Easter Weekend

We had a BUSY, fun-filled Easter weekend. 

It started on Friday; I've been working on my biggest-yet home decorating project for my friend Shannon. I'm doing the entire first floor of her home: living room, dining room, kitchen, sitting area, half bath, hall way, and master bedroom. Luckily, she has a seven year old daughter that Ava adores,, so they entertained one another for like nine hours while I worked. Pics soon!

Saturday morning was spent dying eggs with Ava and my mom. At one point, Ava hugged Mimi and said that dying the eggs was the best prize ever:) She is so sweet!! Then my dad hid them for A. We had a blast. I loved listening to my parents reminisce about the elementary school-wide egg hunt festivities. Then I took Ava to our church egg hunt; they had 10,000 candy-filled eggs! Lots of fun. Poor Ron had to work all day:( Then I met up with Brittany, Job, and Reid for some shopping.

Sunday morning was filled with double ministry duties at church because of the extra service. I love our church! Afterwards, the three of us crashed for a LONG nap!! :)

The Find

My incredible friend Jamie and I have a new business. It's called The Find. Basically, we shop yard sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops for great home decor pieces. Then we sell our items online. We keep our merchandise in an upstairs room at Jamie's house that is set aside for only our "store". What makes our business great is that we do the running around and early mornings for those who don't enjoying waking up before dawn on Saturday or getting dirty while digging for treasures! Our prices are still well below retail. This summer we'll begin expanding out business to include custom painted furniture too. Jamie and I have very similar tastes and get a thrill out of that perfect find!

Since, I have a blossoming home decorating business, I get to shop Jamie's finds when working on my clients' homes. Last week after church, I spent the afternoon with her...shopping and planning our business:) Here's what I found:

Show Us Your Life: What's on Your Reading List? Kelly's Korner

Today, I'm linking up to Kelly's Korner. She's asking, "What's on your reading list?" Ninety-nine percent of the time, I'm reading something! Right now, I have borrowed a book from a friend and another from a student. Also, I have one that I heard about through James Dobson's Bringing Up Girls this week that I plan to order very soon.

I've heard great things about this book, AND it's set in my home state of Mississippi. 

One of my students reads every spare second of time....probably five books/week (maybe more!). She brought me this modern day retelling of Jane Eyre today. I'm excited! I read the classic my senior year of high school. Plus the new movie came out last month... hope to see it soon.

Here's a review of this one. Sounds like a great book for moms!!

Before & Afters: Wall Art

I hate to miss a potentially good yard sale weekend, but a few things kept me home this morning: I went through $70 in gas in five days; Brittany had to work; and I am just plain exhausted (April is a tough month for teachers!). So Ava and I will be hanging today!! :)
I can't wait to show before & after pics of the home I'm working on... Hopefully by the end of the month that makeover will be complete! Before I shop retail for a client's house, I shop their belongings. I make a list of stuff I can use or re-purpose. Big wall art is pricey; luckily Shannon had three large mirrors (a bit outdated) that I am able to paint! Here are some of the thrifty projects for Shannon's home:

We found this in her attic.

I spray painted it blue and painted over the mirror with chalkboard paint. I have a little more touching up to do on all of these, but I just got so HOT outside today!

This is a very large, heavy mirror!

It got a coat of black spray paint (can you tell how messy I am when working on projects?!). Again, when it cools off outside, this will get some touch up paint!

another large mirror

This one got a coat of ivy green spray paint. I love this fun color! 

So for about $20 in supplies and a couple hours in labor, these three mirrors got a new look! AND I am able to designate the decor budget to other areas!!

April's Supper Club & A Quick Makeover

This month's supper club was at Niki's house, and the theme was "there's no school like old school." We had to bring something that reminded us of our high school days. I wore my senior homecoming t-shirt and brought a few old yearbooks for us to laugh at the notes written inside! I love these girls! Niki made a delicious dinner of rotel chicken spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread. Yum!
I arrived early so that Ava and Mary Abbott could play longer. Niki just had her kitchen repainted in a really pretty grayish-tan. I helped her hang stuff on the walls and decorate surface areas like this cute piece of furniture below. :)

Proud Moment

As I mentioned before, I've never been a 'runner'-- just thought I'd never enjoy it; however, I've been running weekly since November...And, yesterday I participated in my first 5K, and I ran the entire race! I felt so excited to have accomplished that and encouraged to do more!
This particular race was in Memphis to benefit a sick little girl. It was hosted at a school, so it was very kid friendly. Ava got to jump in the bounce house before and after, so she thought it was great too:)

Brooke's Bargains 35

My sister + great weather + lots of yard sales = a great Saturday morning!!!

Home Decor Finds: large, chunky, wooden frame (broken glass- I'll fix), A Well Kept Home book (retail $35), rustic-look topiary, saucer holder.... Total price: $7.50

For Ava: Raincoat & Baby Gap shoes: $3

Stuff for me:)- 20 notecards, chocolate brown Columbia fleece jacket (can hardly see it in the pic- sorry!), 2 history books...Total: $6.50

 

 

 

 

Grand Total: $17

 I got a few other things that I'll post later!