Happy Saturday! Our weekend started yesterday, thanks to a scheduled professional development day for the teachers. If you've been following the blog for a while, you know how much I enjoy long weekends. With both girls in school this year, I look forward to them even more.

I have lots of plans for this weekend (including the Home for Heroes Tag Sale today and Matt's birthday tomorrow), but first we need to catch up on a few things, like checking out some awesome "swag bags" we received from Handmade Charlotte at the HGTV Blogger Block Party back in August!

I enjoyed myself quite a bit at the HGTV Blogger Block Party and I will be sharing a more detailed post sometime in the (hopefully near) future. While you are waiting, I'd like to encourage you to check out To the Market. Jane, the founder and CEO of TTM, was one of the attendees at BBP, and I had the chance to chat with her for a few minutes. To the Market showcases handmade goods created by artisans who are survivors of abuse, conflict, or disease which in turn allows survivors to experience economic independence. There are many great products available on the website, and I have a few in mind that would make excellent gifts for the holidays!