vessel. When I was at Michaels recently I saw them for over $10, I spotted this one for $1! (Let me say another woo hoo!) The tags were still attached but it had an ugly little cheapie bow, so I came home and added a nice new one!
It makes me happy, and is very festive in my bathroom! After the holidays, I will just turn it upside down and hide the bow on the inside for everyday use!

How about that?!!

Merry (Thrifty) Christmas!!!











Your turn, you know the drill...show off some of your fabulous finds!

Something Special: Christmas Joy

I have to share my sister's wonderful blog with you...take a look at some of her beautiful Christmas decor. Enjoy!

Something Special: Christmas Joy