I almost exclusively blog about upcycling and/or buying secondhand. But, I yearn to expand my knowledge of related ways to be a smart consumer and reduce waste. Mindful consuming, upcycling / secondhand shopping, and looking for ways to reduce waste all fall under the same umbrella. And every time I hear about how much food is wasted in the USA (and elsewhere, I’m sure), I just feel so discouraged. So, I thought it would be beneficial if I did some research into food waste solutions for my own kitchen.Read more ›
Beach Cottage Decor from the Thrift Store

My “Thrift the Look” blog hop challenges are one of my favorite things to do. And this time around, the theme is Cottage Decor. Any version of cottage decor was up for grabs, but I chose to work on a thrifted version of beach cottage decor or coastal cottage decor.Read more ›
Password Book from a Vintage Address Book

Here we go again with another upcycling idea of mine that probably doesn’t warrant a blog post. But I’m doing one anyway! I was at my in-laws’ mountain cabin and my mother-in-law mentioned that she needed a password book from an office supply store. I didn’t actually realize that a password organizer was a “thing”, to be perfectly honest.Read more ›
35+ Upcycling Ideas for Industrial Decor

One of the more recent home decor trends that I never get tired of is Industrial Decor. Not only do I love the rustic, almost masculine feel to the elements (reclaimed wood, metal, worn leather), but if you think about it, industrial home decor is a product of upcycling. But upcycling on a grander scale. Read more ›
Painting a Wooden Music Box to Look Like Painted Bedroom Furniture

Whenever I find a wooden music box on my thrifting adventures, I get excited. I love listening to the plinky sounds from the music box (if it still works) and trying to “Name that Tune”! So, when I found this little music jewelry box on the Goodwill shelves, I was immediately smitten.Read more ›
Camping Decor with Repurposed Picture Frames

The first time I posted a Hudson Bay Wool Blanket–inspired project, I thought of it solely as fall or winter decor. Those classic HBC blankets are made of wool, after all, right? But, a few of my readers commented that the stripes actually reminded them of summer camp. So, I decided to revisit the same idea to create some camping decor to use during the summer months.Read more ›
From Country Decor to French Farmhouse Style

Country decor from the 1980s, the wooden pieces covered in ducks, geese, and hearts, are a pretty common sight in thrift stores. And while the motif is outdated, the pieces often have good bones and are made of heavy, solid wood. This magazine holder was no different and I decided that I could “re-trend” it from country decor to the French farmhouse style pretty easily.Read more ›
30+ Upcycling Ideas for Vintage Lamps and Lamp Shades

There are a LOT of old and vintage lamps at thrift stores. And don’t even get me started on the lamp shades! It is positively amazing how many there are to choose from. But the good news is that there are a LOT of upcycling ideas for them both. From antique lamps to old brass lamps…to painting lamp shades, there are any number of ways to revamp them.Read more ›