Huge Shout Out!

I've mentioned before that I am slowly learning HTML code to tweak this blog here and there. I had been trying to get our social media buttons working and looking good for a few nights now and ... thanks to Alicia over at Project Alicia I DID IT!!! Oh my goodness how I had been trying so hard to get the codes right and have the buttons be the same size, etc.

I also used Techknowl to help me with the code for email buttons. Seriously, bloggers like that really help me out!

THANKS so much! And if you want a great tutorial, check them out.

First Ever Giveaway!!!

It's a giveaway!!! Whoo-hoo!! I'm super excited to announce our first ever That Village House giveaway.
Do you know and love Scentsy? I have several warmers and plug-ins throughout my house and I love how great it makes our place smell. Do you have favorite scents? I love how clean and fresh our house smells with Crisp Linen. It almost makes me feel productive....like I've been doing laundry all day or something. Oh, wait. I DID!
Well, if you've never tried Scentsy out, love it like I do, or just REALLY like to win things today is your day!!

Kelli (who happens to be my sweet cousin) is offering up a sweet sampling of some of what Scentsy has to offer.
Here it is:
Tea Rose Plug-in Warmer
(4) Scentsy bars: Lilacs & Violets, Satin Sheets, Lavender Vanilla, Jumpin' Jelly Bean
Black Raspberry Vanilla Scentsy Circle

How to enter to win:
1. Leave a comment here
2. Become a follower of That Village House & leave a comment telling us you did
3. Become a Facebook fan of That Village House & leave a comment telling us you did
4. Visit Kelli's website - look around and tell us which warmer is your favorite

I hope you'll participate in our first ever giveaway!! We will announce our winner on Friday, July 22nd. Whatcha waiting for???


Linked to
Someday Crafts Giveaway Directory

A Goodwill Disappointment

Have you noticed how so many fantastic furniture finds people blog about finding at their local Goodwill? Have you seen Thrifty Decor Chick's coffee table, Ode to My Abode featured this dresser, Beneath My Heart's $5.99 chair, or My Cottage Charm's laundry room dresser?

Well, I sort of hope the good people who run our Goodwill store here would see my blog today. Our Goodwill is no bueno if you are into finding inexpensive furniture that needs to be refinished/repurposed/recovered, etc. First off, our furniture section is itty bitty. I mean really -- this is it!!

Please forgive the awful quality of these photos. I was stealthily using my iPhone to snap these pics. I have a "rule-following" nature and was honestly scared if I was caught taking photos they'd kick me out. Yes, I am 30 years old and yes, I did pretend to be texting after I snapped the photo. (Doesn't EVERYONE text at shoulder level?!)

So, not only does our store have two small rows of furniture type items -- they are also really expensive. I didn't take any photos of tags because...well, let's be honest...I was intimidated. Let's just say that you won't be finding any $15 or $30 solid wood dressers.

While I'm on the topic of what Goodwill doesn't have... let's talk about what they DO have. NEW stuff. Does your Goodwill store carry brand new, in the package, never used items? I'm confused. If I wanted something (anything) new I wouldn't go to Goodwill. But check out our store's NEW section. Do they really sell enough ceramic statues to warrant a whole shelf of them?

Again...sorry for the quality! One day I'll be brave enough to take my real camera with me.

I think sadly I may be ready to give up on our Goodwill. Here's hoping they improve or Craigslist is always around for potential furniture makeovers. Anyone else disappointed in their area store?

On another note... I did see a few things on the shelves that I donated last Saturday after my garage sale. :)

A tale of two trees

See my {semi} matching topiary trees?



Crazy thing is I bought the green one at least 6 years ago at Ross. And the brown one three days ago at TJ Maxx. Either my style never went out ... or I hung on to it long enough for it to come back in! :)

Because I love my man...

Tiffany & I have been busy the last few days and over the weekend as we were getting ready for our first ever joint "Village House" garage sale. Since my family recently moved I'd set aside a bunch of things that I didn't need anymore. We had another friend who brought some stuff over too and the three of us (plus my mom) worked the sale this past Saturday. See the sampling of some of what we sold...

I had great visions of what my profits would buy me...
1. Headboard and bedding for guest room
2. Great long sofa table for behind our couch
3. Window treatments for any of our bare windows
4. Kitchen rug
5. Entry rug
Ok, so obviously the money wasn't going to buy EVERYTHING on my list...but a girl can dream, can't she?

Saturday after the sale I came home to find my man cleaning out our garage that had been filled with boxes after our move and a bunch of things that needed to go out to the curb. He's been talking about getting some shelves for the garage to help with some much needed organization. We just talked about it the other night and decided we should wait a few months since we've been spending money like crazy (as you do after a move to an old foreclosure!). As I was talking to my mom that afternoon it hit me... "my" money earned from the garage sale wasn't really mine. It was his -- he deserved it for all he does to support me and my crazy ideas, wants, desires and hopes for our family. So, although the garage sale was 100% my idea & my work... I was happy to buy these nice shelves for him....

Let's be real honest... his hard earned money goes towards purchasing a whole lot for me, (the house) & the kids and rarely does he get something for himself.

So, all you married ladies with a hubby who supports you 100% give him a HUGE thank you today. Thank God for that. You, my friend, are blessed.

Things are a changing...

Well if any of you visited the blog yesterday you may have noticed a few things that were messed up. I attempted a quick HTML adjustment which lead to a minor overhaul of the blog. I'm still not a guru when it comes to HTML codes, but there are a TON of excellent tutorials around. Bear with us as we are under some minor construction. I still have a lot of learning to do and have some things I want to add or change. But for now.... I hope you like the new look!

Kitchen Reveal

I'm finally ready to show you what has been the biggest transformation of the entire home renovation. Remember when I asked your opinion on cabinet colors? So...here's how it turned out.
THE KITCHEN!!





Shall we take a trip down memory lane to see how it began??




I still need to get rugs, wall "stuff" for the big blank wall in the breakfast nook, and window treatments. I'm also trying to figure out what to put behind the sink area. I used what I had...and it will do for now. I'm so used to warm colors and this kitchen is so different than my last one that I need to figure out a way to warm it up and make it more "cozy" if that makes any sense at all for a kitchen!!

So, what do you think? Was going 'blue' worth the risk?

For those interested:
Cabinet paint - Behr Paramount
Granite - Colonial Cream
Wall Color - Sherwin Williams Softer Tan
Lighting - Home Depot
Faucet - Delta