The three things that are getting me through January

Hi Friends!

Since I like to keep it real here on this tiny slice of blogland, I will tell you I am doing so much better than I did this time last year.  I haven't made it a secret, I don't think, that I struggle with depression, and winter tends to kick my butt. This year, I am doing way better and I am attributing my well-being to three things. These aren't a prescription for anyone else.  They are simply what has worked for me.



1. I started hitting the treadmill in November. Hard. 

Running is not for everyone. But for me, it is a release. I swear I can FEEL the endorphins release. I run. I sweat. I crank up my music. I feel better. I have found myself unable to feel depressed, and run at the same time. Just my experience. But I am swearing by the preventive maintenance that starting back up on a running routine has given me this winter.  And I'm down a few pounds. That's always a pick-me-up!

2. Aveda Tea. 

It's ridiculously expensive. My sweet mother-in-law gives me a box every Christmas and I LOVE IT. It's hot. It doesn't need any sugar or sweeteners. It just makes me feel good. So if I go through the whole box this month, so be it.

3. I learned to knit.  

Again, my mother-in-law gets partial credit for this. She's made all of our Christmas stockings by crocheting and I asked her if she knew how to knit.  She said, "sort of - but you should take a class."  

So I called up my local knitting shop (called Knitwits - adorable) and did just that. 

I took a few friends with me and we had a great time!

 Loads of beautiful, snuggly, yarn, in a gorgeous rainbow of colors.  How could you not want to make something?!

I loved the two ladies who own the shop. They were sweet as can be.

In just a couple of days I completed my first project, that my 5 year-old wanted to wear. 

Smile. 

So, I run. And drink my tea. And knit.
And there's something in all of that, that is just... good.

January isn't so bad after all. 
:-)

XO,
Anne

What I'd Buy on Craigslist this Week

Hi friends!

I was supposed to deliver some long overdue furniture this week. 

 (it's not photographing very well but the hardware is purple)

 So, the cute desk with the purple hardware is still in my basement much to my - and my husband's - chagrin because Mother Nature and my schedule are conspiring against me. (snow outside as I write this) Sigh.

I've run 27 miles on the treadmill at the gym in the last two weeks because running and painting furniture are my two quickest paths to sanity. 
Especially in January.  
(Napping is a close third)
So, here's my picks to help keep you sane this week! :-)

1. I'll start off with the biggest ticket item. It's $350. But before you pass, take a look at what you get for the money. A LOT.

The rugs are not included (fine with me) but check out this lot. Tall dresser, short dresser with mirror, headboard, footboard, and two matching end tables.  This is like the holy grail of Craigslist furniture.
Amazing! If you need bedroom furniture for a girl, this is it buddy. RUN.

Think you're not a fan of French Provinicial?  Think again.

Forget all the white sets (I'm not even putting a picture in here because you know what they look like anyway).  And take a step or four out of your comfort zone with fantastic options like these:

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Must. Stop. But you get the idea.

2. I love this. I just can't help myself. He's baaaack! Remember our good friend, Mr. Chester Drawer? 

Every once in a while Mr. Drawer pops up here on Craigslist.  No, you can't make this stuff up. :-)

But besides his name, this guy boasts some cool hardware.  

Think it looks too dated to be awesome? Like this guy?

Nope.

Our Chester doesn't come with the hardware on the edges, but that's no biggie because you can easily buy some and wa-la. 

(The seller is asking $75 for the dresser.)

And you can have an awesome campaign dresser for under $100.

I vote yes!

3. You know how I feel about benches. There's almost no space that can't benefit from a cute one. 

This fits the bill perfectly. For $30 you can't beat it! Enough said.

4. Another thing you know I love - settees (and I think love seats are close enough so we're just going to go with it.) The lines on this are great!

How about a wide stripe on it?

(I can't find a source for this pic)

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Just do it!

5. Last but not least, something I don't see a lot of  - a pair of matching nightstands for a super reasonable price… $30.

They aren't sexy, but man, if you buy them new, they'd cost you an arm and a leg. Using smaller pieces like these to get a dose of color into a room is very low commitment.

I love this yellow.

This green one.

And these in aqua.

Now go forth and get something fabulous! 

As always, if you buy from someone you don't know, be smart. Take a friend. All that good stuff… 

How are you surviving January?

XO,

Anne

What I'd Buy on Craigslist this Week - First edition in 2014

Happy New Year!!

I hope you have been savoring winter break as we have - with lots of family, friends, food, church, naps, football, and presents. Not necessarily in that order. :-)

There are some cool finds this week…here we go! (If you are visiting for the first time, I live near Cincinnati, Ohio, so these items are all local to me.)

1. Vintage white cabinet listed for $250.

I know that's more than I usually spend on Craigslist items, but I like this one for its size, its condition, and its flexibility. Here's why.
First, its size - dimensions are 70 " tall, 30 " wide, 12" deep. You can fit a lot of stuff in that.
Second, its condition looks good - not perfect - but not like it would need a complete overhaul before you could put it in your house.
And third its flexibility. I love this for a kitchen or bath, as the listing suggests, but I think you could also store extra linens, books, or household supplies in it.
Here are a few pics to get your juices flowing.

Midcentury Home Office by Other Metro Media & Bloggers Aesthetic Outburst

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I'm not sure, but this may be an old medical cabinet, and my Uncle Dan & Aunt Pat (who are walking encyclopedias of furniture knowledge and have a booth here in Lexington, KY) just told me that medical items are hot right now. 
(READ: I think this could easily sell for more than it's listed.) 
I can't tell whether it's metal or wood, but if I had room for it, I'd buy it.

2. "Old school" desk chairs or office chairs. I love 'em. Metal, wood, doesn't matter… they are just SO superior to those newfangled things they make now. (wink) So, that said, go scoop these up. 
Cosco Propeller Chair $35

Vintage wood chair

Think about how cool they'd look in a boy's room!

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3. How cute is this old toy piano? 

It looks beautiful and would make an adorable addition to a nursery or playroom. 

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The two like it on Etsy are more expensive than this one. They are asking $45. Go for it!

4. OK this item has been on Craigslist for a while now. In my mind's eye there is a boy (what is it with boys rooms in this post?) who has an awesome vintage-y train room. 
Maybe like… this one.  
(Because HELLO it has a train track running around the top of the room. Please don't tell my son. Thank you.)

And in this mythical train room, folded over the back of a cozy chair, you'd find this cool blanket.

It's from a Pullman sleeping car!

I totally have a movie-like image of men dressed in suits and women in pearls taking a trip, eating and sleeping aboard a train in the heyday of rail travel. 

That's the era these blankets belong to! 
It's stuff like this that takes a room from catalog-designed to uniquely personal. They are conversation pieces, and they are a way to pass on some history to the next generation. 
So someone please buy this cool blanket and do up an awesome vintage train room.  Again, thank you.

5. Last, here's a gal after my own heart. Cute side table, all painted and ready to go. Would make a great addition to a living room near you! $80

This winter weather and ridiculously cold temperatures have me dreaming of yard sale weather….

Just saying.

:-)
Anne