It's Funny - Traveling

When you travel a lot, and for long periods at a time, you begin to learn a lot. One thing that I realized on our two month "vacation" to California - from the ocean by LA and Sand Diego - to the middle of the desert - to the top of the snow peaked mountains, and to stunning San Francisco, we experienced a lot, I learned that it isn't necessarily the big experiences that make the trip memorable. Rather, it's the little things. Disneyland? Ha, that was fun but nothing compared to being stuck out in the middle of the desert in the middle of no where, with night falling upon you. Or how about coyotes howling right outside you camper door in a campground in the mountains while you are the only camper there? Or raccoons climbing up the steps and the camper trying to get in!

Another something that I love about our camping trips is probably want my friends would put in their least liked lists....driving. Driving to and fro, from La to the peak of a mountains how ever many hours away. Goodness, even driving the many miles from home in Minnesota to California! It may be a crazy long ride, but you see a lot of amazing things, have a lot of great conversations, and learn to embrace not taking a shower for three days (ok, I didn't grow attached to that one).

When it comes to food and camping - one of the first things that come to mind is Coca Cola. See it's an ongoing disagreement in my family - some like Coca Cola others like Dr. Pepper. They are so different! Agreed? Well, to settle that we bought regular Coke and Cherry coke. Few. Satisfying for both sides. Anyways, Coke played a part in our trip because it was always the perfect thing to throw in the bag to go with the many sandwiches we ate on the many days on the road. Or, for the campgrounds that's water was "a la gris".....(gray) Divine, eh?

Well, for those days when you really want to spice things up and are extremely sick of the usual sandwiches and want something special, here's an extremely easy "recipe" that uses Coca Cola - Cherry.

Cherry Coca Cola Floats

1 can of cherry coca cola
2 - 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream
a spoon and cup
And of course, fabulous you waiting to indulge yourself in this great concoction!

Now, to even add more deliciousness to the mix....my friend taught me this little trick. Stir the float until it's all smooth and turns into a float shake, absolutely delicious indeed!

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Coca-Cola® blogging program. If I am one of the first 100 blogs received by SocialsMoms, I will receive a $25 gift card. For more information on the program, click here."

Image Via Sarah Klassen Image Vogue Russia April 2011

Gotta love Movie Nights

H-I-G H

I have a confession to make....

....I rarely will rent a Redbox movie unless I have a free code. *Blushes.* Nope, I didn't miss that they are only $1. I don't know, I guess it's a physiological thing!

After reading tweets on Twitter, laughing along with other people, I found out that I'm not the only one! If your like me, your going to feel lucky with the Redbox Lucky to be friends with you promotion going on right now!

I've been really wanting to rent "The Romantics" and "Life as we Know It." Any movies that you are looking forward to?

Here's the deal....

First, you sign up on the Redbox website, here: www.redbox.com/luckymoms
Redbox will then email you with a personal web address link...
You'll then share the link with your friends....
And every time someone reserves/rents a movie using your link, you'll receive a free code to get one yourself!
Plus - if it's your friends first time reserving a movie, they'll also receive a free one!
You can tweet, Facebook, email or blog to spread the word and luck!

Disclosure: I am entering a giveaway at Mom Bloggers club to win free snacks and two free movie rentals.

Its a Charmed Life

You know the feeling? The feeling when you feel absolutely, fantastically, giddy? High on life? Charmed in every way? I love the feeling. Maybe we can narrow and pin the feeling down to "lucky." I don't know - I think it's a mixture. A mixture of all of the above and more. So much more.

Many times, I will listen to a song, and feel ecstatic after wards. I feel so amazingly lucky that the lyrics from the song explain my life.

Now...that's just one time that I ever feel lucky.

There are a hundred more times, every day, every hour, every minute. Sure, there are times when I feel down, angry, frustrated, and just plane kap-poot. I'm so happy that most of the time, it's the other way around though!

I can't even begin to list all of the things that I feel "lucky" about. I am happy that I have a wonderful family, friends, animals, dreams, goals, a warm house. A lake that I can walk to and a friend and a brother that loves to swim at that lake with me.

I am lucky to have you guys! Leaving comments, supporting this blog! I also feel overwhelmingly lucky to all of the blogs out there that are at my fingertips to read. I love the inspiration that I have found and the person that I have become because of it! Isn't it amazing that others, people that you don't have know in "real" life, can inspire you so much? Amazing indeed!

I also feel lucky to travel a lot. Our family and I just got back from a two month vacation in California. Previous years, we've spent months in Texas and Florida. So many crazy experiences! Very crazy experiences that are unforgettable - like the fish hook getting stuck in the dogs belly, getting stranded in the middle of the desert, camping at a campground that smelled very strongly of sewer, and coming across a camel on a bike ride with some friends that we met.

While traveling, sitting in the camper away from our friends and family, I have to say you get a little lonesome for normal things. Not to mention bored at times (for example...when brother and dad go hiking for three days in a row leaving the girls to sit around in the camper in the middle of now where....). However, I was lucky enough to find free Redbox codes to rent a movie and escape from it all and get a little imaginary socialization! Redbox is seeming to give us the luck of the Irish, and is offering a promotion, Redbox Lucky to Have Friends Like you, where when you refer friends to rent a movie, you'll get a free code for a night of a great movie to watch! I'm really wanting to watch "Life as we Knot it" and "The Romantics" right now, how about you?

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“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and redbox blogging program, for a $25 Walmart gift card from redbox. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

J'Taime Love Notes...

How darling are these note cards that are available as a free download over at Eat Drink Chic? Love! And, I think that they are perfect for year round greetings - not just Valentines day!

DIY J'Taime Mini Card Set - Eat Drink Chic

Shipping of to COLD Wisconsin!

One of my favorite things is sending and receiving blessed little gifts that I didn't know where coming. I think it's so fun to open up something and know that someone else put the time and thought in it, thinking of you all along the way! It makes me smile.

Seeing this idea, I'm planning on making one for my little cousins who are stuck in the snowy cold weather!



I can just imagine how excited they'll be to receive this little delight!



And on the way, learn the joy of giving.

Images and idea from Katherine Marie

Carnival Umbrella

Thought I'd share this sweet little yellow umbrella to make your day happier! Plus, it's on sale for $15!

Turning a fantasy into a reality

Floaty dancing

So I have this fantasy dream...

...I am soaring across the ball room floor, a stunning dress floating, swirling around my ankles. Everything oblivious except for the next move to make and Mr. Darcy following every movement.


Dancers

Every piece of everything, out of my thoughts, except for the movement of my feet on the still floor. The trust that my partner will keep up and follow along.

I would love to learn ball room dancing. My Grandma and Grandpa have been ballroom dancing, waltzing, somba, and other dances, for years and they are great at it, and love it! I would love to follow in their footsteps laid out to learn ball room dancing. It would come in handy for that ball I plan on attending.....

My 2011 resolution is to start to learn Ball room dancing.


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Stolen Summer Kisses

I came across these lovelies from Cath Kidson, they are making me want to buy an Iphone - to bad they cost $800 on Amazon! I wonder if it would fit a Ipod touch?



I mean, if I had an iphone case like this, I'm not sure I would be able to ever put it away, not because of the apps, but rather because I'd be staring at the beautiful case!

I decided to explore their lovely shop some more and discovered this material that I immediately fell in love with! Vintage circus Anthro inspired dress anyone? I'm in!



I also love these fabrics:




And this one, which reminds me of something that would be used in a stunning 1890's dress:



Which are your favorites?

Mockingbird Blue Bloomers

One of my favorite colors....

Leggings.....

Dainty ruffles.....

The most adorable little girl bloomer/leggings! I just love these! Aren't they the cutest? I am excited to find some material to make a pair soon!

You can find the full tutorial over at No Big Dill.

Stunning Anthro Inspired jewelry Tutorials

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Playing around on pinterest today, I came across a great tutorial for an adorable Anthropologie bow necklace, and then I decided to take a peak at the rest of the blog and found a bunch of gorgeous tutorials, I am so excited to get working! I am also looking forward to using some of these ideas in an upcoming 4H FACSY camp were I am teaching a Fashion Revue class!


Bow Tutorial


Lace and Bow Necklace



Potentilla Bib Necklace


Pretty in Pinking


Which necklace is your favorite? Do you think you'll be making any? I can't decide on my favorites, but I really love the pretty in pinking and potentilla necklaces!

Greetings in Velvet

Found

Something about these little cards just makes me love them. They are whimsical, but remind me so much of Mr. Darcy! Quite charming indeed.

Now, how to make them! I think that you would need quite a thin layer of velvet, very thin, and then cut it out to fit a gift tag shape from a cricuit, or even designed and then printed from Photoshop. Do you know where I could find super thin velvet that would work for a project like this?

Otherwise, you can buy them here!

3 Ways to Use Social Media to sell your product

Siren Song Dress - Etsy Seller Claire La Faye

You've spent days developing your product. You have your Etsy or BigCartel shop all set up and ready to go. You're addicted to checking your email to see if you have any orders...1 day...2 days....3 days turn into 4, and you still don't have any orders? Here are some tips to help you learn how to use social media in a way that will help build your sales!

1) Develop a readership. Whether its through your blog, Twitter, Facebook, or all (the most effective) you will want to develop a loyal readership. Make sure that every time you post something, or update a status, it is the highest quality as possible. The goal is for your following to learn to trust you, and if they trust you, they will be more interested in purchasing from you!

2) Find others that share the same interests as you. Read a lot of blogs, especially ones that relate to the products that you are selling. Comment (high quality, meaningful posts of course! You already knew that though,right? ;)) on these blogs frequently and follow them on Twitter and Facebook.

3) Use Twitter and Facebook effectively. Talk to others, ask how their day went, if they are enjoying the snow, or comment on a tweet or message they sent out. You will seem more "human" and soon you will develop a following back!

4) Don't be spammy! On Twitter, if you send out a tweet about a new blog post or item you put in your shop, only tweet it once, not 10 times, and if you do start tweeting 10 times a day, don't be surprised when your 300 followers drop down to 3!

Do you have any more social media advice that you've been successful with to help you sell your products?