Hello, friends! A big welcome if you are coming from In My Own Style! I am joining some fabulous bloggers this week for “how to decorate” series that Beth is hosting. I still kind of laugh at myself joining things like this because I have no professional qualifications, but I do like to make things look pretty. I wrote a series a few years ago called “putting a room together” which describes my thought process when decorating.

Honestly though? We recently built a new home and I have felt a bit paralyzed. Our previous homes have been dated and pretty darn ugly when we moved in and it right off the bat it was obvious to me what needed to be done. I’ve always worked well with making the best of a not so pretty situation. Now, I’m finding myself beginning with all new AND pretty in a situation we created with our building choices. The goal for me now is to personalize it and add warmth and character and I’m reminding myself of a few basics that I will share with you today:

Welcome to our kitchen! Most of these pictures our builder had taken (photography by Natalie Bills) before we moved in, so everything looks brand spanking new. Here are some features that we went with:

On the top: the range hood! I’m trying to decide what exactly to do with this decorating-wise. It could be a fun spot to decorate for the seasons/holidays. Or to display some meaningful recipes in our family. Or some photos or a large wreath? Hmmm…what do you see going up there??

The bottom: big fat drawers perfect for pots and pans and serving dishes.

a romantic home by Windsor Smith at House Beautiful:

This garage transformation! from Dixie Delights featured at Organize and Inspire

Did you know that I sold on Ebay as a side job before the world of blogging? I sold some of our own random things, others that I had found at yard sales that I had a hunch might be worth something, and I also sold for some neighbors that had valuable things but didn’t know how to use the computer so I would list items for them and they would pay me for my time.

I don’t have the time for it now, but I still keep my eyes peeled for items that could be WELL worth my time. The best places to find these are at yard/garage/estate sales. Many thrift stores these days have people who are well versed in what items are worth so they catch them before they hit the floor and have their own divisions that sell online. Of course, the condition, year, and style will all make a difference, but here are some to look out for – you never know when you might come across one on an early Saturday morning at a family yard sale.  Heck, maybe your parents have some of these laying around? I’m including the links on Ebay so you can see more info about them. All pictures are also from Ebay.

Kenner Blythe dolls, especially those with original dresses. This one went for $2000:

Anything McIntosh stereo –vintage state of the art, well-built stereos sound enthusiasts LOVE. This one sold for $3,400

Vintage Pyrex bowls: this Cinderella pink nesting set went for over $1000

Diapers! (who knew?!)

Vintage Disposable diapers – $1,000 a pack!!

or how about vintage Depends for $500 a pack?

and vintage Curity Cloth diapers for $300

Vintage brick style cell phones – for $650??

Martha Stewart Noah’s ark cookie cutters can make you $450 richer for the full set:

Remember the little polly pockets?? A set like this sold for just under $1000. The most desirable ones have the little people with the sets.

a complete Fireball Island Board Game fetches $450

Security blankets can bring in big bucks. Think about it: a beloved blanket gets lost and the child won’t sleep without it? It’s amazing what people will pay for a peaceful night.  This bunny one from Fisher Price is most popular and can bring in over $300:

Vintage Mattel Shootin Shell Cap Gun Pistols, especially if they still have the holsters $300

Jellybeans for Breakfast book – at least $200

The Fourteen Bears book – sold for $125

Some ladies love their vintage Lady Schick mist curlers $80

Original Glo Worms that still work? $80

You are going to wish you kept that Trapper Keeper! They can bring in $100+

Keep those eyes open, you just never know when you might come across one. Have any of you found something at a yard sale that went for big bucks??

‘Tis the season for baseball hats to be everywhere around our house! We’ve got 4 different baseball teams we’re chasing until the end of June. Hats were all over the floor, the counter, the mudroom bench, speaking of which—here it is! We’re adding a bunch of high and low hooks and baskets for everything, but it’s fun to look at it in our pre-move in clean and white state. Remember when we discussed mudrooms here?

Anyway, I needed a hat intervention quickly and with as little money as possible.

The beauty of unpacking is that you get to remember EVERYTHING you have. And subsequently question why on earth you have it all?? But then times like these when you want a quick solution you are love that you have riktig clips from IKEA (they are only $2.99 a pack, but if you don’t have an Ikea – you can find them here) and some ribbon that will fit the bill.