No ulterior motive

So I'm really not a home-sales party kind of girl. I've been to a lot, I've even hosted a few, but they're just not my thing. Perhaps it's because I love a bargain, or maybe it's because I like to shop on my own terms. I don't enjoy going to the mall with girlfriends, and I almost exclusively browse the clearance racks. The pressure to buy things that you don't necessarily love or can afford brought on by the circle of women sitting in a living room with you generally rubs me the wrong way.

I don't usually promote products here either. Don't get me wrong - I love the giveaways on some of the other blogs I read (that frugal side of me again!) - but I don't have a big enough readership to compel companies to send freebies my way.

Today, however, I'm going to promote both a home party and product here on my blog. Feel free to move on now if you hate sales pitches! A friend of my sister's (and mine too!) is a truly gifted painter. She stays at home with her two sweet kids, but spends her free time covering her walls with art and making stuff for friends and family. When we were in Vietnam picking up Reagan last year, she and my sister snuck into our house to custom paint a niche I had been at a loss to fill. One hesitancy I had in moving to our new home was in leaving her art behind. I've also received 3 of her adorable signs as gifts, though, so a little bit of Natalie still graces our walls. Anyway, all that to say, the girl is talented and her prices are very reasonable! She's having a boutique next week at my sister's house, and I won't be able to attend, so this is my plug for a fun no-pressure event and a product that even my friends in the mid-west and beyond can enjoy. I checked - she ships, and anything ordered custom soon would be ready for Christmas! Check Natalie's stuff out here - be sure to scroll down to see her paintings and the specifics on the boutique if you'd like to attend. I have no doubt that you'll her love her too!