Yes you can transform an ugly chest

I got this ugly chest for $5 from a family who is moving back to the UK.

 It was extremely ugly haha, but I took it cause I was looking for a toy storage.

For a long time it was put aside.

After completing a nice wood staining project,  I was sooo bothered by it's ugliness!

Thanks to my family, who are into Do-it-Yourself projects, an idea came upon me!

The paint was flaking, so I sanded it.

Next, I stained it with left-over Dark Walnut Wood stain.

Added some hardware: upholstery nails LOL...

I thought: Oh well, I can't remove them now, so might as well put more!

Then once the first coating dried,  I added more stained stain to darken.

Ugly Chest Transformed.

Now a sexy beauty that serves as a coffee table/chest.

Cost: under $10

Where to look for dirt cheap live entertainment

I started organizing events for singles in September of this year and every week, I look for things to do for the group. I have a big group of 900 people and I enjoy leading them to check out a happy hour, a comedy show, a movie, a club,  a tasting room, dance lessons, etc.
My favorite recent discovery is goldstar.com ;  the successful brainchild of 3 UCLA, Stanford, Harvard graduates.
So this website: Goldstar has FREE tickets! I thought, this can't be legitimate...but they are and they do have many complimentary tickets.
They work with places like IMPROV Comedy club, and other businesses,  give their tickets for free or for 50% even 75% off to fill up the show.
I organized two comedy shows, which were extremely hilarious. We got in FREE through Goldstar, while the venue sells it for $20. Great deal :)
I also got free tickets to an international gem show, which was a treat for a  crafter like me.
Right now they are offering a complimentary ticket to Allan Harvey's comedy show at the Improv on Dec. 22nd.. He is the creator and host of Comedy Central's Night after Night.

They are nationwide, so if you are planning to be in Vegas or New York  or LA for the weekend, you can also look for discounted ticket prices.

Here is the link to their website:  https://www.goldstar.com/join?p=F2269138RP

$15 for 3 bags of fruits and vegetables

Farmer's market, I love you. Not only do I get the freshest produce from you, you give a lot in return for my $15!
I went to the Saratoga Farmer's Market on Saturday, located at the West Valley College parking lot, I almost missed it. There is also one, 2 minutes from my place, but I was in Saratoga so I decided to check it out. I actually liked being there 10 minutes before closing time. The vendors gave me deals, a bag of freebies and there is less crowd, as the vendors started packing. I love the $1 per pound for all tomatoes and fruits, to name a few: plums, nectarines, different varieties of tomatoes, grapes.. and I also bought organic herbs, peppers, and other veggies. It was fun!

Lady strolling, enjoying all the deals for fresh produce

Very nice and helpful vendor

Cucumbers and tomatoes

Fruits

For $15.00

And some are free :)

If you find something beautiful, take it before it is gone :)

I like driving around and do some shopping on weekends, I find it entertaining and I see a lot of things on the way. One Sunday, I found this beautiful coffee set.  I've always wanted one. It was something that was not planned to be bought, but  I know is a great deal and probably won't ever find again.  $24.99  for the whole 15 pc. set of porcelain beauty. Got it from an estate sale. Sealed, unopened, unused.

I think that if you find something beautiful, take it before it's gone..but only if it is a good deal!
I love and  live by this saying always, not just for goods and services. :)

 I saw this set at an online auction site after I bought my set:

It is for sale for $450.00  here. 

Now look at my find for $24.99......

Is that a FGAP (feel great after purchase) or what?!

So it must be true, daughters will become their mothers.
My mom is a collector. I try not to be. (Peace,  Ma LOL)
I couldn't stop smiling at myself when I realized that my mom has a very similar set.
I wonder what my little girl's FGAP for her own place in maybe 13 years :)
But before and after that happens, the three ladies and a gentleman and their friends and families will enjoy many cups of coffees and teas  for many years using this fabulous find.

Smart way to do laundry

We just got back from Monterey an hour ago, and what a beautiful day. It was a perfect sunday on 17 mile drive  with my little one, my beau and his sister. We enjoyed the afternoon sun, laying on the beach on my white blanket and waited for the sunset. We over packed towels and blankets, and used all of them. And that means, over flowing laundry. Tomorrow is going to be a warm day again. Thankfully, because I very rarely use my dryer. And let me tell you why. First, it consumes a lot of energy which equals to money, and second, it damages clothes which means more money spent to buy new ones. My mama was the one who suggested it to me when she visited us here in California in 2008. I will never forget her face when she said,"Your dryer damaged my blouse, please don't put it inside the dryer again". She was not happy, but I am glad she told me that night. It was winter time, I thought her suggestion would never work, but it did, the clothes dried and smelled great...from then on, never did I use my dryer again, except for towels and my sheets. I still use the washer  to wash my clothes, and I do it in large loads.  Then I hang my clothes to dry. The delicate and light clothes, I always hand wash. The results: my little one's clothes look always new, my jeans never fade, my wardrobe looks new even the ones that were purchased 3-4 years ago. I use a clothes rack, there is one (picture below) at Walmart for $29.47. It's very useful and perfect for apartments, and houses too.

My De Sede of Switzerland sofa : $100.00 Retail Value: A SHOCKER

I got a surprise, so big, that it literally made me gasp  and flip. I was curious about how much I could sell  my current sofa for, so I can replace it with a softer one.  
My beau calls it the "back breaker". 
I remember the lady whom I bought it from way back in mid 2008 told me that I am very lucky to get it for $100.00. She said, "If only I could take it back to Europe, but I have to leave in a couple of days." She said she paid something around $5,000. I said, okay. I decided to buy it because:
1.)  I needed a loveseat, and my budget was $ 150.00 LOL
2.)  It was genuine leather, which was impossible to get for $100.00, what designer furniture can you buy for $100  these days in California?  LOL.. it was too good to be true for me.
3.)  It was new, no damage and they had no pets in the house.


This sofa is very heavy, that my  2 friends and I were so exhausted after moving  it to my place. So I thought yeah, it could be worth something. It was a good deal.


Today, I searched for the brand De Sede of Switzerland, which is found on the inner fabric lining of the sofa. I found their website :  


http://www.desede.ch/en/


Wow very modern design. I love every furniture they have.


Then I found my sofa! the DS-2011  here:


http://www.desede.com/en/home-sector/collection/sofas/ds-2011/   


In this picture, it is black, mine is off white. And you can order it in the color and texture of leather that you desire. At this point, I was very happy to know that they have it on their website so I can send the link to prospective buyers.

But it did not have a price, so I searched for it on google since I now have the model number and found this listing on:


                                                        switchmodern.com  


                    http://www.switchmodern.com/Sofas/De-Sede-DS-2011-Sofa.asp

THE SHOCKING PRICE:

$8,820 - $12,360 

Wow, being the frugal woman that I am , this gave me so much happiness today! 

I have an expensive De Sede of Switzerland sofa?!  I could not stop laughing.

   This is the last time she can ever do her  planking  on my fabulous De Sede sofa.

                       Money spent on this fabulous European furniture: $100.00 in 2008

                                     Current retail value: $8,820 - $12,360

                                                     NOT FOR SALE  :)