And . . . a few more things that you will see at the Bear Valley Grand Opening tomorrow! Hope to see you there!
May 24, 2013
by Gretchen
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May 23, 2013
by Gretchen
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DIY: Framed Chalkboard
Now I know you’ve seen these framed chalkboards all over Pinterest and other DIY crafting blogs, but . . . have you made one yet? And . . . have you ever seen them start with a painting as unique and special as the one below? Probably not. I found this painting at a Goodwill and chose it for the frame—obviously. I’m sad to report that I don’t have step-by-step photos of the process to make a framed chalkboard, but I’m happy to tell you that they are so easy, you won’t even need the photos!
Framed Chalkboard
Materials:
• Frame
• Spray paint in a color of your choice
• Chalkboard spray paint
• Piece of plywood
1. Go to Goodwill and buy a framed picture in the size that you want. Choose it for the frame, not the picture.
2. Take out and put aside everything inside the frame.
3. Take your spray paint in the color that you have chosen, and spray the frame. This will probably take three coats of paint.
4. Take the measurements of the glass from the frame.
5. Go to your local hardware store and have them cut you a piece of plywood to the dimensions of the glass.
6. Spray the plywood with your chalkboard paint. This will take at least 2 coats of paint, it drys really fast.
7. Once the frame and the chalkboard are dry, place the chalkboard into the frame and put the back on. And . . . you’re done!
Note: I have tried to do this by just painting the glass of the frame with chalkboard paint. It works and it looks great, but if you are going to be moving it around, it will break if you drop it. Surprise, surprise!
Use the chalkboard at your next party to label food and drinks, or even to just welcome them to your home. Also, these are practically essential for backyard weddings . . . so useful and they look beautiful.
I’ll be showing you how to do the wine glasses very soon in an upcoming post, so hold on to your chalkboard paint!
As seen on the Fox 31 Everyday Show. These are perfect to place on an easel in the backyard during the summer . . . let your kids go crazy! And, they look so incredibly artsy.
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May 22, 2013
by Gretchen
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New Store Opening!
Goodwill is opening a new store this Saturday, May 25 in Bear Valley! I took a few photos of what is waiting for you. The store opens at 8:00, so get there early. . . and you better make it really early, if you want to be one of the first in line! The new store is in The Bear Valley Shopping Center at 3100 S. Sheridan Blvd. There will be food and prizes throughout the day and . . . Club Blue members get to enter an additional drawing to win a $25 gift card!
There are a ton of shoes for women, men and children. These just happened to catch my eye . . . Lauren, Cole Haan, and Coach!
May 21, 2013
by Gretchen
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Fox 31: Pinterest Projects—Goodwill Style
Last Friday, we had a great time at the KDVR Fox 31 studios showing how you can do your favorite Pinterest ideas with things that you find at any Goodwill store. Click here to watch the video!
One very simple idea to add fun and whimsy to your barbecue or outdoor party, is to simply hang an old frame without the picture from a tree to use as a prop for pictures with friends and family. Goodwill has no shortage of frames, so grab some string or ribbon and have one of these ready for your next gathering.
A cool idea for your herb garden this summer, is to use chalk paint and paint either a rectangle, or the whole pot. Then just write in chalk which herb is planted in each pot. If you watched the Everday Show video, you saw that our herbs were a little tired from being in the sun without water for a little too long . . . it was hot up there! Just make sure to water yours and they will definitely look more appealing.
And how fresh does this look? Ball jars are everywhere at Goodwill stores, use them as a decorative vase on your patio by lining the inside with lemons, limes or oranges. Just cut the lemon in half and put the sliced side against the jar, they will hold the flowers securely in the vase.
All of the photos in this post were found on Pinterest . . . and while you’re there, make sure to follow Thrifting Denver!
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May 20, 2013
by Gretchen
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Three Day Weekend
I know it’s Monday, but I think you’ll agree with me, it’s never too early to think about the weekend—especially a three day weekend! Memorial Day weekend is kind of like the start of summer I think. It’s when everyone breaks out the barbecue grill and sets up the volleyball net. It’s also when your patio table becomes your dining room. I found these very cool dishes, which were not a set, but look fabulous together, at the Thornton Goodwill. And the bright and festive place mats are from the Goodwill on Havana…perfect for the upcoming weekend!
I also found these vintage note cards at Goodwill, a whole unused pack! They are mesmerizing and would be perfect to use to invite a few friends over for a get together in the sun. And . . .
for other occasions. Although I’m not sure what occasion calls for a butterfly pulling a chariot of roses . . . but I’m sure there are many!
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May 17, 2013
by Gretchen
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All About Aqua
There must be something about aqua blue lately—I can’t seem to pass it by. I was looking through my Goodwill photos and found aqua popping up all over the place. I put a few in this post, but believe me . . . there are more.
As I was taking the photos, I seem to have matched aqua with other things that were a cream or jade green color. It made me wonder what other colors look really great with aqua. If you ever don’t trust your own judgement on whether your fuschia pillow goes with your dark blue chair, go to ColorCombos.com. It’s a great resource that can back you up on your sometimes unsure color choices. Here is what I found for aqua, and luckily . . . cream and jade green get along well with aqua!
This strapless dress looks pretty great with the deep cream/vanilla colored necklace.
Decorating your home with aqua is a great way to cool down a room during the too hot summer months. You don’t have to go crazy and paint all of your walls the color of the ocean, just add little touches here and there. Goodwill is filled with “little touches” for your new room.
I love the rooms featured in the photo below from Decoist. My favorite is the bedroom with the aqua curtains and the middle photo with the aqua bowls and the very cool framed map (look for that idea here sometime…I can’t resist, I think I’ll have to do it). Go to the Decoist site if you want to see more hues of blue used to decorate very impressive rooms.
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May 16, 2013
by Gretchen
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Mix it Up
How many times have you gotten dressed and thought that your outfit was just a little too nothing special? The easiest way to overcome that feeling and go from drab to fab? Accessories . . . and Goodwill has a ton. Whenever I feel like I need just that little extra something, I grab a belt or I change my bag for the day. And of course, adding a necklace, a couple of bracelets or a great pair of earrings can be key also.
One of the many great things about shopping at Goodwill, is the amount of variety they have, whether it’s clothing, accessories, dishes, etc. There is always something that fits everyone’s taste or style. And, if there is a new style that is just a bit out of your comfort zone, but you have been dying to try it . . . Goodwill makes it possible without the risk of spending too much money on something you may only wear a few times.
It’s time to trade in your dark, blah winter bag for a spring pick-me-up. And don’t forget to grab a beach bag—pool time is just around the corner!
May 15, 2013
by Gretchen
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Store it with Style
Ok, we all know where most people keep their magazines these days. But I am here to show you that there is a stylish and way more classy place to display and store your magazines . . . a magazine rack! What an idea right? Magazine racks are not as prevalent as they used to be and so can be difficult to find in regular retail stores. Well, good news—Goodwill has them! I see them at pretty much every Goodwill I go to. The rack above really caught my eye because it’s vintage, and . . . it was only $12.99!
There are some very cool, old and new magazine racks that you can buy, but I’m a little bit in love with the one above. Dwell magazine has a post with photos of more vintage magazine racks, including the two below, here. Next time you are at Goodwill, take a look and see if they have a new and improved home for your magazines.
And, one last thing . . . I got the magazine rack featured above at the Goodwill store in the photo below. Any idea which one it is?!
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May 14, 2013
by Gretchen
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Quick Change Artist
Do you ever get tired of looking at the same pictures and artwork you have on your walls day in and day out? I know I do. Here is a quick and easy way to change up your art and bring a little bit of new life to a room that has become slightly stale. Ready? This is so simple that you can almost do it with your eyes closed! But . . . try it with them open first.
Materials:
• Frame with the glass and a mat.
• Silk scarf with an interesting graphic or picture on it.
• Hammer and tiny nails.
First, buy a framed picture from Goodwill that has the glass and a mat. Also, get a silk scarf that you like the pattern or design on it. Silk works better than cotton because it adds a little bit of shimmer and doesn’t have as many hard creases if it has been folded.
Next, after you take off the back, wrap your scarf around the mat inside of the frame. Position it so the part of the scarf that you like the best is going to show.
Now, you have two choices . . . you can cut it out and tape it to the back of the mat, or you can do what I do. I just fold up the edges and tape them together on the back of the mat. I try to tape it as flat as possible so the back of the frame goes on easier. If you do it this way, you can reuse the scarf after you change to a different scarf next month!
The last step is to put the mat with the scarf back in, and put on the back of the frame. I find I usually have to take tiny nails and hammer them in at a few places at an angle on the back to keep the back of the frame tight against the mat.
And there you have it . . . quick change art!
And from the looks of the photo below, I think Goodwill defintitely has a frame that will work for you!
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May 13, 2013
by Gretchen
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Day to Night with One Skirt
Have you ever had to go to multiple events in one day and wished that you had time to change your clothes to suit the event better? Well, I found one perfect piece to make three different looks out of. This simple black pleated skirt can take you from daytime at the office, to happy hour, and on to dinner and a night out. The secret? Elastic waist! Yes, the skirt must have an elastic waist. And with that one thing that is usually a fashion faux pas, you can have three different outfits. It is also obviously very helpful if the skirt is longer, falling below the knee.
DAYTIME: Wear the skirt at your hips. Put on a longer shirt, or a tunic, that is fitted towards the bottom. Then add a long, bold necklace.
DRINKS: Wear the waist of the skirt under your arms with the same daytime shirt and belt it at the waist. No necklace is necessary for this look.
DINNER/OUT: Again, wear the skirt under your arms, but without the shirt. You suddenly have a strapless mini-dress! Put a cool belt around your waist and add a blazer or small, structured jacket with it. Add a longer necklace again, but make sure it is not too bold and doesn’t compete with your belt.
And there you have it—three totally different outfits from one simple piece. You are probably wondering where in the world you are going to find an elastic waist skirt these days. Hint: Goodwill!
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