I thought a little something different was in order for Saturday. So I am starting a Saturday's Tip of the Day!
I've always had to live "within" my means. Being married to a coach and being a teacher myself hasn't left me a lot of wiggle room for luxuries. I decided a LOOOOOG time ago that if I wanted something I was going to have to figure out an economical way to get it, thus was born the "Angela McInnis Inexpensive (ie CHEAP) Way" of decorating. Now if you are loaded, then this post will probably bore you to tears, but for all my economically challenged friends, you may want to try some of this stuff.. You others run to Pottery Barn and shop and rejoin us on Monday. We love you anyway!
I stalk Hobby Lobby and such places and find things that are 50-80% off. Things like out of season floral arrangements...they usually look pretty bedraggled by the end of that time. I will shop for an arrangement with an attractive container and "some" floral elements that are still usable. Then I will bring my little ugly duckling home and either use floral elements that I have or that I pick up while they are on sale and begin to transform. Pictured above is an arrangement that I purchased at Paul Michaels in Monroe, LA. I loved the pineapple-like container. (BTW: for my English teacher friends, I write like I talk...lots of commas, made up words. Please, forgive me. My writing papers would be one HOT mess to grade!) Anyhoo..
I couldn't afford the arrangement the first time I spied it, but when I went back at the end of the season...it was screaming my name. It wanted to move to Mississippi and besides it was 50% off. So I picked up a few "on sale" items...little grass things, the orangey berry clusters...it already had the feathers..and off we went. Another BTW: moss is a great filler..not Spanish, but the kind you can also buy at Michaels & HobLob..you know, the kind fairies and gnomes play in. Arrange it amongst your flowers to fill out the bottom and hide unsightly items. ALWAYS keep a spare bag of moss on the shelf. You never know when you will need it...watch for sales. Moss is the "tissue paper" of the floral world.
I think she turned out rather well, and she now resides in the middle of my dining room table. (Feathers blowing in the wind when the a/c turns on.) My point being, don't walk past a "bedraggled" thing. Adopt it and fix it up and it will become one of your all-time favorite purchases. You do NOT have to have everything from Pottery Barn (don't I wish!)
12 comments:
Please sign me up for the Angela McInnis School of Bow and Floral Design!!!
You bet, Miss B! We have GOT to do that this holiday season. We've been saying it for yrs.!
You are one busy lady. I bet John helps you with your artistic projects don't he?
Wayne
That would be a negative, Jazzycat! He's not exactly artistically inclined, but he's a good fellow anyway!
This is a GORGEOUS arrangement, Angela!! I, too, scrounge around & find bargains at Hobby Lobby, Michael's, & lots of other places I'm fortunate enough to have access to in the BR area. (Will send u some pics of my projects.) It's fun & a challenge to make "a silk purse out of a sow's ear!" lol.
Beautiful arrangement. You never cease to amaze me:)
great post, so inspiring and encouraging to us without money trees! i too am a thrifty girl. couponing,open eyes and an open mind have provided many fine things in our house too! :)
Thank you one and all! Flea Markets and Garage Sales are two of my favorite haunts. I love taking something unwanted and making it "wanted" again! You've got to look at the world a little differently than others do.
Ya'll all need to hang out with this crazy woman on her weekends of seek and create!! BUT understand with all the creativity and keen eye for making "A Silk Purse" from a "Sows Ear" she buys in TWOS- the cardinal sin in decorating!! She is however on the road to recovery with a LITTLE Intervention from ME- her equally Crazy sister!! She will be in ones and threes now- but it HURTS!!!! But she has come up with some amazing MAGIC when it is all said and done!!!
LOVE your feather arrangements. Next time you're in Grenada, stop by my house. Remember, we don't have a HobLob or any of those type stores here. But I never say No to a trip to Memphis or Jackson. I'll look for a bedraggled thing on my next trip. Note to self: There are lots of "bedraggled people" who could probably use a little touch from someone to make them beautiful again
Pat, You got my message!! You just made up my mind about which message to post tomorrow...carrying the "little touch" just a little further! Hope you enjoy it.
My dear Nutty Sister! Symmetry is what keeps me sane...too much on the left,not enough on the right...arghhh! Symmetry makes life smoother, neater and more peaceful for me. You go ahead and be "out of kilter" if you desire. One day, you will come over to my way of thinking...
It's beautiful!
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