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

Weekend Recap {A vacay in the sun}

This past Sunday, my husband, my little love bug and I packed up to go on our first family vacation. We decided to go to Laughlin and meet up with our good friends, Chad and Tara and my momma even came out for a night! I was a little weary taking the baby to Laughlin but seeing how our rooms were only $24 a night at the Harrah's, we made it work and found lots of fun things to do with Levi. In actuality, the vacation seemed to be Levi's vacation seeing how he ate lots of goodies, stayed up pretty late, played in the arcade, swam his little heart out in the river and soaked up lots of sun (with mounds of sun screen of course)!
We all had such a great time! I brought my DSLR but I ended up taking most of the photos on my iPhone because I was too nervous that I'd break my Canon somehow.
Here's a little peek of this past weekend.

{enjoy}

On our way with a sleeping baby in the back seat.

Arcade time for little love.

A dinner night with some Mexican food!

Yummy Creme Brulee another night with my momma and step father.

Levi had dessert too...

Clear skies on the way home.

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have noticed the photo above because of the quote I posted on the way home from our trip. :)

Have a beautiful Friday my friends! 

Do you have any plans for this upcoming weekend?

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