Toothpaste boxes

Growing up I always envied my friends and family, especially my sister, who had specific things they collected. My best friend growing up collected sea shells, my best friend from high school Stacy collected Winnie-the-Pooh bears, and my sister collected penguins. She loves penguins...stuffed penguins, penguin pictures, penguin movies, and just penguins in general! I loved helping her collect over the years. To this day I still pick up special items with penguins to give to her. I assume she still has a love for them, but maybe I should ask her. I don't want to be the person who keeps giving her stuff and she is too nice to say, "Enough!" I most certainly do not want to be categorized with my grandfather who has been sending empty beer bottles to someone who once made a comment about how he admires old beer bottles. The sweet man who will remain anonymous kindly receives the package, unpacks the bottles and then puts them in storage in his basement. After admiring other's collections I decided that I wanted to collect something. What did I collect you ask....toothpaste boxes! Yes I am being serious-toothpaste boxes. Don't ask my why I decided on my idea of glorified trash, but I did. I remember my mom getting so frustrated with me because I would have drawers full of empty, dirty, old toothpaste boxes. I finally gave in and knew this wasn't my thing, and I threw them all away...every last one...well I did keep one. I will never forget it. It was an old Aquafresh box that was still in good shape. I thought to myself that if I so happen to start collecting them again, I would like to have one original! Just in case you are wondering, the box is no longer with me. I think my mom "misplaced" it.

Over the years I have been admiring vases. Gorgeous vases that come in all different shapes and sizes. I adore a fresh bouquet of flowers, and I also adore the container they come in. I graduated from collecting toothpaste boxes to vases, and I couldn't be happier! I have a fairly big walk in closet in our house, and on the top right hand shelf sits all of my vases. I have petite vases, fat vases, round vases, and really tall vases. I even have some vases that look impossible to fill, but I know one day I will find some use for it! My mother-in-law gave me one of the most beautiful vases for Christmas last year. She knew I had my eye on a certain centerpiece that held 5 individual bud vases. The first time I saw it, I was. in. love. I could see it on my table. I envisioned having a baby shower or a wedding shower at my home, and I would envision which flowers I would put into the vases. My imagination ran wild! On Christmas morning, I was thrilled to open the box to find my imagination was going to come to life! My mother in law is the best! She always pays attention to the little things, and she is always caring for everyone but herself! Is there something you collect?! Let me know because I might surprise you with a gift someday!!!

Here are some vases on my wish list:

This one is a must have for me.....get ready for how pretty this is!