I am becoming so thrifty that soon I may end up walking around sporting a hat with a dangling price tag - a la Minnie Pearl.

I have been looking for another print to hang up in my dining room, which I have been working on decorating. I am decorating the dining room with vintage ad prints. I have gone to the ZGallerie a few times and actually did buy a small Cinzano print there that cost $55 framed. I have been looking for a large print for another wall. Everytime I go into the ZGallerie at Bridgeport Village, I find nice large prints, but they cost $200+, which I haven't been able to bring myself to spend.

This (not being able to spend thing) is NEW for me. The old Michelle would've bought two. I am trying to live as if I don't have an endless money supply and trying to keep in mind that there are MANY things I want to to do my house, not just decorate the dining room with spendy art work. I want it to look spendy - but cheaply - if you catch my drift.

So anyway, I was at Cost Plus, another favorite spot (where I found my dining room table, chairs, and buffet) and saw some poster prints, not framed, but the same style I had seen at the ZGallerie. Then I saw the frames! I got the poster print and the frame and put it together myself all for $55. It is a much larger one than the one I purchased before and much cheaper than the similar alternatives.

I am so excited. I was even able to buy 2 wooden shelves that are going to go up above the buffet to display all of my liquor (including a mysterious bounty of Apple Pucker) and I still paid less than I would've for the print alone at the other store.

Not half bad. Look out Martha Stewart!! Anybody out there from HGTV want to give me my own show?