Friday Inspiration

{A cemetery decorated with flags}

I hope everyone enjoyed an extra day off last weekend (and a short work week). I spent last weekend getting my house in order spring cleaning and organizing. This weekend I think I will relax and enjoy my handiwork.

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." 

- Anne Bradstreet

Happy Memorial Day Weekend

After this long and terribly cold winter we've had it seems like warmer weather would never come. I hope you get to enjoy nice weather, a long weekend, and time spent with friends and family. 

Don't forget to take a moment to remember how truly blessed we all are to enjoy the freedom so many gave their lives for. Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

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Around the Office

{Our certificate from ebay congratulating us on reaching 1,000 reviews}

Lots of new and exciting things happening around Champaign Plastics. We just reached a 1,000 reviews on ebay and we are so thankful for the support. Also we've been researching several new products to add to our store. Including some children and adult placemats as well as a few different sauce cups. More new items should be posted on our site within the next few weeks.

{A thanks from ebay for being a top seller. Stickers to add to our ebay packages}

{Deciding on which kids placemats to add to our stores}

 {One (out of two) new children's placemats. We are still waiting for our second design to arrive. You can order this design here} 

{New 2.5 oz. metal sauce cups. Currently not offered on any of our sites. Please call for details if you would like to order now}

Friday Inspiration: Grocery Store Roses

I love the look of garden roses and when I stumbled across these posts here and here on how to get cheap grocery story roses to look like garden roses I thought why not give it a try.

I purchased a half dozen roses at my local grocery store for just under $4. I forgot to take a before shot but all the rose buds were tightly closed. When I got them home I placed them in a vase with warm water for about an hour. The roses started to magically open up on their own but towards the end I gently placed my fingers inside to help them open up a bit more. Do this by making a pinching position with your hands and insert your hand inside the bud and gently open your fingers.

I found a small vase and began cutting the stems to size at a 45 degree angle under running water and then placed the cut flower immediately into a vase filled with water. This keeps air from going into the stems. (I snapped a quick pic of this flower before placing it in the vase)

Trim off any lower leaves to keep them from getting wet. This will keep the water in the vase cleaner/clearer longer. To keep your flowers looking good longer check out this article for 10 helpful tips.

Friday Inspiration: Mother's Day Weekend

I found this amazing quote by Abraham Lincoln online the other day and I couldn't help but share it with you. I'm so blessed to have an amazing mother (who just turned 90 March 4th) and I look forward to celebrating with her and my daughters this weekend.

A free download of the image (for gift giving) can be found here

Friday Inspiration: Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Since Mother's Day is just around the corner (May 11th) I thought I would share some gift ideas that I as a mother would love to receive. Personally my two most favorite spaces (and places I spend the most time in) are my office and kitchen. Here are a few items I would love to add to either of those spaces. Hopefully this will help get you brainstorming towards the perfect gift for your mother.

1. Hand made card from Etsy ($4.50)

2. Floral paper straws perfect for spring ($6)

3. Pink peonies in a cement vase.

- Idea for a DIY vase here, and how to make grocery store flowers look expensive here.

4. Milk glass cake stand ($68)

5. A cute tape dispenser ($18)

-Filled with washi tape

6. Bright tray from Target ($19.99)

7. Ceramic farmers market baskets from Anthropologie ($20)

-Anthropology is one of my favorite places to find unique and beautiful items for the kitchen