Halloween Candy Buy-Back with Smiles by Payet

Get the scoop on how your kids can get cash for candy in the Halloween Candy Buy-Back!

We Trick or Treated at the Promenade Shopping Center last Friday.  Tomorrow is Halloween and Trick or Treat in Charlotte, which means even more candy!  I already know we will not be able to eat all that candy.

Usually we save a few pieces and either have my husband take the rest to work or simply through it away. This year however, we’re taking the leftover candy to the dentist. Yes, you read that correctly!

This Halloween, trick-or-treaters can bring their excess candy to Smiles by Payet Family Dentistry in south Charlotte and receive $1 per pound – up to $5 maximum.  Candy will be collected at Smiles by Payet Family Dentistry, 4601 Park Rd. Ste. 175 in south Charlotte on Saturday, November 1st from 10:00am – 2:00pm.  The candy must be unopened and children must be accompanied by an adult.

The candy is shipped to an organization dedicated to serving our troops, called Operation Gratitude.  Volunteers there send the candy and other items to be delivered to troops overseas in holiday care packages. Kids that come to this event are also invited to make cards for the care packages.

Good deeds.  Cash.  Goody bags.  And a plan to rid ourselves of all that left over candy!

 

 

One Room Challenge Week 5: Big Girl Room

Welcome back to One Room Challenge Fall 2014!

If you’re just joining us in One Room Challenge, it’s a 6 week interior design challenge hosted by Linda from Calling it Home to design or makeover over a room.  You can find my previous ORC master bedroom here.

This ORC round I’m work on operation Big Girl Room! If you missed the previous weeks you can catch up by starting with Week 1, Week 2, Week 3 and Week 4.

This week was all about the details and tying up loose ends.  I finally found the perfect hardware to display all the dress up clothes in Sofia’s closet.

I’m loving the feminine touch that also is fit for a princess, according to Sofia, who helped me pick them out! I had planned to hang them, but that didn’t happen and is on my to do list starting today.

Next up was tackling the chandelier install.  If you recall from my mood board, that I was inspired by Pottery Barn Kids paper chandelier, pictured above.  This is the actual chandelier.

If you follow me on Instagram, then you know I started installing this solo the other day.

The install was going well. I had figured out how to remove this boring light fixture.

I only had 3 more steps to go and then I hit a wall. I needed a second pair of hands to help hold the chandelier while I finished the wiring. With the daylight hours dwindling and the days numbered, I finally recruited my husband to come home from work earlier.  Of course once we finished the last few steps the wiring isn’t right and the ceiling canopy isn’t secure. We’ll have to wait to until the weekend to complete this project…UGH!

I did hang all the wall art, including Sofia’s own master pieces this week.  I also bought a new art display board with birds for her art work.

Lastly, the decision about the bedding: To buy all new bedding or to use what we have. Since we already have a few bedding items that Sofia hasn’t grown out of yet I’ve decided to mix and match it with other bedding we already own.  This is a temporary solution until we decided to invest in a full or twin mattress and bedding for Sofia, which all depends on if our two girls end up sharing a room in the next few months.

My punch/to do list for Sofia’s Big Girl Room:

• Update the over all look of the room to match her age
• More toy storage (her room has become the toy zone/play room in our home)
• Update the photos (I still have baby/1-year-old photos displayed)
• Replace/install overhead lighting with chandelier – In progress
• Purchase chandelier
• Add a princesses castle element for play
• Print current photos to replace baby/1-year-old photos
• Purchase white canopy and set up
• Purchase wall art
• DIY princess jewelry box
• DIY butterfly garland for canopy
• Update bedding
• Make her bed into a big girl day bed
• Finish reorganizing her closet (It’s constantly the storage area for push toys/cars etc.)
• Add finishing touches to closet like hooks and décor
• Finish DIY memory display box for Sofia’s treasure’s
• Hang Butterfly decals
• Find additional wall art
• Hang wall art

Thanks for stopping by and seeing my progress.  Make sure you check out all the other talented participants in One Room Challenge!

Sarah

One Room Challenge Week 4: Big Girl Room

Welcome back to One Room Challenge Fall 2014!

If you’re just joining us in One Room Challenge, it’s a 6 week interior design challenge hosted by Linda from Calling it Home to design or makeover over a room.  You can find my previous ORC master bedroom here.

This ORC round I’m work on operation Big Girl Room! If you missed the previous weeks you see Week 1, Week 2, Week 3.

Here we are at week 4 and it always seems to be the in between week of busy and rushing to the finish line.  While enjoyed my adventured to High Point Market, the largest furniture market in the world, it took away from my free time to work on Sofia’s room.

Here’s a sneak peek at the closet reorganization!

Without revealing too much, I’ve reorganized the white shelves for Sofia’s dress up clothes and accessories and added toy storage.

Here’s my inspiration board.

As you can see I was thinking of using the IKEA Trofast for toy storage solution.  However, I decided to repurpose this wicker 6 drawer piece that gets the job done without spending additional money.

Did you see my HomeGoods finds on Instagram? I found these beautiful rectangle storage bins in shades of pink and coral. This is an added toy storage bonus to her current bookshelf.

Next was mounting these removable butterfly decals from Pottery Barn Kids onto two separate walls. You can find the DIY tutorial for the fabric letters here.

The DIY memory box that I started working on last week is now complete and ready to be hung.

Here’s a sneak peek at the wall art I’m planning to hang, which include Sofia’s art work!

Obstacles this round are definitely budget and selection. I love the bedding from Pottery Barn Kids, but they have incomplete sets.  I also love the bedding from Sierra & Lilly, but haven’t decided on size of mattress, twin or full.  Decisions decisions decisions.

My punch/to do list for Sofia’s updated room:

• Update the over all look of the room to match her age – In progress
• More toy storage (her room has become the toy zone/play room in our home)
• Update the photos (I still have baby/1-year-old photos displayed)
• Replace/install overhead lighting with chandelier – Need to call handyman
• Purchase chandelier
• Add a princesses castle element for play
• Print current photos to replace baby/1-year-old photos
• Purchase white canopy and set up
• Purchase wall art
• DIY princess jewelry box
• DIY butterfly garland for canopy
• Update bedding – In Progress
• Make her bed into a big girl day bed
• Finish reorganizing her closet (It’s constantly the storage area for push toys/cars etc.)
• Add finishing touches to closet like hooks and décor
• Finish DIY memory display box for Sofia’s treasure’s
• Hang Butterfly decals
• Find additional wall art
• Hang wall art

Thanks for stopping by and seeing my progress.  Make sure you check out all the other talented participants in ORC here.

Sarah

BuyDig.com $150 Gift Card Giveaway Ends 11.4.14

 

Sponsored by BuyDig.com
Coordinated by Bella Savvy & Co-hosted by: Thrifty Momma’s Tips

I wanted to share this giveaway with all my loyal readers!

It’s hard to believe Christmas is just a few months away! If you’re looking to upgrade, or replace electronics in your home, or purchase gifts for your loved ones, BuyDig.com is THE place to shop for quality products including computers, cameras, and top notch televisions— all at rock bottom prices. They carry all of the top major brands including LG, Samsung, and Canon.

Check out my full review of the LG 42-inch 1080p Direct SMART HDTV with Wi-Fi.

With BuyDig.com you don’t have to wait for Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals to get amazing prices because you won’t find a better deal anywhere else!

Connect: Shop BuyDig.com | Facebook | Twitter | Google + | Instagram | Pinterest

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ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN!

One lucky reader is going to win a $150 BuyDig.com gift card to be used to purchase the prize(s) of their choice on the BuyDig website.

This giveaway is open to residents in the United States, ages 18+. Giveaway ends November 4, 2014 at 11:59pm. EST. Void where prohibited by law. Winner will be chosen randomly from all eligible entries and will be contacted via email. If winner does not reply within 24 hours, a new winner will be chosen. BuyDig.com is responsible for prize fulfillment!

To enter, follow the necessary steps within the entry form below. 

REMINDER: All tweets and Facebook posts must be spread out at least ONE HOUR (60 minutes) apart or they will not count as valid entries. See our blog Giveaway Rules for more info! ~~

GOOD LUCK!

Entry-Form

Disclaimer: The participating bloggers were not compensated for this post. No purchase is necessary to enter. One entrant per household, per address. Void where prohibited by law. Winner will be contacted by email and have 24 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. The sponsor (BuyDig.com) will be responsible for product shipment to the winner of this sweepstakes. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest, or Instagram.

FREE Halloween Portraits for Charlotte Families + Portrait Innovations Giveaway!

New Portrait Innovations Studio is offering Free Halloween Portraits during Movies on the Green and Trick ‘r Treat Family Event at Promenade on Providence Shopping Center!

If you’re like me, you try to get a good photo on Halloween, but run out of time between getting everyone ready and out the door. Now you have the opportunity to enjoy some family fun and have a professional photo of your little ones dressed up in their Halloween costumes.

Here are the details:
Portrait Innovations is offering parents with children dressed in costume FREE portraits during the Trick ‘r Treat event taking place at the Promenade on Providence Shopping Center on Friday, October 24^th.  Photo opportunities will be from 4 – 6pm, and parents will receive three free high-resolution portraits on a CD of each child.

The portraits will be offered during the Trick ‘r Treat Event at Promenade on Providence.  Kids can collect candy from shopping center merchants between 4 & 7 pm.  After collecting their treats, families are invited to enjoy their candy under the stars while watching Monsters University on the green.  The movie will start at 7pm.

The Portrait Innovations store, located at Providence Road and I-485, is newly renovated.  What does this mean for your freebie Halloween Portraits? You’re gonna get those Pinterest-inspired, drool-worthy photos of your kids this year!

With new camera rooms equipped with  lighting and background textures including brick, plank and slate and photographers trained in the newest posing and shooting techniques, those free photos are gonna look awesome.

Join the fun at the Promenade on Providence Shopping Center on Friday, October 24^th.  The rain date for the event is Sunday, October 26^th.

Connect and share with Portrait Innovations at www.portraitinnovations.com,  on Facebook (www.facebook.com/portraitsdotcom) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/portraitsdotcom).

Want another opportunity for FREE portraits with Portrait Innovations? Enter our exclusive giveaway for a session valued at $100 by commenting on how you could use the $100 free portrait session!

 

Backstage Pass to High Point Furniture Market Fall 2014

I’ve had the pleasure of attending several High Point Markets as the design assistant to the talented Lory Cobb Interiors based out of Charlotte. I learn so much from Lory Cobb Interiors every time we venture to Market.

Here’s a photo of one of my favorite installations by Lory Cobb Interiors!

High Point Market (HPMKT) is the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world, brining together 75,000 people biennially to High Point, NC. This year the market trends are “bright, bold and brassy” according HPMKT Style Spotters.

You learn quickly as a Market goer to wear the right shoes! Fashion is important but comfort takes the driver seat as you navigate the 11.5 million square feet of showrooms.

If you follow me on Instagram you’ll recognize this faux bamboo desk in white and gold from Bungalow 5.

Their 2015 line did not disappoint and was by far a stand out at High Point!

My next favorite is Thibaut! Always a must see at Market with their fun colors and setting trends with patterns and fabrics.

I always enjoy finding new exhibitors such as Lowcounry Originals. Lighting is setting trends and becoming more of statement piece. Loved everything in Jamie Young Co.

Shades of blue and red are hot right now! Of course my personal style is blue, white, and coral and found some great pieces at Trade Winds Furniture of Charlotte, Guild Master, Gabby and one of my favorites of HPMKT Ro-Sham-Beaux.

Hope this inspires you as much as it has me!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Room Challenge Week 3: Big Girl Room

It’s always hard to believe you’re at the half way point in One Room Challenge when week 3 rolls around. Yet, here we are and operation Big Girl Room is still in effect with lots to do!

If you’re just joining us in One Room Challenge, it’s a 6 week interior design challenge hosted by Linda from Calling it Home to design or makeover over a room.  You can find my previous ORC master bedroom here.

And start from the beginning of operation Big Girl Room with Week 1 and Week 2.

This week is all about DIY, arts & crafts, and details for Sofia’s big girl room! Of course I couldn’t do this alone and solicited the help of my favorite team members, Sofia & Charlotte, to get this project finished.

I had been planning to purchase a jewelry box for Sofia’s play jewelry.  When she received this make your own princess jewelry box for her birthday, it was the perfect “princess” and “big girl” element I was looking for to update the look of her room.

Sofia, with a little help from her sister Charlotte, had a blast decorating her own jewelry box which will now display all her jewelry.

The moment you’ve all been waiting for, the messy closest reorganization!

Here is what it looked like last week.

At first glance it looks like your typical 3 year olds closet: shoved toys, clothes, shoes, dress up clothes.

Believe it or not I had reorganized this closet just a few months ago.  For storage and to make room for her princess castle tent I moved the book case into her closet.  You can view the bookcase in her room here and DIY here.

As I mentioned in week 1, her closet has become the storage closet dumping area for push/pull toys, her dress up clothes, and miscellaneous toys.

You may have seen versions of a dress up cart/dresser on Pinterest, and I love the idea! A few of my friends recently have done this for their girl’s.

However, I would like to hold onto the bookcase I originally designed for Sofia and utilize it for all of the dress up/costumes and accessories.  I added a few storage solutions to keep items tidy.

I found some adorable hooks to Display Sofia’s dresses in her closet. Here’s one that has made the final list.

Then, it was reorganizing her clothes and finding other storage areas for the larger toys to make this closet functional and organized.  Here’s some inspiration.I was all ready to show you the result after the reorganization, but have a few element I haven’t finished and don’t want to spoil the big reveal.

Next up was converting Sofia’s bed into a day bed and hanging her canopy aka Princess Castle. Here’s a photo that I posted on Instagram

I’m still playing around with the idea of adding a twin or double bed, but for now I like the look.  Sofia has a large room and lots of space for her and her sister to play.  It has become the unofficial playroom and the decision may come down to leaving the daybed for function.

The fun part has been shopping with Sofia for updates to her room! We hit up Pottery Barn Kids, Hobby Lobby, and I’m off to my favorite ORC resource HomeGoods later today!  Here’s some wall art that made the top list

Other progress includes updating the pictures frames and photo board with current photos of Sofia and the family.  I was all set to purchase a set of sheets from Pottery Barn Kids but of course the reason for their big sale, they have incomplete sets or nothing that fits the room.

My punch/to do list for Sofia’s updated room:

• Update the over all look of the room to match her age – In progress
• More toy storage (her room has become the toy zone/play room in our home)
• Update the photos (I still have baby/1-year-old photos displayed)
• Replace/install overhead lighting with chandelier – Need to call handyman
• Purchase chandelier
• Add a princesses castle element for play
• Print current photos to replace baby/1-year-old photos
• Purchase white canopy and set up
• Purchase wall art
• DIY princess jewelry box
• DIY butterfly garland for canopy
• Update bedding – In Progress
• Make her bed into a big girl day bed
• Finish reorganizing her closet (It’s constantly the storage area for push toys/cars etc.)
• Add finishing touches to closet like hooks and décor
• Finish DIY memory display box for Sofia’s treasure’s
• Dec

Thanks for stopping by and seeing my progress.  Make sure you check out all the other talented participants in ORC here.

Sarah

 

 

 

 

 

Shop Small This Fall Giveaway: Support Small Business

Lauren Stauffer, The Stauffer Home, & It’s All Chevron are hosting a Shop Small This Fall Giveaway! It has over 60 items in the giveaway! The items are listed below along with how to get entered! Make sure you comment on this post once you have entered and let me know what you are excited to win!

-$15 Gift Card to Arbor Bowtique
-Newborn Tieback (your choice in color) from Daisy & Lucy Lockets Fabulous Photo Props
-$25 Gift Card to Cary’d Away Creations
-$15 Gift Card to Precious Pennants
-$10 Gift Card to Tastefully Simple with Jenny Porta
-$15 Gift Card to Buttons, Bows, & Blessings
-Two Free Books from Barefoot In Jersey
-Newborn Heart Stitch Pant & Hat Set from Puddy Pad Designs
-Newborn Camo Pant & Hat Set from Southern Sewista
-A Bloomer Set from The Blushing Apple
-A Bonnet from Lynetta’s Creations
-$35 Gift Card to Christy’s Cornerx3
-$10 Gift Card to Elise DeAnne Designs
-A Scarecrow Hat from Sew Funktastic
-Romper & Headband from SPONSOR It’s All Chevron
-Three Day Plexus & Booster Trial from Ashley Osborne
-Thirty One Goodie Bag from Stephanie Hebert
-Wrap, Facial & Greens Package from It Works with Alicia McClure
-$10 Gift Card to Mary Kay with Christina Doyle
-3D Fiber Mascara from Younique with Anna
– Simply Created Kit & Simply Sent Kit from Stampin’ Up with Jillian
-$5 Gift Card to Cute N Cuddly Crochet

Get entered here!

Now go out and support small businesses in your local city!

Sarah

Fall Family Fun Series

I’m thrilled to be guest posting for Katie, at MomFavorites.com today! As a wedding and event planner and stylist I usually blog about my events, entertaining and décor tips. However, this post allows me to step out of my normal comfort blogging zone and share my personal life with y’all!

Charlotte offers a variety of fall fun from apple picking, to pumpkin picking, to hay rides and animal petting farms, to hiking trails.

Once October hits, it’s all about pumpkin patches! Here’s a sneak peek from our recent pumpkin patch adventure at Hodges Farm in North Charlotte!

Not to mention our fun memories of hiking in Grand Father Mountain before Charlotte was born!

Come on over to MomFavorites.com for more fall family fun ideas!

Happy Fall Y’all!

Sarah

One Room Challenge Week 2: Big Girl Room

Last week was the first week of One Room Challenge Fall 2014.  Did you get a chance to check some of the talent?

I have to say I’m thrilled that some of my favorite participants like The Pink Pagoda , Bijou & Boheme,  Abby M. Interiors, Mimosa Lane, and Design Manifest are back! Not to mention designer crushes like House of Turquoise, Chinoiserie Chic, The Decorista and Waiting on Martha are participating in this round! Some of my other talented friends from ORC Spring 2014 are linking participants again with me such as The Pink Clutch, Simply Styling’s, and Charming in Charlotte.

OK, enough talk let’s get down to the fun stuff, photos and updates on Sofia’s “Big Girl Room”!

Last week I shared with you what my daughter’s room currently looks like. Details of her room and my overall plan of Week 1 ORC here and my master bedroom from Spring ’14 ORC here.

This week I’m sharing my mood board and inspiration behind transforming this room into a Big Girl Room!

Her nursery and current bedroom centers around this cherry blossom painting.  Details of nursery here and here. I want to keep this painting as the centerpiece along with the dresser.

She currently sleeps in her converted toddler bed, which can also be used as a head board for a twin or double. I’m playing around with the idea of making it into a day bed like the one shown in the mood board.  However, if the budget allows I would like to use the headboard and have a twin bed in her room.

If you know me I have a huge coral crush and my other daughter’s room is coral and robin’s egg blue.  Coral goes well with blue and shades of pink and if my girls ever were to share a room coordinating bedding would be great! (Yes I’m always thinking ahead and love to coordinate!) I love this look from Serena & Lily!

Currently, Sofia has my childhood bookcase that my mother repainted for my other daughter Charlotte.

The idea is get more toy appropriate storage such as the one shown in the mood board from Ikea and put this in Charlotte’s room.

I purchased this white chandelier that was inspired by the one from Pottery Barn Kids, shown in the mood board. It might be time to call my handy man Ken again, because the last time my husband and I installed a chandelier it was quite the process and ended up hating each other for a few hours.

Next up is making her room more princess like by adding the princess castle play tent and canopy as shown in the mood board above. Check and check. We gave Sofia the princess castle play tent for her birthday and have it up in her room now!

This white canopy should arrive later today and will replace the blanket we put over her current bed at bedtime to resemble her “princess castle”.

Then I will get to work on DIY with butterfly garland that look similar to this one from Pottery Barn Kids.

I killed two birds with one stone and printed up to date photos for Sofia’s room and for her grandmother’s birthday! Now I need to replace the current photos with the ones I’ve printed.

Next step is to tackle Sofia’s closet. I meant to capture a photo of the before for this post, but will save it for next week.

My punch/to do list for Sofia’s updated room:

• Update the over all look of the room to match her age
• More toy storage (her room has become the toy zone/play room in our home)
• Update the photos (I still have baby/1-year-old photos displayed)
• Replace/install overhead lighting with chandelier
• Purchase chandelier
• Add a princesses castle element for play
• Print current photos to replace baby/1-year-old photos
• Purchase white canopy
• DIY butterfly garland for canopy
• Update bedding
• Make her bed into a real “big girl” bed (it’s currently in the converted toddler bed stage that we call her big girl bed)
• Finish reorganizing her closet (It’s constantly the storage area for push toys/cars etc.)

Thanks for stopping by and seeing my progress.  Make sure you check out all the other talented participants in ORC here.