Goodbye Christmas!

Man O' Day! We NORMALLY take down all of our Christmas decorations on December 31st, but this year we were able to get it done EARLY! So our home is empty, but I am relieved that it is ALL DONE!  That's a "wrap" Christmas! 

AND this is why I have already broken my promise to you all that I would post every day.  It haunted me, it really did, but between undecorating and my little sisters being here... I felt those things were BIGGER proprieties.  I am excited to post not ONCE, but maybe even four times tomorrow!  Stay tuned....

PS.  I am already decorated for Valentine's Day! True story!!! Here is a small sneak peak.

"Fresh Starts Are A Gift!"

School is out for the Summer.  Here's what we gave out to the teachers and bus driver at the end of the year?  I am beyond proud of it.  Let me explain my little creation.  

Here are the items you will need: 1. A mini shopping cart.  2. Miniature erasers.  3. Little brown envelopes.  4. A printer.  5. Tape. 6. 8" lollipop sticks or skewers.

This adorable shopping cart was found at Hobby Lobby.  It grabbed my attention immediately.  I love everything miniature.  It came in multiple colors.  I thought about the grocery stores I would be shopping at, in hopes that I could color coordinate my gift to the shopping cart.  The price... $3.99.

As soon as I saw it, I knew instantl what I would do with it.  

Next up, I needed miniature food.  I found these adorable mini eraser sets in the dollar bin at Target.  

And these... for $1.00. Not photographed was another pack of ice cream cones.

Here is another shopping cart in green.  

These mini craft sacks came from Hobby Lobby too!  These were $2.99.  I wanted them to resemble a brown paper bag from a grocery store.

I printed some small Fresh Market logos and adhered them to the "bags".  

Wala! Mini carts.  Mini food.  And now, mini grocery bags. 

I chose to insert a Fresh Market gift certificate into the brown craft sack.  This store is a little more unique and special to shop at, so I thought it would be more impressive than a gift card to Wal-mart or Food Lion.

Put it all together and look at HOW adorable this gift is. The twins' main teacher received a $50.00 gift card and the other two teachers/bus driver received a $25.00 gift certificate.

I used an 8" inch lollipop stick to adhere a printable that I created.  

The printable reads, "Fresh" Starts are a gift! Enjoy your Summer!"

To top off that cuteness, I wrapped the bus driver's gift in this darling bus driver's gift bag.  I mean, it doesn't get any more detailed and perfect that THAT!!!

Erasers, gift certificates, creativity, and a mini shopping cart.... throw it all together and all that mini stuff sure does make a BIG SMILE!

For Sale & Sold in 24-Hours

On Thursday, I put our living room furniture on Craig's list and on FRIDAY it sold!!!!!

This living room set has been with us for 10 years (this year).  

It came from the well-known furniture CAPITAL of the world... High Point, NC.  AND from the best furniture store EVER... Furniture Land South.  

At the time of purchase, I felt so blessed and beyond thankful that we were able to decorate our home in this way.  This furniture is gorgeous AND good quality!

BUT looking at it now... it's JUST not our style anymore.

Like AT ALL!

We SOLD the furniture to the new owners of the FLOYD COUNTRY store.  They will be putting it in the cottage, directly behind the store.

I am really just posting this furniture as a memory.  This is the ONLY living room furniture my twins have known and Ty can recall.

We kept it in GREAT shape.  The owner's of the Floyd store couldn't believe it.

On Monday, when they come to pick it up, we will have a COMPLETELY empty room.  Eeeeek.

It is so exciting and so overwhelming at the same time.  The best part about Furniture Land South is that if you shop there, you are given a complimentary design service. That's well worth the drive to highpoint.  Interior designers are NOT cheap these days.  

Good furniture.  You've been good to us, BUT we need something LARGER now.  With two adults, 3 half sized adults kids, and 2 dogs (one 90 pounders), it is time to move on to BIGGER and more beautiful things.  We spent $6,400 on this furniture back in 2007 and we sold this furniture for $3,000.  I think we did good.  It's like we rented this furniture for 10 years for $3,000.  Not bad.  Time to start designing, shopping, and decorating.