Organize the Whole Shebang

SHOP/08 Seattle Style

The fabulous Melody Biringer, of Crave Party fame and the indie diva behind SHOP/o8, has asked me to emcee the Seattle SHOP/08 event on March 3rd.  I'm thrilled to go "home" and can't wait to see MY mountain again!  There is absolutely NOTHING like a sunny day in Seattle... so I hope mother earth is reading my blog! 

Hope to see you at either the Seattle or Portland SHOP/08 event!  The line up of speakers is top notch and Melody knows how to embrace function with fabulous!

Simply Silhouette- simply fabulous!

Have you seen these yet?! I really want to have one made of my kids or a great big family photo silhouette. You can also have traditional style silhouettes made into stationary, art, etc.

BUT these.... LOVE the color, the creativity. Simply fabulous!!!!

Simply Silhouette is a mama owned company and this mama's got it going on! 

Now to hunt through my photos to find the perfect one!

Flexible Mom

I found a new title for myself… flexible mom.  A new client shared this title with me and I love it!  It truly describes what a lot of women are now doing so that we can 'have it all' so to speak!

We choose to start work after the kids get on the bus or exit our family-wagon for school.  We choose to start our day with a latte and then hunker down at the computer, go see a client or start a load of laundry.  We choose to go on field trips and we choose to attend events that are important to our children. We choose to give up a bigger salary and lunches at cafes.

We also choose friends that can help us make it through our entreprenerual adventures.  I've got my go-to girl girlfriend for when I need a mommy time-out, my go-to girlfriend when I need to spike my afternoon coffee or have want to sip on a cocktail, my go-to girlfriend that doesn't mind watching my children if they have a fever, and my go-to girlfriends to cover me when I need someone to watch the kids.  I love my go-to girlfriend entourage!  I reward them with 'coffee on me' moments and every so often pull a 'I'll watch our kids for you' .

Being a flexible mom means that we can be 'hyper focused computer mom' one minute and then flip the switch to 'I only have my eyes on my sweet little offspring mom'.  We are flexible because it allows us to have what we need and what we want.  And our ever so flexible girlfriends are there for us.

Do you have a go-to girlfriend entourage?

Pennies in my Pocket

 

Who doesn't love a fabulous deal... delight in this my savvy shoppers!  Pennies in my Pocket.

Function meets Fabulous- file folders from Knock Knock

So I'm smitten.... another witty product from Knock Knock... and I bet you saw it here first! 

You truly don't need to uber-organize yourself. These 3 file folders just about sum it up + then some....

1. TO DO
2. TO PONDER
3. TO FILE

Of course each witty file comes with a bit more sass. See for yourself. Knock Knock

Function meets Fabulous- mousepads from Knock Knock

I've got a crush on Knock Knock.... and it just got stronger.  I NEED this mousepad and this mouse needs me.  Knock Knock has taken one of my favorite planner pads and turned it into this!!!!  And it's better than the pad because the columns are a lined up nicely just like I like them.  Here's the TO DO pad, which I also adore... but this... this takes the cake.  Seconds anyone?

When is a Party not a Party?

My mom sends me magazines + articles in the mail.  Typically they include tidbits she thinks I may find interesting.  I have lots of clients that feel the need to share printed info with others and I discourage them as the time + space alone to keep these well intended reads becomes quite tedious.

Well this time, mom sent me a good one.... I related to this one on certain levels and you may too... However don't get me wrong...I still enjoy the occasional checkbook party as long as it involves wine + apps + something hip + new, oh and I can guarantee that when I get home my husband has successfully put the kids to bed!

Checkbook is now a party accessory

by Jenny Sokol | Columnist The Orange County Register

When is a party not a party?

When the hostess hands you a catalog, a salesperson pitches fabulous monthly specials, and you feel you must reach for your checkbook before you can go home.

I vaguely remember the other kind of party, the kind where friends visit, nosh and leave feeling uplifted. I miss those parties. (me too!)

Parties began to transform into shopping nightmares years ago, with an innocent invitation in my mailbox to a cooking show. Intrigued, I sat through the presentation. Newly married and clueless in the kitchen, I marveled at the concept of cheese knives and garlic presses. I did what came naturally at the time – alternately flipping through the catalog and gasping in astonishment at kitchen appliances and accessories.

Along with the other party-goers, I pulled out my checkbook, desperate to possess my own mini food chopper. (got one)

Attending that party must have put me on the list, because I quickly joined the direct-sales party circuit. I partied for candles, scrapbooks, makeup, skin care, home furnishings, bath products, premix food packets and kitchenware. Red-faced, I endured a sensual pleasures party, where the hostess encouraged participants to test-drive products in the privacy of her guest bathroom. (now I haven't a consultant suggest that have you?!!)

As I became wise to the process, I looked for and purchased the cheapest item in the catalog. On occasions when I declined to make a purchase, the hostess (desperate to reach a hostess gift goal) and the sales consultant (desperate to make a sale) reassured me that the party would be "open" for a week. With a smile, one would chirp, "I'll stop by for your order form!"

To read the complete article: http://www.ocregister.com/life/party-cookware-sales-1958872-room-skin

My Little Secret Garden

I just have to let you in on my floral fix!    I mean... look at the fablous pinks mixed with that fresh moss...and the sprinkling of berries..... I am in love! Aren't you?

For Valentine's I just couldn't resist a simple bouquet of soft pink ruffle edged roses. I LOVE fresh flowers and can't wait until my own garden is a-wash with blooms.  I did notice today that the bulbs are coming up and there are blooms on the rhodies... wooohoooo- a sign of spring!   In the interim  I visit the fabulous floral diva, Pam.  Her blog housemartin is full of inspiration.

One of my favorite childhood books was "The Secret Garden".  The other night when my daughter + I were hunkering down for a little GNI, I came across the dvd.  I was sooo looking forward to sharing this with her.  The garden was dreamy just as I had pictured it to be. (just a little heads up... there are a couple of creepy, somewhat spooky moments I had forgotten about... it's been a few years since 3rd grade!) 

My love affair with Pam's blog goes beyond the blooms... take a little time to see what I'm taking about.... enjoy my secret garden~

Valentine's Day Tradition

This year I'm really excited for Valentine's Day- no fancy night out... this one's about family.  I'm adding something special to the now traditional family picnic in front of the fireplace- I'm adding a family dvd comprised of all my favorite 2007 pics!  Yes girlfriends... this mama gathered up all my fav family photos and had them rolled into a dvd... and it's fabulous!

When the kid's were little there was no way that my hubby and I could get out for V-day dinner... not that we wanted to brave the crowds anyway.  I surprised my hubby with a dinner in front of the fireplace.  I pulled in the bistro patio set from the wet patio, dolled it all up and cooked dinner.  Which for me is a fete- cooking dinner that is.

As the kid's got bigger I decided to include them in this love-fest and it evolved into a family picnic in front of the fireplace.  Last year we added some family movies.  Voila... it dawned on me that how incredible would it be to create a family yearbook to unveil at this annual event!  So I diligently uploaded my photos, purged and sorted along the way and saved my favs to a special file earmarked for this dvd.  Meghan at Memories and more 503.970.6776 took care of me this past week.  I previewed the dvd while everyone was out and about... and teared up, laughed, and now I'm super excited to share it with my family.

Truth be told I'm even inspired to go back and organize all those baby pics for a full length feature of 2000-2006... the early years.

Happy Valentine's Day~

As Seen on AMNW-Invitations

Invitations completely set THE TONE for an event....  and I just love getting a beautiful invitation in the mail... don't you? 

Throwing a bash is a lot of work girlfriend... I suggest making your guests feel special from the get-go.  Today on AM Northwest I shared info on evites v. store bought (inprintables) v. handmade + custom.  Here are the links for you to see for yourself~

www.evite.com  for your on line invites...

www.paperzone.com for the dyi invites... I love the 5x7 panel cards for creating my own invites... I didn't see them on the site, but I know they have them in the store.

www.designhergals.com  SO fabulous that'll you may even feel guilty about all the time you log on this site- but don't because you should indulge now + then!  Check out my GAL.

www.invitationlane.com  to really set the tone... go custom!  A great place to get those custom invites at a discount!

www.papergourmet.net  fabulous PDX gal creates invites to match your personal style.

www.ghilottiink.com  another fabulous PDX gal with a graphic design edge.

CLICK here to Watch the AMNW segment now