Estate Sale Saturday June 2, 7am

I've got a really fun estate sale this Saturday here in Mesa.  Lots of furniture, vintage designer handbags, TONS of clothes, Lots of baby stuff and so much more.  It starts at 7am and ends at noon.  Address is:  2243 E. Jacaranda Mesa, 85213.  Hope to see you there! 

                                       

 Vintage Prams (European stroller)

 I have 60 of these new wire baskets.

Patio set

Ping Pong Table

BBQ

Queen size pillow top mattress, box spring and frame

Dresser

Side table and lamp

King size mattress and box spring

T.V.

Story & Clark Piano

Living Room set

Coffee Table

Etagere

Love Seat

Sofa table

Side tables, lamps

magnifier lamp

 oioi diaper bag

 Peg Perego infant seat

 Vintage brass and crystal chandelier

 vintage industrial hospital bedside table

 antique high chair that converts to a desk

 Peg Perego bassinet

 Vintage handbags

 leather briefcases

Baby Bjorn backpack.  We have so much more that hasn't been photographed. Come take a look.  Love, Kelly.

Trash To Cash & My Goals

This week I've been working on finishing up my construction estate sale and getting ready for a multi family estate sale this Saturday- look for pictures on Friday.  I only had 5 items to list on ebay this week, but the good news is... they all sold.   Here's my top two sellers...

 
Women's David's Bridal Size 10 Green Apple Cotton Dress.  I paid 1.00, it sold for 23.55

 
Women's BCBG Max Azria Size XS Slinky Little Black Dress.  I paid $1.00, it sold for 18.50.  My craigslist sales have been outstanding, but they've all been for my construction estate client.  My only personal sale was this 18" tall Industrial letter E that sold on craigslist for 25.00.

The customer who purchased it, is spelling "Eat In" on her kitchen wall- so cool!

 Lately, I've made mention of some financial goals that I've made for myself.  I had a few emails asking me to share what they are, so here goes.  Essentially, I'm trying to pay off a credit card AND meet all of the unexpected expenses that come with a family of 7.  We've taken a few cuts on our income this last year and had a few unexpected expenses.  We've also recently put two kids in braces- but mostly I just got lazy about my budget.  Even though I'm totally anti-credit card- I soon found myself with a sizeable balance.  When I quit working as a full time theatre arts teacher, 6 years ago, we cut our income in half.  I didn't know how we would be able to make bills.  However, through careful budgeting, a few sacrifices and lots of prayer- we were blessed.  Each day I could see the blessings that our family received.  Even though our income was cut in half- the next summer we took our first major family vacation which was a 10 day trip to Colorado- all paid for with cash.  A few years later My Dear Trash was born- which has been a huge blessing.  As our income increased I've become lazy with budgeting and not paying attention to my spending.  I also wasn't seeing the blessings as I did before- mainly because I was relying on a credit card to take care of unexpected expenses, rather than prayer.  We sat down as a family and discussed the situation and the kids took scissors to my husband and my credit card.  It was a leap of faith as we could instantly name $2,000 in impending expenses that we weren't sure how we would pay.  I can tell you that all of those expenses have been met.  I hadn't had an estate sale all year and now I have 4 in the works.  I've paid cash for my plane ticket to Savannah as well as spending money.  Ebay is my sole source for my credit card payment- with a goal of $250 per week, It will take a year to pay off my debt.  Craigslist, Qcumberz, estate sales, interior design, event planning and furniture painting will pay for one of our necessities:  FOOD and the extras like braces, unexpected expenses, back to school clothes, piano and dance lessons and home projects.  So why home projects when we're trying to pay off debt?  The home project that I'm saving for is actually a business venture.  We have a guest area that I call "the studio". It's where we store all of my stuff!  It's a little mini "Hoarders" I must admit.   I'm hoping in the next 3-4 months to convert the studio into a show room where I can sell my craigslist furniture and host future boutique type events for myself and other creative moms trying to earn extra income.   I can't tell you how blessed I feel to be given the talents I have and to be able to use them to support my family.  I'd love it if some of you would join me in the fight against debt.  Review your budget and see how much you can pay off in a year.   I find that when I set goals I stay focused and I'm able to accomplish things I never thought possible.  I'll keep you posted.  Love, Kelly.

Summer Is Here!

I borrowed an idea from my friend Jenny at Denton Sanatorium  She and her family make a  list of summer activities and posts it on a big poster board.  As they complete each activity they check it off.  I thought this was a great way to set some goals for the summer and keep us on track.  If I'm not careful weeks can slip away with too much TV and not enough family time. Here's a look at our list:

 

Flagstaff, rent movies, phoenix art museum, Pinedale, Georgia, Homemade Ice cream, P.J. Day (Jenny calls it slob day at her house- my kids chose PJ day- a day of no chores, stay in Pj's, and just relax) Library, Girls camp, cooking class, back to school shopping, camping, paint guest area (they don't all have to be fun activities) shooting, band camp, California, remove carpet in guest area (another chore that will be much easier if the whole family pitches in)  There will of course be lots of activities not on the list- but our goal will be to complete the list- spend time together as a family- and Enjoy Summer.  We got things kicked off this weekend when we picked peaches from our tree and made peach cobbler.  Here's the little girls and Mr. Right peeling and pitting the peaches...

We also checked off two items on our summer list (we circle them when they're done)  Pinedale and shooting.  Pinedale is a very small town in the White Mountains near Show Low, Arizona.  Mr. Right's parents live there and we went up to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.  Our three year old loves to go see the chickens...

Mr. Right also got in a trip to take the girls shooting.  Here's the three holding a hot pink 22 caliber rifle- scary if you didn't know she was in experienced, safe, trained, capable hands.

Mr. Right has the patience of a saint.

And here's the 13 showing off her skills. 

Summer is a time when I feel we don't have to be so structured.  Sometimes we can stay up late, sleep in and take a few days to just lounge around.  We are especially excited this year to welcome a foreign exchange student from France.  She's 17 and will arrive in just 10 days.  She'll be with us for 1 month and we can't wait to share our culture with her as well as learn more about hers.  If you live in Arizona and would be interested in hosting a teenage boy from France let me know.  The coordinator just emailed today that a family cancelled.  This is our fifth time hosting and I can't tell you how rewarding an experience it is for our family.  Our first exchange student was from El Salvador about 7 years ago.  It's because of her that my 19 year old is now a fluent spanish speaker and is majoring in International Affairs.  You just never know what inspiration will come when you participate in an adventure.  What are you doing this summer?  Love, Kelly.

Bedroom Redo

I was recently hired to redo a master bedroom for a good friend.  Wish I had before, before pics- but I didn't have my camera.  Here's what things looked liked after painting.

The walls were previously light pink.  We gave them a coat of "File Cabinet" from Martha Stewart, which really warmed up the room  We had already changed the furniture placement at this point.  You're looking through two french doors.  Previously, the bed was on the wall to the left, so you almost ran into it when you entered the room.  This is a much better layout.

 We lucked out when my client had two matching chest of drawers located in different parts of the house.  When brought together and used as  nightstands, it really pulled the space plan together. 

We had already sent off the wingback chair to be slipcovered- this was just a stand in until the make-over was complete

 And now for the after...

The bedding was the jumping off point for the design.  We ordered this Rose Hill bedding set from Overstock.  The entire double bed set with 2 shams and bedskirt was just under $150.  Here you can see the matching nightstands.  I always try to do at least one custom piece for each room make-over- this time it's the shutters over the bed.

 My client is very well traveled and has amazing furniture from Germany.  We decided to go with a subdued european theme in the bedroom.  The vintage suitcases were the perfect touch.  These were discovered when we moved the bed. My client uses them for extra storage- I think they make the perfect accessory.

 Here's our slipcovered wingback.  We needed to have a pop of color throughout the room- so red it was!  We added a vintage mirrored tray to help organize bottles on the dresser and a lamp to cast a warm glow.  The mirror belonged to my clients grandfather and the angel art flanking the mirror is from Italy.

 Here's another picture of the chair with a cute french sayings pillow we picked up on clearance at Target.

 The shutters were purchased at a yard sale and given a coat of "Maine Lobster" paint from Martha stewart.

 With a little distressing, they look like they could have been pulled from an old french chateau.

I picked up these adorable lamps at Hobby Lobby for 50% off!  I just love the shade details.  This was such a fun project to complete.  Let me know what you think.  Love, Kelly.