Thrifter's Paradise

Crafty girls from Texas immediately light up when they hear the word "Canton".

That's right, the giant flea market out in East Texas, only about 2 hours from where I live. And when I say giant, I mean it. The First Monday Trade Days, which occur the weekend before the first Monday of each month, claims to be the largest flea market in the United States. I'd believe it! It operates on over 100 acres of land, and provides space for around 6,000 vendors. There's so much to see that their website recommends you go and stay for the whole weekend.

We used to go as a family occasionally when I was small, but enormous flea markets and small, whiny children don't usually mix. I haven't been back in at least 10 years, so when my friend asked if I wanted to go with her and her roomie I just couldn't say no. 

Even though it was cloudy and had rained, and even though we had to walk a pretty long way from where we parked, it was so worth it. Here's just a few of the cars that showed up for the excitement.


This was hands down my favorite booth. This photo only covers about 1/8 of what they had. Vintage aprons, embroidered tea towels and pillowcases, crocheted tablecloths...I was in 50's housewife heaven.

We spotted lots of college themed things while we were there. All 3 of us agreed that we'd love to have this hanging in our future homes. Go Frogs! 

Becca's rocking chair she got for $70...such a steal!

We only stayed for about 2 1/2 hours, but there were so many things I could've bought. Unfortunately for me, rent was due today so I'm kind of money-less until payday next week. *sigh* But I still had a fabulous time, and can't wait to go back when I have cash to spend! If you're ever in Texas, I'd definitely recommend taking the time to visit Canton. There's something for everyone! :)

Cobbler yum

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/blackberry_cobbler/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+elise%2Fsimplyrecipes+%28Simply+Recipes%29

It's Ok Thursday

{It's Ok...}

...to not be into March Madness (and be obsessed with the NHL playoffs instead) 

...to have senior-itis - when you're not a senior!

...to get up early (like 5am) just so you can have time to blog before school/work

...to listen to Justin Bieber to pump you up this morning (not that I'm doing that or anything coughcough) 

...to be jealous when a friend bakes scones because you're trying to eat healthier 

...to obsessively check your email several times a day (blaming that one on pushy supervisors who want responses ASAP)

...to secretly wish you could have like 5 majors - Everything looks so fun!

...to absolutely hate working out, but love how you feel afterwards

...to stay under the covers "just 5 more minutes"

...to be MORE THAN READY for Friday. Can I get an amen?

Hoping to cook and bake so I can have a couple of recipes up this weekend. That is, if The Boyfriend cooperates and comes over for dinner tonight. ;)

Have a wonderful day!

Dandelion in the Spring

When reading the Hunger Games trilogy, this quote at the end of Mockingjay really stuck with me (as well as with the other girls who read it I'm sure haha). This is how I sometimes think of the relationship between The Boyfriend and I. There have been times that I have gone to him ranting and upset, and he says exactly the right thing to calm me down. Likewise, I'm try to always be there with a soothing word and warm hug when he's having a rough day. 

It took me a while to decide what quote I wanted to use for the art above my couch, but I happened to see the above image on Pinterest and knew immediately that this was the one. Now I just have to buy nails long enough to hang the canvases on.

{The Process}

{The Product}

Not gonna lie, I'm pretty proud of how these turned out. After painting them, I must say I'm a bit addicted to canvas art. With a freezer paper stencil it really wasn't that difficult, and now I want to create more so I can change them out every other month or each season. I'm already thinking of which one I want to use for summer.

Any ideas?

Makeover Monday

It's the first day back at school/work after Spring Break and I have a terrible case of the Mondays. Luckily my 9am class was cancelled, but now I'm sitting at work when I'd rather be laying out by the pool or reading in bed. But alas, I am staring down what will be a very busy week and am trying not to complain too much.

I don't know about y'all, but my apartment is somehow more messy now that I've returned from Spring Break. I'm convinced that messy fairies moved in while I was gone. Or maybe I just keep bringing too much stuff back from home. Either way, the apartment is due for some serious Spring cleaning. Today's Makeover Monday includes some good ways to organize that clutter.

(all ideas found on Pinterest.com)

The area underneath my bathroom sink (and my kitchen sink as well) is so messy. Small stacked crates and sliding drawer office supply caddy cleaned this one up well.

I have tons of teacups and saucers from my grandmother...these would even be pretty sitting on top of my dresser.

I LOVE the contrast between the old rake and the pretty necklaces hanging from it. Just goes to show that you can use almost anything in your home!

These over-the-door shoe organizers are cheap and easy to find, and I've seen them used for many things. I need one to hold all of my therapy supplies.

I don't know if I would use this (my makeup is organized in my bathroom drawer) but I like that you can see everything you have at a glance. Plus you could match it to any color scheme.

I seriously need to go to Lowes and buy a few PVC pipes now. I wouldn't put this out in my room, but it would be perfect for my walk-in closet. Now to go buy more shoes to fill it up...

Do you have any unique storage ideas? Share them with me by commenting below! I'm so disorganized right now, but have been inspired to clean up my act. I now know what my next project will be.

Have a marvelous Monday!

Hockey & Friday's Fancies

This morning, I'm linking up with {Long Distance Loving} for Friday's Fancies. Although this week's theme is March Madness, I must confess that I'm not a basketball fan. It doesn't help that my college team really isn't that great, although we had a decent run this year with a couple of fun upsets against good teams. 

Instead, I'll be posting about my favorite sport: hockey. The rush towards the NHL playoffs has begun, and Dallas is barely clinging to a division lead at the moment. Maybe this outfit post will give them the push to finish strong as we near the end of the regular season. ;) 
Usually I just wear my favorite Stars t-shirt, cute jeans, and sparkly flip flops or converse to the games. But from the moment I saw that mustard lace jacket I fell in LOVE. I am now on the hunt for a similar one...look out Goodwill!

It's Ok Thursday

{It's Ok...}

...to eat that extra helping of mom's home-cooked meal.

...to be perfectly content that you have a different Spring Break than everyone else.

...to really not want to go run (it's so humid down here!!).

...to have declared this week Spring Break 2012: Pinterest Edition.

...to let your dog sleep with you in bed, even though he wakes you up every few hours like a baby.

...to be way bummed that Pretty Little Liars isn't coming back until June.
...to be completely obsessed love the Hunger Games, but not want to face the crowds for the midnight premiere.

...to miss The Boyfriend after only 4 days.
...to wish you had more money to spend on cute warm weather clothing.
...to already be looking forward to Summer!

What's ok with you this week? :)

Oh, How Pinteresting!

I'm linking up with TheVintageApple for "Oh, How Pinteresting" Wednesday this morning (something I haven't done in a long time). This week's pins are all about Spring Break. Our weather is warming up quite rapidly, the birds are singing, and I am home on break while everyone else is back at school. 

But I'm still LOVING my break, and have looked forward to this time to relax and get "fun" stuff done for like the last month. Here are a few pins that make me think of Spring Break

That's all for now...I'm off to craft and then maybe take a solo trip to the park.

Makeover Monday

It seemed to take forever, but I am finally on Spring Break! Unfortunately, none of my friends are. They all had their break last week, and were back in the classroom this morning while I was in bed. But even though I'm not in Florida or partying with a group of friends, I still plan on having a great week. It'll be my last break before summer, so I fully intend on making the most of it. Here's how I'm making over my Spring Break!

Try out fun new hairstyles on Little Sister and me

Bake and cook to my heart's (and stomach's) content

Complete some DIY clothing projects 

(like this sweet Hunger Games shirt)

Whip up some canvas art for the big empty space above my couch 

(I'm really loving the chevron look)

Keep on running...I have a 5K to run in April, and a formal this weekend

(that means no slacking!)

Have you already had Spring Break? What fun things did you do?

Spring Break...

...has officially begun (yes, ours is a week later than everyone else's). 

Sorry for the lack of posting over the last couple of days.

My sister is in town and we're having a blast.

Kinda like this turtle:

Don't worry, photos and a recap will come eventually, along with regularly scheduled blog posts.

But for now, I'm just enjoying my break. Hope you understand. :)

Happy St. Patty's y'all...don't forget to wear green! 

(and try not to get too crazy haha)

3.14

Happy March 14th everyone! Or as I'd like to call it, Pi(e) Day. 

For the record, I absolutely loathe math. I'm way too creative for one right answer. I'd rather be in an English class where I can argue my point and actually sound intelligent. ;)

But, I do love pie. I know there's apparently this whole "fruit vs. cream" debate in the pie-lovers community (does that even exist?). But as much as I've thought about it, I simply cannot make a decision. A warm apple pie with Bluebell vanilla ice cream in the summer is glorious, but sometimes I think nothing can beat my great-grandmother's coconut cream pie (with homemade whipped cream, not meringue, on top). 

Which kind of pie is your favorite? I've rounded up a few scrumptious looking ones to help you make a decision:

See that last one? The banana-coconut cream pie? Little Sister and I will be making that one this weekend. Yes, finally she is coming to visit me and The Boyfriend and I am beyond excited. She's pretty much the coolest teenager I know, and we're going to have a blast this weekend. I'd love to fill y'all in right now, but she reads this sometimes. She's sneaky like that. And I don't want her to find out what all we're going before she gets here. 

But no worries, she takes photos like crazy, so I'll steal a few and put together a weekend recap once we're done tearing up the town! :)

PS...

Remember my white chocolate caramel frap cookies? Well I entered them into 20 going on 80's iron baker challenge, and I would be forever grateful if you voted for me! If you click the photo below it will take you to her blog so that you can vote for my cookies. There are lots of cool prizes up for grabs so cross you fingers that I win.

{THANK YOU!}