August’s BirchBox

Posted in Fashion by

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  • Whish Coconut Milk Correcting Gel – This anti-aging gel targets wrinkles, uneveness, dryness, and sun damage. It has a light coconut scent going on and feels vaguely sticky at first, but absorbs into your skin quickly, with no scent or residue.
  • ModelCo Party Proof Lipstick – I really liked this lipstick! Its hydrating but not goopy and the semi-matte color goes on smoothly and stays. I received “Kitty” a perfect pinky nude that is similar to my natural lip color. I would use this during the day to give myself a bit more polish, but I could also layer it to give more color for a more finished look.
  • Whish Hair Inhibiting Deodorant Swipes – These small wipes are soaked with all natural ingredients to help you banish B.O. and slow down hair growth. I only received one wipe, so I can’t really say how the hair thing does, but as a deodorant, it did well for a day of chasing a toddler and running errands. I think that it would be a great product to bring to gym or keep in your purse or desk for an emergency refresher.
  • Violet Oasis 100% Organic Argan Oil – 100% pure, organic, and cold-pressed argan oil is supposed to be the latest wonder product: soothing dry skin, softening fine lines, and adding shine to your lovely locks. I used my sample as a body moisturizer and it definitely left my skin silky soft for the entire day.
  • Miss Jessie’s Original Super Sweetback Treatment – Okay, I couldn’t even get past tearing open the packet to try this stuff, the smell was AWFUL. And by awful, I mean overwhelming like syrupy, making your eye teeth quiver, sweet. There is no way I could possibly handle putting this stuff on my head and letting it sit for 30 minutes! Miss Jessie, please fire your scentologist.
  • Miss Jessie’s Original Rapid Recovery Treatment – good lord, I really don’t like this brand. See above.

Anyone interested in getting their own box of fun make-up samples each month? If you’d like to sign up for a Birchbox please click here so I get credit for the referral. Thanks a bunch!

Something to call my own (pt. 2)

Posted in All About Me, Fashion by

Okay, so what is up with this Stella & Dot thing and exactly what did I decide to do?
Well, first, here’s a little back story:

Stella and Dot, an Inc. 500 Fastest-Growing Company, is a San Francisco based social selling company that creates flexible entrepreneurial opportunities for women. Our boutique-style jewelry and accessories line is available exclusively through in-home Trunk Shows by Independent Stylists and online. Our one of a kind collections are designed by celebrated New York designers and featured in Gossip Girl, In Style and Lucky Magazine as well as on the wrists and necklines of today’s hottest celebrities. The Today Show, Wall Street Journal and The New York Times have praised Stella & Dot for our innovative social shopping concept which brings together the best of ecommerce, social media, personal service and passionate earning to create the ultimate home based business for today’s modern woman.

I’ve decided to join the ranks and become and independent stylist for Stella & Dot. This means that I will be selling their gorgeous jewelry and accessories lines via personal trunk shows and my own online boutique. I am going to spare you the sales pitch here, but I will say that I wouldn’t even consider this if I didn’t LOVE the product and think that it is amazing. Anyone that wants to hear more or is interested in hosting a trunk show (-FREE JEWELRY, PEOPLE! -) let me know and I’ll be happy to give you all the details! (Check out my my e-boutique here.)

I decided to do this because I feel it is something that has the flexibility I need to still be at home with Joseph and care for my family, while allowing me to have that something to challenge and motivate me, have fun and meet people, and have something to be passionate about. Not to mention to once again contribute financially to our family.

I am really scared and nervous about starting this journey and I am hoping and praying that I don’t fall on my face. But no matter what, I am going to be proud of myself that I am taking a chance and seeing what I am capable of.

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Something to call my own (pt. 1)

Posted in All About Me, Fashion by

I’ve been really yearning for a change for a while now. At first, I really didn’t know what type of change I wanted. I just felt like I needed “something” in my life. Hard to explain. I slowly came to realize that what I was missing was something to call my own. My own in a way that was separate from Joseph and Shawn and being a stay at home mom and caring for our home and family. Something challenging and exciting and all for me. I had this before when I was running my Etsy shop, selling my hand-knitted items. I ended up shutting it down shortly after Joseph was born because I just couldn’t keep up with production, taking photos, shipping orders, etc. while caring for a newborn. Something I would love to get back to someday. . . maybe when he goes off to college. Ha!

Anyways, I thought long and hard about it and decided that I wanted to look into getting some sort of job. But, then I decided not to get one. Why? Because I LOVE staying home with Joseph and I wanted to continue that. Not to mention it wouldn’t be worth it financially to have him go to a sitter or in daycare. I also didn’t want to have to compromise time I spent with my family, meaning giving up evenings and weekends so I could work when Shawn was home. Plus, I’m spoiled. I don’t want to have to work around someone else’s schedule and give up our ability to go on vacations and visit friends and family because I have to work. So I gave up and decided to look for other ways to have something for just me.

I tried diving into my studio. Sewing, knitting, painting, and other crafts. All of them were, and are, important to me and give me the ability to express myself and find joy in creating, but it wasn’t quite what I needed. This is a solitary pursuit. I found myself craving more interaction and getting OUT OF THE HOUSE. For those of you who aren’t stay at home moms, I’m not sure I can fully explain this to you. I craved adult interaction. Someone to talk to that can speak complete sentences and doesn’t rely on you for their every basic need. I found myself making unneeded trips to Target just so I could walk around and see other adults. I’d strike up conversation with complete strangers, just to hear someone’s voice other than my own. All the cashiers know Joe by name!

So I thought some more about finding something of my own. Something that would get me out of the house. Something that would challenge me and would be fun and would motivate me.

Then along came my amazing friend Dawn. Dawn is a dynamo. She is a stay at home mom with two wonderful kids that she takes everywhere, does everything for and makes me exhausted just thinking about what she does in a day. She has been my friend since our early days at Ohio State and have been through more together than I care to relate. I love her like a sister. She attempted to force me suggested that I join her in becoming a Stylist forStella & Dot. (I’ll explain more about this and the company shortly.) I had a jewelry party with her back in May and absolutely fell in love with the product, but I was rather skeptical. However, I kept coming back to the idea whenever I talked to her and thoughts like “well, maybe I could do that” or “that might be fun” or “could this be the something I’m looking for?” kept popping into my head.

I thought about it more. Being me, I made lists, I researched, I reached out to people like Shawn’s former boss who is also a Stylist to get there opinion. I talked with Shawn about it. I talked to myself about it. I basically obsessed over the decision. Can I do this? What am I thinking? I’m scared, nervous, afraid, excited, motivated. . . .

I’ve decided to go for it.

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Joseph 17 Months

Posted in Oh Baby by

DSC04968Guess who’s walking? This guy! I’ve been toddling around for almost a month now and I am getting faster every day. Now that I’m up off the ground, I have a whole new perspective and can find so many more things to destroy explore.

I really love to be outside and play now that the weather isn’t too hot. Mommy takes me for walks all through the yard so I can stop and say Hi to the trees and flowers.

I am still quite the bookworm and have started to point at letters so I can “read” them. My favorite letters are O, A, C, and E. (Well, those are the ones I say anyways.)

We went to visit grandma and grandpa in Chicago for a week! I had so much fun at their house. We got to swim in the pool, play outside, and even sit on grandpa’s lawnmower!

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Enough with the camera, Mom, I’m trying to watch Super Why! 

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101 Things: 50. Purchase address stamp

Posted in 101 Things by

il_570xN.427086526_owihI know this might seem fairly trivial, but I’ve been wanting a personalized address stamp for quite some time. I am rather tired of using the “free” labels that I receive from donating to certain charities, so I did some research and decided to purchase one fromLemon Tree Paper Co. This husband and wife team, based in Nashville, create some amazing custom stationery, party invitations, and stamps. I only wish that they were around back when I was planning our wedding.

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I chose the Remington style for our address (see above) I love the combination of fonts and how the design reads both modern and contemporary. Plus “The Colleys” just sounds awesome, right?

I decided to go with a hand stamp rather than a self-inking one (they other both options) so I could change inks based on what I was addressing -I’m already dreaming about using metallic ink for Christmas cards and red for Valentine’s Day. Plus, it will make paying the bills a little bit less painful when I get to use this lovely stamp to address those nasty tasting envelopes.

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 photos courtesy of Lemon Tree Paper Co.

 

 

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Dream Year 2013: July Re-Cap

Posted in Dream Year 2013 by

Let’s break it down:

  • Exercise is still coming in the form or lugging Joseph around, either in the form of walks or wagon rides, swimming, or other baby calisthenics. My left shoulder has been bothering me for a while, but it has gone up a notch this past month. Not doubt it is in direct correlation to Joe’s current weight.
  • Creatively, I’m full of ideas but very little follow through. Nothing has captured my attention to the point where I want to execute. I think that part of this is due to the disorganization of my studio.
  • Shawn and I have been okay, but we’ve haven’t had a decent date night in weeks. This is due to my nephew coming out to visit, being unable to book our sitter, not to mention other commitments. We have, however, been really great this month doing things as a family. Plenty of parades, carnivals, and trips to the zoo. Good stuff. Something that we need just as much as our time with each other.
  • I have to say that it was a long month for me in the mommy zone. Having our nephew here for a week was awesome, but it also upped the running around factor. Joe has learned to walk -finally!- which has made things easier and harder at the same time. He’s also so strong that I am worn out physically from wrangling him all day. He has a mind of his own and will fight tooth and nail (literally) to get what he wants. The battle of will has begun.
  • I’m glad to report that I’ve been getting out to see my ladies more this month, something that I feel has benefited me the most, mentally. We’ve made a pact to have dinner together at least once a month. Plus, I’ve been making an effort to stay more in contact via Facebook, email, or text in between. It helps me more that I could say, even if we are just laughing at the chaos together.

August is promising to look like a great month. Both visiting Chicago and having my sister and nephew out to visit before the school year starts, more swimming and summer fun, not to mention something I’m really excited and nervous to talk about soon that will bring about another change in my life. . . . not I’m not pregnant! . . . more will be revealed soon.

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Favorite Season

Posted in What's Cookin' by

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My absolute favorite part of summer is starting: tomato season. The garden is bursting with fresh tomatoes on the vine. This year I planted three varieties in the garden. Roma for cooking and canning, grape for salads and snacks, and some heirloom- I went with black zebras- for sandwiches, BLTs, and general consumption. Ready to gorge myself until the season is over and then will dream about next year.

My Perfect Tomato Sandwich

1 slice of bread, preferably crusty whole wheat or French.

1 garden fresh tomato

Mayo

Sea salt

Lightly toast bread, smear with mayo, top with slices of tomato and lightly sprinkle with salt.Enjoy!

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101 Things: 100. Organize wrapping paper supplies in closet

Posted in 101 Things by

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Okay, this is another one that might not be the most exciting, but it is going to make life so much better. Sounds silly? Well, let me explain:

All of the wrapping paper paraphernalia is jammed in the closet in my studio/craft room. It’s a small closet and this stuff takes up way too much space. Wrapping paper rolls, gift bagels, etc. explode out every time I open the door. Super annoying. I also have storage bins shoved in every corner or the room because I can’t fit them into the closet not to mention various piles of half finished projects, mending, and craft ephemera floating about. I feel like I’m trying to work in the clearance section of Michael’s instead of the clean, creative space I originally planned.

After much research and debate, I finally decided to order the Stanton Wrapping Cart from Home Decorators. It’s a bit pricier than some, but I liked that it has a ton of room for everything, is sturdy, fits in the closet, and is on casters so I can roll it out and back when needed. Plus, they had it on sale and with free shipping! Isn’t is a beauty? My plan was to corral and organize the closet, so I can then make room for everything. Basically, starting a chain reaction for cleanliness!

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