MN Thrifting

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A trip to Minnesota wouldn’t be complete with out a thrift store stop.  Between our December trip and now, a new thrift store has opened up near my parent’s home.  Curious, we stopped in one day, just to take a peek.  Obviously, thrifting is hit or miss, but I was pleasantly pleased with how many large furniture pieces they had.  Sadly, I couldn’t take anything home with me.  But, I had a good time browsing.  Kitchenwares are always abundant.  I loved this gold striped bowl.

Silver rimmed stem ware could also double as pretty candle holders.

These green ceramic canisters are cute, functional and cheap.  The large was $3 and the small only $2.00.

I spotted this $25 mid-century modern end table for my sister.  She’s been on a MCM kick for her new home.  She loved it, so we took it before someone else could.

Of course, we saw some junk, too.  Really, when was this creepy girl lamp ever acceptable?  I’d think your kid wouldn’t be able to sleep because of the distant stare.

Oh, look.  Another cat figurine.

I’m actually kinda undecided on this brass knight head.  With a coat of spray paint, and in the right setting, like a geeky man’s office, I think this could look cool.  Sort of how the bright Buddha head statues are all over.

What do you think of Sir Knight?  Are poppy painted knight busts the next big design trend?  Or flop?  Probably neither.

Advertise with Our Humble A{Bowe}d

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We shared our first post in May 2010 to document the progress on our house.  Since then, we’ve added nearly 400 posts.  We like to share one new post five days a week.  Though we’re still small, our fan base is growing each day.  We’re honored to have been featured on Apartment Therapy, Young House Love, IHeart Organizing and more.  Now, we’re Fresh Faces!

Your sidebar ad is visible on every page, exposing your shop to our readers.  Each month, we have about 50,000 page views.  In addition to your ad, we’ll also thank you for supporting this blog in a post, like this one, each month.

For only $15 PayPal payment per month, you can reserve your own 150 by 150 pixel ad slot.

If you’d like to run any sales or promotions for Our Humble A{Bowe}d readers, we’re happy to spread the good news, both on our sidebar and in each thank you post.

Ready?  Set?  Go!  Send us an e-mail at ourhumbleabowed@gmail.com to get started.

Gimme a Giveaway: Gadanke

Published on by Our Humble Abode34 Comments
Recently, a fellow Montanan, Katie, contacted me to see if we could team up to host a giveaway of one of her fantastic journals.  After checking out her products, I happily agreed.
Gadanke is committed to celebrating your story by documenting who you are, what you crave and believe.  Handmade journaling products at Gadanke are filled with creative writing prompts and tidbits to make you think (and laugh!).  These baby books, prayer journals, travel books, and diaries make your writing process more meaningful and fun!  Plus they’re totally eco-savvy with 100% recycled papers.

The Goods: One $25 gift certificate to Gadanke

To Enter: Subscribe to follow Our Humble A{Bowe}d, if you’re not already.  To subscribe, click the “Sign Me Up!” button under “Be the first to know.”  Once you’ve subscribed, leave a comment, which can (but doesn’t have to) include our Just for Fun question.

Just for Fun: Tell us which journal you’d like and why you’d choose that one.  Giving it as a gift?  To remember your travels?  To share with your baby 20 years from now?

For additional entries:

1.  Follow Gadanke on Twitter.  Then, leave a separate comment telling us so.
2.  Like Gadanke on Facebook.  Be sure to leave another comment for an additional entry.
3.  Subscribing to Gadanke’s blog, again, leave another comment.

Contest Closes: Thursday, August 11th at 11:59 pm, central time.

Number of Winners: One!

Ships: Anywhere in the U.S.

Other Info: We will select the winner using random.org and announce on Friday, August 12th.  Good luck!!

All  images found via the Gadanke website.

Fold Over, and Over, and Over

Published on by Our Humble Abode28 Comments

So, this is by far the most earth-shattering post to date.  Not really, though.  Only my fellow OCD geeks will think it’s the coolest thing since sliced bread.  Today, kids, we will learn how to fold a fitted sheet!  See, I told you it was earth-shattering.  As in any class, some of you will already know how to do this, but for the rest of you, read carefully.  In today’s lesson, we’ll learn how to go from this:

To this:

Ready? Okay!  (That was by best, most obnoxious cheerleader impression to get you psyched.)  First, find one corner.  Place a finger in the right side of the sheet, so you see the inside.

Do this to the opposite corner, too.  Then, bring your hands together and touch your fingertips together.

Keeping your hands together, roll one of the corners over the other.

Allign the seams according to your OCD specifications.  Then, do this to the other two corners.

Once you’ve done that, keep your corners together and lay the sheet on a flat surface.

Straighten the elastic some.  Then, fold into thirds or quarters.

I fold my outer edges toward the center, just so the outside edges aren’t showing.

And finally, into thirds or quarters again, or whatever size will fit in your closet.

Now, wasn’t that fun?!?  More fun than a barrel of monkeys.  For extra credit (and even more folding fun) try folding your plastic bags to save space.

Did you already know how to fold a fitted sheet?  Or do you already fold your plastic bags?  Got any other space-saving tips you’d like to share?  Are you crazy like I am and have to have all towels, sheets and blankets folded the same way?  Please tell me I’m not alone.

Our Humble Sponsors: August

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July came and went before we could get a sponsor post out, but that doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate Jen at IHeart Organizing and our newest sponsor, Samantha Kay Jewelry.

You all remember my blog bud Jen.  How couldn’t you?  She’s amazingly talented and we recently visited with her and her family.

Jen is an organizing guru, sharing real life organizing solutions on her blog, like keeping Tupperware containers contained.

And, you can snag printable check lists and labels in her Etsy shop.

Samantha Kay Jewelry is a new Etsy shop, but chock full of beautiful accessories.  The Mary Kay Cadillac Necklace is beautiful and simple.

The Lil Jon Necklace is interesting and unique.

How about this Cinderella Necklace?  So pretty.

I really love Samantha’s interesting jewelry designs and creative names.

Two amazing sponsors, two great Etsy shops, and one blogger keep this humble blog running.  Thank you so much for your support and sharing your creative gifts with the world.