Thrifty Little Things Today

GUILFORD COUNTY CHALK PAINT & CHALK COUTURE CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

2018-02-22T19:46:00.000-05:00

GUILFORD COUNTY CHALK PAINT CLASSES - ANNIE SLOAN FURNITURE PAINTING WORKSHOPS

HIGH POINT & GREENSBORO AREA FURNITURE PAINTING CLASSES -Backed by 23+ Years Experience and using The Original and ONLY Chalk Paint, created in 1990 by Annie Sloan

***DECO ART FEATURED HELPING ARTIST

Chalk Paint Classes and Deco Art specialty & faux finish painting classes!
Check the schedule on Facebook !

RESERVE YOUR SPACE BY CLICKING THE PURCHASE BUTTON BELOW: Secure Payments via STRIPE

See why you are not getting that fine furniture look with your latex based paint, copycats and homemade recipes!

Workshops and Paint Classes held at my location or yours! Have at least 2 friends in addition to yourself and I will come to your location on a date and time of your choice!

Sharing my 23+ year passion for painting furniture and creating, we utilize my paint, wax & supplies for groups of 2 or more...paint your own Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ piece or design your own Chalk Couture Sign or Chalkboard! With 23+ years experience painting furniture, I have lots of techniques & tips to share for whatever look or style you want to create!

Chalk Couture Workshops to create your own professionally designed signs, chalkboards & more!

Providing you with Chalk Paint™, Wax, Sanding elements, Chalkology Paste, Transfers, Stencils and/or faux finishing elements and so much more - everything needed to create beautiful pieces!

Classes and Workshops with a maximum of 15 and get booked quickly so PREPAY EARLY to reserve your spot!

If you want to host a Chalk Paint, Deco Art or Chalk Couture wokshop at your home and have at least 2 friends to join you, I work with you on painting and waxing a larger piece, such as a chair, side table, etc.

For Chalk Paint Classes & Workshops, each person brings their own piece. For the beginner and BYOP (Bring Your Own Piece) classes, this can be a frame or decor item - anything from candlesticks to lazy susans or a small shelf...just whatever you have that you want to give new life to!

All Classes and Workshops last about 2 hours, to allow time for paint to dry, sand and then wax. You will learn more than you imagined and it is a lot of fun!

Prepayment is required, a minimum of 1 week in advance so that I have my schedule set and sufficient supplies in stock. I will accept cash in person or I can take cards here or through the Paypal Mobile app - you do NOT have to actually have Paypal in order to pay - it's just who I use to process credit card payments online.

Several types of classes are available for different paint, wax and distressing techniques at varying prices. Price for your first class or workshop is based on a 1 color technique with distressing and waxing of a small item (frame, candlestick, decor item, etc.)

You may book and confirm your class below with prepayment at least 1 week in advance. I can also accept credit or debit via phone or cash in person if preferred.

I CAN'T WAIT TO CREATE WITH YOU!

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RESERVE YOUR SPACE BY CLICKING THE PURCHASE BUTTON BELOW: Secure Payments via STRIPE

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DISCLOSURE: ThriftyLittleThings.net is a PR Friendly personal blog written and edited by Wendy Kohn. The majority of what I post is based on my own ideas, thoughts and projects, for the sole purpose of sharing my passion. However, at times I do accept various forms of compensation such as paid topic insertions and/or products, monetary sponsorship, coupons and other forms of incentives from companies and organizations that I feel compliment the blog, and offer value to my readers. Compensation will never influence the content or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. As the owner of this blog, I am sometimes compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though I may receive compensation for posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own and will NEVER be influenced by any form of compensation.

8 MUST HAVE HOME DECOR UPDATES FOR FALL 2016

2017-09-10T04:20:00.000-04:00

I put together this awesome selection of MUST HAVE updates for Fall! And they're running 30% OFF right now! I'm IN LOVE with the Chalkboard Table Runner for family get togethers! And those Copper String Lights would be perfect inside or out for any fall style!

Click through below to see the entire fall collection I put together and let me know how I did! Do you like my selections?

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HOMEMADE STROMBOLI RECIPE: HAM & SWISS STROMBOLI FOR ANY OCCASION

2016-10-06T21:06:00.000-04:00

I confess, I've been holding out on you all. My family has a recipe that my mom has been making for everything from Christmas to my birthday that goes back to my childhood days. It's one of my very favorites, always my choice when asked what I wanted my mom to fix for my birthday. And yet....I have never shared it with you all! It's highly coveted in our family, but I decided I would spill the beans...or in this case, the Ham & Swiss! It's just too much goodness to keep to ourselves!

So, here I go, sharing yet another family secret...my mom's Homemade Stromboli Recipe. It is Ham & Swiss yumminess that you can fix for any occasion! It can also feed quite a few adults, unless, of course, it becomes a fave like it is in my family and everyone grabs up as many pieces as they can get their hands on!

This Ham & Swiss Stromboli is actually quite simple to make. The hardest part, or the one that takes the most preparation and time, is the dough. However, once you've got that process down, you'll find it very easy compared to the more complex look.

If you have a hard time finding the exact brand or type of dough that I use, any will do, including homemade, which I used to use when I had a bread machine with a dough setting.

For my always hungry, homemade ham & swiss stromboli loving family, one loaf/stromboli can feed us all. If I'm planning to have company, I will make a second one.

The other thing I really like about this recipe is that I can make it the night before and then cook it the next day. And leftovers, 2nd time heated is always awesome!

Here goes!

Ingredients:

1 Frozen White Bread Loaf - I find this in the freezer section of my Ingles grocery store with the frozen biscuits or pastries. The brand name I buy is "Rhodes" and it comes in a pack of 3 loaves.

1/2 Pound very thinly sliced Ham - packaged or from the deli

1/2 Pound Swiss Cheese (shredded or on the block and grated)

All Purpose Flour (just enough to roll out the dough onto)

1/2 Stick of Butter

I was in a hurry when I made this one and I will update photos the next time that I fix it, so I had to use what I had on hand which was sliced cheese (hey, it all melts the same anyways!) It's also NOT the prettiest one because I stretched the dough very thin so I could get more pieces out of it since I was making just one and my son had a friend over.

Take your frozen loaf and place on a buttered cookie sheet. I place a wet/warm towel over it and leave it out to thaw and rise for about 5 hours. I re-wet/warm the towel as I need to.

Roll out your dough and stretch it as far as you can. You'll aim for a rounded square or oval type of shape.

Once all rolled out, butter thinly all over or place small tabs of butter all over.

Cover with ham evenly all over.

Sprinkle your cheese all over.

Then gently and evenly roll it up and onto your cookie sheet. I use a dab of water to make sure the edge sticks and leave that portion on the bottom of the strombli. I then pinch the edges and turn them under on each end.

Cut 3-5 small slits in the top of your roll to let the steam out and keep it from busting open while it bakes. I also put a few tabs of butter across the top.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 20-30 minutes or until the bread starts to brown on top and your cheese starts bubbling.

Once you remove from oven, allow about 5 minutes to cool before slicing. I use my electric knife to slice evenly without tearing up your stromboli.

Ham & Swiss sounds so simple but I promise you, it's never tasted so good! This Ham & Swiss Stromboli will become a requested favorite from the first time you serve it!

Once you master your art with the dough and sizing of the stromboli roll, you can add in anything else your family likes or switch it up altogether and use a tomato sauce, pepperonis & mozzarella! The possibilities are endless!

Leave me a comment below and let me know if you make it or have any questions!

Get more of my family's favorite recipes HERE!

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4000 FACEBOOK FAN CELEBRATION GIVEAWAY: $500 ONLINE SHOPPING SPREE

2016-09-28T21:21:00.001-04:00

It's that time! The 4000 Facebook Fan Celebration Giveaway! Who's ready for a $500 Online Shopping Spree?

The only requirement to enter is that you are a Facebook Fan, however I've included ways you can gain BONUS ENTRIES by following Thrifty Little Things on our our social media pages like Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter! You'll gain 5 Additional Entries for each of these!

So, without further to do....let the entries begin!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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2 SECRETS TO PAINTING GLASS OR CHALKBOARDS WITH CHALK PAINT

2016-08-22T07:30:00.000-04:00

I've been painting my own Chalkboards and painting on glass such as old windows, long before it became all the rage. In that time, I developed my own secrets and techniques to make them super smooth and to keep the paint from scratching, even with harsch kids chalk writing and extreme wear.

So, here I go, sharing 2 of my trade secrets to painting glass or chalkboards with Chalk Paint! And as usual, when I say Chalk Paint, I mean the one and only, trademarked name "Chalk Paint", which is Annie Sloan paint. I don't recommend other brands of paint that claim to be "Chalky" or "chalk type" because they do not contain the same patented ingredient combination that Annie Sloan trademarked over 20 years ago that is proven to stand up with wear and time.

The first step to painting on glass (for this post, we'll say an old window) or to create a chalkboard is to make sure your surface is bump free and dirt free. Because you'll be writing on it, the tiniest little bump or indention can create problems.

I clean the glass initially with a window cleaner and then follow with alcohol to ensure removal of any trace chemicals that can ruin the consistency and adhesion of your paint.

Wood surfaces, such as the cabinet door samples I show here, I simply sand lightly with a very fine grit paper.

Once you know you are working with a smooth, clean product, it's really not as simple as painting on the Chalk Paint and all of a sudden having a chalkboard. Not if you want it to have the look of an aged chalkboard and to last for years to come.

Here are the steps! Follow closely and I assure you that your quality outcome will be that like example I showed above that was used at a wedding and then kept to be reused many times over.

Supplies You Will Need:

Glass Cleaner, Alcohol, 220 grit/Fine Sanding Pad or Paper

1 Can Aerosol Chalkboard Spray (THIS IS NOT FOR YOUR FINISH, but used as a prime spray to get a smooth coat before you apply your Chalk Paint, instead of using an extra coat of Chalk Paint. It is easier to get that smooth base finish by spraying and it is cheaper! If a dual sided glass such as a window, I also spray the back just to darken the base color coat and in case of the tiniest knicks showing through. This step is the first of my 2 secrets to painting on glass after many years of adjusting my process.

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in color GRAPHITE

1 Clean, Even/Smooth paint brush of your choice. (See my recommendations HERE)

Clear Paste Wax (Learn more about this HERE) This is secret #2, as chalkboards DO NOT get sealed, but we are going to seal in a bottom coat, and then chalk on top of it for use.

Clean Dry towel (think cloth baby diaper!) to apply wax. No need to buff.

Your Project piece - an old window, a frame with the glass in it, or any object you want to transform into a chalkboard

Chalk to season your board (learn more below) BEFORE you ever write on it .
Now that you have all your items, you're ready to get started!

1: clean
2: spray/prime
3: paint
4: seal - remember, no need to buff as you'll be painting over this coat. You are just applying the wax to lock in this coat.

You'll want to then let this completely cure overnight or for a good 24 hours.

Next, apply a thicker yet uniform coat of Graphite. Because you have the base spray coat, you can avoid problem edges by going just up to them instead of needing to coat inner corners and edges fully and risking overflow onto the wood,etc. Once it dries, you will not notice because of the base spray. NOTE..... You DO NOT seal it this time.

Let it dry for another 24 hours

Now you are ready to season your chalkboard. If you write on your chalkboard without doing this first, whatever you write will be forever etched into it. You MUST season the board first! Do this by laying a piece of chalk on it's side and wiping over the entire board in all directions. Wipe off with a dry, clean towel and repeat.

Your new chalkboard is now ready for anything you like, as fancy or functional as you want it to be!

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THRIFTY LITTLE RECIPE: HOMEMADE CHEESY FIESTA POTATOES

2016-08-02T14:30:00.000-04:00

I thought it was time to share a quick & easy recipe from my kitchen! This is one of my kids and entire family's favorites, not to mention that it is one of the simplest and cheapest to make!

My daughter loves Taco Bell's "Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes" and so I created this recipe one night when she wanted Taco Bell and my budget said no to eating out!

Minimal ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen!

Start with potatoes and use as many as you want based on how many you are feeding. When I photographed these, I was only feeding 4 of us and had other side dishes, but many times in the past I have made much more and served it by itself with just a meat. Potatoes and starches in general are very filling, so it works either way!

Simple Steps:

1) Peel your potatoes

2) Cut potatoes into halves or slices. Large enough that they won't get too mushy when boiled.
3) Boil potatoes until tender but not too mushy, then drain
water

4) Pour potatoes into a casserole dish of choice ( I spread butter and grated parmesan on the bottom of dish)

5) Add butter (lots!) and your choice of seasonings and cheeses. (I use Lawrys Seasoning Salt and Grated Parmesan Cheese. If I happen to have any leftover shredded cheese in the fridge, I top them off with that.

6) Place in 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes or just until they start to brown
7) Serve and enjoy!

This is a great impromptu choice if you keep potatoes in the house-just use whatever seasonings you have on hand and experiment, based on your households favorites. Mine love cheese, so it's an easy one!

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CHALKPAINT CHAIR MAKEOVER: MID CENTURY MODERN TO FRENCH CHIC

2016-07-21T01:28:00.000-04:00

Like they say, one man's trash is another's treasure and I found this Mid Century Modern chair on the side of the road last week with a pile of more "junk". It was in great condition for a makeover. Tan leather, wood legs that though worn, were sturdy. So, of course, off to my house she came!

The minute I saw it, I knew it was perfect for another Chalkpaint Chair makeover, just for myself this time!

My style at home is a combination I call french chic and my colors are mostly neutrals, so I chose to paint it with Annie Sloan Paris Gray and later decided to add the stencil in Graphite, painting the legs to match.

Since it was already leather, it was an easy, no brainer with Chalkpaint! No need to water down the paint as it doesn't soak into leather like it does fabric. So all I had to do was grab my favorite brush and go! I then sealed with clear wax for wear and she was added to my living room.

Being a mid-century modern piece, it's the low profile lounge type chair, which my grandbaby says is just her size. So, she insisted it go beside her toyboy (Which is a vintage shoemaker's crate I found years ago and fell in love with).

A usual, changing one thing in my living room, prompts me to do more...so I have another chalkpaint chair makeover - a 70's shaggy velvet style fabric that I've been planning to paint and this gave me the motivation to hop to it! Coming soon so stay tuned!

Here you can see from beginning to end! I love how it turned out...just my style!

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ThriftyLittleThings.com is a personal blog written and edited by Wendy Kohn. The majority of what I post is based on my own ideas, thoughts and projects, for the sole purpose of sharing my passion. However, as a full time Blogger, there are times that I do selectively accept various forms of compensations such as cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions and/or products and other forms of compensation and incentives from companies and organizations that I feel compliment the blog, and offer value to my readers. Compensation will never influence the content or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. As the owner of this blog, I am sometimes compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though I may receive compensation for posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own and will NEVER be influenced by any form of compensation.

DIY DOG GROOMING: THRIFTY LITTLE PET CARE

2016-06-05T00:10:00.001-04:00

DIY DOG GROOMING TIPS: THRIFTY LITTLE PET CARE

There is no reason to spend an absurd amount of money getting your dog groomed by a professional groomer. Many dog groomers charge an outrageous amount of money for getting your dog groomed when all they really need is for someone to give them a basic grooming and nothing more. For this reason alone, DIY grooming is the best route to take, and with a few simple techniques in mind, you’ll be on your way to making your fur baby look their best without breaking the bank.

Washing Your Dog

When washing your dog, place a non-slip mat into your bathtub. This will make it easy for your dog to stand up the entire time without slipping or falling down. Once the pet is in the tub, wash your dog from the back towards the front with baby shampoo. After you’ve washed the entire dog’s body, dry them with a towel and start on washing the face. The reasoning? When a dog’s face is wet, it will shake its entire body, meaning you’ll have more of a mess to clean up later. With a body that is dry minus the head, the mess will be nonexistent.

If you find a towel doesn’t dry them off very well, feel free to use a hair dryer on the lowest setting so you don’t harm their skin.

Brushing the Coat

When brushing your dog’s coat, use a soft plastic comb. Ensure that you’re combing the dog’s coat in the direction of hair growth, giving your dog a great finish. You probably want to comb your dog once a week, but be sure not to comb them too much or the skin could become damaged.

Trimming the Nails

One of the most difficult aspects of grooming your own dog is trimming their nails. Especially on dogs with dark nails, it can be difficult to know where the excess nail ends and their actual nail begins. For this reason alone, you need to pay close attention where you are cutting before you trim their nails.

To trim their nails, first purchase a dog nail trimmer from your local pet store. These trimmers are specially made to cut a dog’s nails as easily as possible, and once you get the hang of it, it isn’t difficult. However, when trimming, keep a close eye for their “quick:” which will look darker than their “excess” nail. Once you see it, you’ll know what it looks like, however if for any reason you're nervous, you may want to consult a professional groomer before trimming the nails.

Trimming the Hair

Trimming a dog’s hair differs from breed to breed. If you’re unsure as to the proper way to trim your dog’s coat, ask a trusted groomer before you begin. Many times, hair clippers specially made for dogs will suffice, and if you go this route, you’ll want to ensure that the clippers are well-oiled before you begin. As with combing the dog’s hair, trim the hair in the direction of the hair.

Grooming Will Come Naturally (Eventually)

It’s true: after some practice, you’ll be able to groom your pet to perfection every time. However, this will obviously take practice, so if you’re not satisfied with the grooming of your pet the first time around, do not get discouraged. Rather, learn from your mistakes and fix them the next time. Nobody is perfect the first few times you groom, but after a while, grooming your pet will feel natural.

Guest Post by Allison Kingsley, a proud dog owner that loves to take care of her dog on her own. She wants you to follow her on Twitter (@DomesticAllison) for more tips!

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ONE ITEM THAT CAN COMPLETELY CHANGE YOUR LOOK: RE-DECORATE IN LESS THAN AN HOUR

2016-06-02T16:07:00.000-04:00

I mentioned earlier this week that I have an obsession with throw pillows! Especially those with quotes & sayings on them. My obsession aside, decorative pillows are the one item you can use to completely change the look of any room. You can totally re-decorate in less than an hour!

Add a couple bright & colorful pillows and matching lampshades to pull it together and you won't believe the difference!

I compiled this huge selection from various sources with some of my favorites of the moment. I can never have too many throw pillows!

Interior Illusions Diamond Circle Pillow • $39

Interior Illusions Birds Pillow • $39

Levtex 'Holy Chic' Pillow - Beige • Levtex • $39

Dot & Bo Emblems Pillow - Large • Dot & Bo • $37

Dot & Bo Hopscotch Pillow - Large • Dot & Bo • $37

Birds in Tree Embellished Pillow • Pier 1 Imports • $34.95

Surya Aqua, Lime and Cobalt Geometric Pillow-Available in Three Different Sizes-ALL SIZES ON BACKORDER UNTIL MAY 2016 • The Well Appointed House • $30

Rosette Pillow, Slate • Lulu & Georgia • $30–62

Memories VII Butterfly Square Outdoor Throw Pillow • $29.99

Romantic Glam Bee and Floral Wreath Pillow • Pier 1 Imports • $29.98

Stacked Farm Animals Pillow • Pier 1 Imports • $29.95

Embroidered Flower & Butterfly Script Pillow • Pier 1 Imports • $29.95

Holiday Deer Suede Pillow - Tan • $24.29

Baroque Paisley Pillow - Teal • Pier 1 Imports • $23.96

Levtex 'Believe In Your tSelfie' Pillow - White • Levtex • $23.40

Mud Pie Anchor Ikat Pillow • Mud Pie • $22

Youngs Happy Place Pillow • $21

Dot & Bo Vintage Phone Pillow • Dot & Bo • $20

Made In India 20x20 Floral Medallion Pillow • $19.99

About Face Designs Dream Big Pillow • $19.95

Cabana Geometric Pillow - Lemon • Pier 1 Imports • $14.98

Beaded Owl Pillow - Silver & Gold • Pier 1 Imports • $14.98

Primatives by Kathy Follow Arrow Pillow • $12.50

Park B Smith Park B. Smith75 Rue De St Martin Feather Decorative Pillow • $41.99

MARY JANES HOME MaryJane's Home Cotton Clouds Square Decorative Pillow • $29.99

Park B Smith Park B. Smith Initial Throw Pillow • $29.99

Cane Square Decorative Pillow • JCPenney • $18.99

JCP HOME JCPenney HomeTM Belle Petals Decorative Pillow • $19.99

Park B Smith Park B. Smith World Tapestry Decorative Pillow • $29.99

Which one is your favorite? I'm always partial to any with French Script writing but I also LOVE the deer head silouettes!

MONDAY MOTIVATION: FOLLOW YOUR ARROW

2016-05-30T14:08:00.001-04:00

Another Monday is here! I must confess that I have a ~~obsession~~ love for decorative pillows with quotes, as you'll see in a post yet to come this week and this one was perfect for the quote today!

As the story goes, an arrow has to be pulled back before it can launch forward. I think my life has required quite a few arrows, but that's okay! One of these days, I know that it will land in that perfect place. Until then, I'll take note of today's Monday Motivation quote, "Follow Your Arrow" and I'll keep on keeping on!

Hope everyone has a great week!

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OLD WHITE BEDROOM SET MAKEOVER + IN HOME CUSTOMER PHOTO!

2016-05-27T03:50:00.000-04:00

I absolutely LOVE when my customers send me their In Home photos of pieces I have custom painted for them! My customer, Jennifer, picked out the nightstand that I had already painted in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint using Paris Gray and Old White. In addition to the nightstand, she wanted me to do a headboard and footboard in Old White, with distressing on the details, to complete her guest bedroom.

Unusual for me, I completely forgot to take an unpainted BEFORE photo, but I did snap a pic before I started sanding! You can see the headboard here, with a thin coat of Old White, before I went to town at bringing out all the beautiful curves and details by hand sanding.

This is another of those times where I tell you that the pieces would have been ruined had I chosen to seal them with a wax, clear coat or sealnt from any local store. Commercial paste waxes and sealeants contain ingredients that would have turned that beautiful Old White into a dirty yellowish color, wasting all the paint and time I spent! As always, I used Staples Clear Wax and the final product was and is still just as beautiful as the day I painted it!

She just sent me the photo of both of the pieces finally set up in her guest room, and I think they look great! Both pieces were very boring, blah and outdated brown pieces. Just a little Annie Sloan chalk paint with some sanding and I think they made for a great budget makeover! What do you think? Do you have some pieces in your home that could use a budget makeover?

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Linking up over at Foodie Friday and Everything Else Link Party

HOUSEWARE DEALS: MIKASA LINDSEY DINNERWARE SET

2016-05-25T09:56:00.000-04:00

Today's Thrifty Little Deal at Houseware Deals would also make a super gift for anyone just starting out (Think Graduates & Newlyweds this time of year!) The Mikasa® Lindsey Dinnerware Set with a regular price of $143, is slashed to just $54 TODAY! That's $89 OFF the retail!

This 16 piece dinnerware set, service for (4) includes:
(4) each:

10-1/2 inch dinner plate

8 inch salad plate

7 inch (26 ounce) soup/cereal bowl

2 inch natural-bristle basting brush

16 ounce mug

All for just $54 !! Definately a Thrifty Little TODAY ONLY Deal !

If you haven't shopped Houseware Deals before, Houseware Deals was the FIRST EVER Daily Deal site that devoted exclusively to name-brand housewares with discounts of 60%, 70%, 80%, or even 90% off. Each day one well-known product is put on sale for at least 60% off the retail price, as well as Bonus Deals up to 90% off! And that’s just the beginning...

They Guarantee all their products and have awesome customer service!

Houseware Deals only features great brands like Farberware, KitchenAid, Cuisinart, Pfaltzgraff, Mikasa, Hoffritz, Nautica, to name a few. I have purchased many items from them over the years and saved hundreds if not thousands over what I would have paid at retail!

CLICK HERE to see more about this Awesome TODAY ONLY Deal!

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MONDAY MOTIVATION QUOTE: I AM NOT NEEDY... I AM WANTY !

2016-05-24T01:10:00.001-04:00

Well, this weeks quote might not be so motivational, but I just had to share it :D Hope everyone has an awesome week!

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HOW TO SEAL CHALK PAINTED FURNITURE - STAPLES CLEAR WAX

2016-05-22T03:00:00.000-04:00

One of the most frequently asked questions I get is how to seal chalk painted furniture and about how well furniture painted with chalk paint, or any variation of the new chalk, clay and mineral based paints will withstand wear & tear.

The simple answer. Furniture wax. My answer.... Staples Clear Wax. Finishing waxes come in many variations of ingredients and in my 20 years of painting furniture, it took me quite a while to find the best one to keep the matte, shabby chic appearance I wanted and still protect and preserve to furniture for years to come.

Even those that have been painting with chalk paint for years can still be baffled about the correct way to wax.

Several years ago after trying most every wax on the market, I discovered the perfect combination of ingredients and ease of application and I have not looked back! There is also NEVER any yellowing, especially on white painted furniture, as happens with the paste waxes you buy in the Big Box stores.

Crystal Clear Paste Wax by Staples became my new best friend the very first time I used it. It is the perfect consistency to go on smoothly and there is no guesswork - you can easily see where you have applied. Give it 24 hours and if you don't want the matte finish, you can buff it to a shine that looks as glassy as polyurethane!

It only takes one coat. Even experienced furniture painters struggle with whether or not they should apply a second or third coat on the tops of pieces. It goes on like butter.

After I had already been using Staples Wax, it was no surprise to find out that this company has been making furniture wax since 1897 and is one of the oldest and most respected names for protecting floors, furniture, and woodwork. It is made with premium grades of caranuba wax derived from Brazilian palm leaves.

Staples Wax has earned its reputation for their quality blends and the industry's highest content of expensive caranuba, the hardest natural wax known to man. To give you an idea....what also amazed me, this is the wax used by BOWLING ALLEYS! Now think about the wear received on the bowling lanes and the beautiful look that stays maintained on them!

Having tried all sealants, topcoats and other products, I can tell you that chalk painted pieces do best when they are sealed with paste wax. And Staples has proven itself to me over and over.

As much as I love painting pieces in Old White for that true Shabby Chic look, take it from me, your choice of brands of paste wax or sealants MATTERS! I learned the hard way many years ago that lower quality wax and even sealers can turn that Old White into an ugly yellow overnight and ruin it!

It comes in 1 pound cans to start with, and even as often as I paint pieces (daily) it takes me quite awhile to use up a can! They also just made the stockist/professional sized 4 pound cans available. To apply, I use the cheap round discs that come in packs of 2 from Dollar General - their intended purpose is car tires or waxing cars, but they are perfect for waxing furniture and decor pieces. Such a lifesaver!

Just like specialized furniture paints, Chalk, clay and mineral based paints, you won't find it at Lowe's or your local hardware stores with all the other mass produced products. It's a specialty item with specific application purposes so you can only get it from a stockist or by purchasing from one online.

Happy Painting and hopefully making your waxing a little easier!

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Linking up over at FOODIE FRIDAY

MONDAY MOTIVATION: QUOTE TO JUMP START YOUR WEEK

2016-05-16T06:00:00.000-04:00

DISCLOSURE: ThriftyLittleThings.net is a PR Friendly personal blog written and edited by Wendy Kohn. The majority of what I post is based on my own ideas, thoughts and projects, for the sole purpose of sharing my passion. However, there are times that I do accept various forms of compensations such as cash advertising, sponsorship, paid topic insertions and/or products, coupons and other forms of compensation and incentives from companies and organizations that I feel compliment the blog, and offer value to my readers. Compensation will never influence the content or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. As the owner of this blog, I am sometimes compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though I may receive compensation for posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own and will NEVER be influenced by any form of compensation.

When I stumbled upon what is now This weeks Monday Motivation quote, I knew it was meant for me. It completely describes where I'm at in my life right now and gave me a sense of peace in knowing that some of the things I am doing right now , like picking up a part time job, are just what I am doing until I can get back to doing exactly what I want.

I hope everyone has a great week! I'm planning quite a few makeovers and projects that I'll be sharing and I can't wait!

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FREE HARDCOVER PHOTO BOOK: MYPUBLISHER DEAL THRU 6/2

2016-05-16T01:42:00.002-04:00

DISCLOSURE: ThriftyLittleThings.com is a PR Friendly personal blog written and edited by Wendy Kohn. The majority of what I post is based on my own ideas, thoughts and projects, for the sole purpose of sharing my passion. However, there are times that I do accept various forms of compensations such as cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions and/or products, coupons and other forms of compensation and incentives from companies and organizations that I feel compliment the blog, and offer value to my readers. Compensation will never influence the content or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. As the owner of this blog, I am sometimes compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though I may receive compensation for posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own and will NEVER be influenced by any form of compensation.

I'm so excited that this RARE deal to score a FREE Hardcover Photo Book from MyPublisher is back!

Their best-selling photo book size, 8.5"" x 11.25"" is FREE until June 2nd! YES, I did say FREE and HARDCOVER !! This is not a cheapo photo book, the Regular Price is $34.99 and it's one of the highest quality photo books I've created online and gotten over the years! And it's just in time for Father's Day or a Graduation gift!

Hand-crafted by a company with 20 years of experience, MyPublisher photo books are always affordable without sacrificing quality.

Hurry! This deal is only good through 6/2!

Promotion details:
FREE 8.5"" x 11.25"" hardcover photo book ($34.99 value)
OR $34.99 off a 15"" x 11.5"" hardcover photo book

All you pay is the cost of shipping, which is minimal – unlike other companies that make up for Freebie promos with ridiculous shipping fees!

CLICK HERE to create your FREE Photo Book now! Memories you can cherish for many years to come!

P.S. Don't miss another Thrifty Little Thing! Get deals, coupons, furniture makeover and thrifty living tips directly to your Inbox by subscribing FREE HERE

KNOBS + PULLS FOR MAKEOVERS: DO THEY REALLY MATTER?

2016-05-13T22:23:00.000-04:00

DISCLOSURE: ThriftyLittleThings.com is a personal blog written and edited by Wendy Kohn. The majority of what I post is based on my own ideas, thoughts and projects, for the sole purpose of sharing my passion. However, there are times that I do accept various forms of compensations such as cash advertising, sponsorship, or paid topic insertions and/or products, coupons and other forms of compensation and incentives from companies and organizations that I feel compliment the blog, and offer value to my readers. Compensation will never influence the content or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. As the owner of this blog, I am sometimes compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though I may receive compensation for posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own and will NEVER be influenced by any form of compensation.

MONOGRAM MUG STEAL FOR COFFEE LOVERS! Just 5 BUCKS-HURRY!

2016-05-13T01:35:00.000-04:00

Oh my gosh, these monogram mug steals were just to good to keep to myself! If you're a coffee lover like me, you'll appreciate and maybe just fall in love with them like I did !

As much as I love coffee and love these mugs, the best part....right now they are on CLEARANCE and you can grab them for just 5 BUCKS!!! Wouldn't they make awesome gifts for a coffee or tea loving friend, too?

The monogram mug in black chalk board style writing is reduced to just $5, the ones in gold are just $6.95 and the Shabby Chic style raised monogram is just $7.95.

My very favorite is Shabby Chic style with a raised monogram! Sooooo Me that I had to have it!

I already ordered mine and can't wait for them to get here!

HURRY OVER to grab yours before they sell out! { BLACK HERE} {GOLD HERE} Shabby Chic Raised Monogram{ HERE }

P.S. Don't miss another Thrifty Little Thing! Get deals, coupons, furniture makeover and thrifty living tips directly to your Inbox by subscribing FREE HERE

DISNEY MOVIES DEAL: 3 for $1.99

2016-05-11T19:55:00.000-04:00

Back when my kids were little, finding a Disney Movies Deal was much easier and they came around more often. We still have our entire collection and now my grandkids watch them! These days, the savings are far and few between, so I was excited to come across this deal to get 3 for just $1.99 !

Yes, it's a membership type deal like the book of the month clubs or DVD's, etc. These are a great way to score some pricey items for a steal. You can cancel at any time!

To score this Disney Movies Deal, head over HERE and pick your 3 for just $1.99 !

P.S. Don't miss another Thrifty Little Thing! Get deals, coupons, furniture makeover and thrifty living tips directly to your Inbox by subscribing FREE HERE

ANNIE SLOAN CHALK PAINT™ COFFEE TABLE MAKEOVER WITH NUMBERS

2016-05-11T16:44:00.001-04:00

I've been asked several times about the numbered table makeover so we're bringing it back from the archives! It was definately a fun and unique project, so here ya go if you missed it the first time!

I'm so excited to share my latest Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™ Coffee Table Makeover (WITH NUMBERS) with you! This one took me a couple days as I was using my insomnia creativity and making up the style as I went along :D
I've been painting furniture for so long that I am continuously thinking out of the box with custom mixing colors, repurposing pieces and trying to paint each piece in a way that really gives it new life and makes it unique. I think this one definately did that!

I started out with this poor old coffee table - extremely worn from many years of use, and just a square so nothing special about it. The plus is the bottom shelf for extra decor or storage and that it is extremely heavy, solid wood! So, I decided to test out a mismatched numbers collection on top, just to give it some pizazz.

I started out with one coat of Old White. I then used French Linen on the top center square. Once I sanded that all down to a beautifully smooth and chalky finish, I then arranged the mismatched style and size number stencils how I liked and lightly stenciled them on top.

From there, I sanded the letters down to give a time worn look and then distressed the rest of the table. This followed by a hefty coat of hand rubbed clear wax to finish it off and protect from further wear.

Here's the BEFORE, DURING & AFTER progression....

I love it and think it took a very plain, headed for the landfill piece and brought it into this decade Neutral colors so it is versatile for use and rooms in the house.

For Stanly County locals, keep in mind that I'm available for individual and group classes to teach you how to create with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint™! You can get more info and order paint HERE

What do you think? I'd Love to hear in the comments below!

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MOTIVATION MONDAY QUOTE TO KICK START YOUR WEEK

2016-05-09T01:59:00.000-04:00

Monday Monday - yes, I'm starting a new quick post theme for Mondays. I love quotes and I loathe Mondays, so I decided that I'll post a new one every Monday for my own motivation and hopefully yours too! It will just be a quick image/quote to kick start my week.

And we're starting...now, obviously! Hope everyone has an awesome week!

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THRIFTY LITTLE THINGS ONLINE STORE UPDATES

2016-05-09T01:04:00.003-04:00

I've had quite a few emails lately about some of the items I carried in the store and wanted to update and let you all know to be sure and bookmark Thrifty Little Things Online Store !

I've been adding favorites like the floating lockets and charms, stenciled handbags and even some of my favorite store display mannequins and dress forms.

I'll be adding lots more handmade & vintage treasures over the next few days and then at least weekly after that. I'll be releasing BLOG READER & FACEBOOK FAN ONLY Coupon Codes to use in the store, so bookmark now and be sure to keep a check (and of course, make sure you're subscribed to the blog HERE and that you "like" the facebook page HERE!

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4 MONEY SAVING BROWSER EXTENSIONS & APPS YOU SHOULD INSTALL NOW

2016-05-04T22:59:00.002-04:00

As I glanced at the icons on my chrome browser and on the homepage of my smartphone, I realized how many apps and browser extensions I use on a daily basis that play a major role in either saving money or making money.

Back in 2009 when I was a coupon and frugal living blogger, it took a lot of work and planning to maximize savings and generate extra income. These days as technology continues to advance, it is literally all right at our fingertips. Very little effort is required to take advantage of the extra savings offered on purchases you are making anyways and earning cash rebates from those purchases without having to jump through hoops!

So, I decided to compile a list for you. If you're not already taking advantage of these, here are my TOP 4 money saving browser extensions and apps, you should definately install now!

EBATES BROWSER EXTENSION & APP
*Get a FREE $10 Gift Card just for signing up ON THE SITE HERE, then download the app after creating your account online!

I've said it many times before. I get paid for buying things I was buying anyway but I take it a step further than most. Say I need to grab some things at Walmart, even household necessities, or just like this past week I needed to get several bags of mulch at Lowes. Yes, I get paid even for those things I'm buying in the store. I simply login through my app or browser extension to the stores website and place my order with IN STORE PICKUP. I then head to the store, pay for my order and head home as usual. The difference with me? I then get a BIG FAT CHECK from Ebates! You don't have to use this for just major purchases, it could be school supplies, household necessities, you name it! Why not get that extra money back from all that you can!

SAVINGSTAR APP FOR ANDROID OR IPHONE

Whether you use Savingstar through your browser or take advantage of the APP, this is the easiest, no effort way to coupon or get cash back from grocery shopping and more! You simply register your store savings cards through your app or on their site, login once a week and save the coupons or deals you want and then cash out whenever you like!

IBOTTA COUPON & REWARDS APP

Simply Download the Ibotta app, available on iOS and Android. The app is required to submit a receipt. Next, Unlock Rebates. Before you go shopping, unlock your cash rewards on the products you plan to buy. Once you have gone shopping at any of the 183 supported stores, all you do is verify your purchases. To verify, you simply scan your product barcodes, then submit a photo of your receipt. This will be reviewed and then Cash will then be deposited to your account! 100% of your Ibotta earnings can be transferred directly into PayPal or Venmo as soon as you’ve earned $20. If you’d rather convert your earnings into a gift card, you can do that, too.... Amazon, BestBuy, Starbucks, you name it! The list to choose from is HUGE!

RETALE WEEKLY ADS & COUPON APP
The RETALE App goes a step further than just providing money saving coupons! You also get the weekly circulars, local deals, and in-store sales with the Retale weekly ads and coupon app for all of your favorite grocery & retail stores.

So there you have it! My Top 4 Money Saving Browser Extensions & Apps! If you haven't already, you should install now and I challenge you to give it 30 days and see how much you save & make with minimal effort!

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VINTAGE CABINET TO BAR MAKEOVER IN OLD WHITE

2016-05-04T17:39:00.001-04:00

I had a request to bring this vintage cabinet to bar makeover back around again! It seems to be a fave of all!

This gorgeous piece was found at one of my local consignment stores and my client grabbed it up. We then used it as the working piece in my second 1-on-1 paint class with her, focusing more this time on working with all the details, distressing and waxing.

It was a gift for her daughter and we went with Annie Sloan Old White and then finished with Staples clear wax, to match her current style.

This was a super fab find, and it was on original castors! The Old White, distressed & shabby chic look when completed was to die for in person! I wanted to keep it myself!

It made it's way to the new owner where it makes for an awesome bar!

Here's a look from beginning to end!

Linking up over at Remodelaholic

DISNEYS FAMILY FUN MAGAZINE DEAL: TODAY ONLY!

2016-05-01T19:11:00.001-04:00

This is late notice for sure, but I just stumbled upon this awesome deal! Hopefully it gets to some of you in time to take advantage!

Disney's Family Fun Magazine is an awesome resource every month, packed with lots of DIY & Craft projects, especially ones that you can do with your kids! It's normally quite expensive at nearly $40 for a year, but it is featured as the Deal Of The Day TODAY ONLY forjust $3.99!

DEAL OF THE DAY - MAY 1, 2016
FAMILY FUN MAGAZINE
On sale today only for just $3.99 for 1 Year

Get your subscription today for just $3.99 for one year - a retail value of $39.50 !

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