5 Tips for a Killer Garage Sale Season

I am ALIVE. I know it must seem that I fell off the face of the earth but its been quite the busy last few months. We moved safety to Texas + are settling into our new home. Mr. Wonderful started his temporary job of summer sales so life is a bit different right now but we are loving the warmth + sunshine.

I love the summer season for so many reasons. One of those being that I am not cold and I can lay by the pool everyday but one of my most favorite things about summer is GARAGE SALES! I have been going to them since I was a little girl with my Mom and sisters. I have picked up some tricks along the way and thought I would share them with you. 

     

NEGOTIATING IS ALLOWED! 

I almost never pay the price listed on the tag at a sale. Just think to yourself whats the worst thing that could happen if I ask them to take a lower price?.... they could say no. Well then it's worth a try. Now if someone is selling clothes for .50 you don't really need to negotiate that price because thats a great price for clothes. But lets say you are buying $5 worth of clothing priced at .50 a piece there is no reason you can't ask if they would take $4 for all. More often than not the people selling the items just want to get rid of it, so they are more than willing to take a few dollars under the asking price. 

LOOK UP GARAGE SALE ADS BEFORE YOU GO.

 This will help in saving you time and money on your trip every week. There is a few resources that you can use to look them up. Craigslist, local newspaper websites or city websites. This also will help in leading you to the yard sales that have what you are looking for. I usually map them out so I can do as little back tracking as possible.

         

BE QUICK.

A secret to getting to the best sales is being as quick as you can. No I don't mean driving 15 over the speed limit   (although that might help) but if you scan a yard sale that has a bunch of junk don't stick around, head to your next one. Try and make quick decisions, if you don't love it, don't buy it. Even if it's only $1. Every PENNY counts in garage selling.

                                                        DID I GET A GOOD DEAL? 

A good gage to know if the price is worth it or not can be based on three things. 1. Would I buy it at that price brand new? If not, than you definitely don't want to buy it used at that price. 2. Is it something I love enough I don't care the price tag, I NEED it?! Some things you can justify the price you pay because you found that gem of an item you have been looking for. 3. Is it more than 50-75% off retail price? 

                                    

                                     

                 

LOOK FOR NEW.

 Keep your eye out for new or high end items that you can resell. It can really make a difference if you find items still in the packaging or with tags to sell and make extra money for your garage sale season.  

Hope this can be a fun and successful Garage Sale season. 

Happy Thrifty Shopping. 

P.S- Everything pictured here is actually things I bought at garage sales. You really can find awesome stuff. Go find your treasure!

[Lacey]
                                           

B & A Monday

Happy Monday, again!

How was your day?  Splendid I hope.

My little chiquita and I had lunch on our deck today people (it was 63 degrees!!), which pretty much made it the best day ever!  I love spring!

I'm sharing our master bedroom for this months addition of B & A.

In my opinion, a bedroom is suppose to be so soothing that you almost get sleepy just walking in there.   Don't you think?

The yellow and oak, featured when we moved in were not really giving off those vibes...

So we painted the trim and doors white, the walls grey and changed the hardware from gold to an oil-rubbed bronze finish (with spray paint!!!, I'll tell you more about that little gem later.) Oh and replaced the ceiling fan.

Ahhhh, now were talking.  In fact, I'm starting to feel sleepy just thinking about it.
Sweet Dreams.

Danyelle

B & A Monday

Happy Monday!

If you know me, then you know I have been known to pick up items here and there from sometimes questionable sources.  My poor husband cringes when I say something like "Oh honey, turn around,  those people had a great looking chair with their trash, I think we should get it.  Don't judge me, k.  Because I am also a clean freak I go to great lengths to bring said "item" up to "code".

Someone right down the street from me had this window at the curb.  I couldn't pass it up.  So I brought it home, tested the paint for lead, sanded and repainted it. (pay no mind to the dying plant in the photo)

   

Then I added a vinyl branch and a couple birds & Voilá.  The only thing that would make this ending happier would be if I had gotten this cute little window for free...oh wait,  It was!

Have a lovely day.

Danyelle   

Holiday Decor.

We all know that decorating for holidays/seasons can be quite daunting and expensive. And if your like me in a 900 sq. ft apartment, where are you gonna store all those decorations anyway. Well my friends, I am here to tell you that it doesn't have to be that way. It's actually quite simple. [Oh and if you have forgotten all about simplicity check out what Danyelle has to say about that.] 

Okay Okay whats the secret?... well it's actually no secret at all. You know that decor staple thats on your wall? You know a chalkboard. That will be your new best friend and your newest piece of holiday decor. 

Get creative and add some of your personality to your new holiday decor. Its easy and you can change it every holiday and season. And not to mention it cost nothing at all.  Now thats what I call budget friendly decorating.

Happy Decorating

{Lacey}

Up North

We live in a place that has temperatures, in the winter, I didn't know actually existed, except for maybe in Man vs. Wild or on the surface of Mars!  It's been quite an adjustment for us.  Now,  Finally! our mountain of snow is slowly starting to melt and while most of me, well pretty much all of me, wants to run around outside barefoot out of sheer excitement, there are a couple things I'm going to miss. . . (did I just say that?). . .

Watching her carry her toys to the nearest heating vent, everyday, without fail

The way the sun reflects off the snow

All my babies being so cuddly, even with each other

Getting lost in sweet girly books + putting one little girl to sleep


There's always next year!
Welcome Spring!!  We're so glad you're here coming.   You are coming, Right?.

Danyelle

Yum.

It's your LUCKY day!  I am going to share a top secret recipe with you!!     

I married into this recipe and it's just to good not to spread the love.  I'm sure Grandma Thelma won't mind.

We seriously look for every possible excuse to make these, moist, soft, melt in your mouth cookies.

Hurry and find a reason to make them yourself!

Best-Ever Sugar Cookies

3 cups flour (sifted)

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. soda

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1 cup shortening

2 eggs

1 cup suger

2 TBS. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

Sift together dry ingredients.  Cut in shortening with a pastry cutter until well mixed.  In a separate bowl beat eggs and then add sugar, milk and vanilla.  Add to flour mixture and mix well.  On a floured surface roll out to 1/4 in thickness and cut desired shapes.  Bake at 350 for 6 min.

Frosting: Mix 1/2 of a bag (1 lb.) of powdered sugar into one stick of melted butter.  Add 1 tsp. vanilla, and a pinch of salt.  Slowly add milk one TBS. at a time until the frosting stays on the side of the mixing bowl.

Danyelle

B & A...what day is it?

I had originally intended on doing a before and after post on the first Monday of every month, ya know?  Obviously that didn't happen.

Life has been a little..., hmm, what's the word??? ... Oh yeah, Crazy! the past couple weeks.  We went out of town twice, the vacuum disappeared in a cloud of smoke, my disposal shorted out, and our very first sweet little apple (computer) died (it really was so sad, especially because she took some of our photos and documents with her :(.)

Feuwe! (I'm pretty sure that word didn't exist until right now)  Anyway, I'm back!, and only a few days, . . . okay, weeks late.

We moved into our house around 18 month ago and really wanted to do some updating.  We didn't have much to spend (still don't) on it, so we've had to be creative.  Here is one of our first projects: 

The Master Bathroom

We replaced and framed the mirror, painted the walls, trim, and vanity and updated the light, for a grand total of $75.  Not too shabby.

   

Danyelle

On the Move.

 Our little family is getting ready to move to the beautiful and hot state of Texas. Mr. Wonderful is graduating from BYU and taking a job in Dallas. We are so thrilled to be moving to the south. It reminds me so much of my childhood and I want need a shorter winter. ( my soul thrives on the warmth of the sun)

Upon thinking about our move, I have thought about past moves that haven't gone so well. I'm planning ahead of time and getting all ready before the big day. But even with my prepping I'm still gonna need all the help I can get.

Are you getting ready for a move too?

Here is a list of ways to help make the move a little easier.

Happy Weekend.

 

 [Lacey]

What we Believe.

Ever since I was a young girl I loved visiting places that made me feel warm inside.

I remember when I was in 5th grade I went to hang out with my friends at the local roller skating rink ( that was the thing to do in the 90s). I went inside and took a big look around, I saw all my friends there. The room was dark with really loud music. As soon as I walked in my whole body felt unsure. It seemed as though this immoral monster had taken over me. I turned around as fast as I could. Luckily my Mom and Dad were still outside. But I will never forget that feeling. I knew that the spirit had left me. Today I'm grown with two children of my own. I try to teach them, even at this early age what that good feeling is. And what it feels like when it's gone. One place we can go to feel that warmth and light is the Temple.They may not be able to attend at their early age but they can feel the reverence and love from learning and working hard to be worthy to enter someday. My love for these holy Temples grows everyday. The blessings of the temple are real. 

Click HERE to learn more about the Temple.

[Lacey]

Snap. Crackle + Pop

I had the opportunity to help with a photo booth at our church activty last week. Honestly it was a blast to put together. I couldn't wait to share it. 

 

 I picked up these absolutely adorable photo booth props at Target. My original plan was to make them myself but when I spotted this set for $5 I couldn't let that pass. 

 The back drop was a simple white cotton fabric backing and I added some self cut dots to make it a little festive (being that it was a Valentines party) I used gold and red paper bought at hobby lobby. Then, the book page paper was from an old book I had on hand. 

These beauties are old windows painted with chalkboard paint. It added so much character to the scene. I love em', don't you? 

   {My little helper}

Everyone had such a great time posing and snapping some super cute Valentine pics. I Would do it again in a heart beat. It's the perfect addition to any party, dance or celebration. 

[Lacey]

B & A Monday

I love a good before and after picture, of a room, a piece of furniture, a person, etc.  Don't you?  

Here's the latest B&A around our house.

I don't even know what these things are called, maybe grocery bag holder?, yeah that sounds good. All I know is that old one had to go!  It was so easy to make a new one, I have no idea why I waited so long.

Much better.

Have a happy week!

Danyelle

Mother + Daughter Journal

I'm mom to all girls, 4 of them.  When they are little and home all day with me it's easy to know everything about them; I love that!  When they go to school,  let me tell ya, friends, it gets crazy.  They are gone all day, then its homework or piano or dance or whatever else they have going on.   It's hard to have talks about hopes and dreams, in the 10 min we have in the car (don't care for that as much).

So... when our girls turn 8 we start a mother/daughter journal.  We write about whatever we want.  We take turns writing back and forth and tucking it under each other's pillow.   A sweet little thing, her and I will always treasure.

(This idea came from my friend Tabitha, Thanks so much for sharing it with me.)
 Danyelle 
   

A little bit of Pretty.

I love finding out new things that simply make me feel beautiful. One of those is a fresh coat of fingernail polish. I could still be in my sweats and feel classy at the same time. It reminds me of my worth, and some how gives me an extra boost of confidence. I love seeing those beauty's after a finished load of dishes. I smile when I'm writing a note to a friend. It's quite a little thing. But it's one thing that makes me feel beautiful. 

What makes you feel pretty? 

[Lacey]

Word of the Year.

My new word. 

I've done this for a few years now.  And I love it!  At the beginning of every year I pick a word.  A word that motivates me to be different,...to be better.   

This year I'm not going to worry so much and let more insignificant things go.

This year I'm going to slow down and enjoy beautiful little things.

This year I'm going to find joy in having less.

And this year I'm going to choose to spend my time on that which matters most.

You should give it a try.  You wouldn't believe the power of one simple word.

Heres to a New Year and a Fresh Start!

Danyelle

Getting started

Excited to get started on this adventure of blogging. I have a few things in life that I'm passionate about and so glad I get to share them with you.

One of those passions is my roll as mother and wife. So cooking and creating new delectable dishes is a fav of mine (even though technically mr. Wonderful did this one). This recipe is a new favorite in our house. We totally devoured it. It's sweet but with a little spice. Enjoy! 

Mango Salsa

2 cups diced Roma tomatoes 5-6 romas

1 1/2 cups diced mango (1 ½ mangos)

1/2 cup diced onion

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 half bell pepper

1 green onion

½ seeded jalapeno (more for more hot)

 

Process everything but mango and tomatoes first until even. Then add mango and tomatoes. Process to desired thickness and size.

 

[Lacey]