Happy Valentine's Day!

It's really all about the Love right?  

Not the commercial side of Valentine's Day.  However, there will be small candy hearts for Bear and Leah today.  It's a secret, but the Farmer and Bear have been 'not so secretly' working on homemade Valentine cards.  Sweet!  

I joined a Valentine's swap via blogland and InstaGram. My first ever mug swap through Sew Caroline and Rags to Stitches. I had the pleasure of being paired up to swap with Thuy at My Paper Pinwheel.  Thuy is a mom of 2 adorable boys and is the sweetest swap partner!  I was thrilled the day I opened my mailbox and my mug swap was here!

I couldn't wait and rushed in to open it!  Look what greeted me: adorable bright happy paper and a sweet tiny card.

Everything was tucked in and arrived safely.

Thuy wrapped it up just as cheerful.

Tiny packages of fun.  Here is all my loot:

I was totally spoiled by Thuy!  Washi tape, a hello stamp, my fav candy, socks, note pad, adorable set of traveling coffee cups, pencils, heart suckers and last but NOT least...

this AMAZING coffee mug from  Anthropologie!!!  My very first Anthro item.  I loved every sweet little thing.
And just in case you are wondering, here is my package to Thuy.

THANKS to Caroline and Alissa for such a fun swap! I'm so glad I was able to participate and have made a new friend in Thuy.

Wow, it's 2013 already!

Where have the days gone?!  I really enjoyed a little over two weeks off from work to relax and soak in our holidays.  Really hating that saying that all good things must come to an end, because it was back to work on January 2nd.  

Don't misunderstand me, I am ever so grateful I have a job and a job that I enjoy.  We've started the new semester at the University, but before classes began this week; I was standing on this stage giving a presentation to over 350 new incoming students.

Every first few days of semesters are whirlwind busy, like battling a tornado in a corner.  Yet, there is something very satisfying to watch today's youth chase their educational dreams.

I've been posting some of my Goodwill outfits over on Design to Shine's Facebook page.  Watch soon for a post of recent finds and outfits I've thrown together in a mad morning rush.  Plus I am hoping to do a few posts on building a solid thrift wardrobe!  Is that something anyone would be interested in reading?

No written resolutions for me this year, although I have a few tucked in my brain.  ;-)

I signed up for a Valentine mug swap via snail mail.  Exciting!  Who doesn't like a fun package in the mail?!

You fill out a very short survey, provide your information and then swap!  Can you believe when asked what type candy I like it took FOREVER for me to decide? It's not that I am really *that* picky, it's just that I don't really purchase a lot of candy.  My favorite mini candy treat are the individually wrapped small Reese's peanut butter cups.  Just the right size and not too much.  I keep them in the frig occasionally and have them for cravings.  Other than that my only other sweet treat favorites are usually chocolate chip cookies, homemade fresh pound cake and banana pudding.  LOL  Can you imagine shipping banana pudding in the mail?  Just made myself laugh.

When asked where I like to shop, uh THRIFT!  Although I don't think that is exactly what the organizers meant.

If you would like to join the swap, you still have time.  Check out the details at Sew Caroline or Rags to Stitches.

How is 2013 treating you?

Free Advertisement for Your Blog!

What you talking 'bout Sherri!?!  Ain't nothing FREE in life.  Well, you are right ...sort of.  I have decided to do what some other blogs call a Sponsorship Swap beginning in March.

If you are asking yourself what is a Sponsorship Swap, no worries, I did too!  So get out your reading glasses (if ya need 'em).  Cause I've got the details:

• We would swap Blog Buttons and both post them under Sponsors on our side bar.  My button on your blog and yours on mine.  The side bar is that thing over on the right hand side of my blog >>
• I will tweet out a link to your blog via Twitter on Friday's; which in Twitter land is known as Follow Friday (#FF).  If you have a Twitter, I would ask that you do the same.
• I will also feature your blog on my blog's Facebook Fan page.  Now is a GREAT time to follow along my musings on Facebook. :-)  Same applies to this, share the love via a link on your fan page.
• PLUS, you have the option of being a GUEST poster here at Design to Shine, doing a Giveaway or promotion for your shop/etsy store during the month of March.

I'm so Nervous about all of this!  Seriously.  It's a new venture for me but I thought it's a great opportunity to help out my wonderful blog readers drive traffic to each other's blogs.  So if you have some other ideas for the month regarding the swap, feel free to make suggestions.  The sponsorship would start March 1st for the entire month; so if you are interested email me at sshelnutt9@gmail.com .

I created a New Blog!

For months my heart has ached over not having the time to share new projects (heck or even DO new projects), post my Goodwill Fashion finds (yes I'm still wearing clothes daily, most of them come from Thrifting), my meal planning/cooking (yep, still planning and cooking) or just some of our family adventures.

Because of this I started a new blog!  Yep, call me crazy; you wouldn't be the first person and won't be the last.  ;-)

I missed you all.  I still have the desire to connect with each of the wonderful ladies (and a few gents) I've met in my blogging journey.   I've still be reading and lurking around your blogs.

My life has changed dramatically:  trying to get in the groove of being a 'mom' again to an almost 4 year old, changing up job responsibilities at work (I'm the new Social Media Marketing and Customer Relations uh, person for our department at the U), adding an additional room to the house (a home office.  I'm typing from it now) and just busy life 'stuff'.

So to celebrate my shift in life, I'm starting a new blog without all the pressure of living up to the blog I created here.  Make sense?  I'm heading off in a new direction and hope to still share DIY projects (Booger Bear and I created a Fall mantle this week!), menu planning, Goodwill fashions and family adventures.  However, something inside just kept begging for me to start fresh and in a different direction.  Maybe it will satisfy this ache in my heart to 'do' something.  And ....

What I really really want to do is plant seeds of happiness, inspiration and compassion over on my new blog:

Southern Sunflower Seeds

I hope you will join along in my new journey, because you've been so important to me in this one!

A Snugly Gift

LOOK what I recieved in the mail this week!

A snugly gift and I don't mean that wrap around blanket.

Christmas came early for me.  ;-)

A beautiful hand knit cowl from Kristi at The Speckled Dog blog.

It is SO very soft and warm.  Plus the perfect color for me!

Kristi is a sweetheart and offered up a contest on her Facebook page for one of these.

Instead of one, she sent 4 fans their choice.  How awesome!

Kristi sells these lovelies at her Etsy shop, so you too could have one.

We are like sister's separated at birth! well, except I don't knit. ha!

Check out how crafty she is...

and she shops the Goodwill, putting together clever outfits for her teen at a fraction of the cost.

Total J. Crew knockoff outfit for less than $20!

Swoon.

Ya know I love me some Goodwill shopping.

So be sure to check out The Speckled Dog and say "HI" to Kristi.

It is 30 degrees this morning in Georgia, PERFECT for cowl wearing.

The gals at the office are gonna be jealous this week!

Thanks again Kristi, I LOVE it.

Now can you teach me to knit? ;-)

Shiny NEW look!

TA DA!

Welcome to

DESIGN to Shine's

NEW LOOK.

 Thanks again Katie!

A VERY special THANK YOU to Christy Burgess of Visions to Images Photography for the use of the flowers photo in my header.


Be sure to grab my NEW BUTTON too!

I will be posting a new 'great for Summertime' recipe this evening. It is simple and delicious!
I even posted a new 'me' picture.

Puttin' on a New Shine

Cut not the wings of your dreams, 

for they are the heartbeat and the freedom of your soul. ~Flavia

A NEW LOOK is coming!
I've been working with Katie at Flibby Pie Design.
Simply, she is a sweetheart!


My blog has become a part of me.  A part of my life.
I have realized how much I have missed sharing just a tad here and there.
I've missed each of you.
The ideas.  The creativity.
The friendships.
So I can't wait to toss a 'dress up' party, thanks to Katie.
It's time to SHINE.

Published!

Please form a single line for autographs. ;-)

I've hit the Big Time now!

I received an email from a bloggin friend, Laurie over at Indulge Your Shelf,

wondering if she could use one of my ideas in writing an article.

Why, of course, I replied.

I am flattered!

If you'd like to read the article about Garden container fun at thrift store prices.

Then check it out at examiner.com  <<< Just click that.  ;-)

Thanks Laurie for the mention.

 What time do ya'll think my limo will be around to pick me up for dinner?

Shucks I just checked under the carport and all I saw was this

image from Chevrolet

Momma always said don't get too big for your britches.

Oh well, a girl can dream!

The BIGGEST thing since sliced bread....

There is a Party going on!

And it's HUGE!

What's a Southern Girl to do?!

Join in!

Hi ya'll, I'm Sherri.

Would you like some cake and Sweet tea?

Welcome to my little ole blog.

Make yourself comfortable and visit for a while, won't ya?

If you want to meet the kids, find out what celebrity I am named after, 

gather all my secret family recipes and see how I flip junk and buy rich folks cast offs;

then poke around in my buttons, just don't let the wonderment pop any off your blouses!

Cause round these parts we pick our decor off pine trees from a tractor bucket.

Yep that is really me!  All in the name of a budget Christmas tree for $20!

Just a budding movie star comedian trapped inside a simple country gal's body, trying to shine my own star inside and out!

Don't forget your party favor before you go...

Homemade lotion, better than that fancy name brand expensive stuff.

Nothing but the best for guests around here. ;-)

The recipe is in the blog. ;-)

I look forward to meeting new friends and faces.

Gifts for me and a gift for You!

I am so very blessed! and it feels like Christmas came EARLY!

Here's the bad part of today - my right foot is giving me FITS.  I have a hard spot on the ball of my foot and it hurts to walk.  So I wore flats to work and still limped.  I am hoping some inserts and no heels for a few days works it all out.  Currently it feels as if there is a knife sticking through it every time I step.

Now for the GOOD news!  

There is a LOT of it to share.
First, check out my NEW blog button!

Can you guess my favorite flower? ;-)
You can grab it over there --->>>>>

I can not tell you how grateful I am to Sharon at Good, True and Beautiful

who made my blog button and sent directions to me to get it all set up!

She did it as part of this...

 THEN imagine my surprise when Lakeitha from Home to Three Duncan Boys left me a comment stating my mailbox would be getting lots of love soon.  I WON her magazine subscription give-away and guess what is coming to my mailbox?????!!!!!

I have ZERO magazine subscriptions.  So this is SUCH a TREAT for me!

I promise to share any ideas, recipes and such I use from the magazine with all of you.

I.can.not.wait!

So while I'm checking my email to make sure I have Sharon's blog name right ...I read where I have today in fact won another SWEET giveaway from Abbi at Proverbs 31 Living for linking in my recycled candle jar votive to her Homemade Christmas Link Party!  She made these beautiful Christmas tags which will be PERFECT on gifts under my country Christmas tree theme I am planning FRUGAL style (more on that to come *wink*).  Aren't they pretty?  Be sure to drop by her blog as she has more Homemade ideas in the coming weeks.

To top it ALL off, my blog has now surpassed 100 followers!  I am sending off a little surprise to my 100th follower, Sarah of The Fifth Street Academy. She is a crafty Mom of 2 little ones and I can't wait to put a small token of appreciation in the mail to her.  SOON I will hit my 100th post and I'm going to toss a Party with another give-away. 

You ALL have warmed my heart more than you could ever imagine.  EACH one of you that stops by, reads, leaves a sweet comment, follows or just shares your creativity with us all.  So I found this today and wanted to share it.  Even if you are not a coffee drinker it's a free sample paired with a cute Dollar Tree coffee mug would make a sweet little gift.

Bloggers are really a SPECIAL community of wonderful women and some men.  I felt that spirit as many prayed for little Stellan, who had heart surgery today.  I had tears in my eyes to know he pulled through and read the story from his mom's blog.  If you've not met MckMama then let me say, if you visit her blog take a box of tissues and enjoy their miracle story.
Give and Take
Whatever you give comes back to you. Whatever you take will not stay with you.

Almost 100 !!!

A recent photo of moi, made by my wonderfully talented teen daughter!

Oh and NO I am NOT 100, but I am....

tickled pink that I have almost 100 followers?!  

Ya'll are the SWEETEST!

I also have 97 followers at Twitter.

Plus I am at 83 POSTS, this will be my 84th.  Almost 100 and there WILL be a celebration!

YES, that means a GIVEAWAY coming soon!!!

Please know how humbled and GRATEFUL I am that you have chosen to check out my little blog in the big ole bloggy world.  You are sincerely like new friends and bright shiny rays in my days.  I follow 190 blogs.  Just checked my list, which grows daily!  I'm finding 'new' bloggers at every turn with awesome homemade decor, makeovers, thriftiness, frugal savings, recipes and menu planning.  I am loving every bit of it!  Every morning, I fix myself a cup of coffee and catch up on as many new postings as I can before I have to pry myself from the computer to get ready for work.  I LOVE early quiet Saturday mornings where I can browse at my leisure.  Each of you share not only your ideas, but also your daily lives.  Some of you I've actually met in real life, most I am just getting to know you through your words and photos.

COMMENTS - Let me say this again, I visit my followers and most all on the blog parties I link up.  However, if you have the new drop down Google comment box for some reason I can NOT leave a comment!  If someone knows how to fix this, so I can comment, PLEASE let me know how.

Again, thank you, thank you, thank you!  Bloggers are the BEST!  Remember to....

A featured Halloween Treat!

Happy Halloween!

Yes a few days early.

Here's a little something I put together ~

It's kinda BIG!  Oh my, does it make my face appear smaller?

Ha!  That's Great! *wink*  Trickery at is BEST.

Want to make your own quick and easy mask?  Here's the link for the pattern.

I just gathered up a few of my neglected scrapbook supplies

And a half price feather thingie from Hobby Lobby.

I'm all set!

Who is that masked Southern Belle?

Now for the TREATS!

I am very honored to have found a couple of my blog postings featured by fellow bloggers! 

My hall 'junk' decor was featured over at Design A-Peele!  Squeal!   Be sure to check out Beth's blog as she has always got a cute crafty project going on to share.

I also found myself over at Jane's spot....Finding Fabulous!  She featured my candle votive project from her Frugalicious Friday.  She is one DIY queen at cooking up makeover projects for just about any thing around the house.  Be sure to visit her blog for tons of great ideas.

 Happy Halloween Ya'll!