ANOTHER START TO A THRIFTED HOLIDAY TABLESCAPE

I went to another thrift store yesterday and was thrilled with my finds! I got four large black plates that I will use as chargers.

They are solid black and perfect for a back drop to so many different plates.


But, it was the white with orange stripe plates that really made me happy. These will be perfect for my Halloween Luncheon this year.

If you recall, last year I had a Halloween luncheon that was a witch theme and we loved it so much that we decided to have it become an annual themed luncheon. Yet, who wants to use the same tablescape? Not me!

I'm sure I'll find another plate to go on top of the white and orange one. Maybe a spider, witch or black cat silhouette?


Then I found four of these, Haunted House with bats flying around, napkin rings. Again, perfect for our theme!

I love finding things in thrift stores that I can use later. Knowing I'm going to have these little gatherings gives me lots of time to find items for little to no money!

The black plates were 99 cents each and the orange and white plates were $3.00 for four plates. The napkin rings were only 39 cents each. Not bad at all.

I would love to know what tablescape items you have found at the thrift stores. Also, do you look for items to use for Holidays later in the year? If not, start. It's when you start to look at things differently that you come up with some great ideas.

MY RECENT THRIFT STORE FINDS

One of the first things I go look at when I hit up the thrift stores are the dishes, glasses, and table decor.

I'm always looking for fun items for a tablescape somewhere down the line. I've also found that by doing so, I've come across some great bargains.

This is my latest thrift store hall. I think it is the start to a great Patriotic tablescape.


I found some great plates that are white with blue trim. Toss in some red and you are ready to sing God Bless America!

I got four of these plates for 50 cents each! I also got this little blue star bowl for 25 cents but I really think I want to get red stars or if I get red salad plates then a white star would be nice.

I could use the blue star for other items on the table.

I also got five little flags for 50 cents for the whole group. That's only 10 cents each. Not bad!

Then the four gold star napkin rings were $2.00 or 50 cents each. I'm thinking I may spray paint these. I think white stars with some pretty red and white striped napkins would be nice and look more like a flag.

What do you think? Spray paint them or leave them gold?

So, for, $4.75 I got enough for four place settings. I can't wait to put it all together. I'm thinking Memorial Day is coming up, so maybe then?

While this isn't really a tablescape, I'm still linking up to Between Naps on the Porch. I think it's a good reminder for us all to hit up those thrift stores as there are some great items for putting together pretty yet inexpensive tablescapes.

IT'S A GOOD DAY

Another Tuesday is here, which means time to step on the scales at Weight Watchers. It was a good weigh in with another 1.8 lbs gone. Ya, that means 48.8 lbs gone!

Today I woke up and I actually felt like I lost weight. Some times I don't notice anything and some times I can actually tell.

Today my sister, Maureen, got her lifetime membership with Weight Watchers. That means she lost all her weight and maintained it for 6 weeks. So, now, she gets to go to the meetings for free. The only catch is, she has to stay within 2 lbs of her goal weight.

That should be a piece of cake for her because she not only reached her goal weight but she continued to lose even more weight and now she is something like 10 lbs below her goal weight.

She looks so good! I felt really proud of her today as she went up front to get her award, a golden key charm to add to the rest of the charms she already got for meeting different goals.

I am so happy that she is now healthier and feels much better then when she started. I couldn't help but think about the first time we walked into Weight Watchers. I admit I had my doubts about doing well. I wondered how long it would be before we quit.

Knowing that she stuck to it and made her goal helps me to see that I too can reach my goal. I think having each other to go through this together has made it much easier.

On the days I don't feel like going to weigh in or the weeks I had where I knew I had a gain, it was her that got me to show up. I knew she would be there waiting for me and I would have let her down if I didn't show up. I think she may have felt the same way.

Congratulations Maureen! You did it! I'm so proud of you. Also, thank you for all your help and support in my weight loss journey.

CLEAN YOUR TEETH!

I think everyone knows that flossing your teeth is a good thing. But, just in case you hate to floss because you don't like the taste of the mint flavor on most floss is no reason to not floss.

Now you can have all sorts of flavors to pick from.

Like the yummy fruit flavor of the grape floss as shown above.


Or, how about a little breakfast on the go? You can now floss with waffle or coffee flavor floss. So, if you didn't have time to eat, well, your taste buds don't need to know that.

There is always Ranch flavor if you feel like something more like a dip or salad taste.

For you bacon lovers, you can now enjoy the taste all day long without the calories.

You can now actually have your cake and eat it too. Well, more like your cupcake and eat it too. With cupcake flavor floss! YUM!

If you just can't enough of your greens, then maybe, you would like to go for the cool and fresh flavor of lettuce/salad floss.

Oh, I wonder if Sandra Lee, who loves her "cocktails" so much, would enjoy Absinthe flavored floss?

What? You don't want to give up your mint flavored floss? Yet, you still would like to enjoy the fun new flavors?

Never fear! You can now get flavored toothpicks. Like Maple flavor.

No need to pick away your your nice pancake breakfast only to lose the taste in your mouth. Now you can get the left overs out of your teeth but still taste that nice maple flavor.

I have to admit, I have had cinnamon flavored toothpicks before. They were pretty good too.

So, if you like a bit of heat then try the Fire Picks.

Again, you meat lovers can rejoice! Not only can you floss with the taste of Bacon but you can get that same fried pork flavor in your toothpicks.

Do you think these are OK for vegetarians and vegans?

Feeling hungry for something a bit sweet? No carnivals or fairs around? That's OK, go for the Cotton Candy toothpicks.

So, what do you think? Are you sold on these new flavors?

I do think the little toothpick tins are darling. I think these could make fun little favors to hand out.

But, I think, I'll stick with mint floss and regular old toothpicks.

THE BUNNIES ARE COMING! THE BUNNIES ARE COMING!

Easter may not be for several more weeks but we have all seen the decorations already in the stores.

Us bloggers know, you must grab your items early or you may miss out. So, I wanted to share these little darlings with you in case you want to run and get some for yourself.

My pictures do not do these guys justice at all! They look like real little chocolate bunnies in person.

So cute and perfect for your Easter decor.

Want to know where I got them? Sure you do! I got them at BIG LOTS! For only $1.50 each. Can you believe it.

I picked up a dozen because I'm going to use them on my Easter Tablescape this year. I think they will be so cute at each place setting.

But, I didn't just want to have them sitting there. I thought I could have them be the favor and everyone could take one home but I already have the favor I'm using this year.

I'm going to use them as place card holders. These little bunnies do a great job at holding a name card. Pretty clever, if I do say so myself.

So run, don't walk, to your nearest Big Lots and get some for yourself. If you are not going to be hosting Easter dinner then pick up a few to bring as a hostess gift. Wrap them in a nice box with pretty paper and no one will ever know how little you spent on your gift.

I think these would also make cute gifts for teachers, girlfriends and neighbors. Even just one as a decoration is great.

Change the ribbons to match your colors and maybe put it under glass to make it really stand out.

Oh I can see using these for a lot of things.

DAY DREAMING OF SPRING TABLESCAPE

Today is a nice pretty day outside and it got me to day dreaming about Spring. So, I sat a pretty little tablescape just for myself. I had lunch and thought about the wonderful Spring days that are ahead.

To me, Spring brings to mind, lazy days when the birds sing and the flowers are in bloom. So I got out a tablecloth covered in pretty flowers. I didn't iron it because after all, a lazy Spring day does not involve getting the iron out. Plus, since it was just me, I didn't mind the causal look.

I then got out my lace charger, a sunny yellow plate to remind me of the Sun and a blue salad plate with a bird on it. That reminds me of the birds singing and the blue skies.

Of course there are lots of butterflies in Spring so I used my butterfly napkin ring.

I even got the good silver out. Heck, why not? I'm good enough to use real silver for my lunch.

This setting made me smile. It's actually our normal ever day dishes too. There are a few different kinds that can be mixed and matched to make the settings look different.

For my centerpiece I used a bird house, my bird salt and pepper shakers and a pretty candle.

It's nice to spoil yourself once in awhile and set a pretty place just for you and your day dreams.

Even though this is a small tablescape, I'm linking up to Between the Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday. Maybe it will inspire others to set a pretty table even if it's only for one.

SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT!

Today, while out shopping, I came across these shoes. Have you seen them before? Perhaps you even own a pair?

These are called Shape ups and they are made by Sketchers. There are other brands out there too but these were on sale from $139 down to $99 at Kohls so I got them.

I've seen them worn by a few people at my Weight Watchers meetings and everyone said they were the best!

They are made to give you a work out while you walk. They will help your posture, firm calf and butt muscles, promote weight loss, strengthen the back, increase cardiovascular health and reduce stress on your knees and ankle joints.


They come in all different colors. Since I'm a big fan of pink I went with the white with little touches of pink on them.

They pretty much look like other tennis shoes but they don't feel like other ones when you put them on. Though they are very comfortable.

They have a big base at the bottom and it curves up at the toe and heal areas. So you rock as you walk. They sort of remind me of those exercise balls where you sit on them and have to balance.

They tell you to start out wearing these only 20 mins a day until you work up to longer. If you don't, your legs will be sore. Like when you start a new exercise program and then wake up and can't move because your muscles are to sore.

These shoes come with not only an instruction booklet but also a DVD showing you how to use them to get the best results.

I'm excited to see how they work. So, tonight I'm going to meet up with a group of friends for dinner and I'm going to wear them.

If you have a pair or know someone who does, let me know what you think of them.

I'm all for trying anything to help me lose weight and firm up. I'm hoping these work like they claim they do. I'll be sure to let you know.

I'VE LOST 47 LBS.

Today was my weigh in day at Weight Watchers. I was thrilled when I stepped on the scales and had another 1.8 lb loss. That brings me to a 47 lb loss so far.

I have to say that sounds like a lot of weight! Well, it should because 47 lbs is a lot of weight. I still have a lot more to go though. But, I'm going to make it this time to my goal weight. I know I will because things are different this time. I'm not in a hurry and I'm not on a diet.

I'm just changing the way I relate to food. Some days it's hard. Some days it's super easy. Sure I'll mess up now and then. So what! I just pick up where I left off.

But, I'm having a hard time in another area. I'm not sure to how to even start to work on that.

I've dropped down from a size 22 to a 14 and I even have one pair of pants that are a size 10. So I know I'm smaller.

I feel better too. So what's the problem you ask?

When I look at myself in the mirror or in photos I still look the same to myself. Like I have not lost anything really.


I've had lots of people tell me how much better I look and make remarks on how much I lost. I've even had two people start on Weight Watchers because they said I inspired them with my weight loss.

I was over at a friends house and her husband came up to me and said "You look really good. You have lost a lot of weight". Now I don't know if his wife told him I was on a diet or not but I do know he is not the type of guy who would say anything about a woman's weight if he didn't mean it.

Today in my meeting I sat next to a lady who I've never sat next to. She said she heard I lost over 45 lbs and was asking me questions on what I did to to that. She then said "How much more do you want to lose?". I told her about another 45 lbs.

Her eyes opened wide and said "Really? You sure don't look like you need to lose that much!".

It's nice to hear all these remarks and I start to think "Well, maybe I do look better". Then I see a photo and think "Everyone has lied to me! I'm still just as fat as always!"

I was thinking by summer I would be comfortable in a bathing suit in public but I feel like I'm really going to look like that lady in the photo above.


I've heard it sometimes takes time for your mind to catch up to your body. I don't know if this is true or not.

I've been fat my whole life. OK, not my whole life. I was born early and was only a tiny runt. But, by my 1st birthday I was one of those kids with rolls on my arms and legs and they have been there ever since.

A chubby kid! I was the one picked last when we had PE and teams were picked. I was at the end of the pack when we had to run around the field.

I had to shop in the "chubby" kids area. I was always bigger then my friends and classmates.

In high school, I was fat too. Though I look back now and wish I was that size. But, you know how teen girls are. Sticks! I was twice their size.

So, I'm used to seeing myself as the fat person. I've never been anything else. Maybe that is my problem.

Well, don't get me wrong. I know I'm still fat. Just maybe not as fat as I think I am.

I just don't understand that if that is true, then how come I see the same size person in photos of myself?

Has anyone else had this problem? If so, how did you get over it?

I was going to post a photo I took of myself on the first day I started Weight Watchers and one today so you could see for yourself what I look like. But, I don't have the first day photo because it was on my other computer and I have not gotten it put on to my new computer yet.

A LITTLE ST. PATTY SNEAK PEEK

OK, I know I should still be on Valentine's Day but, I'm always thinking about the next holiday. Well, to be honest, I'm already several holidays ahead but since St. Patrick's Day is the next one, I wanted to give you a peek as to what I'm planning.


Like I did with Valentine's Day and Halloween, I'm going to have a St. Patrick's Day luncheon. So, I've been collecting things for my tablescape.

I had seen some darling shamrock plates at TJ Maxx and I had them in my cart ready to buy but the line was way to long. So, I put them back and said I would go back the next day or stop at another store and get them.

Sadly, they were gone! Not to be found in any TJ Maxx or Home Goods or Marshalls near me.

I had to give up that idea I had and go with a new one. I thought I would go with plates that I could use at other times as well. Why spend money on plates I can only use one day a year?

I found the green and white polka dot salad plates and thought they would be perfect. I got them, not thinking the green was a hard green to match.

After checking out, I noticed, right at the check stand, were some St. Patrick's Day place mats and the green matched. I quickly got back in line and bought them.

Once home I still wasn't sure what kind of plates I could use to go with the funny color green salad plates. I figured I would just find some plain white ones and go with those. I could always pull in more St. Patrick's Day feel with the decorations and shamrock napkins or napkin ring holders.

Then, as luck would have it, I stopped at a thrift store and found these white plates with the green boarder. I didn't have the green salad plates but thought the green looked like it would match up.

When I checked out I was thrilled to find out the "blue" price stickers were on sale for 1/2 off and these plates only cost me 49 cents each! What a deal!

Once home, I remembered I had some white lace chargers and I put them with the plates. They went great!

I know my photos make the greens look like they are not a good match but in person the colors look different and they are great together. With the place mat pulling all the greens into together.

I even found great green glasses to use!

I love these glasses. I found them at the World Market and they were only $2.00 each. They come in blue, pink and clear also. Sure they have a Fleur De Lis on them, which isn't Irish, but who cares! The color is a perfect match and I'm going to use them.

So that's it! That's all you get for now. No more or it will spoil the surprise once it's all put together.

What about you? Are you planning anything for St. Patrick's Day? Do you plan way ahead of time like I do or just use what you have when the day comes?

Wait until I show you what I found for Easter and at such a bargain price too!