2010 Gift

The best gift- Honestly my story is pretty simple, something pretty much anyone with a desire can do.  Are you familiar with Stella & Dot?  I was not, until a friend shared with me what she was doing.  I knew she had a need, as a stay at home mom,  to get back to work and bring in an extra income.  What I did not know was how game changing this little company could be.  Initially, I didn't see myself in jewelry sales.  When she shared with me that I could also do what she was doing, start my own business with stella & dot, I simply thought how "cute" and nice it was for her, but not me.  She must have asked or encouraged me 9 or more times to start a business.  It took me seeing what she was doing, trunk shows with "must have" jewelry, and women going gaga over the line.  When I saw her spend 2 hours, sell over $3,000 worth of jewelry and head back home to her kids, I realized that was probably more than worth her time!  I was in- and for $199 I started my business with stella & dot.  I can't get over how much is done behind the scenes to make my job easier and it blows me away that I have a mega million dollar business for so little up front.  In the first week I recouped my initial investment plus a little extra.  One year later I have helped 39 other people from New Jersey to Louisiana start with s & d. (four years and over 200!) When I help grow the company, help these women style their lives, I am rewarded.  It is my personal goal to do one+ trunk show per week, with an average of 3 hours into each and create a full time income.   Typically I would believe that products do not sell themselves, but that is not true with this growing company, btw, over 700% growth last year, from 3mil to over 33mil in 2009 (so much bigger now). This year we should see over 100 Million!  Our founder, Jessica Herrin, created an oh so smart company, bringing in top couture jewelry designers, with the top fashion houses (think Prada & Lanvin) with the best business experts, named it after beloved grandmothers, priced the line affordably ($12-198) and you have Stella & Dot.   Truly a modern twist on the home show.  Thank you for all the gifts that the s & d family has brought to my family this year, and I don't mean the gifts under the tree.

What are we celebrating again?

It's amazing to me how this past holiday has turned into a major shopping event.  The media has done a great job at marketing to even the youngest kids.  My daughter was grinning ear to ear when we went out shopping at 4:30 Friday morning.  Of course, that extra $100 in her pocket from licking a stink bug (see earlier post) probably made it just a bit more exciting.  Now that it is Monday, make that Cyber Monday, don't you just feel like you MUST shop online.  If you do, make sure you check out the incredible s & d Sale where you will find sale prices up to 50% off and a free ring with $99 orders.  We found stores open on Thanksgiving, Black Friday Chaos, Shop Small Business Saturday (LIKE), Cyber Monday to now Trunk Show Tuesday and Basement Sale Wednesday.  For Wednesdays basement clearance sale check out Debbie's FB invite.  It seems like we are all doing our part to press the gas and rev up our economy.  And of course, back to what our shopping is all about, the people in our life that we are thankful for.

'Tis the season to spice things up!

Mommy Blessing Party

Last night I had the joy of visiting with my hostess and her newborn.  It's been 8+ years since I have had a baby so I certainly feel out of the loop on the current trends.  She shared with me that she had a beautiful experience with a Mommy Blessing Party.  Her closest friends shared in her experience by offering their best wishes in several different ways including using henna to cover her belly in wishes or art, creating a phone tree to share the good news of labor, decorating votives with glass paint to each take home and burn a candle in their window during the birthing hours and each brought a charm or bead to make a bracelet or necklace for the new Mom.  I love this idea, especially as we have the perfect charm collection and silks to make this happen with pieces one can have forever.  I think I will call it the Forever Mommy Charm Collection.  Silks are $14 and large selection of charms range from $14-34 and are all hand made sterling silver.

What would you do for $100?

If you were 8 years old, your "would do" list would probably look a lot different.  At 38, I  can tell you what I would not do.  I would not lick a stink bug.  Last night we (my son and I) dared my 8 year old daughter to lick a stink bug.  She smiled, got down on the floor close to wear it was making it's way across the floor, jumped back up to confirm she would really get $100 if she did and with a big smile was right back to the sight.  She stuck her tongue out, caught the bug on the tip (not really a lick) and recovered quickly.  Well that certainly provided a great laugh for all, even my healing husband who was resting on the couch.  I'm pretty sure that will put off her first kiss until after high school as with in a few moments her brother had emailed everyone he knows that is connected.  Now his 4th grade teacher wants in for $100.  I'm pretty sure that it won't be her lack of interest in showering that will earn her the potential nicknames.  Hopefully most will see it as courageous & determined.  I see it as out $100.  Time to book another trunk show.

Time Tested Beauty Tips

From Stella & Dot  Facebook page on Monday, October 18, 2010 at 7:39pm

The late Audrey Hepburn was a classic beauty, a fashion icon and a compassionate philanthropist. She often quoted this beautiful poem below. While she was not the author, as many assume, it is reported to have been one of her favorite poems. "Time Tested Beauty Tips" was written by Sam Levenson, the American humorist, writer, television host and journalist.  Read on for an inspirational pick-me-up that helps us keep sight of what is truly beautiful in this world.

Time Tested Beauty Tips

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.
Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the  figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows.

Sam Levenson

Candles for Kids

Meet one of our everyday angels, Jen Allen.  She's a mom, wife, teacher and a rep for Gold Canyon Candle company and she has a very BIG heart.  Through the Prayer Child Foundation with Gold Canyon she is able to give big back to children in the community that truly need a village to help.  The company gives 100% of the purchase price of their "Candles for Kids" to children in need of medical expenses and treatments that their parents cannot afford. This past year, she was able to help over 12 children, all across the US (and locally in Leesburg), get much needed assistance.  She committed to selling two "Candles for Kids" at each party held.  Because of her goal and accomplishments, Jen has been recognized by her company as a leader in helping the community.  Having already given thousands away she was awarded for her efforts with more- a $2500 check to give to those she felt would benefit most.  She divided the money into four recipients including Hope for Tiny Hearts, a family with a daughter going through anorexia, and two families with children that have Autism and Barth Syndrome.  She loves the ability to help people in need simply by doing her job.  If you know anyone who has a child 18 or under with a medical need or illness that their family cannot afford to pay for, please contact Jen to get an application to request assistance from the foundation.  Jen truly is an angel and has the desire and ability to keep helping families in need.  Candles are a must for most people, good karma says you should make Jen your candle source.  Thanks for all that you do Jen! Her Blog-  http://wixnstix.wordpress.com/

Evite or NOvite?

How do you all feel about receiving invitations?  Do you receive them every way except the traditional card in the mail or even better, the personal, face to face invite?   I call an evite a NOvite.  I send and receive so many through Evite, FB invites, tweetup, meetup and the sort that it is almost impossible to keep them straight and I would be lucky to get them on my daily calendar.  I tend to feel, if it is important, it will come back to me as a reminder.  The real impact, what would get me to the event, would be the hostess asking me in writing, face to face or over the phone.  We all want to feel important, needed and not just a number or email address.  With my business I pull friends together for a fabulous trunk show experience so I do send these little novites out as I'm sure it must help for save the dates or reminders.  What I have found, is that the invitees mean no when they respond yes, or maybe, always means no and sometimes a no is a yes.  Of course, many do not respond at all, leaving one to assume spam filters or the unlikely "they haven't responded so they must not want to come to my oh so perfectly planned event".    That is certainly not how they are feeling, if they haven't responded you should absolutely call them and let them know you noticed they must not have received the invite.  They should know you would be honored for them to attend even if it is last minute.  Guess what?  They are more likely to have a direct "yes" or "no" as they will be confident in their plans.  If they said "yes" or "maybe" to the NOvite, a quick call will go a long way.  Let your friends know you would enjoy spending some girl time with them.  Even better, take the time to put invites on paper, hand address and mail (snail mail) or drop off personally.  That will go a lot further in value and appreciation.  Spend a little time upfront so you do not have to waist time later.  You can keep doing the evites and the sort, they have a special place and you'll appreciate the reminder that they send.  Either way, take the time to get together with those that are important to you and those that you would like to get to know better.

Country Living Columbus Fair 2010 Tour

Check out Hillary with Chicks Picks! We are so spoiled living in Loudoun County (VA) and getting to shop on a regular basis at her true "Home based" business. For her website & more details- https://www.chickspicksbyhillary.com/

Party Hosting 101

From guest business owner & blogger
LUXE Events DC                           

So you’ve decided to host a bash for you and your friends. Swanky downtown loft apartment? Check. Delicious tapas? Check. Martini glasses and some Stoli? Check and check. So far you have most of the elements put in place but you still have some work to do before you can proclaim yourself the perfect party host. Follow these 3 easy tips and you’ll be ready to host a successful cocktail party.


1.  Be Prepared
Have you ever showed up at a friend’s house for a party and they just weren’t ready yet? You know the friend I’m talking about. They mumble about how the highball glasses are still in the dishwasher and awkwardly ladle store bought cheese dip into a plastic bowl as you stand there. A frantic and unprepared host makes everyone uneasy. Be prepared for your friends to arrive! Have the martini glasses arranged on the table by a bucket of ice. Keep your liquor chilled and have an array of mixers presented in unique pitchers. As for food, keep selections warm in the oven already in their serving trays. Your friends will be impressed with your graceful presentation and will assume that you are a top chef master when they see you taking food out of the oven.
     2.  Keep the Crickets Away
Silence has it’s place in the world, but silence does not belong at your cocktail party. Create atmosphere and purpose by creating a playlist on your iPod in advance. Start things off with some lounge style tunes so when people arrive they can mingle and chat without being distracted with blaring beats or lyrics. If you want to add energy to your party play some hits that everyone should know the lyrics to. A great way to hear some new tunes is to ask your friends to bring their own iPod playlists! Soon enough your friends will be moving and grooving the night away.
    3.   Stir Things Up
Hosting a cocktail party is like making risotto, you have to constantly stir to get great results. As host it’s your job to get people to mix and mingle, but it’s not always easy. You don’t want your friends to feel too set up by saying, “Joe, meet Melissa you two have a lot to talk about”. Now Joe and Melissa feel awkward. Joe and Melissa will talk about work and weather and they will wonder what exactly they have to talk about. Instead think of one or two interesting facts about your friends and mention these things when introducing others. For example, “Joe, have you met my friend Melissa? She owns a bakery over on 14th street. Joe just came back from a cooking trip in France. Maybe he’ll tell you the secret of the true French croissant.”  This way each person understands what exactly they have in common and can carry on an interesting conversation.
Once you use these 3 easy tips not only will you have thrown a successful cocktail party but you will have earned your A+ in party hosting 101!