Finding Inspiration

This weekend, some friends and I ventured out to a Christmas sale.  We had several friends who were selling there and we wanted to make sure and pay them a visit.

Colin and I even squeezed in a date night. I LOVE date night.

And then suddenly during date night, I was feeling sentimental about an old childhood favorite of mine, Thrifty's drug store, and asked Colin if he'd take me to Rite-Aide (which is the closest thing we have here).  And so off we went.

When I was a young girl, Thrifty's was THE place in town that I loved to visit and find great things. And at Christmastime, it was the place to go for tiny Whitman's Sampler boxes, colorful barrettes, and Bonne Bell Lip Smacker.

I'd wander those aisles looking at all that fancy store-bought merchandise and my brain would start churning.  Seeing all of those simple items made me think of things that I could create on my own and I'd be inspired.  Inspired for Christmas.

(That's me (seated) at the Christmas play at my teeny tiny Hornbrook School.)

And it's the same for me today. Inspiration comes easiest when I have to struggle to see it. And that's why I LOVE the drugstore.

We left Rite-Aide with several bags full of simplicity and me full of inspiration.

And as we drove home, I remembered something I always thought about growing up...

It's not about what you have. It's what you do with what you have.

...

Merry Christmastime.  Merry Inspiration.

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Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

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Comments

[lulu]

I always think, what do I have in my hand right now? What can I make from it? But ya gotta love the bonnie bell products.

[jennifer Dessert]

you are so right! That is exzactly why I love your blog and book. I go to Rie-Aide often, it is our only drugstore, and it used to be a Thrifty when I was growing up... I know just what you mean. Thanks for sharing

[Monica]

You are so right -- "it's what you do with what you have" -- that really gets me to thinking. Thanks for sharing, I've learned my lesson for this morning.

[Heather]

A good thing to remember for the Holidays and always.. your wealth is measured by what you have that has no price tag!

Thanks for the reminder :)

[Junebug]

I best make a trip to Rite Aid because my inspiration is at a low. This is my year for simple and to simplify! Right now my tree is up but it is naked! Thanks for the reminder, it's what you do with what you have.

[Donna Lohr]

I love creating for Christmas. Just wish I would start sooner. This year, our Rite Aide has $1.00 tins of the butter/sugar cookies. Yum! Already gifted one.

[krys]

Yes I can totally relate. Ours was the 5 and dime. With one dollar you could buy so many things. I bought my mom...evening in paris perfume there! Happy Jolly Winter to you.

[Kathy]

It was good to see you and Celeste at the Two Women Christmas show. Thanks for stopping by our booth. Have a fun trip to New York!

[elyse]

love this sweet post. it's bringing up all kinds of similar thoughts. perfect closing lines, too.

xo
elyse

[Helen]

The book tree is clever but.... all those crying books! When I was in elementary school, if one of us left a book open, face down on the table, the librarian said the book is crying. I've never forgotten that, especially now as a mother having seen a fair number of bindings afterwards.

[Hollie eastman]

I loved that book tree too!! I love the sentiment, too...very apropro to where I'm at!...Merry inspiration indeed!=)
Hollie

[the daily apron]

What a sweet little post. When my uncle joe and his family would make the drive to visit us from las vegas, he would treat us to a scoop of thrifty ice cream! I still love the ice cream. only now instead of .25 cents a scoop its over a $1.oo a scoop. my times change.
blessings,
aimee

[LittleBrightSpot]

A great tree, and a great sentiment, but what a fantastic photo at the bottom! The costumes, and the sincerity on everyone's face, are all so endearing

[Ruthann]

Hi Serena, what a darling post! That picture of you is so precious and so sweet! I too love browsing Rite Aid!I always get a Rocky Road ice cream to go! We have an old five and dime downtown Branson Missouri, it is the original one from the 1940's...the same store fixtures, displays and retro merchandise. The vintage flooring is linoleum checkerboard, green and beige...so charming. This place is jam packed with trinkets! I hope you are having a very merry Christmas season! I just posted my Christms home tour...would love for you to stop by my farmhouse!
Blessings!
Ruthann
Sugar Pie Farmhouse.com

[Paula Jo @ Home Decor]

So true your thoughts. It is fun going to those little drug stores. It is hard to find them anymore, but I remember going to Duckwall's 5 cent & 10 cent store when I was little. Bring's back lots of memories don't they? Glad you shared the picture of you in the Christmas play. You were so cute!

[Julia Faulkner]

It's truly not Christmas until you've visited the drug store! They've got things there tht you can't get anywhere else. :) Esp. little cheesy trinkets. Makes my heart smile.

BTW . . . one year I took the Sunday comics and some old wooden spools my mom had and cut out Christmas scenes to glue on. I found some yarn that I put through the opening and tied into a knot so they could be hung from the tree. I don't think I'll ever forget that.

[Two Women Art & Antiques]

So fun to see a photo (Book Tree) from our Country Christmas Antique and Art show. Unexpected Necessities are truly one of our most inspiring vendors. They defiantly helped bring the magic of Christmas to our show.

[Leslie @farm fresh fun]

I just love this post. And dime store stocking stuffers... And children dressed up for holiday performances. In fact, there's always much to love at your warm n cheerful blog. Looking forward to what you share from your home this week!
EnJoY your Christmas,
Leslie