Supporting A Local Bridal Consignment Shop- She's So Beautiful.

Many of my readers will remember last November when I made the gut-wrenching decision to postpone my New Year's Eve wedding. 

I wrote about my decision and how we just weren't ready HERE.  

Over the last 7 months, the man and I have given it our best shot. But in the end, sadly, we just aren't good together. It is now time for a clean break. And time to sell some wedding items.

Enter She's So Beautiful Bridal Boutique. 

I was able to consign my wedding dress there, along with some accessories. The difference between consignment and selling to a store, is that my dress is priced there- tried on by numerous brides and when it is purchased, I'll receive my money for it- minus the shop's commission.

Featured here is one of the shop's boutique items- TwoBirds bridesmaids dresses.

The shop is absolutely gorgeous. It is a small-ish home-based business, but when you are there, you feel as though you are in any other bridal shop.

The shop's owner, Cindy, started the shop in 2009 with her daughter Ashley. Since then, Cindy has taken on the shop on her own. You can read all about how the shop came to be here.

She's So Beautiful is a great spot to check out for any bride that is in the market for a gown. Whether it's to save money, to be 'green', or for the bride that desperately wants that designer dress- without the designer price tag.

 

At She's So Beautiful, the prices range fro $300 - $4500. Many factors affect the price of a gown, such as designer, style, age and size. 

She also carries jewellery, one-of-a-kind accessories as well as purses, garters and crinolines. Anything you need for your special day, you can find here!

Seriously....how adorable is this tea-length dress?!?!?!?

She's So Beautiful has won the Readers Choice Award for 2014 and for 2015! That's quite an honour! 

I HIGHLY recommend She's So Beautiful

whether you are looking to buy a gown, or consign your much-loved dress from your special day. 

Cindy was a joy to deal with! 

And of course...it helps with not buying new...So I'm a HUGE fan of that!!

You can also follow She's So Beautiful on Pinterest 

Facebook 

and on Twitter.

Blessings, friends.

Munch Mitt Giveaway Winners!

Congratulations to the winners of my newest giveaway!

 Each winner will receive a brand new 

Munch Mitt

 in their choice of colour.

The winners are (chosen by my impartial judges):

 Amanda De Santis.

 Mikayla Sithamparapillai. 

(Yes, Mikayla, I ran out of room for your last name on my piece of paper.) ;)

 

And Sabrina Hodgson.

I am so excited because 2 of these Mama's have small babies now and one winner is a Mom-To-Be. 

Congrats to the winners!!

I will contact you all soon with the next steps!

My Newest Giveaway- THREE Munch Mitts!!!

I am SO very excited about my latest giveaway!! 

You all know that I purchase almost everything used and second-hand. 

That *ALMOST everything* accounts for gifts for birthdays, babies, etc. (unless I know for a fact that the families enjoy receiving second-hand gifts). 

So, for the times that I do buy new, I make sure that I am supporting a local shop/small business owner.

And that is why I absolutely LOVE The Munch Mitt. 

 *NEW* Pink Shimmer Munch Mitt

The Munch Mitt was invented/created by a local Momtrepreneur and it is simply a FABULOUS product. I loved the idea before I knew that the owner was local- now I ADORE this product even more!!

*NEW* Yellow Munch Mitt MINI

The owner (also named Melissa), was looking for a way to soothe her little 3 month old's teething struggles. He, like my own children, would not keep a soother in his mouth- and would chomp on his (or her own) hands instead.

*NEW* Aqua Blue Munch Mitt

And the Munch Mitt was born. I have to say- I wish I had owned one of these when my boys were tiny. I love to give these as gifts to friends with babies.

Purple Munch Mitt

These awesome Mitts sell for CND$21.95 each, and I am able to give THREE away for FREE!

This is why I am so very excited!!

Green Munch Mitt

Three separate names will be drawn and the winners will be able to choose from any of the regular sized Munch Mitts in their brand new colours! (NEW pink shimmer, NEW shimmer purple, and NEW aqua).

Simply share this post with your friends on any social media site and comment with the new colour that you'd love to win!

***If we are not friends on social media, be sure to comment below to let me know that you've shared, so that your name will be entered into the draw!***

Names will be drawn on June 23rd!

Blessings, and best of luck to all!!

A Memory Board For My Grandpa From A Repurposed Window Frame

Yesterday was my grandfather's funeral.

He was 96 and lived an incredible life. 

He and my grandmother were married for 70 years. He had 3 loving children (and 3children-in-laws), 8 healthy grandchildren and 4 crazy great-grandchildren. 

My grandmother says that they lived a blessed life. And I believe she's right.

For the funeral I put together a memory board for my Dad's family's side. Unfortunately, my parents are in the middle of a move- and have all their old photos packed up. But I was able to work with what I had, along with what my sisters could contribute.

Many years ago, my friend Dallas (who also gifted me with this fabulous table repurposed from a church pew- seen here) found a discarded old window frame on the side of a road. He snatched it up, painted it black and gave it to me as a gift one day. 

For a long time I had it hung up empty- trying to decide what to put in it. Nothing seemed right.

It was the absolute perfect frame for my memory board.  

I painted it out in a muted grey-green and organized my photos on large pieces of white bristol board. I decorated the board with cardstock and jute ribbons.

I was able to add my 8 year old and 5 year old's writing, which I think makes it very special.

And then added a very appropriate quote that he said often.

And here is the finished product:

My tribute to an extraordinary man.

Grandpa, we will miss those amazing blue eyes and your contagious laughter. Your strong hugs and loving kisses. Your stories, your wisdom and your strength.

Loved you then, love you still.

Always have. Always will.

Until we meet again.

 

In My Closet- My Periwinkle Pants And Silver Gladiators

I was on my way out the door this morning and thought that I had better snap a photo before I go, instead of waiting until after I get back.

That was a good call, because on my way there, my blush crumbled all over my lap as I was applying it in my car. Of course. 

I absolutely LOVE these silver gladiators that I snagged at Value Village a few weeks ago. It wasn't quite sandal weather yet, and I was chomping at the bit to wear them!

Today I paired them with some periwinkle pants- that I scored at Value Village last spring.

 

Graphic tank- $4 Re-Source Thrift Shop (Also seen here)

Periwinkle-coloured pants- $7.99 Value Village

White cardigan- Cast-off from a friend- FREE

 

Tan purse- Cast-off from a friend- FREE

 Silver gladiator sandals- $12.99 Value Village

I also took some photos of these sandals when I wore them a couple of weeks ago with a maxi dress.

Maxi dress- bought 3 years ago at Value Village for $9.99

(Also seen here).

Thank you for stopping in and reading, friends!

I have a couple of new ideas in the works and a new giveaway coming very SOON!! 

STAY TUNED! And keep thrifting.

Blessings.

My Thrifted $2 Sleeveless Denim Shirt And 3 Ways I Can Wear It

I stopped in at the Re-source Thrift Shop the other day because they had 50% off their orange-tagged clothing.

I picked up this fabulous denim and lace sleeveless top for only a toonie! (That's $2 for any non-Canadian readers out there.)  :)

I just thought I would share 3 of the ways that I plan to wear this fabulous find!

1. Un-tucked:

Black leggings- $6.99 Salvation Army Thrift Shop

Black Booties- $9.99 Talize (also seen here and here)

White tank- $4.99 Talize

Clutch- Also Re-source Thrift Shop (seen here)

2. Tied:

Black maxi- $7.99 Talize

White tank- $4.99 Talize

Brown Purse- $4.99 Salvation Army Thrift Shop

3. Tucked:

Brown Skirt- $6.99 Value Village (also seen here)

Black Purse- thrifted years ago

black Belt- thrifted years ago

Black Flats- $7.99 Talize

So there you have it, friends. 

Three ways to wear my $2 shirt. And trust me- there are plenty more!

When I think of the devastation going on in people's lives in Fort McMurray Alberta, it is heart-breaking. If you haven't donated yet- Ottawa will match your Red Cross donation, you can read about that here. 

But it also reminds me of the people that we don't read about on the other side of the world. The people that don't even have the homes and possessions to lose. Please think about these people- the people who are making your clothing and other items- when you buy. Consider thrifting. For the planet and for the people forced to make big-box-special $5 shirts. 

Blessings.

Shop Your Life!

I needed a few days of R&R this week and took off to the Niagara Region. I just happened to be there on the most beautiful days of the year so far and enjoyed some wine tasting/ tours and some cider drinking in the sun. It was lovely.

One of the mornings I was lounging in my VERY comfortable bed and caught the Marilyn Denis show. This particular show was on how to "Shop Your Life"- so OF COURSE I was interested!

It was a great show on How to reuse old paint that you have lying around, how to shop the food in your refrigerator, and how to make money selling things that you don't need/use anymore.

But, my favourite part? Tips on having a successful Clothing Swap. As you all know (I hope)- I am a HUGE Cothing Swap fan. So I am beyond thrilled that this segment made them look fun, easy, and something anyone can do with their friends (because it's TRUE).

I also like the suggestions made on how to have a great Swap- they referred to them as Style Swaps, which makes them seem a little more high-end in my opinion.

** Have them at the end of seasons. 

I definitely agree with this point. As she noted, it is already a time of transition and it is a perfect time to remove the things from your wardrobe that you would normally just pack away for the following year.

** Invite your friends.

Don't leave out the pregnant friends, either- it's a great spot to get clothing for that time (and the time after having children when nothing fits). She says (and this is one of my tried-and-true points) do not stick to one size. She also notes to always have a belt handy (another one of my tips- check out the finds from my last Clothing/ Style Swap HERE). Many of those items only looked good on me when belted.

** Everything goes in the dryer.

I've never bothered with this tip- but if you and your friends are wary of bugs (bed bugs, lice, moths), you can put everything through the dryer to kill any unwanted visitors.

** Wear a bathing suit under your clothing.

She recommends this so that you can try on clothing easily without waiting for a washroom/ change room.  I recommend wearing leggings and a tank to, myself for the same reason. Whatever works for you. In my experience, we've never batted an eye while friends got down to their skivvies, either. ;)

Check out the Style Swap segment at the beginning of Tuesday's Marilyn Denis Show:

 http://www.marilyn.ca/video?vid=851754

Blessings, friends.