Joules - Pocketful of Joules

Making over 2 Thrift Store Lamps

The better title for this post would have been: Making over 2 Thrift Store Lamps, Googling “Why doesn’t my lampshade fit my lamp”, “How do I make my lampshade fit my lamp”, “What the heck is a Slip Uno Adapter” and “How do I know what kind of fitter is on my lampshade”… then finally finding something at Home Depot to MAKE IT WORK Tim Gunn-style.

That might have been a teensy bit of overkill though…

It all started with these:

These two little crystal lamps were calling my name at the thrift store. They were marked at just $3.00 each and one was even on sale for half off! After I bought them, they just kind of sat around in my office while I did some online lamp shade shopping. I saw a few okay options at Target, but nothing that really seemed like the right design.

Then, on a trip to World Market I found these:

I didn’t have the bases with me, so I was just kind of crossing my fingers that they would work. Both of the shades were marked as $14.99; however the navy design one had a mark on it so I asked the manager for a discount. {Remember, the secret is to ask super nicely.} She was happy to reduce the price to $11.99 and then I used a coupon to get an extra 15% off of everything. So, the total for both shades was just under $23.00.

I was pretty excited when I got home and plopped the shades on the lamp bases… until:

Well, crap. The lamp socket was too small for the lamp shade. Instead of the shade fitting snugly, it flopped around on top of the on/off switch… this won’t do at all!

At this point I did A LOT of googling around. I found this post on how to determine what fitter you need to be quite helpful. I also found this thing on Amazon, that SEEMED like it might fix the problem: Slip Uno Adapter Harp Converter Lamp Shade Uno Euro Fitter 1 7/16 I.D. Almost $8 each for a fitter seemed a bit steep though, so I did what I always do… I went to Home Depot and looked around.

The nice lady at the lamp section had no idea what I was talking about. Even when I pulled a full-sized lamp from my purse to show her.

{ I mean, why WOULDN’T I walk around with a lamp in my purse? It goes well with the blue crayon, 3 monster trucks and 2 baggies of snacks.}

I decided to just keep walking around to see if I could find anything circular that might fit on top of the lamp socket… and found this:

It’s a plumbing part called a PVC Bushing that seemed like it would fit nicely. I tried it on the base that I had with me and it seemed to do the job. Since they were only $1.26 each, I got a few of them to try at home with the shades.

Look, they’re like little lamp top hats!

They fit perfectly on the socket, leaving the on/off switch clear. They also allow the lampshade to balance on top, without flopping around. All you need to do is screw a bulb in and it holds everything together. The only drawback is that you can’t use a fancy energy-saving twirly bulb because the base is too thick to screw in through the bushing. Luckily a regular bulb works fine.

Check them out. Sassy, right?!

I already found the perfect space for my favorite one. I love the way the crystal looks with the rougher straw-like shade.

I think the other crystal lamp will end up on my bedside table. I don’t really NEED it there, because we have a remote control for our overhead fan/light. But it looks super cute, right?!

Here’s what I spent:

Two lamps (Goodwill): $4.50
Two lampshades (World Market): $23.00
Two bushings (Home Depot): $2.52
Total: $30.02

I certainly could have found cheaper lamp shades at Walmart or the Dollar Store, but I think that the snazzy shades totally MAKE the lamps. It’s like a hard/soft thing going on that works in well with my home decor. They were definitely cheaper than this version of a crystal lamp/rough shade from Pottery Barn for $249 or this mini table lamp version from West Elm for $69. I’m pretty darn happy with my Cheapo-nista versions!

Have you gotten any cool stuff from the thrift store lately? Do you also have issues with lampshades fitting on your lamps? Which one is your favorite – the one with the woven shade or the blue patterned one?

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Let’s Talk Fall TV: What I’m Adding to my Tivo

I love TV. I don’t understand how people can live without a television, because I love the feeling of getting lost in a show and yelling at the characters. I get invested in the storylines and am super sad over the summer when there is NOTHING new to watch besides a million episodes of House Hunters.

To give you an idea of what I like, here’s what my current Tivo list looks like:

Glee – I’ve been watching since the beginning and need to see it through to the end. At this point, I can’t just GIVE UP on them… and there is only one more season!

Bones – I started by binge watching the first few seasons on DVD and have watched it ever since. Dr. Sweets is my favorite character. And Booth when he’s mostly naked.

New Girl – I LOVE this show and I’m kind of happy that Nick and Jess broke up. Schmidt and Cece need to get back together ASAP though.

The Mindy Project – I don’t think it’s possible for me to love Mindy any more. I also follow Mindy Kaling on instagram and she’s awesome. Mindy + Danny 4Eva. Except I loved Preacher Casey too – especially when he started the Frat party fight.

Revenge – The show has had its ups and downs, so I’m intrigued with where they are going to go this year. It has the unique ability to have a GASP-worth moment right at the end of the episode that makes you go, “WHHAAAT!?!?”

Hart of Dixie – I’m a total Zade-shipper and NEED them back together ASAP! Also, I’m curious if they are going to write Rachel Bilson’s pregnancy into the show. Zade baby?!

Orphan Black – I have a massive girl-crush on Tatiana Maslany and a huge boy-crush on the character of Felix. I need him in my life. Honestly, this is probably my FAVORITE show (along with Orange is the New Black).

Ground Floor – It’s got Skylar Astin in it, the sexy main guy from Pitch Perfect. This is one of those cute comedies that remind me of Scrubs. And not just because it has Dr. Cox in it.

CSI – I’m pretty sure I’ve watched every episode and I can’t stop now.

These are my main shows, but I also watch Orange is the New Black on Netflix, as well as some summer reality shows (Project Runway, So You Think You Can Dance and sometimes America’s Next Top Model if there is nothing else on).

Since shows are always ending (RIP Lost, Being Human, Gilmore Girls, How I Met Your Mother, Prison Break, etc), I usually try to check out a few new shows each Fall to add to my ‘must watch’ list. Sometimes, I only watch an episode or two and then delete the show. Other times, I find a new favorite.

So that brings us to this fall’s lineup. After checking out a bunch of previews of new shows on eOnline, here are the ones that I’ll be adding to my Tivo:

Red Band Society {starts 9/17 on Fox}

So, initially I thought the premise sounded kind of depressing: kids in a hospital. Ugh. But then I watched the preview and this is the FIRST show that I’m actually super excited about this year. I kind of already love all the characters.

Gotham {starts 9/22 on Fox}

I have a total weakness for superhero movies, especially the X-men. So, when I saw this preview I was a bit concerned that they were biting off a bit more than they can chew for a TV show. It looks AWESOME though and has Ryan Atwood from the OC. BONUS!

The Flash {starts 10/7 on the CW}

Here’s another of those superhero-type shows, but this one is staring the douchy guy from Glee. So I’m super surprised that I can’t wait to check it out. I mean, it is very possible that I might get bored of it within a few episodes but you don’t know until you try!

Jane the Virgin {starts 10/13 on the CW}

Hmm… I’m kind of torn on this one. I mean, it looks pretty funny but you REALLY have to have the whole suspension of disbelief thing going on. The main actress seems super likeable though, almost like a sassy version of Ally McBeal. Wait, am I old… do you guys remember Ally McBeal?!

Tell me, what is your FAVORITE TV show that you never miss? Is there a new show coming out that you’re super excited about? Are you racing over to your DVR to immediately add The Red Band Society?

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Reviewing MissionCute: the August Box

You know how I like a fun surprise gift in the mail? I mean, who DOESN’T when as a grown-up most of your mail is bills, coupons to places you don’t go, and junk you don’t even open?

We were getting the Citrus Lane boxes for a long time, but stopped a few months ago when Jack grew out of them. I’ve also tried out the Wantable boxes, Brit Kits, Darby Smart boxes and even Fair Ivy’s subscription.

Yeah, that’s right. I tried them ALL like a kid running around in a candy shop. At this point, I don’t have any subscription boxes coming to our house on a regular basis (other than Stitch Fix, of course). So, I was extra excited when MissionCute contacted me.

MissionCute offers subscription boxes that give back. Each box comes with at least two items made by small artisans and local business. Each month they also partner with a different nonprofit to help promote their mission, raise awareness, AND donate 50% of their monthly net profits to their organization. You can check out all of their previous nonprofit partners here.

Pretty impressive, right?
Let’s take a look inside this month’s box:

Item #1: Ekubo Ministries bracelet
The August MissionCute box benefits Ekubo Ministries. Ekubo Ministries works towards accomplishing the goal of serving the vulnerable children and developing strong and sustainable communities in Uganda. They also provided the very first item in the box, a bracelet made by women by taking otherwise discarded paper and rolling it into beads, which are then varnished.

I love this bracelet and I think that I’ll get a lot of wear with this stacked with a few others. I’m also totally adding this shirt from their Etsy shop to my Christmas list. Anyone want to buy it for me?!

Item #2: Wine Topper from CapaBunga
I know what you’re thinking… “Joules, you actually open a bottle of wine and you DON’T FINISH IT?!” Um yeah, all the darn time. So I love having some wine toppers around the house to keep the wine fresh. This one is made out of silicone and fits virtually every wine bottle. They say you can even rest a bottle on its side or upside down without leaking… so I’ll need to open a bottle ASAP so I can try this out.

Item #3: Birdhouse Key chain Station
Holy moley this is absolutely adorable. The white birdhouse mounts on a wall and the pink bird key chain slips out to attach to your keys. No more setting your keys down somewhere and forgetting them… now you can just dock the bird in its house! To add to the cute factor, the bird is even a whistle. Tweet, tweet.

Item #4: Proper Soap in Elderflower
Is it odd to want to snort a soap? It just smells so darn GOOD! The Elderflower soap also has lychee, pear and marine notes… which is fancy for saying “yum.” The Proper people are real French artisan soap makers who uphold the French tradition of milling soap, which means no parabens, animal products, unnecessary dyes or chemicals. Oh, and it’s darn cute. I’m beginning to see where they got their name MissionCUTE.

Item #5: Soft Cotton Headband
So I see these headbands on fashion girls all over the place, which means they are super cool right now. This one is a pretty grey color and made out of an incredibly soft cotton… so I really WANT to like it. I guess I’m just not a thick cotton headband kinda girl. You know who DOES look good in it though?

Sexy little minx.

So there you go my friends, I think I have actually found my new FAVORITE subscription box for a hodge podge of fun stuff! The cost of the box is $39 for one month, $108 for three months, or $198 for 6 months. Yes, it’s a bit pricey… but this could be the PERFECT gift for someone on your holiday gift list that is so hard to buy for. Or yourself.

They also offer a refer-a-friend bonus. If you refer two friends who purchase boxes, you’ll get the next month’s box for free. Click here if you’d like to use my special MissionCute referral link.

What do you think, does this subscription box look like something you’d like to receive? Do you look adorable in those cotton headbands? And by that, I mean cuter than Ollie…?

Disclaimer: MissionCute provided me with a free box for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. If you choose to click through on the referral link I provided, I will be able to earn a free MissionCute box for the future. Thank you in advance for anyone who decided to click through, because I’m in love with this box and would totally want to get another one!

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