THANKFUL THURSDAY

My next guest blogger for Thankful Thursday is Erin from Richmond Thrifter.  She is a master thrifter and can turn trash into treasure like no other.  Not only does she thrift like a pro, but she is hilarious.  Keep reading, you'll see.

Take it away Erin....

Of course I have to start off by saying I'm so incredibly thankful for my amazing family.  I am truly blessed and try to remind myself of that as often as I can.

Now let's get to the less meaningful and highly unnecessary items that I can't live without and am extremely thankful for....
Dry Shampoo

The days of me showering in the morning have been over since the day my almost 5 year old little boy was born.  And ever since my almost 2 year old daughter was born the days of showering daily were over!!!  I literally could not leave the house in the morning without this stuff!  I buy the Salon Grafix brand from Target in the "for black shades" tinted version.  It turns your hair a little grayish at first, which is a little frightening and gives you a sneak peak into what you may look like on your 80th birthday, but it usually disappears after brushing.

Goodwill Color of the Week

Nothing gives me more of a thrill then finding a great piece of furniture at Goodwill only to find it is the color of the week and an additional 50% off.  I've gotten so bad that usually I will not buy anything unless it is the color of the week.


Keyless Entry

You all, my purse is like a bottomless pit.  When my husband needs something out of it he doesn't even try looking anymore.  He just brings the purse over and gives me the look like "you are a mess" and "please fish it out for me."  There is no way I would be able to find my keys in there every time I needed them so I am beyond thankful for my keyless entry!!!  As long as the keys are in my purse somewhere and close to the door of the car...I'm in!  It has completely changed my life and probably gets us places 5 minutes earlier than we would had I needed to find them myself.

Yoga pants

No, I do not do yoga, however I own an obscene number of yoga pants.  I don't know what I wore before these became so popular.  I do try to exercise regularly and if I have these on from the start of the day I am more apt to work out but they come with another benefit.  If you are wearing yoga pants and you look like a hot mess people just think you came from working out!!!  A great cover for the "I haven't showered in 2 days" look!

So there you have it.  A number of silly things I could probably live without but am so thankful I don't have to!  Thanks Andrea for having me!!!  It's been great fun!

Erin cracks me up!  Pretty sure we would share a bottle (or two) of wine on a weekly basis if we lived near each other.  Be sure to check out her blog for some great thrifty ideas.  

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THANKFUL THURSDAY

Today's guest blogger is Andrea from Willow Wisp Cottage.  Andrea and her family just moved into the most amazing house.  You will definitely want to follow along as they decorate their dream home.

Take it away, Andrea.....(seems weird typing my own name so many times!)

Andrea at the gorgeous Oak Ridge Revival has asked me to guest post in her series, Thankful Thursday. In amongst the unpacking and organizing of our new home, I've jumped at the chance to be included in her beautiful blog. Thank you for having me, Andrea!

I have so much to be thankful for, that sitting down to narrow it down to 5 for this post has been a challenge. I have decided to give this list a twist with 5 other things I'm thankful for, other than the obvious of family & friends, health, & my career.

My husband, myself and our two daughters

So here goes, the 5 other things I'm thankful for:
1. Without a doubt, the top spot is awarded to our NEW HOUSE!!

We moved in last week and have been falling in love with it more each day. Wow, do I feel blessed that we can own our own home, let alone one that I think is pretty snazzy.

2.  Our pets.
Perhaps an obvious choice, for a veterinarian =) Our pooch, kitty and 2 guinea pigs are a very important part of our family. My little Maggie was a rescue dog from a very horrible abuse case that my veterinary practice was assisting on. You would absolutely never know that this little primadonna had any strain in her life!  Bella, our cat,  was also a rescue case when her leg became gangrenous. We managed to save her leg, and now she's a sweet, feisty addition to our fur family!

3. Quilting
I started quilting when I was 14, but didn't really become obsessed until the past few years.  I can't wait to have more time to get creative in my sewing room!

A recent quilt I made for my daughter.

4. Blogging community
I mean really? Where else do you find such creative inspiration on a daily basis. It has been a year since I started blogging, and it still surprises me everyday how much it has inspired me and really changed my life!

5. A good book
I get so excited when I find an excellent book that I can submerge myself into. Currently I'm reading Margaret Georges "Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles".

Thank you so much for reading!  Visit me at Willow Wisp Cottage to find out more about myself and our new home!

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Thankful Thursday

I'm so excited that Emily from Jones Design Company agreed to participate in my "Thankful Thursday" series.  She is basically my blogging idol!  If I were to run into her somewhere, I would probably be a bit starstruck and mumble something incoherent and then kick myself later for not playing it cool.   Nonetheless, I am very honored she took time out of her busy life to share this post with us.  


Take it away Emily.....


#1: I am pretty sure we are all in the same boat that we are most grateful for our family, our friends and our faith … there is really nothing more important than the people in our lives and the Lord who gives them to us, so I’ll just lump them together as my BIG number 1. 

I can’t resist sharing a photo of our large family. We get looks everywhere we go {‘are they all yours?’}, but they are great and I’m thankful everyday for the joy of a supportive husband and four healthy, spunky & sweet children.

Okay, moving on … let’s talk about a few shallow things that make me oh so happy …

#2:  anything sweet.

candy . ice cream . cookies . pies . cakes . doughnuts

{I love them all}

#3: paper magazines

The new e-zines being produced are great but there is still nothing better than holding a real paper magazine, hanging out on a comfy sofa and getting lost in the pages. Decorating magazines are my fave, but I’ll never turn down an US Weekly or People {gotta keep up on the stars}.

#4: mascara. Without it I look 12.

L’oreal Voluminous is my fave, but any will do in a pinch.

#5: our bed.

It is big, it is fluffy and when I am in it, it means I am sleeping – which after a day of chasing around my babes, I am really thankful for.

Be sure to check out Jones Design Company.
(I'm pretty sure everyone in blogland already knows all about sweet Emily,
 unless you've been living under a rock, that is.)

I'll tell you what I'm thankful for (oh wait, it's not my turn).  

Really quickly then, I'm thankful my mom came up this week to hang out and help out.  

She's a lifesaver and I cherish the time I get to spend with her.  

Okay, sorry, I had to sneak that in there. 

Be sure to stop by tomorrow to see some major changes that have been in the works for a while.  

I can't wait to share it with you.  

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Thankful Thursday (on Friday)

I hating skipping Thankful Thursday this week, but due to a scheduling conflict with my guest blogger, it was necessary.  The series will be back next week.  But for now, I don't want the week to go by without expressing my gratitude for some very special things.

Specifically, these three flying monkeys.

I am also quite thankful for the flying monkey launcher, AKA my husband.  He loves getting in the pool with the kids an acting like a kid himself.  I love watching and photographing from the side of the pool. I'm looking forward to some more pool time tomorrow.  Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

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Thankful Thursday

Next up for the Thankful Thursday series is Jenny from Evolution of Style.   Jenny's blog first caught my eye with the paneled headboard  she made for her daughter's room.  From there, I was hooked.  We have a lot in common and I am so thankful to have met her.  Oh wait, it's Jenny's turn to tell us what she's thankful for.  Take it away, Jenny!


I am a big blog fan of Oak Ridge Revival (her kitchen had me at "hello") and in keeping with the Thankful Thursday theme - a big thanks to Andrea for asking me to participate!  But I'm not counting that as one of my five things, okay?

I'm going to do this Wheel of Fortune style, where you automatically get five consonants and a vowel (R-S-T-L-N-E).  I am uber-thankful for my family, friends and faith.  For me, that goes without saying, and I think it's something that everyone ranks at the top of their Thankfulness List.  All three have gotten me through tough times in my life, so, I'll compromise and count this as my "R-S-T-L-N-E " and lump them together as the first item on my Thankful List.

Since family photo shoots cause me to break out in hives, this is truly the last professional photo we've had taken, and it was, um, three years ago.  Due for another.  Dreading it already.

Caffeine

I don't have many vices in my life, so I allow myself this one.  It is a must have as part of my daily life, and for that, I am truly thankful.  I actually just started drinking coffee in the past month or so, and am amazed at how quickly I have started craving the stuff.  I'm also a Diet Coke-a-holic.  I'm hoping the coffee will help wean me off some of the Diet Coke.

Exercise

This may sound like a weird one, but it is the sanity time that I have in my life that brings me back to center, relieves my stress and clears my head.  And really, it's about the only Me Time I get on a daily basis.  Trust me when I tell you that if I don't get my daily dose of exercise endorphins, you'll know it (and you won't like me very much). 

Right now, I'm trying something new.  I'm on Week #2, and the workouts are great! 

I just realized that I said exercise was my "sanity time", yet I'm doing the "Insanity" workout.  So I guess Insanity keeps me sane. :-)

Home

When I say home, I mean more than just the structure.  Yes, I love my house, and am so very thankful that we have this wonderful roof over our heads.  But it is also a sanctuary, a haven and a safe and happy place to raise our family, and I'm very thankful to have that.

Peace and Quiet

I mean this in the most fundamental of ways.  With a husband, three kids and a dog, our house is LOUD.  And I know someday I will miss that daily noise.  But right now, I really relish the quiet when I'm fortunate enough to get it.  A time where my kids aren't fighting, and I can go to the bathroom without someone yelling "MOM!!!" is a little slice of heaven.  (Bonus if someone took the time to put the toilet paper on the roll).

Thanks again Andrea for including me on this fun series!  Come and visit me on Evolution of Style.

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Thankful Thursday

The second installment of Thankful Thursday is brought to you by the lovely and talented Carmel, from Our Fifth House. Yep, the name says it all, Carmel and her family are living in their fifth house in just 10 years.  As soon as I stumbled onto her blog, I was hooked.  She's adorable, super creative and her posts always bring a smile to my face. You'll see what I mean when you read her list of five things she's thankful for.  After that, be sure to head on over to her blog and check it out. You can thank me later.  

Hello!  I'm Carmel from Our Fifth House, and I'm beyond excited to be here today!  Thanks for inviting me over Andrea!  I love the idea behind this series.  It's so easy to get caught up in wanting more and forget to be thankful for all that we have.  I have a lot to be thankful for so this was actually really hard for me to narrow it down to just five things.  Here's my top five......

1.  My Relationship With My Heavenly Father.

I've been through some difficult times in my life from my parents divorcing while I was a teenager to my daughter needing to have heart surgery, and my Heavenly Father has never let me down.  I'm truly thankful to have Him in my life!

Source: tumblr.com via Alyssa on Pinterest

I wish the word strength wasn't spelled wrong here.  Oh well. 

Source: None via Sarah on Pinterest

2.  For These Three.

I married my prince and he made all my dreams come true  - so, so sappy but it really is true.  These three take up my whole heart!  They make my life so wonderful.  

Ok, so the next three aren't going to be as deep because that's as deep as I go.  ;)

3.  Coke Zero.

Source: google.com via Monica on Pinterest

Call me crazy but it still blows my mind that a zero calorie drink could literally taste just like the real thing!  I mean how on Earth do they make it taste so real?!  Ok, maybe I don't really wanna know.  I try not to drink too much soda, but I'm slightly addicted.  I try to stick to a "1 coke zero a day" rule and most days I'm successful.  :)

4.  Date Night.

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com via Erin on Pinterest

Ever since we became parentals we've always made a point to have date nights.  Sometimes it has meant rearranging our budget to allow for the money to pay a babysitter.  I'd much rather spend the money to have a night out with my hub than I would bring home another "something" for the house.  If it means house projects take longer to complete for me it's worthwhile.  We always make a point of getting a little dressed up for our date nights too.  It's nice to get out of the yoga pants and put on something cute for a change.  :)  I also think it's a good example for our kids to see us taking the time to spend a special evening with just each other.  My daughter loves helping me "get ready" too, and it's the cutest thing ever!  I'm thankful that we've both decided to make date night important as raising two small children can be hectic, and we both need some time to actually speak to one another with zero interruptions.  :)  After all that's how this whole thing started right?!

5.  Sushi

Source: images.search.yahoo.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Enough said right?!  I mean I could literally eat sushi for every meal of the day!  I. love. sushi!

How awesome is this cake?!

Source: None via Karyn on Pinterest

I'll take that for my next birthday!  Some people are just so stinkin' talented!!!

Want to introduce sushi to your kids?  How about trying this?!

Source: blog.yoc2008.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

I know right?!  SO cute!

Ok, the last bit of sushi cuteness.....

Source: bbandcb.wordpress.com via Sara on Pinterest

and that cutie stole the show!  Makes me want to have another just so I can make a costume like this for Halloween.  I could literally gobble that baby up in one bite!!!!  Can't. stand. this. cuteness!

Thanks again Andrea for inviting me over to share my thankful heart.  I'm also very thankful for the new friendships I've made in blogland.  It's so much fun connecting with people that share the same interests!

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Thankful Thursday

With summer in full swing, I have had to temporarily curb my thrifting habit.  Dragging three rowdy kids  in and out of numerous thrift shops on a weekly basis, isn't exactly my idea of a good time. Also, I've been trying really hard to focus on being thankful for the blessings in my life lately and not constantly want for more.  I love reading blogs, but sometimes I find that it only makes me long for more "stuff".   Now, don't worry, I not going to give away all my wordly possessions and live in a tent or anything, just making a concerted effort to curtail my shopping habit.

Therefore, I'm going to change Thrifty Thursday to Thankful Thursday.  I hope you're on board!

Today I will share five things that I am truly thankful for and each Thursday for the next 8 weeks, a fabulous guest blogger will share five things she/he is thankful for.

Here goes........

1.  GOD:  

First and foremost, I am thankful for God.  He is the reason I'm alive and kicking and I thank him everyday for being with me on this journey through life.  I couldn't do it without him by my side. 

source

2.   FAMILY AND FRIENDS:  

My husband wanted a number all to himself, so I'll give him a quick shout-out.  He's at the very top of my #2 and I love him with all heart.  My family means the world to me, both my immediate family and my extended family.  My girlfriends are also a huge part of my life.  They support me, laugh with (and at me), lift me up when I need it, bring me down a notch when I need it, and give me more love than I could ever need. 

 3.  A ROOF OVER OUR HEADS: 

I am so grateful we have a warm safe place to lay our heads at night.  I couldn't ask for more.

4.  WINE:  Okay, yes, I just put God and wine in the same category, but please note, God was #1 and wine is all the way down here at #4.  Sorry, I like my wine!

                                          

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5.  MUSIC:

I have always been a fan of music, but not until I met my husband in 1996, did I truly develop an appreciation for music.  He knows more about music than anyone I have ever met and he has taught me to love all types of music.  Hardly a minute goes by in our home when there is not music playing.  Our kids have grown up listening to and loving all types of music also.  Someday, they too will be thankful for this.

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I hope you enjoyed the first installment of this new series.

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