Smart, Easy way to make a skirt with a shirt.

I'm not much of a dress or skirt wearer (I'm thinking of starting though.) but I saw a cute and clever way to make a skirt from a shirt on this blog. The woman in the picture has a hot bod and since I do not, I don't think this exact look will look so good on my ever expanding wasteline. You should check it out though. The bloggers name is Kat. The blog is called Make it and fake it. it features some neat and practical DIY projects like this one.

Quick update

Hello all!
It's been a while. What do I have to show for it? Nothing much huh? Well, I've been going tthrough a lot of changes since I started this blog. To be honest I wasn't at any peak in my career or financially in my life when I started this blog, and I came across some hard times that prevented me from thrifting and doing projects as much as I wanted. I really do hope to get started soon. I started my photography business, something I've wanted to do for years but was afraid to take the risk. Let me tell you, I love that! My portfolio is growing and I shot my first wedding on New years. Also, I am now a liscensed nail tech. I serve an almighty God who has big plans for me. I have made some changes. I changed the blog name. Also, I won't be talking about just decor because I really can't do too many decor projects now for my own home. I will be talking about some of my other talents and hobbies. As I look for ways to save money, I'll share those too. I will to try and make this blog better. I know it's been a bore.
TTYL!
The Thrift Fiend

Where have I been?

Hello Everyone!
I'm so sorry that I've been away so long. I've been moving kind of slow as far as new posts and projects go. Honestly I've been going through some things and trying to get back on my feet. I had to focus on taking care of my son and finding work. ( I've started my own photography business and I'm trying to become a makeup artist.) I was also trying to decide if I was going to stay at my place when the lease is up. I didn't want to decorate a whole apartment just to break it all down again. I have decided to find a cheaper place. The rent is going up again and its just ridiculous. I am all about frugality right now ya'll. If I can get it cheaper. I want that. If it isn't really a necessity. I have to think about getting rid of it because let's be honest, I'm not balling right now. I would like to be one day and I have many plans and goals to get me and my family in that direction. I just want to be able to live comfortable and be in the position to bless others.

I wasn't sure If I wanted to talk about other things in my life on this blog because at first it was supposed to be all about decor. While it will still be a lot about that, I'm doing this to save money so at the end of the day its about saving. There are many areas in our lives where we can cut back. We don't need all the things we have. Especially if you really can't afford it. When I think of all the material things I wasted my money on I just shake my head. Yet there is so much that I've never done because I didn't want to spend my money. Instead of cable I could use that money to go on vacation. Visit another country. Get a facial or give to a charity. Don't get me wrong there's nothing wrong with doing what you want with your money that you worked hard for. But I just don't want to be worried about bills and where the money is coming from. I want to make a good life for myself and my son. I want to be more responsible and reasonable with my money and I want to teach my son those same values. So that's what its all about right now. Besides there are so many ways you can look and live fabulous with out spending all that dough! Now that's a good look.

So anyways, I've got a few months before my lease is up. I'm thinking about downsizing as much as I can to save money. That also includes downsizing to a one bedroom. Ugh! At first I dreaded the thought. Now that I have a two bedroom I don't wanna go back! But it's getting pretty expensive where I live. I was doing some research and I found all these cool ways that people made space in a small space. With room dividers and stuff. If I cannot find an affordable two bedroom I'm getting a one bedroom. So now I'm excited to move so I can work on making space. Next time I will start the decorating process when I move in instead of six months later like I did with this place.

I came across this awesome website Ikeahackers.net where people hack, personalize, and re purpose Ikea furniture. It's so cool. People post their projects and tutorials their. I came across it because I was looking on some ideas on turning a one bedroom into a two bedroom. I came across a similar article there. How to turn a studio into a one bedroom. You should check it out. You can learn a lot. I'm definitely hooked!

So anyways, that's just a little update on whats been going on. I will try to update you all on my frugal finds on everything I can. When I can. Hollerrrrr!
Sist@Boo!

How was your weekend?

Hello Everyone,
Maybe I should have posted this one Monday but I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and Mothers day. I actually had a pretty good weekend. I took my son to the zoo for the first time on Saturday. That was nice. I haven't been to the zoo in 13 years. It was a last minute decision to go. My friend had asked me if I wanted to go so I went. We got there a little later in the day. Around 4pm. It seemed like many of the animals were off the clock by then. (lol) A lot of them were sleeping or eating or something. We didn't get to see everything since they started closing down by six but I really enjoyed seeing all the different birds. They had this big bird area that was closed in but the birds were flying around freely. There were peacocks and some other pretty birds that were just walking around freely. I could touch them if I wanted to. Since it was a last minute trip, I did not prepare to bring my camera but I wish I did. The zoo made for some lovely photos. (Note to self. A photographer should always have their camera ready).


On Sunday I went to church and we had a lovely mothers day message with a special guest speaker and singer. After that we had a cookout at my mother's house. We ate good. Had a lot of laughs. It was a good mothers day over all.
I've been a little lazy obviously when it comes to DIY projects. I'm sorry guys. It's just that...To be honest I've been looking for a job and try to start my own photography business at the same time. I also babysit. So, you know how this economy is right now. It wouldn't be smart of me spend money every week on this, that and the other. That's why I love sites like freecycle. It has really helped put tremendously. 
Anywho, that's about it for today. I just wanted to touch base. I'll try start some projects tomorrow. ( If my nephew would stop destroying my house every time I clean up.) 
Smooches!

Picking a color scheme.

Hey folks!
I know I'm moving along kind of slow as far as projects go. But I'm glad I waited until I got most of my pieces in before I started to paint anything. I think I know what color scheme I want to have in the living room. When I first moved in I was dead set on chocolate brown couches. I wanted the living room to have lots of browns and reds and burnt oranges. That's all I could see. The whole entire apartment was about to be fall colors. ( I love the fall). Now things have changed. Ever since I became interested in decorating I've been reading a a lot of decor magazines and there are so many beautiful things you can do to "swag up" you pad. Especially when it comes to color.

My tastes have changed a little. In my room instead of burnt oranges I now want creams and golds and pinks. Who would have thought. Me and pink? Not hot pink though. Grown woman pink. Soft petal pink. I think the combination is very romantic and ladylike. I might have a little edge in me. But deep inside I'm a die hard romantic. (who tears up when watching love stories. Don't tell anyone!) When I come home from beating people up in the streets, I want to come to a clean soft, lovely room, with a vanity and perfumes that I spray on with one of those vintage pump thingies. yeah, That's what I want. Here's some inspiration if you're thinking about adding these colors.

Aren't these cute little rooms? I love the touch of pink. Note too much. So it still looks grown.

Any who, I'm getting off track! We're not worrying about the room. The living room. That color scheme had definitely changed. I'd like to have the main colors be royal blue. Then I will throw in some golds and a touch of orange and reds I guess. The couch I'm going to make will definitely be royal blue and gold a we'll go from there. Here's a few blue rooms I for inspiration.

Now these are not all the same colors I was thinking of but I love, love, love these living rooms!

So those are the colors I'm feeling right now. It's time to get the ball rolling though. I've bored you all enough!

Smooches!

furniture Update

What's up people!

Sorry its been a while. I've got a lot going on right now so I haven't been able to update as much as I'd like to. I have some new "old" furniture updates! The place is coming along. I'm actually kinda proud because I haven't had to spend much money yet to buy furniture. Most of the spending will be on material to revamp everything. Let me show what we're working with so far.

So, someone was giving away  some slipper chairs on freecycle. She had two of them! I looked online to get an idea of what slipper chairs looked like. Now, there were many variations and the looked cute. I had it in my mind that maybe she was giving away this style.

I thought now that I can work with. Its shaped nicely and it would be easy for me to re-upholster. But, it was not the exact same style she was giving away. I was so pressed to pick these up. Meanwhile, I wasn't quite sure how I was going to place them in the living room. I didn't even ask anyone to come help me. I had to have these chairs! When I got to the Freecycler's home there chairs were already outside. It took me a good ten minutes to try and squeeze them in my car and trunk. I didn't even bring anything to tie the trunk down so instead of taking them one by one I drove with the hazard lights on and the trunk nearly flying open. Good thing the chairs were close by. 

I fooled around with different ways to place the chairs. My living room and is shaped weird so there wasn't many ways I could come up with that looked decent. Plus, my living room isn't that big. This is what I came up with though:

 Here's how it looked before.

I'm actually kind of proud. I thought is would take longer to get decent looking pieces for my home for absolutely free. But so far I think I did a good job. The place is filling up! I think I have enough furniture in place to start the upcycling process. I know you see the couch is still bare. Yes, it is. I've been struggling on what colors I should paint the would. Should I paint the would first? Get the fabric first? Should I just go with the flow? Should everything be matchy-matchy? Do I want contemporary or shabby chic? Eclectic or Romantic? There are so many possibilities. So many influences. When I first moves in my mind was set on brown couches with the decor full of reds, and golds and burnt oranges. It seems like the more I learn about decorating, the quicker what I want changes. I wasn't trying to go overboard with spending money on furniture but since I have spent close to nothing so far, I can go ahead and get the decorating process started! Yay me! Hope you all stay tuned. I will try not to bore you all too much. I'll try to get some more projects done. I'm still working on managing my time between life and blog. I've got so many other things going on. 

See ya soon!

My first Project! Decoupage

Hey people,

So I recently did my first DIY project. I decoupaged a table! According to Merriam Webster's Website Decoupage (pronounced Da-ku-pazh) is the art of decorating the surface by applying paper cutouts and then coating them with several layers of finish. There are many sites and tutorial that can show you how to do this. Although its fairly easy to do. Depending on the size of your project it can be a little time consuming. Some people do parts of the surface while others do the entire surface.  The finish product was cool and cute and well worth it. Here's how I did it.

This is the table I used before. My friend who no longer needed had given it to me. Not bad. I decided I would use it as a small accessories vanity of some sort. Its a little too small to be a full vanity. Although you can find tutorials any and everywhere on how to decoupage surfaces. I'm going to show you how I did mine

Tools

Scissors

Cutout/ Paper pieces- You can use pictures, napkins, magazine cutouts etc.

Surface to apply paper to

Paint brush

Adhesive mixture- Most people use Modge Podge but I opted to do it myself using regular elmers glue and water mixed together.

Spray paint or paint for base color (optional)

Old sheet - to put under the piece of furniture to minimize mess

Clear coat or some type of finish to seal

Procedure

First thing I didn't was cut out the pictures I wanted to use for my table. I used fashion and beauty pictures of things that I liked. I wanted it to be pretty and girly. I cut out products and accessories and people and celebrities with cute outfits on and perfume. I also cut out words that described the girly table. Like pretty, sexy, beauty, fashion and lovely. You know, stuff that described me. (lol)

This took a while especially since I chose to layer my pieces like a collage. I ran out of pieces half way through and had to go cut some again.

First thing I did was wipe down the surface. Some people sand it if its a wood item. Although mine was wood. I did not sand it.

Next I prepared the adhesive mixture. I just mixed some Elmers glue with water. You don't need a whole bunch of glue for this. About 8 table spoons of glue mixed with 4 table spoons of water was enough for this project. I didn't really do any measuring for this. You just used the water to kinda loosen up the paste.

I spray painted the table so that if any of it where to show throw if would be the color that I wanted. This is optional especially if you plan to cover the entire surface. I let that dry for about five minutes.

Now I'm ready to start placing my pieces. I start with the largest pieces to act as the background images. One at a time I used the paint brush to brush on the adhesive to the back of the cutout and smooth it onto the surface. After smoothing it to the surface I brushed on some more adhesive over it. This helps to stick the other pieces when you begin to layer. I did this over and over until the entire surface that I wanted covered was covered. 

For the edges and the legs I did the same thing except I fold the pieces over the edges and smoothed them. It was not hard to do that since magazine paper is really thing. When i had every piece in place I let it dry. I was in no rush and it was late so I just let it dry over night. I'm sure it doesn't need over and hour to dryer using magazine paper.

Last I sprayed the entire table with a glossy protective spray from Krylon. It looked good still without the spray but I wanted it to have a glossy look.

That's it! So i hope you like it. Feel free to leave your comments and feedback. Let me know what you think!

Smooches!