Dressing Up a Gift Bag

Here's an easy way to dress up an otherwise plain gift bag.  Attach the card to the handle with a cute piece of ribbon.  Not only does it brighten up the front of the bag, but it keeps the the card from falling down and getting lost in the bottom of the bag.

Happy Birthday America

So for my fourth of July I spent the day at home with the family I'm living with for the next several months.  This included lots of reading stories and playing board games.  In the evening we went to a cook out, and then I went to meet some friends to watch fireworks.  As I was driving I realized that next year I won't be celebrating the Fourth of July in America.  It was kind of strange to think about, and it made me want to enjoy the night even more.  So despite the fact that it was raining, I sang along with all of the patriotic and "American" songs playing on the radio, ooohhed and aahhhed at the fireworks, and kept trying to guess which display was the finale.  It was a good night, even if it was wet and chilly.  

Thrifty Thursday

First of all, Happy 4th of July!  And second, I haven't done one of these in a while, but here are some recent purchases and a little inspiration for all you thrifters out there!

L to R

Banana Republic t-shirt = $1.50 / Heaven Sent Family Outlet

Merona dress (with tags) = $7.99 / Goodwill

bubble necklace = $1.47 / Goodwill

Ann Taylor Loft shirt = $1.50 / Goodwill

Merona skirt = $4.67 / Goodwill

Sorry for the poor photo quality on this one.

L to R
G.H. Bass & Co. tank = $2.17 / Goodwill
Banana Republic shorts = $2.00 / Heaven Sent Family Outlet
GAP capris = $2.00 / Heaven Sent Family Outlet
Merona cardigan = $5.27 / Goodwill

Saturday

I got to spend Saturday with my sister and brother-in-law in Blacksburg.  Saturday morning Amanda and I went and got doughnuts from a local place called Carol Lee's.  It's one of those little hole-in-the-wall places that everyone loves.  We got a maple frosted, chocolate frosted with peanuts, and toasted coconut doughnut, and a cinnamon twist. We ate them all at once and they were delicious!  After that we went and picked blueberries.

After we picked blueberries we went back to the house, "got cute," and met our friend Emily for lunch.  We went to one of their favorite local restaurants and it was perfect weather for sitting out on the patio.  Then it was on to a funky thrift store/flea market sort of place.

Lemon pepper grilled shrimp tacos.  Quite tasty.

Outside of Corinne's, the interesting place we shopped at.

After we were worn out from shopping we went back to the apartment to relax for a bit before heading out on another adventure.  Amanda had asked if I could take some nice pictures of her and Jonathan, so they got a little dressed up and we drove out to some of the fields that are a part of VT's campus.  We jumped the fence with the sign that said DO NOT ENTER and wandered out into the corn field for a little photo opp.  Then it was back to the house where Jonathan grilled out for dinner, followed by Amanda's ice cream pie, and then I headed back to Tennessee.  I'm so thankful that they are close enough to do short little trips like this now!