I'm A Packing Magician!

When we packed up our small car to return to

 Florida form our North Carolina trip I wanted 

to bring just a few things home with me. 

Larry said that NO WAY! was all that stuff

 going to fit into the car. Well.....

Here we go!

 Two large and two small duffel bags an

 other soft stuff in the backseat 

with the dog bed on top.

 Add three doggies who are always happy

to go on road trips, 

but this arrangement was new.

 They settled in fast and slept 

most of the time. Good doggies!

 Small cooler, snacks, drinks, books/magazines,

 phones, computers, ipod, camera, sweaters, 

pillow, blanket, purse, glasses, 

behind the seats...whew! 

Into the trunk! Yes, I brought home over 

200 golf balls,a large dough bowl, 

6 lampshades, a set of Christmas dishes, 

6 fall colored mugs, a Cuisinart, 

all my thrift store finds (see those HERE), 

two large platters, a lamp, wire basket, 

misc. kitchen stuff, pantry staples, 

a full large cooler. 

And a partridge in a pear tree!

 When Larry unloaded the car he said that he

 felt like a magician that keeps 

pulling things out of hat!

This was the first time that we took 

the convertible to NC and it was wonderful 

to drive the winding mountain roads

 on those beautiful fall days with the 

top down listening to a favorite CD.

See that drive HERE.

Cheers!

(click HERE to see our usual road trip vehicle)

How To Organize Napkin Rings

There are several ways that I like to organize
my collection of napkin rings.

 Most of them are kept in the drawer
in the pie safe.

 I like to use drawer dividers.
The pumpkins rings and floral rings were
found in thrift stores for 25 cents a piece.

Longaberger napkin rings and
my 'Bruce Willis' teapot napkin
 rings. You can read about those HERE.

 The white swans are a souvenir from a
day in Long Grove, IL many years ago. 

 Thrift store ceramic Christmas angels
are protected with coffee filters.

 Here's another good way to keep sets
together. The green flower pot napkin rings
were also a $1 thrift find. See my previous
post on my thrift store finds HERE.

 Use the tube from paper towels. 

 Cut a lengthwise slit to make it flexible. 

Then just slide on your napkin rings.

 This works especially well when you have a
 tumble of napkin rings like these lemon vine
 rings I found on after season clearance at
BBB. They'll go with lots of my lemon decor.

 Now they are under control.

 The cardboard will unfurl slightly
to hold them together.

 For small sets I used toilet paper tubes.

 It's easy to pick up a set.

 Ready to go back in the drawer.

I aslo use my empty tennis cans. 

You can see that post HERE.

Cheers!

Links: Between Naps On The Porch,
Savvy Southern Style, Common Ground
French Country Cottage, My Romantic Home,
My 1929 Charmer

Thrift Store Finds in NC

I managed to bring back a few things I found 

thrift shopping in North Carolina in October.  

  Here they are: 2 volumes of Encyclopedia 

Britannica for 10 cents each

2 small blue&white plates for 25 cents each.

 16-piece set of glass Christmas dishes for $5.00.

Embossed Christmas tree with holly border.

 4 green lidded enamel soup/chili pots for

 25 cents each.

 4 wreaths for 25 cents each.

 Here's where I put them until I use them for
a project. A vignette on top of the fridge.

The wooden turkey and vintage scale were
thrift finds from previous years.

 6 white silk lampshades (for my chandelier)

 for 25 cents each.

  1 white ginger jar lamp for 75 cents.

6 green flower pot napkin rings for $1.00

2 natural flower pot napkin rings for 25 cents 

(I have 6 matching ones here)

1 Valentine mug-25 cents.

 A pretty blue & white hand crocheted afghan for $1.00.

One in fall colors for $1.00 too.

A large wire basket for 25 cents.

4 (8x10) wood frames for 25 cents each.

I'm using one here to frame a printable.

These were from Pathways Thrift Store

 in Sylva, NC. It benefits The Center
For Independent Living.

click HERE to see how I managed to pack all this
and more into our small red convertible.

Links: A Stroll Thru Life,
Coastal Charm, Savvy Southern Style,
Somewhat Simple, No Minimalist Here,
Between Naps On The Porch

Bedroom Makeover with Craig's List Bed

I had been on the lookout for a new (to me)
king-size bed for my bedroom.

This is the bedroom before.

A four poster iron canopy bed that I
 bought for $59 many years ago.
That's the doggie's shabby chic cottage
(crate) at the foot of the bed.

This bed tray is on top of the crate.

I've had this bed for years and it was fine
 but it was time for a change.

Although, I did like decorating it for Christmas.

Lots of pictures HERE.

I wanted to find a large wood headboard and
 footboard that I could possibly paint white.

Something with lots of carvings, swirls and details.

I sold my bed on CL for $150, so that was
what I had to spend for another bed.

I found this one, large bed with 

headboard, footboard and side rails for $150.

It had all the details I wanted and 

it was in perfect condition.

We cleaned, polished and assembled it to see
 how it would look before painting.

Now I'm thinking that I like the wood tones.

So I'm leaving it like it is for now. 

I can always paint it later.

The large oil painting above the bed.

 It's such a different look in here.

Soon I'll change the bedding for winter 

and decorate the room for Christmas.

 That will be the test.

Cheers!

 The family that sold me the bed also gave
mea great recipe for Shrimp Alfredo.
They were making dinner
when we picked up the bed.

Links: My 1929 Charmer,
Between Naps On The Porch,
Dittle Dattle, The Girl Creative,
Under The Table and Dreaming,
Savvy Southern Style