Monday, March 23, 2009

Toting A Design

Look at the beauty that
I've been enjoying all weekend!
A local grocery store sells these wonderful cardboard totes. It's their effort to reduce the use of plastic grocery bags. When I saw them I knew they would be coming home with me. I planned to use them for something other than my groceries. I thought they would make fabulous organizing/storage containers. I've always loved a good cardboard box! There was only one problem, how to hide the store's logo.A little bit of pretty wrapping paper and some spray adhesive and now they look like a designer tote with a price tag of less than $1.50 each!
I must tell you a funny, yet humbling story. After taking the picture of this stack of totes, I left them sitting in my living room. You've read my blog so you have a good idea of what my living room looks like. I have layers of decorations! Yesterday my son had some friends from Russia come to visit. They sat there in a room filled with totes stacked neatly and collections and displays galore. After a while one of them asked my son, "Do you live in a store?" He chuckled and said, "No, my mom just likes to collect a lot of stuff."
Needless to say, I took time to appreciate and reflect upon my abundance, of not just decorations, but of home, freedom, and blessings.
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32 comments:

  1. TiffanyMarch 23, 2009 at 9:05 AM

    I can see why you like these. I can think of tons of uses!

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  2. "Blossom"March 23, 2009 at 9:05 AM

    So smart. What a great idea.

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  3. AndreaLeighMarch 23, 2009 at 9:15 AM

    I love the greenery! What is it?

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  4. JoyMarch 23, 2009 at 9:20 AM

    AndreaLeigh,
    Those are the Forsythia branches I cut last week and forced into blooming. Aren't they gorgeous?!?!

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  5. UnknownMarch 23, 2009 at 9:21 AM

    Love the totes, make me wish there was a store here that sold them!

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  6. AshleyMarch 23, 2009 at 9:45 AM

    Those are great for storage! So pretty too.

    There are times when I go to other peoples homes (or blogs!)and feel like mine is inferior. Then I visit someone who is really struggling and realized I am so blessed. I have nothing to complain about.

    Make it a great day!

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  7. Amber M.March 23, 2009 at 9:47 AM

    Functional and beautiful...the perfect combination!!

    Thanks for sharing your tender, grateful thoughts, also. We can always use a reminder of our blessings.

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  8. Tammy @ tinselshop.comMarch 23, 2009 at 10:30 AM

    Joy, I have admired your blog for some time, your living room looks wonderful!

    Love the camoflage I have to get those boxes, hope our store has them!

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  9. JulieMarch 23, 2009 at 10:51 AM

    Joy I love these totes they turned out great
    julie

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  10. UnknownMarch 23, 2009 at 10:55 AM

    Oh, that is so cute what your son's friend said!

    For the longest time my home felt so bare because I didn't know where to start. You have given me so much inspiration and my house is starting to look more like a home.

    Thank you, Joy!

    Sheryl

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  11. Sweet CarolineMarch 23, 2009 at 10:57 AM

    I am beginning to think you would find a trashcan and make it fabulous. You have an eye that it very inspiring and refreshing.

    Funny story about your "store.." Oh, if only boys understood! :)

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  12. Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~March 23, 2009 at 11:07 AM

    I see why you like these so much. I think of lots of ways to use them too! Ahhh, the toys they could hold. (lol)
    Enjoy your day and enjoy your "
    "store"..tee hee.

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  13. Ruby Red SlippersMarch 23, 2009 at 11:08 AM

    What a great idea for the totes!!

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  14. Laurel @ Ducks in a RowMarch 23, 2009 at 11:09 AM

    Your forsythias are gorgeous - lucky you!

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  15. bjMarch 23, 2009 at 11:19 AM

    Oh, Joy...you are such a treasure..I just love your sweet spirit...
    Now, I am on my way to see if MY groc. store has any boxes like these. I love that you, too, can see the fun and beauty of a cardboard box. Sometimes, my hubby shakes his head at some of the things I just love....:O)

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  16. Nikki CoggMarch 23, 2009 at 12:15 PM

    Hi Joy! I LOVE home decor and thrift shopping as well, you have so many great ideas. You're such a great inspiration to a new blogger/home decor lover :)

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  17. Nancy WyattMarch 23, 2009 at 2:33 PM

    Great job on the boxes and nothing wrong with living in a place that one could shop in, hehe. With that said when can I stop by for a browse? Hugs from Conroe TX!

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  18. Leigh of Tales from BloggeritavilleMarch 23, 2009 at 3:00 PM

    LOve th boxes! Great idea!
    And the story...funny!

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  19. Valarie LeaMarch 23, 2009 at 3:10 PM

    Love those boxes! I think I have some of that greenery in my MIL front yard, I may have go do some landscaping over there. :)

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  20. GayleMarch 23, 2009 at 3:49 PM

    Some people just don't get it - and I can certainly understand why someone from Russia would be puzzled, but that story gave me a good laugh!

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  21. Becky@Beyond The Picket FenceMarch 23, 2009 at 4:16 PM

    That is a funny story and a good reminder that we are blessed!

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  22. KarynMarch 23, 2009 at 5:22 PM

    I'm totally LOL at your story. I love it!

    P.S. Great boxes too ;)

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  23. Lady DorothyMarch 23, 2009 at 5:50 PM

    Great story! I love it!

    You know, I saw those boxes in the store. It didn't dawn on me that they were for groceries! LOL

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  24. AnonymousMarch 23, 2009 at 6:53 PM

    lol That's so cute that they said that to your son.

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  25. Misti of Studio M DesignsMarch 23, 2009 at 8:31 PM

    I am so impressed with your totes, but even MORE impressed with the forced forsythia! Had I known about this we would have had blooming forsythia all over this house! I could sneak out at dark and swipe my neighbor's... I do love your blog, obviously you are awesome, there are a gazillion followers here! My husband has always liked the old suitcases and this photo has now given me a reason to collect them. I love the stack!
    ~Misti

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  26. Mimi SueMarch 23, 2009 at 10:47 PM

    Cute totes. You always think of the cutest things. Mimi

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  27. Wendy March 24, 2009 at 6:43 AM

    I love that simple idea!! And isn't it nice to have our blessings put in perspective sometimes?

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  28. KatieMarch 24, 2009 at 10:34 AM

    I could see that same story happing here. That is to cute.

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  29. SherrieMarch 24, 2009 at 12:40 PM

    I keep coming back to your blog the last few days I LOVE what you did with a few branches from your tree. It so .....stunning!! I actually do come to your blog daily just to see what you have been up to. Thanks for the inspiration.
    Sherrie

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  30. MelissaMarch 24, 2009 at 1:59 PM

    Laughing at the comment about the store~too funny! I just love this idea, and you're making me miss Albertsons more than ever now..this just gives whole new meaning to thinking outside of the box~ha, ha!

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  31. KurstinMarch 24, 2009 at 10:54 PM

    i absolutely love what those twigs did over time! they are beautiful!! great job!!

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  32. deborahMarch 25, 2009 at 6:10 PM

    WOW, I hope our grocery store switches to those. They are so awesome!! Can you find out where they get them???

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I am truly humbled and thrilled that you read and comment on my blog. If you have a question for me, please feel free to email me.
Thank you so very much for inspiring me to be more creative!