Thrifty Things Friday #130

It is so good to be back for 

Thrifty Things Friday

Thanks Diann for covering for me while I was in Paris!  

I was able to put out a little 'Halloween' decor this week

I added a couple of the cubbie shelves to my new book case. 
 It is good to see them in my new home!

 A couple of my favorite witches!

Most of my Halloween decor is from Thrift stores.

It's so much fun to see the little things you can find!

I am not 'completely' ready to let Paris go

So I have some things I found in Paris in one of the cubbies....
seeing these things make me so happy!

I did buy some gorgeous handmade pumpkins from my talented friend Suzan

The owl was an Etsy buy from last year!

Please add your link at Diann's blog

HERE

Wishing You JOY,

Linda

Back To Regular Life!

Thank you for all the wonderful comments about my trip to Paris.  I'm home and rested and ready to get back to regular life!

I've been spending lots of great time with Tiger and enjoying it so much.  His parents have been planning to buy him a new bed to give him more play space in his room.  I've been saving my change for a long time and decided to use it to help get Tiger a new bed!

This bed from IKEA is a perfect solution and it was on sale!

It isn't very high, but it gives him a perfect play place!

Tiger loves it of course! 

I had an IKEA Malm dresser that looks great and gives Tiger clothes storage!

Mom and Dad also got him a new bookcase

from IKEA

He loves his room!

I have enjoyed many of the IKEA pieces I've bought over the years. 

This TV stand is one I've had for several years

I wanted to get a new entertainment center with bookcases and more storage but found the cost too much for my small budget.  While looking at the IKEA catalog I found that I could add BILLY bookcases in the same finish as my TV stand and make a wall unit.  At $80 each that was affordable so I had Sara & Blake pick them up for me

to replace these thrift shop bookcases I had been using in the living room.

(Charlie checking out the new shelves)

My wonderful son-in-law Blake put them together for me!

They were taller then I expected but I am so happy!

Just add the shelves where I want them and fill!

I have a lot more 'tweaking' to do but I think I'm really going to enjoy these shelves.  

I will need something over the TV to balance out the tall bookcases...ideas?

**Ideas so far:  a board connecting the bookcases, I think this would be hard to match the wood but a good idea.  A large clock and I do like that idea but they seem expensive.  My idea is to have one of my Eiffel Tower photos that is very architectural made into a canvas and hang that....keep the ideas coming!**  
  

I'm joining 

You're Gonna Love It

Tweak It Tuesday

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Paris Day Twelve

My last full day in Paris! 

Today is my last day to attempt to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower again.  

I am determined to get that photo of me at the top!

It is cloudy with a chance of rain but that won't stop me!

I decide to take the bus even though it's not a long walk,

 but if the lines are long I want to be as rested as possible! 

As I approach the tower I am once again hit with it's beauty!  Something about it moves me so much!  Now for the lines...well luck was with me.  No long lines and it only took me about 30 minutes to get my ticket, go through security and get to the elevator for my ride to the 2nd level.

The sun was shining and the wind was blowing but the views were gorgeous! 

The lines for the elevators to the top were long so I took some time to just walk around this level and really soak in the views!

You can see a few clouds coming in!

I got in the long line for the elevator to the top.  While waiting a storm came up and it rained and the wind blew like crazy.   It was cold!  I was so glad I had my pink beret on.

 

After finally getting to the top, the storm had passed and I once again took time to view the city of  Paris!

As I gazed at this city I had dreamed about visiting for so many years 

I thought about my journey here...

the gift of this trip from my daughter, the months of planning...

The wonderful days I've spent in Paris and all that I have seen and experienced here!

I have lived each moment to the fullest!

This dream started at the Paris Hotel Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas with a toast of champagne!

and so it ends with a toast...

To my family for your support.

To my friends and blogging buddies for your advice, encouragement and for sharing all the  excitement of planning this trip with me.

To my cousin Joletta who was able to join me on this trip,

it was so much fun to share the joy of Paris with you! 

and of course...

To my daughter Ashleigh

Her gift of love to me. 

Fulfilling a dream of a lifetime and to do it in such a wonderful way...

well to my lovely daughter....

This one's for you! 

Merci ma chère!

Linda

Paris Day Eleven

Paris Day Eleven

A Sunny Sunday!

Cooler temps and sunshine made me so happy!

I stepped out on the balcony and took in the view! 

I also heard some drumming...I kept looking down the street and realized there were runners.  I looked it up on the internet and it was a women's road race and they expected 30,000 participants! 

So we headed out to see how the lines were at the Eiffel Tower!  They were LONG....like three hour wait long!  So not visiting the tower today!

Our backup plan was to take the Seine river cruise that was located 
at the foot of the Eiffel Tower!

It was one of the best things we did in Paris!

The boats have open seating on the top but we choose to sit downstairs at the very front!

Once the cruise started I could go from side to side and take photos 
while she could sit and enjoy!

We saw the D'Orsay museum and it was nice to view it on a sunny day!

With the first sunshine in days, we saw lots of people out walking 
and enjoying this gorgeous day!

This bridge was covered with the Love Locks!

I loved the carvings on this bridge! 

There was a recorded tour guide in French and English and it was very interesting!
Wish I could tell you what each bridge/place we saw was, but I can't...
I was busy taking photos! 

Closer look at one of the faces on the bridge!

Another beautiful bridge!

A gorgeous day on the river Seine

Notre Dame

While we never made it inside we did enjoy seeing this amazing cathedral from the river!

Some sort of festival on the walkway

It was so breezy but I loved it!!

The Louvre

Palais Royal 

We really enjoyed this cruise and I would tell everyone to take this tour at least once! 

As clouds start to return we arrive back to the Eiffel Tower! 

We walked back to the apartment and stopped for something to eat at the cafe across the street from us!  Then home for the evening! 
Only one more full day in Paris! 
Guess where I am going tomorrow!

Linda