Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Let's hear it for the boys!

We had our first menswear markdown event last Saturday and had a great time! Our Boutique girls switched out the traditional pear champagne twists for beer and fresh fruit for chicken wings - and the menfolk seemed very appreciative of the snacks.



Monday, October 17, 2011

Upcycle anyone?

I learned a very cool new term today: upcycle! If it's new for you too, here's the gist: recycling an item in such a way that improves the value of the item. I didn't know that I'd "upcycled" before, but I totally have! On the way to the store one day I saw a beat up vintage-style dresser on the curb. Somehow - sundress and all - I loaded it all by my lonesome into the back of my car. Then I forgot about it for a while and waited for inspiration to strike...

...fast forward ove a year (yes, a year) and I now have a baby and she has a lot of stuff, and I mean a lot of stuff. It's taking over every inch of my house. And if we leave to run even the shortest of errands, the dogs like to drag all of her stuff to different parts of the house. I needed a place to put all of it. Eureka! And since it's for her I got to have a lot of fun with  it.... buttons on the knob and funky flowers along the door. I love it! And I take great satisfaction every time I reclaim the floors in my house by sticking all of her toys inside of that awesome cabinet that I made for her.

So how did I learn this new term: upcycling? Take a peek at one of our own staff member's blogs to find out how she upcycled a coffee table that she bought at Finders Keepers Furnishings: http://www.facebook.com/l/dAQCG3OsAAQD13qye1aekgWIgrx165JY_FIaFSeYyNN_7Dg/levetansetzerhomeownership.blogspot.com/2011/10/coffee-table-project.html

In fact, you should check out her blog in general - it's pretty awesome.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Sweet words we want to share!

A customer wrote us about her experience at our free workshop "Double Trouble," hosted by Finders Keepers Furnishings:


Betsy, I just wanted to let you and Linda know how much I enjoyed the workshop. High time the two of you did one!!! So many great ideas and all very budget minded; you couldn't have done it better unless you did it longer. I called a friend and read her my list; she was just floored and I think will use some of your ideas. I know I will! Please know that ALL the workshops are well done and greatly appreciated in these times when money is tight. Imagination and trial & error are our best weapons. Maybe you and Linda will do a yearly workshop along with your other people that help with our gardens, organization, decorating and keeping our sanity. Decatur is truly lucky to have a wonderful resource in all the Finders Keepers shops. Thanks so much!
~ L. Huffman
 
Thank YOU Ms. Huffman! You made our day :)

Monday, October 3, 2011

Free Workshop this Saturday! Survive the Holidaze...

Holidays are often a time of joy, family, and laughter... and chaos, panic, and pandemonium. And that's when holidays turn into holidaze - and makes you feel like you deserve a congratulatory t-shirt commemorating the fact that you made it through with your sanity intact. Is there a way to make the race to the end of the year go more smoothly? Well, this Saturday, you get a chance to learn how to tie a proverbial bow on your practically painless holiday planning. Finders Keepers Furnishings' free workshop series brings you:Surviving the Holidaze with Jonda Beattie: professional organizer, author, presenter, and owner/operator of Time Space Organization. This workshop will begin at 9:30 am this Saturday, October 8th. Learn more about Jonda on her website: http://www.timespaceorg.com/.

A personal note from Saturday's presenter, Jonda Beattie: Is it possible anymore for your holidays to feel peaceful and stress free. To capture that Norman Rockwell feeling? The vision of the perfect holiday fades and becomes dimmer as we get caught up in the turmoil of overlapping preparations. The holidays become a time of long "to do" lists, over commitment, overbuying, overeating, and sleep deprivation. Let's look at how to make your vision of a wonderful holiday come true by prioritizing, using your calendar, and organizing holiday zones in your home.