Have you ever wanted to go shopping in your favorite store on a private shopping spree before the store opens to the public?  The thought of being able to park up close and get in when no one else is around, has always seemed like a dream.

Would I set my alarm to get up early, scrape ice off my car windows, make a stop to get my coffee, all to shop at Homegoods before the store opens to the public…all without my kids?

Yes.  Yes, I would!  This weekend I had the chance to do just that.

Rhoda at Southern Hospitality invited local bloggers to join her at Homegoods BEFORE the store opened for our own private shopping experience.  I love Rhoda, and I love Homegoods.  So, of course I said, “YES” I would be there!

Here is Rhoda being her sweet self and welcoming us to her Homegoods party.  If you have read Rhoda’s blog, you probably think she is the most creative, sweet, southern, talented, hospitable girl in the world.  She really is that way in person as well.  I would hang out with Rhoda any time.

I blog because I love it, but another reason I love to blog is all the friendships I have made through it.  I love getting to know the girls behind the blogs I read, and especially when I find out they are just as amazing in person.  I finally got to meet Lisa at Before Meets After and it was so fun to be with her and a bunch of other local bloggers at Homegoods.

We walked around talking and brainstorming about what we would do with different items throughout the store.  It was so casual and easy as we have so many similar loves: decorating and blogging.  As we found something that caught our eye, we debated how we would spend our money on all the different items we loved in the store.

I loved all those fun stools.  All the different colors and fun designs were calling out to me.  I had to silently remind myself that I already have four step stools in this little house.

I have gotten to know Heidi at Decor and More, and she is a blast.  She is so creative and fun to talk to.  I loved how when we were walking down an aisle and she saw me pick up these pillow shams, she mentioned how they looked like just me and would go perfect in my little girl’s room.

I refrained from the pillow shams, but I was also tempted by this gorgeous painting below.

Donna at My Sweet Things and I laughed about this gigantic friend hanging out behind us as we talked.

I was so tempted to buy this thick wood carved owl.  For $14 he was a steal!  I put him back, thinking I have enough owls in this house, but I regret it.  I might be making a trip back to Homegoods (with all three of my kiddos) this week to rescue this owl and bring him home.

My friend Sally and I both found beautiful signs that have messages that spoke right to us!  I love how she picked the hot pink sign to go in her kitchen. Amazing style!

I had a wonderful time at Rhoda’s Homegoods party, and I don’t know how I left with only two treasures.

I did buy that sweet sign.  I love every line on it and especially how it starts with “create something everyday.”  I hung it up in our school/craft room, as it is the room we spend the most time in.

I also found a beautiful deep purple ruffled pillow.  I had made a hot pink felt pillow similar for my daughter’s room, but I loved this pillow and for $12, I didn’t want to try to make it.  I added it to our sitting room in the kitchen.  I love the pop of purple it adds to the creme pillows already on the love seat.

What do you think of my finds?  Would you get up early too to go shopping with friends at one of your favorite stores?  Thank you so much Homegoods and Rhoda for this fun experience!

Thank you so much for stopping by!  I hope you have a great Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday and can enjoy a day with those you love!  We are headed to the Hawks game.