Category Archives: on a dime

05.14.13

Spread Thin.

I am one of the worst offenders of spreading myself too thin, but last weekend took it to a whole new level.  My family has a beach condo in Bethany Beach.  Without a doubt, it’s my favorite place on Earth.  I used to spend my Summers there with my mom when I was a teenager.  My dad would come up on weekends and go back to DC for the work week.  I know-  I am totally spoiled.  I get it.  My parents renovated the condo back in 1990 and not much has been done since.  After Mom died, my Dad started renting it out, and on top of the pink and seafoam green decor, the place got uber gross, fast.  So, we were tasked to renovate the place, but because it is still being rented, we had to stay on a budget.
So, my sister Karen and I have been designing and buying for months only to spend last weekend scrubbing, purging, moving and painting to get this place ready for the rental season.  We only had two days, so naturally, we worked through the nights….
 .. and rainy days.  (I found this old rain coat of my dad’s in the closet, reminiscent of Long John Silver.)
There were many trips to the dump….
 as well as two soggy truckloads to a donation center.
Lots of cans of spray paint were used.
To help pull everything together.   This picture will give you an idea of what we were working with before.  (I swear, these pictures were only taken a few years ago.) 
I love my father dearly, but an interior designer he is not.  He is also SUPER.. how shall we say???…. Frugal.  Dad tried to update the kitchen on his own three years ago….  I can’t convey my level of distaste for the poop colored paint job and this granite combo.  (Unfortunately, we are stuck with the granite, but I think we were able to work around it.)
 Styling began.
And we designated placement for lighting, which by the way, we got all of our sconces from Home Depot.
But there is still a lot of work to be done, so we will be heading back in a week and a half to finish what we started.  CRUNCH TIME.  The first renter comes on June 1.
And by 7:30 am Sunday, we were on the road headed home to see our babies for Mother’s Day.  This mommy spent her Mother’s Day in bed with the pipsqueaks.  In two weeks we will lather, rinse, repeat.    I can’t wait to finally enjoy it.  I’ll be sure to share some photos of the finished product as well as some really inexpensive decorating ideas!

05.10.13

Fashion Friday: JCP Saves The Day.

Last week when in Cupertino for work, I forgot to pack a camisole so off to the Cupertino Mall I went. The only store in sight was JC Penney… I was a bit scared beause I hadn’t been in a JCP since I was about 8.  Man oh man, did I like what I saw.  Check out these pants I scooped up for $22.
You can get them here.
You can also find some of these goodies….
I bought this exact bracelet off of Blue Fly a few years ago, and paid a lot more than $44 for it.

Loving this top.
Hot damn, these are hot.

Ikat sundress?  Yes, please.
How sweet are these?  Green?…
or blue?  At these prices, I’ll take both!
I’ll also take the coordinating bangle.

This might be my favorite.

Again, bought these from Bluefly.. You know the drill..

This is so classic, yet so awesome.

Yes, I am not above shopping in the Junior Department.
For some reason, I am digging these abstract hoops.
Front….

Gold and Coral?  Check.

Peplum and lace?  Check.
This skirt would be adorbs with a white tee, turquoise necklace and some gladiators.

Bought this in orange and pink.  Pink is apparently sold out online.

Again… Not above shopping in the Junior Section.

Now that’s what I am talking about.  I hope the newly reinstated CEO doesn’t undo all of this fashion-goodness!

05.08.13

Your Perfect Spring Dress.

I had a slew of Instagrammers and Readers alike ask about the dress that I wore to E’s Communion.
 I bought it here, but unfortunately it’s mostly sold out.  Wanh… Wanh….  Side note:  I actually had the sleeves altered to a cap sleeve because the original sleeves were pretty awkward on a girl of normal size.   Anywho… I went and found a few close-seconds for those of you that are interested…
Love this one.
I thought this one was pretty awesome too.
This little number is perfect for a Summer wedding.
Love this.
I think this is pretty awesome.
BAM!  Love it.
Love the colors here.
It says this is a prom dress… but I’d wear this any day!  I call it eclectic feminine. 😉

10.18.12

Overstock.com

It’s no secret that I am a big fan of Overstock.com.  I have had some major scores there… Like our kitchen rug or bedroom bench to name a few.  Here are some steals that I found on my latest hunt.
Love this Mosaic tile.
 How gorgeous is this gold and marble table?
Seriously contemplating this chandy for our guest bedroom.
Sunburst Mirror on the cheap.
The fabric on this ottoman is so versatile.. great to use instead of a coffee table (especially if you have little ones learning to walk!)
I am in love with this bed.
Fabulous pillows.
This rug is a great Madeline Weinrib knockoff!
Who doesn’t love a tufted ottoman?
Loving this baby.
This curved bench would be so perfect at a large round table.  I would definitely want to reupholster it. 😉