Easter Sunday

I remember as a child my older sister Krista and I wearing Holly Hobbie-like dresses with little matching ruffled bloomers on Easter Sunday.  I remember the socks with pink bows, hair ribbons and white purses.  Krista and I stood by the front door and plastered our faces with smiles.

My mom loves Easter.  

As a little girl, she bought me my Easter dress and this year she did the same thing.

Standing by the front door in my Easter dress from my mom, I mean I can't break tradition.

My mom brought it over a few weeks ago.   

“Look what I picked up for you at a garage sale for $1.00.”

I love it, mom.  

And these J. Crew patent leather shoes I picked up at Mesa Thrift for $4.98 were the perfect match.  I'm not sure I'll ever shop retail again.

Even for Easter.

And ironically, I found my daughter's Easter dress at a garage sale too.

Eden, you look gorgeous in your $1.00 Easter dress.

The princess baby loves climbing up on our $5.00 garage sale mini-trampoline.  She stays very busy bouncy around.

Have you ever found an Easter or Sunday-best look at a garage sale or thrift store?

My dad taught me the tricks of garaging and thrifting, so it's no surprise he offered up his Easter best.

Yes, that's my dad with about 25 racquetball rackets.  

I can explain!

After a large Easter egg hunt in my parents side yard, my dad sets of a net for a game of “radminton.”

Never heard of “radminton?”

No one else has either because my 4 younger brothers made it up.

Imagine a little tennis, mixed in with badminton, a whiffle ball and racquetball rackets.

It's so fun, it's rad ("rad" is so 1980's, but brothers insist on calling it that!) and that's how radminton was born.

That’s right, my dad found all his radminton goodies out thrifting.  

Quote from dad:

"You can never teach them to young the joys of hitting a ball with a racket."

Keep in mind, my parent’s have 9 children, make that almost 30 grandchildren.  

Disclaimer: 

If you live in Mesa, it’s not likely you’ll find a tennis or racquetball racket out shopping trash if my dad’s been there first.

I wanted to share something with my mom on Easter.

I found her this Harve Benard linen spring jacket for $1.00 at Goodwill.

She wore it with pride! The grandkids are getting ready to start hunting those eggs.  All there Easter baskets were collected from garage sales and thrift stores.  There's plenty to go around.

On your mark, get set, go!

Here's Eden with my older sister, Krista.

It was a beautiful day, 

with just a hint of spring breeze, lots of chocolate and family love.

Hope your day was beautiful too.

Chair Rescue

My Earth Day Link is a little late, but I wanted to share my chair rescue.This little beauty was left over after an estate sale I did, so the owner let me keep it- for FREE! The green can be a little deceiving, but it is one of the most comfortable chairs- and it rocks! I took off the skirt, gave it a coat of black paint and took the cushions to my upholstery guy. Here's the after...
Here's a closer look...
The fabric is from a roll we purchased at a yard sale for $3.00- This is the third project I've been able to use it on. Although upholstery work is not cheap, it was totally worth it to revamp this chair- It has become a family favorite. For those curious readers- the antique post leaning against the wall was a recent $3 find at a garage sale. Let me know what you think. Love, Kelly

Earth Day Linky Party, Book Drive and $25.00 Give-Aways to Changing Hands and Bookmans

It’s a beautiful Earth Day and welcome to the My Dear Trash linky party.

I found this vintage metal patio table a few weeks ago while out thrifting.  

They don’t make them like this anymore.  

Solid steel, super heavy and all it excellent condition.

I already used if for Payson and Mayer’s birthday party.  

The party was a big hit, with all the expense paid for by selling trash.

Mayer wanted the basketball jumpy he had at his last birthday party.

Reef lounges on a $10.00 garage sale porch sing, enjoying all the fun.

While Eden plays with Daddy on a Little Tikes $5.00 garage sale slide.

What about you?  What have you found lately that you're crazy about?

Link up your trash below and you’re qualified for the two $25.00 give-aways, one from Changing Hands and the other from Bookmans. 

Leave a comment and you’re qualified for the give-aways as well.

If you’re not already, follow My Dear Trash on the blog and on our facebook page.

Have a wonderful Earth Day and share your commitments to bettering our earth.
Linky is open all week.  Give-away winners will be announced at the end of the book drive, April 30th.  

Also, I’m working throughout the day to finish my YA manuscript.  Thank you for all your well wishes.

Making Progress on my manuscript and Earth Day linky party tomorrow.

Two days of writing, editing and dreaming.  I listen to new age music when I write.  It puts me in a trance and I follow my mind wherever it wants to take me. 

Here's a listen to one of my favorites:

The kids have been great, so cooperative.  I want to thank Eden for taking a longer then usual afternoon nap.  Costco pizza to the rescue for dinner last night and the counselor took over dish duty. 

So, where do I stand?

After deleting a chapter and adding a new one, I’m on page 286 out of 306.  I think I still have one more chapter to add, a scene that’s been developing in my mind for the past few weeks.  I have to create more drama between my protagonist and the antagonist.  Drama, conflict, revenge; all in a day’s work.

Tomorrow I start submitting to agents.   I’ve been researching a particular agent who I feel would be a great match.  Here’s to happy endings and new beginnings.

See you tomorrow for the Earth linky party.

For our linky party, add anything trashy, something special you’ve picked up, repurposed or find particularly beautiful.  Maybe it’s something you’ve resold and made a profit off of.  We want to see it. 

Inspire us on Earth Day.

If you want to be entered for the $25.00 Changing Hand Book Store gift card or Bookmans gift card (both stores offer on-line shopping, so you don’t have to live in state to enjoy), leave a comment and become a follower. 

Click here to follow us on facebook too.

If you link up to our Earth Day Linky Party, you can qualify twice.

If you leave a comment about what you’re doing to celebrate Earth Day, you’re qualified again. 

See you tomorrow.

The Big Challenge Week 2

If you missed week one you can go here!

Week 2- Only 4 weeks to go to earn $5,000 for my daughter's wedding. This week has been filled with planning, sewing, invitation design, centerpiece design, address collection and preparing for an estate sale. In addition, I listed 235 items on ebay! Some of those items will not end until later in the week- so will count for week 3's profits- I'm counting on a BIG week 3. I've taken all my craigslist items to the estate sale so nothing to report on craigslist but here's my top sellers this week on ebay...

Women's Sandra Darren Size 6 Graphic Maxi Dress sold for $14.99

Women's Ralph Lauren Size S Brown Suede Leather Suit was purchased for $1.00 and sold for $19.99

I listed this Women's White House Black Market Size M Strapless Dress for $9.99 and had a request for a buy it now- Sold for $19.99

This was one of my New York Goodwill outlet finds: Women's Lane Bryant Size 18/20 Green Striped Wrap Dress- it sold for $21.50

Anthropologie Elevenses Size S Green Floral Dress sold for $24.50

Another New York find: Women's Lane Bryant Size 18/20 Purple Wrap Dress sold for $35.00

And my top seller of the week was a new brand to me: Women's Blanque Size 1 Gray Crop Cotton Pants sold for $36.78. Here's how my week turned out...

Ebay Total:$696.56

Costs: 13.00(clothes), 80.01(ebay fees), 40.51(paypal fees)

This Weeks Profit: 563.04

Total Profit: 826.82

We're on our way! This weeks clothes costs were super low because I only shopped in New York at the outlet and the rest of the clothes were items I've been stock piling for summer. Each week I deduct the total I spent on clothes- not just those I list- So now I'll really start to see the profits. Hang in there with me- I'm expecting a $2,000 week this week- between my estate sale commission, my items for sale at the estate sale and a huge number of items listed on ebay- keep your fingers crossed. Love, Kelly.

To see week 3 of the BIG challenge visit here

Oh yeah, I’m a writer?

It’s been three years since I finished my first Young Adult novel.  

The idea for Colors of the Sea came to during my pregnancy with Reef, my 4^th son.  Because of veracious veins and other ailments of pregnancy, I had to take it easy, so 15 weeks into my pregnancy, I sat at the computer and started writing.  I am a lover of the sea and marine biologist Rachel Carson.  I took the key elements from Rachel’s life and research and wrote a postmodern YA romance with just enough fantasy to keep us mermaid lovers happy. I wrote every day, hours at a time, for six months.  I was living vicariously through my 17 year-old character, Winona and the counselor strangely took on the role of her love interest, Darren.    What fun that was!

I worked day and night to finish the manuscript before Reef was born, but the birth of a baby doesn’t wait.  I remember reading through the manuscript with my mom and the counselor while breathing through contractions at the hospital.  I think they had to pry my book out of my hands before giving me the baby.  Reef Carson, named after the sea and Rachel Carson, was born healthy and happy.  Thank heavens he was a good sleeper from the start, because I stayed up nights to finish the book.  Everybody thought I was exhausted because I had a new baby, but little did they know I couldn’t sleep until Colors of the Sea was finished.  I had to know the ending.

I remember when I wrote the last couple paragraphs:

He looks at my lips then back at my eyes; wanting to do something he should have done long ago.  His hands reach for my face and all I can do is stare into his sea green eyes.  His touch captivates me and I can barely breathe.  I’m not sure when I’ve ever stood so still.  Gently, he kisses my lips and it’s as if fleshy rose-petals run across my mouth.  Soft at first, a quiet surprise that starts my heart racing in a million different directions, and when his warm breath pulls me in even more, I’m certain we’re floating.  He could take me in the waves again, drown me with kisses and hold me while the water pulls us out to sea.  He could show me his world, pick me a bouquet of sea grass and coral buds and adorn me with fresh-water pearls.  I want him as much as he wants me; we both want this world together so why do I suddenly pull away?

I stand cold and feel the wind run through my hair.  It must be past midnight.  My face is flushed, my lips still moist and the desire to be back in his arms is more than I can bear.  My eyes widen and I want to say something, but it’s too late to collect thoughts. 

I take a step away from him while my eyes fill with tears.  Doesn’t he realize I can’t love him when he’s already in love with someone else?  Our kiss, magical as it was, has only made matters more complicated.  I reach for the door to my apartment and turn to open it.  I pause before looking back at him, but he has already slipped away in the darkness.  I know where he’s going; he’s looking for answers, he’s looking to be saved so he’s run to the sea.

Exhausted and exhilarated at the same time, I realized I was done.  I jumped up and down, ran and picked up each of my kids, twirling them in the air and smothering them with kisses.  I shouted and did what I’ll call the “touchdown dance,” perhaps you’ve seen your favorite NFL player do it when he makes a touchdown.

DONE!  With a 326-page manuscript.  Dance, dance, dance!

And I started submitting agents.  I just knew someone would snatch it up.  Sure, I’d heard it was a difficult time to publish, you know, with the whole economy thing, but my story was so great.

Yeah, right!

I had a few bites from agents, but no takers.

I’ve spent the last three years doing something I never thought I could love and hate so much – EDITING!

URGH!

I’ve been to New York, met with various authors, worked with a publicist and professional editors and have had so many miracles along the way.  I’ve been to conferences, networked and read all the YA I could get my hands on.  I’ve learned so much about writing, querying, submitting, publishing and marketing.  After two-years of working on it, loving it, hating it, cursing it, celebrating it, I’ve committed to start querying Colors of the Sea again on Earth Day. 

You know I love Earth Day, oh how I love it, so along with the My Dear Trash Earth Day Book Drive, along with the two $25.00 give-aways from Changing Hands Book Store and Bookmans, along with the linky party here at My Dear Trash on Earth Day where Kelly and I and you will feature our great finds (can’t wait to see your trash), I’m going to also start querying agents.

Here’s my challenge. 

I’ve finished editing 267 pages out of 326 pages.  From now to Earth Day on April 22, I’m going to work my “#@*^*” off to get the last 59 pages done (I apologize for my keyboard cursing, it just has a mind of its own).

Prepare for messy house, prepare for take-out dinners, prepare for little exercise, prepare for no sleep, prepare for housekeeper!

Prepare for takeoff!

Wish me luck; I’m going to need it.

Taking the leap to sell trash.

I recently received the following email:

Laura,

Help! I need you! Let me fill you in a little. While my husband and I still have jobs (we work for the same company), we received pay cuts when the economy hit the skids. Although I believe some companies got through it fine, they were legitimately hurting due to the fact it is in the automotive industry.

I have three grown children with families that ALL lost their jobs at this time.  They are looking for work and do whatever it takes to make cash. Often, they will mow lawns or whatever to raise the money needed for bills. They do sometimes come up short and that is where I step in and help, which means I am juggling. Honestly, I do not know how much longer I can continue on like this. It causes me to fall behind on bills. I believe I am current on everything except my house and that is a month behind. However, things are staring to fall apart (you know the saying: ‘when it rains, it pours’) on the house.

I would like to do what you do and I am hoping you can help me with advice and mentoring. I am ready to be your student.

Denise

Denise, I’m saddened to hear of your troubles.  I fear that there are many more who struggle like you to make ends meet.  Thank heavens for family, as I’m sure your children appreciate all you and your husband do for them. 

It’s not a coincidence you stumbled across the blog.  Kelly and I feel very strongly about sharing our success and struggles so you, the readers, can learn and gain experience needed to start on this venture of selling trash.

        When we started the blog about 1 ½ years ago, we had no idea where it would take us.  I have gained more knowledge and confidence in this business because I write about it.  I know my earning potential is limitless if I just put in the work. 

My motivation to sell regularly on eBay also started because of financial woes.  My husband and I rent a home and when our tenant stopped paying rent, I started taking eBay more seriously.  We needed money and we needed it fast.  I didn’t want to be a victim to the money we didn’t have.  I didn’t like how that made me feel about my life’s purpose.  When you don’t have the money you need, it consumes everything else you’re doing.  My attitude shifted from “We don’t have the money we need” to “How quickly can I earn the money we need?”  I went to work and made a $2,000.00 mortgage payment 3 months in a row off my eBay and craigslist sales.  Up until that point, eBay was something I did randomly, not consistent.  When we needed a new air conditioner in our rental, I knew what I had to do.  eBay and craigslist saved the day again.

Do not let fear keep you from trying this.  Selling trash comes on a learning curve, but if you purchase your trash cheap enough, you will not lose money.  I recommend staring with a $20.00 investment.  Purchase some clothes at a garage sale or a piece of furniture at a thrift store.  You’d be amazed what you can find if you start frequenting such places.   Try to double your money, than reinvest it in more trash.  Keep at it and before you know it, you’ll be bringing in a weekly check that will bump those numbers up in your checking account.

You will not know all the answers when you start, but time and experience is on your side.  I’ve been so impressed working with Kelly.  She jumped into selling trash with both feet, ready to walk wherever God leads her. For example, she offered to help an elderly neighbor hold an Estate sell.  She didn’t worry about the commission or hours spent, she just knew her service would take her to higher ground.  Although she did everything for free, she made many great contacts and people started talking about her expertise.  Before she knew it, someone called asking if they could hire her to run an estate sell for them.  She continues to get calls for this service and her business is growing.

Find what you love.  Maybe you’re into antiques, vintage toys or model cars?  Whatever you already have a passion in, let that guide you to where you want to go.  While out thrifting, I meet a guy purchasing handfuls of sun glasses.  He told me he shops thrift stores and buys name brand sunglasses and cases, matches them up at home, then sells them on eBay.  I would have never thought of sunglasses, but there’s a market for them.  I meet another lady who shops for Barbie’s.  She says they sell great on eBay.  I personally, love fashion.  Clothes are my thing, so that’s what I love to sell.  Vintage furniture is also something I’m attracted to.  I’m so happy I have a SUV to bring home my trash.  I can fit couches, dressers, bookshelves and more into my Honda Pilot.  Sure, my kids may have to hang out the windows, but it all works (just kidding)! J 

I hope this information helps.  Be fair, honest and work hard.  Use eBay, craigslist and hold your own garage sales.  Make contacts and get your children involved.  Find your passion. Take risks. If you find something you think is cool, chances are someone will want to buy it from you.  

Image found here.

Start with your $20.00 and keep me posted.  Remember to find value where others may not see it, especially in yourself.  I can’t wait to hear of your success.  

Vintage Wedding

Here's the amazing couple I got to work with this last week, Brad and Whitney...They are gorgeous and both have a fun vintage flare, so using trash for their wedding was the perfect theme. Here's the entrance to the backyard...To honor the past and present the Bride and Grooms mother's wedding dresses, as well as the Brides Grandmother's dress were displayed...Each dress had the original wedding photo and a card identifying the Bride and Groom...Here's the first table as you enter. There are actually three air conditioning units located here. The cleaver home owner discovered they could be hidden with tables.Here's table number 2...And finally the sign-in table The bride found this great vintage hanging lamp at an estate sale for just a few dollare- we were amazed that it was already painted her wedding color...Whitney and Brad made a customized sign-in book using all of their engagement and pre-wedding pictures.
Vignette number 1 features a chicken wire frame I made and more pictures...We used mini clothespins I picked up for .50 from a yard sale and then painted in the Tiffany blue, to attach the pictures. Here's a closer look...Pictures really added a personal touch to the space. The bench was another find by the Bride from craigslist...
The chalkboard is actually one I made over a year ago and use to list my current project status. Having the bride list all their firsts made it fun for guests to read while they waited in the reception line. Here's a little stool I picked up and painted in the Tiffany blue.This is the gift table. The bride picked up the vintage lamp and chippy table from estate sales, I purchased the trunk at a garage sale and the table is from craigslist.Here's my $10 garage sale buffet again. It made the perfect staging piece for more pictures and some of my vintage finds. Can you believe I found the tiffany blue suitcase the morning of the reception for just $2.00 at a yard sale? Vignette number 2. These are all my trashy finds painted up in the brides colors. I loved using the ladder to hold pictures and my book page lamp really fit in with the theme.The cupcake table needed a backdrop so I took an antique door I had laying around and hinged two bi-fold shutter doors to it. (these actually came off of the grooms family trailer and were headed to the dump!- So glad we were able to save them and paint them up) This table was sitting on the mother of the brides back porch- All it needed was a coat of paint and now the mother of the bride wants to bring it back in the house. One of my favorite things at the reception was the cake topper...The bride saw similar birds on etsy, but for $168 they were a little out of budget. Her mother was not only able to recreate them, she personalized them by matching the grooms tie and the headpiece of the bride. I created two centerpieces- one for the food table and one for the cupcake table- out of twigs from our trimmed peach tree and urns I picked up for $2 at a yard sale. We hung birds and small hearts from the branches- these were cut using my cricut machine.

Here's the candy table using my candy display window I made a few months ago...

The vintage dresser was picked up by the bride and the french doors were taken from a demolition house and put on stands. Here's a close up of some of the goodies...I made this "Love is sweet" banner, by replicating old flash cards and mounting them on plaid paper in the brides colors...One of the bride's sister-in-laws used to be a caterer and so she took on the food. We combined some of my vintage trash with her serving pieces to make a beautiful display.She served Costa Vita Salads- I think you can google the recipes- It was Yummy!
Water and lemonade to drink...

Here's the two centerpieces I didn't have a chance to photograph before the wedding...

"Walk with me through eternity" and
"The key to my heart" Here's a few others...

The reception was absolutely beautiful...

It was fun to work with these families. So many people pitched in to make it a night to remember for Brad & Whitney. The truly amazing part is that all of the decorations were down and packed away in less than 1 hour! I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to assist with this wedding as it has really helped prepare me for my own daughter's wedding next month. Let us know what you think of our vintage themed reception. Love, Kelly.