Why I Can Never Shop at Pier One Again

I came across a Pier One coupon this week that was good for $10 off of any purchase of $10 or more. (Have you met The Krazy Coupon Lady? That's where I found this coupon and have come across TONS more!)

I love Pier One (don't you?). I planned to meet my mom for dinner and then we could both do a little quick shopping. I say "quick" because there is no such thing as taking your time with my kids running through the store. I figured, there's two of us, and two of them; how hard can this be?

So we each took a child and went opposite directions in the store. Yes, this really is necessary. I took Riley and my mom took Coop. Of course, by the time we each got to the back of the store, we were in the same place.

Enter this big Papasan Chair.

They both fit in it so they sat and they started making it move. (Did you know those things are two pieces?)

When I realized what they were doing I promptly removed Riley and walked over to look at the curtains, leaving Cooper with my mom.

All of a sudden I heard a big CRASH and I saw this:

Only it was missing this:

glass top, because it was wobbling around on the ground. Did you know that Pier One has tile floors? And do you know what they sound like when glass hits them? LOUD.The round glass table top wobbled around from side to side for at least 10 minutes. Ok, so it may have only been 10 seconds, but still.

Once it finally stopped wobbling, it landed flat with a horrible CRASH sound, and cracked Straight. Down. The middle.

I was moritifed and grabbed my kids and headed out of the store. Don't worry, I wasn't running away, but I did need to take a time out of my own to contain how upset I was. I talked with my son about why we tell him to be careful, blah, blah, blah.

He did go back in and apologize, and while we were back in the store, I picked up the basket I had been carrying around because gosh darnit that coupon was expiring the next day and I wasn't about to waste it!

This is what I got:

Isn't is cute?? I love that it looks like driftwood, even though it's not. Very beachy, yet will work well for the fall and even Christmas. I made a pretty little centerpiece with it using a bunch of shells I had lying around.

Guess how much it was? $10. Yup, right after my son broke the table, I went back and used my $10 off coupon to get this bad boy for free. Hence the reason I can never shop at Pier One again.


Funky Junk Interiors
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An Aqua & Pink Baptism & Adoption Celebration!

As promised, here are the photos and details of last weekend's celebration for Riley's baptism and pending adoption...

The color scheme for the party was aqua and pink, same as Riley's bedroom. I wanted something simple, vintage inspired, and pretty. I think I accomplished all three - let me know what you think!

I picked up five bunches of flowers at Trader Joe's. I had a $30 budget and only spent $25. I placed blooms in several pretty jars around the house and on the tables.

I hung a simple welcome banner as a greeting.

The outdoor dining tables were covered with white butcher paper and set with crayons to keep guests, both young and old, occupied. I also had picked up a few white pails from Target's Dollar Spot that I filled with candy.

I prefer to forego the traditional "formal" dessert table, so I usually just present all of the food on one table. I made the burlap garland and created the simple pennant banner in photoshop. The lanterns were a very inexpensive touch that packed a big punch, and were purchased from The Paper Lantern Store. (Ideally I wanted to hang them, but time was running short, so I just threw them up there..quite literally, actually!).

The table was covered with a vintage tablecloth that belonged to my grandmother.

My mom made the chicken salad sandwiches, using a recipe from The Pioneer Woman, which were quite the hit. There were also Turkey & Cream Cheese Wraps for the kids.

The tent card labels were made in Photoshop.

I included traditional party fare such as veggies, pretzels, chips and dips. I didn't get a picture, but I got THE BEST dip at Costco - Jalapeno Artichoke Dip - YUM!!!

I also made my staple Italian Pasta Salad (recipe coming soon).

I got some beautiful fruit and displayed it in the glass bowl. It was so pretty it deserved it's own photo!

The Drink Station offered pink lemonade. Everyone loved the adorable straws purchased on Etsy, especially my son who tried using four at once and just about choked.

I also offered several sweet treat options:

I popped some Kettle Corn and drizzled it with melted white chocolate chips. So good.

Dipped Marshmallows and bakery cookies.

Cake Pops were made by my good friend Vanessa of Rockin' the Cake Pop (website coming soon). For the display I wrapped foam blocks in this gorgeous paper from Party City.

This photo was pure luck.

I promised her I would post lots of pictures.

I cannot believe that I forgot to take a picture of the party favors display all set up! Here's what was leftover, sigh, but it sure looked cute! I shared my mason jar party favors here, and for the kids I purchased crayons on sale at Target, a package of bubbles from Party City and a few pieced of candy.

The bouncy house was the biggest hit of the party.  Riley even fell asleep that night crying "My bouncy house, my bouncy house!" Maybe Santa will bring them one of their own! (But I kind of doubt it).

I hope you enjoyed all the little details that made this party special for my sweet girl. Even the hubbys were complimenting the decor! This party was a huge success and I was exhausted by the end of it. What an amazing day it was!!


Now the countdown to Cooper's BUG party begins...T-minus 53 days and counting...


Linking to:
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia 
Seven Thirty Three 
Someday Crafts 
Be Different Act Normal 
The Shabby Creek Cottage 
House of Hepworths 
Chic on a Shoestring
The Shabby Nest
Fingerprints on the Fridge
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Riley's Baptism

Today was a big day for our little family. My daughter was baptized at our church this morning, and we had a big celebration in the afternoon at our home. It was a combo celebration of her baptism and pending adoption. What an amazing day it was!! I'm exhausted but wanted to share a few photos of the day with you. I'll be sharing the party details and photos in a later post.

I'm also sharing the lyrics to my favorite hymn "Borning Cry." This song was sung at the memorial services of my grandmother and my dad. It's also a perfect baptismal song, and I requested it from our praise team singers...

I was there to hear your borning cry, I'll be there when you are old. 

I rejoiced the day you were baptized, to see your life unfold.

I was there when you were but a child, with a faith to suit you well.

In a blaze of light you wandered off, to find where demons dwell.

When you heard the wonder of the word, I was there to cheer you on;

You were raised to praise the Living Lord, to whom you now belong.

If you find someone to share your time, and you join your hearts as one,

I'll be there to make your verses rhyme, from dusk 'till rising sun.

In the middle ages of your life, not too old, no longer young,

Ill be there to guide you through the night, complete what I've begun.

When the evening gently closes in, and you shut your weary eyes,

I'll be there as I have always been, with just one more surprise.

I was there to hear your borning cry, I'll be there when you are old.

I rejoiced the day you were baptized, to see your life unfold.

It was truly a beautiful day and I am so grateful for the wonderful family and friends who have supported us on our journey. Today was a day not only to celebrate Riley becoming a child of God, but to thank our friends as well. 

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Party Decorations: Burlap Garland

I had to show you all what I made for our party decorations this week! I love, love how this turned out...but I did not love, love how time consuming it was. Seriously, it looks really beautiful but took a lot longer to make than I expected. I think I spent about five hours total over three days. I had to keep reminding myself that I would be able to use it over and over.

See, doesn't it look awesome???

I followed a tutorial I found here, including how to cut a straight line.

I'm really glad I persevered and completed this project, because I really love how it subtly makes a bold statement.

Linking up to:
The Shabby Nest
Funky Junk Interiors
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Mason Jar Party Favors

Riley's baptism/adoption party is this weekend, and I have been hard at work getting things ready. This is a very low budget event, so I've tried to be creative in coming up with ideas for decor and favors.

I found some half pint mason jars at Ace Hardware for about $10 for a case of 12. I also found a pretty aqua & white lattice print tablecloth on clearance at Target for $6.

I created labels in photoshop, printed them on cardstock and cut them to fit inside jars.

I filled the jars with Hershey kisses (who doesn't love Hershey kisses??)

topped with the seals and a piece of the tablecloth, tied it with some twine and tada!

 

An adorable party favor for about $1.50 a piece!



HOH
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The Teacher Said What???

I have a little story for you today...

A three year little old boy is attending preschool. One day, the teacher brought some salamanders that she found in her backyard for the children to see. She talked about what they were, what they do and where they live. She also told the children they are not to touch them, they can only look.

The little boy, who is obsessed with any and all bugs and reptiles, is amazed by these little creatures. When he gets home from school, his babysitter, who happens to be a good friend of the family, realizes that he has brought the salamanders home in his pocket. She calls his mom, who stops by the school to let the teacher know what happened.

The teacher proceeded to lay into the mom about how the child snuck off and took them, and how sad she (the teacher) was and to tell the little boy that she was very disappointed that he would do that. She said she was so sad that she could cry because they were God's creatures and now they are going to die. The mom didn't think at the time to ask why the salamanders were within reach, unsupervised, if the children were not to touch them.

Both the babysitter and the mom talked with the boy, at a level that he could understand, and he seemed to see that what he did was wrong and knew that he needed to apologize. He had simply thought they were really cool and wanted to play with them. No harm intended.

The next morning, the mom took the little boy into the classroom early, so he could talk to his teacher alone. The boy is very timid and shy, especially when he's in trouble, so the mom stayed close to support him. The teacher sat in a chair in front of him, and took the child's hands, and asked him what happened. She told him that she was sad because she had been looking for the salamanders and didn't know what had happened to them. She told him that she was very disappointed. She told him that what he did was wrong, that it was called "stealing," and that sometimes when people steal things, the police come and take them to jail.

Yes, she really did.

The mom was horrified, and made sure to tell her son that the police were not coming. The teacher gave the mom a look and said, "I didn't say that they were." then proceeded to tell the little boy that she hoped she wasn't going to have to check his pockets each day when he left class. That was when the mom stood up, told her son to say he was sorry and that it was time to go.

He will be enrolled in a new preschool as soon as possible.

Would you like to see a picture of the little boy?

Yup, in case you hadn't already guessed it, this happened to my son this week. He spent the rest of the day very upset, and asking questions about the police. We were at the mall later and I told him that if he opened the emergency exit that the police would come, and he said "and take me away?" I am still so angry that I don't even know what to do. We have three more weeks of summer school, and then a month off, and then my kids will be starting a new school. I can't wait.
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The One With the Pottery Barn Catalog (and a WINNER)

First things first, a little housekeeping...

Thanks to everyone who entered The Lovely Poppy Giveaway! The lucky lady who has won a $20 credit to The Lovely Poppy is:  

Kaylynn from Breaking Free of Old Ways!!! Congrats, Kaylynn! Shoot me an email with your info and Nicole from The Lovely Poppy will be contacting you to claim your prize!

**************

Now, for today's topic I decided that I need to share with you all that I am a wee bit obsessed with Pottery Barn.

Do you remember the Friends episode, when Rachel was living with Phoebe and she bought an apothecary table from Pottery Barn? Monica  warns her that Phoebe hates mass-produced products and anything that does not have a history. In order to keep the table Rachel pretends to have bought it at a flea market, so Phoebe will think it's an antique. Eventually, Rachel ends up buying a lot of home decor from Pottery Barn, still lying about where they were all purchased. When Phoebe finds out Rachel has been lying she admits she likes the Pottery Barn furniture and doesn't want to part with it. Then when Phoebe notices a lamp at Pottery Barn, which is the one thing Rachel hadn't bought, she intentionally coerces Rachel to move out if she does not buy that lamp.

That episode remains one of my favorites, and was my first introduction to all things Pottery Barn.

And I think of it every time I see this little beauty in my mailbox.

I drop everything and open it up right away and flip through it.

Then I set it aside and wait for my kids to go to bed so I can really take my time pouring through the pages. I will finish all my chores for the night and then settle down with my comfy pillows and blankets so I can really focus.

I make mental lists and dog-ear pages when I see something I like.

And laugh when I see thing that I have in my own home...that are NOT PB!

Pottery Barn Parfat Mirrors: 

My vintage copper strainers-turned-mirrors; a gift from a friend:

Pottery Barn European Salt Canister (can't find it online):

My authentic ceramic salt canister from Germany:

There is lots of inspiration in these pages, things I want to make, things I want to buy (but can't afford), and things that make me swoon.

I am obsessed, really.

Bonus, I realized there is a 10% off coupon on the back (yipee) so maybe I will have to pull a Rachel and go buy me something. What do ya think?

I'll be sure to let you know...

What's your decor obsession inspiration?
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So I Found This Chicken Wire in My Backyard...

Yup, just laying in the gated sideyard that no one ever goes in. My friend and I were gathering some things from the sideyard and we saw it laying against the wall, and she looked at me and said, "You could make a really cool bulletin board out of that!"

And that's exactly what I set out to do.

There was just one small problem...

This lovely little tree/plant/bush thing was growing THROUGH it. I took my clippers to it, but no luck, and I wasn't about to shuffle things around and disturb the BUGS that I know are living back there to get a better angle.

(The reason I didn't know what was back there is because this was my grandma's house and we never really looked back there. My ex used to throw bags of empty bottles and cans over the fence to store, which is what my friend and I were taking out. Yes, I realize this little "sideyard" is a mess. Out of sight, out of mind. Don't judge).

So my dreams of a cute little chicken wire bulletin board for my kitchen makeover were dashed.

Buuuutttt I was too excited about the idea to let it go, so I went to Home Depot and bought some for about $6.

I took this frame from my PB knockoff project last year

and painted it white. I used a staple gun to attach the the chicken wire and then a piece of canvas dropcloth.

I've been wanting to do this for a while now and I'm glad I finally completed this project! Oh, and a bonus, you get a sneak peek at my kitchen's new look!

My plan is for this to become my "command central" in the kitchen where I can keep my calendar, grocery list, and other important reminders. Although, I really like it just as it is.

I'm working hard on my kitchen mini-makeover and I'm hoping to be able to reveal it soon. No demo, unfortunately, but I did get it painted! The walls, not the cabinets...sigh...someday!

Don't forget about the GIVEAWAY happening right now from The Lovely Poppy. The giveaway ends Tuesday at midnight!!


Linking up to:
Blackberry Vine
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Primp 
Beyond the Picket Fence
At the Picket Fence
French Country Cottage
Under the Table and Dreaming
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