hometown Christmas parade & float.

EB has come a loooonggg way from where it all started from last October. From embellishing items in the wee hours of morning sitting at the in-laws dining room table to now owning a storefront on Main Street. It just doesn't seem real looking back. 

Last week we sealed the deal on a new set of glass windows & doors to give our storefront the exposure it needed!

(after)

 (months ago)

It looks SO good and we have had a ton of compliments!

Meanwhile, we were hard at work creating a unique float for our first Christmas parade!

Last year, we participated as an arts & craft booth vendor. Yet now that we are right directly across the street from the vendor booths, we decided there was no sense in hauling all our products inside of a teeny booth. So instead, we brought everyone into our store!

We asked four of our most frequent teen shoppers to help us pass out candy, flyers, and custom scratch-off tickets that we created for all of the ladies!

Our theme was "The Embellish Workshop".

Although we didn't score 1st place..we received a lot of compliments & "y'all should've gotten first!!"

2nd place wasn't a bad token!

 

We even went a step further and polka dotted our driver's truck! 

I mean, come on! 

Who else does that?!

It was so much fun!

And although you probably can't tell from the pictures.. we made "real" snow & covered the entire float with it. It was even cold & light weight. Seriously felt & looked like real snow.

We bought it from this site.

Coolest thing ever!

I can see the light.

For two full months now we have been non-stop fulfilling Etsy orders gallore.

I'm proud to say, I'm down to just THREE orders to ship out!

The small light at the end of what seemed like such a dark, dark tunnel is now brighter than ever!

Last Monday was our Etsy shop cut-off date for delivery on all Christmas items. 

We literally had to shut down the site so that we could dedicate all of our time into fulfilling these orders.

There were steadily e-mails from potential customers flowing in like crazy asking about products & shipment dates. Taking time out to respond to them was taking away from production time. So, we had to close it up!

Here's what our storefront looked like most of the time..

I think the post office ladies hate seeing me walk thru those glass doors now-a-days.

They're like, "ohh, Heyy Caitlin. What ya got today?"  with the biggest smile on their face.

And really, deep down.. I'm sure they're probably thinking "ohmygosh... not.her.again. she has 30 million packages to ship out every.single.day! She holds up my line for 15 minutes at the MINIMUM. Can't she use UPS or FedEx instead??" 

But instead, they smile & are just as friendly and helpful as anyone could be!

I owe them big time :)

It's been a crazy, busy holiday season thus far! 

We LOVE each and every one of our customers & are SO thankful for their business and support.

We hope they are thrilled with each of their products as we were when we made them!

-xoxoxo

wishing you a holly jolly holiday

Our Christmas cards came in the mail on Friday!

Yippeee!

As we speak, I am addressing them to send out first thing tomorrow :)

I ordered the prints from snapfish.com

From now until December 11th, order yours and get FREE shipping + 40% off your prints!
Enter code: CARDSFS40

When you spend $30 or more, get free shipping by entering the code: FSDEC30

-xoxoxo

christmas card picture sneak peak!

I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving week & week-end. 

One of these days I'll get around to compiling all of my pictures & writing a re-cap post :)

In the meantime, I thought I would share some of our Christmas card pictures we took this past Sunday.

(Thanks to my Mom!)

If you're wondering why the hubs is looking a little scruffy..he's participating in 'no-shave November'.

I'm wondering if he's going to join the local bandwagon and keep it going for 'don't shave December'?

In which, my cousin totally made that up today. (ha!)

I'm using some of these on my website for my Etsy items.

I needed a few good pictures using these wooden signs.

They worked out perfect for the occasion!

attire:

dress- Charming Charlies

boots- Rack Room Shoes

-xoxoxo

....surprise!

It's a NEW me!
I just went..

Last Thursday I built up the nerve to chop an entire ELEVEN (11) inches off of my wavy, blonde hair. 

This type of stuff hits me in spurts. 

I've been in dire need of some color on my dark roots & I honestly just can't keep up with them every 8 weeks or so. So, I went ahead and hit the dark streak again. 

And I love it, really I do.

Do I not look like a totally different person?

Crazy!

Ok, so..Why 11 inches, you ask?

I've always wanted to donate my long hair to the Locks of Love foundation.

"Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis."

If you've never heard of this organization, you can read more about it here.

You literally braid or tie your hair back with a pony tail holder, measure 10-11 inches, and snip.

Sounds so simple, right?

There's documentation that you print and fill out from the Locks of Love website.

Once completed, you put your hair in a plastic bag & place it inside a mailing envelope!

And BAM, you have just helped out a needy child!

I feel so "fall-ish" now!

-xoxoxoxo

i ask for your prayers.

My store opens every other day at 10:00 am. For some reason, this morning I was up before the sun even began to rise. I got ready, and headed up to my store about 7:45am. I immediately opened the laptop and turned on Pandora to my daily station: Avalon. As the music played, I sang along and worked on a few orders. Around 9:45, I went ahead and opened up the doors and lugged my store sign out front showing our new business hours. As I scrambled around back behind the counter, I turned around as a sweet lady I know walked in from her next door hair salon. I greeted her with a smile as she approached the counter top with an uneasy expression on her face. 

She went on to say this (in a nutshell): "I think you are a great role model in our community. You are a beautiful girl and a lot of our younger girls look up to you. I've been praying for you. I think the Lord is leading me to talk to you.. I teach an all girls Sunday School class and times have been getting harder with my Mama. I have been praying for someone that can teach these girls on days that I can't be there. It's not all the time, just times my Mama may need me. I think the Lord is leading me to you. As you sat in front of me at revival a few weeks ago, the Lord was telling me it was you. So, I've been praying to come and talk with you. You don't have to give me an answer right now, but just pray about it. These girls need a younger prospective and role model, I think you are it."

You see, this sweet lady is a member of my past church. If you are new here or missed this post, then you probably aren't aware that I have recently switched my membership to my Husband's church. I'm no longer a member at this church with this all girls Sunday School class. 

Just yesterday Cliff and I received a letter from First Baptist (where we are members currently) with our schedule for nursery for the month of November. This upcoming Sunday, I have the babies and Cliff has the 1-2 year olds. I've been praying that we could become more active in church and I felt this opportunity was perfect for us. I signed up several weeks ago, but hadn't heard anything from the preschool administrator until yesterday! I am so happy that we can offer our service to our church by helping out in the nursery and I'm really looking forward to a new beginning come Sunday.

Yet, ever since this lady stepped out of my doors this morning, I've been pondering and in amazement that she was lead to speak with me. Is this a calling? Is this an opportunity? Sure, the class may only consist of 2-5 students, but was she lead to speak with me because I can make a difference in their lives? What about the nursery? Can I teach Sunday School at a church I am no longer a member at? 

So many questions and only one way for an acceptable answer. Prayer.

I ask all of you friends to please keep me in your thoughts and prayers throughout the next few weeks. I know the Lord will lead me in the right direction. If this is something I need to do, I feel certain that the opportunity will arise and work out perfectly.

----------------------------

On another note, I have a big surprise for you all!

I'll work on that post, if time permits, today!

-xoxo

it's not who you knew, it's not what you did, it's HOW you lived.

Life can get so, so busy at times.
More often than none, we forget to make time for the ones who matter most.
The tiniest things can make the biggest difference.
Because in the end, it's not who you knew, it's not what you did, it's how you lived.


I love this song.
The words are undescribable.
It touched my heart this morning, like it does every time I hear it.
So I thought I would share it, in hopes that it does the same for you!

Read the lyrics as you listen to the words.

-----------

Wake up to the sunlight
With your windows open
Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken
Wear your red dress
Use your good dishes
Make a big mess and make lots of wishes
Have what you want
But want what you have
And don't spend your life lookin' back

Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
You won't regret it
Lookin' back from where you have been
Cuz it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live

 So go to the ballgames
And go to the ballet
And go see your folks more than just on the holidays
Kiss all your children
Dance with your wife
Tell your husband you love him every night
Don't run from the truth
'Cause you can't get away
Just face it and you'll be okay

Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
You won't regret it
Lookin' back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live

Oh wherever you are and wherever you've been
Now is the time to begin

So give to the needy
And pray for the grieving
E'en when you don't think that you can
'Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you
So think of your fellow man
Make peace with God and make peace with yourself
'Cause in the end there's nobody else

Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
'Cause you won't regret it
Lookin' back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live

'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live

Happy Friday, friends! 

-xoxo

what I've been up to.

Starting tonight and lasting until Sunday afternoon, we are here! The Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival in Richmond Hill, GA!

If you're wondering why I've been MIA for the past two weeks, this is why.

Between preparing and decorating to studying for the NCLEX (which I took yesterday- finally!!), this has been my life for the past two weeks. Updates coming soon :)

If you're around town, stop by and see us!

love times three..

Yesterday evening was like any other.

Cliff and I stayed inside due to a quick thunderstorm and enjoyed cooking dinner together. Around 8ish, we ventured over to his Dads house for them to watch the Colts vs. Redskins engage in Monday Night Football.

About 10:30 we scooted on back home, and after we took showers ended the night kicked back flipping through our five channels on t.v. while I attempted to study for the NCLEX in between commercial breaks.

In the midst of flipping back and forth between football recaps, we caught a glimpse of the Dr. Phil show.

Cliff paused for a moment as we watched the beginning of a new episode and introduction into a family.

Immediately, it caught my attention and I looked up from my never ending study guide to catch a peak.

The topic? Polygamy.

Here's the trailer that caught my attention.

Take a look..

That's right. There is such thing that exist.

This man has three wives.. and TWENTY-SIX children.

Here's some additional info to give you a better idea of how the relationships work:

To read/watch more on this episode, click here.

-------------------

My thoughts?

I'm a firm believer that "marriage" is between a man and a woman.

Yet, I just can't get over the fact that this man has THREE wives and TWENTY-SOMETHING children that live within ONE home.

Can you imagine the estrogen in this place??

They seem to get along extremely well despite the circumstances.

What are your thoughts on this? Interesting stuff!

---------------------

On another note, our AC decided to go out on us last night.

I normally don't complain about the heat, I'm definitely cold natured. So when I'm warm, I feel good!

Last night I got a little stuffy, glanced up at the ceiling to see the temperature of the room and saw 78. Gahh. It's normally 72.

Come to find out, either the module or the motor is acting up. Luckily, it's still under warranty.

Tonight we will be sleeping with box fans on high..

you don't realize how much you take advantage of the AC until you don't have it.

I read this status a minute ago on FB from a friend, it said "What if we woke up tomorrow with only the things that we thanked the Lord for yesterday?"

We better think twice every day to praise Him & be thankful for all that He has provided in our lives.

becoming a member.

these last four days have left me at a loss for words.

this past Sunday's service at church marked the first day of a 4-day revival.

first off, i should probably give you a little background..

cliff and i have been raised up in two different churches our entire lives.

"mine", so to speak, is a small, non-demoninational church.

whereas "his", is considered "The Baptist" church of our community.

their members probably quadruple the amount that we have at ours.

mine has never been overflowing with youth.

it's walls contain members my parents age or older, for the vast majority.

of course, this doesn't matter in the eyes of the Lord.

just as long as we are all there for one main purpose.. and that is to worship Him.

but to Cliff and I, we struggle there with people of "our" age.

there aren't many, if any at all, that are recently married.

in all essence, we long for a place to call "home".

a place to be involved.

a place to go and chat about certain issues with people who are going thru and experiencing the same things as us.

at the Baptist church, we've found that.

it's been a long time coming, but i've been struggling with the issue of "transferring" my membership to this partcular church.

it's not about them gaining "another" member.

it's not about them "winning me over".

it's not a game, per se, at all.

did you know that this actually crosses some folks minds?

we honestly like it here.

the Lord spoke to me over these last four days.

Monday night, again Tuesday night, and last night I made my way down to the altar to pray.

something I had never done before.

I've knelt at the altar to pray during Christmas communion each year and as I was saved during Christian camp.

But, walking to the altar, alone, was a big move for me.

The Lord was powerful. I found my heart beating harder with every word the guest Pastor would pour out.

this feeling I had never felt before.

it was so intense that I knew without a doubt that the Lord was speaking directly to me.

the Pastor nailed it when he asked the simple question, "are you a benchwarmer or a player on the field?"

it hit me. my stomach fell.

i am a benchwarmer.

i never before had gotten up off of my pew (aka "bench") unless it was to stand as a congregation to sing a song of praise.

last night and the two nights before, i was changed.

i was moved by the Lord's spirit.

my final decision was made Tuesday night after discussing things over with Cliff.

last night we made it to the chuch a few minutes early so we could meet with the Pastor before service started to discuss transfer of membership details.

and at the end of worship, cliff and i walked to the front of the church and stood with the Pastor as he announced our/my decision.

the entire church was so kind as to "welcome" me in with warm hugs as i stood at the back door as they each went to leave.

i am proud to say, i am revived.

what a glorious few days it has been!

camera phone randoms.

I don't know about you, but I take a picture of e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g.

Literally.

I'm thankful my phone has a camera on it, although, despite the fact it has no flash and I can't take any at nighttime.. it still serves it purpose I suppose. Boo!

For the last two weeks, I haven't had my "big" (Nikon) camera to take any random photos. Between our last vaca to Sanibel and now, I've misplaced my camera charger. Somewhere. I have no idea where. I've turned my home upside down looking for it and we've even went to the extent of calling the owners of the condo we rented to see if it had been left in Sanibel. No luck.

As I was browsing through the 491 pictures on my phone, yes, you did just read that right. Four-hundred-and-ninety-one...on my PHONE... I thought they were rather hilarious. Completely random to say the least.

Here's a few.

[Cliff getting a haircut week before last. it was starting to look like he had a full blown mullet.]

[when I asked Cliff to bring me lunch to the store, this is what he brought.]

 

[Cliff's younger sister, Madison, is learning how to barrel race. We spent last Sunday at the arena watching her and the rest of the Georgia Wranglers in her division practice.]



[Puppy love! Not really. Dixie actually is holding Prince (the Yorkie) down so he can't get her bone.

This was priceless.]

[Darla was hongry!]

[Trying to find a dress for our rehearsal dinner. TJ Maxx dressing room with my sweet cousin!]



[our friends electrical  taped this to our door one weekend while we were away!

FYI: all of Cliff's friends call him 'Beaver']

[On the airplane heading to Cancun for our honeymoon!]

[First document I signed with my new name & information]

[Hippiebands for the 4th of July]

[an afternoon at the hunting club with the guys]

[new license & new last name ♥]

[I am SO wearing these this fall/winter. This picture was taken at the Atlanta Mart back in July]

[In order to take the NCLEX (state nursing boards), I had to get fingerprinted at the UPS Store. This was the note I found on the door after I traveled 35 minutes into town IN THE MIDDLE OF A THUNDERSTORM. I was not happy.]

[Fun collegiate-themed bathroom set I made for a customer!]

[First mouse in the house!] I was laying on the couch studying late one night as caught him out the corner of my eye. I laughed so hard at how cute he was, I waited till he came back out and snapped a few pictures to show to Cliff for proof.]

[This was the result of the Mr. leaving a blue pen in his pants pocket. Our entire load of laundry now has blue ink splatter! Thanks honey!]

[Taken at Jessica's wedding! It was beautiful!]

[I wrapped her HUGE gift in burlap. This was tricky, but turned out super cute!]

[I finally found a temporary home for our canvas print of an engagement favorite.]

[First afternoon of hunting this year!]

[My view from the stand.]

[My favorite dressy top]

[On the way to Jess & Aaron's wedding!]

[Our sweet cousin Bella wearing my sunglasses during Sunday lunch. She is precious!]

[Cousin Austin riding thru town in the back of my car holding the hatch down so these wooden boards wouldn't fall out!]

[Redneck dinner. Using coolers for seating? Yes. Our living room is a work in progess... still. It will see paint, new carpet, and a new panel board ONE DAY.]

[My nursing class awarded me this during our 'Senior Picnic'. So sweet!]

[A full afternoon of using up wedding gift cards & switching out duplicate items!]

[Beautiful pair of peacocks!]

[I.hate.roaches. I conquered my fear a few months back and picked these dead creatures up off the floor (with a piece of paper, that is) of the backroom at my store and flushed them down the toilet. This picture was sent to Cliff with a message that read: 'There can be no more of these things. You must spray your potion ASAP! EEEEEK!!'

[This was the night before we left for my Bachelorette Weekend. All of the girls came up to the store and helped me catch up on my orders!]

[Guest bathroom --- post make-over]