Jonesing for Jones

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Surprise!  We’re in Minnesota!  Like our last visit, I hooked up with Jen from IHeart Organizing for a shopping trip at Ikea.  A must when we’re back.  We chatted and watched our kiddos the entire trip through Ikea, so I didn’t snap any pictures.  I walked out with two Lindved side tables, a few Ribba frames and a white ceramic planter.  More details when we get around to our projects.  Nothing crazy going on, but it was nice to chat.

After Ikea, we headed to Jen’s house to help make and hem some curtains.  Check out Jen’s post to get more info on our projects.  Unlike our last visit, we remembered to take a picture together.

Then, Jen’s husband slash photo stylist slash photographer decided we should get a picture of us holding the Fresh Home Magazine issue we were both featured in.  Of course, we’re still dorky excited enough, so we did.

Jen (and Bryan) are just as sweet in person as they seem in blog land.  And, their house is equally adorable.  I can’t wait to see how some of their upcoming projects turn out!  Thanks, Jen for letting me invade your home.  We’re already plotting our next visit.

P.S.  If you like Vincent’s bed, check out Ikea’s Lillesand bed.  I think this frame would look wonderful painted a fun poppy color.  Sadly, Ikea doesn’t make a twin size.

What Not to Buy: Figurines

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On one hand, thrifting is a great way to find cheap home decor and much more.  On the other hand, thrift stores are also a great place to find hideous junk.  Goodwill is the cemetery for figurines, it seems.  Like floral cats.

And people carrying water buckets.

Poodle perfume bottles and ugly mini busts.

Overly animated golfer statues are there, too. 

Beware, not all thrift items are thrifty.  Take this clear lidded jar for example.  You can snag jars like these at Target and other big box stores for $10 bucks or less. 

Thrifty price?  $15.00.  I don’t think I’ll take that with me.

Are you also impressed amused by thrift store figurines?  I always seem to find one that I just crack up over.  Quickly followed by one that makes me want to scream in horror.  Be honest, have you ever bought an ugly figurine?  Was it for you?  Or as a gag gift?  Or, did you donate an ugly?  Please share.

Gimme a Giveaway: Poppy and Pinecone

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***This giveaway is no longer accepting entries, Thank You!***

When we shared our state love art from Poppy and Pinecone, you all had an amazing response.

The Poppy and Pinecone shop is filled with fantastic watercolor paintings of states, countries, quotes, and more.  There’s something for everyone.  But, if you have something specific in mind, Elisabeth can make custom piece, too.

Elisabeth makes beautiful art, but she is also very accommodating, sweet, and talented.

I love the colors in each design.

All  images found via the featured Etsy seller’s listing as linked above.

The Goods: One $40.00 shop credit, good for or toward anything in the Poppy and Pinecone shop.

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 what state of the art/futeristic contraption you’d most like to have.   

For additional entries:

1. Add Poppy and Pinecone to your Etsy favs, come back and leave a comment telling us what your favorite item is.

2. Like Our Humble A{Bowe}d on Facebook, come back and leave another comment.

Contest Closes: Thursday, July 28th at 11:59 pm, central time.

Number of Winners: Two!

Ships: Anywhere in the world! 

Other Info: We will select the winner using random.org and announce on Friday, July 29th.  Good luck!!

Thrifty Thursday: July

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Last week, Ev and I stopped in a thrift store while Ben and Vincent did some of their own shopping.  Thrift stores are always hit or miss, but there were so many great items that day.  I fell in love with this metal dresser.

It was in great shape and super clean.  The knobs were a little shabby, but nothing a trip to Home Depot couldn’t change.   The top was a faux wood laminate, but I could paint that.

And it was only $25 bucks.  I tried to convince Ben that we needed it, but he didn’t agree.  I think this would look great painted a bold blue or sunny yellow, though.

Someone also donated an entire Duncan Phyfe dining set.  I have a few Duncan Phyfe chairs, but we don’t need a dining set.

This large $20 coffee could look really great with a coat of paint and a mirrored top.

I don’t have a place for it, but this two tiered end table is oh so mid-century modern.  And, for $10, it could add character to almost any space.

I’ve been loving brass lately, so I thought this heart bowl could look cute in an entry holding loose change and keys.  Or on a night stand corralling jewelry.

In the current condition, these leaves are kinda ugly.  But, if painted gloss white or another fun color, several hanging on a wall could make interesting 3D wall art.

A black and white calla lily canvas for $14.99 isn’t such a bad deal.

And, how about a giant lamp.  The shape and color are great, if only I had a large enough space for it.

Now, onto a few items I brought home.  The sugar and cream containers were only 50 cents at Michael’s, so I had to get them.  The egg crate was 3 bucks at JoAnn’s.  I keep hard-boiled eggs in it and it looks so cute in our fridge.

I scored six Calypso St. Barth plates for $.98 each.  I couldn’t get a good picture.  Luckily, I found this one.

Calypso items were on clearance, so I also grabbed two $.48 purple votive holders for the main bathroom.

While at TJ Maxx, I found a white marble soap pump and matching lidded square box for $5 each.  And, a bottle of Mrs. Meyers lavender window spray.  Seriously, that stuff smells fantastic.

And, you already saw my ceramic garden stool from Ross for only 31 smackeroos.

And, the winner of the Kiss Me Kit from Good Fortune is Jennifer.  She’d like to plant a smooch on Jimmy Fallon because he’s funny.  Me?  I wouldn’t turn down Ryan Reynolds or Dermot Mulroney.  Yes, please.

What is your proudest recent bargain?  Do you have a specific item you’ve been searching for with no luck?

Summer Swap

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Typically, I’ll decorate the house for only a few holidays and seasons.  Nothing major, usually, just a few decorations.  We don’t have a mantle, so our decor switches are few and far between.  Fall and winter we have cozier, darker fabrics, blankets, and pillow covers.  Spring and summer require bright, cheerful colors and lighter weight bedding.

Our spring coverlet is from Ikea.  It’s not as heavy as our duvet, but not too light for the cool weather.

Our summer blanket is from Target.  It’s a simple, light weight knit blanket with a waffle weave texture.

You’ll also notice I swapped the green shams for pink ones for more color.

Because you can’t see the floor in these pictures, I thought I’d give you a glimpse into our daily lives.  Behold, Ben’s side of the bed.

Yep, a shirt, shorts, green circle toy (one of the boys brought that in, not Ben), small bowl, phone charger and unplugged alarm clock.  Ev likes to turn the music on and off and usually sets an alarm to go off at midnight while playing around.  And, I’m too lazy to tuck his bedding in every day.  Somethings just aren’t worth it.

What seasonal changes do you make?  Just bedding?  What do you have on your side of the bed?  Tons of junk like Ben?