Every Friday after school I swing by my hometown's Salvation Army Thrift Store. It may be the highlight of my day depending on how good those students of mine behaved. : )
My success is usually 50/50! I mostly only look at home decor stuff, but I think I am going to start branching out to the clothing section. I live on the edge, I tell ya!
Luckily, last Friday I scored all of this for less than $7 smack-a-roos. Yum!
I've given some of the items a fresh coat of paint and once I decide where to put these little gems I'll definitely let you all know.
How many of you guys love thrifting? Has it been a forever favorite pastime or something you more recently fell in love with like I have?
And, all of you StL readers {if you're out there} where are your favorite thrift stores located? I'm dying to take some trips out to some new ones!
Thanks, loves.
xoxo
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Leopard Print Love
I am in L-O-V-E with leopard &/or cheetah print, to be honest, I can't ever tell them apart--oops. Everything that has a print on it I want to instantly buy. It's becoming an obsession and I have no idea where it came from!
The other day I bought the softest snow leopard print blanket from Big Lots which Scoutie Bear has taken quite the liking to!
I also made a fabulous pair of leopard print heels from JC Penney my friends and wore those babies on the Nate Show! They had a decent sized heel and were surprisingly very comfortable. Score one for me.
I'm still lusting after all of these products though...someone please help me. : )
xoxo
The other day I bought the softest snow leopard print blanket from Big Lots which Scoutie Bear has taken quite the liking to!
I also made a fabulous pair of leopard print heels from JC Penney my friends and wore those babies on the Nate Show! They had a decent sized heel and were surprisingly very comfortable. Score one for me.
I'm still lusting after all of these products though...someone please help me. : )
1. , 2. , 3. , 4.
Are you loving prints, too? Please tell me I'm not alone in this obsession.
It will make me feel better.
It will make me feel better.
xoxo
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Nate Berkus Show Experience - Part 2
So I'm assuming you're up to speed on part 1, right? If not, take a little time to catch yourself right up here.
We left off on Sunday...which takes us to Monday!!
Monday 10.18.10 - Dave and I had a few errands to run in the morning but we made sure we were home in time for our black Cadillac to come and take us to the airport! Say wha--? We had a driver, no joke. It was insanely surreal.
When we got to the airport we made it through security, had a little Wolfgang Puck Express, and boarded our plane with absolutely zero hiccups!
The flight was uneventful {just the way I like them} and we landed in NYC 20 minutes early--woot, woot! We walked what seemed like miles to get to baggage claim, but I didn't care at all. We were in New.York.City...I was dying of excitement. 'Tis true.
When we rounded the corner at baggage claim we saw a guy {our driver} holding a sign with my name.
Shut up.
It happened.
OMG.
Ok, back to the recap. We waited just a couple of minutes, got my luggage, and we were off in our black Tahoe and headed to our hotel. Um, did I mention we still had no idea where we were staying? And, again, I couldn't have cared less.
As we cruised the streets of NYC, I rolled down the window and took about a bazillion photos of everything I saw.
Many of the photos came out blurry because I had no time to think about settings. I just snapped the photo one right after the other! The driver was sweet enough to take us right through Times Square after learning that my husband and I were NYC newbies. He was awesome and I couldn't thank him enough.
We looked every bit like total tourists....I think it was our 3 cameras that gave us away--ha!
Monday night {circa 10:30 p.m} - We checked into our sweet hotel, and hit up the front desk for some tips on how to maneuver the city. We were exhausted and had BIG plans the next day, but we couldn't pass up the few hours in the city that never sleeps.
They recommended that we take the subway to the Empire State building, walk to Times Square, ride the subway back, and end our night with a late night pizza run. We took their suggestions and made the most of our time!
The subway, while I was scared we'd get lost somehow, was actually easy to figure out!



While the menu offered seemingly any food under the sun...we stuck to pizza. Nothing like a 2 a.m. dinner. Yes, sirree!
I spared you the in-color version of this photo. I was looking quite rough at this stage of the game. Please excuse my tired self.
Our NYC night was a total and complete whirlwind and I could've cried from sheer joy. I was that happy. My experience was beyond any words I could ever write here.
And so ends our night in NYC...stay tuned for Part 3 where I dish about Nate. Oooh, Oooh! I know that's what ya'll realllly want. ; D
Oh, and I got news about my segment's air date....mark your calendars and set your DVRs for Thursday, November 4th!!!
xoxo
We left off on Sunday...which takes us to Monday!!
Monday 10.18.10 - Dave and I had a few errands to run in the morning but we made sure we were home in time for our black Cadillac to come and take us to the airport! Say wha--? We had a driver, no joke. It was insanely surreal.
When we got to the airport we made it through security, had a little Wolfgang Puck Express, and boarded our plane with absolutely zero hiccups!
The flight was uneventful {just the way I like them} and we landed in NYC 20 minutes early--woot, woot! We walked what seemed like miles to get to baggage claim, but I didn't care at all. We were in New.York.City...I was dying of excitement. 'Tis true.
When we rounded the corner at baggage claim we saw a guy {our driver} holding a sign with my name.
Shut up.
It happened.
OMG.
Ok, back to the recap. We waited just a couple of minutes, got my luggage, and we were off in our black Tahoe and headed to our hotel. Um, did I mention we still had no idea where we were staying? And, again, I couldn't have cared less.
As we cruised the streets of NYC, I rolled down the window and took about a bazillion photos of everything I saw.
Many of the photos came out blurry because I had no time to think about settings. I just snapped the photo one right after the other! The driver was sweet enough to take us right through Times Square after learning that my husband and I were NYC newbies. He was awesome and I couldn't thank him enough.
We looked every bit like total tourists....I think it was our 3 cameras that gave us away--ha!
Monday night {circa 10:30 p.m} - We checked into our sweet hotel, and hit up the front desk for some tips on how to maneuver the city. We were exhausted and had BIG plans the next day, but we couldn't pass up the few hours in the city that never sleeps.
They recommended that we take the subway to the Empire State building, walk to Times Square, ride the subway back, and end our night with a late night pizza run. We took their suggestions and made the most of our time!
The subway, while I was scared we'd get lost somehow, was actually easy to figure out!



First stop: Empire State Building! $40 bucks for David and I to ride to the observation deck? Sign us up!
Since we got there so late, the place was virtually empty. I can't imagine the wait times during peak tourist hours.
We made it to the look out and enjoyed our views from the 86th floor. They were breathtaking!!

Since we got there so late, the place was virtually empty. I can't imagine the wait times during peak tourist hours.
We made it to the look out and enjoyed our views from the 86th floor. They were breathtaking!!

After our jaunt up the ESB, we took a stroll to Times Square and had a blast people watching and oohing and ahhing. It was like nothing I have ever seen before in my life!


Finally, at nearly 2 a.m. we decided to take the subway back to the hotel and score some NY style pizza.
After about the third restaurant we stopped at, we finally came across Big Nick's and it was open! Woo hoo!
Big Nick's was anything but big in space! However, the food was tasty delicious and super cheap!
After about the third restaurant we stopped at, we finally came across Big Nick's and it was open! Woo hoo!
Big Nick's was anything but big in space! However, the food was tasty delicious and super cheap!
While the menu offered seemingly any food under the sun...we stuck to pizza. Nothing like a 2 a.m. dinner. Yes, sirree!
I spared you the in-color version of this photo. I was looking quite rough at this stage of the game. Please excuse my tired self.
Our NYC night was a total and complete whirlwind and I could've cried from sheer joy. I was that happy. My experience was beyond any words I could ever write here.
And so ends our night in NYC...stay tuned for Part 3 where I dish about Nate. Oooh, Oooh! I know that's what ya'll realllly want. ; D
Oh, and I got news about my segment's air date....mark your calendars and set your DVRs for Thursday, November 4th!!!
xoxo
What's Good In Your Hood {Lehigh Valley of PA}
Hey peeps! We made it to the middle of another week! Woohoo for us! : )
If you want me to search your craigslist, check the list in my sidebar ---> to see if your city's in the lineup, if not, send me an email to Nuestravidadulce@gmail.com and I would be happy to add it to the list!
xoxo
{LOVE this if you can look past the current upholstery!}
If you want me to search your craigslist, check the list in my sidebar ---> to see if your city's in the lineup, if not, send me an email to Nuestravidadulce@gmail.com and I would be happy to add it to the list!
xoxo
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Nate Berkus Show Experience - Part 1
So you might be asking yourself, "How in the heck did Joi get invited to the Nate Berkus Show?"
The answer is quite simple! I entered some photos of our home via his website and the rest is history as they say.
Let's take a stroll through the whirlwind that was the Nate Berkus Experience. It's wordy but worth it!
Wednesday 10.13.10 - Due to Dave's passing out at the vet the previous week, we were on our way to his doctor's appointment in St. Louis. Minutes before David and his dad left to pick me up from school, Dave received a phonecall from an unavailable number. Had it been me, I would have never answered it. {Lesson learned: answer EVERY phonecall from now on!} The caller said they were from the Nate Berkus Show and that they were looking for Joi. David said he was going to pick me up in 5 minutes and the caller said she would call back in 30 minutes. Thus began the wait...
30 minutes then turned into 5.5 hours and I was convinced that David had pulled the biggest prank on me ever. On our way home at approximately 8:00 p.m. we got THE phonecall. The caller said she was from Nate Berkus {OMG} and asked me a bazillion questions about my living room. She wanted to know where I bought every last thing and how much everything cost. Once she was done, she said goodbye, and offered up no further details. I was in too much shock to ask any questions.
5 minutes later, she called back and asked to see photos of me. I emailed them to her right away. Still, she offered no further information.
Thursday 10.14.10 - The producer called me and confirmed that they wanted me on the show. {Cue me freaking out!!!!}
They were going to send me a flip cam to take a video of our space and I was going to be flown out to NYC on Wednesday the 20th and film the episode on the 21st. I still had NO idea what the show was even about! But I didn't care---I was going on the Nate Show, baby!
Friday 10.15.10 - The producer called me in the late afternoon and finally told me what the show would be about {stay tuned!} and that instead of Wednesday I would now be flying out on Monday and filming on Tuesday. {Cue me freaking out again, in a major way!}
Saturday 10.16.10 - I was given strict instructions to allot time to shoot the video on Sunday and I received the flip cam to do so on this day. At this time, I had no agenda, no flight times, no anything really...it was still a big giant question mark and every new phone call brought new info!
My afternoon was spent filling out a 3 page questionnaire about any and everything you could think of. It called for DETAILS. DETAILS. DETAILS! So, I gave them what they wanted.
That night Dave and I made a trip to the mall to buy some TV clothes for me. It was fun and we ate at 5 Guys! {not that you really care :P}
When I got home I had more emails to send more pictures of my space ASAP. Consider it done and done!
Sunday 10.17.10 - Dave's dad, Dave, and I took about two hours to film, upload, and send the video of me in our living room. I had to describe everything in the space in less than one minute!
Once it was done the producer confirmed it was good to go and my work was done!
That evening, still wondering when we were going to leave, we finally received my flight information at 6:30 p.m. Dave and I raced to the computer to reserve tickets for him and luckily, he made it on both of my flights to and from NYC.
And, THAT, my friends, was just the beginning! There's MUCH more to come from this experience! Stay tuned... : )
The answer is quite simple! I entered some photos of our home via his website and the rest is history as they say.
Let's take a stroll through the whirlwind that was the Nate Berkus Experience. It's wordy but worth it!
Wednesday 10.13.10 - Due to Dave's passing out at the vet the previous week, we were on our way to his doctor's appointment in St. Louis. Minutes before David and his dad left to pick me up from school, Dave received a phonecall from an unavailable number. Had it been me, I would have never answered it. {Lesson learned: answer EVERY phonecall from now on!} The caller said they were from the Nate Berkus Show and that they were looking for Joi. David said he was going to pick me up in 5 minutes and the caller said she would call back in 30 minutes. Thus began the wait...
30 minutes then turned into 5.5 hours and I was convinced that David had pulled the biggest prank on me ever. On our way home at approximately 8:00 p.m. we got THE phonecall. The caller said she was from Nate Berkus {OMG} and asked me a bazillion questions about my living room. She wanted to know where I bought every last thing and how much everything cost. Once she was done, she said goodbye, and offered up no further details. I was in too much shock to ask any questions.
5 minutes later, she called back and asked to see photos of me. I emailed them to her right away. Still, she offered no further information.
Thursday 10.14.10 - The producer called me and confirmed that they wanted me on the show. {Cue me freaking out!!!!}
They were going to send me a flip cam to take a video of our space and I was going to be flown out to NYC on Wednesday the 20th and film the episode on the 21st. I still had NO idea what the show was even about! But I didn't care---I was going on the Nate Show, baby!
Friday 10.15.10 - The producer called me in the late afternoon and finally told me what the show would be about {stay tuned!} and that instead of Wednesday I would now be flying out on Monday and filming on Tuesday. {Cue me freaking out again, in a major way!}
Saturday 10.16.10 - I was given strict instructions to allot time to shoot the video on Sunday and I received the flip cam to do so on this day. At this time, I had no agenda, no flight times, no anything really...it was still a big giant question mark and every new phone call brought new info!
My afternoon was spent filling out a 3 page questionnaire about any and everything you could think of. It called for DETAILS. DETAILS. DETAILS! So, I gave them what they wanted.
That night Dave and I made a trip to the mall to buy some TV clothes for me. It was fun and we ate at 5 Guys! {not that you really care :P}
When I got home I had more emails to send more pictures of my space ASAP. Consider it done and done!
Sunday 10.17.10 - Dave's dad, Dave, and I took about two hours to film, upload, and send the video of me in our living room. I had to describe everything in the space in less than one minute!
Once it was done the producer confirmed it was good to go and my work was done!
That evening, still wondering when we were going to leave, we finally received my flight information at 6:30 p.m. Dave and I raced to the computer to reserve tickets for him and luckily, he made it on both of my flights to and from NYC.
And, THAT, my friends, was just the beginning! There's MUCH more to come from this experience! Stay tuned... : )
CSN Stores $100 GiftCard Winner
Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway! The lucky winner decided by random.org is commenter #11:
Anne, please email me {NuestraVidaDulce {at} gmail {dot} com} within 48 hours to claim your prize! I hope you enjoy your $100 giftcard from CSN Stores! : D
Thanks so much for entering.
Monday, October 25, 2010
What's Good In Your Hood {San Antonio}
Good morning, folks. Here's hoping this is the start of a great week! We're headed back down to the great state of Texas today!
If you want me to search your craigslist, check the list in my sidebar ---> to see if your city's in the lineup, if not, send me an email to Nuestravidadulce@gmail.com and I would be happy to add it to the list!
xoxo
{The table's just "eh" but I ♥ the chairs!}
{Envisioning this piece in lacquer finish}
{LOVING this!}
If you want me to search your craigslist, check the list in my sidebar ---> to see if your city's in the lineup, if not, send me an email to Nuestravidadulce@gmail.com and I would be happy to add it to the list!
xoxo
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