Deep breath.......

9.12.17-

Hello friends, I know what you're thinking a blog post, she actually sat down & wrote a blog post. Hahaha, yes, I did!  I did because I want to share something very close to my heart. I've decided that sometimes you need to be grateful for the opportunity, the journey, walk away & look ahead to something new. 

Many of you know & many of you have been to The Hive, a charming little boutique,  that I host in our home.  It started a little over 7 years ago, wow, that is crazy to think about.  It started as an idea, something very small that has continued to grow & develop into something that I'm very proud of.  I've learned a lot over those 7 years. It's also brought some satisfying rewards & wonderful connections into my life. I've learned about friendship, kindness, loyalty, integrity, disappointment, frustration, gratitude, faith & appreciation just to name a few.  It has been a wonderful thing to be a part of.  I've enjoyed opening our home to many of you as shoppers, or who have come to set up as vendors & have all left after each show, being counted as my friends.

-Surprisingly, this isn't an owners manual on how to run & operate a boutique. It was something I figured out on my own. But the title has always been just too perfect!- 

The last year I've been feeling a little tug from my gut saying that it's time for something different. By different I mean, stepping away from hosting The Hive in our home.  Change is a scary thing, walking away from something that is successful seems like a crazy thought but sometimes it's best to listen to what you're being prompted to do, trust that there is a purpose & a meaning behind doing so.  

I'm not saying that there will never be another Hive ever again, I'm just saying that there are no plans to do any more after this year. I feel the need to recharge, rethink & in the words of Eliza Hamilton, "Take a break!"  I hope it is something I'll want do again. I love to host, create & have enjoyed meeting so many of you in our home.  I hope The Hive is something that I'll crave doing again, truly miss & one day be giddy over planning & thinking about again. The last little while though, it hasn't felt that way.

I remember reading in Joanna Gaines' book, The Magnolia Story, something similar she went through. Shutting down, walking away from something that she loved & was proud of, her first little shop.  Now, I'm not saying what happened to her next would happen to me but I remember reading that & appreciating the fact that someone successful once thought about, struggled with trying to figure out about a business question that was similar to what I had been thinking about. It made me realize that it's ok to stop for a while, take a breath & see where it takes you.

So I'm taking a big, deep breath & a step ..........

I didn't want to type all this out, share the news after the Holiday Hive this year. After all, you deserve to know what is going on with my little boutique, it is because of you that it has been successful over the years.  That being said, there are two fabulous Hives coming up September 21st-23rd  & November 9-11th that I will put my heart & soul into.  If you haven't been to The Hive for a few years, come & take a look at how it's grown, if you were just here at the Spring or Summer Hive this year I'd love for you to come again.  Soak up the wonderful vendors, their creative products, the always festive decor & enjoy the last Hives. 

There is a fantastic line-up of vendors coming to The Fall & Holiday Hives.  I'm so honored that they would choose to come & sell their goods at The Hive.  I'll always be indebted to the wonderful vendors who gave The Hive a try, whether it might have been their first show or as seasoned pro's. They may have participated only once or became Hive regulars over the years. Each & every one worked so hard to create wonderful, unique things & curate the most incredible collections of products for clients to shop from.  I appreciate each & every single one of the vendors I've had in our home over the past 7 years & it's been many.

Thank you from the deepest part of my heart for embracing, shopping & supporting The Hive over the years.  The greatest joy I've had, honestly & truthfully is opening our front door on opening night & seeing so many of you standing patiently to get in.  Familiar faces always standing right in the front, you know who you are, & many new faces that tagged along with a friend or sister for the first time.  It was always a priviledge to welcome you in, meet you & realize you chose to spend your valuable time being at The Hive.   I was always so touched!  I've met so many dear friends, thanks to The Hive, that I will be forever grateful for.  The best cheerleaders, supportive family & sweet friends that I can't thank enough.  

Thanks for your patience as The Hive went through some growing pains, I can honestly say that I never received more than a couple negative comments or feedback about The Hive in the 7 years. Which says a lot about the quality of people that came to The Hive's.  I feel very fortunate about & grateful for the kindness of all of you.  That really means the world to me that I was surrounded by such wonderful people.  I'm sure there were some frustrations of waiting in line, waiting to check out & trying to get in & around to see everything but overall everyone was happy for the experience & really sweet in their comments & replies so from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I would always smile when I got a comment on IG or a comment on my blog saying that coming to The Hive was on their bucket list. Isn't that the sweetest thing?  I would always think, seriously, this little boutique that pops up from time to time, seriously?! I always felt so touched & honored by those messages.

Even as I type this, I can't believe I am writing this stuff down but at the same time it feels right too. I know that something will come out of this that will be for my growth. Your kindness, support & sweetness over the years is what has always kept me going, thinking & dreaming about, "the next show."  So THANK YOU!! I'm excited to see what comes from this break & what awaits in the future.

Over the next few months I am going to savor every moment of hosting The Hive's & be grateful.  Hope to see you at either The Fall Hive, The Holiday Hive or heck maybe even both.

With much love & gratitude, 

{M} 

Collection/Obsessions- Part 2, Vintage pop bottles

6.12.17- 

It's no secret that I adore vintage pop bottles, I've proclaimed my love for them before.  So it should be no suprise that they are the next installment of my blog series, Collection/Obsessions.  Showing them off in a few spots in our home this Summertime.  

I think my crush on them is something sentimental.  My Grandparents owned & operated a little gas & grocery store, I was able to grow up, play, visit, shop almost every singe day & when I was older I eventually got to work at the store.  I remember the glass bottles, the old vending machine in the store that you had to put quarters into to get a bottle of ice cold pop.  I remember my cousins & I discovery how yummy it was to pour a pack of salted peanuts into a bottle of Coke.  Drink all the pop & then crunch the peanuts at the end. I remember helping customers unload, from their cars, the empty crates of pop bottles to turn in for a refund.  Lots of memories associated with these vintage things.  Reminds me of a simpler time & happy memories of my childhood. 

-I think the bottle that started it all.  This came from my Grandma's house, she saved the 2 liter glass bottles & filled them up with water for her food storage.  She was cleaning out her pantry one day & was going to throw them out, so I snagged one. It's now on display in my wire hutch in our kitchen nook -

  My obsession started several years ago & continues still today, in fact I received two new/old cool bottles for my birthday on Saturday. My collection still is growing!!  

I found some fun ways to show them off around the house this month. Adding some pops of summer color around here. Come inside & take a peek.  

 The mantel all decked out for the Summer.  I have so many fond memories of drinking a bottle of pop on a hot summer day, sitting under the shade of a tree, riding in the tractor or truck, while watching a baseball game or just with my friends on a nice Summer night. So it seems appropriate that they should be up & out on display for all to see.  I've had a few people walk over, point to one & say, "I remember those,"  or "Where did you get that?  That was my favorite drink"  Fun conversation starter for sure. 

-Love all the color & uniqueness of each bottle.  These have been collected from all across the country.  It's been a fun to collection to put together.- 

-The other side, more splashes of color & cool graphics!- 

-These cool 1974 bottle was given to me by a sweet friend for my birthday one year.  74 is my birth year & she knew I LOVED pop bottles.  Happy to say now that I have been to Baylor.  Fun trip with my hubby to Waco  a few weeks ago.  {More to come on that, soon!} Saw LOTS of these bottles while antiquing in Texas, glad I already owned one, wasn't tempted to grab one. - 

A few of my favorites!  The Beehive Beverages one, well it's a favorite because I love everything about it.  The POPland I thought was super cool because I found it, at an antique store, in Arizona while on a family trip.  Loved the cactus & the great memories associated with that fun trip.  Love when I find sentimental souveniors to bring home.  

  I like this unique way to show off my bottles in our kitchen.  I place them in my wooden chicken feeder & have them out on the kitchen island.  Seems to show off their graphics & labels perfectly.  I've put flowers in them before too, it makes a great centerpiece on the island.  

-Another fun bottle with a neat graphic & colors. Got it because it reminded me of my Dad, he loves to whistle.- 

There's one more way I've decorated the house using my vintage pop bottle collection but not going to show you it quite yet.  To see you'll have to come to 
The Summer Hive this weekend.  
Friday 7-9 p.m. & Saturday 10-4.  
{Don't worry, if you live out of state & can't make it I'll post pics on here to show you} 

So many fabulous vendors joining me this time around.  Check out #thesummerhive17 for all the sneak peeks. 

Hope to see you there this weekend! 
{M} 

Inspiration in the city, brought home

5.16.17- 

I got a big taste of spring & loads of fresh inspiration while in the city one day recently that I want to share with you.  I love when inspiration hits you at unexpected moments, don't you? 

So I have this friend that loves Trader Joe's, we went together once & it's kind of become a fun outing for us to drive down to Salt Lake together, shop & then grab lunch somewhere.  We're both kind of foodies {her more than I} but both appreciate good food & willing to try new places.  We also have a little side kick who tags along with us, my friend's daughter, M.  She is such a cutie & the best little cart pusher for me, every time. 

-Such a great display of Delicate Arch, use of license plates for signs & honoring Utah. Very cool! - 

Trader Joe's is always inspiring & has tons of eye candy galore.  From it's decorations, packaging & products. 

-Inside out, yes please!- 

 I just couldn't walk away from these when I saw these. Carrot cake in cookie form, genius & scrumptious! 

After shopping at Trader Joe's we always work up an appetite.  Over the years we've enjoyed pistachios & blackberries on pizza {ate here more than once, we liked it so much!} brunch, toast with delicious unique jam, fancy hot cocoa's so we are always up to try anything.   We found a foodie spot right down town called, The Rose Establishment.  

-The awesome neon sign was the 1st clue this place was unique!The Rose is located at 235 400 W. in Salt Lake City- 

Right when we walked in I was in awe.  So much to look around at & take in.  One thing that makes me happy is when old spaces, buildings are turned into something new & fabulous.  

-Everything in this picture!  The old wood, the floors, subway tiled walls, vintage glass. I could go on & on!- 

This corner, very cool!  Different styles of flooring, neat & unique shelving unit. Something about mixing wood & metal together is such a classic look!  Even the restroom sign was neat & PS I wish I would have taken pictures of the bathroom.  It was an old elevator shaft turned bathroom, awesome!  

 Still thinking & dreaming about this corner!  Modern, fresh yet vintage & classic.  Just everything about it. I now want a round table, mismatched chairs & subway tiled walls.  

After looking around, taking pictures & wanting to sit at every table in the restaurant, just to take in a different view, we ordered.  This is definitely a hip, foodie place.  I went with the ham & cheese sandwich which came with a very different but tasty tarragon, sweet pea spread.  My friend had an interesting beet sandwich & little M go the most fancy, schmancy PB & J. Different but all really tasty. 

{should've taken pictures of our food but didn't, oops!} 

 Little known fact about me- whenever I see words on the floor, I'm going to stop & snap a picture of them.  I don't know what it is but I enjoy it.  Maybe it's just taking the time to recognize & take note of something rather than just quickly skipping by, little M just decided to jump! 

-Didn't get these but next time I'm going too!  Looked delicious!- 

On our way out after lunch we just had to take a picture of the vintage sign out on the sidewalk.  

 Love taking the time to try something different. Seems to always turn out delightful. Now time to take that inspiration home & apply it.   

When I got home, unpacked & looked at all the fresh, yummy stuff I bought at Trader Joe's I thought it would be fun to have a salad bar lunch with a few of my friends that I exercise with 4 mornings with each week.  

I don't know about you but lunch time is the hardest for me!  I want to eat healthy, I really do but it's hard to make something fresh for just one person during the day, sometimes can be a lot of work so I usually just grab what ever is easy & convenient.  I NEED to do better!

This Salad Bar lunch was just what I needed!  Lots of color, options & friends to eat with.  I provided all the greens for the salads & everyone was asked to bring a few of their favorite toppings for the bar.  

-Use # 45 for my vintage chicken feeder.  Just lined it with some sheets of parchment paper & piled it high with lots of greens.  LOVED how this turned out! It's all about the details. - 

I also contributed to the toppings, I couldn't resist.  Served them up in a vintage mini bread pan.  Each in their own compartment, ready for dishing up.  

-What's your go- to, must have salad topping?- 

My salad!  So good & loaded with lots of yummy, healthy things. PS- the Godess Salad Dressing from Trader Joe's is delicious! 

Hope you enjoyed this post about my recent travels & lunch dates.  Wishing you all a tasty! 

{M}

The Hive- application info.

5.2.17- 

If you've ever wanted to "bee" a vendor at The Hive, it's your lucky day. I have 3 shows coming up & looking for a few new fresh faces to add to the mix of already great recurring vendors.

The Hive is a gathering of local makers & creators all under one roof, ours! It's a charming market that is open a few times a year.  Since it's in our home only a handful of vendors participate making it a quaint shopping experience. I carefully invite vendors that I think will go well together for each show.  I pick "a theme, a look"  that I want each show to have & then select vendors that go along with what I have in mind so that The Hive is cohesive & vendors goods play well off one another.  This is the 7th year of The Hive, it has grown so much over the years!

>>>The 1st Hive up is the Summer Celebration Hive {this is NEW!} This show is in conjunction with my business turning 17 years old this year.  I can't believe it! Thinking back on sawing, painting & sanding in our basement, of our 1st house 17 years ago,  & it's grown into much more than I could have ever imagined so I want to celebrate it.  The show will "bee" the evening of June 16th & Saturday June 17th.

>>>Other Hives I have coming up are some of my favorite! Love the seasons they coincide with & always very anticipated by shoppers.  The Fall Hive {Sept 21-23rd} & The Holiday Hive {Nov. 9-11th} These shows FILL UP FAST so even though they are a ways off, please still apply now.  Deadlines to apply: Fall- Aug. 1st & Holiday- Oct. 1st. 

A few basic facts about the Hive: Each Hive has an entry fee attached {Varies by show} & 12% of your total sales is kept. The Hive is a central checkout. Which means you only have to come set up & take down.  I try to use as much of the furniture, in our home already for vendor space, but you may be asked to bring something for your set up, as well.

If you'd like to apply here's what I need from you- 
---------------------------------------------------------
-Send 3-5 pictures of items you make & would bring to The Hive as well as a short description of your business to my email, honeybee58@gmail.com {*If you're interested in the Summer Celebration Show, hurry the deadline to apply is May 9th} 
-Instagram or website 
-Please indicate which Hive or Hives you are interested in applying for.  
--------------------------------------------------------

If you're selected, I'll send you an entry form to look over, fill out & return to "bee" part of The Hive.

Thanks for your interest!  Look forward to hearing from you. Now I'm off to start working, dreaming & preparing for The Hives coming up.  Lots of ideas in my head! 

{M} 

Collection/Obsessions- Part 1, Sparkle & Shine

4.26.17- 

Hello!  Excited to start something new on here.  Since I'm trying to work my way back into posting regularly & I thought I needed something to be a recurring theme, something that I have a lot of to share & maybe inspire you along the way that I could do consistently.  I've decided to start a weekly series called, Collection/Obsessions.  Sharing with you a few of the things I love.  

-Some of my newest finds out on display. I've found all these at the Hive over the years.  The middle AWESOME bell glass jar & cutting board where my most recent from The Spring Hive. }  

The 1st Collection/Obsessions I want to share with you is GLaSS!  

If you follow me on Instagram {@hollyhcocksandhoneybees}  you might have seen the hash tag I use quite regularly showing off the things I'm currently collecting & obsessing over.  You can hop on over to Instagram & take a peek for yourself  #collectionobsessions of what I'm talking about. 

These next few pics are all things currently up & around in my kitchen. No staging needed! 

-Newest cookie jar, also snagged at The Hive- 

I'm kind of enchanted by it!  I think it started with my glass pop bottle fascination & has grown from there. It's hard for me to go into a antique shop & turn down or walk away from any kind of vintage glass cake stand, old cookie jars, vintage Bell jar or cool shaped containers. Glass seems to  always intrigue me for some reason.  Something very unique & original about them.  

{In fact, as I'm typing right know I'm thinking about a vintage glass jar I saw at an antique store & left behind. It's been a few weeks ago that I saw it so..... maybe I need to go see if it's still there & bring it home with me. }  

-Our kitchen snack station! Love this mix, so much. Charming & cute all at the same time.  Looks like we're low on Almonds too!-

I like to mix glass into anything I decorate with around the house.  Love it paired with wood & metal, goes so well together.  Maybe because it's clear it looks beautiful mixed in with just about anything.  It always enhances what it's set next to. 

-Glue glass is pretty!- 

What I really wanted to share with you is our glass cupboard, it sits right above our dishwasher & is probably the most used cupboard in the whole kitchen.  Maybe your house isn't like ours with a bizillion cups lying around at the end of the night.  I look around & think, where did all these glasses come from & why can't everyone just use one glass during the day?!  Hahaha.  Anyway, lets just say this cupboard gets a lot of use!  Wanted to show you a peek inside of it.  

{This is where my collection/obsession comes into play} 

-Hi Hector!- 

Just a few kinds of glasses on display.  They are used for all sorts of things from everyday, ice cream, orange juice to desserts.  Lots of variety to choose from in this cupboard.  Let me tell you a little about each kind & what we usually use them for, row by row.  

Juice glasses {really jelly jars}-These are just dainty & cute.  Love putting them out each morning for the girls to drink from before they rush out the door for school or to serve OJ in on the weekends.  Simple & sweet glasses + they serve as jam jars if I'm in a pinch & the batch was bigger than I thought!

Everyday- nothing fancy about these guys, just get the job done day in & day out.  

Fancy Everyday {Dinner Glasses} - these cut, designed glasses are when we have dinner all together as a family or when guests come over.  Something a little more fancy than the plain regular glasses.  Plus, two of my daughters like to have ice water in these, only these glasses, right before bed time. Go figure!

{Got these from IKEA & really, really like them!} 

Tall Mugs w/ Handle- My hubby & I bought these after our trip to Finland.  We were served hot chocolates in them & it opened our eyes to this sweet drink being served in a whole new way.  We love hot chocolate around here so we had to get some.  {Found these at WorldMarket} Don't get me wrong we drink other stuff in these as well, not limited to just hot cocoa drinking but that's their main purpose.  

Heavy Duty, BiG glass mugs-  Traditionally our go to, sit down watch a movie or show, fill to the brim ice cream mugs.  Usually they're filled with mint shaved choc. chip ice cream topped with chopped almonds.  {That's just how we roll around here!} My hubby will also use these for his oatmeal in the morning.   But other than that, these don't get used for anything else.  Kind of funny how things just find a knack of what they should be used for.  

Blue short glasses- our game day glasses.  Inspired to get some after visiting Duke University & eating at the Bull Durham Lounge.  Plus, we like blue a lot around here so those are just occasional fun drink glasses.  

Tall Goblets- We're not wine drinkers but need these for a few special occasions in our home, mostly our traditional candlelight Valentines Day dinner. These seem to just elevate the water or soda pop, being served in them, to a higher level.

Glass dessert shot glasses- these are fun to serve little tastes of dessert or juice in.  I'll be honest, they haven't been put to too much use over the years but the girls have had fun with them.  I bought them after going to a Gourmet Club dinner with friends & being served 3 desserts, a different mouse in each one.  It was so fun, I thought I need to get me some of those.  Something fun about eating out of a unique container.  

Ice Cream Sundae Glasses- Ok, these are the real deal!  Don't these just take you back to going to the ice cream shoppe, waiting at the counter  & digging into drippy, gooey, yummy ice cream with whip cream & a cherry on top?  It does for me!  I saw these at the D.I., yes the D.I., & snagged them up. 
{D.I. stands for Deseret Industries & is similar to Salvation Army} 

 {I ALWAYS look at the glass aisle, I've found many a treasure on those shelves}  

I think they cost me only .50 cents each. They have been so great to have in our home & serve up yummy ice cream sundaes & shakes in.  We have extra long spoons to go with them too to make it easy to eat.  

We also keep our "guest dinner ware"  in this cupboard as well, up high, that we use quite regularly as well as our everyday bowls & dessert sized mismatched plates 

{Also, scored at the DI. All random & mis matched but great to serve toast, muffins or pastries on.  They always look great set out on a table too.  Fun splashes of color for the table.}

-This cupboard gets quite the workout during the day.  Glad Hector is close by to keep a watchful eye on things too. - 

So, there you have it, my 1st in a series of Collection/ Obsessions.  Comment below & tell me if you have a thing for glass, if there is something I should be collecting related to the subject too, I don't want to be missing out on something I should have. Plus, It will be keep me going on this blogging thing knowing that someone out there is reading.  

Have a great day everyone! 

{M} 

I shared, now you share!

4.21.17- 

Had such a great time sharing ideas for Teacher Appreciation last week & enjoyed it so much. I'm kind of missing not being in the school twice a day, taking stuff up & down, leaving treats, notes for teachers & finding ways to serve.  Fun to add a little bit to the energy of a high school with all it's hustle & bustle each day.  

{It's the teacher in me I guess, I miss it!} 

-Always great to be invited into the Studio & in front of the camera's.  Always grateful for the opportunity to share ideas & things that I love.- 

It got me thinking.... I want to hear from YOU!  I want to see what YOU do for your teacher appreciation weeks or gifts you give your teacher at the end of the year.  I want to see what else is going on in your children's school to inspire me!  So please comment below or email me about what you've done or what you're going to be doing.  I'd love to share them on here in another post & keep the ideas flowing of ways to show gratitude & thanks.  

Looking forward to being inspired by you all.  

{M}

*PS- if you missed my Studio 5 Segment you can watch it here. 

Yay- I read a book!

4. 19.17- 

Hello again!! I'm slowing trying to get back into this blogging thing.  Not sure why I typed this up at the 1st of the year & didn't hit publish but as they say better late than never right!  

So..... one thing about me, I'm not the biggest book reader.  I don't know why, I guess I'd just rather be up & doing than just sitting & reading.  But, when a book grabs me & I get it done in 2 days, it's a good book!!  Yay, I've already read a book in 2017. I say this year is off to a great start already! 
{Not promising ready many more books but happy to say I've read 1 in the 1st week of the New Year.}

When my kids asked me for suggestions, of what they could get me for Christmas, this was always something on the list.  When I didn't receive it for Christmas, which was totally fine I decided to just order it for myself.  It came, I opened & read, I smiled, I was inspired, I remembered, I took notes & was completing delighted!  What a wonderful read.  

I love the show Fixer Upper, I love Joanna & Chip, I love their story & even more so after reading the book & learning their back story.  Such an incredible & inspired couple.  So many things that I read made me stop & think, something similar happened to me or I've done that or I've felt that & really made me stop & think about my own life & my Heavenly Father's plan for me.  

I highly recommend reading it!  It's charming, sweet & just down right good.  Happy that my oldest is reading it right now & enjoying it as well. 

There were times in the book that made me stop & think a bit. A few of my favorites were: 

Her experience to meeting Chip the first time.  Made me remember the seeing Tyler for the 1st time, in our singles ward up at Utah State University, he was teaching Sunday School, I walked into the room looked at the boy wearing glasses up at the front of the class in his shirt & tie & had the strong overwhelming feeling that he would be my husband. I remember thinking, what?!?  But sure enough it was true. Followed that prompting & feeling, got to know him, asked him out on our 1st date & 9 months later we were married.  

- You know it's a good book when you read it with a highlighter or pen & mark it all up.  This is just one of the many things underlined.-  

Neat to learn that Joanna hosted shows/ open houses in her home.  Just like me!!  That was fun to learn.  I love opening up our home & inviting everyone to The Hive a few times a year.  

This line:  Live everyday like it's a Saturday! 
I'll admit sometimes Saturday's aren't my favorite, there is no schedule, usually there's something to run off too but other times it's just plain fun, we're all together & get a lot accomplished.  When I read that it just made me stop & think.  I think that's what a good book is suppose to do, right. 

Seemed to read this at the right time since my hubby & I are facing some decisions, trying to be brave & see if it's the way we should go.  It's both exciting & scary at the same time.  This book seemed to help all those nerves I had & realize things will be as they are suppose to be.  Also, the power of prayer & divine guidance & inspiration.  It was nice to think back, reflect on those times, in my life, where I know I received help & guidance. 

A trip to the Silos is definitely a bucket list item for me.  Staying at the Magnolia House would be sweet too.  Getting to see Chip & Jo around town or at the Silo's would be the cherry on top.  

Guess I better keep working, creating, hosting Hives & save my pennies to get there.  

I think it's actually quite appropriate actually that I decided to post this today because it's Joanna's birthday.  She is an inspiration to so many & just seems like a gosh darn, sweet, down to earth person. Hope she has a wonderful day.  Glad they wrote this great book about their life & journey.  Read it if you haven't yet. You won't regret it. 
{If you've read it comment & tell me which parts stood out to you}  

{M}

Teacher Appreciation week ideas

4.18.17- 

Fresh from my appearance on Studio 5 & there are always things, tips & more info. I wanted to share but never seem to have enough time to get it all out during the segment.  I hope these ideas inspire you & want to sign up to help with Teacher Appreciation week at your school, in one way or another.  There are LoTS of you can serve & give to make it a wonderful week for the teachers.  

The biggest tips I can give you.  

1- Involve parents, let them know your plans & needs.  There are many willing to help by donating things you need. 

2- Communication! Let the students, parents & community know that something special is taking place in the halls of the school this week.  The more that know the better! 

3- Have FuN!  It's the little things, touches & details that make it exciting each day. 

First thing is  first, Decor!  Blow the teachers away with decorating their teacher lounge area.  Make them take notice & knock their socks off with something great greeting them as they walk in first thing Monday morning.  They will quickly learn that there is something awesome in the works for them during the week ahead. 

 Choose a theme or overall feel you want to create to carry through out the entire week.  I chose to use my collection of light boxes 

{Yes, I have 3 in my house alone.  They vary from my BiGGIE 16x20 sized one from @ShopBrightBox to a medium sized from @CinemaLightBox to a teeny tiny @HeidiSwapp sized one. You can never have too many} 

I also called a few of my friends to borrow there's too. The more the better! They really made a bold statement & great impact in that room.  Bright inspirational quotes & sayings lit up for all to see! 

- Loved this saying!  Perfectly appropriate for the teacher & served up on a lightbox to read-

 Garlands galore!  The best go to, quick, easy way to add color & fun to any space in no time at all!  I like to hang up at least between 3-5 garlands in a space.  You can never have too many.  Just make sure you contrast colors, size & textures for a wonderful display.  Anything goes when it comes to garlands! 

-Enjoyed creating this lettered one.  Went perfectly with the lightbox letters & only cost about $4 to make!-

The best part about this garland {that I didnt' get a chance to explain on the show}  is that by using the folding technique on the cardstock, to recreate a flap or ledge, is being able to simply set the letters on a string or ribbon, it's not a permanent thing.  You take rearrange letters, spell something different & even reuse that ribbon.  Nice to know that it can be used over & over again! Wha-lah!! 

-So fun to look around my house see what I had that I could use to capture all the things that teachers at a High School are involved with.  Not just teaching in the classroom but extra curricular activities & subjects they teach.  Tried to get a variety of things to represent them all & somehow it just all looks good together. 

-Liked putting the vintage tennis rackets in with rolling pins complemented each other well & represented a wide range of HS activities!- 

One great tip I forgot to mention regarding my light boxes is if you try to spell out something & don't have enough letters- use a dry erase marker.  It works great!! It will show up, help you finish spelling out the word & easily wash off the light box when you're done. 

Another great garland idea is a thank you card garland!  These are unwritten cards, just opened & placed on a string.  Simple & easy to do, under 2 minutes tops!  This was hung up above the teachers cubbies {their school mail station, where they received gifts & treats throughout the week} it was a perfect spot to hang these up & add some charm & color. 

Operation: Afternoon SuGAR rush!  Such a sweet thing to do & the MORE the better here again as well.  Reach out to parents & have them sign up to bake & bring 2 doz.  homemade cookies or brownies.  

{I kept track of what they were bringing so we had a good variety to choose from} 

When they arrived I took them off their paper plates & out of plastic baggies & displayed them using a variety of things.  Created levels by using pop crates, cake stands & pedestals to display the treats on.  Tucked cookies into cookie jars, vintage baking trays & baskets.  All to create a pleasing display.  

-Tasty South American cookies- caramel & coconut, yum!- 

-96 of my Grandma Hall's delicious gingersnaps tucked into trays of a vintage berry box.  So fun!- 

-Vintage glass jar, I purchased at The Spring Hive, & stuffed yummy chocolate chip cookies into.  Below is a vintage bread pan lined with parchment & stuffed full with Almond Joy Cookies, homemade Oreos & Oatmeal cookies.- 

 Enjoyed hearing the teachers & staff walk in & really pay attention to every little detail.  They NOTICED what the sweets where displayed in, they talked about it, it peaked their curiosity & made they say, "Oh, my gosh would you look at that."  "I would have never thought to use that for this."  or, my favorite, "I remember having one of these!"  A little time & effort, doing something different & little details don't go unnoticed! 

-Industrial sized muffin TiN for the WiN!  I didn't know what I would use this thing for when I bought it years ago but it sure served up quite the conversation that bright & early morning.  Looked perfect too stuffed full of giant, yummy muffins! 

Midway during the week I changed up the sayings & quotes on the light boxes.  Wanted to give the teachers something new to look at & think about.  Little changes here & there to make it fresh & new each day. 

Something else I didn't get to talk about but think it is VERY Important!  Is involve the students, however you can during this week.  They are the ones who need to show their appreciation most & get excited about celebrating & honoring their teachers.  Give opportunities for them to serve & help throughout the week, no matter what their ages.  Like I said I was able to do this at our High School last week. So I asked the Student Body Officers, the leaders of the school, to participate as well. They ROCKED it!  Creating a theme a day for the students to participate in, made posters & hung them up in the school & even posted on their Instagram page & wrote on the marquee board out front.   Great way to let the school & community know that there was something special happening this week. 

Always try to finish off the week with a BaNG!  Do something BiG whether it's an assembly, gift, treat or in our case call in the caffeine!  We contacted FiiZ drinks & they brought up there FiiZ truck, parked in outside during the lunches.  The teachers each received a coupon for a FREE 24 oz. drink of their choice.  

 Drinks were on us!  The smallest thing we could do. They deserve that & so much more.  Changed up the light box once again to go along with what we had going that day. 

 Just look at those happy faces!  So great to serve them up in such a fun way! 

What a great week to be apart of, a lot of work but so rewarding to be able to show appreciation in such a big way!  Everyday coming up with ideas & ways to spread a little bit of happiness.  It doesn't have to cost a lot to be able to do some wonderful things.  Glad I got to see the rewards first hand.  

Love teachers & grateful for them! 

{M}