Fab Friday Faves 4.26.19

Happy last Friday in April! How is this even possible?  April wasn't even a month, it was like, a long weekend. This week, obviously flew by.  I'm not even sure what I did all, week.... yard work and some kitchen organizing, got acupuncture, got my nails done, did some post-easter sale shopping, Josh and I went to a baseball game, thats all I can think of!  No plans for the weekend, but its shaping up to be a gorgeous 80F.  Everyone have a safe and fun weekend, and enjoy spring (hoping the article I just saw on Facebook about Saskatchewan having a winter storm this weekend isn't true!)

On Tuesday, Josh and I headed down to The Trop to see the Rays play the Royals with some tickets that I won at Rays Fanfest.  While I have been in the Trop before, this was actually my first Ray's game.   It was actually a really great game, and the Rays won.

On Saturday we went to Clearwater Beach (we haven't been to Clearwater Beach forever). To another one of my favorite local events, The Pier 61 Sugar Sand Festival.  I know these pictures are amazing but seriously, the pictures don't do these amazing works of art justice. Seriously mind blowing how they create these! 

Today was nail day! Got some springy pinks, perfect to start the month of May.

I got my first "Sephora Play" beauty box this week and I love it!  Super great samples, and actually all things that I have never tried before.  For $10 a month I think I will keep this one for a while.

 I finally broke down and bought the breadbox that I have wanted for ages (it has been on my Christmas list for a looong time).  The color of course matches my kitchen and I love the vintage look, even though I have no room on my counter for it. And thanks to Jodie for getting it first and making me realize that I should just spend the $20 on Zulily and get it.

Today I'm linking up with:

/ Bright On A Budget / Style Elixir / 

/ Simply Sweet Home / 

My Spring Decorating Tips

Happy Easter everyone! After my post about my Christmas decorations, I had some inquiries about where I get all of my decorations.  I've actually been collecting my decorations that are here for about 6 years, since I moved to the US.  This is probably why we always had soooo much stuff to move when we were on the road.  I always had a pretty good collection wherever we were traveling as well as here when we got the house.  This doesn't include probably 10 years of stuff that is in Saskatchewan, waiting to come down here and get thrown into the mix.  

I guess my main "secret" for buying decorations is Shop after the holidays! People get excited about going to Walmart and getting a 75% off bag of candy after halloween, but I am scouring the stores for  deals on decorations and home decor.  You bet that tomorrow I will be out first thing in the morning looking to get the best Easter decorations for less than half the price of what they were on Friday. Some of my favorite "post Holiday sale" stores are:

Kohls

Michaels

Target

Walmart (but in recent years they have less and less for a shorter time)

Pier One 

CVS

Walgreens

JC Penney

Hallmark

Zulily

here in Florida we also have Steinmart.

Another trick is don't be a snob about where you buy stuff.  While I am a bit picky about brands when it comes to food, I don't discriminate when it comes to off brand or store brand when it comes to much else.  Check out all the Dollar Stores in your area.  Here we have about four different ones and you can find some great, high quality looking items at all the stores.  

Another item, a favorite in all my seasonal decorating are florals and stems.  "Fake" flowers and plants are so beautiful now and places like Hobby Lobby, Michael's and Joanne's have aisles and aisles of more colors and types than you could ever imagine.  A lot of them will also be seasonal items and will be cheaper after the holidays, but, year round, if you watch for sales and coupons, you can usually get 50% off most every couple months.  You can also repurpose some of the florals for different occasions.  The red from your Christmas florals work great at Valentines day, and white is universal for Christmas, spring/Easter and even 4th of July/ Canada Day.  

I also watch clearance sections (especially at places like Michaels) for items that have been damaged a bit in shipping or just from normal wear and tear in the store.  The "Welcome Bunny" on the wreath on my door had a bit of a broken arm but was easily glued and the girl bunny on my blanket ladder has a bum foot and she doesn't stand right.I stuck a coaster under her foot for now, but she can be easily fixed as well. I paid less than half price for both of these items. 

Those are some of my favorite tips.  If you have anymore good ones for me, or if you have any more stores that you frequent for "day after" sales, please let me know below! 

Cutest teapot ever.  I got this one from Steinmart with my 20% off birthday coupon. 

Sasafras mats are fantastic too, I have one for every season and occasion and usually pay about $8 for each insert.

The table runner is from Kohls, post Easter a few years ago. 

I got these beautiful bunny platter and bowl and Marshalls after Easter last year.

This cloche is from Target clearance (for $5) and can be used for every single occasion.

I got this crate at a garage sale, and the flowers and bunny were all 50% off at Michaels. 

The HELLO pillow is from Target Dollar Spot. 

You can also use your pets to decorate haha.

This adorable tray is from Steinmart.  I plan on going back to get more of the set this week. 

Fab Friday Faves 4.19.19

Hello all!  Happy Good Friday, and Happy Easter!  We have a very severe storm  rolling in right now, complete with a tornado warning, I'm pretty excited, we haven't had much for storms this year.  It has been a super quick week, I spent a day at Animal Kingdom at Disney World with Lindsey, Dave and the kids, which is so much fun.  It was my first time to Animal Kingdom and we had a great day walking around, going on rides and meeting characters. I am going to make my Easter Dinner today, since I will be stuck inside anyway while it storms all afternoon (fingers crossed the power doesn't go out!)

Everyone have a great weekend with your loved ones, no matter how you celebrate!

All of my pets in the spirit of Easter.

A few photos from my day at Animal Kingdom.  We had such a great day and I got to hang out with some of my favorite kids, meet so many new characters and finally try the coconut rum version of the Dole Whip! Also, the Tree of Life is so amazing, pictures don't do it justice.

Josh and I went to the Tampa Bay Blueberry Festival on Saturday.  We picked A LOT of blueberries (one of my favorite snacks) and got to explore the Keel and Curley Winery and try some delicious wine, cider and beer.  I also realized that I really miss picking berries!

I received one of my favorite contest wins in the mail yesterday.  It was a Canadian contest so I had it sent to mom and then she sent it to me.  This stuff is so amazing!  I don't know how it works really yet but it smells amazing and is so light and smooth.  It reminds me a lot of my very favorite brand ever, Eminence.

 Josh and I picked up this Palm Harbor version of Monopoly at Walmart the other day.  It really is kinda strange that Palm Harbor has it's own version, we are a small city of only about 60 000 people. Really cool though!


Today I'm linking up with:

/ Bright on A Budget / A Little Bit of Everything / / Simply Sweet Home / Style Elixir / 

Fab Friday Faves 4.12.19

Happy Friday, everyone! It has been a couple weeks, and not just since I did a FFF, its just been a couple weeks, not in the greatest way.  I've been waiting on some test results for 17 days now, and I've had a migraine that entire time as well.  Super fun.  It hasn't all been bad though... check out some of my favorites of the last two weeks!



Today was hair day!  It was long overdue (as usual) and Serena did an amazing job (as usual!)  I feel like a new woman!



Yesterday was National Pet Day, and of course I have to brag on mine, because they are the best.  My main gal, Smudge and my amazing foster buns, Thomas and Oreo.  They have captured my heart!



Last weekend, Josh and I joined out neighbors Joy, Candace and Yvan and some of their friends and for a camping trip at Ginnie Springs.  It is about 2.5 hours north of here, near Gainsville and is soooo beautiful.  The water is crystal clear and always 72F and with the 90F temperatures it was so perfect. We spent most of Saturday swimming in the springs and tubing down the river followed by a delicious camp dinner, a campfire, and marshmallow roasting.  We had such a great time and we both really fell in love with with all the springs and the vibe in the area.



two weekends ago, Josh and I went to Busch Gardens for the Food and Wine Festival.  The Food and Wine festival was great with dishes and drinks from all the different regions of the US.  Pictured is the Griddled Cheesecake Handheld which is apparently from "the Boardwalk" Region (NJ, MD) where I lived for several years.  Ummmm, how did I never have this before then?  It is Griddled poundcake with cream cheese filling with a raspberry coulis. So delish!  There were many great dishes but we ate them all too fast to take pictures.
We walked around about half the park, looking at the animals and Josh went on a roller coaster.  We also got to see Joe Nichols and Justin Moore perform later that night, they both out on awesome shows.  Sadly both our phones died before then haha.  And yes that is Oscar, Big Bird and Elmo behind us in the first picture.

On Monday, my friend Jessica and I went to see the New Pet Sematary, as we are both Stephen King super fans.  I loved the movie by the way!  We had a great Mexican lunch before the movie and the very talented (and fellow crazy sheller) Jessica brought me some beautiful jewelry made from some of her finds.  I love them all.



I got my Easter nails done last week as well.  I was feeling some super springy, pastel colors and I love them!

And of course, the most exciting thing that happened is ...

The birth our first niece, Eleanora Lynn!  She is the most beautiful precious baby ever and we are so happy that she and mommy are healthy and got to go home today. We can't wait to meet her and snuggle and spoil her!




Today I'm linking up with:

/ Bright on a Budget / Simply Sweet Home / 
 / A Little Bit of Everything / Style Elixir /