Some of my very favorite people gathered together in designer bliss for this first ever sensational Saturday Swap hosted by the Nester.
Supposedly, the reason we gathered was to bring in some household items that we no longer used and swap them out for someone else’s improved treasures.
But let’s be honest. That was strictly a cover story.
Being among the first to view the new nest of our hostess was the prize.
To say “eye candy delight” is a complete understatement.
Remember my last post about creating a tablescape? This table in her office covered every element I addressed. I can guarantee that she didn’t learn it from my post. 🙂
These pictures do not capture the essence of coziness that oozes from every corner of this home. So follow along at the Nesting Place as she reveals her new home space.
It will be the frosting on the cake of this teaser post. 🙂
As we began the swap, everyone drew numbers and went in groups of five to make their first choice. Somehow I got designated to be the “role call” person, so we just kept it flowing until most things were gone. There were SO many fun items from which to pick. The worst part about the day was making a decision. Everyone was gracious.
No cat fights broke out over the Nester’s tassels, and high end bribery was solicited only outside on the driveway. 🙂
(The Nester and Emily’s mom pondering her next pick.)
(The sitting room before all the treasures messed up her tablescape. Check out the new shutters she just painted. Amazing!)
After seeing this awesome bird cage, I mourned that fact that I passed up a standing wooden cage at a yard sale early that same morning. What was I thinking?
The french doors leading into the Nester’s office are framed with fabric adding such an elegant touch. Entering those french doors, you are greeted by these fabulous apothecary jars and sweet Emily, as she sneaked a peek at her sister’s computer.
We all have junk drawers, but mine are filled with…junk…garbage…things that should be in the trash. The Nester’s “junk” is gorgeous and comes in the form of diamond thingies that make my flash act funny, beautiful drawer pulls, window treatment hooks and items to fill decorative glass jars.
We’ve adored the toile sofa since her blogging start. Go RIGHT now to the launch of our (IN)COURAGE site and see the story behind that sofa, as well as her desire that it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.
We all know that wreaths aren’t just for Christmas, don’t we? Don’t we? HA!
What ever happened to that messy craft room? The only mess presented was in the form of new tassels for (in)courage. We gawked at the crafting stash under her desk. agreeing we could all let our creative juices flow in this room.
(I can’t wait to get my hands on someone’s picture of the group smooshed in this room. I’ll put it up when someone shares it with me, and let you know who was all here.)
Kimba made the drive from PA, and we weren’t going to miss our chance to go to the rich people’s GoodWill in Charlotte after the swap was finished. 🙂
One of the greatest joys this year has been connecting with such a wonderful group of women. The Lord has a unique way of bringing people together (or back together).
Before blogging was even an idea in our minds, the Nester and I knew each other from attending the same church. We were friends from Sunday School, but it wasn’t until she moved away and I found her blog that we reconnected. Just as the Nester moved away, her sweet sister joined our church since her hubby is our youth pastor. This year has been the start of a blossoming friendship with Emily, and the odd thing is…so much of it is through our blogs. When we see each other at church, we are already caught up. We don’t always have to fill in the little details because we’ve already read about them (along with a ton of other people).
It’s a privilege to be writing on the (in)courage team with both of them. And it launches TODAY, Monday, August 10th.
Kimba is a friend that when you meet her in real life, there’s a forever connection.
My time with this precious “sister” was much too short.
I highly encourage you to grab some friends and organize a swap. It will be SO worth it.
Beautifying our homes represented the “portrait” of our Saturday swap, but forging friendships framed the picture.
Oh, how much fun was that! I would gladly drive to Charlotte for such a delightful event!
Can't wait to check out the new site tomorrow, after I return from taking all 7 kids to the dentist, lol!
Toni
What an awesome idea!!! I had a similar party on year with clothing. I never thought about it with decor!
This looks like the best Girls' Day! How much fun. I am super jealous over all the goodies. Jen, I'm thrilled you are a part of the writing team for Incourage. Can't wait to jump over there tomorrow for the launch. Congratulations! Hugs, Kim
Ok…how fun is that!!! What a neat group of women and friends!
sandy toe
I'm SO jealous 😀
Oh how unbelievably FUN! I would give just about anything or drive any distance to meet you girls in real life. What a treat! You all inspire ME!
I have been wanting to host a swap among some of my friends and this gives me just the push I needed.
Hugs ~ Amanda
Wasn't it fun? Wasn't it just the best fun?
I hated to leave before the trip to the RPG. It was 9:30 before I got back to Durham, so it's a good thing I left when I did–but oh, how I would have liked to stay and play. 🙂
It was so much fun, and my blog post doesn't do it justice the way that yours does!
Wish I had stayed later as well!
I'll ditto everything Amanda (@ Imperfectly Beautiful) said above me. It looks like you all had such a fun time! I'd love to hear more about planning a swap…I was thinking about doing one with my MOPS friends here in Virginia. 🙂
So excited for (in)courage. I wrote a post for Monday morning (which I guess it is right now) to link to their feature on what encourages me. I'm so excited to learn more about what will happen at (in)courage. 🙂
That seems like it would be SO much fun!
I want to come to the next one. Let me add up my frequent flier miles, will ya?
Wow – so much fun! Can you pray for me if I am a wee bit jealous – ha! Can't wait to check out your new project!
WOW! I would have gotten on a plane with all my stuff and flown to the US for this! I'm sure customs would have been no problem with a suitcase full of housewares. 😉 It looks like so much fun and while I'm happy that you guys all got together, I am positively green with envy. Mostly because you got to be inside Nester's house.
The only thing that stopped me from being there to hug some of my best girlfriends from blogging was that pesky drive from Seattle to NC. It is a pain! (ha)
Looks like you girls had a lovely time!!!
blessings!
Looks like SUCH fun!! Glad you were all able to get together! Thanks for letting us sneak a peek! 🙂
What a fabulous day!! I felt so blessed to be a part of it, and to meet some amazing women like you. I look forward to being blog friends, and hopefully seeing you again soon. I'm glad I tagged along to the rich people's Goodwill- that was a fun little bonus to the day. I can't wait to see what this week and the weeks to come will bring for all of you girls at In)Courage. Have a great week!!
It was so great to meet you Jen! I felt so blessed to have been a part of it. What a wonderful group of women. God is so good.
Much love,
Lily
Looks like so much fun, Jen! Great idea!
What a fabulous day…and a fabulous idea! We should try something like that around here….!
Laughed when we saw your "S"…we just did our shadow shot on a S that my daughted did a shell craft on! Have a great day!
This looks like so much fun, I have always thought this was such a good idea but have no idea how you girls avoided the cat fights. I can get very competitive in those kinds of situations!!!
Jen- this is awesome and I'm completely jealous of your girl time. I'm also a little green (a Nester shade of green, of course) at the rich people's goodwill!! How much fun!! So glad y'all had a great time!
What a fun, fun idea! I'd love to attend something like this. Okay, when are you girls bringing this show to Florida? Hee hee
Y'all. WHAT FUN!!!!!!! I'm green with envy. I wish I lived in NC. :=)
What a FUN, FUN afternoon!!! I loved meeting you and everyone else. I felt so blessed to be there. I really wanted to stay longer… my sweet husband even asked me why I was home so early. I guess I should have hung out longer. Just where in Charlotte is that Goodwill? I will check it out on my own. Thanks for a great post! Blessings!!
My goodness… that looked like so much fun! How could anyone pick between all the great items?!
OH I would have loved to have been at your swap! I'm only about an hour away from Charlotte and have tons of home decor stuff to trade *sigh* I hate that I missed it! I'd love some details though on how it all was set up and how the swap part of it actually worked. How it was kept fair, etc. Great post! Thanks for sharing!
I had a great time with everyone on Saturday. It was so nice to meet you. You feel like you know someone after reading their musings for so long. Everyone was so warm and welcoming.
How jealous am I??? : ) Y'all look like you had so much fun! I am totally excited about the launch of (in)courage! Can't wait to see what you ladies have in store!
What a blast!
oh it looks like so much fun!!!
Of course, I wish I was there too, I know it was a fun time!
Jen, what a wonderful, kind post.
It was such a good time. I have yet to even download my photos but I'm planning on doing a few posts about the swap this week! Loved hanging out with you and everyone else!
This is a great idea. Thanks for sharing. Who knew?!?!? An accessory swap!
I am hosting 5 Things Friday. Stop by and play if you can. This week is 5 Things I Know for Sure.
http://jeanstockdale.tyepad.com
How much fun….I had not visited your blog in awhile…I am putting it on my sidebar….I want to have a swap..It sounds like a blast….
You went to the Goodwill afterwards??? I wish I'd stayed longer. I actually stopped at Goodwill on the way home, but it wasn't the rich people's Goodwill and I didn't have decorating friends with me to tell me what to get. Shucks!
So good to see you again, Jen!
And I missed out – darn! Next time 🙂 Sounds like a blast, Jen. xo
By the way, Jen, I noticed that I am Laurie in the post. My name is actually Leigh Ann:) Just wanted to clarify since I have several new followers of my blog from your post. Yay!! Have a great week!!
such fun! We should do this once a month 🙂
Oh my goodness! I saw stuff that I wanted to take home! 🙂
We did something like this with our women's bible study group and had a great time. We all left happy with a smile on our faces. Loved the pictures!