You like me, you really really like me!

My first two blog awards...and I got them only a couple of hours apart.

First off, Miss Sheila Boyd is one of my Junior Auxiliary sisters and she is just one of the sweetest people I know. She gave me this excellent blog award and considering I've only had this website for a few months...I really appreciate that! Thanks Sheila!
It comes with these instructions: By accepting this Excellent Blog Award, you agree to award it to 10 more people whose blogs you find Excellent Award worthy. Please award at least 10. Feel free to recognize blogs that have already received this award.

I choose ten ladies whose blogs I check most every day...Paula, Brandie, Renee, Tabetha, SHEILA, Kirby, Tonya, Danielle, Leanne and Julie. There are many many more but I'll stop with those!

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The next award came from Paula at Cookies by Paula...even though it is she that makes my day when I get to spend time with her! She's so much fun to be around and I love that she's always willing to partake in a little gossip (it isn't mean gossip as long as you say "bless his/her heart" before or after said gossip) but seriously...she's great! Thanks Paula!

The Women's and Children's Health and Wellness Fair

Every year, this day of health screenings, give-aways, spring fashion and good old fashioned family fun is held at the Three Star Mall. It is sponsored by Riverpark Hospital and I think they really really out-did themselves with this year's event! The crowd was huge and there were lots of vendors there to keep them entertained! Right behind our booth there were a bunch of bunch of really cool video games that the mall had moved in just for today...all the kids (two pictured above...haha) had fun spending their quarters on!

I set up a booth for the shop, of course, where I showed off the new spring Crocs and did a little bit of advertising. It's good sometimes to go somewhere else and show off the merchandise when we get the chance!

Junior Auxiliary also had a booth right next to mine, which was super-convenient; I could work at both of them! I want to thank Caitlin McClain, our newly-crowned Junior Miss Warren County for coming out today to represent JA. She was beautiful and so good with all the little kids who wanted to talk to "the princess"! She really really made us look good! I can't wait to work with her more this year!

Ashley's Attic was also involved in the Spring Fashion Show. Miss Emily Hobbs organized it this year (I've done it for the past 5 years or so) and she did a WONDERFUL job. I was so excited to actually get to watch it a little bit this year. I think she ran it a little more smoothly than I ever could...maybe she just commands more obedience in the little kids running all over the place than I can! Brandi Mansfield over at Dream Custom Artwork emceed the fashion show and she was really good under pressure...things did get just a little crazy up there, as it always is with a big group of people!

Our models were wonderful...Chalee, Alyssa, Aliza, Kora, RheaLee, Bralyn, Chelsey, Tori, Lauren and Caitlin. Thanks to all of them for being so great and their mommies and daddies and grandparents for helping me out so much today!

Here are a few pictures from the day...

Queens for a Cure, my other group, also had a booth set up. Miss Paula Wanamaker was holding a bake sale and even though I didn't get to go over there and help out; I did buy some cupcakes...her banana bread cupcakes with honey cinnamon icing were AWESOME...Oh Goodness! Chalee and I both love love love loved them! The proof is here in the following picture...Chalee was "saving some for later" on her chin I think!

Class of 2008

For the graduate in your life who loves Hello Kitty...we have this cute cute plush. Kitty's gown can also be embroidered with a name and date...maybe even the class slogan?

Wow...I just realized that I (hopefully!) will be a part of MTSU's December Class of 2008...kind of weird...I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Spring Arts & Crafts Fair

Finally it's here! The Spring Arts and Crafts Fair at Bobby Ray Elementary is this Saturday from 10 until 4. The fair was rescheduled from last month when we had that big snow...so now we have much Spring-y-er weather for the 'Spring' Craft Fair!

I will be there painting faces...and letting everyone know that I paint faces for birthday parties, pep rallies, holiday parties, fundraisers, etc., etc., etc....pretty much any event that you can think of!
I've been doing it since I was 12 or so and several of you already know that I face paint for parties . Many of you have hired me to do parties for you...but I'm ready to really get out there now and start scheduling more events. Spread the word...I'm a poor college student, after all (I do donate my time for worthy causes though...if I'm available, I love helping out with your fundraiser!)!

I've posted some of my work here...this is only a very small selection though...I can paint almost anything as long as I have a little prep time! Enjoy! The following pictures are from this past Saturday night when I face painted for Covenant Academy's Spring Fling to raise money for the school.

Caroline told me to suprise her...I think she liked it...
My Andrew asked me to do 'a tornado with some cars and a cow flying around in it'...yup...no order is too unusual! And this I think has become one of my favorites!
This was the first time I have painted a mermaid...I forgot to paint her a belly button though...oh well!

And here is a much less elaborate version of the Superman that I did on Seth's face last June at Relay for Life...I had hours to do Seth's though and only a couple of minutes for this one!
Make sure to mark your calendars for Saturday and come on out to the Arts & Crafts Fair! Bring your kids and wallets...lol!

It should be a fun day with lots of fun crafts to look at and buy!

The fair will take place in the gym at Bobby Ray Elementary! I can't wait to see you there!

Happy April Fool's Day

I love the idea of April Fool's Day but I am not a good practical joker. I can never manage to pull off any really great jokes - I can't keep a straight face and/or my timing is always off.

Let me know if any of you DO get away with any pranks or if you get any pulled on you...make me feel included!

In honor of this holiday and of National Poetry Month (I'll post more about that in a later post) here is a little poem that I've always liked from the book Where the Sidewalk Ends:

OH HAVE YOU HEARD by Shel Silverstein

Oh have you heard it's time for vaccinations?

I think someone put salt in your tea.

They're giving us eleven-month vacations.

And Florida has sunk into the sea.

Oh have you heard the President has measles?

The principal has just burned down the school.

Your hair is full of ants and purple weasels --

APRIL FOOL!

Excited!

Mom, Dad and I headed out Sunday morning to the Market in Nashville at the Fairgrounds. It's not quite as fancy or big of a deal as the Atlanta, Las Vegas or Las Angeles Markets that we go to - there are no masseuses in the lobby and we have to buy our own lunch - but we have been going to the Nashville show for the longest ( for nearly 20 years!) so it holds a special place in our hearts. There are also a few vendors that we don't see anywhere else so it's nice to be able to see them there.

I am so excited about the stuff I saw there though! The new Crocs for Fall are AWESOME, the new "tween" clothing that we ordered is so cool and colorful and we also picked up some new clothing lines that I think y'all will really love!

I also met designers of some newer companies that I'm really excited about looking into ordering very soon...come into the shop and I can see what you think about them!

As much as I'm not looking forward to this coming Fall (my last semester, 15 hours of classes...ALL UPPER DIVISION ENGLISH CLASSES)...the great stuff that we have coming to the store is at least one thing to look forward to!

A Taggies Testimony...

Laurel Todd is going to turn 3 this weekend and so is her Taggie.
One of our mommies, Paige, was in the shop last week along with Laurel and her Taggie so that Laurel could register her "Birthday Wish List". Paige and I got to talking about just how much that kid loves her Taggie. Paige says that Laurel got the Taggie when she was born and pretty much hasn't put it down since.
Paige likes to tell the story of one particular time when she washed the Taggie while Laurel was awake and aware of not having it with her....she says that from the way Laurel was screaming and crying and carrying on, you would have thought that she was being beaten! Now I think washing occurs when Laurel is asleep or otherwise occupied!
They've even tried to get a duplicate for when the Taggie started showing some wear or at the very least for when the original was in the wash...but no dice....Laurel told them "That is NOT my blankie!"

Notice in the photo below just how very "loved" this Taggie is!
The Taggie to the left is a brand new one just out of the package...despite a little wear, I think Laurel's Taggie has held up pretty well...considering it's been through three years of hard "loving"!
These are some tough blankies and are perfect for your child who might need a security blanket. You know a baby always goes straight for the tags on toys, blankets, clothing, etc. I guess it's something about the satin-y feel of them or maybe that they are the perfect size for little fingers to hold onto; either way...kids always seem to be attracted to those tags and the Taggies company just decided to take that idea and turn it into a unique gift item!

Taggies products are some of our very best sellers and we try to always keep them in stock. The Taggies company doesn't just stop with blankies though; they have toys, balls, pillows and a whole lot more. These products make a really great baby gift, first birthday gift or whatever kind of kid gift that you have in mind!

As I'm sure Laurel would agree, Taggies are GREAT! Come in and check them out!