Friday, August 3, 2012
~MIA~ Oh, My!
Yes, I have been MIA when it comes to my blog... Shameful! It's true! I have been busy, though, so I kinda have an excuse ;) My Shop has kept me busy, which is a good thing. I'm telling you, getting a tiny, little, handmade shop off the ground takes A LOT of time and effort and more time and MORE EFFORT! ...But I will add that it's been fun! AND a great learning experience. I am also making GREAT connections with so many wonderful and insightful AND knowledgeable people! So, even with tons of TIME and EFFORT being put into this, I'm getting SO MUCH MORE out of it! I am on Etsy (still) with my shop and I also have a FAcebook page that is SLOWLY growing... I emphasize SLOWLY! LOL... I will say that I have FINALLY made it to 300 fans!!! YAY!!! Facebook is fun because it allows me to interact so much with my fans. I do lots of giveaways and contests; it's a total blast for me. I hope it is at least half as fun for my fans! I am also expanding the types of items I make and offer. THIS is the MOST fun!!! I am getting more and more comfortable behind my sewing machine which is really opening up possibilities and a WORLD of enjoyment for me! WIN/WIN all around! I offered a new item in my shop and on FAcebook and people really LOVED it and my sales really boosted! THAT was exciting! It was the biggest activity I had seen with my little shop! It not only proved that I loved my item, but a lot of other people liked it as well. My Rockabilly, Retro Twisty Headbands:
It is safe to say that this item will be a favorite of mine for a long time! I LOVE wearing them myself, but I love them even more because of the attention it gained my little shop! So, I'm continuing to "spread my wings" and "get my feet wet" in the world of Etsy and Facebook and marketing and networking and etc, etc, etc--- I am having such a blast along the way and loving and appreciating the friendships I'm making along the way! So, as I end this blog post today, I want to encourage you to go ahead and take a leap. Believe in yourself. Branch out of your comfort zone. Connect with POSITIVE like-minded people and HAVE FUN!!!
Monday, June 27, 2011
What's New?
A YouTube video for The Kandy Shoppe.... That's what's new =) Check it out... I'd love to read your responses/comments/feedback...
Peace, Love and all the Good Stuff
Kandy
Peace, Love and all the Good Stuff
Kandy
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Couons & Giveaways
I know I have been MIA in the blog world lately... End of school, deadlines, Baseball (my 7 year old son and the Little Yankees), and working on updating products, introducing new products and an overall "re-vamping" of my business, The Kandy Shoppe... not to mention everything else that comes with summer "vacation"...
But, the GOOD NEWS is I'M STILL HERE and I COME BEARING GIFTS!!
I'm getting closer to 200 facebook fans on my facebook page, TheKandyShoppe ... When I hit the big 2 0 0 I will be having a GIVEAWAY... A random drawing will be held with every one of my first 200 fans... The Winner will receive a fabulous gift from The Kandy Shoppe ... Getting close... If you haven't liked me yet, please visit my Facebook page =)
Also, going on right now until the end of June (June 30, 2011) I have a FACEBOOK FANS ONLY coupon for 15% off your purchase... Visit my Facebook page for more details...
After lots of experimenting, challenges and research, I have decided on a few NEW ITEMS to add to The Kandy Shoppe... I will have a special "unveiling" event with lots of goodies and fun so stay tuned for that... It's so exciting!!!! I LOVE crafting and trying new things and I LOVE when someone else loves and appreciates my work... I am so incredibly blessed to be able to do what I am doing. I am over-joyed and so very appreciative of everyone who supports my little business!!
So, my bloggy friends, bear with me. I am still here. I've just been busy! I hope you are all enjoying your summer to the fullest!!!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
~SPRING BREAK~
I LOVE Spring Break!! I'm so glad that I'm a teacher so I can enjoy this fabulous week with my kiddos!! AND I feel so sorry for my husband because he doesn't =(
This is only day two of Spring Break and this is the second day that we have slept until 10:00 AM. One word: GLORIOUS!! Wow! Just to not even have to worry about the alarm clock or getting up at a certain time; it's really a beautiful thing. We may pay for it after the week is over and none of us want to get up for school next week, but ya know, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.
I have been busy, though... My little, bitty Etsy Shop is doing well for it's first week... First week on Etsy, I had 3 sales!! I'm happy!!! And my Facebook Fan page has been pulling in lots of publicity and sales. I am really blown away by how much it has taken off. I also bought some pretty fabric and some patterns of little girls' clothes that I'm going to tackle this week. I have NEVER sewn clothes, so this is new, exciting territory for me!! My daughter is excited about the prospect of Mama-Made, new clothes!
My husband and I also tackled another project with making hair bow/headband holders. He is a crafty wood worker, so he cuts out the plaque of wood and paints it then I stencil it... Here's a pic of our first one in the making: I still need a lot more practice with the stenciling...
This one will be for Kensey, my daughter... she is really EXCITED about it!!!
Along that line, stenciling is harder than it seems... AHHHHHH!!!! I'd never stenciled anything with paint before and we had to sand down and start over twice on this little piece of wood. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again, right?!?
Also, my son has started baseball practice. He is so excited about coach pitch this year. It's really a step up from T-Ball and he is STOKED! He LOVES baseball. Their team is called the "Yankees" which I'm sure will go over really great here in Texas,but ya know, I think it's cute. And my New Yorker husband LOVES IT!!
So, on the second day of Spring Break I will report that all is going well and we are enjoying it to the fullest with fun crafts, trying new things and baseball!! Ahhhh, GLORIOUS!
In case you are interested:
My Etsy Shop = http://kandyshoppe.etsy.com
Facebook = http://facebook.com/TheKandyShoppe
This is only day two of Spring Break and this is the second day that we have slept until 10:00 AM. One word: GLORIOUS!! Wow! Just to not even have to worry about the alarm clock or getting up at a certain time; it's really a beautiful thing. We may pay for it after the week is over and none of us want to get up for school next week, but ya know, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.
I have been busy, though... My little, bitty Etsy Shop is doing well for it's first week... First week on Etsy, I had 3 sales!! I'm happy!!! And my Facebook Fan page has been pulling in lots of publicity and sales. I am really blown away by how much it has taken off. I also bought some pretty fabric and some patterns of little girls' clothes that I'm going to tackle this week. I have NEVER sewn clothes, so this is new, exciting territory for me!! My daughter is excited about the prospect of Mama-Made, new clothes!
My husband and I also tackled another project with making hair bow/headband holders. He is a crafty wood worker, so he cuts out the plaque of wood and paints it then I stencil it... Here's a pic of our first one in the making: I still need a lot more practice with the stenciling...
Along that line, stenciling is harder than it seems... AHHHHHH!!!! I'd never stenciled anything with paint before and we had to sand down and start over twice on this little piece of wood. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again, right?!?
Also, my son has started baseball practice. He is so excited about coach pitch this year. It's really a step up from T-Ball and he is STOKED! He LOVES baseball. Their team is called the "Yankees" which I'm sure will go over really great here in Texas,but ya know, I think it's cute. And my New Yorker husband LOVES IT!!
So, on the second day of Spring Break I will report that all is going well and we are enjoying it to the fullest with fun crafts, trying new things and baseball!! Ahhhh, GLORIOUS!
In case you are interested:
My Etsy Shop = http://kandyshoppe.etsy.com
Facebook = http://facebook.com/TheKandyShoppe
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Busy, Busy, BUSY!
I have been so busy lately I have neglected MY BEAUTIFUL MESS blog. The Kandy Shoppe has been getting all of my attention lately! I have had such a positive response and it has been keeping me busy! Some things I have been busy with...
At the prompting of a "social network" friend, I created an account with Etsy and am in the process of opening a store. This is all so new to me, but I'm terrible excited about it! First of all, I LOVE crafting and I'm loving making these hair accessories. And second, I love connecting with other crafters who have a passion about what they create!!
My Etsy store address will be http://kandyshoppe.etsy.com/
So, this is the reason I appear to be MIA these days. But I'm having so much fun!!! And totally appreciate the positive feedback, encouragement and comments!!
Wild Chic Headbands by The Kandy Shoppe
Vintage Layered Flower Clips by The Kandy Shoppe
At the prompting of a "social network" friend, I created an account with Etsy and am in the process of opening a store. This is all so new to me, but I'm terrible excited about it! First of all, I LOVE crafting and I'm loving making these hair accessories. And second, I love connecting with other crafters who have a passion about what they create!!
My Etsy store address will be http://kandyshoppe.etsy.com/
So, this is the reason I appear to be MIA these days. But I'm having so much fun!!! And totally appreciate the positive feedback, encouragement and comments!!
Friday, February 18, 2011
Making a Difference
"Together, we CAN make a difference"!! That sounds so cliche'ish, but it IS true... When you look at a big picture, working together you can magnify your effort exponentially. That is just what the Susan G. Komen Race For the Cure is all about; people from all walks of life, coming together for one purpose! FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER and RAISE AWARENESS.
You can find more information on the History and details for The Susan G. Komen Foundation here
I have lost two aunts to cancer, so it is an important topic for me and a cause that I get behind and support! I participated in The Race for the Cure last year and was deeply touched by the dedication so many people have toward this cause. I walked side by side with survivors who are battling or have battled this deadly disease. You can't help but feel swept away with emotion for these women and families of survivors or families who had lost loved ones.
So, I am participating again this year! I will be Racing for the Cure on April 9th in Ft. Worth, Texas. I will proudly stand beside others who feel strongly about this cause and KNOW that I AM making a difference in the life of so many women and maybe even someone in my family! Together, WE WILL FIND A CURE!
I would be honored if you would choose to support me while I Race for the Cure. You can visit my page here: My Donation Page and make a donation that will go directly to the Susan G. Komen Foundation! My goal is $100... I'm hoping to EXCEED this goal!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Random Acts of Kindness
February 17th is (unofficially) Random Acts of Kindness Day!!
Check out more information by clicking "Random Acts of Kindness Day"
"I'm too busy", "I don't have time", "I don't want to get involved"... We get so incredibly wrapped up in ourselves that we forget that other people and their problems, issues, needs even exist!! I'm just as guilty of this as anyone else is, but I really feel the need to put things into prospective. Gone are the days when neighbors helped neighbors or you stopped to help someone just for the sake of helping someone with no thought for praise or reciprocation. Why is that? Are we really so busy that we put the blinders on and callus our hearts to other people and their predicaments? I'm not talking about SAVING THE WORLD. And, yes, I understand that, sometimes, certain people are leeches and we enable them by constantly "helping them out", but when is the last time you randomly helped someone you didn't know, said something nice, cheered someone up out of the kindness of your own heart; just because? I'm embarassed to say it has been a while for me... I like to think that I am helpful and nice to the people I know, but I really get tunnel vision at times and don't even stop to really SEE the world around me including the helpless, hurting, needing people that I may come into contact with on a daily basis.
All of this has been floating around in my head recently and I thought, "I really need to do more RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS. Now, you may be thinking it's not so RANDOM if you are actually out looking for something to do, but believe me, these situations present themselves at the most random times and in the most random situations =) I'm really speaking of making ourselves AVAILABLE to be that help or kind word to someone who needs it.
"RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS" is defined by Wikipedia as "a selfless act performed by a person or persons wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual".
I had this BIZZARE and, well, RANDOM idea to create a blog link to share and encourage people to continue this thought of RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS. Just as NEGATIVITY is contagious, so is KINDNESS and POSITIVE THINKING... Let's be CONTAGIOUS!!! It's not BRAGGING...we will be sharing something that will, inturn, encourage and prompt others to FEEL THE LOVE so to speak =)
I would be most honored if you would participate in this RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS blog link and help CONTAGIOUSLY SPREAD THE LOVE.
Just write a post about your RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS or even someone else's RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS toward you and place this linky button into you post so we can keep the LOVE flowing. There is no specific day for this; just RANDOM. So, jump in and be contagious! Grab the RANDOM ACTS OF KINDESS button and post it in your blog post. It will link back to this post so everyone else can jump in and join you. Be sure to comment here and let me know you linked up....
Check out more information by clicking "Random Acts of Kindness Day"
"I'm too busy", "I don't have time", "I don't want to get involved"... We get so incredibly wrapped up in ourselves that we forget that other people and their problems, issues, needs even exist!! I'm just as guilty of this as anyone else is, but I really feel the need to put things into prospective. Gone are the days when neighbors helped neighbors or you stopped to help someone just for the sake of helping someone with no thought for praise or reciprocation. Why is that? Are we really so busy that we put the blinders on and callus our hearts to other people and their predicaments? I'm not talking about SAVING THE WORLD. And, yes, I understand that, sometimes, certain people are leeches and we enable them by constantly "helping them out", but when is the last time you randomly helped someone you didn't know, said something nice, cheered someone up out of the kindness of your own heart; just because? I'm embarassed to say it has been a while for me... I like to think that I am helpful and nice to the people I know, but I really get tunnel vision at times and don't even stop to really SEE the world around me including the helpless, hurting, needing people that I may come into contact with on a daily basis.
All of this has been floating around in my head recently and I thought, "I really need to do more RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS. Now, you may be thinking it's not so RANDOM if you are actually out looking for something to do, but believe me, these situations present themselves at the most random times and in the most random situations =) I'm really speaking of making ourselves AVAILABLE to be that help or kind word to someone who needs it.
"RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS" is defined by Wikipedia as "a selfless act performed by a person or persons wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual".
I had this BIZZARE and, well, RANDOM idea to create a blog link to share and encourage people to continue this thought of RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS. Just as NEGATIVITY is contagious, so is KINDNESS and POSITIVE THINKING... Let's be CONTAGIOUS!!! It's not BRAGGING...we will be sharing something that will, inturn, encourage and prompt others to FEEL THE LOVE so to speak =)
I would be most honored if you would participate in this RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS blog link and help CONTAGIOUSLY SPREAD THE LOVE.
Just write a post about your RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS or even someone else's RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS toward you and place this linky button into you post so we can keep the LOVE flowing. There is no specific day for this; just RANDOM. So, jump in and be contagious! Grab the RANDOM ACTS OF KINDESS button and post it in your blog post. It will link back to this post so everyone else can jump in and join you. Be sure to comment here and let me know you linked up....
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Saving Money - Frugal Ideas to Put Cash in Your Pocket
I was watching a little morning talk tv the other day and happen to accidentally catch Nate Berkus segment with The Krazy Coupon Lady (who, by the way, looks a lot like Julia Stiles) and the Coupon Diva... Let me just say, I was incredible impressed with these ladies. I mean, I clip a useful coupon here and there and use it if I remember to, but these ladies LIVE off of coupons. I could NOT get over the money they were saving... I mean $600 + in groceries for a little over $2.00... I was CRAZY impressed!!! If you want to see for yourself, here is a link to the show: http://www.thenateshow.com/videos/detail/1303
So, all this talk of saving with coupons got me excited. What if I could do that? Or at least, a fraction of that, and save some dough. I mean, really, with the economy in it's current downward trend, who isn't looking for ways to save some money?! I really wanted to research and get some great information and share it with you. If you're like me and you love to shop AND you love to save money, then you're gonna love this!! Feel free to share ways that you save money!!
Some things I learned from searching on the web:
- Ebates.com ... Check this place out!! Thousands of stores and coupons and savings for every one of them...You can also get *cash back.
- ILoveFreeThings.Com - Yes, FREE!!! Cool, check it out
- MrRebates.com - Along the lines of Ebates... Coupon codes and rebates that are added to your account for you to use. And when I signed up I earned $5.00 for FREE...
- Swagbucks.com - Is a search engine you can use and earn Swag Bucks. There are a number of other ways to earn these Swag Bucks listed on the site. You can redeem these bucks in the Swag Store which has tons of items. Just for signing up I got 30 free Swag Bucks.
- Ebay.com - Who HASN'T used ebay.com at least once? If you haven't used it, you've at least heard of it... You can save big time and buy BRAND NEW. The key here is to make sure you read everything thoroughly.
- Ebay Bucks - "eBay Bucks is a rewards program that lets you earn eBay Bucks on qualifying purchases. You can redeem them when you make future eBay purchases—and continue earning while using your eBay Bucks certificate. There's no cost for signing up or for using eBay Bucks". ~Taken directly from ebay.com~
- Cool Savings - coupons, recipes, free stuff... all in one place... Lots of stuff going on at this site. You also have the option to print some coupons to use in store... Check first because some stores do not accept these type of coupons.
***NOTICE THIS: When checking out FREE stuff on the web, be sure to check out the website's PRIVACY POLICY. A lot of these sites take your info and SALE it to third party sites... that means A LOT of unwanted SPAM in your inbox... BE SURE to check the privacy policies and avoid this!!
-Something important that I learned from these Coupon Queens is they buy a product ON SALE AND use a coupon and most of the time get that item for FREE!!! Here are their websites:
The Krazy Coupon Lady's webpage
Miss Coupon Diva's webpage
* ~taken directly from Ebates website~ "four times a year or more, we'll mail you a Big Fat Check, or transfer the money to your PayPal account if you'd prefer. We can even send the money to your favorite charity. All 100% free."
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Tuesday... getting technical
I have been HORRIBLE with constantly changing my blog design. I just could NOT seem to find something that I liked. On top of that, I had NO IDEA what I was doing!! So, I decided to step back and look at my blog through the eyes of HTML... This totally reminded me of the movie "The Matrix". You know, the part where Keanu Reeves finally becomes "THE ONE" and can see the matrix for what it is; lines of code?... YEAH, like that! Click here to see the scene.
So, I went all MATRIX on my blog and at that point, things started making sense. Most people would probably think that at this point things become complicated, but actually, it simplified things for me.
At this point, I decided, I'm just going to design my own stuff...move things around the way I want them... I don't need anyone else to help me do it.... This came about after asking someone who made themselves APPEAR helpful for help and receiving NONE...yeah, thanks lady!! NOT!!! But, I suppose, it was totally for the best because I learned to do this thing on my own!
Now, I'm not saying that my blog design will stay as is. Nope. Now that I understand the mechanics a little better, I may be even WORSE with changing things up!! My friend even asked me to do a design for her blog... OMG!!! HOW FUN!!! I did her header and a button and just...WOW...so much fun!!
I guess I need to bust out my black rimmed glasses and pocket protector because I feel gloriously nerdy! I'm totally embracing my inner Nerd and I'm loving it!
Happy Techy Tuesday! ;)
So, I went all MATRIX on my blog and at that point, things started making sense. Most people would probably think that at this point things become complicated, but actually, it simplified things for me.
At this point, I decided, I'm just going to design my own stuff...move things around the way I want them... I don't need anyone else to help me do it.... This came about after asking someone who made themselves APPEAR helpful for help and receiving NONE...yeah, thanks lady!! NOT!!! But, I suppose, it was totally for the best because I learned to do this thing on my own!
Now, I'm not saying that my blog design will stay as is. Nope. Now that I understand the mechanics a little better, I may be even WORSE with changing things up!! My friend even asked me to do a design for her blog... OMG!!! HOW FUN!!! I did her header and a button and just...WOW...so much fun!!
I guess I need to bust out my black rimmed glasses and pocket protector because I feel gloriously nerdy! I'm totally embracing my inner Nerd and I'm loving it!
Happy Techy Tuesday! ;)
Friday, February 4, 2011
Crayons and Toy Soldiers
On a positive note, the nasty, ugly, gross sick bug that had barged in and took over my little family seems to be on it's way out. It hit me lastly, of course, after I pretty much got my two kiddos in the clear... I start running fever. So is life! But we are all doing MUCH better and mucus is on the decline and temperatures are stable!
My husband has been well (thank you, God) and has been making the long, precarious trek to work every day. He is even having to work overtime (ya for the money, not the hours). So, the kiddos and I are entertaining ourselves with crayons, coloring books and little, plastic, toy Army Men Soldiers!! The total positive here is my kiddos are hilarious and are keeping me quite entertained...that is, in between their all out fights... Oh, Sibling Rivalry...that's another blog post, my friends...
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Sickness, Cleaning and Music...
There has been some kind of NASTY bug going around here and it has arrived at my house, uninvited! NASTY just barged right in, took his shoes off and decided to stay awhile. I work at a preschool and the saying our pediatrician has, "All children are sick unless proven otherwise", has proven to be true this time of year. We have had several kiddos out with the flu and other croupy crap, and now, my precious little diva daughter has the croupy crap. She has been running fever since Friday =( SADNESS!!! I hate when my babies are sick!!! So, I've been cleaning. And cleaning. And CLEANING!!!! I seem to have it embedded in my head that I can clean the bug out of our house...of course, this has some truth to it, but it seems NASTY is just going to have to run his course.
Speaking of cleaning, I have really been driving myself crazy over the past few years. Let me explain: Growing up, my mom used to DRIVE ME CRAZY cleaning with bleach. Seriously, the woman doesn't think something is cleaned unless it has been thoroughly scrubbed with bleach. I can not tell you the countless number of shirts of mine that have been ruined by leaning up against a counter that my mother had just cleaned...AND WITH HER, you never knew when she would be cleaning... This, as you can imagine, drove me NUTS!! I mean, some of those shirts were favorites!!!
Well, fast forward to today and guess who has to clean with bleach now.... You guessed it. ME!!!! What the heck!!! I know!!! I just really don't feel something is totally clean unless I have thoroughly scrubbed it with bleach. Sound familiar? Why oh why did this trait get passed to me?! I already feel the need to apologize to my children for the countless number of favorite shirts that will be ruined on account of my mother's cleaning gene that has been pasted down to me....
So, our house pretty much smells like bleach... AND Lysol, because, well, you know it kills 99.9% of germs...says so right on the bottle ;)
Speaking of cleaning makes me think of music. But to tell you the truth, just about anything in my life can make me think of music... I LOVE MUSIC. Simple and to the point. But, I was also thinking how soothing music is. When my daughter has been so sick and her fever had spiked, after I had given the appropriate amount of Tylenol, she seemed to be so content to just sit in my lap, let me rock her and sing. It seems that even me humming was more soothing to her than any medicine that I could give her... This made me smile. I hope music is one of those things I can pass down to my daughter.... INSTEAD of the need to clean with bleach!!
Speaking of cleaning, I have really been driving myself crazy over the past few years. Let me explain: Growing up, my mom used to DRIVE ME CRAZY cleaning with bleach. Seriously, the woman doesn't think something is cleaned unless it has been thoroughly scrubbed with bleach. I can not tell you the countless number of shirts of mine that have been ruined by leaning up against a counter that my mother had just cleaned...AND WITH HER, you never knew when she would be cleaning... This, as you can imagine, drove me NUTS!! I mean, some of those shirts were favorites!!!
Well, fast forward to today and guess who has to clean with bleach now.... You guessed it. ME!!!! What the heck!!! I know!!! I just really don't feel something is totally clean unless I have thoroughly scrubbed it with bleach. Sound familiar? Why oh why did this trait get passed to me?! I already feel the need to apologize to my children for the countless number of favorite shirts that will be ruined on account of my mother's cleaning gene that has been pasted down to me....
So, our house pretty much smells like bleach... AND Lysol, because, well, you know it kills 99.9% of germs...says so right on the bottle ;)
Speaking of cleaning makes me think of music. But to tell you the truth, just about anything in my life can make me think of music... I LOVE MUSIC. Simple and to the point. But, I was also thinking how soothing music is. When my daughter has been so sick and her fever had spiked, after I had given the appropriate amount of Tylenol, she seemed to be so content to just sit in my lap, let me rock her and sing. It seems that even me humming was more soothing to her than any medicine that I could give her... This made me smile. I hope music is one of those things I can pass down to my daughter.... INSTEAD of the need to clean with bleach!!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Blatant Self Promotion...You may want to look away
So, yeah... I'm going to self promote my other blog. My followers section is just sad. Yep. No other word... I have like 4...LOL And those 4 know that I think they are AWESOME, but I would love to have a little dialogue on my blog from time to time.
Ahem...here it goes...the awkward part... If you like crafts, especially hair accessories, I would love for you to check out my blog... It is new and a work in progress. I'm not even certain what I want it to look like, so what I have will do for now. I really appreciate any and all comments and advice from you guys who are veterans to the blog/craft/etsy/business world! I'm a total newbie, but I'm loving it!!
So, here's my blog: The Kandy Shoppe (yes, because my name is Kandy and it's my Shoppe...yes, I'm aware of the fact that I'm goofy. I just embrace my goofiness).
If you feel so inclined to visit and follow, I will love you with bloggie love. I'm not even sure what bloggie love is, but I will love you with it, dang it! ;)
Thanks!
Ahem...here it goes...the awkward part... If you like crafts, especially hair accessories, I would love for you to check out my blog... It is new and a work in progress. I'm not even certain what I want it to look like, so what I have will do for now. I really appreciate any and all comments and advice from you guys who are veterans to the blog/craft/etsy/business world! I'm a total newbie, but I'm loving it!!
So, here's my blog: The Kandy Shoppe (yes, because my name is Kandy and it's my Shoppe...yes, I'm aware of the fact that I'm goofy. I just embrace my goofiness).
If you feel so inclined to visit and follow, I will love you with bloggie love. I'm not even sure what bloggie love is, but I will love you with it, dang it! ;)
Thanks!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
...Wonderfully Made
This is a picture I took in 2009. Here it is on Flickr
Do you ever catch yourself measuring your worth looking through someone else's eyes? You become consumed with wanting their approval and wanting to make them happy and using their opinion and happiness to measure YOUR worth. I am sooo guilty of this. Stamp a BIG, FAT "GUILTY" on my forehead. All the above applies to me. I have just stopped myself today, gave myself a quick kick in the bum and said, "Self! WHAT THE HECK"?!!!! I am fearfully and wonderfully made!!
Psalm 139:14: "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."
I was made for a purpose and it was NOT to make sure everyone around me is happy... Happiness, as a whole, is a decision and if someone else DECIDES not to be happy, that is not my fault. As long as I am doing what I feel is right by that person, I'm not responsible for their happiness. Now, I don't live in a magical, make-believe world. I understand that there are times that we are not going to be "happy" without it being a conscious decision. What I'm talking about is being HAPPY with life in general.
Several things have been brought to my attention today, and this is one of them. I was pretty much having an inward pity party. I'm not one who airs out my laundry for people. Even people I'm close to don't know when I'm going through a personal trial. I'm private like that. But, I was having one of my PRIVATE pity parties and feeling like I was failing in certain areas of my life because a particular person wasn't HAPPY. I had to receive the proverbial SLAP IN THE FACE and realize that it is THAT person's decision not to be happy right now. Nothing, whatsoever, I have done has made them unhappy, right now, they are deciding to be unhappy with circumstances that are in their life at this moment, but that has nothing to do with me.
This may seem like a total "DUH" situation to many of you, but I'm a "Pleaser". If you have any idea what it's like to be a "Pleaser", you understand where I'm coming from. You want to make everyone happy and do what everyone expects of you regardless of how you feel about it. I've been like this for as long as I can remember. And as hard as I try to NOT be this way, I continue to find myself slipping back into the "Pleaser" pattern.
I have definitely grown "ovaries" (just a saying of mine) over the years and find that I stand up for myself much more now than I used to, but it is still hard, with certain people in my life, to say "no" or to feel like I displeased them in some way. So, apparently, I'm a work in progress, but at this time, I am thankful for God reminding me that I am made for HIS purpose and HIS glory, not someone else's. And, for the time being, that's enough.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Potato Casserole
Those of you who know me well know that I LOVE cooking. And I LOVE getting a new recipe!!! I'm not stingy... when I get a recipe that I love, I always share =)
So, I actually got this recipe about two years ago from my husband's Aunt Snoozybird (that's what we call her) in NY. She had made it for a family picnic and after tasting the yummy deliciousness, I HAD to have the recipe! It was incredible!!! Let me interject a WARNING here for all of you who are being mindful of calories and fat: This is not, I repeat NOT, low-cal!!! In fact, it's pretty much FULL of calories and fat, but ya know, it's one of those feel good, comfy foods and it's ALWAYS a hit at any gathering.
So, here is Aunt Snoozybird's Potato Casserole Recipe... I'm not sure where she got it, so I'm just crediting her. And I WISH I had a picture, but I don't. When I share a recipe, I always like posting a pic of the dish I made, but I haven't made it today. Just wanted to share the recipe ;)
Aunt Snoozybird's Potato Casserole Recipe:
1 pkg. frozen hash browns
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 pint sour cream --- told you it wasn't low-cal =)
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
6 Tbls melted butter/margarine
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
Thaw potatoes well ( I grease a casserole dish and put them in the oven to thaw out really well. Just keep a close eye on them)
Mix ingredients together and put into a well greased dish
Can be mixed ahead and stored in the fridge and also freezes well to use later.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes until it bubbles in the middle.
This is definitely a down home, southern recipe even though my aunt is from NY... It's one of those warm, comfy, stick to your ribs dishes!! So, ENJOY!!! But make sure you schedule extra exercise that day to work off all that sour cream, cheese and butter ;)
So, I actually got this recipe about two years ago from my husband's Aunt Snoozybird (that's what we call her) in NY. She had made it for a family picnic and after tasting the yummy deliciousness, I HAD to have the recipe! It was incredible!!! Let me interject a WARNING here for all of you who are being mindful of calories and fat: This is not, I repeat NOT, low-cal!!! In fact, it's pretty much FULL of calories and fat, but ya know, it's one of those feel good, comfy foods and it's ALWAYS a hit at any gathering.
So, here is Aunt Snoozybird's Potato Casserole Recipe... I'm not sure where she got it, so I'm just crediting her. And I WISH I had a picture, but I don't. When I share a recipe, I always like posting a pic of the dish I made, but I haven't made it today. Just wanted to share the recipe ;)
Aunt Snoozybird's Potato Casserole Recipe:
1 pkg. frozen hash browns
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 pint sour cream --- told you it wasn't low-cal =)
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
6 Tbls melted butter/margarine
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
Thaw potatoes well ( I grease a casserole dish and put them in the oven to thaw out really well. Just keep a close eye on them)
Mix ingredients together and put into a well greased dish
Can be mixed ahead and stored in the fridge and also freezes well to use later.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes until it bubbles in the middle.
This is definitely a down home, southern recipe even though my aunt is from NY... It's one of those warm, comfy, stick to your ribs dishes!! So, ENJOY!!! But make sure you schedule extra exercise that day to work off all that sour cream, cheese and butter ;)
Monday, January 24, 2011
BEWARE THE DRAMA LLAMA!
Oh, mercy!! It seems that you aren't safe ANYWHERE... Not even in the safety of your own home in front of your computer screen (cue dramatic theme music).
It seems the Drama Llama has struck again in the blogging world... Please, Drama Llama, stay away from me and my poor, little blog... We come in peace and mean no harm!!
Have a laugh today! It's Monday! It's a hard enough day on it's own without added drama ;)
On another note... My itty bitty teeny tiny handmade hair accessory business is doing well... Another order today...actually, a RETURNING customer order... YAY!!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Crafting all the way... HEY!
YES, I LOVE CRAFTS!!! I love any and all things crafty. Anything from throw pillows to rugs to hair accessories; I LOVE IT! I have been making hair bows for my daughter for a couple of years now and for some reason, this has drawn attention to my craftiness and others have wanted me to make hair bows for their daughters. Then, I really got into making "BIG GIRL" hair accessories, especially the vintage looking ones, and this has REALLY gotten attention. A couple of people told me I should really advertise and make some money doing this... So, I thought, "Hey! Great idea"! I didn't even think about the fact that I have NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING. I just created a blog and a Facebook and Twitter... then there is the glorious WORD OF MOUTH method, which is the best.
I have already made a few sales. I have no idea what I'm doing in the marketing aspect of things... And I haven't really taken the time to properly sit up for the photographs of products (*giggle*), but ya know; IT'S FUN!
These are my newest addiction:
I have already made a few sales. I have no idea what I'm doing in the marketing aspect of things... And I haven't really taken the time to properly sit up for the photographs of products (*giggle*), but ya know; IT'S FUN!
These are my newest addiction:
I got this idea from Pren, here is her blog: http://convivialcrafter.blogspot.com/ She is AAAAAA-MAZING!! I love her style and her tutorials are the HEAT! You can find her tutorials on YouTube here http://www.youtube.com/user/archerpren , Check out her "Talk To Me Tuesdays" TTMT =)
So, this is my VERY FIRST ATTEMPT at making these little cuties, so of course, there are several mistakes I see right off the bat... I've NEVER worked with wire before and that takes some getting used to. But I'm determined to get the hang of it and have made a couple of really nice looking ones that I don't have pictures of yet.
So, this is what is keeping me busy... New craft addictions, working my way through the craziness of marketing and advertising and tweaking and perfecting... I'm definitely new to these waters and I'm winging it on my own =)
I am WILLING to accept any advice, critiques and encouragement along the way, so if you feel so inclined... ;)
Friday, January 21, 2011
Mind Your Manners - Blogging Etiquette
Makes me giggle that this book is specifically for Canadians"
WARNING:
This blog post contains venting...
I am, by far, no blogging expert. Up to only a week or so ago, I had my faithful handful of followers who were a dazzling number total of 5. But they are my followers and I love them very much and appreciate their loyalty to me. It has only been recently that I discovered that I would even WANT to blog to a greater audience. AND I discovered FOR THE LOVE OF BLOGS, which, I might add, is amazing!! Check it out HERE ... After I became a member there (only about a week or so ago) I have slowly seen the number of my followers grow. It was at FTLOB that I was introduced to the BLOG HOP, which brings me to my post today; BLOGGING ETIQUETTE.
I find it rude when people visit my page and comment on a post with a copied and pasted comment. I KNOW they did not even BOTHER to GLANCE at my post, but yet they feel the need to comment and post their blog address so I will visit and/or follow their blog. Am I the ONLY ONE who thinks this is rude?!! Maybe it's just the southern gal in me, but if you visit my house, I want you to come in, prop your feet up, have a glass of ice tea and visit! Don't barge in, tell me to visit you and leave!! That's just bad manners, honey! BLESS YOUR HEART!
So, I believe that there should be a BLOG HOP ETIQUETTE 101... with the first lesson being how to visit another blog and leave a comment!! I'm not here to gain the most followers. I'm here to share a little something, bring a smile and maybe a little information now and again and to make and enjoy some fellow blog friends. Please MIND YOUR MANNERS when commenting on my blog!
Much love,
~Kandy
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Laughter - Good Medicine
Have you ever laughed so incredibly hard that it hurt?! I have. I do it quite often actually. I just love to laugh!! The Bible says that laughter is good like a medicine... If that is the case, I should be as healthy as an ox and live forever! =)
So, I HAVE to share this story, because I just feel the need to share some of the random hilarity that happens in my life with you, my readers. So, indulge me...
One of my younger sisters is VERY pregnant. She is seriously going to have this baby any day now. So, my mom and I wanted to go over and help her clean her house and get ready for the baby! Sounds uneventful, right?! If you answered yes, you obviously don't know me or my family very well... Let me set up the scenario for you: I'm in the kitchen, washing dishes, sweeping, straightening, you know, kitchen cleaning stuff. My mom is in my sister's bedroom, rearranging and making a place for the baby's bassinet. I'm, of course, in my own little world, working away, but I'm aware of the mumblings I hear regarding bassinet placement. My mom suddenly calls out to me, "Kandy, come and look and see where you think the best place would be for the bassinet". Being the obedient daughter that I am *smiles* I put down what I'm doing and head down the hall to my sister's bedroom. As I walk into the bedroom door, I instantly catch my breath and let out a little shriek of freight, disgust and confusion! There, on my sister's wall is a stuffed bobcat creature (full bodied) hanging on her wall!!! "WHAT IS THAT"?!?! I asked. My sister then proceeds to express her disgust with the creature and explain that her husband put it there and will NOT take it down. So, I roll my eyes and mummer something about accidentally knocking it off the wall and having it find it's way to the garbage.
With the perfect place for the bassinet picked out, I proceed back to my post in the kitchen and pick up the broom to sweep. At this time, my mom and sister enter the kitchen to take a breather. My sister is talking about something that I don't even recall and casually opens the refrigerator to grab, what I think is a refreshing beverage, but instead, pulls out a Styrofoam, lidded cup. She is still talking and nonchalantly pulls off the lid and pulls out...wait for it... A WORM!! Seriously!!! I big, long, juicy, dirty WORM !!!! My jaw drops, my eyes bulge and I am uncharacteristically speechless for a moment. "YOU HAVE WORMS IN YOUR FRIDGE"?!?!?! I shrieked. Come to find out, it was dinner for her son's lizard pet. Seriously, what kind of freak show is this?! A dead cat is hanging in her bedroom and she has earth worms in her fridge! Really?!?!
My sister finds my shock and dismay somewhat hilarious. I'm still, well, shocked and dismayed. So I ask her, "What next? A shrunken head in the closet"? She laughs, grabs her big, pregnant belly and motions for me to follow her. "No, but I'll show you what I do have in my closet", she said. Somewhat apprehensive, I follow my little pregnant, waddling sister down her hallway to the hall closet. She paused with her hand on the door, laughing at the whole episode that has transpired so far. I can't help but giggle and say, "What"?! So, she opens the door. Thinking I had already seen it all, I casual peer inside. What I saw next put me on the floor, holding my side, dying of laughter!! Inside my precious little pregnant, waddling sister's hall closet was a man's prosthetic leg from the hip to the foot. Complete with sock and shoe! I'm laughing as I type this now, because, really, WHO HAS A PROSTHETIC LEG IN THEIR CLOSET WHEN THERE IS NO NEED FOR ONE?!?! No one in the family has EVER had ANYTHING amputated!!
Oh...... as funny and shocking that the day's adventure was, this is pretty much the way my family rolls... As much of a kick we get out of ourselves and the gut busting laughter that erupts out of the blue from our family, we should be the healthiest people on the planet! So, the next time you think that YOUR family is a freak show, smile and think of mine. You will feel EXTREMELY normal!
So, I HAVE to share this story, because I just feel the need to share some of the random hilarity that happens in my life with you, my readers. So, indulge me...
One of my younger sisters is VERY pregnant. She is seriously going to have this baby any day now. So, my mom and I wanted to go over and help her clean her house and get ready for the baby! Sounds uneventful, right?! If you answered yes, you obviously don't know me or my family very well... Let me set up the scenario for you: I'm in the kitchen, washing dishes, sweeping, straightening, you know, kitchen cleaning stuff. My mom is in my sister's bedroom, rearranging and making a place for the baby's bassinet. I'm, of course, in my own little world, working away, but I'm aware of the mumblings I hear regarding bassinet placement. My mom suddenly calls out to me, "Kandy, come and look and see where you think the best place would be for the bassinet". Being the obedient daughter that I am *smiles* I put down what I'm doing and head down the hall to my sister's bedroom. As I walk into the bedroom door, I instantly catch my breath and let out a little shriek of freight, disgust and confusion! There, on my sister's wall is a stuffed bobcat creature (full bodied) hanging on her wall!!! "WHAT IS THAT"?!?! I asked. My sister then proceeds to express her disgust with the creature and explain that her husband put it there and will NOT take it down. So, I roll my eyes and mummer something about accidentally knocking it off the wall and having it find it's way to the garbage.
With the perfect place for the bassinet picked out, I proceed back to my post in the kitchen and pick up the broom to sweep. At this time, my mom and sister enter the kitchen to take a breather. My sister is talking about something that I don't even recall and casually opens the refrigerator to grab, what I think is a refreshing beverage, but instead, pulls out a Styrofoam, lidded cup. She is still talking and nonchalantly pulls off the lid and pulls out...wait for it... A WORM!! Seriously!!! I big, long, juicy, dirty WORM !!!! My jaw drops, my eyes bulge and I am uncharacteristically speechless for a moment. "YOU HAVE WORMS IN YOUR FRIDGE"?!?!?! I shrieked. Come to find out, it was dinner for her son's lizard pet. Seriously, what kind of freak show is this?! A dead cat is hanging in her bedroom and she has earth worms in her fridge! Really?!?!
My sister finds my shock and dismay somewhat hilarious. I'm still, well, shocked and dismayed. So I ask her, "What next? A shrunken head in the closet"? She laughs, grabs her big, pregnant belly and motions for me to follow her. "No, but I'll show you what I do have in my closet", she said. Somewhat apprehensive, I follow my little pregnant, waddling sister down her hallway to the hall closet. She paused with her hand on the door, laughing at the whole episode that has transpired so far. I can't help but giggle and say, "What"?! So, she opens the door. Thinking I had already seen it all, I casual peer inside. What I saw next put me on the floor, holding my side, dying of laughter!! Inside my precious little pregnant, waddling sister's hall closet was a man's prosthetic leg from the hip to the foot. Complete with sock and shoe! I'm laughing as I type this now, because, really, WHO HAS A PROSTHETIC LEG IN THEIR CLOSET WHEN THERE IS NO NEED FOR ONE?!?! No one in the family has EVER had ANYTHING amputated!!
Oh...... as funny and shocking that the day's adventure was, this is pretty much the way my family rolls... As much of a kick we get out of ourselves and the gut busting laughter that erupts out of the blue from our family, we should be the healthiest people on the planet! So, the next time you think that YOUR family is a freak show, smile and think of mine. You will feel EXTREMELY normal!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Live, Laugh, Love...
This weekend, my husband had to work... Overtime = Bittersweet. Love that overtime pay, but not so much the hours and the "not being together as a family" thing. So, the kiddos and I have played extra hard to day and enjoyed each other's company to the fullest. There was fun to be had by all, in between me playing referee and breaking up the fights that spontaneously break out of nowhere about nothing.... SIGH.
I got to thinking about my two little beautiful monsters. How my life is so full of meaning, adventure, blessings, cursings (hee hee), LAUNDRY, fullness, LAUNDRY, laughter, giggles, stories, LAUNDRY... These two little bundles of joy have made my life enriched beyond belief!
So, on this glorious, a bit chilly for Texas, Weekend, I hope you are enjoying the blessings that have been put into your life, whatever they may be. Those people who make your life sweeter and richer. Just don't forget to LIVE, LAUGH AND LOVE!!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Life Imitates Fiction....or something like that.
I don't watch much television, but the shows I do watch, I'm pretty much addicted to and I DO NOT miss an episode if I can help it. One of these tv shows is Criminal Minds. I'm telling you... I LOVE IT!! I studied Psychology in college, so I have always been intrigued by the psychological aspects of anything...I also love drama, suspense, action and a little FBI story line never hurts.... OK, and YES, I have somewhat of a crush on Dr. Spencer Reid!!! There, I said it!
Anyway, on with my story...
There have recently been a series of robberies in the small town that I live in...actually my town and the small town over from us also... What is so unique about this (if you live in a small town, you understand) is that it's the same man performing these robberies... Three so far (that I'm aware of)... Small towns don't have REPEAT OFFENDERS OF THE SAME CRIME SO CLOSE TOGETHER without them getting caught because everyone knows everyone's business...
Needless to say, it is on everyone's minds, including mine. I have now NAMED this criminal, The Convenient Store Caper, because, well frankly, it just sounds cool to give him a name. I have PROFILED him (yes, thanks to Criminal Minds, I am now an amateur criminal profiler... uh, YEAH) and I even have a suspect... YES, move over REAL investigators and police force, a civilian is in the HOUSE!!
I pretty much crack myself up... it was so easy to do. My sister and I were talking and we pretty much nailed the type of suspect down and I realized that we had a suspect. Ah, what fun it is to pretend that I really know what I'm doing... AND if The Convenient Store Caper turns out to be the suspect I have in mind, I may be looking for gainful employment with the FBI because, um, I will pretty much ROCK!
Anyway, on with my story...
There have recently been a series of robberies in the small town that I live in...actually my town and the small town over from us also... What is so unique about this (if you live in a small town, you understand) is that it's the same man performing these robberies... Three so far (that I'm aware of)... Small towns don't have REPEAT OFFENDERS OF THE SAME CRIME SO CLOSE TOGETHER without them getting caught because everyone knows everyone's business...
Needless to say, it is on everyone's minds, including mine. I have now NAMED this criminal, The Convenient Store Caper, because, well frankly, it just sounds cool to give him a name. I have PROFILED him (yes, thanks to Criminal Minds, I am now an amateur criminal profiler... uh, YEAH) and I even have a suspect... YES, move over REAL investigators and police force, a civilian is in the HOUSE!!
I pretty much crack myself up... it was so easy to do. My sister and I were talking and we pretty much nailed the type of suspect down and I realized that we had a suspect. Ah, what fun it is to pretend that I really know what I'm doing... AND if The Convenient Store Caper turns out to be the suspect I have in mind, I may be looking for gainful employment with the FBI because, um, I will pretty much ROCK!
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