Thrifty Scores at Mobile Antique Stores

Though I'm still battling some sinus/allergy issues, I'm trying not to let that keep me down. Each week I visit with my nieces and mom across the bay in Mobile. I just can't disappoint them or deprive myself of their company. Since I was headed that way, I decided to leave a little early to hit up a couple of my favorite antique stores. I didn't need much more motivation to get out and about, but that didn't hurt.

I started with Cotton City Antiques and lucked up with these finds.

This baggie of broken and lost pairs jewelry had my name written all over it.

Most of these vintage clip-on earrings will be going to a friend who has a craft project in mind.

I couldn't pass on the worn little medicine tin, chandelier crystal, or collection of metal bangles. I know I can come up with something for each of them.

With little time to spare before they closed, I raced over to Antiques at the Loop. Though I was rushing through the booths (especially when youngest niece called to see if I was on my way), I scored a few treasures there too.

I had passed on a nice collection of buttons at Cotton City (because my button collection is already so large), but I couldn't resist a baggie of rhinestone buttons at Antiques at the Loop. Shiny, sparkly!

And, some metal and hardware bits caught my eye as well.

I had a great visit with the family to boot. So despite the ickiness in my head, I'm glad I pushed myself to get out of the house.

I recently found a few linky parties that also share their thrifty finds so I'll be linking up to them this week. I can't wait to see some of the other thrifty scores.
Junkin Joe at The Cottage Market
Vintage Inspiration Party at My Salvaged Treasures
Ivy and Elephants
Thriftasaurus at Sir Thrift-A-Lot
Thrifter Share at Thrifter|Maker|Fixer|Farm
Thrifter Things Friday at Melissa's Antiques
Nifty Thrifty Link Up at ALivingSpace

Year of Jewelry Week 7: Off the Cuff

There's plenty I should be saying and catching up on today, but sinus issues had me working in slow motion all week. That worked perfectly with this week's Year of Jewelry Project topic, "Off the Cuff." Initially I figured I would do a bracelet, playing off the 'cuff' of the topic. However, as the end of the week began to loom upon me, I realized that I didn't have the time or energy to learn a new skill. It works out though since the definition of Off the Cuff is "to ad-lib with little or no preparation or forethought." HA!

As this was the case, I grabbed my bowl of miscellaneous beads (leftovers from other projects), picked out some beads that seemed to blend well together, and threw this bracelet together.

It makes me happy to know I got SOMETHING accomplished this week.

This Year of Jewelry thing is really helping me push myself to get at least one item made each week and that's great. You can see more of the projects for this week's topic in the Off the Cuff facebook album.

Doctors and Menus and Haiku

I've already posted once today, but there's still so much to say.

As such, WELCOME to my second blog post of the day!!

First, I saw a doctor (nurse practitioner) today who also told me I just have vertigo. She said there was a possibility there is some fluid on my eardrum and I can take some allergy medicine to dry it up. Otherwise, I should keep taking the motion sickness meds the Urgent Care place recommended. sigh. I guess I've been so immersed in Harry Potter lately I was hoping for some magic. Alas, no.

Second, I actually got a meal plan done while I was sitting in the waiting room. Since it is Meal Plan Monday, I want to go ahead and share it to prove that I'm getting back on track (more for myself than anyone else). Please visit I'm an Organizing Junkie for more menus! **Menu Plan Monday is being hosted by Finding Joy in My Kitchen this week. . .oops**

Breakfasts: Cereal; muffins; waffles; omelets; biscuits and sausage; and eggs, bacon, & toast.

Lunches: Tuna noodles, leftovers, soup and grilled cheese, ham quesidillas, chicken salad, homemade pizzas, and PB&J

Dinners:

Steak (w/broccoli and potatoes)

Grilled Chicken with Lemon Basil Pasta (w/salad)

Pork Loin (w/green beans and rice mix)

Fancy Macaroni {w/sausage instead of ham}(w/broccoli)

~I'm short on dinners this week as Pat's got a busy band-playing week ahead~

Third, I listed my first Haiku piece (hit the link to go to the shop and check out my poem!!)

Fly High Necklace

I think that's all. I'll let you get back to your regular schedule while I attempt to find mine!

Feverish and Falling Behind

What does it mean when you wake up Monday morning with a fever? Does that mean you had a good weekend or not? I'm going to go with GOOD weekend, or at least with heck-a-busy weekend. Sooooo crazy busy that Pat and I were both sick on Valentine's Day. That's not too big of a deal since we were planning on celebrating V-Day this coming weekend anyway.

So, what kept us so busy this weekend? Port Trio (Pat's band) played Friday, Saturday was consumed with my Mardi Gras Ball (decorating and hosting it), and Sunday was a day at the beach (literally).

Of course, as I've already stated, I woke up with a fever yesterday and spent all day battling it. I'm feeling a bit better today. However, this week is just going to be a bit off. There will  be no meal plan (sorry) and I have no Valentine post for you. . .oh well. Instead, there will most likely just be randomness. (Hurray?)

First random topic - when not sleeping yesterday, I spent my time trying to decrease the amount of blogs in my feed reader. I stumbled upon a Valentine giveaway for some Industrial Chic pieces and found out this morning I had won. Check out Kristen Robinson's blog  and her Valentine post to see the goodies I'll be getting.

Secondly, I was featured in another treasury. This time the treasury is made of Etsians from the Red Dirt Crafters Team.

From the Red Dirt of Alabama

There's also a new collage bangle in the shop.

French Blaze Bangle

Since I'm going with random today, here's a few links that fit that description.

•  Some tips for getting a home office organized. I really like these neat and different ideas.
• If you've been reading me long enough you should know I like anything Harry Potter, so here's an amazing Harry Potter birthday gingerbread cake - it's Hogwarts!!

And, a few general Crafty Links

• How to make cold porcelain 
• Water balloon candle holders 
• Contemporary pom pom flowers 
• Top 100 tutorials of 2008  - Oh yes, I've been saving links for a LONG time!!
• Duct tape, no sew tote bag

Now, I'm off to get a few more tasks complete and maybe even FINALLY start on my Valentine Project(s) for Pat. Here's hoping your week is going much better than mine started off!

Dropping In (TRT)

Don't think I've forgotten about blogging.
Last week LOML and I took vacation and stayed pretty busy.
This week, I'm sick. We'll see how that works out.
For now, let me throw some random (for Totally Random Tuesday) links at you:

• Top 10 how to cooking videos
  
• I just love optical illusions, playing with your mind through your eyes. Cool stuff. Here's a collection of video optical illusions.
• Meet the real life invisible man.
  
• Are you a nerd dork, geek, or dweeb? This simple chart can help you figure that out!
  
• They have a point - Are we seeing the general collapse of civility?

Hopefully, I'll be back to regular posting soon.