Sales Tax Holiday

This weekend is the annual Sales Tax Holiday. Starting Friday shop for clothing, footwear, school supplies, computers and more without paying sales tax. Many stores are also combining some great sales in conjunction with the tax free days. Happy Shopping!

Art Walk & Gallery Stroll

The monthly Gallery Walk & Art Stroll is this Saturday on and around Canal Street. The Hub, Arts on Douglas, Harris House and the Clay Gallery will all be open to visit. There is also exhibits, artist talks and live music. Local merchants will be open with great local merchandise. It all starts at 10:00 am.

Very Sad Day

Yesterday my 16 year old son got his driver's license. He was quite proud of himself, the examiner told him he had the highest score of the day. I Was Scared. 

Last night a 16 year old boy that he has gone to school with, played baseball with and has known since elementary school was killed in a terrible car accident. A tragedy for the kids, the parents, the school, the community. 

We cannot protect our children from everything, it is a different world than the one we grew up in. All we can do is be vigilant, as I know Cody's Mom tried so hard to be. 

My son was reading me Cody's tweets last night...this one stuck with me. "Straightening up. I'm going to make you proud mom" and this one broke my heart. "You'll never honestly know how much you love some one.! Or care about them intel there dead an you don't get to tell them how you really feel"

I have known Cody and his Mom for many years. She puts her heart and soul into her children. No one should endure what this family is going through today.

Cody Goodrich & his mother Brandy


I hope and pray that this tragic accident affects all of these kids in a positive way. That they think! If not about themselves and their future but about those that love them and worry every time they leave the house.

Talk to your kids, tell them it will break your heart if something happens to them. I did, today to my son and his best friend. They both looked at me and said..are you crying?

Yes, we are all crying, for Cody, his mother, his little brother, we are crying for everyone who loves him. We are crying for all of those kids in that truck, all those whose lives will never be the same.

We are crying.

Visitation for Cody is on Sunday from 4-8 pm at Settle - Wilder - the Funeral is Monday at 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church of Oak Hill.

Please keep his family in your prayers.

"There but for the Grace of God, go I"

...and the Winner is!

The Kountry Klutter Candle Giveaway winner is Deb Jacklitch! 

Hook & Ladder Night

Join the New Smyrna Beach Professional Firefighters Association, Local 2271 on Wednesday, July 31st for the inaugural Firefighters Hook & Ladder Night. This event will raise money for the Local 2271 Fallen Firefighters Memorial Scholarship Fund and the Local 2271 High School Scholarship Fund.

The fun starts at 6:00 pm and runs until 10:00 pm. Passports are $20.00 and include a Souvenir T-Shirt & Cup and one free draft beer per location (maximum 5 drafts) You can join either the Hook or Ladder Crew. You can purchase your passport in advance right here.

Summer Giveaway!

On my way to dinner at Jason's Corner last night I tripped into Kountry Klutter Candles....I love Kountry Klutter Candles. Her new location at 114 Sams Ave (right around the corner from Jason's Corner) is awesome! If you have not stopped in you should check it out she has some wonderful gifts along with her wonderful candles and the shop is fabulous!

So for a (I am sick of summer) giveaway...I am giving away a Juicy Apple scented Goose Creek Candle along with $25.00 to Bath and Body Works. Why...because I feel like it! All you have to do to win is go to click here to go to Kountry Klutter's Facebook page and LIKE it. Then hit my Facebook page and leave a comment on the Kountry Klutter Giveaway Post. It is that easy....if you are not local to NSB do it anyway I will ship you your stuff!

I will draw for this prize using Random.org on Monday, July 22nd.

Text soycandle to 72727 and get VIP deals via text....I used my latest VIP Deal to get that Juicy Apple Candle I a giving away!

Cooking Class with Kathleen

Kathleen of KD Desserts is hosting a cooking class on Wednesday, July 24th. The class will be held at The United Church of Christ Community Hall at 203 Washington Street. It will be from 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Before she was part of KD Desserts, Kathleen was a chef on a luxury yacht. This class she will be teaching Back to Basics, great techniques, tips and tools to get your cooking routine going and make the one you have even better. The class is interactive and will also feature gifts and prizes. The cost is $40.00 and reservations are required. The price includes all materials, provisions and food samplings. Should be fun! 

There is a limited number of spots available. Call Kathleen at 561-252-0511 if you have questions or would like to reserve your spot. 

Home Depot Clinics for Kids

Take your kids to Home Depot every month for a FREE hands on workshop. Kids ages 5-12 will build or learn something new every month. The workshop runs from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and is always the first Saturday of the month. On Saturday, August 3rd they will build a Home Depot Load and Go Truck. All kids get to keep their craft, receive a certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin.  Check their website each month to see what they will be doing and register online. 

Support the Animal Shelter

Clip the coupon above and go grab some dinner at Ramunto's Pizza in Edgewater

Thursday, July 18th.  Eat in or carry out from 5-9 pm and they will donate 10% of your order to the Edgewater Animal Shelter. Thanks for supporting the animals!

Thrifty Threads Consignment Shop

I paid a visit to Thrifty Threads Consignment Shop this morning. What a great find it was for me. Beautiful merchandise, great prices and super friendly service. I was in the market for a new bag, I found two and seriously paid what I would have spent on one. They are both in perfect condition, like new. I took a look around while I was there and they have some beautiful clothes at excellent prices. Absolutely worth stopping in to shop.

Thrifty Threads is a family owned business and have been on Canal Street for 20 years. If you have items that are clean and in good condition (and still in style) give Cindy a call and schedule an appointment to take them in. Once they sell you will receive 40% of the selling price.

Thrifty Threads is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. They are located at 217 Canal Street. Their number is 386-427-0490.

Support your local business! 

Paper Drive

The New Smyrna Beach Board of Realtors is holding a paper drive to support our local schools. Please consider dropping some paper off to them at 725 West Canal Street in NSB to support this effort. If you have a truckload of paper and need it picked up give Rich Allen a call at 386-690-5081.

Thank you for supporting our kids!!

Meals on Wheels

If you have some free time and want to make a difference give the Council on Aging a call. There are routes in New Smyrna Beach and Port Orange available. Call 386-253-4700 ext. 239.

If you need assistance and would like to receive meals, there is more information here. You can also call 386-253-4700 ext. 225.

Christmas In July Bazaar

Sacred Heart School is holding their annual Christmas in July Bazaar next Saturday. It is being held in the Family Center from 10:00 am  -4:00 pm. There will be tons of vendors, food, activities, a car wash and music. Get a jump start on your Christmas shopping and visit with Santa in air conditioned comfort! Details below:

Marine Discovery Center Open House

The MDC Open House next Saturday! Details below:

Back to School Help

It is time to talk about back to school. This is a happy, joyous topic for me. I love the first day of school! If you need a little help with back to school stuff it is also that time of year.

The Gifts of Love Back to School Shoe Giveaway signups are July 22, 24, 26, 29, 31 and Aug 2nd at the United Church of Christ. You will need a social security card for each member of the family and proof of residency and income. Children from NSB, Edgewater, Samsula and Oak Hill are all eligible. When you go to sign-up bring your children's shoe sizes. No signups after August 2. The United Church of Christ is located at the corner of Washington and Faulkner in NSB. Call Gifts of Love for more information - 386-423-5257.

The Family Worship Center in Port Orange is also giving away backpacks and supplies. Registration is going on now go here to register. You can also call the church office at 386-788-3966. They are open from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm, Tuesday - Friday. Backpacks will be distributed on July 27th. The Family Worship Center is located at 4425 S. Ridgewood Ave in Port Orange.

If you would like to donate to these organizations give them a call. If you know of other local school help let me know I will get it out there.

New Computer Lab

The New Smyrna Beach Library has a brand new computer lab, thanks to the Friends of the Library. The new lab has eight laptops, a smart board and a projector. Staff will be there to offer hands on training and classes during lab hours. Those lab hours are:

Tuesday - 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Wednesday 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Thursday - 3:00 pm - 4:40 pm

If you would like more information on the lab or classes give the library a call at 386 - 424-2910.

Happy July 4th!

Have a safe and happy Independence Day! 

Please keep your pets safe inside during the fireworks

Need a Clown?

Do you have a birthday party coming up for your child? You need a clown! Cupcake the Clown is rocking the birthday party scene in New Smyrna Beach and surrounding areas. Balloon animals, face painting, whatever you need to make your birthday party extra special. She was at one of my favorite 6 year old's fairy party this past weekend.

Here she is making my daughter (who is not 6 but crashed the party) into a fairy princess. You may remember Cupcake from her days at the Old Beef O'Brady's location, she was there one night a week hanging out with the kids. (Translates into giving parents a peaceful dinner). 

The gorgeous finished product with the artist Cupcake the Clown!!

Contact Me for Contact information!