Room to Play

I never thought that we would have a specific room for JillyBean to play with her toys. I mean, we played in our bedrooms growing up and didn't need a separate space, so she can do the same. Well, once we moved into the new house last summer, we designated the fourth bedroom as Jilly's room as well as the space for Daddy's TV and video games. Now I don't know what I would do without a playroom.

JillyBean does play in her bedroom a little. It is where her "library" is and her rocking horse and dolls. The playroom, though, is filled with her train sets, tea sets, cooking stuff, horses, plus her art stuff. She spends a lot of time in there.

This week I added some new decor to the room. This super cute fabric banner that spells out "create."

I have had my eye on these letters for a while at a local gift shop called novel. The store had a 40 percent off sale last week and I couldn't let it pass. I really love the way it looks and have it hanging over the art display that I made for Jilly several months ago using ribbon and clothes pens that I painted white.

I have a lot of ideas for decorating this room, but need to keep in mind that when it's used to its full potential, the result is this:

Scary Good Cause

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays and I will have more about our plans later, but for now I want to spread some news.

Local photographer Dominique Attaway is going to be at Trailside Coffee (in Old Trail) taking photos of kids in their Halloween costumes from noon until 2 p.m. on Halloween. Each person will get a 4x6 picture of their child in exchange for a donation to HEAL Africa. Dominique says that whatever donation you feel comfortable with giving will be accepted; 100 percent of what she receives goes directly to the organization.

Dominique is an incredible photographer (she did some beautiful portraits of Jillian a year ago) and a very busy mom of three active boys, so the opportunity to tap into this amazing talent and help a worthy cause is the best Halloween treat you will get this year.

Consignment Time

It is hard to believe that fall is around the corner and that means that it's consignment season. The amazing Here Wee Grow Again sale begins Saturday, Sept. 26. In addition to providing a great place to shop for children's clothes, toys, and gear, this year's sale features Divine Consign, a consignment sale for women.

While I am very excited to be part of the sale again this season (this will make my third), I am a bit bummed by the timing. The deadline to get all of my items logged in the system is when we will be in Chicago and the sale begins while we are on our beach vacation. On one hand it's good because it has forced me to get started early. On the other hand it's bad because I won't be able to volunteer or participate in the pre-sale for volunteers and consignors. Hmmm...I bet BeanieDaddy would say that's a plus.

I started pulling out JillyBean's stuff this afternoon and am pleasantly surprised by how few things I felt the need to keep. I am getting much better at letting go, though there are still some items I feel the need to keep. I am also very happy that some of her clothes from last year will more than likely still fit this fall. That's why I love buying stuff from Mini Boden. They're sized in a way that she can get a couple of years out of most of the clothes so I don't feel so guilty spending what I spend there (though their sales are really great). Jilly's coveted pink jeans should still fit this year, which is a good thing because I haven't been able to find anything similar.

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.

C'ville Photographer

I am getting ready to book a spring portrait session for Jilly to mark the new season as well as a new year year. It kills me that we're not closer to Auntie April, but if I have to hire a "stranger" then I'm happy to say that I found a great one.

Dominique Attaway did some beautiful spring/Easter pictures of JillyBean last year. I think that Jilly has beautiful blue eyes on their own, but Dominique's photos made them look stunning. Seriously, the kid was dead tired but in the photos she looks so angelic. I'd love to post a picture or two from last year's session but I don't have the rights to do so. Jilly used to be on her website but she's been replaced with newer portraits of other adorable children. However, you can see a couple here on her blog (this should take you to one photo and this should take you to the other, but if not, you have to scroll to March 5, 2008 entry toward the bottom; also these aren't the best of the session. i so wish that i could share them with you).

So, if you're looking for a great local photographer for family or event photos, I highly recommend Dominique.

Sweet Ending

Even if your candidate didn't win yesterday, there will always be cupcakes. At least I don't recall Obama campaigning against such sweet delights.
JillyBean and I went to Cappellino's Crazy Cakes this afternoon, a new bakery at the Downtown Mall. It helped melt away our disappointment.