Fields of Basil: Thrifty Finds

Showing posts with label Thrifty Finds. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

The Sweeter Chair

The ~~sweater~~ sweeter chair.

The $2 makeover, are you intrigued?

If you have been following this blog, you know I really like chairs. Sometimes I find them, sometimes they find me. I even have a Pinterest board for them.

I have had this chair since I was in my early 20's. It has a story, great pieces often do. It was acquired when my neighbor's were moving out of state and needed to empty their house. They lived in a gorgeous Victorian with many original pieces. Of course, I missed the house auction, as I was working nights back then (probably wouldn't of been able to afford the really good stuff anyway). When I woke up that afternoon, this chair was on my porch and waiting for me. They knew I had always liked it and when it didn't sell, they just gave it to me.

Moral of the story:

Be nice to your neighbors and you will always have somewhere to sit.

Things I love about this chair:

The tufting
The color
The lines
The wonderful feeling you get when you sink into it.

So many memories sitting in this chair, I used to use it in front of my computer, have long conversations on the phone and read so many books and still do.

When I sit in it, it feels like the club chairs that my parents had growing up. Basically, it has that comfortable feeling of home.

We're not the only ones who love this chair and have enjoyed it. You can see how worn it is.

It's such a great chair. This is also a great dog, he was visiting us for a couple days. Yup, this pooch was allowed on the furniture. Our pup well she is allowed only on one piece and it's not this chair, surprised?

So are you still intrigued about it's makeover?

Thinking about Window boxes...Christmas

You know how I feel about my window boxes. I have been intensely wanting them to look beautiful and plentiful for the holidays. The last couple years I tried big ornaments and Christmas birdhouses etc. Nothing seemed right. Until this year...

This year I got clever, it takes me awhile. Garlands and fresh greenery were so expensive at the nursery. I looked at the prices and was appalled. Then my thoughts drifted to the our own trees and bushes in the back. "DUH!" How did it take me so long...? So I went and started trimming...see the results. Did I get carried away after I finished the boxes?

Here and Now

Hello there...I'm back.

Well- truly I never left, I've been writing posts several times a day (in my head) and they are really good ones. You the kind that make you giggle as you read them. I'm giggling at least. The challenge is finding time to put down. The break was necessary and good.

Thank you for checking in, here is a little preview of what has been happening and what is ahead.

What have I done with my window boxes for the season?

It looks gorge and cost less than $5.

We had our annual St Nick Party, loads of fun!

Have a seat

I recently realized on a little introspection, (well actually it was looking at my pictures from the fair last year), that I have an affinity for chairs. Yup, you read it right. I like chairs. In fact, I really like chairs. Chairs of all types, sizes, shapes, colors...it really doesn't matter. For some unknown reason, I like chairs. It's not anything creepy, just a real appreciation for this type of furniture.

I sometimes wonder what it was like when someone invented the first chair. The earliest would of been stools like tree stumps, logs and rocks. When someone figured they could make it light and mobile, what a stunning revelation? Simple and yet how much we take these for granted? A comfortable place to sit. It's important. This is what is considered organic in chair design now.

source

Made in the Shade

How Does your Garden Grow-2014

Last year I took you on a tour of some of my favorite gardens, if you would like to visit them go here and here and here. I visited a new one this past week. It is gorgeous. It's a neighbor in the next town over who sells plants from his garden when he needs to divide his perennials. Seriously, this is a work of art and love.

This was in the middle of the morning. There was a gentle breeze and sweetest aroma of fresh cut grass and Viburnum.

Lobster Roll with Citrus Fennel Tapenade

40 Days-40 Days of Lenten Recipes

OK, we are on a pretty serious budget in our house. This is not something that is normal. But I found this deal on lobster tails, that I couldn't pass. 8 tails for the same price as a bag of shrimp. Seriously, going to make the most of this.

What to give-what to give?

I love giving. This is something my hubby knew well, when he met me. He understood it even better, when we married too. It's always part of the budget, crafting and gifting. Trust me, the eyes start rolling in July, when I start talking about Christmas.

Is it just me? I didn't think so?

Anyway, I thought I would share some of my faves today about great ideas to give those who are housebound or in a nursing home. Things to think about when giving a gift; what would they like? what do they need? what is a luxury? In the end, what would brighten someone's day or bring them a lasting smile? Being remembered by someone unexpected is always a good feeling.

I love fingerless gloves which can help keep the person toasty, or a fleece wrap.
Although I think anyone of any age would love these!

Pattern Found here on Etsy

Easy Crochet Fleece

Other ideas include,

treats and fresh fruit which are always nice, a small planter or indoor garden, photos and cards.

Warm socks, warm packs, and warm hugs.

Anything bird-watching-related is also popular. And why wouldn't it be, they are so fun to watch!

A great gift can be bird feeders or as simple as a bottle of birdseed with a bow on it.

I think making a simple birdseed ornaments, with no cleanup to be a great gift.

It's fun to do with the kids and so pretty.

Below are my two favorites!

Go check out

Salt Water Kids for a great tutorial.

Henry Happened

For some more fun ideas, this is what I found and pinned on Pinterest. I made a board of them.
I absolutely love some of the things I found.

Fun things in the holidays would include, decorating for someone, whether the porch or a window, use clings, lights, a wreath, anything to make it beautiful. Remember if you decorate for someone who is homebound or elderly, please, please, please remember to set a time to go back and take it down for them. They should not be getting up on anything to take something down, or worried about it. What would be the point of the gift if it caused more worry. Another thought, singing to them, the old wonderful treat of carolers, it's fun and inexpensive and a beautiful way to connect.

Having listed all these things, let me add the all time best thing!

All time best thing to offer is TIME.

There is nothing like time together, whether it's sharing a pot of tea, watching a show together, making small talk, playing cards, or even better, helping them reminisce about the beautiful moments. I have found that any amount of time offered including a hug, holding hands and a smile is appreciated more than anything else.

So, go get out there
and
Share the Day!

Sharing with these lovely parties.

French Country Cottage

Chic on a Shoestring Decorating,

Jennifer Rizzo

All Things Pretty,

Coastal Charm

Lovely Crafty Home
I Should be Mopping the Floor

The Dedicated House

Friday, November 1, 2013

Fall Mantle Reveal

I know all of you have been waiting with bated breath for this, right?
What says fall more than carnivorous terrariums?
This is in the center of the room, with a burlap and pumpkin on the tray redo.
Love the simplicity of this look and bringing these together, what do you think?

So here it is!

The Fall Mantle!

It's a little different than when I first started, afterall I was going for a primitive simple look. I emptied it off and sat there staring at it for a while. Because I have so much time to just sit and stare at my wall, right?? As I sat, I thought about different things I have around the house, in boxes and favorite things.

I brought in one of favorite framed posters, and aspects you can pick out from the fall brunch. I love the tallness and color of the wheat, and tried to bring some symmetry. I feel like it turned out pretty elegant in the end. The lanterns are ages old, and I've had out for a while, actually since last Christmas, they have touches of gold on them, as do our little gourds, so sweet.

Initially I had the big metal pumpkin on the outside of the hearth and decided it seemed too cluttered and so moved out the vases and put it on the inside.

Better, no?