LilacsNDreams Memorial Day Thank You Kitchen Remodel

LilacsNDreams wants to wish everyone a Fun, Enjoyable, and Safe Memorial Day! Not as much activities as there normally would be which is hard. But, whatever you are able to do have fun, and enjoy it.

All we were going to do was paint our kitchen walls. I didn’t want to paint the cupboards. One advantage I don’t have a lot of wall to paint in the kitchen since it’s small. Mostly above the counters. We did talk a little bit about how to do the counter tops, and back splash. Also, we have a small island attached to the wall, and we discussed some ideas what to do to make a little more room. So, the cupboards are going to be a light grey. Almost like a white grey. The country blue chosen will go on what wall is in there, and I think we will put it within the archway to the kitchen too. The cupboard you see now will be removed, and I have found some adorable wood for the shelves that we will be adding that will blend with the grey, blue, the new window and door borders, and frame. Next weekend is our big weekend to get the flooring done. Hopefully our new door comes in to be put in too. 

Making this a little short today. Thinking of those who have, and are serving today for what freedoms we have. Big Thank You to them! 

Thanks for visiting LilacsNDreams! Be safe everyone! Happy Memorial Day!

Home Improvements Remodeling Out With Old in With New

Hi! Welcome to LilacsNDreams Home Improvements Remodeling Out With Old in With New. I apologize it’s been a little while for me. Kind of scarce lately. During this time of the virus I think I have been a little more busier than usual. I’m proud to say I’ve made some vintage collectible sales from my Etsy Shoppe I haven’t listed anything new, letting things expire, and will be moving over to Poshmark. It’s an advertising issue with Etsy I am not happy about at all!

Also, a lot of my time has been getting supplies, and materials needed for our remodeling task we are soon doing. My husband drives semi, his truck is due into shop for warranty work, that mechanic on vacation, and so hubby is scheduled home weekend of May 29. I have to schedule our dog for the vet while floors are being done. Our son got a partial start on some things. But, the floor linoleum, sub flooring, etc they both will be working on. Then...a new front door was decided on. Was gonna go buy it, and hubby reminded us that needed to go in before the flooring can be done. So, I got our local lumber company involved buying door from them, and they install it. Unfortunately, the door did not come in last week. Cross fingers it’s here by Wednesday this week. Or, I might have to make some quick decisions again.

The pictures I am sharing above are showing you the stacked boxes of the snap click flooring, the stack of sub flooring, rolls of paper, the connectors from carpet to linoleum, in doorways, etc. Also, the last picture shows the baseboards I chose, and we will also be replacing the framing around the windows, and door frames with the same thing. The biggest thing is to get everything to blend with each other. So far we have been lucky it’s all working. Of course the painting is half done. Kitchen needs to be painted, and I made a decision with cupboards there to paint also. Cross fingers.

Getting the tile was an issue! I had 1 chosen we all agreed on. The first Menards was out of what I needed. Went down road to other store as their truck came in. What a horrid experience there! They go to cut what was needed, we waited around store for about 45 minutes. Never got our name, phone number, etc. Went to check on it to pay, and leave. No one knew anything about it, guy was probably with truck yet, and no one would check on anything. Just turn their backs, and went back to what they were working on. 

On our way home we stopped at the first Menards to place order for what was needed. It would be here the following week, wow! Following week go to get it, and they didn’t have it. Went to other store, and everything they got was gone within a few days. That’s when we seen what we found was on sale, was cheaper than the roll we wanted, and was actually going to be easier for the guys to do. That’s when we matched up with the baseboards to use. Was a hassle for the flooring, but it also ended up being a little cheaper with me getting more materials for the money. Whew! 

Then, the bathroom sink I wanted they didn’t have in stock, and no idea when more could be ordered. Ugh!! So, went on line to look. I found one that was acceptable through Wayfair. That’s here already too! It’s gonna work out great in there! 

So, until the 29th these materials sit, and I’m waiting on our new front door to come and be installed. Busy, busy, busy. When it’s finally done it will be worth it. Then I have 2 bedrooms to work on. One has been painted, and partially carpeted too. The other one needs to be fully done. Shouldn’t take as long because it’s paint, and carpet.

Sounds kind of hectic, huh? It’s gotten a little stressful, but it’s worked out. More tiresome with these tasks than expected. Add the stress, and I’ve had some nights I was out fast.

Thanks for stopping by LilacsNDreams! Great to have you, and hope to see you again soon. Take care till the next time.

Corona Virus at Home and Everywhere

LilacsNDreams Corona Virus at Home and Everywhere is happy to have you visiting today. 

How is everyone doing with the virus outbreak that we are having to deal with together? At first everything was fine with being at home. Son is home from service, started and trying to finish some things with this house, hubby still up and down the road in the truck, etc. The weather has been improving, and makes you want to be outside. Sitting on the porch at night with the dog running around has been relaxing. Everything feels fine, and spring is definitely moving in!

Sadly you realize that your routines are still not like they use to be. I miss spending, or wasting time visiting some of the Good Will Stores, some of the Thrift Stores, and I should be crafting too. But....instead it’s been things with the house, doing errands for supplies or house, and looking at piles that need to be organized and put into place some where. 

I believe we have decided on the tile for the dining room, and kitchen. The tile is chosen for the bathroom, and we are pretty much decided with our bedroom carpet. We’re about 1/2 way done with things....our son is doing a lot of the work so far. Now to go buy the linoleum, sub flooring, any other tools needed, etc. Once we start that part of the home fixing hubby will come home for a few days to work with our son to complete that part. 

How does everyone feel about this virus that we are dealing with? I have watched, read, and viewed many different opinions with this thing. Some are petrified, majority of people have taken the precautions that they need to, some are ready for this to be over....many businesses, and many are ready for things to open back up. Interesting thing our son read to me the other night. In like 2014/2015 the US applied for a patent for the corona virus. Then, in 2019 I think it was Europe applied for the patent to corona virus cure. Really? So, they knew about the virus, and do have a cure for this disease. They act like this is such a new thing, but things have been coming up showing that they have known about this virus for a long time. So, what is our government doing? Is this their way of “cleaning house” of certain things we don’t know about? Wow! Kind of scarey when you think about it, right? 

Sorry, not trying to be political. Everyone has their own thoughts, and feelings for this issue. I’m happy we still have our freedoms to be able to do that too. Just sharing a few thoughts. Not trying to start anything here.

Thanks so much for visiting LilacsNDreams! Be safe, and see you again soon.

Home Improvements With Stay Home Virus Precautions

Home Improvements With Stay Home Virus Precautions with LilacsNDreams today.

This coronavirus COVID-19 disease has really effected our country with our every day tasks. Involving work, traveling, schools, businesses, banks, etc. Many of us are asked to stay home which unfortunately that can be very boring, and a little bit of a hair puller for some of us too.

Was it about mid February when things really started to take off with this disease? Prior to this time our son has come home from the service. He has done 8 years with the army, and says it’s time to be a civilian again. He gets home, and about a week later this outbreak with the virus really started. Watching places, and businesses slowly over time having to temporarily close. Some towns are almost like a ghost town with many staying home.

With our son being home he has been helping us start some changes, and completing/finishing some projects in our home too. We have been working on transferring our 1 room into a bedroom for him. Painting, carpet, and clearing out a lot of my projects that are working and completed. Clearing out my office area also. Trying to figure out new locations for everything is a little harder in a smaller home. So, we had 1 idea for the flooring in the bedroom, got 1/2 of room painted, and 1/2 of it carpeted. Now we need to go back to hardware store to get more carpet for us to finish the other 1/2 of this room. 

We have also completed the living room area with coats of paint, floor padding, and carpet. Had to use a little seaming tape, and the hot iron to combine the 2 separate pieces to cover the floor. Putting the furniture back into the living room makes a big change, and has confirmed I want some new furniture....couch especially. 

It definitely feels more like home, the room seems wider now, and I’m impressed with our handy work done so far. The walls use to be a dark tan color, and the wood floors were dark from all the before things that had been done, and from the carpet that had been removed. The bedroom use to be a darker blue. Much better with the white walls now. 

White walls can be boring if you let them. It’s a start for us knowing we can add to this as we go along. I have to go pick out some baseboards to add to the living room, and the bedroom which will make a change. I need to get new blinds for the windows in these rooms, and adding some wall hangings now would really help the look too.

Now to finish carpet, and paint in bedroom. Next is to pick out some tile for the dining room flooring that will unite nicely with the living room carpet. It’s a working progress, but we have a great start to this right now.

Thank you for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Hope you enjoyed your visit today, and I look forward to seeing you again. 

Poshmark Selling Platform Stores Shops Community

Poshmark Selling Platform with Shops Stores Community at LilacsNDreams. Last week I mentioned some of the discouraging issues with Etsy that everyone is facing right now. Advertising that you will be forced to pay for if it results to a sale made. You pay the 15% fee with that, and also your selling fees along with a listing fee they have. For some sellers that is an “ouch” especially if they have items selling for a small amount. 

I have listed 1 thing with Bonanza for right now as LilacsNDreams. Now at Poshmark I have 5 items listed there....so far. The 3 purses you see pictured below with 2 being coach purses, and the new orange one is a northcrest with the tags. The other 2 items not shown are diamond rings. 

It isn’t hard to list with Poshmark, many many people follow you, they favorite items of yours, and some of them have been great about sharing items you have posted too. At Poshmark my Shoppe name there is LilacsNDreams. I use that name everywhere. 

If you have a chance while roaming the internet stop on by to have a look. Hopefully this week I can work on getting some shirts listed that I have added into my collections. 

Following other sellers, viewing their shoppes a little bit, and I am seeing a few things besides shirts and purses. I have seen shoes, some great jewelry pieces, I found a seller offering homemade baby quilts that are adorable! I have seen vintage pieces offered, handmade home decor and jewelry, and it’s a growing community. When you have a chance stop by to browse a little bit. 

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Wishing you all a fabulous week with all you do! Take care till the next time. 

EBay Etsy Poshmark Shopify Mercari Bonanza Selling Platforms

Etsy EBay Poshmark Mercari Shopify Bonanza Selling Platforms with LilacsNDreams. Websites, domains, webstores, and there is so much out there to think about, and choose from!

I, along with many other sellers, sell their vintage collectibles, repurposed, handmade, crafts, home decor on Etsy along with other selling platforms as well. Recently Etsy put a notice out to us about Advertising, the cost, and pretty much in a nutshell we are being forced to pay for it. For those who make $10,000+ for the year will have to pay like 13%-15% of that along with the other fees we normally pay Etsy to use their platform for selling. Roughly about 25% and more will be paid if your item sells because of one of the ads. Now, for those who sell less they have what they call outside advertising which 13% will be charged along with our normal Etsy fees that are paid. For this you are suppose to be able to opt out of it, and this is the category I fall into. I have tried numerous ways to opt out of this deal following instructions I found. The system says the link is not working, or I get 1/2 way through the list, and I cannot get any further. I have tried different ways to contact support which I get told link does not work that I click on. I have read I have till March 28th to decide, and I also read I have till April 10th too. 

I am not happy at all with this! Many other sellers are in an uproar about this because of being forced to pay for advertising that is not wanted, the cost, not being given the choice to decide, etc. So, I like many others have decisions to make. Stay at Etsy, and deal with it, and most won’t be making any money for their time. Another idea that many are sharing is to move onto another place, and keep just a few things with their shops at Etsy. It’s ironic that at the same time EBay is making some changes that sellers are not happy with there either. Shopify got wind of some of the issues because many sellers at Etsy received emails with offers that they have too. 

It’s very upsetting being forced to pay for something you don’t want to use. We lost a little more control of our shoppes after working to get them where they are at now. Like I had mentioned in a group I get offers for Google Ads too. I don’t accept the offer. But, it is my choice, my decision that I am making myself for my Shoppe. 

Moving to another platform. Where to go, looking at pros and cons to different sights, cost, exposure that you would get there, getting your own webstore, getting your own domain, and many different things to consider. 

Last Sunday I spent the day with a very good friend of mine. A little thrifting, lunch, and discussing about stepping a little outside our boxes. She sells on EBay, I sell on Etsy, and maybe it’s time for us to change things a little bit. Not only the places we sell, but adding some items into what we normally sell. She showed me a few items she sold, prices, and offered some ideas to me from what she has learned. I am going back a little bit to when I first started selling on eBay years ago. Along with some of the things that I sell now I use to do fairly descent with purses too. So, I am going to start adding that in along with different pieces of clothing. 

Right now I am going to put some things at Poshmark which will be a collection of purses I have accumulated. Along with that I am going to start selling clothes items too. Their selling fee is the average of what is usually dealt with. They pay the shipping, and for these items the shipping will not be as heavy. I won’t have to use bubble wrap, and packing peanuts that I normally use. 

I’ve also looked a little into Bonanza. They have been around for awhile. I use to sell a little bit there a long time ago. I looked a little more into them yesterday. They have 3.5% fees paid with sales, they give you the option of advertising with different plans to choose. They showed a chart, and the smallest fee they showed was with the selling fee plus advertising, and it was like a total of 9%. Most places charge at least a 10% fee for sales made, and that’s only sales. No advertising, or anything else. Also, you can have a webstore with them for a fee of $25 a month. They offer more payment options than just Paypal. They had some things to consider, and think about here.

As for the advertising? I’ve gotten this far without it. I have spent a little time here, and there with promoting myself through different social media channels. I try to include back links where I can, and use hashtags where it’s permissible too. Trying to save cost, but also trying to be effective with things that will help me with exposure as well.

So, I have some ideas. I’m looking into things, researching, reading up on what others have to say and offer, testing a few things out, etc. If you have anything to share I’d be happy to hear from you as well.

LilacsNDreams will still be around, and doing what I have always done with selling online. If I feel it will be an issue adding in clothes, and purses I always have my domain for LilacsNDreams Shoppe that I can use for that if I have to. Everywhere I go, every platform I use, and anything I do I will keep you updated. Just look for LilacsNDreams because I’ll be around some where. 

Thanks for visiting with me today, and hope to see you again soon. Again, any ideas you wish to share are welcomed here. Thanks again everyone! 

Vintage Collectibles Repurposed Upcycled Recycled DIY Handmade Treasures

Vintage Collectibles Repurposed Upcycled Recycled DIY Handmade Treasures with LilacsNDreams. Welcome Everyone!

Spring is in the air and I feel it with the great weather we’ve been having. Ready to open the windows for some fresh air in the house. Do some painting, cutting, gluing, creating, crafting, and treasure hunting for some vintage collectibles along with treasures to repurpose too. So ready to get out of this winter slump blues with the gloomy weather. I love spring time with everything fresh, new, growing, and the air full of life.

This past week was quite a hectic week. Ever have one of those yourselves? Almost everyday was an appointment, something scheduled, and really no free time for anything else. I apologize for not having some craft to share with you, or even a vintage collectible that was found while thrifting. Hopefully this week will be more productive with it being open for anything. Try to get some crafting done along with a little more downsizing of things. I need to add some things into my Shoppe at Etsy as well.

Time is getting closer for our son to be home, and done with the military. So, a few preparations need to be made for that too. Organizing, little more downsizing, and getting house ready for his stay too.

I wish you all a great week with all you do in your crafting, repurposing, and treasure hunting for some vintage collectibles along with found pieces to craft with too.

Thank You for visiting with LilacsNDreams! See you again soon.