Thrifting like a pro: A guest post.

Hello, lovely people! How has the week been treating you so far? I have a treat in store for you today....the always vivacious Evie from the blog Post-College Working Girl has put together a wonderful post on how to spot a bargain and thrift like a pro. As you may know, I'm a big fan of thrifting...for me it makes sense on several levels, it's economical and it's Eco-friendly (reuse, recyclye, upcycle....just make sure it isn't headed to a landfill!), it's also about the thrill of the hunt and finding something unique. And it gives me a chance to flex my creative muscle without working our way into bankruptcy, LOL! Like the saying goes "you don't have to spend a million........"

So without much further ado, I present to you Evie and her wonderful tips (be sure to pay extra attention to her wonderful home in all the after pictures too; if you haven't discovered Evie's blog yet, you positively have to click on over!! Resourceful comes to mind. As does creative. And of course, fun!) Take it away Evie.....

I was honored when Gagan e-mailed me (which was no small feat considering the e-mail malfunctions we had!) and asked if I would write a post about thrifting!  She is so sweet and I love her blog so I didn't hesitate one moment to say yes!  So, I must confess to y'all, you know, get it out in the open, since we are getting to know one another:  I am a thrift store junkie.  There.  I said it.  I love going thrifting.  I mean, lah lah lah love it.  Sure, the excitement of finding a bargain is about as addictive as watching the Lifetime specials leading up to the Royal Wedding, but for me, the real thrill comes in finding unique objects that can't be found all across the world at your Ikeas, Crate and Barrels, and Pottery Barns.  

The most common thing that I hear from friends and my blog readers when they see the things that I have found at a thrift store, is that they wish they could find "good" stuff like that but that they just don't know what to look for.  I am here to offer my humble tips and tricks of the thrifting trade because there is TONS of "good stuff" to be found out there!

1)  The best thing to take with you when going thrifting is... an imagination!  Sounds corny, I know, but to find the "good" stuff you have to look past the dingy fabric, the color of an item, and the nicks and scratches on wood.  Look at the structure of an item, or the "bones," and picture it in your minds eye in a different color, or re-upholstered with a different fabric.

I purchased this couch from a thrift store for $42.  The fabric was old and dingy but I loved the curved back and arms along with the wood detailing on the bottom.  It was also sturdily constructed, which is important!

A little bit of new upholstery and some wood polish and I was able to make a drab couch a "great find"!

2)  Another one of my favorite things to look for in thrift stores are little figures and items to use in the decor around my house.  When looking for these things don't get caught up in the exterior, but rather look at it's shape.  For instance, I love elephants, but I wasn't in love with the dull, metal finish of the guy below.  I picked up this pair of elephants for about $3 though because I thought that the posture of the trunk was interesting and knew that I could change the exterior, which was the only draw back.

A little bit of spray paint and now I adore seeing this pair with their GREEN trumpeting trunks!

3)  I cannot stress this next tip enough:  WOOD FURNITURE CAN ALWAYS BE PAINTED!  Ok I think I scared myself a little bit with those capital letters, but I really think that this is the biggest tool of the thrifting trade.  Sometimes things just need a coat of paint to go from dated and tacky to hip and fantastic!

Coffee Table purchased for $50

Painted black with shined up brass legs!

Dated looking side table.  Purchased for about $15

Now a super chic two toned table.

The wood here makes me want to cry it's so bad, but I love the scalloped edges and unique shape of the cabinet windows.  Purchased for $90.

Now I cry only tears of happiness!

A "nothing special" mirror for $6.

Sophisticated in black!

4)  When all the other rules of thumb fail you, and you see something that you just HAVE to have, go for it.  At the end of the day, if it makes you happy and you love it then you can't go wrong.  I, for one, fell immediately in love when I saw this PINK velvet chair.

$32

And then I fell in love again when I saw THIS pink velvet chair.

$75

Both are currently living in harmony in my house, because let's be honest one can never have too many pink velvet chairs.

I hope that you found this helpful and that it inspired you to go out and find the thrifted things you love!

Evie those were some excellent tips! And I especially enjoyed looking into your gorgeous home--I love how warm and inviting it is without being too fussy..and now I have a strange hankering for a pink velvet chair. Hmmm now where did that come from?? :)  Thank you so much for putting together this wonderful post!

I hope you enjoyed the post, dear reader, and whether you're thrifting at the rose bowl or back in Mumbai's chor bazaar, don't forget to tell me about the treasures you bring home..... :)

My Kinda Gal: Geeta

Hello all you lovely people!! How is March treating you? warming up? still chilly? or endless rain and mud season? Whatever the weather in your neck of the woods, know that spring is almost here, within reach!!! I'm enjoying one of my favorite flowers of all time, the gorgeous Palash, which bursts forth in bright, flaming blooms late in February, here in Delhi. Holi (and warmer weather (MUCH warmer weather, LOL!)) is right around the corner as well--spring is definitely here--the prettiest time of the year to enjoy Delhi! While I'm soaking in the sun (AH! the luxury of it all, sitting out in the warm morning sun!!) my dear friend Geeta is filling in for me--Dilbert and urulis and scrumptious desserts await!! We've gone knock-knock-knocking on Geeta's door earlier and I have to say I'm really glad to have discovered her in the blogosphere---I love her balanced outlook on life and would happily move in next door (IRL) if I could !! My kinda gal????-You bet!

Hi, I am Geeta from Occasionally Chic. I must admit I am amazed at Gagan’s ability to genuinely connect with so many of us and the incredible research she does behind each one of her posts. These are the reasons that drag me to P&P over and over again. Needless to say I was super excited when she approached me do a guest post. I compiled snap shots of a few aspects close to my heart and I hope you like it.

As this is a design blog, let me start off with my love for collecting artifacts. I have an eye for collectibles (nicer way of saying - I flick things from my family) when I see one. This uruli is from my grand mother’s kitchen and she used to cook with it. Did I mention she never had a jiggly arm all her life? Now it proudly sits on my living room table.

The job I do outside the house can be best described as a combination of juggling balls mid-air, putting off fires (not literally) and mentoring. I am not afraid to admit I love a corner office and Dilbert is my unofficial Management Guru. I personally think no one understands corporate culture like he does and adds that much needed dose of humor. On the lighter side, the Dilbert quote that aptly summarizes my work attitude is “Don’t be irreplaceable – if you can’t be replaced, you can’t be promoted”.

I like to think of myself as an ardent traveler and my ideal vacation is a week spent in a State/National park cabin, waking up to the birds amidst the hustle of trees supplemented with unlimited hikes, bike rides, quick and easy meals, puzzles and board games.

A couple of pregnancies later, in an attempt to re-kindle my almost non-existent sense of style, I started posting pictures of my outfits on my blog. I absolutely enjoy this indulgence. However between that Louis Vuitton bag and a house keeper, I would choose house keeper any day.

No matter how much I bake, I can never get over the excitement of a plain looking batter coming out of the oven, warm and inviting. As far as cooking is concerned, I stay away from complex ones unless it’s a traditional recipe.

All pictures courtesy Geeta.

Gagan - Hope you are having a fabulous time in India. Enjoy your much deserved vacation and don’t forget a few pictures for us. 

Jiggly arms!!--I definitely need a cure for those! Do tell, Geeta!!! :) 
Thanks for the lovely post !!!


-Gagan

My Kinda Gal: Kamana

Gentle readers, continuing with the series of guest posts, let me introduce to you a very talented lady, Kamana. Her blog, Journalling Through Photos, is full of amazing photography and a source of endless inspiration. Kamana's posts often feature her signature prose and poetry--words that can make you stop and think--you can't read and not reflect!! Like I've told her, I'm waiting for the book... 

Take it away Kamana.....

 

Weave upon weave

weave, interweave

strand by strand

joy and sorrow

entwined

in an ever changing

intricate web.

elation

filling the heart

to bursting point

then

wringing it all out

constricting the soul

with pain.

smiles laced with tears

layer upon layer

of raw unmasked emotion

weaving the tapestry of life.

Kamana, Thank you for joining in! It was a pleasure to have you over!!

My Kinda Gal: Kamini

First up in my series of guest posts is Kamini, author of the blog Saffron and Silk...........to most of you, she needs no introduction, and you will instinctively know why I decided to start the series with her!! For those of you not yet acquainted with her, let me try and extol her many virtues, or better yet, let her do the talking so you can see firsthand why. Gentle reader, I give to you Kamini-- one of the most inspiring women I have come across in the blogosphere! Take it away, K!

Gagan of OPAP stardom, has kindly - and bravely - asked me to write a guest post on her blog. I happily accepted, not just because I love her blog and to be a guest blogger on it really makes me happy, but she has also given me a "blank check", a "carte blanche" to write about anything! Anything that I want to put out there, that will give readers more of an insight as to who or what I am, help them understand where I am coming from! In her words "go for it, let it out"!

Now I'm a hothead, on any given day, I usually have a gazillion things that I want to either rant or rave about, but these past few days have been more thought provoking than usual. So this is going to be a "no holds barred" post! As much as we would all love to talk design and color in our blogs, there is so much more to life than that! And if I start to ramble and get preachy, please...I didn't mean to :-)

A lot of things have happened in these few days of 2011 that have given made me reason to pause and reflect! Or maybe I'm just getting more introspective as the big 50 approaches?

So here is a quick synopsis of 2011 so far....before I reveal my feelings...

As many of you know, my son and son-in-law visited from DC. For those who may not know this, my son Gautam and his partner Andy got married last September in DC! Many folks are surprised at this. Whether it is because a same sex marriage is something practically unheard of in India, or whether it is at my acceptance of it as an Indian mother... I don't know....but my answer has always been that he is my son, his happiness is important to me, why would I stand in the way??? Very easy, once you understand that concept. And the fact that Andy is a super nice kid is just icing on the cake!

Anyhow, they spent a week here in Hyderabad including one night at my parents' home in s senior citizen gated community. Even though Andy had met most of my mother's side of the family when he visited 2 years ago, on this trip he got to meet my dad's side - namely my jolly vociferous 70 plus year old uncles and aunts and their spouses.

A week later I joined the 2 boys on a short vacation to Chennai and Pondy. My husband who was supposed to have joined us had to bail out cos his 86 year old dad fell ill and had to be admitted to the hospital. My father-in-law had a stroke in May, he has been steadily declining in health. I mention this because it is relevant to what I have to say later on in this post.

[Update: Kamini's Father in law passed away on the 2nd of February, he had lived a full life and was surrounded with loved ones at the time. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family.This post was written at a much earlier date, and I have decided to let it run as is. If you wish to, please do drop by Kamini's blog to offer your condolences.]

-Gagan

But going back to our vacation - in Chennai we got to meet my teeny tiny 88 year old grandma and my husband's uncles and aunts and cousins, who put out a delectable authentic South Indian meal for the American son-in-law!

In Chennai we spent a night at the Taj at Fisherman's Cove. This place, for those who have not seen it, is heaven on earth! Expensive, but heavenly......big airy colonial style verandahs, upholstered porch swings, lush palm trees with their fronds fanning you as you stroll by, softly gurgling fountains, cobbled pathways leading to the pristine beach, liveried guys serving you exotic welcome drinks, garlanding you with shell necklaces and waiting on you hand and foot. And the food....oh the food...amazing! After one night here, we drove onwards to Pondicherry stopping en route at Mahabalipuram to see 2500 year old temples. Then on to Pondicherry where we spent 2 nights at a more affordable heaven on earth - The Dune at Pondicherry! At Pondy we did the usual typical touristy things...walked along the beach, ate street food and visited Auroville. Then back to Chennai for another day, after which they headed home to DC and me back to Hyderabad.

Back home I found my FIL in worse condition in the hospital than when he was admitted. The docs had inserted all kinds of tubes and needles in him.....for various problems they had unearthed in his 6 day stay there. The next few days was an unending stream of CT scans, tests, Xrays, IV drips etc. The poor man was exhausted and so finally we decided enough is enough and brought him home so he can spend his last few weeks, months whatever in the comfort of his home....which is where he is now.

So....the 2 week time span in which all this happened has made me ask myself this:

How do I show my appreciation and gratitude to all my family and extended family that gave my son-in-law such a warm welcome and made him feel so much at home? Why did I worry about it so unnecessarily? And what is it that causes a traditional South Indian family, and a 88 year old grandmother, living for years in parochial Chennai, to reach out and gracefully embrace such a non-traditional marriage?

How can I not cringe and feel uncomfortable every time I think of how much I spent to stay one night at the Taj at Fisherman's Cove....

when this stone cutter we saw outside Mahabalipuram doesn't make even one tenth of that in a day's work? 

The designer in me wants to know how this 1500 year old ratha/chariot temple has withstood the ravages of time so beautifully.....

and the non-believer in me asks from where this child gets the faith he clearly has, by which the mere act of touching his soft cheek to the rough temple stone gives him such joy, almost as if he can hear the Gods?

And while I absolutely loved what The Mother had to say in Auroville....

I asked myself why I was a bit spooked at the whole Auroville commune thing and why it reminded me of the Dharma Initiative in LOST....?

What hand of fate determined that this dog live on the roadside searching for scraps...

while this dog gets to sleep with its head resting on colorful fuchsia pillows....?

And when does one decide that for an 86 year old besieged with age related health problems, being in a hospital room surrounded by doctors who will do anything to keep him alive for another day in the ICU was worse than being at home surrounded by people who loved him dearly and were willing to let him go?

Questions, questions that will bother me for some time, till I get caught up in mundane chores and forget about them, or I somehow miraculously get wise at 50 and get a satisfying answer to them....! Also, let me say that I mean no disrespect to religion, or the Aurovillans!

Where's the party?

Are you feeling it too--that post-festivities slump???? Last week I couldn't move fast enough to get those lights down and tree stowed away!! But funnily enough, even while that whirlwind blur of festivities is barely over, I want some gaiety again!! I'm blaming the weather (again!)--the days are shorter than you've ever seen,  and to add insult to injury that snow/fog (take your pick, depending on your geographic location, LOL!) is making your teeth chatter like a castanet! Don't worry, I have a solution for those blues.....click here to go to my guest post over on Tanvi's fabulous blog!!!

Oh, and refreshments are being served, so grab some chai and popcorn, before it all disappears!!

PS: In case you want to practice your dance moves for the party--here's how we roll!!ROFL!!! step by step instructions on getting your groove on (links to YouTube, so if you're accessing it from work, make sure your boss ain't around! *wink*). Let the paaaaaarty begin!!!

Extra!! Extra!!!

This just out......guest post by yours truly over at Priya's blog!!! Go check it out!

via.