Touches of Spring...Playing House...

We have had a few warmer days lately and with that I have had a renewed energy to "play house".  I have been hitting up the thrift stores more lately and changing up some things in the house here and there.  Yesterday, I went to TJ Maxx and spent the good part of the afternoon perusing the store.  They had a lot of spring items and some cute pictures (for cheap!).  Here are some of my finds...

This picture was $14.99, which I thought was a steal for the beautiful frame and mat alone! The bluish green color goes perfect with my color scheme in my kitchen. 

This print was only $12.99 and the mat is burlap (hard to tell in the picture).  Can't wait to find a spot for it!

Found this straw pot a few weeks ago for $12.99.  I had a heavy metal container here before and I liked the airy and lighter texture of the straw basket.  The front has a silver tag on it that reads 'Fleurs". 

And two more great TJ Maxx finds - some yummy smelling handsoap for the kitchen sink and this candle that smells like Spring.  Little touches like this just make me happy.  Yes, it's the little things...

I have also had the urge to put fresh flowers and plants everywhere.  You can't beat a bunch of flowers in a pretty container for $4.00.  These flowers last forever and my mom gave me the pitcher that I spray painted a glossy white.  It instantly adds happiness to my kitchen...

A small pot of ivy was put in a basket I already had, along with a thrift store milk glass lamp and a platter from my everyday china.  Can't believe my husband hasn't commented on the fact that there is now another lamp in our kitchen.  I'm a lamp queen...

I have a small bookcase in my kitchen that I am always playing around with.  I changed it up this time with a cloche that my mother in law gave me, a silver shell platter, and one of my birds.  I found the silverware graphic from The Graphics Fairy and just tucked it inside the cloche. 

So Spring is just around the corner and these are some of the changes going on around here.  I can't resist opening the french doors and letting the fresh breeze blow through the house...

And on a completely "non-house" related note, these cute shoes were calling my name at TJ Maxx yesterday and I had to have them...

No, they have nothing to do with Spring - it just felt right...

Sara