Babes in Bandana Land

Halloween Bandana 

Why do I love bandanas? Why should you love them too? Because strap one of those paisley smothered pieces of square fabric around your head and instantly look like the sweetest, brightest candy apple on display at the county fair! Don't believe me? Read on....

I traveled near and far to discover all the ways these countryfied kerchief's can make even the first runner up on What Not To Wear look as cute as a bulldog in a basket.

Find yourself below and discover how you can benefit from wearing a bandana.

1. RUNNERS: So you just ran 10 miles, or 1 mile (whatever your style is) and your sweaty hair is glued to your forehead and pasted against the back of your neck. Don't sweat it....your bandana is waiting for you at the finish line (next time, grab it at the start line). Simply fold it, wrap it and tie it around your head for a fresh feeling and a stylish look.

2. BEACH BABES: There you are, lounging on the beach, feeling like a million bucks when it occurs to you that you have not taken today's selfie. You grab your phone, pucker up those duck lips and pose for all your duck loving insta fans. You lower your phone for a quick preview and what to your wondering eyes should appear, but a frizzy, fluffy, terrifying hairdo that ruined what could have been the duckface of a lifetime! Take a deep breath, tie on that bandana and your crisis is solved.

3. PUMPKIN PICKERS: What shouts out I love pumpkin picking, apple cider, indian corn, hay rides and corn mazes better than a red bandana in your hair? Venture out this year....leave your plaid flannel button down at home and try out the bandana. I think you'll like it.

Source: Pinterest

4. PILATES & YOGA LOVERS: Is there anything worse than practicing your downward dog or pushing out your 100's than having those random pieces of hair flying across your eyes and getting stuck in your mouth? Throw that bandana in your gym bag or tie it around your yoga mat so you'll never face this dilemma again!

Source:Unknown

5. ANYONE ELSE: A bandana, also known as a handkerchief, is a fun and unique way to accessorize or change up your daily hair accessory routine. Try it on the weekend, try it before bed, try it in the morning, try it on your lunch break, try when you're mowing the lawn or just try it whenever it feels right.

Great tutorial I found on Fashion Club

A few recommended places to rock and relax with your bandana:

Body Be Well Pilates, Red Hook, NY

Weed Orchards, Marlboro, NY

Walkway Over the Hudson, Poughkeepsie, NY or Highland, NY

Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, NY

On that note, I'd like to end with this awesome photo. No matter who you are, what you look like, where you come from, or how you look in that red bandana, we are all wonder women!

Styling my own Painted Furniture

Hello Friends!

Yesterday I painted another dresser with tones of the oceans as my inspiration.

And since I can't keep it for myself, I thought it would be fun to show you a few accessories that I would put with it.

1. Vintage Swan Dish
2. Owl Lamp
3. Gold Mirrored Tray
4. Fresh Flowers in small vase
5. Black and White Rug


And here are some more shots of the Dresser

It's another one made by Basset

I really like the original pineapple drawer pulls

(you could make some kind of sponge bob reference here with the ocean and pineapples, but as a mom I think that show is the worst)

It's such a happy piece!

linking to:

Bombshell on a Budget

Attention all women! Well, women who's financial budget barely leaves room for a cup of coffee at the end of the week. If you're like me and often find yourself in a mental crisis, debating whether to fill up your gas tank or buy that new shade of lipstick [for the same price], I have your solution! And it involves getting both.

Let's back up quick. Prior to becoming a mother, my paychecks were spent as such: 80% beauty and fashion essentials (ummm....nailpolish and 15 pink tank tops were essentials), 15% gas and 5% savings. After becoming a mother: 99% baby and 1% mama.

Reality set in on July 24, 2012 (the day my son was born), when I realized that $30 pink lipstick was no longer a necessity and had now moved into the category of luxury. But even as a mama on a tight budget, I still wanted to look my best. So, today I present you with my latest finds that work just as great as the big names out there...because let's face it, there's no sense in looking good when your bank account is bone dry!

1. HAIR TREATMENT: Moroccanoil vs. Organix Moroccan Argan Oil 

As a girl with wild, curly, frizzy, blonde hair, nothing is more important than a serum to control the bird's nest. I was hooked on and in a fully committed and loyal relationship with Moroccanoil. This little bottle of heaven never let me down. And for a mere 4.2oz at $43, it truly was gold.  But we all know, all good things must come to an end. Knowing I could not spend this much on hair product any longer, I set out to find the next best replacement. And suddenly, there she was. Sitting on the shelf of CVS just waiting to be brought home and drizzled throughout my snarly, tangled mess of what was once smooth and tamed locks. Her name is Organix Penetrating Moroccan Argan Oil. At $5.99 for 3.3oz, this little bottle is all that and more. It has successfully replaced my old relationship with an even better one.

*Check out The Krazy Coupon Lady for a $2.00 coupon!

2. HAIR CONDITIONER: Moroccanoil vs. Suave Moroccan Argan Oil Infusion

Let me start here by saying I am not endorsed by any of the companies, but rather am just a realistic consumer. For years, I spent my hard earned money on countless bottles of top shelf hair conditioners...from Redken to Fekkai to Deva Curl to Paul Mitchell. Blah blah blah. If you look at the ingredients, they are all the same! When I finally admitted how preposterous this was, I pulled my head out of the conditioners you-know-what, and looked down at the bottom shelf. Who was I to be buying overpriced hair products when paying my bills was becoming nearly impossible? Well, much to my surprise, I found something that had me skipping out of the store and off to my shower. Voila! Goodbye $23 Moroccanoil conditioner (you did smell amazing though), hello $2.88 bottle of Suave conditioner! This stuff smells great and works wonders.

*Sign up at Suave for coupons and offers.

3. BB CREAM: Smashbox Camera Ready vs. Garnier BB Cream Skin Renew

Hello! My name is I Can't Leave My Skin Alone Because I Want to Demolish Every Little Blemish in Sight thus Leaving it Worse Than How it Started. It is a pleasure to meet you and your beautiful skin! If this is you, you are not alone. Well, you at least have me because this is my biggest, baddest habit...I cannot get away from the mirror! I actually find things that aren't there. How's that for talent? Needless to say, I stand firm against my awful addiction and have found my remedy that hides all of the evidence of last nights picking and probing. Behold the power of BB CREAM! BB stands for beauty balm aka the Great Bambino of beauty products. Now, before you go running to the department store for your fancy schmancy $39 bottle of Smashbox, you must explore Garnier's line of BB cream. Not only do they have $12 BB cream, but they have one for Oily/Combination skin, Normal skin (what is normal skin?!) and an anti-aging bottle. All bottles have an SPF and they even have light/medium and medium/dark shades. It applies smoothly and covers everything. Just apply it near a sink or carry wet wipes because it also covers your fingers. Try it now, thank me later.

I hope my frugal finds can benefit you or at least empower you to think beyond the box and try new things. Remember, don't judge a book by it's cover and keep an open mind. You never know what you may find. Happy trails!

Old Globes and a New Chest (of drawers)

Just when the weather (in GA) gets nice I find a few dressers and a chest of drawers (my best sellers) to paint - love when that kind of stuff happens.

I started with the 5-drawer chest. It's a good quality piece, made by Basset. I painted it a light green color that I mixed up with various paint I had on hand. I then distressed it and added a dark finish to tone down the green. I think the shade makes it gender neutral which is always a plus.

I also found two great, vintage globes to sell.

I love their unique colors and as you probably already know, they make a really fun accessory in your home.

via Better Homes and Gardens

via BlissyfullyDomestic

can't track down the original source on this one.. any body know? I love it all.

I have seen people re-purpose a globe with chalkboard paint, but I have to tell you, I am not a fan. Out of all the ugly junk out there, why cover up something with color, history and meaning? But that's just me.

linking to:

Keepin' it Local

Cameron & I during sunset at Mills Mansion, Staatsburg, NY

I won't speak for everyone, but I am sure I am not the only one, who as a teenager and young adult found themselves twiddling their thumbs from extreme boredom.

I grew up in a small town in "upstate" New York called Hyde Park. Turns out it is also the home of our 32nd President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Don't worry, this is not a post about history. Although I do recall weighing the options between sticking a fork in my neck or going to history class...another memory of being bored.

Back on track...I used to think the only form of entertainment was going to the movies or spending time with friends deciding what to do before we got so tired of thinking that we just called it a night. BUT, if we take a moment to actually look around and explore our own community, we will find ourselves to be pleasantly surprised.

Local Balloon Festival, 6am (well worth it!)

Tips for Keepin' it Local:
1. Don't over think it
2. Keep it simple
3. Check the newspaper for community events
4. Follow your town government or tourism center on Facebook
5. Follow them on Twitter
6. Dine local
7. Shop local
8. Visit any and all pick your own farms
9. Google your town
10. Find local parks
11. Find the beauty in everything

Cameron enjoying the County fair

Where to Keep it Local?
1. Farmers markets: You can find handmade items, locally made honey, maple syrup, and butter, locally grown greens, juicy, ripe fruits, buckets of apple cider, olive oils, wine and much more.
2. Pick your own/U-pick farms. These can offer anything from vegetables, fruits, flowers and fresh baked pies
3. Wineries
4. Family owned restaurants: Local ice cream shops are a no brainer!
5. Family owned stores
6. Parks
7. Lakes, rivers or even a backyard creek
8. Public & historical landmarks: Here in my community we have the Vanderbilt Mansion, Mills Mansion, FDR Roosevelt Library, Eleanore Roosevelt's summer home, the Eveready Diner (as seen on Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives), the Beekman Arms & Delamater Inn (America's oldest operating Inn), and the list goes on.
9. Drive-In movie theaters

A local U-Pick flower farm I found this summer

Pumpkin picking last fall at a farm down the street

A family owned greenhouse we explored during the winter

Why Keep it Local?
This info-graphic created by Keep it Local OK in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma breaks it down in a simple, easy to read chart. They even created a Keep it Local card to encourage people to shop local. What a great idea!

The lawn at Vanderbilt Mansion in August

The value behind keeping it local, whether it's food, business or outdoor adventure, is infinite. So get out there and find what your community has to offer. If you're unhappy where you are, move. If you can't move, find the best in what you have around you.

Furniture and a little Fall

Hello Everyone!

For those of you who have been reading the blog for a while, you know I sell my furniture and decor at a local shop. Well last weekend I moved spaces in the store, so I figured that would be a good time to add some fall decor.

The next day a sweet prego woman bought the light blue dresser and stag painting for her future son's nursery. Love when my work goes to a good home.

Then I painted a couple client pieces that I am really happy with how they turned out.

One was this side table:

And the other with this little cabinet:

Despite tons of work projects, a flat tire and some version of the flu (for my daughter then for me) I managed to sneak away to my brother's house at the beach for a little while.

 My daughter proved to be a road trip pro and a beach bum.

2013 Road Trip

I can't wait to go back when I have some more time to do some thrifting.

linking to: