Friday's Freakout!

Enough said.

What's Up Wednesday

There are only 28 days left until Christmas, and with Thanksgiving behind us, Christmas and other winter holiday preparations are finally here!  At Chez Nous, we have our tree up with lights on it, but save the one Christmas ornament that sneaked past us when we were taking it down last year, it isn't decorated, yet.  My husband and I are busily making lists of gifts that our kids would like (AND that we approve of), gifts that we need to get, cards that need to be sent, baked goods that need to be baked, I think you get the gist...

Thank you so very much for supporting Embellished Living this past week.  So many of you chose to "Shop Small" this past weekend!

Did you know that for every dollar spent at a community based merchant there is a multiplier effect in the local economy?  That means that for every dollar spent at a local, independent merchant, three or more times as much typically goes back into the local economy compared to a dollar spent at chain-owned businesses!

Don't forget to check out the Holiday Guide by PBJstories!  There might be a coupon code for our Etsy Shop if you look around.

Miscellaneous "Cyber" Monday

Hope you all had a great Holiday weekend!  Cyber Monday has already been off to a big start for us!

The Etsy Wreath video debut was this morning and it is fabulous!  Jeremy was wonderful to work with and he really did a great job with it!  We are thrilled to be included in the video alongside so many talented wreath makers! Take a peek at our sidebar------>


Not only that, but we are also featured in PB&J stories Etsy Holiday Gift Guide!  We love Pamela's work and were so excited when she contacted us to be a part of her fun Etsy finds!  You may find a coupon code for our Etsy shop when you check it out ;)

source: pbjstories.com

We also added a few new Christmas items to our Etsy shop today :)  Make sure you stop by!

Fan or Foe?

Black Friday.

Love it or leave it?

I've hit the stores on Black Friday less than a handful of times.  The first time, maybe four years ago, was the best.  Jacy and I shopped together, started at 1 am,  got some good deals, enjoyed some Starbucks, and almost completed our holiday shopping.  There were crowds and lines, but people were respectful and most shoppers were having fun.  I can't say the same about the employees, regarding the fun aspect.  Black Friday shopping done after that first year has been less successful and much less enjoyable.

This year, I'm going with the #BlockFriday approach.  I'm not sure if it's a full on trend or something started by Holstee but the idea is to take back Black Friday, reflect on what you value most, and do that.  As stores have begun opening earlier and earlier on Thanksgiving, my heart goes out to all the employees who miss Thanksgiving meals and traditions with family and friends.  This year I may browse online, but you won't find me in any stores.  Instead, I'm lucky enough to spend the day with my family, finishing up a project, and putting up Christmas decorations.

So what about you?  Were you brave enough to face the masses at 8 pm last night to get those great doorbusters advertised?

What's Up Wednesday

Weeding, lots of weeding!  On a recent trip to buy some vinyl, I was chatting with the shop owner, and he used the term weeding to remove the vinyl in the negative space after cutting.  Even at the it's shop all done by hand on all projects big and small.  Because of our show last weekend, I had a lot of coasters to make.  So, here's an example of what I'm writing about: 

Before Weeding

After Weeding

 

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and WOW do I have a lot to be thankful for.  I won't list it all here, but I will say that 2012 has been exceptionally wonderful to me and my family.  We are so looking forward to what 2013 has in store for us.  I love this time of year, as the temperature drops, our outdoor activities become fewer, and we have more time for family.  Hoping you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving and can celebrate all that you have and are thankful for this holiday!

Miscellaneous Monday

What a fabulous weekend Embellished Living had!  We had a wonderful time at The Hollyday Marketplace.  We've always loved this show, even before Embellished Living was born.  This year did not disappoint.  We all walked away having purchased a few Christmas gifts of our own, meeting some fabulous new customers, visiting with old friends and meeting so many talented vendors all while peddling our own wares.  It was such a fun day!

We also had many people stop by to tell us they saw us in our local newspaper!  We were so fortunate to be asked to be part of an article about The Hollyday Marketplace.  It was such a fun experience and the article was great.  None of us think we look very good in the photo, as the angle was looking up at us (hello double chins), which is unfortunate because it ended up being at least an 11x11 photo on the cover of the lifestyle pullout section!  The print article also included another photo of us and several of our products not in the online article, including our monogram wreaths on the front page of the paper.  A huge thank you to The DNJ and Samantha Donaldson (the writer of the article)  Tara of the Junior League for thinking of us and Simply Southern Marketplace.  It was a great opportunity and we genuinely appreciate it.

We have a lot to be thankful for this year.  Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Fan Club Friday

We're a fan of the Junior League.  Women donating their time and energy to raise money for local women's and children's charities = awesomeness! We're also huge fans of their yearly Hollyday Marketplace.  Not only are we thrilled to be a vendor this year, but we all love to shop the show as well.  One vendor we won't be shopping, only because we bought her out last weekend, is Marcy Jams.  I bought a few for my household, and a bunch more for holiday gifts.  Marcy has a wide selection of unique flavor combinations that are all delicious.  If you stop by her booth, try the Cherry Almond and the Strawberry Jalepeno.  You're welcome.  If you stop by and see us while you're shopping, mention this post and you'll get a free gift with any purchase.  We hope to see some of you!

Oh...and check out the front page of the Lifestyles section of the DNJ tomorrow.  We're pretty excited about what you'll see there.

What's Up Wednesday

We had an amazing opportunity to be interviewed by our local newspaper this morning!  It was so fun talking about and sharing what we love.  The article will be promoting Hollyday Marketplace which is happening this Saturday from 9-5 at the Embassy Suites on Medical Center.  Be sure to come by our booth to say hello!

We learned a new word today when we were talking to the reporter...  Craftermath!

A term coined by her husband - this is the wake of disaster that is left behind after the crafting is finished for the night.  And, boy do I have it in spades all over my home.  Here is just a peek:

This is just one tiny section of my personal craftermath that is present after our last show, and it's the most organized of the mess.  Thankfully, my family just walks past it, and they rarely roll their eyes.

Are you able to keep your craftermath to a minimum?  Tell me how!  My husband would appreciate it ;)

Miscellaneous Monday... on Tuesday

It's Tuesday.  I have no excuses for not doing a blog post yesterday other than my brain just wasn't cooperating with me yesterday.  Just about everything I did I had to redo so it's Miscellaneous Monday Tuesday instead.

We had a great time at our show on Saturday.  Something about that building just brings the giggles out of us!  We are happy to have another show tucked under our belt this season, and we are beginning to be old pros at setting up our space.

source: https://www.facebook.com/hollydaymarketplace?fref=ts

We are SUPER excited about our show coming up this Saturday!!!  We will being doing the show put on by The Murfreesboro Junior League called Hollyday Marketplace.  It has, by far, been the best show,  filled with the most talented artists in the area every year and we believe this year will be no different!  If you only go to one show this is the one you do not want to miss!  So mark your calendars, call your girl friends and make plans to make a day of shopping and knocking people off your Christmas list now.  We are only SIX WEEKS from Christmas day!  We have some new Christmas decor, new wreaths and lots of our tried and true gift and home decor items, in stock and ready to go!  PLUS you will get a free gift with purchase if you tell us you saw this blog post!
Hope to see you there!  It is going to be so much fun!!  I'll be bringing lots of cash and getting some of my own shopping done as well!

Thank a Veteran!

Today, and every day, we are thankful for the men and women who serve, and have served,  in our Armed Forces.  They courageously protect the freedoms we take for granted, and many have given the ultimate sacrifice.  We're also thankful to the families of those men and women.   Let a Veteran know how much you appreciate them today!

What's Up Wednesday

At our house, we are in race/craft show prep mode!  My hubby (and 11 other gents) are racing this weekend in the Ragnar Relay.  Some might think it's crazy, I am one of those people, but they love it.  This is the third time the Ragnar has been in TN, and this is the 3rd time that the guys are participating.  They took 2nd place the first year, 3rd the second year (due to an unfortunate miscommunication) and are hoping for this year to be the year they take 1st in their division.

While I too am carb-loading (can't pass on a carb), it's for an entirely different endurance race.  We have another show coming up this weekend.  HYPE Events is hosting Christmas on Madison Avenue where the Farmer's Market is usually held in Murfreesboro on Saturday, November 10th from 9-5.  The entrance fee is $5 and the proceeds will go to Last Call 4 Grace.

In addition to our shows, orders keep pouring in from Etsy - you can tell Christmas is on the horizon!  Pictured are just a few of the bows and rosettes we've be busy making and my Cricut happily cutting away. 

We would love to see you this weekend at our show!  Mention that you saw this on the blog for a free magnet with purchase!  

Miscellaneous Monday~ Red, White and Blue

Tomorrow is the big day!  My house follows politics regularly, sometimes much more than I care to.  We are all looking forward to election day for a couple of reasons. We are ready to let our voices be heard, but we are also ready to move forward and be DONE with all of it! LOL  I will be dragging my kids with me to the polls so they can be a part of the process because I feel that it is crucial for me to show them how important it is for them to vote when they are able.  So many people before us fought hard for our (women) right to cast a vote and have our voices heard, and I want them to see that it is not something to be taken lightly.  They are excited about the election, but not excited at all about standing in line for me to vote. They are currently trying to come up with some kind of plan to get out of it. ;)  No such luck though, they will be by my side.  My husband voted early, but for me there is just something about casting my vote on election day.  It makes me feel more connected to the process, I guess.  No matter who you are voting for tomorrow, please just vote.  We live in a country where we have a small say in what happens, but if you don't vote your voice is never heard.  It is important, and your kids are watching.

Now that I have done my PSA on voting, I have got to show you what was waiting for me in my driveway today!
That is 5 BIG boxes my friends.  I wish I could tell you that it was something great that I ordered online to do some fabulous decorating in my house, but it's not.  They are not for me at all in fact.

Instead all 5 boxes are full of these beauties!  I cannot tell you how excited I am to have them arrive!  All 214 of them!  Now, of course I have to figure out where we are going to store all these babies.  Luckily we never seem to hang onto them for very long. We are officially ready for the holiday season to begin!  So exciting!  

Have a great night all!  Get out the vote tomorrow!

Embellished Living

https://www.etsy.com/listing/102337263/usa-jute-wrapped-home-decor

I need inspiration!

Congratulations to Amanda for winning the mustache and lips wine glass giveaway at My Un-Entitled Life!  We hope you love them!

Before the advent of Embellished Living, I spent a fair amount of time following crafty and DIY blogs. I also spent a fair amount of time on projects in my own home.  Our last home was a brand new builder grade home when we moved in.  During the 6 years we lived there, we painted every single wall in the house, replaced all the carpet with a good laminate, added crown molding to a couple rooms, tiled the bathrooms, kitchen and laundry room, built a fence, landscaped, and I redecorated each of the bedrooms at least twice.  Our family grew, and our house wasn't big enough, so it was time to move on, but, wow, it was hard.  Many of those projects were done with the help of family and the house had a lot of sentimental value for me.  We're 2.5 years into our new home and I've yet to make my mark.  Only my eldest son's room has been painted, and minus a few accessories, is done.  The rest of the house has furniture, artwork, rugs, some window treatments...but it's basic.  It's time to spend a little time scouring those DIY blogs that I loved.  Time to search for inspiration and start making our house feel like our home.  Between Pinterest and Blogs, surely I'll see something that will encourage me to pull out that paintbrush and start adding life to these beige walls!  In my quest for inspiration, I came across SAS Interiors blog post for today.  While it relates to furniture and not walls, the nightstand makeover from Mandi at Vintage Revivals is amazing and worth checking out, you won't believe how she got that finish!  That nightstand caused me to click over to her site and I came across a post for building a simple barn door.  Not only am I loving her tutorial and thinking of where I can put one of those handmade beauties (with a different finish) in my home, but I also loved the stenciled wall behind the barn door.  Thank you Mandi and SAS Interiors for giving me some gorgeous inspiration and plenty of food for thought.

Tell me, what's your favorite DIY/Makeover/Crafty blog?