Author:Lori
Favorite Things, Feature

Getting Ready…

September 30
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I’m so thrilled to be putting my Giggle creations in my friend Amy’s new shop!  Alice-Louise Press will be opening tomorrow in downtown Perrysburg…you really need to check it out because it’s a wonderful addition to the Toledo area and I know when you see it you will fall in love!  And even though Giggle is just a tiny part of this lovely store, I can hardly contain my excitement of being able to be there and help!  So some of my time this week has put me in the midst of her preparations…feeling a tad envious as it reminds me of The Shop Around the Corner–the fantasy of every “shop girl”!  But it was truly a treat to take part in preparing her window dressings (and she has brilliant ideas by the way!), organize my Giggle merchandise, help with shop displays…and get some fabulous sneak peeks at her new lines AND her printing presses!  All I can say is “wow!”  My advice to all of you who live in the Toledo area–go see Alice-Louise Press.  I know you’ll love it!  Here’s a little peek at her labor of love…as the clock is ticking!

getting ready for October 1!

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Feature

Festival Fun!

September 28
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I feel so lucky these days in regards to the weather!  The annual Fall Festival at our school had practically perfect weather…with the exception of some gusty winds, it was just right for everyone to enjoy the day filled with festivity!  I think one of my favorite things about the festival is the chance to see so many friendly faces stopping in to say “hi”!  The other fabulous thing this year was the fact that some of the kid activities were relocated next to my booth…so I got to see one of the most popular activities of the day–pie throwing at the teachers!  And even though I wanted to send my mom (who was so awesome to help me out…again) off to take pictures of all the other events of the day, we were too busy to be gallivanting around the festival!  Fortunately we were still able to snap a couple pics before everything began and a few in between…

have a peek at the giggles…

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Holidays

Along Came a Spider…

September 25
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I love Halloween AND I love to share adorable ideas for decorating and entertaining!   So just the other day my mom was telling me about some clever holiday displays that one of her friends had created in her home.  A friend, by the way, that has some of the cutest ideas ever…but she’s so far away from me!  But then I thought…my mom could go take some photos so I could share some of this sweet inspiration!  Thank goodness for technology…(even though my mom and myself communicating with it is like the blind leading the blind!)…but many text attachments later, I had a gallery of images to share!  So here it is…a simple holiday display to swoon over!

ready, set, here comes Halloween!

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Celebrate

Late-Night Tailgate!

September 23
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Last week I got to have a load of fun with the old Chevy truck!  We finally got it back after a lengthy stay in the shop getting a leak fixed…and I’d been patiently waiting to put it to some festive use before good weather is gone!  So a couple of my girlfriends were coming over for a visit–and I had a plan!  Some tailgating, some catching up, some movie viewing…all snugged up in the back of the truck!  After I stopped at the video store to pick up several “chicky” choices, my husband had to help me a bit by backing the truck out of the garage…I’m not sure I can drive it yet, it is an OLD stick shift after all!  He stalled it many more times than he’ll admit, but eventually he got it in perfect position in our driveway…with plenty of helpful guidance from me which I’m POSITIVE he appreciated!  And then it was time for me to play…piling on the pillows and putting out some simple decorations & munchies!  All I had to do next was  sit back and wait for my friends to arrive!  As soon as the sun started to set we popped some corn, kicked off our shoes, and piled in the back of the truck…

a little tailgating, a little movie watching…

a lot of fun!

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Decorate

An Artful Room

September 21
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On a recent visit to a friend’s home I was enamored with her spaces the moment I walked through the door!  Not that I haven’t been there before…but I guess I had forgotten the artful details and ingenious ideas she uses to display all the things that have so much meaning to her and her family!  Her home is layered with memories and representations of those who live there…almost everything in her home had a story–I love that!  I really wanted to share her living room with you today…I think what I love most is how she sees the beauty in ordinary items that are uncommonly celebrated…and yet when displayed in such a heartfelt way, they become as grand as a museum piece!  She truly is an artist…and I know this because I admire her sewn creations but also because I can see how she views uncommon treasures–revealing their beauty in seemingly effortless ways!  When I asked if I could come and take some photos for the blog I knew she would tidy up…I would too if someone were taking pictures!  But I’ve been to her home when it’s in a more “lived in” state…and believe me when I tell you that it still looks equally as lovely and artistically intriguing!  The take-away for me is to display what you love no matter what those things are…and you’ll succeed in creating inviting spaces that tell your story and the stories of those you love!  I hope you find as much inspiration as I did!

look into an artful room…

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Celebrate, Holidays

Get a Little Corny!

September 18
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It’s that time of year…you know, time to indulge on a traditional Autumn treat…CANDY CORN!  I happen to love the stuff!  It may not be everyone’s favorite, but my kids have always looked forward to its sugary entrance! (and I guess you can imagine that I do too)  While I was grabbing my first bag of sweet goodness I spied some other “candy corned” items of interest.  Knowing it would be a fun after school snack for the boys, I decided to set up a treat table filled with these goodies to welcome a new season!  Even though autumn doesn’t really begin until the 23rd…I’m guessing my boys won’t care that I’m a titch early!  A sugary snack table inspired by those silly little candy corns…a sweet surprise for my boys and maybe a friend or two!

getting “corny” with candy…

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Favorite Things

Autumn Favorites~Bargain Favorites!

September 16
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On an ordinary shopping trip (to pick up some “no frills” school and household supplies) I stumbled across some autumn inspired goodies I just had to share!  It will be no surprise that my shopping took place at one of my favorites…Target!  Every time I walk through the doors I have to make a quick spin around the bargain bins…and almost always find something!  Whether it’s hand soap or an after-school snack, I can usually find all sorts of things here…and at prices ranging from $1-$3–how can I go wrong?  So on this particular errand run I found some spectacular bargains perfect for early autumn and that could carry through to Halloween AND Thanksgiving!  Check it out and then make a beeline to the store to grab your favorites before they’re picked over!

fabulous finds with fabulous prices!

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Favorite Things, Garden

Fresh Flowers

September 14
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Do you ever find yourself at the market or a roadside stand wishing you could pick up a bunch of fresh flowers but it’s just not the last stop on your errand list?  I hate having to forgo blooming beauties just because I can’t get them home before they begin to wilt!  On occasion I’ll bring a wide-mouth canning jar filled with water if I think there’s a possibility of finding flowers…but as nice as that is, it’s really not that convenient or easy to tote.  But today I’d like to share a simple revelation…a trick from a florist that I had never seen before and a super easy way to get those flowers home without wilt!  As I walked into the market the other day I was greeted by a huge floral display filled with a late summer favorite–sunflowers!   I so wanted to grab a bunch but since my grocery list consisted of non-perishables, I’d planned to make several other stops on my way home–so flowers just weren’t possible…or were they?  A couple quick questions to the helpful florists behind the counter and I was walking out with my canned goods…and my blooms!  Let me share with you what I’ll be keeping in my car from now on…

a “fresh” flower kit!

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Create

Backyard Getaway

September 11
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This project I’m going to share today has long been in the making…and over the holiday weekend we finally got it completed!  Just in time to still enjoy the great outdoors while autumn breezes blow and the leaves begin to reveal their fiery colors before they fall!  As the kids have grown, portions of our large second-hand swing set were looking a little lonely.  And since it’s still a place in the yard that kids of all ages tend to hang out, I’ve been looking for ways to make it a more useful space.  The popular over-sized tire swing was a keeper…and we’d already replaced the “horsey” swing with a hammock chair…both of which often find themselves busy when the boys have guests!  But the other side of the slide, which formerly held several traditional (and baby) swings, was still sitting empty…hence, the project!  I’ve always dreamed of having a hanging platform bed…so I was thinking, why not make something similar for outdoors?  I’m pretty sure my husband thought I was nuts when I first mentioned the idea–even though he’s pretty used to me by now!  But the barren space on the swing set was screaming for attention…and was a perfect spot to create additional seating AND a place for the boys to relax after a long day of classes!  As it turns out, it makes a great getaway for adults too…and is just steps away from the backdoor!

see how we made our mini getaway…

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Celebrate

Scream for Ice Cream!

September 9
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Summer made its presence known in a big way this past holiday weekend with HOT sunny days, a little pop-up rain, and plenty of humidity to go around!  I guess it was fitting for a weekend full of festivity to celebrate the final days of the season!  And maybe we made a mistake picking this weekend to fill with projects…especially since many of them took place outdoors!  But we did get a lot checked off the to-do list and still managed to squeeze in a fun evening…serving up some summertime sweets and sips to try and squelch the oppressive heat!  Following an evening game, some fellow soccer families stopped by for a treat in our backyard…and a serve-yourself ice cream sundae bar was a welcome sight for exhausted players (and parents too!)  A sweltering summer evening made us all screaming for ice cream! (or a cold cocktail!)

icy treats beat the summer heat…

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