SAG Awards - Some of my favs

I loved how such a wide variety of style and color we saw this year at the SAG Awards!

Here are a few of my favorites:

Monday Inspiration - Winter White

There were so many colorful dresses at the SAG Awards but the winter white look seemed to stick out!!! Embrace winter and the chicness it entails :)

Work Life Balance

As many of you know, it is a major struggle to find a balance between work and your personal life! I admit I have gotten caught up in the hustle and bustle of a fast paced, long hours, corporate ladder climbing job. Recently, I have made a effort to stop every once in a while and enjoy life and to tell myself that work will still be there tomorrow.

WebMD has come up with 5 tips for a better work-life balance:

1. Build downtime into your schedule
2. Drop activities that sap your time and energy
3. Rethink your errands
4. Get moving
5. Remember that a little relaxation goes a long way

HOW DO YOU MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY?

I try to go for a run or to the gym at least twice a week. This is the only time I feel like I can completely relax my mind. Even when I am home relaxing, I am always thinking of laundry, dishes, cleaning, etc. I also try to sit down and have dinner with my husband most nights, even if it is a quick 10 min dinner. I am sure it a thousand times harder with kids though!

I know many businesses try to give you the option to "work from home" when necessary or all the blackberry users, who have access to "work" 24/7. I think this is good and bad. Sometime I just want to go home and know that my work is done. I don't want the option to log online. However, on the flip side, there are times that this has come in handy (i.e. contractor coming to your house).

I think if you put your mind to it and make the effort, work life balance is possible!!

"I've learned that you can't have everything and do everything at the same time." Oprah Winfrey

Featured Vendor - Annie and Isabel

Today's featured vendor is the amazing Annie and Isabel! They sell designer hospital gowns that make patients feel more comfortable and stylish while they are in the hospital! What a BRILLANT idea! These gowns are great baby shower gifts!!

Why did you decide to start Annie and Isabel?

We talked about starting Annie and Isabel for over a year before we decided to go for it. We are sisters, registered nurses, and have 6 boys between us... so, it was a BIG decision to start a company. We have listened to our patients at work complain about hospital gowns for over a decade. We dreamed about providing people, who either have to spend time in hospital or recover at home, an alternative to the standard issued hospital gown. We've created a direct to consumer hospital gown that gives people back their dignity and also makes them feel more stylish during their hospital stay. When someone wears an Annie and Isabel hospital gown they know it is THEIR own gown and that they are the ONLY person that has worn it. More importantly, our hospital gowns cover your backside!

What exactly does Annie and Isabel entail?

Annie and Isabel is a company that sells designer hospital gowns for anyone having to spend time in the hospital. This includes people having babies, people in the hospital due to an illness or surgical procedure, cancer patients having to undergo radiation treatments (these treatments require patients to wear gowns, often done on a daily basis), hospice patients, etc. Our gowns are made of 100% high quality fabric and are made in the USA!!

Annie and Isabel hospital gowns make great baby shower gifts. I think our greatest satisfaction, however, has been selling them to people who have bought them for sick friends or loved ones in the hospital. We almost always get feedback from these customers about how it was so nice to be able to give something to their friend or loved one that actually brought a smile to their face during a difficult time. Who would have thought that a hospital gown could bring a smile to someone's face??

We have been so overwhelmed with the responses we have received about our hospital gowns. We receive tons of testimonials. Many are from new moms and many are very inspirational from cancer survivors and teenagers that have amazingly overcome cancer and cardiac arrest. If you need some inspiration in your life then read some of these stories here -> TESTIMONIALS.

All of our hospital gowns are named after people in our family who have inspired us and loved us. Each hospital gown comes with a story about the person the gown was named after and why they inspire us in hopes that they will also inspire the person who wears that gown. You can read these stories here ->NAMING OF THE GOWNS

What advice do you have to other female entrepreneurs?

If you have an idea or a dream... You can do it! There are so many inspiring entrepreneurs out there to help and support you. With the internet you can start small and grow your business as fast or slow as you would like! We have such busy lives with our families and jobs as nurses that we are taking a "grass roots" approach to our business and have been thrilled with our steady success...actually amazed! We both believe in our product and the joy it brings to others and that is what keeps us going. We think that is SO important because it is hard work to run a company. It takes a lot of energy and time but when you have a passion for what you are doing, as we do, it helps drive you to succeed!! So...if you have that passion then we encourage you to follow your dream. You might regret it otherwise.

What are 3 things people don't know about you?

1.We both have claims to fame when it comes to the sport of Basketball. Selena played for the only basketball team at her high school (St. Francis High School in Sacramento) that ever won a California State Championship. Anna also played basketball at St. Francis High School and then went on to play at Santa Clara University where she was a part of the only Santa Clara Women's Basketball team that won the NIT.

2. They have seen too many naked men and women to count ...at work that is :-)

3. While we have named all of our hospital gowns after women in our family who were influential to us....we have also named all of our six boys after influential men in our family that we have looked up to and have been inspired by.

Thank you Annie and Selena!

www.annieandisabel.com

Monday Inspiration - Tiffany's Vday Gifts

Valentine's Day is right around the corner. Tiffany's has some AMAZING jewelry!

Tiffany Keys heart key charm

Paloma Queen of Hearts

Paloma Picasso Love Charm



Tiffany Keys Pink Sapphire


Tiffany Keys Earrings

http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/CategoryBrowse.aspx?mcat=148207&cid=288153&search_params=s+5-p+1-c+288153-r+101424400-x+-n+12-ri+-ni+1-t+

Friday Fab - Golden Globe Divas

There were some AMAZING dresses at the Golden Globes. I love how People Mag puts the trends together. The question now is "who looks the best"?

MY VOTE: MILA

MY VOTE: SANDRA

MY VOTE: NATALIE
This one was hard....
MY VOTE: EVA

Featured Vendor - Storymix Media

Today's featured vendor is Storymix Media. They provide technical and creative expertise in photo and film/video memories landscape and creating slideshows and movies from media. Storymix Media has a true passion for what they do and are definitely worth checking out!

"New products. New technology. Easy to understand. Simple to use. Great Value."


Q&A:
What inspired you to start your business?
Originally it was from creating year in review videos of our growing family. The next inspiration was the realization of not having any video from our wedding. It was the last event my grandmother attended, a friend died later in a snowmobile accident, and I have no way to show my kids me dancing on the tables with the centerpiece on my head at the end of the night.

What exactly does Story Mix Media entail?

We create custom, pro slideshows and videos from personal photo, film, and video memories. Our products are specifically tailored to focus on wedding couples, consumer, and pro customers since each has different needs and requirements.

What advice would you give other entrepreneurs?

Go to Steve Blank's website (http://steveblank.com) and learn everything you can about Customer Development. Make sure you solve a problem and have customers willing to pay for your products or services before you build your business. Don't spend a lot of money until you know you have a business model that works.

What are 3 things people don't know about you?

1. I watch Food Network
2. I used to be Vice President of our neighborhood garden club
3. I change the oil on my car myself

http://www.storymixmedia.com
http://twitter.com/storymix

Thank you Ariane!!

Friday Fab - January Birthstone Jewelry

The birthstone for January is Garnet. I am loving this deep red stone!!

A little history from Wikipedia:
The garnet (pronounced /ˈɡɑrnɨt/) group includes a group of minerals that have been used since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives. The name "garnet" may come from either the Middle English word gernet meaning 'dark red', or the Latin granatus ("grain"), possibly a reference to the Punica granatum ("pomegranate"), a plant with red seeds similar in shape, size, and color to some garnet crystals.


Here are some Garnet beauties:

Helzberg Pendant

Helzberg Princess Cut Garnet Ring
Macy's 14KT Gold Garnet & Diamond Stud Earrings

Zales Oval Ring

Brazilian Garnet Ladybug Pendant

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL JANUARY BABIES!

Featured Vendor - Uptown Girl Designs

Today's featured vendor is the lovely Uptown Girl Designs. The Uptown Girl Designs studio is full of fabulous designs that celebrate babies, weddings, birthdays, holidays and so much more! They also have wonderful designs for personal note cards and thank you cards. Kristina's designs are AMAZING and so unique! I HIGHLY suggest going to her website and checking them out yourself.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Baby Boy Birth Announcement

Save The Date

Baby Shower

Q&A with Kristina:

What inspired you to start your business?
My daughter, Gabby, is my inspiration for Uptown Girl Designs. It
started when she was born and I wanted a modern and chic birth announcement. They were hard to come by. Everything seemed so generic. I eventually did find something but during her first year I started designing my own cards for her events. It didn't take long for me to realize what wanted to do. I had always dreamed of being my own boss. I was tired of "working for the man". I decided in early 2007 to work towards starting my own company. My hubby Tim was 110% supportive, and is even more so today. I want Gabby to see what can be accomplished with hard work. To never give up. To dream big and hope for more. Always.

What exactly does Uptown Girl Designs entail?
At Uptown Girl Designs we love everything and anything about babies and birthdays and weddings and showers. Well, basically any reason to throw a party! From the simplest of backyard bbq's to the swankiest of soirees, we can create the perfect invitation to set the tone for any party or event. And we know that introducing a baby to the world is such a joyous event and you are excited to share photos and details with family & friends. Our birth announcements are simply sweet and undeniably unique! We also have really fancy Thank You notes! What has happened to this important form of gratitude? When you take the time to use some personal stationary it really says something about your character and sends a message that you truly are thankful. All of this and more can be found here at Uptown Girl Designs - high-quality, affordable and one of a kind cards made with lots of love!

What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?
My advice for other female entrepreneurs is to never give up and connect with other female entrepreneurs!! One of the highlights of starting my business is meeting all the other amazing, creative and smart women I've met. If I see that someone else is out there, working hard at their dream, that makes me want mine even more. Quitting is easy and anyone can do that. Staying focused and not giving up is what will set you apart.

What are 3 things people don't know about you?
Three things people may not know about me... I'm a HUGE Twilight fan{TEAM EDWARD}!... I completed a 1/2 marathon (mostly walking, but I didit!)... I dream of someday taking an improv class (hey, I think I'm funny).

Thank you again Kristina!!

www.uptowngirldesigns.com
http://twitter.com/missuptowngirl

Monday Inspiration - Bachelorette Party in Key West

4 more days and I will be in Key West with 8 amazing chicas on my BFF's bachelorette party! This bachelorette party has been a huge inspiration to get through the long hours at work & get my butt to the gym!


You have heard me mention Amy in prior posts, but she has been my best friend since first grade. Her family was a 2nd family to me and sometimes I spent more time over there. We are going to have so much fun and I cannot wait for some fun in the sun.

Congrats again Amy! LYLAS!!

Fribay Fab - SNOW SNOW SNOW

Yet another weekend that is threatened by snow. We got about 4-5 inches overnight and may get some more tomorrow! Just enough to make the commute to work a pain. Oh and one of my friends is getting married today :( Even though snow is a pain, it makes for BEAUTIFUL pictures!

Here are a few beauties to cheer up your Friday:

toxel.comwebecoist.com

thisislondon.co.uk

iamtheweather.com

TGIF!!!!

Featured Vendor - Amy Cornwell

Amy Cornwell is another amazing person I met on twitter. I am completely in love with her work. All her designs are original and one of a kind! She makes a variety of items from stamped to beaded pieces. I am mildly obsessed with stamped items and cannot wait to purchase something! Amy is definitely someone worth keeping an eye on :)

Here are some of my favorite pieces:

Q&A with Amy:

What inspired you to start your business?

I started my business at the end of 2003 after attending a jewelry party and realizing that I could do this myself! I had started making jewelry around 1996 (in High School) to make money for Spring Break but didn't get back into it until 2003 when I had my first at-home party. It did so well that I thought I'd make it official in 2004 and registered my business. Sales drastically took off in 2007 when I really pushed the business on Etsy and started doing stamped, personalized items.

What exactly does Amy Cornwell entail?

95% of what I sell is stamped, personalized items. I also still offer beaded items and some sewn goods. I love all things creative so at times you'll see items besides stamped goods in the shop. I like to share with others the items I create. I'm continually adding new stamped items to the shop because I have a {slight} addiction to blanks and new necklaces.

What advice would you give other female entrepreneurs?

Keep trying! It's taken me a long time to get consistent sales on Etsy and growing my website at amycornwell.com. Just keep relisting items on Etsy, telling others about your product via Twitter and Facebook. Promote, promote, promote! Try new things and ways of advertising. Make a name and brand for yourself. Have outstanding customer service because word of mouth {I believe} is the most effective way to grow.

What are 3 things people don't know about you?

This is a tough one! I'd say 1) I'm loyal to a fault, 2) I'm insecure and 3) I love being generous when I'm able to.

Thank you Amy!!!!!

www.amycornwell.com
http://twitter.com/amycornwell

Tuesday Shoesday #2 - Alternative Wedding Shoe

IF I did not have a destination wedding that I went barefoot at, I would have loved to wear glitter wedding shoes. I absolutely love these Christian Louboutin Glitter-Covered Leather Peep Toes! They are amazing and would add such a glam touch to your wedding attire!

Tuesday Shoesday - Cold Weather

Since it is suppose to snow again this weekend in Delaware, I thought it was appropriate to do this week's tuesday shoesday on cold weather shoes. There is no reason you cannot look fashionable in the snow :)

Here are some of my favorite cold weather shoes:

Classic Tall Ugg
Can't go wrong with this one!
Anne Klein Reikan
Ugg Lonnie

STAY WARM :)

Monday Inspiration - Destination Diva 2011

Destination Diva is going to have a busy and fun 2011! This is will the first full year in business and I have SOOOO many ideas!! Also, I will be launching my new website in the next few weeks.

Sneak Peak of 2011

• You will see butterflies
  
• More glitter
• New children mini-diva collection
• More classes
• New book published - Princess Jewels: The Glitter Ball

Stay tuned :)

Thank you to all of you ladies who have inspired me in 2010 to push through my first year of business! I have learned so much!