14 Reasons Ashley and Andrea are Thankful This Thursday

My bud Andrea stopped by this afternoon to hang with me at the GROWop.

We decided it would be fun to make a little video of all the things we are thankful for this pretty Thursday.


Untitled from Merry May Handmade on Vimeo.

Thankful Thursdays v12

This Thursday I am thankful for.....

The GROWop!!!

The GROWop in the little artist co-op I kinda run with my friends, Josh and Kenny.

Aren't they so cute?

So here's how it all began. There's this pretty urban garden (that Kenny runs) in downtown Phoenix called the Growhouse. Josh and Kenny had been trying to get their little boutique, inside the house on the property, up and running for quite some time. So I went to Kenny and asked if maybe I could be a part of it. Both the boys seemed really excited and we got it up and running soon after.

The GROWop is filled with lots of handmade and found items from our wonderful and talented consigners. It's jam packed with tons of amazing finds- whenever I'm there I just want to buy everything! I am so excited that Kenny, Josh and I have very similar tastes and visions. I love that we can talk and share ideas and that we get to hang out so much. These boys are seriously amazing and inspiring and I am so so thankful that I get to work with them.

The GROWop has only been open for a short while but things are looking good. Each day I get more and more excited about what we are doing and where we might go. Things are slowing down around here- I completed my sewing class (woo!), the Crafeteria, and am transitioning into my new position at work. I can't wait to have a ton of extra time to spend investing in our little dream. I'm so so happy and so thankful for the GROWop and Josh and Kenny. 

If you're local, stop by the GROWop (902 N. 6th street in downtown Phoenix)! We are open Friday and Saturday from 11 to 7 and Sunday from 11 to 5. Questions? Interested in consigning? Just wanna say hi?Contact us at growopboutique@gmail.com.

Thankful Thursday v.12

Howdy folks. This week has been wild but has offered up a lot to be thankful for. Among other things...

The 2010 Frances Crafeteria.

I'm was so so so excited when I heard that I got into this uh-mazing holiday craft fair! It is pretty much the best craft fair here in Phoenix and, in it's 5th year, there was certainily stiff competition for the 40 spots available (over 150 applicants!). I am sooo honored to be included in this! The ladies of Frances are SUCH an inspiration. I hope I make some friends tomorrow night. If you are local come visit me!

My new position at work. I got moved to accounting! It seems like all desk jobs are pretty lame and boring but hey- at least I am learning something a bit more useful than what I was doing before. Plus the ladies I get to work with are super funny.

Grandpa sweaters. One of the things I am making for the Frances Crafeteria is upcycled, embellished sweaters from cozy grandpa sweaters (plus cute bowls out of doilies filled with vintage ornaments and upcycled, embellished fur collars). I can't stop wearing 'em. They are so comfortable.

Source

Long walks. Since beginning in accounting, me and ma ladies have been walking each day. It's so nice to get away from that boring desk and take a little walk. Do you do anything to break the monotony in your job?

I hope you have a lot to be thankful for this week.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope you all have the best day filled with family, friends, and lots of yummy food.

Source

This year I've got lots to be thankful for. This year has been so crazy and hard and amazing. I am thankful for: my mom, my dad, my sister, Jasmine, Brittany, Andrea, Jesse, AJ, Leigh Anne, Traci, Amber, Lindsay, Matthew, Amber, Jason, Riley, Savannah, Kaylin, Rochelle, Carol, Josh, Kenny, James and last but certainly not least YOU!!

Thanks you all so much for being so great and inspiring and helpful. You're the best!

P.S. Don't forget to buy handmade and local tomorrow! There are big sales at Merry May Farm starting at midnight.

Thankful Thursday v11

Yay! Yay! Yay! This week I'm feelin mighty thankful!

Early mornings. I'm definitely a morning person. I like waking up and feeling like, for a moment, the world is all mine.

The American Muffler Shop sign I pass every day on my way to work. I looove the happy little muffler face. I couldn't stop to snap a picture but I, kinda, drew it out for ya.

Gmail and Facebook chat. Chatting with old friends and new friends makes for a happy day.

This funny video. I'm planning my birthday party theme around something in this video. Can you guess what it is?



How about you?! What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday v10

Yippee! This week has been super busy so first and foremost- I'm pretty damn thankful it's already Thursday. I have this *feeling* that things are unlikely to slow down till after the first of the year (eep!) so I am super excited (and thankful) for my girls wine tasting trip this weekend!

Other things I am thankful for:

My bike. My sister brought my bike over this week (it's sorta a bummer having a small car that your bike won't fit into when all you wanna do is bring it to your house and ride it). My bike is just like this but red with a super cute basket so I can go on picnics : )

Source

All the cool things going on in Phoenix this weekend. Saturday's festivities include- The Pie Social at 5th street and Roosevelt starting at 2pm, the Certified Local First Fall Festival from 10am-4pm at Duck and Decanter on Camelback Road, and the Parade of the Arts on Roosevelt Row from 5pm-10pm.

This silliness.

Veterans, of course.

My new computer! I finally got some time to get all my things onto my new computer which means I am finally using it! Yay! I'm in love!

(See my pretty little painted pinkie? It's the best, most prettiest, most Fally color ever. I painted it when I was hangin at the Roose the other day. I need to do the rest!)

What are you feelin thankful for this week? Please share!

Thankful Thursdays v9

Hello Hello! I hope you all are having a wonderful week. Mine has kinda been flying by. I can't believe it's already November! Do you think it's too soon to decorate for Christmas? Here's a confession- I looove Christmas and probably have more boxes of antique, vintage, and handmade Christmas stuff than anything else (I'm only slightly joking).  Aaanyways, here's what I am thankful for this week!

New babies. We welcomed my cousin's sweet little girl Kaylin into the world this Monday. Awe.





Twitter. I'm just getting the hang of it. But I'm kind of addicted! There are so many neat folks sharing the coolest, most inspiring things- my favorites are @go2publicschool, @Junkculture, and @Teenangster. If your on Twitter let's be friends (@mmhandmade).

Finding Shaun Kardinal's work (via @junkculture- told you they're good). I'm in love.




Smart friends. I am totally a type a person. That means I get super overwhelmed by everything because I want to be a hero- I wanna help everyone, do everything, and do it perfect. Of course, I can rationalize that perfect just doesn't exist but sometimes I get caught up in it all. Do you have these moments? I think we all do. They are sometimes hard to shake but its easier when you have smart friends to talk to and to support you.

What are you thankful for this week?

Thankful Thursdays v8

Hello friends! I hope your week has been treating you well. Things have been crazy busy around these parts. I've been scrambling about work trying to fill in for missing folks, preparing for another quick weekend get away (I am seeing Of Montreal in Tucson for Halloween!!!! So excited!), lots of birthday dinners, craft night, and working a pretty exciting new venture (I've got a post coming soon : ). I've got a lot to be thankful for!

Road trips.


(Note: Our road trip was nothing like this.)

Going for walks. It's getting cooler!! Well, during the night at least. But it makes for a really great morning walk when its cool and pretty and I can grab some tea and a sweater.

Historic preservation.

My favorite thing about our trip to Bisbee and Tombstone was how many fabulous old things there were. Because it as a pretty young and rapidly growing city, Phoenix frequently does away with the old and replaces it with new. I loooove old things and looooove to see them well taken care of and preserved for us and our children to see.

Harry Potter is coming out soon! My sister, that sweetheart, juts got us tickets for the midnight showing. I cannot wait.

Thankful Thursdays v7

Is it seriously time for another Thankful Thursday post? Weeks are seriously flying by!

This week I am thankful for:
Old Friends. It's so great having those friends that, no matter how far away from each other you move, you still pick upright where you left off. Those people who know you so well you don't have to explain things or pretend.You're just you and they love you for it.

This is Lindsay and her BF.

 This is Ashley and me.

This is Kasey and her Fiancé.

Ashley and Kasey are two of my oldest friends- since 3rd grade!

Decaf Coffee. My friend AJ talked me into this detox diet. There are lots of things we can't have but the hardest to resist is definitely the caffeine. It's been a hard two weeks but I'm starting to get used to it.

Birthdays. This weekend we are going away for my sisters birthday! I am so excited to get away for a bit. We are headed to The Shady Dell in Bisbee, AZ. I can't believe my baby sis is turning 18! Crazy! I feel old. Check out this cutie!

Then

Now

Isn't she pretty?


New Friends. If I had pictures of you all I would post them. I am really thankful for this blog and having met all you sweet folks through it! I am excited to get to know you all more! Your comments are always so nice and encouraging and your blogs totally inspire me.

What are you thankful for this week?

Thankful Thursdays v6

Home- It's been a busy couple of weeks. It always feels good to go home.

Source 

Cousins- They are fun.

Sweaters- Word on the streets is that it's supposed to cool down in the next few days. Fingers crossed!

Source

Source

Tell me what you're thankful for! xxoo

Thankful Thursdays v5

This week has been sooo great. Here's what I am thankful for.

Matt and Kim- I went to the Matt and Kim concert last night and I'm still on a high. It was, honestly, one of the best experiences I've ever had. Those two are sweet as pie, make excellent music, and are so excited it's infectious. I love them even more now.

Estate Sales-I hit the jackpot this morning. I'll let you know a bit more later- let's just say there is a ton of vintage holiday goodies coming to Merry May Farm.

This post on Poppytalk (via Anniedancer)-

Yeah that's a basket woven car and it's one of the most amazing things I've ever seen.


My coworkers- With the flood damage displacing many coworkers, everyone is still super sweet and positive around these parts. What a great family we've got goin here.

My sister- She's just really cool. Here's us at Renegade in LA.

Sources 1, 2

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursdays v4

This week I am thankful for...

Tea cups and coffee mugs. I swear coffee and tea taste better in an adorable mug.

Vitamin C. Boo, I've been sick. I've been downing tons of vitamin C to kill those dirty little sick monsters really quick.

Singing. While I'm not the best singer, when I'm in my car I belt it like a pop star.

Sources 1, 2, 3

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursdays v3

Here are some things I am thankful for this week. What has made your week a good one?

The first day of Fall. YAY!

Clouds. Yesterday we were blessed with some killer clouds- you know the kind straight outta a Bob Ross painting. Side note: When I was little I thought the Care Bears slept in the clouds. Every time we were on an airplane I wanted to jump out and take a little nap with my friends.

Long walks. I can't wait for it to get cooler here.

My mom. Her Birthday was yesterday. She is funny and has great sweaters, as this picture shows.

Quiet days in the office.  Several of the important people here at work are in Memphis this week. The hallways are quiet and it’s a fun change.

**I wanted to remind you- if you are local and working out weekend plans- that the Grand Avenue Festival is on Saturday and sounds like it's gonna be a blast. I've been helping style for the Butter Toast fashion show that is at Bragg's Pie Factory at 7pm, so you should totally come say hi!**

Thankful Thursdays v2

Here are the things I am thankful for this week!

Music. Every morning I wake up and turn music on. It helps me get psyched for the day. 

Makeup remover. Cause sometimes I'm dancing to hard to the aforementioned music and eyeliner goes everywhere.

Liquid eyeliner. Every single day.

Yogi detox tea. I drink it every single day. It's so tasty and, like I mentioned last week, they have the very best tea tags. 

Girls only family dinners at my favorite restaurant. Last night my mom and sister met me at True Food Kitchen. Dad is out of town so it was a perfect excuse to go out. Even though they changed the menu and got rid of two of my most favorite dishes (the green tea soba noodles and the roasted vegetables with farro and figs- soooo good), it was still delicious and a fun night.

Sources 1, 2, 3

What are you thankful for this week?

Thankful Thursdays v1

I thought it would be fun to start a little series each Thursday to tell you about some of the things I am thankful for. It's always good to take a moment to reflect on these things. I hope you join in and share too!

Baking- I baked a treat, one of my four simple goals, for craft night tonight.

Click here to see the most lovely and mouthwatering treats.

Driving to work with the windows down- While it's still pretty hot here in Phoenix, morning temps are starting to drop. Today it was almost chilly! (However, I must admit, I am a total wuss when it comes to cool temperatures.)

Tea Tags- You know, the kind with quotes on them. Yogi brand has the best!

Work- Not only am I thankful to have a job at all, but I am so lucky to have one that is flexible and filled with silly coworkers. They are one of a kind.

Coffee Dates- I left work for a bit today to meet with some local business owners at Royal at the Market. We are working on some fun events for the coming season. Good coffee, good company.

Sources 1, 2, 3