Author:Lori
Collect, Travel

Fun at the Endless Yard Sale!

August 10
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I am happy to report that the Endless Yard Sale was certainly a success!  My mom and I headed out bright and early for a fun-filled day of treasure hunting on what couldn’t have been a more perfect weather forecast!  Last year it was so hot you’d practically melt in the sun…but I guess that doesn’t really matter much–unless it was a total wash-out a little rain, heat, or freezing temps wouldn’t stop me from going!  But this year we got lucky!  Cool enough for a sweater at daybreak is just about as good as a summer morning gets for me!  And it was breezy enough to keep it comfortable even in the heat of the afternoon…which was welcomed since climbing in and out of the truck all day was giving us an excellent lower body workout!  I swear it felt like we got in and out 100 times!  But a well spent day…shopping, eating, and chatting with new and familiar faces on our journey south on Highway 127!  As I mentioned last week, this was a particularly busy weekend for me…the sale, several commitments for the kids, and my younger son’s birthday–all falling within two days time!  Funny how that always seems to happen!  So my mom and I had to keep our yard sale adventure down to one full–and I mean FULL–day of fun!  Next year I hope to head to Tennessee and work my way back home!  But for now, I want to share a peek at our day…

following the road of endless sales…

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Favorite Things

Favorite Things…

August 7
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I received the cutest little thing the other day and just had to share it!  I love using banners when I entertain…even when I decorate the rooms in my home!  They’re so cheerful and fun–and simply stated:  they make me happy!  So this adorable banner flag with a monogram initial is meant for spelling out any message you wish…you can mix and match multiples or just add one or two to your own banner creation!  Made by one of my favorite party supply companies…Meri Merri has created these sweet alphabet buntings so you can create a personal display for any event!  I was thinking that it would be so cute to highlight a single initial in a fun way…making a festive display but also keeping costs down!  So check out how I used my single bunting…and get the link so you can get yours!

 festive fun with banners and buntings…

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Collect, Travel

One for the Road!

August 5
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I mentioned on Monday that I’d be getting ready to hit the road for one of my most favorite annual events…The Endless Garage sale!  This fabulous stretch of seemingly endless yard, garage, and barn sales–running on Highway 127 from Michigan to Alabama, winds through quaint towns filled with wonderful eateries, antique shops, and treasure galore!  The really fun thing about this day it that you often keep running into the same smiling faces of other treasure hunters following the same path!  So tomorrow is the big day! The official start to the long weekend of scavenging and racing to find that special thing that you just can’t live without!  This will be my third year shopping this great sale…and even though I’ve never gotten very far, and can’t even fathom traveling the entire distance (some people actually do!), I’m always looking forward to this first full weekend in August to arrive!  And since I’ve learned a thing or two from my last two trips, I’ll leave the house prepared with supplies and sustenance for a long day of fun!  Often times this trip is a family affair but too much on the calendar this year is leaving the truck with only two passengers…me and my mom!  So with this outing turning into a girl’s-day-out I decided to “fancy up” our supplies…something that boys don’t always fully appreciate!  So not only do I get to spend a day shopping with my mom…I get to pack up a little surprise for us both to share while we’re on the road!

ready for a road-trip!

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Create, Feature

Jingling Junk

August 3
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If you’re familiar with Giggle, you know how much I love re-purposing vintage jewelry and trinkets!  Maybe I’m a little obsessed but I absolutely LOVE all the old costume jewelry…stuff that might be common in a grandmother’s jewel box!  So recently I began working on a new way to use these little gems…this spring I began designing my “junk & jewel” wind chimes…and I’m having a ton of fun!  It’s a blast to go searching for all the jingles and sparkles to hang!  I believe all these old things deserve a second chance at life…who wants to be discarded in a box of junk?  So have a peek at how these sweet, and yes, sometimes junky items can get polished up to be the belle of the ball!  And guess what’s almost here?  The Endless Garage Sale!  Hundreds of miles of treasure -hunting fun!  Check the link at the bottom of the post for all the information on this annual event…and I’ll be gettin’ ready to head out myself–scouring the roadside for…

jingling, jangling, sparkling…junk!

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Create

What’s Behind a Name?

July 31
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I saw a cute idea some time back and thought I would try and create my own version for my son to hang on his door…a little “welcome home” gift when he returns from camp today!  The wall art that inspired me was an image revealed within a graphic shape…hard to explain in words!  But no matter, I’ll visually share with you my version…instead of a shape, I decided to use a name…and the image coming through the letters would be part of a world map.  Since my son was coming home from his long overseas visit to China I thought it would be so great to feature this portion of the map…not just art for his room but a remembrance of his travels!  So I’m keeping it short today so I can run to the airport with much anticipation of hearing all the wonderful stories of his adventures!  Take a peek at this fun project waiting for him at home!

what’s hiding behind his name…

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Decorate

Grown-Up Bedroom

July 29
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Not too long ago we revamped my little guy’s bedroom and I thought it was time to give my older son’s space a facelift as well!  As kids grow, it’s fun to let their rooms change as they do…not necessarily a complete redesign but a few revisions to let their space reflect their current style!  My boys’ rooms have seen many different themes…from cowboys to dinosaurs to safari…and since neither one of them wanted to completely let go of their past favorites, over time their rooms became a total hodge-podge of collections!  Not that there’s anything wrong with that but eventually it’s time for a room to grow up…and if kids are ready they’ll welcome the change!  So even though this room had seen some change already–it was once again time to let this bedroom really reflect my son as he is today!  With a fresh coat of paint, a new-to-him bedroom set, and some fabulous artwork (from the artist who resides in the room!) we transformed his space!

time for changes…

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Celebrate, Savor

Pizza…French Bread Style!

July 27
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Over the weekend we shared a lovely evening and a casual dinner with some friends…who happen to be hosting an exchange student from France!  A perfect opportunity for trying some simple recipes from a favorite blogger, writer, and cook…the Pioneer Woman!  I love her wonderfully casual recipes that are many times simple, quick and always tasty!  Seriously, I want to be her when I grow up!  So I’ve been wanting to create her individual pizzas with delicious toppings piled on some crusty French bread!  Yum, right?  And how fun to have my family and guests create their own mini pizzas…following the recipe or whipping up their own unique combos!  We had a wonderful time, and even though communication with our young visitor from France was at times confusing…it made the evening even more special to have him with us!  So today I’d like to share our simple fun…

building our own pizzas!

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Create, Savor

Just Peachy!

July 24
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I’m a little obsessed with peaches these days…after having so much fun with the cobbler, and having plenty of peaches left-over, my son and I decided to carry on with the theme and enjoyed another summertime treat–popsicles!  I have to say it was a really easy and fun snack to make…for kids and adults alike!  The great thing is you can also make healthy versions of these frozen goodies and you don’t really need a recipe either!  I searched around on line for some yummy inspiration and while I found plenty that looked beautiful and sounded delicious, I also came to the conclusion that we could easily make up our own tasty versions!  After a little rummaging around in the fridge we combined what we had, took some guidance from several recipes, and came up with our own frozen concoctions!  See what we froze up…just in time to cool off on a warm summer day!

get peachy with popsicles!

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Savor

Crazy for Cobbler!

July 22
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One of my favorite summertime memories is the sweet scent and taste of peach cobbler!  There’s something so refreshing about a peach…and since they’re so plentiful right now there’s no better time to make something tasty with these summer fruits!  When my younger son accompanies me to the market he often likes to rummage through the produce and pick something he’s never tried before…and I rarely ever turn him down!  It’s a great way to have him try new things and most of the time he likes it!  Usually he chooses crazy things that I’ve never even heard of…so you can imagine my surprise when he told me that he had never eaten a peach!  Shocking, right?  But when the boys were little they were rather picky…as many kids are…and peaches just weren’t on our menu!  And though I love them, I rarely make anything with them…but that’s going to change!  Needless to say, we came home from the market with a load of peaches…and spent an evening together creating a favorite of mine…cobbler!  And as the slices were ready to be cooked up in some sugary goodness, I saw him sneak a few bites…thrilled that he enjoyed the unadorned goodness of that fresh peach! (’cause I was pretty certain he’d like what would come out of the oven!)  And when that bubbly pan was ready…I couldn’t wait to plop some ice cream on top and savor a dessert with one of my favorite guys!  Even better was the time spent trying a new recipe and making a mess in the kitchen together…and now there’s one more in the house who’s crazy for cobbler!

peaches…cobbler…fun!

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Collect

Serving Silver

July 20
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One of my favorite things to collect is vintage silverware!  My collection is mostly made up of silver-plate…a much more inexpensive version than sterling and still equally as elegant!  I think I may have been in my late teens when I first became intrigued by silver and soon after started my little collection.  (a result of growing up with “antique fair” parents!)  To this day, I still love to pick up vintage silver for myself and for Giggle, so I always have an excuse for checking out the bins of silver stuff at antique stores and markets!  And since I’ve been collecting for so long, I do have a pretty nice array of interesting servers to add to my displays of nibbles and treats any time we have guests!  Not always sure what these old pieces were intended for–but I don’t really care, they can be substituted for just about anything on a buffet table and they look great doing their job!  The other benefit–vintage silver-plate is available at almost every antique store–even at garage sales!  Never mind that some of the tarnish doesn’t always polish off (the only down-side to silver plate)–but to me, that’s part of the unique patina of the piece!  Whether it’s bright and shiny or a tad bit tarnished…vintage silver always adds elegance!  And though I’m no expert, I’ll share with you some “silver 101” and what’s never hiding too long in my silver drawer…

serving up pretty…with silver!

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