...so bad, he's good...

Recognize this man?The new season of Bravo's show "Flipping Out" started last week. I admit, I love this show - about a completely neurotic professional real estate "flipper" from California, Jeff Lewis. Beyond the great homes, Jeff's quirks and personality (not to mention his employees) are highly entertaining.The current real estate market has dealt Jeff some challenges in this season - making the...

.......envy.........

I love to celebrate great "finds" with friends near and far - I am weird that way. And as I move around in this world, I realize how my affection for all things vintage is only appreciated by a special few. One of those few "appreciators" is my friend Allie. Besides being a great mom and friend, the girl has fabulous taste. (Just wait - she recently sent me pics of her home and I will be sharing...

More evidence....vintage influences are everywhere!

Can you guess where these images came from?These images are from a store/catalog that is known for their quality, but mostly contemporary furnishings (not to mention some mighty high price tags).And while I never thought this particular store/catalog would ever give up their clean-lined contemporary point of view.....It seems they are taking notice that design is not all about shiny new, mass produced...

Minneapolis has Style!

Yesterday while out running some errands I allowed myself a treat. No, I did not stop for ice cream....Something even better!I ventured into Minneapolis to one of my favorite sources for vintage/stylish home accessories - a store called Style Minneapolis. The shop's owner Shayne is an energetic creative talent, with an eye for scouting great vintage wares - with a Euro influence - to stock her inspiration-filled...

Simply Fabulous........

I have been very open on this blog about the void left in my life after many of my favorite decorating magazines abruptly stopped being published.So you can only imagine how thrilled I was to learn that some of my favorites in the publishing business had gotten together to produce a new magazine. The name of the magazine, Flea Market Style, seems to be right up my bargain hunting alley!Now dear friends...

Oronoco Finds.........

Oronoco Gold Rush Days Antiques show is hard to describe. Picture a small (tiny) midwestern town turned massive antiques show - literally booths/tents set up one side and down another of every street in the town. Dealer wares ranged from the fabulous to the idustrial to the military to the practical. I was not looking for anything in particular - my house runneth over with LOTS of treasures from...

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood........

I apologize for being behind on my blogging....I promised(long ago it seems) a post with pictures of my unique neighborhood.... so here they are. Every neighborhood is special. Perhaps what makes where we live most special are the people who we are blessed to live alongside. Many times, these same people we would never necessarily choose as friends but they become friends just by proximity.Our...

Junk Bonanaza......with yours truly "Thrifty Mom"

Happy Friday y'all!

Oh, I have so much to tell you about....

First, the reason I have been a bit distracted from my blogging.



Have you heard of the Junk Bonanza? Junk Bonanza is a fabulous juried flea market here in Minnesota. Junk Bonanza's founder is the one and only Ki Nassauer, former contributor to Country Home magazine and co-author of Junk Market Style.

Ki was really the pioneer in the whole "junking" business. She literally made JUNK cool! Repurposing, shopping thrift and flea markets and occasional sales all became a part of the junking movement! This is a picture of the wonderful Ki!


If you read this blog, you know I have only been a resident of the great state of Minnesota for a relatively short time. However, I have been a fan of Ki Nassauer for a long time. I faithfully read her column in Country Home and even own her book. I knew she was from Minnesota so I was thrilled last year when I was able to go to the Junk Bonanza.

Recently, I had the opporutunity to meet with Ki and talk about the Junk Bonanza and her new magazine ventures.

Because I haven't quite figured out what I want to be when I grow up, I also talked to Ki about some of my interests, particularly in styling homes, vintage treasure hunting and all things related....

Long story short. One of our local thrift store will be at the Junk Bonanza promoting thrift store shopping for vintage wares. As part of their promotion, I have been chosen to be the Junk Bonanza's "Thrifty Mom" and have been challenged to style a table scape with items purchased from Arc Value Village Thrift store!

If you are so inclined - think about coming to Minnesota September 17-19 for the Junk Bonanza - it is a wonderful show. Teri and Serena (The Farm Chicks) will be there, signing copies of their new book, as will Mathew Mead (also a former Country Home contributor)....plus yours truly.

It has been a kick and a real honor to even "work" with Ki. Stay tuned for more details......

Oh, and I met the talented Kim from Mimi Charmante today at the Gold Rush Days Antiques Show in Oronoco, Minnesota - SO FUN - more on that later too!

Thank you, Mr. John Hughes.............

I am proud to say I am a girl of the 80's......I graduated from high school in 1985 and college in 1989.....there I have come clean!John Hughes movies defined my high school and college years, especially those starring Molly Ringwald.John Hughes died suddenly of a heart attack last week, at the young age of 59.This past week, I rented a few of my favorite John Hughes films and took a walk down memory...

Get Your Feed Bag On..........

How adorable is this burlap bag, huh?The best thing about purchasing this bag is that 20 bucks from each purchase goes to feed one hungry child in school for one year through the UN World Food Program.I got mine at amazon.com. The bag retails for $60.00 - besides looking oh so hip carrying this bag, you will feel great about helping out a hungry child.How great is th...

Do I detect a theme here???

Is it just me or do I detect a vintage theme going on in home decor? The above graphic is from the Pottery Barn website and promotes their new fall line, definitely full of vintage influence.I think it would be easy-peasy to reproduce these jars - love the number graphic on them!Grain sack pillows - both domestic and European are BIG everywhere in decorating. Leave it to the Barn to come up with...