My House in: Thrifty Finds

Don't you just love a good deal? Me, too. In fact, I absolutely refuse to buy something - just about anything - unless it's on sale, I have a coupon, or the seller is willing to negotiate the price. It's not an obsession, it's necessity. We are very blessed, but {like a lot of you, I imagine} we have to be very careful with every purchase we make. That's why when I found the following lovelies at thrift stores and in clearance bins, my heart went pitter-patter.

Welcome to a tour of my favorite thrifty home finds.

I had been searching {and searching} for the perfect little bird statue for my house. I'm not big on knick knacks, but for some reason this one is just me.

{bird statue: $2 - Stein Mart clearance}
I blurred that photo on the edges so you wouldn't stare at my gleaming legs. Stop it!

This creamy statue sits above my cabinets. It had previously been used as a prop used for store displays. My only regret is that I didn't snatch up its twin.

{statue: $3 - Stein Mart}

I discovered this metal tin on my first "home decor trip" to a thrift store. I had been many times for other things, but this was the first time I went deciding I could decorate my home with other's cast-off items. It was the beginning of something wonderful.

{Galvanized bucket: $1; flowers: $4 clearance garden store find}

When I first saw this tray on my favorite aisle at Target (you know the one: pillows, color-coordinated wall art and lamps. Isn't that everyone's favorite aisle?), I picked it up thinking it would be out of my price range. When I turned it over and saw the clearance sticker, I might have heard the angels singing. I'm still baffled at how so many other people walked right past it before it came home with me. But I'm not complaining!

{decorative tray: $3, Target}

This tufted, upholstered storage ottoman was the catalyst for bringing a lot of beauty into our newlywed home. I discovered it while visiting my mom soon after my husband and I had purchased our first home. At that time, our master bedroom was all stark white walls, hand-me-down furniture and college leftovers. I had no idea what direction I wanted to take our new home but I knew that whatever colors and furniture I chose would have to stick for many years to come. Then I saw this ottoman, called my husband to get his opinion and bought it. It immediately became the color palette inspiration for our bedroom and resulted in a blue and brown combination that I have not once regretted in our room. I positioned it by our bedroom door for the perfect spot to sit and tie your shoes in the morning. Inside I've stashed extra quilts and blankets, and a baby girl outfit I bought during my pregnancy when I didn't know what we were having. I have a gut feeling this will be an all-baby-boy house, but I'm not giving it away yet!

{Upholstered Storage Ottoman: $50 - Stein Mart}

Apparently I love Stein Mart's home department. I didn't realize just how much until I wrote this post!

What are your favorite thrifty finds?