Joy Unexpected | Double (bean) Dipper

Go Humans, GO!

Last week I had the privilege of hosting a "Go Gathering" volunteer event at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. What is a Go Gathering? The “Go Gatherings” are 12 blogger gatherings that Quaker is sponsoring across the country. At these gatherings, bloggers donate their time at local food banks to help our communities.

I was joined at the event by Donna, Heather, Leah and Liz. I was grateful that they made time during the middle of a day on a Wednesday to be there with me. They were grateful for the opportunity to do something worthwhile to help the community.

We were given a tour of the warehouse by the Food Bank volunteer coordinator, Anna, where we learned about how the food bank operates. It was an eye opening experience to see first hand how much work goes into getting food out into the community.

Once the tour was over, we were put to work helping out with the BackPack Program. The program helps over 450 students in 4 different schools by providing backpacks filled with food to children at risk for hunger. They are given the backpacks on Fridays so that they have food for the weekend. Here is the lovely Heather explaining what we did with the backpacks:

We spent a good 2 hours cleaning the backpacks and then filling them with food. It was quite simple to do and the time flew quickly. While we were working, we spoke about how, as bloggers, we're invited to so many incredible events. Those events usually involve good food and awesome swag. It felt great to be a part of something different-- something that involved helping others who are in need.

Something that I learned that day was the need for services at the LA food bank have increased by over 40%. The need for people to step up and help has never been greater. The people at Quaker are dedicated to ending childhood hunger and helping feed families in need across our country. With their new Go Project, they're giving you a chance to help with the hunger issues in your community. Each month, Quaker will award 20 grants, each worth $500, to help people who want to help organize projects in their community to help fight hunger. Read more about it here. You can submit your application here. I encourage you to apply so that you can do something in your community. I can promise you that you'll love the experience and you'll want to do it over and over again. Just listen to what the bloggers who helped me last week had to say:

We most definitely are going to plan another volunteer event at the LA food bank, so if you live in the southern California area and would be interested in helping, leave a comment or email me at the address in my sidebar. We'd LOVE to have you come out and help. I must thank the people at Quaker for bringing awareness to the issue and giving us all a chance to do our part to help. I am also grateful to everyone at the LA food bank for everything they do in our community to help those in need. We look forward to working with you in the future. You can see more photos here and read more about the day on Donna's blog.

JC Penney Introduces Linden Street

Recently, I was offered a $500 gift card from JC Penny’s to use on their new line of home good products, Linden Street. After the initial shock wore off that someone wanted to give me a $500 shopping spree, I began to imagine all of the things that I would buy with my $500.

I’ll buy picture frames! And curtains! And towels! And dishes! And! And! Lamps! Because, you see, I’m used to shopping at places in which I could re-do an entire room for $500.

I logged onto their site to preview the products that I’d be purchasing with my gift card ($500!) and it became clear very quickly that I’d have to narrow my choices way down because, well let's just say there weren’t any lamps for $24.99.

I was struck by the simplistic beauty of the items that I saw online, but I wanted to get a better idea of the quality of each item, so my husband and I decided that a trip to a JC Penney store was in order so that we could see the items up close and personal before spending our gift card.

We take $500 gifts very seriously.

Once we were in the store, the Linden Street products were very easy to find. We were also happy to discover that most of the items were on sale for 40-50% off of the regular price, but even still, we had to narrow our choices to 4 items.

And I knew that one of those items would have to be curtains. I've never had curtains, always blinds. Because, you know, RENTERS CAN'T AFFORD CURTAINS (or so say my trolls. And neighbors.) The idea of having pretty windows with pretty drapes (as opposed to ugly windows with ugly white blinds) thrilled me beyond words. Silly, I know, but we all have those things that we wish for but can't spend the extra money on because our kids have $3,000 worth of dental work (on 8 teeth, but I'm totally not bitter.) Mine just happens to be curtains.

I was immediately drawn to The Linden Street Crewel Stitch panels. Once I saw those, with their beautiful deep burgundy color and delicately stitched floral pattern, I knew those were the ones that I wanted in my living room. We needed 4 panels. Each panel was on sale for $29.99. (grand total- $119.96) We decided on the Globe hardware to hang them with. (sale price- $48.00) We also purchased the valance, but have decided to take it back and get a sheer curtain to put underneath instead. It just doesn't look right without a sheer.

Before:

After:

Next up on our list? A new comforter. Normally, I am all about the shiny, floral, very feminine look for my bed, but as soon as I saw (and felt-- so incredibly soft) the The Linden Street Chenille Stripe Comforter Set I knew that I had to have it. My husband couldn't have been happier with my choice (because a) no floral print b) no floral print! c) NO FLORAL PRINT!) At a sale prince of $139.00 for the entire set, we felt it was an awesome deal. The quality really is outstanding and as comfortable as any we've ever had. I would have purchased that even without the gift card.

Lastly, we decided that it was time for a new set of dishes or a new lamp. We decided on dishes because, even at 50% off, I could not bring myself to spend over $100 for a lamp-- the Cheap Coupon Clipper in me just wouldn't allow it.

There wasn't a great variety of dishes. There was one set, the Linden Street® Hearthridge 16-pc. Dinnerware, in 3 different colors. My husband immediately loved them, but I wasn't completely sold. They looked so... plain. But, when I picked one up and looked at it closely, I knew I had to have them. They were so sturdy! And thick! And shiny and well, we knew we both agreed we had to have them in our kitchen. I was a bit bummed that they only came in a set of 4-- so we had to buy 2 sets (on sale- $69.99 each set.)

To recap, we walked out of JCPenneys with a rod, 4 curtain panels, a comforter set, and 2 sets of dishes all for a grand total of $514.95 (w/tax.) And there are a few items that I will go back and purchase (Table linens, throw pillows and a couple of frames) because I truly did love the simplistic, yet eloquent and high quality feel to the items in the Linden Street collection.

Thank you JCPenney for the amazing opportunity to make our house feel (and look) more like a home.