A Jewelry Store? A Bookstore? An Art Gallery? Yes to all!

It's no secret that I love to read! I've mentioned many times in previous posts that I like to go to a special Goodwill Store that we have close by that has books, books and more books! The best thing is that most of them are 80 cents! You can't go wrong with that! Even buying online books at 99 cents can't beat my bookstore. I've also mentioned many times that someday I was going to take pictures of this store and write a post about it. Today is that day!

A little background...the reason for my title to this post is this bookstore has many faces. It's a bookstore, true, but it's also a nick-knack store, a jewelry store, an art gallery and much, much more! 

Here you see books! What I love is that the employees that work here have this store super organized. They have signs posted above each section that says whether it's Fiction, Non-Fiction, Education, Health, Parenting, Religious, Cooking, etc, etc...you get the idea, right? The books are all alphabetized by author in each section!

And in little nooks and crannies, like on the shelf at the bottom of this photo, they tuck little treasures, like dolls, candle sticks, looks like there is even a Santa Claus cookie jar down there! Darn, wish I had seen that!

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Here's the front entrance and they have a bookcase there facing the outside with some of their newer inventory of books. I usually grab about three or four books the second I come in!

And I forgot to put in my title that this is also a Hallmark Store!! Well not really, but see that nice, neat little section of different greeting cards? Nothing goes to waste once donated to Goodwill!

Also look carefully and you will see lots of other goodies, see some purses hanging on the wall behind the cashier? They also have some vintage jewelry back there too!

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Another shot of books and they also sell boxes. I've bought some of these boxes many times to move and sometimes just to store some of the books I've bought and read and need to return to Goodwill so someone else can benefit from them!

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I could spend hours in this place, which is why it's nice that they have created such a nice little reading area. All of this is donated stuff and almost all of it is for sale, but these tables and the little couch and a few chairs on the other side are not for sale but for customers to just sit and relax and look at books. 

The store has regular customers that come in and sit on weekends and just pass the time, just like a Barnes and Noble Bookstore...except without a Starbucks. 

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Another shot of books! As you can see there is a never-ending supply of books coming into this store constantly! Can you also see those posters and pictures set alongside? There are treasures to be seen everywhere!

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Another shot of books! When you read as much as I do it's really a nice option to be able to have such a huge selection for such a great price...plus, when I finish I donate them back so the Goodwill continues to profit from the books and someone else gets the pleasure of reading these books over and over again! Win-Win!

I thought this was an interesting little corner to share because this is all their vintage books. I've been looking for a first edition copy of the book, The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney. It was a book I read over and over as a child until it fell apart. I always check out this section and hope that one day I will come upon it. That will be a happy-happy, joy-joy day!

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And say you come with someone that is not into books...well they won't be bored, just tell them to stroll over to the Art Gallery! I love this section!!!

Here's a shot from the entrance, this room is located at the back of the store and there's lots of natural light which is perfect to show off all this cool artwork you can buy. It's all for sale! Someone that really loved ballet must have recently donated!

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More artwork! Isn't this fabulous? And all hung and displayed so nicely. And the store is so clean!!! 

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Can you see why I love this place and constantly rave about it and devoted a whole post to it? And I'm still not done!!! Yes...there is more to see!

I probably should have started with this photo as this is the front of the store. 

Where to start! Ok, so on the shelves to the left you see magazines. Yes, they even salvage magazines, lots of Oprah's and Southern Living and others. More artwork of course, probably their newest arrivals! And lots of little nick-knacks on the shelves and even on the floor! You can see in the background what appears to be jewelry, it is!

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This is a very cute section too. They don't sell the little bookshelf itself, trust me I've asked because I love it, but it is always filled with lots of cute little treasures!

And because I was so busy taking photos I wasn't really paying much attention to what was on the shelf and now I see that little angel blowing a kiss!! Love it! Shoulda bought it!

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And now...my favorite section in the whole store...oh c'mon....who am I kidding, the whole store is my favorite. But you know how you save the best for last? Well I always save looking at the jewelry for last because it is my favorite part.

I have found tons of cute bracelets and necklaces here for great prices! And the great thing is the pieces I find here are unique one of a kind items that no one else has!

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And I didn't leave empty handed. Along with all these great pictures, look what's in my shopping cart?

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I think that book in the front is one my mom or sister threw into my cart because I just looked around here at home and I don't have that book and I know it's not a book I would have been interested in. But the low-carb cookbook and the Atkins book behind it I will love going through.

So this is why I don't own a Kindle. Owning a kindle would keep me from the pleasure of visiting this great place filled with books and treasures and jewels and artwork and would probably put Goodwill out of business considering that I visit this place almost every weekend...but wouldn't you if you had it in your home town?


 

Iwanna Wednesday - It's all in the Dust

Today is Iwanna Wednesday, the day when I can feature anything Iwanna! For anyone who doesn't know about my Iwanna alter ego; let me explain. My sister and my mom both call me Iwanna because "I Want" everything. Seriously...EVERYTHING!

I can walk into any store and immediately the first words out of my mouth are, "Oh, I want one of these, or I want some of those". I've even been known to drive by a random house and say, "I want some rocks/flowers/windows/doors, etc, etc like those".

So that's why I'm the Iwanna, cause Iwanna everything I see! Now I know I can't have everything that I see; but I can lust after them, admire them, wish I had them...right?

I knew you would agree, because your heart is an Iwanna heart too!

So I have a real post showing you something Iwanna and have wanted for quite awhile now, but first Iwanna share this video with you. I just stumbled upon it on youtube. And seeing as how Halloween is coming up soon, I thought maybe someone might need some Halloween costume/makeup tips. I love this video and Michelle Phan, the girl in the video is gorgeous and she's got a very soothing voice as well. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.



Ok, so that was the appetizer, now on to the main course...my Iwanna post for this Wednesday!

I've been visiting a lot of blogs lately because of all the memes I've been joining in on. One thing that I see a lot of people doing is making their own chalkboards using chalk paint. I've thought about making just a little one to jot notes on in the kitchen, but then I saw this one and I said, "Iwanna one of those!"

I unfortunately thought I had jotted down the name of the person and their blog that did this one. If this is yours please let me know so I can link to your blog because this was my inspiration for today's Iwanna Wednesday.

Isn't this chalkboard door great? I remember that what this person was posting about was the chalkboard markers she had purchased, but I fell in love with the door. Iwanna one!!

I actually have a door right next to my computer desk that would be perfect for a door like this one. Maybe this would be a great fall project.

So I let my fingers do the walking to gather some more ideas and I found the following. . .

Isn't this one pretty also? I really like the message and the falling leaves on the previous door though. But this one is very handy with a shopping list and all.

I thought this one was pretty cool...Iwanna this one definitely! Don't you think it's a great idea? A Monday thru Sunday chalkboard calendar??? Awesome! Looks to me like an old door hung lengthwise?


And this next one...well I just threw it in for giggles, cause it's so darn cute! A whole chalkboard refrigerator! Ever seen anything like this? Would you Iwanna this?


So that's it for this Iwanna Wednesday! Have a great rest of the week! Happy Fall!

Oh and by the way, in case you read the title and you don't know why Iwanna Wednesday is all in the Dust...I meant Chalk Dust!...lol. Lame, I know. Cya!

My Mother's Talented Hands

If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands? ~Milton Berle

It's amazing that with only two hands mothers do as much as they do. My mom is a perfect example of that. Growing up I always remember my mom busy doing something, sewing, cleaning, cooking, painting, crocheting...and since we're at crocheting I'll stop because that's what I wanted to talk about today and share with you.

My mom has always been great at crocheting. She once did the whole Last Supper in crochet. And I'm not talking some little piece that goes in a little frame...this was a HUGE piece which was framed and hung in her kitchen for many years. It probably measures 6feet by 4 feet. It looks something like this one, only much more massive.

Unfortunately I couldn't photograph it because right now it's sitting in the frame on the floor behind her very heavy china hutch in her kitchen. But it's mine. She gave it to me many, many years ago. I have no idea where I will hang it because I really have no walls in my kitchen, but I will knock out a window and make a wall out of it if I have to!!!

But ok, before I start knocking out windows and building walls, let me just get back to the subject of my post today. My mom has started crocheting again and her first project was this little beauty for me :-)

A beautiful butterfly panel. It's pretty big as you can tell from the photo below. This isn't a love seat it's a chair and a half and this fits clear across it. I would love to display it differently but I haven't found quite the right place yet...but I will.

Mom is currently working on another project which I hope to post for you as soon as it's finished. I think it's going to be about as big as the one above, and she's only half done.

My mom taught my sister and I both to crochet, and I've made a doily here and there. I have posted one here. But I have no where near the talent or determination my mom does.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to leave a comment!

Be Well!

Iwanna Wednesday

I can't believe I almost forgot about Iwanna Wednesday! It threw me off as Monday was a holiday. Now I feel like today is Tuesday since this is only the second day I've worked this week!

But luckily I remembered just in time. I am your hostess...Iwanna.

Iwanna is a name given to me by my sister because it doesn't matter what store we go into there is always something "I Want" the second we walk in...hence the name Iwanna.

And just because Iwanna things doesn't mean I get them, although I have to admit there have been a few times that I do get them, thanks to my loved ones, especially my daughter. Thank you April.

Ok, so let's get to it shall we?

As you know, Rhoda at Southern Hospitality hosts a Monday Thrifty Treasures party where you can link up to her to show what thrifty treasures you've found. I've participated quite a few times. Now my Iwanna Wednesday would not be necessary if Rhoda just moved out of her house and let me live in it, cause Iwanna everything she has in there! It's gorgeous!

Alas, even Iwanna can't have that, but Rhoda did give me a great shopping idea. She has a special giveaway to Southern Living that she is doing. You just need to go visit Southern Living and post a comment on Rhoda's blog to be entered. Eazy Peazy!

So I went...cause who doesn't love a giveaway right? And I entered...and I fell in love, with Southern Living. Iwanna stuff bad! Just check out their catalog.

I picked out a few of my favorite things. JUST LOOK!

*sigh* Iwanna this lovely little serving bowl. Just in time for fall and the holidays. It's called a Christmas Memories Serving Bowl and it's set into an Ornate Iron Bowl Stand...dreamy no?

Iwanna this lovely trifle bowl. This is called the Devonshire Lidded Trifle, and it has so many uses!

I really Iwanna this one. It's just so perfect. I would love two of them please. One to display on either side of the painting over my couch. This is the Damask Wall Accent with a metal finish.

What Iwanna from this next one is the serving tray. The colors just catch my eye and make me smile. I can imagine placing it on the table filled with home made cookies or muffins (anyone wanna come over and bake them?) The bowl is pretty too...but I'm drooling over the tray. This is from the Gail Pittman Veranda Collection.

This is my next to the last favorite! If I can't have the green wall accent above, then Iwanna this one. The vase is removal from the sleeve. This is called the Juniper Vase with the multi-layer reactive glaze with a removal curling metal sleeve.

And now, the Grand Finale...the Pièce de résistance. This is four Filigree Iron Wall Sconces displayed in a way that makes it look like one whole piece. Of course Iwanna the Cordova Candle Sconces on either side as well. And as long as this is Iwanna Wednesday, just go ahead and throw in the whole display on the mantle as well...and the fall leaf garland. I've been looking for some of that anyway.

Well that's it for Iwanna Wednesday. Now what Iwanna is for you to tell me which one of these lovelies is your favorite?

Sweets and Things

“So long as the sugar is on the tongue, you feel the sweetness in taste. Similarly, so long as the heart has love, peace and devotion, you feel the bliss.” ~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba (Indian Spiritual Leader)

Yesterday's post was about sugar. While I was trying to find an easier way to do that post by finding a website I could just link to I found a lot of really great stuff about sugar and sweets that I wanted to share.

I didn't put it in yesterday's post because after scaring you (and me) to death about how much sugar we eat, I didn't want to tempt you by showing you creative and beautiful ways to use sugar.

But today is another day, so onward and upward!

First, some pictures from Home Sweet Home, Expressions in Confectionery Art.

They even have ebooks you can purchase to learn how to create your own Confectionery Art. Sounds like a lot of fun, but just imagine if you had to eat all your mistakes?

Then I found this beautiful picture and I had to read more about it! And you can too at Prima Donna Bride.

She shows you how to make these beautiful little sugar cubes here. They are so super simple that I think even I could make them! Wouldn't they look beautiful on cupcakes, wedding cakes, as decorations on tablesscapes for weddings and showers?

And for those of you that don't want to eat sugar cubes, how about bathing in them?

You can find these lovely little effervescent cubes at L'Occitane En Provence. These little guys are individually packaged squares containing essential oils (mint, pine and rosemary) blended with sugars and stimulating centella asiatica to 'fizz' upon release into water.

Treasures found for Spring

Saturday I woke up and debated...should I spend the day cleaning house and doing laundry or should I go hit all the Goodwill's and some yard sales and see if I can find any treasures? Guess which idea won out?

If you guessed Goodwill and yard sales you win! So what do you win? Well the only thing I can offer is a peak at all the treasures I found and some pictures on what I did with them.

My first stop didn't prove to be too fruitful, but I did find these little gardening bunnies. All total they came out to $2.52 and the funny thing was that was exactly how much money I had in my purse!

After leaving that Goodwill and heading to the next one I kept an eye out for yard sales. I only found one on my way and almost didn't stop at that one...but I'm glad I did, look at what I scored:

When I got to the yard sale I saw a lady pick it up and ask the man how much he wanted for it and he told her $3.00. She walked around with it for a bit and then put it back down and I snatched it up and went and asked the man how much he wanted for it...and he told me $1.00!? Kind of weird huh? But I didn't ask any questions, just figured it was my lucky day and snatched it up.

Here's a picture of where I hung it in my bedroom. I love this wall because it's the one I look at when I first wake up in the morning. The picture that says "It's a Wonderful Life" was a gift from my sister in law Connie and family. It's just what I need to be reminded of every single morning. The little bunny picture was a thrift find which I found at the American Cancer Society Discovery Store.

At the next Goodwill I found a set of dishes with a grape design that I haven't photographed yet, but I will once I get them hung up in my kitchen and another bowl that I bought just because of the beautiful colors, but I also didn't photograph it. It's more autumn colors.

Then I went to my favorite Goodwill. This Goodwill has mostly books, but a few knick-knacks and pictures. I found a few more things for a Spring and Easter display.

First this aluminum bucket I guess is what it is. Here it is empty...

And here it is after I decorated it with some Easter grass and small colored eggs.

Then I found these beautiful nesting boxes. The all fit inside the big one and you can display just the big one, or all three of them. These are yours April...I remember how you once told me you wanted Russian Nesting Dolls and these are sort of the same thing, but different. But you can't have them yet :0)

I also found this little bunnies tree house decoration...


These bunnies I picked up on my lunch hour Friday at Dollar Tree. Their faces look a little big more like sheep than bunnies, but they have ears and sheep and bunnies are both for Easter so that makes the Easter Bunneeps or Sheennies.

And here's my Easter Mantle display. For less than $20.00 I was able to put this together. The Easter Bunny Garland in the background was purchased last year at an after Easter sale and this is the first time I've used it.

Tomorrow I'll show you my Easter Tablescape.

I love thrifting. These are all unique items that I will enjoy for years plus I spent a great day searching for them.

Oh, almost forgot. I also found these beautiful butterflies that match the colors in my bathroom which are baby blue and baby pink for some reason. I just hope they don't fall off the wall when we close the bathroom door...they seem so fragile.