Our Little Home

I’m gradually decorating for Christmas. Last year I went crazy with paper chains and snowflakes, but this year it’s more subdued.

This little tree is from Trader Joe’s, pot is from IKEA, fawn salt shakers were thrifted, and the little Santa hat is something I made last year from paper and felt.

I’m visiting my parents this week and thought I’d go see what the thrift shops in their area had to offer. (I didn’t really become a thrifter until I moved to Southern California.)

I found this reproduction of a painting for $9. Big pieces like this usually go for $30+ at my local haunts so I snagged it. I’m going to alter it somewhat. Originally, I was going to paint a flying saucer in the open sky, but it feels too obvious, so I’m going to do a fly-fishing Bigfoot instead, faintly in the distance.

I have been searching for the perfect fondue pot for quite sometime, and my patience has paid off! I found this darling in the basement of one of the many antique shops in Orange, and the booth where it was happened to be 50% off. What a happy find! Next week, Mr. Dukes and I are going to try it out over a movie and homemade cocktails. Whee!

Found a sweet hairpin plant stand at the second-hand store down the street. I plan on cleaning it up and giving it a fresh coat of paint, but until then it looks pretty cute and grungy.

I spent HOURS today cleaning the screens on our porch. If they were removable and if we had outside water, I would have hosed them down, but instead I used rags and a spray bottle with cold water and a little bit of dish soap. This week, I’m picking up patio furniture from IKEA so we can actually sit and enjoy the outside.

Slowly (very slowly) but surely, I’ve been working on the porch. Found this little guy for under $1. I love milkglass! It’s going to look so cute with something green poking out the top.

Ok, so I haven’t really made any progress on the porch yet. I’ve been scouring the thrift stores for patio furniture, plant stands, etc, but I can’t seem to find anything. I came across these hanging planters this morning, and I think I may see if I can replicate them somehow since $72/each is a bit over my budget!

Found this little (4”) pin dish at The Salvation Army not long ago for $1. The backstamp is Wade England, and, from what I can tell, it’s from the late fifties. I’m going to hang it in the kitchen if I can find a small enough plate hanger.

One of the things I love about our apartment is the long enclosed porch. It’s the first time we’ve really had an outdoor space where we have the possibility of lounging and/or entertaining. It got pretty thrashed with the nasty, flood-warning weather we had in December so I’m working on getting it clean and pretty. I’ve got a self-imposed $20 budget for plants and decor (I already have some pots and potting soil) so let’s see how much I can do with that.