Finally finished volunteering last Saturday.

  Volunteering was nice almost great but just nice (I didn't like the lady that owns it. You ever meet someone and they just don't rub you the right way. Also felt like she was a bit rude. I messed up and I didn't like how she just expected me to know what I was doing. She does realize I'm a volunteer not an employee. She hasn't trained me.) The ladies that volunteer were very nice though. It was a bit weird as I began to notice that most all knew each other. I think me and like one other lady were the newest people to volunteer everyone else was a seasoned volunteer. I saw a lot of familiar faces when it came to shopping. I'm probably not the only one that goes to every consignment sale. But, I am surprised that there aren't ladies who volunteer at multiple sales. Even more surprised to learn that there are ladies aren't aware of other sales in the area.

  I remember talking to this lady and she was telling me how she only heard about the sale and volunteering through church and wasn't aware there were 2 others nearby and another two in nearby towns. Then again, I just found about consignment sales last year. 

  Any who, this weekend is my son's birthday party I'm very excited and have begun to prepare. I'll be making a rainbow balloon arch and these streamer leaves for decor. Tomorrow I'm starting on the streamers. I think that will take the longest. The House That Lars Built has a whole diy thing on it here. I think it's just a great idea since initially I was just gonna go outside and collect some leaves and tie or sew them together to make pretty decor for in the house and possibly outside. But streamers are so much better since my sister is having her sons party dinosaur themed; we can reuse them.

    Do, you see the chandelier? They also have a  how to on that except you do need an actual chandelier for the base. I've been searching for a cheap one whenever we go to the thrift store. I told myself unless you come upon one don't get one. I'm not about to buy one just for his birthday but I was thinking maybe I don't need one for the base but can just get something like foil shape it like a chandelier. I'm not sure if I'll do it. But, I'm seriously considering it. 

   I am going to go across the street to collect some purple flower no idea what they are I think they may be Chinese wisteria there are white ones too. I'd like to do it early early in the morning since it's a busy little hwy. (update I never did this because this night and the following few days became rather chilly and killed all the flora. I never realized how quickly the cold could wilt flowers. I completely understand why my mom brings her plants inside and freaks out when the weather does a 360.)

   I bought these woodland table covers completely forgetting how I wanted to make a moss table runner. Now, I think we should return them. We won't use them maybe during thanksgiving they look kinda fall themed and it would be just good to cover the work table since it gets so messy during thanksgiving. I don't know why but I just don't like returning stuff. 

  I'd also like to add that my balloon arch is inspired by this ad I saw on instagram but The House that Lars Built gave me the idea of using chicken wire to keep the balloons all together (here) and some other blog gave me the idea of PVC pipe for the form (here Less Than Perfect Life of Bliss).  I spent $12 on chicken wire, $7 on pvc pipe(1/3 in. pipe may need to exchange these for 1/2inch) and 2 tees because I couldn't find a coupler and the balloons were $15. Eh, it was $34. I think that's a lot I may end up returning the PVC pipe if it doesn't work and tie the arch to trees or something. I think it's the most I've spent on just one specific thing. I keep telling myself though it's his first birthday and it's like a centerpiece. 

 Will keep this updated or I'll forget all about these special moments. I'm pretty bad about photos sometimes and I think it's best to have a blog and instagram just to remind myself take photos. Is anyone else like this? I just get too caught up in the moment. It's not even as if I'm particularly busy.

UPDATE: I can't believe I thought I could decorate two days before his party. Then I slept in and never really completed any of my decorations. Now, I know. I was thinking of doing a half birthday to make up for my mess I called his first birthday. My cake even turned out funny. It didn't taste bad though. So, that's a win. 

Been Busy with Consignment Sales

   I did my first consignment sale called Mom's Marketplace located at the Prattville Pickers this past fall. I told myself I'd participate in as many as possible next time around. It is now March and I've been to two and have participated in one called Children's Clothing Exchange. This went well I wish I had more money to spend. I don't work so my fault. I sold some of my babies things (crib and bedding) a couple weeks ago so I could buy him some new clothes (will add photos) altogether I came up with $60 to spend. I volunteered 16 hr to shop the earliest plus shopping discount day early too.  The clothing I brought in was about $176. I didn't sell everything I sold about $105 (I think). My check was for $67.50. At this sale and the one I am volunteering at right now consignors receive 65% of selling price which is alright.
   The main incentive for me is that if you volunteer you will get to shop early. I do the maximum amount of 16 hours; one place has 20hr maximum. At CCE there was no one even shopping the same size as me till the 14hr people arrived an hour later. This was great I shop his current size and his next size. I have found great things including a $3.50 applique jon jon and $5 dollar smocked jon jon on 50%off day. While shopping I noticed a lady had brought about 8 smocked short sets all priced for $10 (you can tell it's from the same person because of the consignor# on the tag). Biggest regret was not buying at least three of these. I told myself, "NO." I go to yard sales often even more so thrift stores and I'm always buying him clothes so spending more than $5 bothers me. I had a lot of non-buyers remorse. I regretted not buying some $7-10 dollar smocked outfits and dressy clothes. I realized the best thing to buy at these sales was smocked and dressy clothes. I very rarely find these items at yard sales and thrift stores.  
    At this sale I was looking for an activity table or something along those lines. I found an activity Parents cube retails around $50 got it for $10 along with some clothes and a swim suit. This particular consignment also has $5 dollar charity bag for everything that remains. I went to this event for my sister looking for cleats. I bought a cow cushion seat; I never saw this around the store while volunteering no idea why? Maybe someone brought it after the sale started. I love that CCE allows this. So, in case you didn't finish tagging everything you can still finish and bring it in. Additionally, I had my eye on these jumbo plush stackers from Pottery Barn it was priced for $50 no discount but to my surprise it was still there.  I also got a mounted hook rack and some brand new place mats. And a whole bag of clothes (for my mother). The sale sells juniors as well. It doesn't sell well. A lot people bring women clothes I saw some Chicos pants. Most of it is quality brands from dept. stores. I bought my mom a whole bunch of tops. We arrived 5 minutes late and by the time we came in all the baby clothes was gone and I was able to squeeze between some racks and find a bunch of tops that fit my mom. It was black Friday busy people just grabbed clothes and threw it into their carts if they had one. It was very overwhelming.
   So, today I got to shop early for Kids Carousel. I had a new mentality and was more prepared. I would not be overwhelmed with options. I walked in and they had food prepared and asked me to sit. I thought that was a nice touch until it became 5:00 and made me wait till the other volunteers arrived. Does that even make sense? I was in a rush because my mother was waiting in the car. Finally at 5:07 when mostly everyone arrived late they let us begin shopping. I quickly went to check the clothes out looking for smocked outfits to realize they had two but were more casual and older. You can tell by the style. I looked for the smocked rack to realize it was right in front of me mostly empty. I regretted signing up to volunteer. But, I did find a cozy coupe with a trailer and a radio flyer bumper car. I paid $49 w/ tax.  I would have asked to just not buy anything give back my tickets to shop early passes and guest passes but when you volunteer you agree to not back out. This particular sale takes an additional 25% if you back out and don't find a replacement. This could be a big chunk since I brought in $500 dollars worth of stuff. I'm hoping to get at least $80 I decided to not discount anything and will be picking up my things at the end of sale and doing Mom's Marketplace.
   My best advice to anyone trying out consignment sales who plans to volunteer is: to have been to the sale before or know someone who has (I have never been to Kids Carousel my mistake). When shopping know what you're looking for. If you're interested in something but it's too pricey check if it will be on sale during 50% sale day then come back for it (some ladies hide stuff by mixing it in with the wrong size). If you're consigning here are some tips because I'm doing multiple sales and have learned from my previous sale to maybe drop a dollar or 50 cents off of my clothes so it sells. I had some items that didn't sell which made no sense to me since they're in really good shape adjust prices.
Also, if you do know the normal price range mark your clothes .50 less so someone picks your pants over the other pair. You will make more if you sell more. About 95% of my items weren't discounted there were a couple that I didn't care for that I marked for discount day. But, at the last sale I am participating in for Spring I'm going to allow it to be discounted and donated if it doesn't sell. I also ironed and steamed some clothes so it looks nicer (got my steamer at the $5 dollar bag sale with my mom's tops). You could keep some pieces like jeans. Blue jeans are allowed at every sale and I had a lot for Fall and I should of kept them to sell for Spring but I let them be donated because I didn't want to store it all. It's your choice.

Will add photos soon. I'm so proud when I find deals. I'm sure some can relate. Let me know if anyone has any tips as well.