New Again

I have become a major fan of consignment sales, especially the Here Wee Grow Again sale that started on Saturday. I had every intention to walk away from the place without spending a dime but, well, it didn't happen. What can I say? I'm a sucker for pique sundresses with rick rack trim. Thankfully I did not attend the pre-sale for consignors and volunteers or the damage may have been worse. But I had plenty of time to scan the racks during my volunteer shift on Saturday and was able to fill JillyBean's closet with some super cute dresses. Seriously, I scored some amazing outfits and didn't pay more than 5 bucks for one. So far I have broke even - I made just as much selling my stuff the first day as I spent.

Now I need to get some bloomies for Jilly to wear under the dresses. I came across Avannabel Baby and these cute boomers that will go with one dress:
I'm in love with this site.

Still, probably the best thing to come out of my volunteer time on Saturday was learning where all of the unsold items consignors want to donate are sent. The Clothing Center is an amazing place here in C'ville that helps people are are in need. It provides free clothing for women who are victims of domestic violence and who are seeking assistance from the local shelter. It provides free baby clothing to moms who can't simply pop over to Wal-Mart or any other store to get necessities. And it allows men and women the opportunity to fill a bag with all the clothes they can put in it for only 3 bucks.

Learning about The Clothing Center is exciting for several reasons. For one, I had wanted to work with the local women's shelter to create a career closet for its clients. They don't have the space to do it on site and since they send their clients to the Clothing Center, I am hoping that I can work with organizers and create something there. Also I have been at a loss finding some place to donate my clothes as well as some of Jilly's stuff. I want to make sure that they go to an organization that helps the truly needy in our community and this place is it. I did a major clear-cut of my closet several months ago and the clothes are still in a pile waiting for a place to go. They're on their way tomorrow.

As for the consignment sale, it continues through Thursday so if you're looking for a deal, head on over. The quality of items is awesome.

Spring Deals

This is just a quick post to let you all know that Janie and Jack is having a friends and family sale. You get 25 percent off your entire purchase Friday through Sunday by using the code JJFRIEND. I love their stuff and it holds up well through multiple washes. Believe me, JillyBean got a lot of use out of tops and shorts last summer and they still looked new when I pulled them out for the consignment sale.

Speaking of the consignment sale, our playroom/study is back to normal and no longer resembles a girls' retail shop. I hauled off tons of dresses, shorts, tops, bathing suits, shoes, etc. last night for the spring Here Wee Grow Again sale. If you're a C'ville resident, you must check out this place. The quality of clothes and gear is heads and shoulders above other consignment sales that I've shopped. The workers who "screen" items at drop off are super picky and make sure that all items are in tip-top shape.

The sale begins Saturday and continues through Thursday, except Sunday. It's located at Aldersgate Church at 1500 East Rio Road (behind the mall).

Hello Spring

I know that we're a couple of days late, but we're so happy that spring is here. That means that swimming pool season is just a few short weeks away, and nothing is better than swimming pool season. It also means a new season of hats for JillyBean. The one above is last year's Easter hat and it still works this year. We have already purchased a new brightly colored striped straw hat for play, a white straw hat for Easter, a sun hat for the beach and pool, and are in dire need of a new Red Sox hat for the upcoming baseball season. That would probably make a great birthday gift. Rarely can we leave the house without Bean wanting to put on a hat. She must get that love of hats from her Great, Great, Great Aunt Arcena (whom she shares her middle name). It's funny because I can't get her to keep a bow in her hair but she would wear a hat to bed if I let her.

I have had every intention to returning this into a daily blog but have not made myself do it. It sure isn't for a lack of things to discuss, I simply have not taken the time to plop myself down in front of the computer each night to record the day's events. In addition, this week has been a little nuts. I had the stomach flu for a day and a half (thankfully JillyBean didn't catch it and thankfully BeanieDad is fabulous and stayed home from work to take care of things), and now I am up to my ears in consignment sale items. Those will be out the door by Wednesday and I plan to return to my regular blogging schedule - promise.

In the meantime, we hope that everyone is blessed with the same gorgeous weather we have had the past few days and are able to enjoy the lovely color that is painting the landscape this time of year.

Happy Almost Spring

Wouldn't you know it, the first REAL snow we get this season comes in March. It started falling Saturday night and continued until this morning. The view out our back window is absolutely lovely.

Jilly, Dad, Sandy and I went out to tromp in the snow a bit yesterday and Jilly and I went out again this morning. There was more snow today than yesterday, but it didn't stick as well so we couldn't make good snow balls.

Still, it was lots of fun to get out and walk through the neighborhood. School was canceled so the neighbor kids were home and playing outside as well. Jilly loved shoving her boots in the deep snow and watching them "disappear."

Afterward we came in the house to warm up with a cup of hot coacoa and to watch Little Einsteins. What a great Monday!