Coffee Date {friendships, fashion bloggers & branding} + a WINNER!!

Last week, I visited my friend Tara of Laila's Charming Pieces for a coffee date and play date. This week, she came to visit my home to catch up once more.

As soon as she told me she was coming over, I immediately started to brew some Folgers Morning Blend coffee because it's her favorite and when I tried it, it became my favorite as well. With some Peppermint Mocha creamer + Hazelnut creamer, we were set to chat.

What's your favorite coffee + creamer combo?

We talked about our ideas for upcoming items to add to our shops for the fall season including a new headband that we just photographed for Tara's shop. We also talked about the different difficulties we've had with figuring out our target market and branding ideas. 

It takes time and some experience to really understand and "know" your brand. Truth is, it may even change but feeling confident of your work is the first step.

Then, when I saw Tara's customized stamp she had bought for LCP, I told myself that I needed one too! Ha! That's my next shop purchase. ;) 

If you own a handmade shop/business, what difficulties and achievements have you had with branding? Was/is knowing your target market an obstacle? 

We went on to discuss our recent struggles with friendships and the changes that can come so suddenly after a friendship was thought to be so strong. It's funny how much time it can take to build a close relationship with someone but it can all be ruined so quickly. This past month was especially hard on me when it came to letting go of people that were once so near and dear to my heart. I realized that I need to just stop waiting for something that probably won't happen and let just let it be.

Forgiveness was also brought up and how hard it can be to completely forgive and cast unto the Lord. Prayer requests were exchanged and I'm so thankful that I have others to be prayer warriors for as well as for myself.

Have you ever struggled with letting go of friendships/relationships?

The funniest part about today was definitely when Tara was telling me about a recent post by The Life of Bon entitled "how to become a fashion blogger." The topics she named were HILARIOUS! So funny in fact that I had actually spewed some of my coffee out on the table from laughing so hard.

 Some of the things she listed were posing and taking photos in a crowd of people (they will think you are a celeb or model), pop your elbow or your knee (or both)-you'll look "legit" (See Tara below) and stick your head out as far as possible toward the lens-your head my look big but your waist will look oh so tiny. My fav? If all else fails, hide behind a big purse, a plant, or a dog.
Seriously, read this people!

Now, I'm no fashion blogger but I do enjoy reading a few of them. I can totally see how these laughable ideas were given. I don't know how they can style themselves super cute with a pair of heels just about EVERYDAY (I know you aren't really wearing those heels in the snow to run your daily errands) and take photos of themselves. I commend their efforts! It takes creativity and certainly motivation to pick out cute wardrobe all the time.
What are some of your favorite fashion blogs?

Last but not least, last week we posted a giveaway of a pretty beaded bracelet from my shop as well as some adorable crochet hearts handmade by Tara.

The winner has been chosen.
Congrats and Cheers to Courtney of Air Force Wife & Our Life!! 

Have a lovely day friends!

Coffee Date {with a friend} + Giveaway

Today, I'm sharing coffee date with my dear friend Tara of Laila's Charming Pieces. I came over to her house for a visit and a play date with the littles. She instantly welcomed me with open arms and brewed some yummy coffee for us to enjoy (and then had to brew another since the husband drank all of it before we could get to it). 

We decided for this weeks coffee date, we would share our thoughts with you! We love having others over and getting to know some new faces so lets start by pouring a cup of hot coffee (with hazelnut creamer please) and making room on the couch to get cozy on.

This week has been quite busy in the craft room (for both of us actually). Tara put aside a whole day to clean her craft room and I have been trying to play catch up on orders and clean my mess of a room since Tara inspired me to do so. I firmly believe the saying, "creative people are rarely tidy." (cough cough)

Speaking of which, if you were with us, you would be hearing the crash of Jenga pieces right about now. Coffee dates with babies are quite loud.

Onto other news, my husband and I have officially started the house hunting process. Let the competing and patience testing begin! This market is a nightmare for buyers right now. Prayers please!

Prayers also for Tara as she starts a new endeavor with Laila's Charming Pieces and retail. 

Also, I'd have to ask if you've seen The Great Gatsby. I FINALLY saw it (went with the husband) and fell in love! The whole time I was watching it, I craved my sketch book to jot down all of the beautiful ideas that were dancing in my head for events, shoots, pretties, etc. It's a must see for sure!

We may will also talk about motherhood and share our crazy baby stories. From Levi jumping off tables to Laila sending random photos from the phone. Although the babes drive us nuts at times, what's parenting without some good laughs right?

Of course with littles running around, you can't have pictures without them photo bombing. Keeping snacks nearby sustains their happiness. Even if it's only temporary while you try to take photos with a friend. ;)

The last thing we would share on our coffee date with you is our neat little giveaway we prepared as a special THANK YOU for our readers that we love so much!!
Tara has handmade some adorable crochet hearts that you can use to brighten up a room. You can also use them as toppers, favors for a small party, props for a little girls photo shoot or even attach a table number to each and use them in centerpieces!

To add to this great prize, I created a pretty pink and gold bracelet for one lucky winner. With faceted beads on a dainty gold colored chain, get it before it's available in the shop!

Enter below and the winner will be chosen next Friday, the 16th.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Coffee Date {a bump, a burn and a seashell crown}

If we were having coffee, you may be staring at a bump under my left eye which also has a small gash that came right along with it. I'd tell you that my crazy one and a half year old son hit me with the corner of my cell phone...he didn't sit on my lap for long after that.

Speaking of some pain, I may also have to tell you about the worst burn I've ever gotten and it came from some hot glue. Here's a tip, don't wear shorts while working on a project that requires a hot glue gun. It WILL turn out badly. By the way, both of these incidents happened in the same evening!

Moving on.

I'd definitely have to vent about a crazy couple of months full of long nights in the craft room but quickly reassure you that I'm incredibly thankful for the support I've received and the many happy e-mails I've read. It's been such a great journey in the handmade business world!

I may also have to show you a photo of one of my favorite pieces I've made to date. I'm working on a Shipwrecked themed photo shoot and created a crown full of sea shells, moss and starfish which I fell head over heels in love with! I may actually be wearing it on our "coffee date." Ok, maybe not but I would have definitely thought about it more than once before I left the house.

Pic via my Instagram

After taking a few sips of my iced caramel macchiato, I'd switch to the baby subject. If you have babies, we'd talk about the latest adventures with the littles. Potty training stories, the recent highest points that have been jumped off of, disciplinary actions that haven't worked (or finally has), new words and the laughter that has ensued after a new game has been discovered.

I'd may even mention the recent talks I've had with my husband about having another baby. After the recent break down of trying to discipline a strong-willed child though, further talk has been postponed.

As far as this month goes, I'm looking forward to the river trip we are taking in a couple weeks with some friends and our little ones. We haven't been to Laughlin in years! Excited to soak up the sun, water time with the love bug and some shopping. We may even go canoeing depending on if we can take Levi with us.

Do you have any summer time plans? I'd love to hear about them!

Until our next coffee date, have a beautiful day my friends!

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Coffee Date {FIRST Video Blog}

Happy Friday everyone! I am linking up with Alissa from Rags to Stitches for Coffee Date today. This is my FIRST video blog and I'm kind of dreading posting this but I will just get over it! Ha!

Highlights of the video:
-I need some advice with scheduling. Anyone have some for a busy wife, momma, crafter, blogger etc. etc.?
-Excited for Elevate next weekend!! It will be my first blog conference too! :)
-Also excited for the new bridal line that will be in the shop this month. Aurora Vilchis will be taking the photos. She is amazing and has beautiful talent my friends!
-There will be some big changes coming to the shop soon as well. I didn't mention them in the video but I am thinking about transitioning the shop to strictly wedding adornments instead of a mix of EVERYTHING. Or, at least creating a new shop with everyday accessories and leaving Love Sparkle Pretty to strictly wedding items. What do you guys think??
-What's been going on with you? If we were having coffee, what would you tell me? Link up and leave your comments below. :)

Have a beautiful day friends!