Introducing: The Weekend Homemaker!

This week I am super pleased to announce that we have two guest bloggers that will be helping with the ReStore blog! Today I'm going to introduce the first guest blogger:

Meet Crystal Clark, author of The Weekend Homemaker. 

You might remember Crystal from earlier posts here at My [re]claimed Home because she was the one that inspired me to start Fabulous Finds Friday! She was also a featured designer for the 3rd Annual ReStore ReStyle Design Challenge that was held back in May! Crystal created a little girl's room and she wrote all about the challenge in this post, and this one, this one, oh heck she wrote about it a lot! Just check out her blog to see what I'm talking about.  

Here at Our Towns Habitat ReStores we are super excited to have Crystal on board with us! She will be presenting some of her unique Do-It-Yourself ideas and projects throughout the months, with items that she has picked up from the ReStores! 

Here is a little note from Crystal:  I'm a home decor and craft blogger who is inspired to create, repurpose and recycle in order to decorate my home on a budget. I love shopping the restore, thrift stores, and garage sales to find items that just need a little love to give them a new life. I turned my unused "formal" dining room into a home office for two and was featured in the July 2012 issue of Better Homes and Gardens.  Thank you Crystal! ------------------------------ Would you like to be a guest blogger? Email Amy for more information.

Fabulous Finds: Featuring Mooresville ReStore!

Hello! I hope this blog post finds you healthy and well after the very busy holiday. I'm excited to bring this week's Fabulous Finds to you straight from the Mooresville ReStore.

Fabulous Finds #1: Jewelry Forms
A big thanks goes out to the Jewel Box for this donation of jewelry forms! The Mooresville ReStore is selling necklace forms for $3-$5 depending on the size. These are a great way to display those beautiful necklaces you own, without the hassle of untangling them!

Fabulous Finds #2: Brand new light bulbs!
We are lighting the way to savings with these brand new light bulbs! Check them out- 40watt, 60 watt, and more! All the bulbs are new in box!

Fabulous Finds #3: New Light Fixtures
What's the point of buying new light bulbs if you don't have a new light fixture to put them in! Check out these great light fixtures from Better Homes and Garden and Main Stays. I purchased a pendant light for my own home for only $35!

Fabulous Finds #4: Brand New Door Knobs
Out with the old and in with the new, as the saying goes. As most people switch out their brass hardware for a more modern silver/chrome/brushed nickle look, it seems pretty rare that we receive new door hardware in a variety of styles. These will go fast, so don't want to upgrade your hardware features!

Fabulous Finds #5: New Paint Supplies
Adding a new coat of paint can be an easy and inexpensive way to freshen up your home. So let Our Towns Habitat ReStores assist with that project as we introduce a new staple at both the Mooresville and Cornelius ReStores: new paint supplies! Rollers, roller covers, brushes in a variety of sizes, putty knives, drop cloths, painters tape... you name it, we've got it.All for a price you can't beat.

Fabulous Finds #6: Vintage Table with 3 Chairs and 1 Captain's chair
I saved the best for last (in my opinion!). Check out this retro dining room table. Vinyl covered red seats really capture the look and feel of your grandmother's kitchen, a style that is back in and trending these days! There is beautiful detail in the nail head decor on the chair, and the table's edges curve comfortably to the body. At only $200, this baby is a steal!

What are some of your recent Fab Finds?

We're expecting!!

Yep, that's right! We're expecting a brand new addition to our family! And just when we thought we were getting settled into our new-to-us home a year later after the purchase. Despite having to redesign rooms to now include a nursery/combine my craft room with the office, we are super excited!

B. and I have chosen not to learn the gender of our child, which means we're working with gender neutral colors for the nursery (I know, I know, the baby sign above is in blue so you think it's going to be a boy! Nope, I really just found it at the Mooresville ReStore and had to take a picture because it was so cute!). No biggie since we have been inspired by this fabulous room I found at Pottery Barn Kids. Not too long ago we picked up furniture at Our Towns Habitat ReStore in Cornelius and we are now looking to install wainscoting in the nursery that will match our fabulous furniture!

   

So.. in search of materials to complete the nursery picture above, I headed to the Mooresville ReStore. And while I didn't have any luck finding unfinished wainscoting (which I can't find anywhere, btw), or the moulding I need for the ceiling, I did find a bunch of other Fabulous Finds! Here are a few of my favorites this week:

Fabulous Find #1: 6 piece bar

I find this piece to be ultra fabulous. It's made from solid wood and has all the necessary spaces for a bar! On the back wall are wine glass holders and a mirror. The covered look with the decorative spindles on each side give this piece the well-deserved aura of an expensive scotch drinker's bar!

 

I don't have a great picture of the bar once it's completed, but here's a black and white. Use your imagination and the image above to see it's true potential. 

The best part of this bar? The price: 

Fabulous Find #2: Stanton Turntables and Case

Never before have I seen turntables this stylish come into either the Cornelius or Mooresville ReStores. But there is a first time for everything, and that's why we live by the motto Miss a Day, Miss a Deal. Pictured below are 2 Stanton Turntables that have been tested and work! Included in the price is the case with cover. Now, I don't know anything about turntables, but they look to be in really good condition!

 

These bad boys are going for only:

Fabulous Finds #3: Gloves

Okay, Okay, I know that gloves aren't super glamorous or anything, but you'd be surprised at how many people want to buy our gloves! At just 50 cents a pair, you can buy yourself enough gardening gloves to last you for summers over! Plus, you'll never lose them because they are a beautiful bright orange! :)

Fabulous Finds #4: Heavy Bag and Speed Bag

As a fellow boxer, I REALLY wish I had room for this in my house (hey! maybe I'll put it next to the crib!). This boxing set is in pretty good condition! The stand is heavy duty, but the speed bag probably needs to be replaced. It's going for only $100!

Fabulous Finds #5: Plus Arm Chairs

This seems to be the time to swap out arm chairs like the kind you'll find in a waiting room since last week the Cornelius ReStore featured some great ones too! These beautiful plush babies are red in color with a slight diamond pattern and wooden arms and legs. In great condition, we have at least 5 of them. And for only $25 a piece, they probably won't last long.

So.. while I didn't find anything I needed to complete my awesome nursery, I did find a lot of great items at the Mooresville ReStore. If you are nearby, stop in and see what you can find and comment below so others will know about your Fabulous Finds!

SHARED: Habitat Metrolina ReStores Blog

I was stalking reading up on the Habitat Metrolina ReStores Facebook Page when I came across this awesome blog post, found at the Habitat Metrolina ReStores Blog! I thought that it holds such great ideas that I wanted to share it. Thanks to guest blogger Jennifer Burnham for posting this on the Metrolina Blog!

Fabulous Finds Friday!

It's that time of the week again! Here are a couple of the Fabulous Finds at Our Towns Habitat ReStores this week:

Fabulous Finds #1: Beautiful dining room table

This beautiful solid wood dining room table can be found at the Mooresville ReStore. With 2 captains chairs and 4 regular chairs you'd be hard pressed to find another dining room table this pretty!

Fabulous Finds #2: Tall, dark, and sultry... pair of lamps

I really can't believe I'm showing this picture because I'm absolutely in love with these lamps and want to buy  them for myself! :O Imagine this pair of lamps painted in cream, and the shades replaced with a light, canvas-type shade... gah! Beautiful! $15 each.

Fabulous Finds #3: Stand up dressing mirror

I'm not sure why these ever began to lose their style. This mirror is elegant, a classic look to a classic design. Inspire yourself and your date while dressing in this mirror! The best part? It's only $55 at the Cornelius ReStore. 

Fabulous Finds #4: Lamp Style Heater

As I was walking through the Cornelius ReStore today, trying to decide what to pinpoint for this week's Fabulous Finds Friday, I was a little concerned when I saw this lamp in the chandelier section. I thought, "Well surely that doesn't belong there!" And while really, it probably could have gone in a different location, I was completely wrong in assuming it was a lamp! This baby is actually a heater! Brand new it retails around $200, but we're selling it for only $75!

 

Fabulous Finds #5: Double Chairs

My parents always had a unique way of punishing my sister and I when we were little. As a parent-to-be, I admire them (now) for their special parenting techniques, but hated our punishments back then. The worst punishment was having to sit at the kitchen table, face to face, and hold my sister's hand after fighting!!! EWWWWW!! Cooties! I know, I know, cooties aren't real (tell that to my child in a few years..) but they sure felt real back then. Sitting across from my sister, having to look her in the eyes and not release hands until we could be civilized was heck on earth! I couldn't think of anything worse... until I saw these chairs, because the only thing worse than sitting face to face would have been to sit next to each other!

Of course this is all a joke (except the punishment, that was a real and frequent one). The chairs pictured above are in great shape and would look great in any doctor's office, waiting room, or even a library. The double chairs pictured above can be found at the Cornelius ReStore for only $30/set.

Side Note:

Our Towns Habitat ReStores are looking for some devoted volunteers to help manage this blog! If you enjoy fixing up your home, working on craft projects, trying new things, and think you could teach others, please contact awilliamson@ourtownshabitat.org to help write blog posts! 

Fabulous Finds Friday plus 30% off!!

Good afternoon! There are so many fabulous things to post about this week, so get ready!

The first Fabulous (few) Finds involves new product that can be found at the Mooresville & Cornelius ReStores!

Fabulous Find #1: Programmable Thermostats:
These babies are perfect for the hot summer that is approaching! Set your thermostat to a higher temperature when you are at work during the day, and program it to cool down the house shortly before you arrive home!

Fabulous Find #2: Baby Safety Equipment

Also available at the Cornelius and Mooresvillle ReStores, these safety items are great for any mom or dad (grandparent, aunt, uncle, brother, etc) preparing to bring a child into the world! From drawer stoppers (we don't want any tiny fingers pinched!) to plastic stove-knob covers, door knob locks and refrigerator locks, your baby is sure to be protected from some of the dangers of an ordinary home!

 Fabulous Find #3: New AquaSource Faucets!
I'll be the first one to admit that I absolutely LOVE building materials. Before I purchased my home, I couldn't stand the thought of entering Lowe's Home Improvement. Now, we're honestly considering registering there for our wedding (crazy, I know..). I'm especially fond of shopping at Lowe's if it means I can look at new new kitchen equipment! We recently purchased a new faucet for our kitchen sink because the sprayer broke and anytime one of us would forget and use it we'd end up with water all over the place. So imagine how bummed I was when these babies came out onto the floor at the Cornelius ReStore yesterday!

Brand new AquaSource kitchen faucets. There are a variety of different styles. Similar ones, like this one found online, go for over $100, and the Cornelius ReStore is selling them for $65-$75! This particular one includes a soap pump, and a pull down sprayer. 

Fabulous Finds #4: Picture Frames
If building materials don't do it for you, don't fret! The Cornelius ReStore just came into a GREAT selection of picture frames! Stop in to take a look for yourself, and don't forget to fill them with your favorite photos of  your summer happenings!

Fabulous Find #5: 1995 Hydra Force Pontoon Boat with Trailer

This last Fabulous Find is so great it deserves a post all it's own! Located at the Mooresville ReStore, this 1995 Hydra Force Pontoon boat and it's trailer were donated to us just a few days ago. The previous owners last took it out for a "swim" two years ago, and said that it was in great working order then. It is being auctioned off beginning tomorrow, June 1st. This special silent auction will end on Saturday, June 15th at 2pm. Please place all bids at the Mooresville ReStore. To see more pictures of the boat, click here. 

That completes the Fabulous Finds for you this week, but as I mentioned there are so many great things happening at Our Towns Habitat ReStores! Here are a few more things of importance:

Summer Kick-off Sale!

Both the Cornelius & Mooresville ReStores will be having a 30% ALL FURNITURE sale tomorrow (Saturday, June 1st). Come check out our great selection of  couches, tables, chairs, desks and more!

Neighborhood Blitz

If you haven't heard about our Neighborhood Blitzes, then read carefully! Quite possibly the easiest and most convenient way to schedule a pick up if you and your neighbors have donations! This technique works particularly well after Neighborhood Yard Sales! Simply call the ReStore (or email Amy) and ask to schedule a Neighborhood Blitz...we'll come out on a designated Saturday (preferably decided upon a few weeks in advance) and drive around your neighborhood. Anyone participating is asked to put their donations at the curb for an easy and convenient pick-up. No waiting around and no fuss!

New Summer Hours!
Our Towns Habitat ReStores will follow new summer hours beginning tomorrow, Saturday, June 1st. Both ReStores will be open:

Tuesday - Saturday: 9am to 5pm

We will remain closed on Sundays & Mondays. 

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What other things would you like to see happen at Our Towns Habitat ReStores?

Add a little spice to your kitchen!

Hey y’all!  Heather here with another simple Do-It-Yourself project with great finds at ReStore in Cornelius.  My most recent project will add a little “flavor” to your kitchen!  It’s the little things that make such a big impact and these fun small projects definitely are fun and affordable.  For this project you don’t need much!  Spending only $1.50 at ReStore on utensils added with a cutting board, chalkboard paint and some hot glue is the perfect recipe for this do-it-yourself project. 

First gather all your ingredients!  

 Second, paint the chalkboard paint on the cutting board. You can purchase this paint for only $6 at a craft store, or you can make your own (how-to guide here).  Next you'll want to glue the utensils to frame out the cutting board to turn it into a fun chalkboard for the kitchen!

I turned mine into a Menu board, which makes it fun to plan some yummy meals now!  For a family it makes it fun for kids to get involved and use the menu.  A little “flavor” to add to your kitchen counter and makes a fun project that the whole family could use for less than $10.  Now what more could you ask for there?!