Tuesday, April 26, 2011

You don't have to clock in to be a full time employee...

It's been a long day!  I worked in my Etsy shop ALL DAY.  Taking photos, editing photos, descriptions, listings, Facebook Fanpage...  I got 20 new listings, but it took me 8 hours total.  That's a full work day... and now I'm blogging about it!  I don't know about all the other Work-from-home/Stay-at-home-mom/Students, but I have LOTS of friends and family who constantly imply that I sit on my tush raking in the cash while they have to go WORK 40 hours a week!  Well let me tell you, there are sometimes weeks that go by that I don't make a cent!  You people know what I'm talking about!!!  lol!

So this is a tribute to all you ladies (and gentlemen) who live the same kind of life I do- Etsy shop, family, homeschool, online classes, cooking, cleaning, laundry, post office, grocery store, give the dog a bath....the list goes on and on and on....


Now whether you spend your days sitting in this... 



or this...                                        
 

believe me, we are working equally as hard!

And as for apparel...you might wear this and feel really sophisticated...


but I wear this and get so much more done!

What about break time?  You get this:

And I get this!


You sign your name with this

while I use this!

So, the lives of us Stay-at home/Work-from-home/Learn-at-home Parents is a bit different than that of you career-driven business people...But regardless, we all work so so hard to take care of our families.  Thanks to us all :) 

Hope you enjoyed today's blog, and hope you come back tomorrow!  Have a great Tuesday evening :)


Monday, April 25, 2011

Lazy Monday...

Ugh...So tired and it's not even dinner time yet!  So, I don't have much to say and I'm ready for bed...  That's my inspiration for today!  Scroll down to see some of Etsy's most beautiful, handmade, ready-for-bed merchandise!











Well, there it is my dears!  I'm gonna fix dinner for my family and go to bed early!

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Coupon for my Etsy Shop :)

Please take advantage of coupon code 81208 to receive 25% off your entire order at Mills Design Co!

http://www.millsdesignco.etsy.com/

WEEKLY FREE GIVEAWAY!

That's right!  Mills Design Co Daily Delights is going to sponsor a weekly FREE GIVEAWAY! 

This week's prize is this stunning scarf with houndstooth pattern...This fabric is stunning and will look great as a head band, neck tie, scarf, or belt! Red-Orange, Navy Blue, and Tan.  Measures 62" long, 4 1/2" wide.


The first follower to answer the following question correctly wins:

Where did the houndstooth pattern originate and in what era(s) was it most popular?

Good luck!



**You must be a follower to be eligible to win.  One winner per week.  Weekly winner must wait 30 days to enter again.

Judy Garland Sang at Carnegie Hall...

Today is the 50th anniversary of Judy Garland's show at Carnegie Hall! 

It's hard to believe that such a beautiful woman could suffer from so many insecurities.  Despite her beauty and success, Judy was very insecure about her appearance, and show business did not boost her ego with all of the film executives telling her that she was unattractive.  She married five times, and had three children: Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft, and Joey Luft.  She received many, many awards, including the Cecil B DeMille Award for lifetime achievement in the motion picture industry; However, In her 30's she gained a considerable amount of weight and suffered from alcohol and drug addiction, as well as a struggle with Hepatitis.


During 1959 and 1960 Judy fought her way back to health.  She arrived at Carnegie Hall looking beautiful and healthy and she received a standing ovation before she even made it to the microphone!  Just to prove that she still had the talent she was known for, she sang 26-27 songs for a roaring crowd.  The resulting album won Judy four Grammy Awards, including Best Female Vocale Performance and Album of the Year.
Sadly, Judy Garland died at only 47 years old of an accidental drug overdose.
Today's blog is dedicated to Judy and her stellar performance!











So, that's all for today!  Hope you enjoyed today's blog, and hope you join me again tomorrow :)
Have a great Saturday!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

I Want a Little Girl!

Well, I have already had requests to include lots of childrens merchandise in my blog...Given that suggestion, this was all I could think about:  I grew up with three brothers...I always wanted four children of my own, but I wanted two boys and two girls.  When I got pregnant with my first child, I just knew it was a girl!  I couldn't imagine NOT having a girl...But, it just wasn't in the stars!  Keaton Joseph "KJ" was born in July of 2002!  When KJ was only 6 months old I discovered that, low and behold...I was pregnant again!  And I argued with my doctor throughout the entire pregnancy that I was most certainly having a little girl this time!  In October of 2003, I gave birth to Griffin...yes, that's a boy's name!  My third pregnancy was almost 5 years later...and my hopes for a girl had never been higher!  We went to the doctor's office for the ultrasound, and the doctor didn't even have to speak...My little Owen had his legs proudly spread and all I could say was, "Is that a weiner?"  LOL! 

Three little boys...and let me tell you, it is never boring at our house!  As much as I KNOW that three boys should be enough...I still want one more baby!  And as much as I would love a little girl, I do love my boys and have gotten used to raising boys.  Another boy wouldn't be so bad!  But until I can convince my husband that we really do NEED that fourth child...here's my little girl's wishlist!

My first selection is more than just a precious little girl in a pink tutu...this is the beautiful daughter of one of my best friends!  Kara is the founder of LittleMeLoveBug.  She makes absolutely gorgeous tutus, hair bows, custom clothing, pageant dresses...you name it, she can make it!  (And you'll be seeing lots of her stuff in my blog!) Be sure to check out her shop and feel free to submit your custom order to her!


My next selection is from the fabulously creative BrokenGhostCouture.  This unique boutique makes the most of second hand clothes!  Their upcycled wears are just beautiful, and the adult collection is just as amazing as the children's collection.  Go take a browse!


What little girl doesn't like to play house?  And living in East Tennessee means having very unpredictable weather.  This morning it was freezing and drizzly, this afternoon it's sunny and 80 degrees!  What this means to my kids: we have to be creative indoors!  This tablecloth is the easiest way to be creative I've seen in a long time!  Don't bypass this shop!  Check out they're amazing creations...


For the prettiest hats and blankies, MissLisBoutique is the place to go!  Her work is superb and her prices are affordable.  Too many shops on Etsy crochet beautiful wears but charge you your first born!  Not this shop... which is why it's one of my favorites!


Well, even though I have three little boys, I also have lots of nieces!  So I know how prissy they are and how every single accessory, right down the the ponytail holder has to be just right!  So why would she want to carry her lunch to school in a brown paper bag if she could carry it in this DIVINE lunch tote by BOWdaciousBaby!


Now, I know that there are plenty of ladies out there who are NOT completely obsessed with shoes....I, for one, am not one of those ladies!  I have more shoes than clothes...I can't help it!  Usually, if I go shopping I pick a pair of shoes first, and then build an outfit around the shoes!  So, chance are...If I ever have a little girl, I will do the same for her!  And these precious little loafer/booties by HandMadeBabyLove would be the beginning of a lifetime of shoes!


As a little girl, I remember one of my favorite playtimes being dress up...I had a big box of clothes, scarves, shoes, and purses that my Mamaw had collected for me and I would get all dressed up and then put on some of her brightest red lipstick!  And even now, as an adult, my favorite thing to do is get all dressed up and spend an hour on my hair and make up just to go out to dinner!  And don't even get me started on Halloween!  I start planning months in advance!  As a matter of fact, I've already bought my costume for this year, and started asking my boys what they are thinking about!  If you do the same thing, then now is the time to buy your little princess this fairy costume, because ImaginationCouture has it on sale right now!


So...I could spend hours and hours browsing through precious pink girly stuff...However, my boys wanna go outside and dig in the dirt so it's time for me to go!  I hope you have all enjoyed todays list!  Have a great Wednesday :)

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Grace Kelly Marries the Prince

This is my very first blog, so bear with me...  My objective is to post a daily collection of my favorite finds from my favorite Etsy shops.  Everyday will hold a different theme: a specific color, trend, era, etc...

Since today marks the 55th anniversary of Grace Kelly's marriage to Rainier III, the Prince of Monaco, my inspiration for today's treasures is 1950's, WEDDINGS, and PRINCESS.


My first selection is a gorgeous wedding gown for sale by NiftyGypsyVintage.  The 3/4 length sleeves and neckline have beautifully scalloped edges with the lace appliques.  Matching appliques on the bodice, and a full skirt will make your wedding a true fairy tale...



My next selection is from my own shop, MillsDesignCo.  These are a beautiufl pair of screw back earrings with faux diamond rhinestones.  Absolutely gorgeous accent to your little black dress, or your wedding gown.



My next selection comes from the amazing TimelessVixenVintage...Has anyone ever seen a sweeter bridesmaid dress?!  Nothing makes me happier than eyelets, which is why this dress is just perfect for a spring wedding!




Well, you can't possibly get married without a gorgeous pair of heels!  This pair of shoes is by far my most favorite pair of handmade shoes on Etsy, and has been for quite some time!  I want a pair of these shoes so so so bad!  Thanks SCOTATTO for making the most beautiful heels on the planet! 

I don't know why, but designers just don't make things the way they used to...And this clutch is proof!  PurpleDeerVintage has a huge selection of unique merchandise just as catchy as this!



The perfect wedding calls for the perfect bouquet...and if you haven't seen these amazing vintage brooch bouquets, well...you're going to fall in love!  HAIRBOWSWONDERWORLD does a beautiful job combining just the right pieces together for an unbelievable finale...




Now for the cake...I have to say, BYAPRYL has the most unique selection of handmade cake toppers I have ever seen!  I wish I had know about her shop before I got married!  The trees are even more beautiful than the sprays, so be sure to take a browse!



My final feature for today's Daily Delights is the bridal hair piece...It's definitely most traditional to wear a veil, but if you're anything like me...You don't do things the traditional way!  And neither does LoBoheme!  This hair piece will top off your style with just the right touch...



Well, that's all for today...I hope you have all enjoyed my favorites of the day, and I hope you all come back tomorrow!  Have a great Tuesday :)