Goodwill Upcycles Lives: Taking Another Chance on the Thrift Store

Several years ago, I wrote a post titled "Is Goodwill too Expensive?" I got a lot of response from it on my blog and I was just reminded of it when I saw a sponsored Facebook post this past weekend. The sponsored post that was intended to get people to shop at their local Goodwill had people sharing some of their own thoughts {as one does on the internet}. It saw a handful of comments, some of which expressed the same sentiments I've thought. Things like "you get the stuff for free, why are you marking it up so much?" and "your merchandise is too expensive" and "I can get brand new stuff at my local Walmart or Target in the clearance section!" 
After the blog post that I wrote about Goodwill being too expensive, I pretty much stopped shopping at the regular Goodwill store altogether. {Side note: I did continue shopping at my local Goodwill Outlet because I do love a good treasure hunt and their pay by the pound prices were far more affordable I thought}. I was recently invited to an upcycle event with my local Goodwill and it was like this event was created just for me because I do love a good upcycle. That day, I learned that Goodwill upcycles more than just donated items.

I'm a firm believer in second chances, not only for donated items, but for people and places too. And after my recent visit, I'm ready to take another chance on Goodwill and here's why.

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These Fixer Upper Fans Got Married at The Silos in Waco

Unlike you crazy super fans, I became an accidental Fixer Upper fan. Several years ago, I had a few people tell me that I looked and dressed a little like Joanna Gaines on Fixer Upper. I don't have cable so I'd never seen the show. So...I did what any normal human would do and googled it. Image after beautiful image came up and I loved what I saw. About that same time, my oldest son started looking for colleges and found his home at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Yet another thread was woven into the tapestry that has created my fandom. 

Personally, the more I get to know about Chip and Joanna Gaines through seven degrees of separation, the more I like them. I hear story after story from real life friends of theirs that tell me how genuine and humble they are. This is a story from a blog reader who reached out to me and it puts a little cherry on the top of what most of you probably already knew. 

Chip and Joanna Gaines really are just as sweet and kind as we think that they are. Read on to hear about the very generous wedding surprise they gave these fans that got married at The Silos in Waco.

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My Birthday Thoughts, a New Favorite Number, and a Word for the Year

Do you have a lucky number? I always thought mine was seven. My birthday is on September 7 of '78 (today!) and I weighed 7 pounds and 7 ounces at birth. I kind of clung to the number seven and I've used it nearly every time I've needed to pick a number. I can't think of a single time when it's been lucky for me. I always say that when my name or ticket is entered into a drawing that it's really just in there for filler. I never win anything. As they say, some people have all the luck. I'm just not one of those people. 
My youngest son started telling me about his favorite number. Number 64 in case you were wondering. He says he sees it everywhere. I kind of like the idea of throwing away the idea of a lucky number and starting to think of a favorite number. 
Know what number I've been seeing everywhere lately? The number 39. It's kind of fitting because today I turn 39. I'm starting the final year of my 30's and I'm inching closer to a milestone birthday. I'm ready for it. With that in mind, I want to share something I've been thinking about a lot and a word I'm using that will shape my year.

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What I Wish I Had Known Before Visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios

It's kind of a running joke that if you live in the Midwest there is a pipeline that you take to get to Florida. When I lived there, we vacationed in Florida. A lot. Since moving to the west coast, 17 years ago, I haven't been back to the sunshine state but when a blog conference landed me in Orlando, I knew I wanted to go to Universal Studios and visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. My kids were beyond jealous that I was going without them, so I tried not to rub it in too much {I only sent minute by minute pics of me in the park throughout the day...I'm sure it could have been worse!}. As an avid reader, Harry Potter holds a special place in  my heart. It's one of the first books I've shared with my kids that didn't have pictures. Knowing that I would like to take them back sometime to experience the books coming to life, I wanted to make a list of the things that I wish I had known before I went. I'm hoping to have the opportunity to go again, but if you only have one shot for a perfect visit, you are going to want to make the most of it. 

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How To Plan the Perfect Trip to Waco, TX to Visit Magnolia Market

Nearly every trip I take to Waco, Texas I hear people tell me how lucky I am that I get to visit Magnolia Market. I agree. There is something special about that place that I'm not sure words can explain. Time and time again, little Waco gets knocked down with controversy but for the first time in years, Waco has something good happening there and it's all hovering around the rusty eye sore that we all have come to know and love as The Silos. Locals are excited that for once outsiders are seeing the town that they love get the good attention that it deserves. Waco, Texas is a sweet little college town steeped in history, tradition and because of the hit HGTV show Fixer Upper, the town is being seen in a whole new light. While I am still baffled that people want to make a special trip to go to a small town in Texas, after my last visit, Fixer Upper clients from season 3 opened my eyes to the draw that Fixer Upper has created and it seems as though this draw is something much bigger than the hit design show. While you may not find any material goods at Magnolia Market that you can't find from the comfort of your home on their store website, a trip to Waco will provide you with something more. Something you can't quite put your finger on. If you are being drawn to Waco, Texas I want to help you plan the perfect visit and am going to give you my best insider secrets so that you can do just that!

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