HOW TO MAKE A SPRING PICNIC BASKET CENTERPIECE

After a long harsh winter, filled with bitter cold, snow drifts and cabin fever, everyone is just bursting to get outside for Spring to enjoy some outdoor living! One way to kick off the upcoming outdoor living season is by dining alfresco, which can be a beautiful & casual setting for your family's Easter brunch. Although when we lived in Arizona, we didn't have family, the hubs and I still enjoyed heading outside for our Easter dinner. Arizona was a place I started collecting baskets, and one fun basket I came across while thrifting was a tall picnic basket. I may not have used it for picnics, but the basket became a great textured container to create a simple Spring centerpiece, which can be used indoors or out. Here is what I did...

 

It all started with a picnic basket I scored at the thrift store...

 

After adding the cylinder risers and daisies,  I used the textiles, and a few spare leaves to tuck into the back of the basket, making it appear as if Spring is just bursting to come out! The simple green and white color scheme is just refreshing after seeing a season of winter greys...

 

Since this home was a rental, we really couldn't do much to the unfinished divider wall, so I used another collected basket for a simple outdoor wall decor...

 

The green & white gingham table topper was another thrift find, I layered over linen fabric I had used as a table cover. Since we didn't have an outdoor dining set, I used a folding table (the one I'd frequently use inside for 'table for two settings), but to make it larger, I put a 42" MDF framed mirror on top of the 36" folded table - The backside of the mirror was flat, and you'd never know it was there after the table was dressed (simple small space solution!)

The weathered X back chairs were another amazing thrift find I had scored in Phoenix, (you can read about here, but have since sold!) and they worked great to create outdoor seating. If there is one good thing to say about being in a dessert state, it has to be that I was able to set this outdoor setting, without having to worry about rain -- just sun!

 

No trees either, so having an outdoor umbrella was a must - plus it gave me another place to layer in a shot of green color, to pick up on the centerpiece...

 

 Before & After Spring Spruce-Up in our small (drought tolerant) backyard in Phoenix - you can read in a previous post at: Rental ReStyle: Budget-Friendly Backyard Spring Spruce-Up

 

And if it's still too cold, or worse, snowing, where you live this Easter, you can still create a Springtime Alfresco setting indoors too, creating the same picnic basket centerpiece, plus layering woven chargers or placematts with gingham, checks, or plaid... and for Easter, don't forget the bunnies! (Remember these? A Florida thrift find & DIY fix, you can read about at: Hoppy Spring Bargain Bunnies)

 

Although I like to change things up, some holiday decor traditionally makes it's way to the table every year - like these birds nests from HomeGoods, but this year, they were filled with golden chocolate eggs... A great little compliment to the vintage Greek Key border table set I also scored thrifting, but up in Scottsdale... The vintage brass coupes (yes - another Phoenix thrift find!) made an elegant riser for the nests...

 

I hope you're inspired to create a simple Spring Centerpiece of your own to set on your Easter table, whether you dine inside or out! Afterwards, use this centerpiece on a buffet or entry table if it's still winter by you, for a taste of Spring indoors -- if not, layer it into your front entry or Spring patio decor!

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Cross-Country Relocation Recap - Settling In & Sneak Peeks

It's been a grueling and hectic past few weeks - but we finally moved out of Arizona and back east! This time, we're living in a house we bought North Carolina! Being built in 2006, it's not an historic house, but it still needs a few tweaks and updates, we're planning to do over time. Since we moved in just before Thanksgiving (literally - just a few days before!!) the main objective has been to just get the place cleaned, get the common areas painted, and get somewhat organized, to still be able to enjoy a little bit of the Christmas holiday season...

 Harmon House Christmas 2014

To say it's been grueling or exhausting these past few weeks is really an understatement - just before we found out we were going to move, I had just given the AZ house a Fall cleaning and closet purge (in September) ... which did help somewhat when it came time to organize, pack and move in October. Although my husband's company had professional packers come pack up the house (in 2-3 days), I still spent some time grouping like things together, so it would make unpacking a little easier - well easier in theory. 

The unpacking process though happened on the SAME DAY the truck arrived and was unloaded. I do NOT recommend this be the process for anyone moving across the country. All of the time and effort that went into getting and keeping the home items organized, got shot to  hell within the last two hours - even though I had asked the movers to stop - they kept right on unpacking. And because of this, not only did things have to be moved 2-3 times, but some items were even thrown away (for example the lids to porcelain Chinoiserie jars) and one packed cabinet (coffee mugs) ended up in about five different places between the kitchen and the living room. I was upstairs unpacking wardrobe boxes into the closet, and after a long day, walked into this...

 I put on my "It's gotta get cleaned up NOW" - hat day after movers left.

Be that as it may, I forged on. Thankfully, the relocation specialist assigned to our move apologized for the chaos and did send another two unpackers two days later (which is how the relocation to Arizona was done and what I had asked the mover to stop and do). This was a huge help because I had time to put away and organize the chaos of what did get unpacked. We were somewhat more pulled together to be able to enjoy our first meal in our new home, which was actually for Thanksgiving...

 

This Thanksgiving included HUGE leaves for our table for two, I gathered from our backyard!

Although we didn't cook a turkey this year (no time to since Jeff had to work on Thanksgiving Eve) we did manage to make a few of our traditional sides and I baked a pumpkin pie. Even though I didn't have time to bake Jeff some chocolate chip cookies, our new neighbor, Linda, welcomed us to the neighborhood with a plateful she just baked. (They were still warm!!) And so much to be grateful for - especially for this year with our relocation...

 Moving truck loaded and leaving Arizona - Thursday November 13...

 Snapshot while in flight - Leaving AZ for the East Coast! November 15!

 Landed in Charlotte, NC - Saturday November 15 - Flew out up to Greensboro...

 Closed on Harmon House - Monday November 17!

 Fall Driving - North Carolina - November 19...

 Moving truck Arrival: Saturday November 22!

Before the moving truck arrived on Saturday November 22, Jeff was able to get the door locks changed, I painted trim and doors (loving the black doors!) and this time, we hired a local painter to paint out the rooms and walls of most common areas (vs. Jeff & I painting everything before the movers arrived to our AZ rental home). Hiring the painters was a HUGE help and definitely a worth while investment I highly recommend to help lift some stress off you during a cross country relocation. 

 Picking paints for Harmon House (on closing day!) - So much easier to select when swatches painted around the house, to see color changes in the light. Painting happened from November 18-21 - stopped for weekend move in - and picked back up Dec. 1-3.

I'll share moving details, paint colors, local painters info, packing tips, and additional pictures in an upcoming post. Right now I really just wanted to touch base with Focal Point Styling blog readers because I know - it's been quite a while since I've posted (sorry!!).

 Truth!!!

Next year (2015) we're planning on a bathroom renovation, switching out lighting fixtures, and continue painting other rooms - including setting up guest rooms (the list of guests is growing now that we're back east!!), exterior painting (shutters and trim), a little more gardening than I've done in the past 3 years (can. not. wait for Spring!!), setting up our home office, and even creating a mancave for Jeff! Right now - I'm just UBER thrilled and grateful to be back HOME on the east coast!!

 Had so much fun picking out a fresh tree this year! We haven't had a real tree since 2005! Finally got our tree, Friday night, December 5!

In the midst of the move, doing a few home repairs, and getting settled, I did do a "little" simple holiday decorating, shopped for a few new pieces for our home (online here in NC and at HomeGoods in AZ before moving!), attended a local holiday party (at Madcap Cottage - High Point!) I was invited to (thanks to friends & connections on Facebook), enjoyed a great Italian meal at a local restaurant (Giada's Trattoria), explored a historic home - decorated in Victorian period style during a candlelight tour - and even check out a few area thrift stores and consignment shops -- again, photos to be shared in upcoming blog posts (but have been sharing via Facebook and G+!!) , so please stayed tuned -- and a HUGE THANK YOU for sticking around!!  I'll also be posting my 2014 Rewind before the end of the year (lol - in the upcoming week!)

I'm very much looking forward to learning my new area (may even be planning a thrift road trip!), collaborating with local shops, and also getting to attend east-coast market events, such as the Design Bloggers Conference coming up in Atlanta in February and Spring High Point Market coming up this April! You can read more, from an interview I was honored to have with the gents over at Madcap Cottage... (read post at: Always in Fashion)

 Met long time Facebook friend Cathy Smith during the Holiday Bazaar at Madcap Cottage in High Point - Sunday, December 7!

Jeff and I touring the historic Korner's House for a candlelight Christmas tour, Saturday, December 13!

Thank you Focal Point Styling blog readers!

(especially Betty, Gail, Scribbs, Linda, Janelle, mom and many others!!)

Time to get baking some Christmas cookies now!!

Warmest Wishes to you and your family for a wonderful holiday season, Merry Christmas  and a Happy NEW Year!

Thanks for stopping by to read my Cross-Country Relocation Recap - Settling In & Sneak Peeks!

HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR FALL WARDROBE HAUL

The end of Summer is near, and so too is Fall. Yes I love interior styling and design, but deep down inside, I'm still a fashionista at heart. While fashion lovers may be swooning over perfectly styled September issues, Fall runway shows or even online editorials, our wallets may be shrinking in fear of the hits that may be coming to our budget. How can your wardrobe stay current, classic and on trend without breaking the bank? These Fall Haul wardrobe styling tips can show you how.

My Sister's Closet Fall Reveal - August 23

1. Create Your Own "Look-Book"
Whether you create a hand held notebook of tear-outs from actual printed magazines, or save paper and create a style board on Pinterest, pulling together the seasonal colors, patterns, textures that appeal to you can be a huge help. Why? Because it will help keep you focused. Just because mini-skirts are trending this Fall, it may not be the right look for you - but long skirts are. When you create your own look-book, you'll notice the repetition of a style you're drawn to. The next task to do after creating your wardrobe style look-book is to shop, organize, and clean out your closet.

 Ann Taylor (boyfriend jeans) Denim Styling Tips

 Fall Trend: Cognac & Tobacco leathers

 Fall Trend: Torn Denim & Heels

15 Fall Trends to consider for your Style Look-Book

- Blazer (especially double breasted)
- Cardigans- softer layering essential
- Turtleneck sweater
- Chiffon (sheer) blouse for layering
- Fringe - just not on everything or all at once: pick your poison: ex: a great handbag
- Prints: Plaid:Tartan, Glen plaid - Animal Prints: Leopard, Python
- Shirtdress - also great for wearing open layered with tunic and leggings
- Black leather details - from trim to leather skirt or pants
- Skirts: Long, full, pleated or drop waist pleated knee-length skirt
- Cognac or Tobacco Leather: Handbag, boots, shoes
- Key colors: Traditional: navy, burgundy, mustard PLUS: greys, browns, blacks and winter whites
- Brown is the new black - but black is still a strong key essential this Fall & pairs great with brown
- Cross-body bags & bucket bags give your forearm a rest, but satchels & totes are still going strong
- Palazzo or wide legged pants (great maxi alternative)
- Denim - especially relaxed (boyfriend), bootcut (great to balance the butt!) or torn denim (just save the uber-crazy tears for your daughter)

Fall Trend: Fringe - Add this hot trend whether it's High like the YSL Fringe Bucket Bag or Gucci's Bamboo Handle Tote - or Low as as H&M's fringe bag for only $30.

 Fall Trend: Edgy looks with Leather details & Deep side-parts.

2. Shop, Organize, and Clean Out Your Closet
After you've surveyed and scoped out what the "it" styles are for Fall, hit your closet. Look for those hidden gems you may already have. While you're at it, take the time to actually try on clothing you've been "hanging onto" - whether for nostalgia purposes or because "one day" you 'think' you may wear again. Chances are, if it's been four or more years, your lifestyle, your career or even your location (or body) have changed. By trying on these items, you'll see they either no longer fit your body or your lifestyle. 

Dust off last years boots, heels or bags. Some styles can still work for this year. Sometimes, just bringing in these fall faves to your local shoe repair can help get them cleaned up (even repair a purse strap!) at a fraction of the cost of what buying all new could amount to.

Of these better items you clear out, collect the better items and take to your local consignment shop. By doing this closet edit, you'll again keep focused on what you truly need for your Fall wardrobe update while avoid buying duplicates of items you already have.

Keep the floor neat beneath your feet!

3. Sell & Shop Consignment
Gathering the best of your closet purge to take to consignment can help build up funds towards new purchases to refresh and update your existing wardrobe. Although they may not take everything all at one location or chain, another nearby location might - and it's worth it. Consigning clothing is so much more productive and easier to do than to pull together a garage sale. To help sell your items to the consignment stores itself, make sure items are looking their best with these Consignment Tips: 

 Material Wrld image.

- Hang all items you're going to sell vs. bringing in a laundry basket of wrinkled cast-offs.
- Make sure items are CLEAN - even if washed but hanging for a year or two, spritz with Febreze.
- Check & remove wrinkles (especially of folded items now hanging like sweaters or tees).
- Check for pills (annoying fur balls on sweaters, knits and wool): Tip: These can be removed with a shaving razor.
- Check for white deodorant marks (it happens: you try something on and change your mind) Tip: Easy to remove by rubbing fabric from the bottom of the item to (light) mark - afterwards, dust off with hand.
- Check pockets in clothing & handbags - You may discover a dollar bill, an old ID, a credit card, or a receipt with your credit info.
- Clean up shoes with leather moisturizer or Goo-Off. Goo-Off works great to bring back a shine to patent and also remove price stickers or label sticker residue.
- Bring in Fall / Winter items to consign now - Save your better Spring / Summer items to consign later in January.
- Recycle dry-cleaner hangers to hang your consignment items on. By doing this you'll help save giving away your skinny hangers. If you do bring in items with your skinny hangers and you'd like them back, be sure to ask the shop to please switch-out your skinnies to their store  hangers for items they do select.

Consignment is said to be more value than thrift. Sell at and Shop online consignment stores such as Tradesy and Material Wrld (who has partnered with Dress For Success!) Read more at MaterialWrld.com

Whatever ever items aren't up to par for consignment, donate to your local charity or thrift store. Some thrift stores even offer an incentive to donate by giving you back a dollar or percent off your next purchase with them (for example: Savers Thrift Stores). And some donation to charities can not only help put the community to work by providing jobs, but other charity thrift donations (for example: My Sister's Charity Thrift in Chandler store's profit is going to Fresh Start Women’s Foundation and animal organizations, such as the Arizona Humane Society and HALO Animal Rescue. Read more at Help a Good Cause and Save Money on abc15.com.

 

50% Off - Saturday August 23 - Goodwill - Central Arizona

 Give back while you shop plus receive 20% off at Kendra Scott in Scottsdale, Saturday, August 23.

3. Time To Shop
Now that you've got your Fall wardrobe shopping list ready (from creating your style look-book), and you've shopped, edited and purged from your own closet, it's time to shop - but where? While you can shop some of the end of season progressive sales happening at your local consignment shops (great to save on key pieces such as a denim jacket or black bottoms - especially skirts), also be sure to visit some of your favorite specialty stores end of season deals too. Many specialty store have not only marked down spring / summer items, but on the weekends, they usually also offer additional savings from 30% - 60% off the markdown price. This can help you save on jeans, jewelry, scarves, blazers or tops.

Besides shopping specialty stores for end of season deals (and department stores too: Dillards is an excellent source for deals on better fashion jewelry!), also be sure to check out thrift stores such as church thrift, charity thrift, and thrift chains such as Savers or Goodwill. Even local chains, for example in NYC: Housing Works Thrift Stores offer amazing deals to its loyal shoppers with special promos such as these:

- Dollar Days at Goodwill (specific color tag on Thursdays are just $1)
- 50% off Saturdays (every-other Saturday at Goodwill AZ)
- Extra 20% off your entire purchase - monthly email coupon from Goodwill
- Extra 30% off Stamp Card at Savers
- $3 off Coupon - received when you donate
- Buy the Bag Deals - Housing Works Thrift Specials - watch for via their social media on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

Gird your loins NYC thrifters!! Housing Works thrift Shops will have their "Best of Fall" event August 30 - September 23!

Now that you've shopped end of season sales at specialty stores plus saved a few more dollars shopping thrift specials, head back to your consignment shop to check your balance on what you've sold - you could be surprised to find free money from your closet has has totaled from $10 - $100 or more (depending on the labels you've consigned). These funds can go towards your 'new-to-you' finds within their store - from a fab new cocktail dress for holiday parties or a splurge on that signature or statement bag you've been wanting. Consignment stores are usually selling relevant, current, on trend merchandise at a fraction of what big box retailers are selling for - and some items are actually new (you know you too have items in your closet you've bought and never worn).

And within all this fabulous Fall Haul swapping and shopping, you can feel good about helping the planet from these items ending up in a landfill, plus we're all helping each other save and create our own signature style - without busting the budget or breaking the bank.

 Mega score: housing Works Thrift Buy the bag Event - 27 name-brand pieces for $25!!

Tip for extra seasonal savings: Shop end of season now - save for next spring / summer + everyday key items! 

Second-hand Style tips to keep in mind when shopping thrift or consignment:

- Stay focused on what you're looking for - If it's clothing, don't go wander off into the home section.
- Most thrift stores merchandise by size and by category (Jeans, Jackets, Tanks, Long Sleeve, etc.) and also by color. 
- If you're looking for something particular (for example a burgundy cardigan or black turtleneck), be sure to look through the next size up and ignore the size marked. Not all secondhand finds are true to size, especially after the cleaning care previous person applied - items do shrink and items from other countries could be sized differently than US sizes.
- Load your cart and TRY ON everything. Some items that look great on a hanger may be there for a reason (example: too small of a neck opening).
- When trying on items, be sure they 'fit' you. If they need to be altered, consider that expense in the price of the item: sometimes it's not worth it - unless you can do the alteration your self or you really love the color / style on you. Style Tip: For an over-sized blazer, sometimes a belt can do the trick to cinch in and accent a smaller waist.
- Check items for rips, tears, or stains - especially on longer items like maxi dresses.
- If you're shopping thrift for maxi dresses: LOOK DOWN - the longer dresses are easier to spot and can save you time vs. going through every item.

When you get your haul home, remove tickets, check labels and wash - whether it be machine or hand wash. Even some labels marked as "dry clean only" (such as a Lycra-knit blend) can be washed at home on gentle, and hung or lay flat to dry - again saving you money on your fall haul.

Although you're shopping for your Fall wardrobe, keep others in mind too - For example your mom. I recently sent a box of clothes to my mom in Florida from finds I scored here in AZ. Seasonal shopping together was something we use to do regularly: She really enjoyed our time together and I really enjoyed being her personal shopper for the day. I'd see things here I thought she would like and hated to pass up, so I double check on sizing + examine and clean the items, and pack a bundle to ship to her. I think she's the only woman on the planet that doesn't enjoy shopping (especially the hunting!) so she's grateful when she receives the package - not only because she didn't have to go shop for it but because I usually get her to try new things she'd otherwise be hesitant to try for herself. If you're fortunate to have your mom nearby, make a weekend (or day) of it - help her organize her closet, shop, have lunch and just spend that time together while you can.

If you're local here in Phoenix or also in the San Diego area or even online at MySistersCloset.com, be sure to check out My Sister's Closet Consignment stores for their Fall Reveal & Floor-set this Saturday - August 23! 

Happy Weekend + Fall Haul Shopping!

Thank you for reading and for stopping by!

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5 Other thrifty reads you may also enjoy:

The Company Behind My Sister's Closet

5 Best Thrift Stores in New York City

Top Online Thrift Stores

Time to Consign - 10 Helpful Tips 

Closet Organizing Tips - Part 1