Most Recent Goodwill Finds

Here are a couple of the bargains I've swiped at Goodwill in the past month.

A NEW Vera Bradley hanging bag.  And yes, you're seeing that right, it was $1.99!

Then, there was this cute curtain panel, or was it a shower curtain?  I was in a rush and didn't have time to find out for sure but what the tag said sold me Ballard Designs - oh, and it was $3.99.  *smiles*  (It's a shower curtain, btw.  Supposed to be at least, we'll see what I do with it!)

THEN, there was this super bright, super cute Queen sized duvet cover.  Priced at $3.99 I couldn't pass it up once I saw the Pottery Barn Teen label. 

Goodwill is an amazing place to shop - if you have the time, and go can often!  While browsing through the purses a couple of visits ago, and lady stopped me, "I just have to tell you this!  I bought 2 purses at the other Goodwill in town last week.  When I got home, there were 2 rings inside a pocket.  I took them to a jeweler and they are real diamond rings!  I just LOOoooVE Goodwill now."

Have YOU ever found something valuable at Goodwill or some other thrift shop?

Birthday Party - Revisited

Here are pics from my daughter's birthday party last year.  We went all out.  Worked too hard.  Made lots of memories.  Celebrated LIFE with friends.

I was a bit overwhelmed, and asked a couple people to bring some food - cookies, chips and homemade salsa.  We also borrowed a friend's snow cone machine!  That was a great hit and helped cool things down in the summer heat!  On the grill my husband cooked up sausage, chicken kabobs and corn on the cob!  Some boys we know made balloon animals for anybody who would ask.

*Not pictured are the ribbon wands I made for the kiddos as well as the tent and photo op station in the yard.  Lots more decor too!*

My cousin and a young friend spent the night with us to help decorate and prep food.  SO glad they came.

Our invitations were designed by GoodFrau.  She was great to work with!

Most of the paper decor was designed and made by JoosyCardCo.

Entry welcome.




Party favors for the kids - an apple, honey stick, pin wheel and bubbles.

 

Party favors for the adults - cake pops!  Made by my cousin.

  

Party hats - I made most of them, but my cousin helped as well!  Thanks to the idea from Martha Stewart.



We tried for some healthy options. 
(Butterfly picks were nabbed on clearance from Pier 1!)



Cupcakes from a local bakery.

Drink display.

Flower pots were scrubbed clean, and turned into a nifty straw holder!

I tore apart some greenery, and added these colorful balls to the flower centerpieces.  A fun, unexpected "pop" of color!

It was a "Onederful" party indeed!

This year, I promised myself (AND my husband) that we wouldn't get quite as creative.  We'll have to see.  *BIG grin*

Snack Time - Products we use and love!

It was a lovely, scorching hot afternoon and my daughter and I were outside.  Snack time and water hose time came at the same time, and this is what she ate...

Bolthouse Farms Organic Carrot Juice
Watered down, mostly water.  Available at Costco, but not online.

Ezekiel Cinnamon Raisin Bread
While not gluten free, this is the only bread OR gluten our daughter gets!  All organic and sprouted, thus it makes me happy.  *smiles*

Lundberg Organic Brown Rice Cake

Hard Boiled Organic Brown Egg

Organic Apple

And don't forget the Desert Essence sunscreen!

For those out there who are saying, "Great food choices, but go all out and don't use plastic use glass or stainless steel!"  While I agree, prefer, and often chose those options, just how many spendy stainless steel sippies are we supposed to dent and bottles/plates are we to break?  Anyway, the practical, thrifty side of me always shines through, and I just can't risk destroying things on the concrete, therefore wasting more precious pennies!

AND THEN...there are those of you saying, "Those aren't kid snacks!  Where's the Fruit Loops, gummy worms, cookies and Yoplait?"  Well, ain't ya glad I'm not YOUR mom?  *BIG grin*

We TRY to be healthy around here.  It's a process, we are gradually changing.  If you want Oreos or ice cream, talk to her daddy.  *winks*

What kind of snacks do your kids eat on hot summer days?

ECCO Flip Flop Review

**All opinions are 100% mine.  I was not compensated in any way.**

Ok, the ECCO brand is new to me.  I'd heard of them before, but never tried 'em.  These flip flops are the most amazing shoe I've ever worn. 

On my feet all day, and I don't feel the need to kick off my shoes.  Soft and comfortable for hours at a time.  The adjustable buckle comes in handy to find the perfect fit.  The leather between your toes is hardly noticeable.  If you have a problem with flip flops normally, these might surprise you.  The straps go far enough up your foot that you don't have to "drag" your shoe along.

One thing to note is that for those who need a wide width, this shoe may not be for you.  You might find your foot hanging over the edge a bit.  It's worth a try though.  Just make sure you walk around the store long enough to get a good "feel."  (Wide width not available.)

Thankfully, I caught a marvelous Holiday sale and picked these up for $40.00.  While still a splurge for me (I'm used to garage sale bargains of $5 or less, or maaaaaybe $10 at Goodwill) it was worth every single dime!  These shoes are going to cushion my tootsies as often as possible this summer.  Forget those flat, uncomfortable, funny foam, cheapo looking "thongs" (as my Mother calls them.)  THIS year, I get a REAL shoe.

YOU can find these shoes named "Passion" on the ECCO website.  From their site you can find a store near you!  (Don't forget to look for an outlet store - maybe you'll be lucky enough to have one close by.)

Amazon also carries them.  And don't forget Ebay!

Gift Wrapping

I know that some folks just grab a gift bag and tissue when it come time for wrapping presents, that's their style.  Really, I don't like to do that.  Granted, with my busy life I do typically resort to the oh so common gifty bag, but deep in my heart I want to go all out with wrapping paper and all those grand extras! 

Such as these weddings gifts I wrapped.  They were taken to an indoor/outdoor chapel wedding this past May.


Pic snapped with my Mom's I-Phone!

 Sometimes the wrapping costs as much as the gift!  *sigh*  Even if you do go with the gift bag, they can run you $4 or $5, plus tissue paper, plus a card!  (Heeeello dollar store!) 

If you want to give wrapping your gifts a try, here are some nice ideas I found...

http://www.realsimple.com/



www.adelle.com/au



http://www.cathiefilian.blogspot.com/



http://www.marthastewart.com/

Get creative...send me pics of what you wrap.  And think outside the box - comics from the newspaper, craft paper, a cloth napkin or scarf, maps from that last vacation, etc.  Have fun!!!

Favorite Blogs

Here are a few of my favorite blogs, enjoy browsing!!!

http://www.bystephanielynn.com/

http://www.soyouthinkyourecrafty.com/

http://www.homemade.tipjunkie.com/

There are MORE...just look on the left side of my page to see the links!

What are YOUR favorite blogs to follow?  Tell me...

When It's Sunset in Hawaii



Snapped out the car window off the coast of Molokai.



Small island is Niihau, I loved the swirling clouds!

Thanks for Hawaiian memories, Honey!