A New Do, & A New FInd......

Ok, here it is...... my new haircut! I love it! I was soooooooo ready to cut it, that I wasn't even nervous or hesitate. For YEARS I used to think my hair defined who I was. Everyone knew me for my long curly hair and cutting it was a MAJOR ordeal. Now, I just want what is easy AND stylish. Don't get me wrong, I love my hair when it's long but it is sooooo much work. It's a pain to shampoo, requires TONS of my Mixed Chicks leave in conditioner, and takes FOREVER to dry. I also get seriously lazy and wear it up all the time. When I did take time to do it, I loved it, but all the effort wasn't worth it to me.

I hated my curly hair growing up and would always want to straighten it. Of course it looked awful when I did. I also didn't really know how to style curly hair. After years of experimenting, I finally figured out what to use and then I began to love the curls. Don't get me wrong, on humid days, I hate it, it's a poofy, frizzy mess! On those days, I will miss the ponytail. If you ask me, the best thing about growing your hair out, is how great it feels when you cut it off!

I also want to show you what I found in my in-laws barn a couple weeks ago. It was ugly dark wood, which I knew immediately would need to be painted, and of course it had to be white. I am very happy with how it turned out. I seriously have my own personal flea market next door, because my mother in-law is a collector, and that is putting it mildly. Compulsive hoarder might be a better way to describe it. I won't even start on that subject cause I could tell you stories that you probably wouldn't believe. When she recovers from her hip injury and returns home, she won't be very happy I have this, and that I painted it white. BUT my father in-law and my hubby both said it was ok.

I put my small collection of vintage wedding cake toppers on here. I think they are so sweet. These can get pretty pricey, but I seriously found all of these for under $5 each! Except for the one below, but it was still under $20. I LOOOOOVE finding a good deal!

Thanks for letting me rattle on and on, I guess I'm feeling chatty this afternoon! Have a great day!!!

Suprise Visitor.... New Friend.......

Thanks to the wonderful world of blogging, I made a new friend Saturday! Denise and her husband made their way to Washington to visit us at Backyard Candle Co. It is so exciting to think that someone who reads my blog actually wanted to venture out to find us! They had a full day planned so we didn't get to visit as long as I would have liked, but I think I will be seeing more of Denise as we have a few ideas up our sleeve!

I can't end this post without saying: It was Saturday, I was feeling lazy and just threw my hair back. It totally figures that I would meet someone on a day like this! Monday I am getting a makeover! The hair is coming off!! I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

Cancer Sucks.....

Earlier this summer, Backyard Candle Co. sponsored a team for the Washington County Relay For Life. Just in case there is someone who doesn't know what that is, it is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. It's a really cool event where each team, and we were the Backyard Gang, has there own campsite that they can decorate, recruit team members months prior and someone from your team needs to be walking at all times. This goes from noon to midnight. There are all kinds of really great food vendors, entertainment, and each team can sell something with profits going to the ACS.
My sister was on the commitee this year and was the one who did all of the work for the Backyard Gang. I just showed up. I wanted to share a few pictures of the day, and some of our team members..... My dad and my sister.

My niece Haley. As you can see, it was a very chilly summer day and she was trying to get warm.

Our good family friends, Jodi and Denny. What a trooper Denny was, I think he would have rather been fishing!

My parents and two more of my nieces, Kelsey and Kayla. My mom is a cancer survivor!

My friend Angie and her son Drake.

A friend of mine Jennifer and her daughter Emma, and her mom Marva. Her mom is also a cancer survivor!

If I remember correctly, over 70,000 dollars was raised that day to help fight cancer. It was an emotional day as well. They have a survivors lap where everyone else is on the sidelines, applauding the survivors.

It was a long day, but one worth all the effort. If you ever have a chance to participate in a Relay in your area, I would say DO IT! Cancer Sucks, and we all need to do what we can to fight the fight!

Randomness.......

I sooo hope I didn't take my love of chalkboards too far! What do you think?????? I have been wanting to do this for a while now, but kept talking myself out of it. I finally did it this week and I REALLY like it. Clay and I have written on it, but Sawyer doesn't want to. I think it's because it goes against everything he was taught as a little boy, NO WRITTING ON THE WALLS! I'm sure he will come around.

Look what my boys made yesterday while I was at work! Boy have I raised them right or what??? Now, the mess wasn't cleaned up, but hey, I got cookies out of the deal and they are REALLY good!

One last thing, if any of you have been hesitant to try the new cucumber candle we have, don't be. I took one home last night to burn and it is WONDERFUL!!!! I think I have a new favorite!

On that note, I hope you have a great weekend!

Fall, Already????........

I have slowly been starting to think about fall fashion even though I am not at all ready for summer to be over. It just flies by soooo fast. I think fall is my favorite time of year fashion wise tho. The other night I logged on to Ann Taylor Loft (one of my very favorite places to shop) to check out their new merchandise and found a few outfits I hopefully can add to my closet and I thought I would share them with you.......

I used to NEVER shop there because I always thought it was to conservative, but I guess with each passing birthday, I think conservative is ok. I prefer to think of it more as "classic." And I'm telling you, they have the best sales. I have found sooooo many great things on the sale racks.

Since we are on the subject of fashion, I might as well go ahead and tell you that I started a blog for our consignment shop Dressin' Up. I know, I know, like any of you need ANOTHER blog to read. If you would like to check it out, go to www.dressinup.blogspot.com

I will be posting mainly about the goings on of the store. But Backyard Candle Co blog will remain my main focus where I share about my personal life and such. My partners of Dressin' Up may do some posting on that blog as well as it's more of a joint effort. If you check it out, let me know what you think, I would love to know!

Let go Junkin".......

I am seriously considering packing my bags and heading to the Junk Bonanza! It's September 17-19th. It's in Minnesota and that is only 4 hrs away for me! Have any of you heard of this before? I wanted to go last year too, but was unable too, so I REALLY want to get there this year. If you are interested in checking out the info. just go to http://www.junkbonanza.com/

I know the Farm Chicks will be there as well as Heather Bullard if that peaks your interest. I just purchased this book last week and absolutely LOVE it! It amazes me what these ladies can come up with. I mean seriously who would ever think of doing some of the things they do with junk! It's about as "green" as you can get really. I have a couple of the other Junk Beautiful books and love them all. I look at them all the time for inspiration. What decorating books do you read and recommend? In my opinion, one can never have too many!

New at the Backyard.......

These art boards are AMAZING! The colors, graphics and sayings just make me feel "happy"! This is just a sampling of what we have.

I can think of so many things to do with these french buckets..... can you????

We have some floor mats already, but I could'nt resist adding another one. This one is my absolute favorite and one of them WILL be coming home with me!

This scrap board would look great in any room of the house!

We have new things arriving daily from our trip to market last month. Stay tuned.... the best is yet to come!!!!