Matt and Monique's Hawaiian Wedding Reception

So . . . the big day had finally come; the day of the wedding reception.  My brother Matthew and his bride Monique and their daughter little Penelope were in town from Hawaii. 

The catering had been ordered, the flowers were on their way and the cake was to be delivered. My sweet friend Lillian had offered to have the reception at her beautiful home, which took a lot of stress off me.  Lillian keeps her yard pristine, her home immaculate and decorated beautifully for the season.  The night before the reception, Matt and I went over to the home to set up tables and chairs when we noticed one small problem . . . Lillian’s yard was flooded with irrigation.  I’m not talk muddy and inconvenient; I’m talking 2 feet deep of cold murky water.  The reception was a Hawaiian luau, but we didn't really think we’d have an ocean.

My brother Matt is great.  He’s always kind and gentle and considerate, so I really appreciated his attitude with this situation.  “No stress,” he said with his arm around my shoulders. We’d simply have to find another place to host the event, and we’d need to let 100 guests know about the change.  Yes, no stress, but for my brother, I could do it.

We quickly decided the event should be at my house, which is only a block away from Lillian's. We sent out a text to all the quests to let them know of the change of location.  I called a few friends, my family jumped on board, the caterer's family was amazing and within 22 hours, we had a magical Hawaiian wonderland.  

It was amazing watching my house transform from tired and messy to clean and beautiful (and we did get that extension cord up in the rafters before the quests arrived). 

With all the love and support, it really was no stress.

When I found this dresser at the thrift store a few weeks earlier,

I knew I wanted to paint it a creamy white for the sign-in table.

  

The shutters were $4.00 from a garage sale and my amazing vintage candlestick holder was $7.00 from Goodwill.  The mid century green table was $8.00.

Because of the dressers I work on, we adorned the yard with dressers.

Dressers everywhere, why not! 

When the Hawaiian dancers arrived, I had to pinch myself.  

Between family and friends, the food, the atmosphere and now the dancers, it was just too perfect!

My sweet parents and all my siblings, except one.

My baby sister Anna couldn't attend because she's in Cambodia on a service trip. 

We sure missed her and are so proud of her.

Love you, Matt and Monique.  It’s was a night to remember, for sure.

Linking up to:

A New Dresser for Princess

Eden helps me so much throughout the day.

With making cookies

and taking care of the dogs.

While I paint, Eden plays along side me singing and coloring, but lately she’s been wanting to do a bit of painting herself.

She helped me paint an old mirror

and with the help of Mayer, she painted this chair.

We had to have a little talk when she decided to paint her bedroom door,

but she seems pretty happy with it.

We load some of the painted furniture in the truck

and take it down to the shop at Antique Plaza.

She’s not too sure about the elevator.  

It is a little spooky, but my booth is in the basement of the store, so down we go.

Eden’s growing up and finally outgrew her crib (a little overdue for that, but that’s my issue).  We replaced her crib with a new big girl bed, which she helped me paint.

Plus, a new big girl dresser.

The paint is so creamy, it looks like frosting.

Speaking of frosting, let's talk wedding cake!

This weekend I'm helping my brother Matt and his new bride Monique with their wedding reception.  

Congratulations, Matt on your beautiful family.

Linking up to:

Sneek Peek at Backyard Sale

Just a sneek peek at a few items that will be available at the sale Saturday: 7:00-11:00am 

2541 E. Adobe St. Mesa 85213

  

 birdcage $20, table $20

 Huge chalkboard $20,

 Bookcase $20

New Necklaces will be $10

Backyard Sale

Lots of vintage goodness this Saturday!  Leave a comment if you can attend!  Hope to see you there.  Love, Kelly

Raise the Standard Overview

Sometimes one opportunity turns into a greater opportunity.  That is just what happened when I spoke at the Kimber Academy in Mesa a few weeks ago (click here to read more about that).  Director Nancy Genys introduced me to a fundraiser for Kimber Academy called the Raise the Standard event; an evening of uplifting speakers, including Glenn Beck, discussing how we can be stronger in our faith, families, education and country. 

I was so impressed with the upcoming event, I offered to help with marketing.  With the assistance of a friend, we made this youtube video. 

I worked through social media to get the word out.  The music on the video is “Miracle”, a song my brother Matt produced with his band Olin on his album Open Book.  The song “Miracle” struck such a cord with Nancy, she asked if Matt would perform at the Raise the Standard event.

Matt was thrilled to do it, but small problem, he lives in Hawaii and is usually doing something like this:

or this

or this.

And now that he's married his sweet bride, life is that much sweeter!

But Matt, in his passion to live life to the fullest and support Raising the Standard didn’t see an ocean as an obstacle, so a few days before the event, he showed up.  I rarely see Matt without his guitar, so here he comes walking into my house guitar in hand ready to sing his heart out.  He must have sang “Miracles” over a thousand times throughout his life, but for the next three days he rehearsed in front of family and friends, strangers, even in the dark with his eyes closed.  Comerica theater was where he was introduced to his amazing choir of the sweetest elementary-aged girls ever; the icing on the cake.

The Raise the Standard event on October 11^th was amazing.  

Here we are with Glenn Kimber, founder of Kimber Academy.

Each speaker was better than the next.  I learned so much about America's constitution, morals in education and how amazing our children are.  What impressed me the most was the accomplishments of young people in the founding of our country.  Many of the youth were leaders in the military, assisted with government tasks, worked the pony express and more.  They were innovative, hard working and dedicated.  The idea is to teach our children strong character traits and morals too.  So much of society has become stuck in adolescence and idle time, when life is full of opportunity to leave our mark for good. 

The next day, Saturday October 12 was a day of work shops at Clearview Cultural Center with Glenn Kimber and others from the night before.  I particularly liked Ted Hayes and his ideas on how to unite our country on racial issues,

Sam Sorbo; a true feminist and her journey to finding God

 and Nicolette Peck, the strictest parent in the world and advocate on teaching self-government in the home. 

It was inspiring to see people passionately share their ideas and beliefs and it left a profound effect on me.  Did anyone else get to go?  It was great to see a few fans from My Dear Trash.

So, today I'm getting ready to run some errands and who found me in the school parking lot waving me down with a huge smile and giant hug?  My sweet brother Matthew sharing more love.

Thanks for the flowers, bro.

I didn't do much this week . . . NOT!

Some weeks are better then others and I would definitely say this week was productive.  

I did a little bit of this

and a little bit of that.

I found my happy place with this beautiful sage-colored paint.

(yes, this is the twin of a dresser I painted last week)

I painted a vintage music jewelry box that's been sitting in my garage forever.  

It was a dainty piece to shabby chic with my giant electric hand sander.

I worked on a little mid-century thingy shelf.  

and a couple of end tables.

Since I have a few mirrors hanging around, why not paint them in my spare time? 

Right?

The weather finally cooled and it's a much nicer experience to paint outside in the afternoons.  Days get busy and things get out of control, but I totally love what I do.

Almost a year ago I had a phlebectomy on one of my legs; a procedure where superficial diseased varicose veins are pulled out through tiny slit-like incisions in the leg.   It wasn't  the most pleasant out-patient experience I've had. The doctor cut 12 half-inch incisions in my calf and ooooH!, it was painful. At least the pain of childbirth produces a sweet little baby, where as the pain of this only produced 6 weeks of no exercise and a nagging burning that is finally starting to go away.  I had to have another small procedure two weeks ago that kept me down for a day, but that's all the time I had to rest.  Anyway, I'm happy I don't have to live with a swollen deformed leg and painful bulging veins anymore.

Things are really moving at Antique Plaza and I have a whole slew of furniture to paint to keep it stocked, as almost everything down their already sold.  Let's see what I can get done this week.  Remember to get your tickets for the Raise the Standard event October 10 in Phoenix with Glenn Beck by clicking here.

Have a happy weekend.  
Linking up to:

My Love for Writing and Raise The Standard Event

Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to speak at the Kimber Academy here in Mesa.  

The private school, in its second year, focuses on God, family and country.  Every week the Kimber Academy has a spirit day, where an inspiring guest comes in to share a message. 

I started by showing the kids this mirror I had just painted and shared how I found it at the thrift store.  

I told them my passion for finding trash and making it beautiful again; how it’s more then just a physical task, it’s spiritual too.  Sometimes we don’ feel like we have much worth, but we are God’s children and He is the Creator who makes us beautiful. 

I spoke on “Seek that which is Divine” and shared the story of how my mom author Sarah Hinze and I wrote The Memory Catcher. 

I highlighted how the only way we were able to write The Memory Catcher is because my mom kept journals throughout her life.  We discussed why God would want us to write at all.

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isaiah 40:8.  Sometimes I wonder where I’d be if the prophets of old hadn’t taken time to write down what God inspired them to think and feel. 

When experiences happen, like a small miracle or a heart-warming event or a tragedy or something deeply sorrowful, I think writing it down not only helps us to recognize God’s hand in our lives, but it allows us to remember.  Sometimes we have a lesson to learn while other times we rejoice in our blessings.  The very act of writing leaves an imprint in our mind.  It’s therapeutic and allows us to linger in our thoughts, linking more ideas to what we are impressed with.  We can then reflect and share personal witness with others who are struggling or need to feel God’s love in their own lives.  We can heal and reflect.  Writing can be a holy task.

While at the Kimber Academy, I had the opportunity to meet the director Nancy Jones Genys.  She shared with me her vision of the Kimber Academy and the adjoining Clearview Cultural Center.  An event she has coordinated is Raise the Standard.

In celebration of God, family and country, Nancy believes our fundamental beliefs in the constitution of the United States of American will move mountains. Her hope is to improve our educational system and raise children with outstanding moral character.  When Glenn Beck heard about the event, he signed on as well as many other outstanding figures.  See the full list of speakers by clicking here.

I was so inspired by Nancy and most importantly, asked if she ever sleeps.  Seriously, she is a force of nature and passionate about her mission.  I've coordinated events for Earth Day at Arizona State University and Scottsdale Center for the Arts.  I know how difficult it is to start with an idea and watch it grow until it's a full blown event with celebrities, media and a million dollar insurance policy.  It's weeks of no sleep and inspiration when you least expect it.  I'd be standing in line at the grocery store and have an idea for marketing or a press release title.  Nancy's amazing work ethic has inspired me to continue on my path of passion.

Maybe a good way to find that purpose is to sit down with a pen and paper and get writing. That's usually how it starts.  You can order tickets to Raise the Standard event scheduled October 11 and 12, 2013 , by clicking here.