That Time I Met a (Small) Celebrity

My sister in law just got back from a bachelorette party in LA.  My first question to her was, "Who did you see?!"  I love hearing about celebrity sightings - it's like finding an amazing item on super sale and then having it be even cheaper at the register - it just doesn't happen very often.  But when it does, it's exhilarating!  She saw Emma Roberts, which is fun.  But the best part?  One of the girls at the party went to school with Prince William and Kate!  I know, right?!  She even knew them and went to the same parties.  Kate once gave her a ride home!  

While she was telling me all of this, all I could think of was "I wish I had stories like that!"  I always feel like I'm hearing about the time one of my friends or family members met someone famous.  Not me!  I like to think they have been around, I just haven't noticed.  There is one time that I remember, however.

Growing up in Iowa, the shopping wasn't ideal.  When it came time for my sister's prom, my Mom packed us up and we headed to the Mall of America outside of Minneapolis.  In the hotel, my friend and I were taking the elevator down to the pool when Alex Mack walked in!  I know that this isn't as exciting as Prince William or Kate, but to a 6th grader that grew up with The Secret World of Alex Mack, this was huge.

She was also in 10 Things I Hate About You, and recently made an appearance in Pretty Little Liars - all grown up.

10 Things I Hate About You

Pretty Little Liars

 I was 12 at the time, so speaking to her or getting my picture taken wasn't on my mind. (Apparently I met the Oak Ridge Boys and Raffi when I was younger, I've seen the pictures but don't remember at all!)

My dad had drinks with Charles Barkley, my sister has a picture of her shaking Obama's hand, my aunt is friends with Bill Clinton, and I'm still waiting for my big moment.  It's on my 101 in 1001 list after all - "take a picture with a celebrity".  I'll get there!

Who have you met?  Any good stories - I love hearing these!

Friday Favorites, Pinterest Style

We all love Pinterest, right friends?  I have a confession to make - back when Pinterest was "new", and you needed an invite to use it, I was obsessed.  Like, ended up with over 6,000 pins and 67 boards obsessed.  My best friend at work (before she left me, sob) and I would spend hours pinning - it didn't help that we shared an office and would just send pins back and forth.  I still love to find new favorites.  Here are some of my faves from this week:

Organizing Tip: This is one of those "why didn't I think of that?" moments.  Baskets in the pantry - of course!  My pantry easily becomes cluttered and I always buy things that we actually already had, I just couldn't find it!

from Interior Fun

Quote: My best friend from high school, also the person I went to Vegas with, sent me this quote.  It sums up our relationship perfectly.

Decor: I am going through a decluttering phase, which in turn made me throw out our bathroom shelves.  I am loving this bathroom decor and am hoping to incorporate some pictures in to ours as well.

from 320 Sycamore



 

Necklace: No description necessary.  I need this.

Wedding Date! from MyBelovedandCo

 

Kids Activity: Now that E is out of preschool for the summer, I have been looking at fun activities to keep her entertained.  I love this easy craft.  Toilet paper rolls, peanut butter and bird seed.  Voila!

There you have it - my favorite things this week.  What are you loving?  Let me know your Pinterest name so I can check out your boards too.  Have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend everyone!

When Happy Happens

Today I just have an overwhelming sense of happy.  It's so easy to focus on the negative, but I'm all about finding the good when things aren't going the way I'd imagined them.  But today, I don't have to find anything... I am just happy.

I wish I had a beach to jump on!

It could have been the Chipotle I had for lunch yesterday.  (With a diet coke - oops, it just tasted so, so good!)

Or maybe it is the beautiful weather we are finally having in Chicago.  80's and sunny?  Yes - I've missed you!

Perhaps it was picking up E from preschool for the last time this year.  She's grown up so much and my heart couldn't have felt more proud.

It could be the night I spent with my amazing friends Sunday, celebrating a very special 30th birthday.  Dinners with my girlfriends are the best!

Maybe it is the plans I've been making.  Trips with family, trips with friends, home improvements, summer fun.

Whatever it is, it's a great feeling.  I feel like I could accomplish anything, and have the desire to do so much.  Last week for Wednesday Wishes, all of my wishes were for strength for various people in my life.  I'm happy to report back this week that strength was found.  We are still battling some tough things, but I firmly believe that "attitude is everything", and the strength and determination that has be shown could get anyone through any situation.

This week, my wish is simple.  I wish for happiness.  Happiness can be found in the simplest of things.  Take a moment and find something happy today - it could shift your soul and change a lot of things.  When happy happens, so do good things.

I'm linking up with Anne from Love the Here and Now and her co-host, Rachael from Lumuhand.  What are you wishing for? 

Tips for a Successful Garage Sale

When we first moved in to our 3 bedroom house, it was just my husband and I.  Then we had E, and three years later A.  We have quickly outgrown our house.  We were this close to putting it on the market this Spring, but decided to squirrel away lots of savings and make the big move next Spring.  With that decision, I just couldn't handle the crowded closets anymore - so I decided to have a garage sale.

Growing up, my Mom would often do garage sales but I never had one of my own.  Going through the process by myself provided some useful information that I wanted to share with others thinking of doing the same thing.

1.  If you can, collaborate with your neighbors.  People like to park and walk to multiple sales.  Being able to advertise as a "Neighborhood Sale" drives people to your street.

2.  Ask your friends if they have anything they'd like to sell.  Having someone else there is helpful, and you can advertise as a "multi-family" sale.  Added bonus - spending the entire day with friends!  If you do this, you can easily keep a notebook to track how much each person has made, and settle at the end of the day.

3.  Advertise!  I posted on Garage Sale Finder, Yard Sales, Next Door and Craigs List.  Also, check Facebook for a local "for sale" group and post there.  On Facebook, because you are posting with your personal account, just use the nearest intersection instead of your address.  (Better to be safe, yes?) All of these options are free.

4.  Along with advertising, purchase sale signs at an office supply store.  These should be placed at the nearest busy intersection near your home.  We purchased these:

Set of 3, with pricing stickers

These do not come with stakes.  One sign with a stake was $9, so I opted for 3 signs and stickers for $8, and made my own "stakes":

So easy, and cheaper!

 5.  Be ready to negotiate, and know how low you'll go on your bigger items.  I'd say 75% of people asked for a lower price.

6.  Make sure you have change!  We started with $40, in 5's, singles, and quarters.  We kept the money box in the garage (all items were in the driveway), out of sight.

7.  Afterwards, pack up your car right away and drive to Goodwill (or your favorite donation location) so the stuff doesnt end up back in your house!

We had a great day - I made over $300 and got rid of so much.  The people watching was amazing - including the guy that bought two women's dresses... for himself.  Of course I am assuming this, but the fact that he only looked at women's clothing/shoes, then held these up to himself before buying them makes me believe they were for him.  I wish I could have heard his life story!

Do you have garage sales?  What are some other tricks?  I'm sort of hooked now!