FAM-Made for the Holidays

Christmas is just around the corner with 22 days left to shop for your loved ones! For some wonderful one-of-kind gifts, visit Fabulous Artistic Mom's (I'm a proud member) FAM Made Holiday Gift Guide 2008. For 12 days (until December 12th), they are sharing holiday gift ideas and cheer for the whole family, so check back often! Just enough time to find the perfect gifts for your loved ones!

Promises

I've always been a lover for fortune cookies. It's the best part of my meal when I eat at Chinese restaurants. There's something magical about cracking that cookie open and reaching for that small piece of paper that predicts your future or shares a bit of wisdom.

I was so happy when I discovered that Dove decided to mix my love for dark chocolate with words of inspiration. Since I've decided to cut back on indulging in my Dove Bars, I treat myself to a piece--sometimes two or three--of Dove Promises practically every night.

"Believe in yourself." -Dove Promises Message

Oh, boy, was this something I needed to unwrap and believe. It's been quite some time now that I've been saying I'll probably start up Sweet Posy Designs, but I've been hesitating and it's mostly because I'm not as confident in my work as I would like to be. I tend to compare my designs and ideas to other artists and think that their work is better or that I won't end up selling any of my work. My friend had to remind me that every one has their own style and that I do have great designs. So when I unwrapped this chocolate candy, I thought it was life giving me a message. As I shared earlier, I finally decided to take the plunge this past weekend and set up shop on Etsy. Even though I only have two designs up right now, I'll get there, I just have to believe in myself.

And on the topic of Dove Promise, you can send an e-promise to a friend! There are many different themes: friendship, love, hope, inspiration, confidence, indulge, attitude, and life. You can even create your own message! Plus, Dove partnered with Susan G. Komen to capture the strength, compassion, and voice of women who have overcome the battle in their own lives. Breast cancer survivors can log on and enter their own words of hope and inspiration, and these emotional messages will be transferred onto the Dove chocolate wrappers in an effort to spread breast cancer awareness. Spread the word--the program lasts only until November 30, 2008. Hopefully they extend it or just make it an ongoing program!

I took the Handmade Pledge

I finally did it! With a finnicky wi-fi connection, I was finally able to set up my shop, Sweet Posy Designs, on Etsy. I only have two designs advertised right now, but I'll create more products once things calm down around here.

I've sold numerous items on many sites before--eBay, Amazon, half.com, but I must admit that it was harder for me to sell on Etsy. Not that it's difficult--the steps are easy to follow and there's tons of support from teams and other members. Perhaps it's more that it's personal and meaningful to me because it's a business of my designs rather than another company's products. I took lots of time in figuring out my policies, shipping, pricing, listings, etc, and I'm happy with the layout. If you have a chance, take a look at my shop, and let me know what you think. I'd love to hear your feedback so I know what I can improve on! Thanks!

Now if only Blogger would stop being temperamental with me as well and show me the link, "Add a Gadget," on my Layout page, I'll be able to advertise my listings on here! Oh, how I hate the internet connection out here!

DIY Chocolate Bar Wrappers Rachel Ray Style

Rachel Ray knows how to end a party in style! She shares these Sweet Talkers for you to customize for any occasion! All you have to do is buy jumbo chocolate bars (5 oz.) and customize your pick with your name and date. Print, cut, fold, and glue. Voila! You just made your own candy bar favors!

These designs are wonderful, and I'm inspired to create more designs! I just need to find the time!

Thanks, Shawna, for the tip!

I'm It!

Shawna, creative genius and founder of Styleberry Home, tagged me, and I always loved playing Tag as a child! Get ready, it's a mix of her 5 & 7 tags...

5 Years Ago:

1. I lived 1100 miles away my then boyfriend turned hubby.
2. I was the Treasurer for Delta Phi Gamma during my junior year at UC Irvine.
3. I planned out my class schedule so that I wouldn't have classes on Fridays--weekends started Thursday nights!
4. I lived with 3 awesome roommates in a tiny apartment across the street from campus.
5. I went to work in jeans, a sweatshirt, and flip flops (not all at the same time) at Beachhouse.com in between classes.

5 Things on My List Today:

1. Sleep & nap while Tristan sleeps (yes, I have to tell myself to do this everyday!)
2. Update my address with everyone
3. Purchase flight tickets to go home for the Holidays
   
4. Create listings on my Etsy seller account, Sweet Posy Designs
   
5. Figure out how to code my domain name so that when I type www.sweetposydesigns.com in the URL, it says "Sweet Posy Designs" and NOT "Untitled Document"

5 Snacks I Enjoy:

1. Jamba Juice's Aloha Pineapple
   
2. Trader Joe's Orange Flavored Cranberries
3. Chips with Salsa or Guacomole
   
4. Pinkberry's Original Frozen Yogurt with Raspberries & Blueberries
5. Special K Bar Strawberry

5 Things I Would Do if I were a Millionaire

1. Pay off all debt
2. Buy a retirement house either in California or Colorado
3. Buy a house for my mom in Redondo Beach, CA with an extra room for us to stay in when we visit her!
   
4. Invest in mutual funds, stocks, bonds, etc (best time to buy is when the market is low!)
5. Save for Tristan's college fund

5 Places I Have Lived:

1. Carson, CA
2. Irvine, CA
3. Las Vegas, NV
4. Milton, FL
5. Corpus Christi, TX

5 Jobs I Have Had:

1. Executive Assistant
2. Operations Assistant
3. Customer Support Manager
4. Associate Financial Representative
5. Public Relations Specialist

7 Random/Weird Facts About Me:

1. At work, I am a neat freak and have everything completely organized, but at home, it's the exact opposite, and I'm a complete mess (for the most part).
2. I have NEVER colored my hair.
3. I randomly sing the same verse & chorus of this song that we used to sing at my high school's masses around the house, especially when I'm in the shower. I've tried googling the lyrics, but still can't find the name of the song.
4. I used to run "fashionably late" to every event, but ever since I had Tristan, I've actually became better about arriving on time!
5. In search for answers, I google everything.
6. The only dessert I can successfully bake is Chocolate Lava Cake. mmm...yummy!
7. Whenever I see something I like and don't want to pay for the price, I make it a DIY project from planning my wedding to painting Tristan's letters for his nursery. I just wish I could find more time to work on projects!

7 Random People I Tag:

1. Laura Miller Photography
2. Events by Jem
3. Serah's Soap
4. Caroline Bertani's Just Because Jewelry
5. Esculon Says
6. She Just Got Married
7. Christine

Shipping Tidbits

Why is it that while I love receiving mail, I hate sending it? I decided to drop off the candy bars package at the main branch since I figured it would have one less place to travel. Plus, I wanted to send it via Priority Mail, so I assumed that since it was the main branch, it would have plenty of flat rate boxes in stock. Well, I was wrong. They didn't have very much in stock of anything, but, luckily, I had the huge box I brought the candy bars in, which, I learned that the dimensions of the box just increases the shipping size. It wasn't until I logged onto usps.com that learned that you can order shipping supplies for free, which I will now be doing in the future so I don't find myself in the same situation again. USPS has an Express Mail Service Commitment page where you can determine the delivery date and time for your shipment. I think they should do this for all of their mailing services, so that you can compare the best shipment service just like their postage price calculator.

Now when I arrived at the post office, there was barely anyone in line. While packaging my items into the original box that I brought, more people were streaming into the office and the line was getting longer--all the way to the door. There were three associates on the opposite side of the counter, and I can sympathize if all three of them were busy helping us. However, it was frustrating to watch that one of them place the sign "Next Register" on his booth and another employee just stand there and watch her coworker help us. So instead of three people working, it was just one guy! I don't understand it, and I was upset when I was in front of the line and watch the only guy working walk away to the back and have the "Next Register" guy say, "He'll be back in any moment to help you." Why doesn't he just help me? Is that too much to ask? I would possibly understand if I was the only customer, but the line went all the way to the doorway. It just doesn't seem logical, productive and unteamlike to me. Ugh. Next time I'll request a pickup.

These are just a few lessons learned from my neighborhood post office. I definitely don't want to go through that again, especially with the holidays right around the corner!

Sweet Sixteen

I received my first client! (Yay!) My friend's daughter just turned 16, and is celebrating it with a ball this weekend. I am honored to be a part of it by creating candy bar favors for her big day.


Like my mom says, "don't be in a hurry to grow up." Have fun and cherish these sweet times!

Eat at Your Own Risk

Rather than cleaning up my home, I decided to make miniature candy label favors for a Halloween party. I've found that designing labels and wrapping candies have become a great stress reliever for me lately.

Hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween!

Just Call Me the Candy Wrapper Girl!

I've been enjoying designing my own invitations and favor labels for my parties--I've only had a wedding and baptism to celebrate so far, though! I've always wanted to give away wrapped Hershey bars; and when Tristan's baptism came around, I wasn't going to pass up working on a new project. Here's the design that I created for his candy wrapper:

And what do you know? It was a hit! I now have two custom order requests (a sweet 16 and a high school graduation)! I couldn't be more thrilled! In fact, I decided to make a company name, Sweet Posy Designs...celebrating life's sweet moments/occasions? All my life people have described me as "sweet" and it doubles for "sweet" candy & sentiments.

I'll probably open an Etsy account with this name--I LOVE that site! I could probably spend hundreds of dollars a day on it.

Mommy Wish List

Lately, I've been coming across many cute diapering accessories that I want, and I thought that I'd share! They're chic, stylish, and, most of all, functional--at least that's what the reviews and companies tell me. I'll just have to find out for myself!

1) Shopping at Bellini one afternoon, I found the cutest Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag, an "Afternoon in Katmandu!" I keep telling myself that if I had this tote, I would save myself from lugging around a diaper bag and my purse. It's surprisingly spacious inside with several pockets for just about any accessory for the baby and me and includes a changing pad and wipes case. I held off from purchasing it so that I can find out if there are other cute prints to choose from on their website. While Katmandu is still my favorite, I now can't decide between the touring tote, boxy backpack, or shoulder bag! Choices, choices, choices.

I HATE the small and thin diaper changing pads that came along with my diaper bags. Does every diaper bag manufacturer add these awful type of pads to their bags? First, they are so tiny--Tristan is only 4-months old, and he's been the size of the pad since he was 2 months. Secondly, they're so thin, and I hate it when I have to change him at public restrooms because a) they only have those hard plastic changing stations, b) they have a flat hard wooden table without a cushion, or c) they don't have a changing table at all, so I have to try to find a place to change him--either the restaurant booth, my car seat, the dressing room, a bench, etc. (I've never had to resort to the bathroom floor, but I've heard others have!). Tristan is always uncomfortable, and it's probably due to the lack of cushion. Lastly, Tristan is wiggling and turning around making it difficult to keep him on the pad. From these annoyances, I thought about creating a better diaper changing pad that would solve my solutions. After trying to do some research online, I found out that others have already beat me to the punch! Ah, well, at least I can try them out and see if they work like a charm!

2) This is the Patemm pad, a round diaper changing pad. Grace Welch, the inventor, was a genius! You can stick your accessories inside the pad, and it folds nicely so you can fit it in your bag. How awesome is that? Plus, they come in the cutest prints--my favorite is "The Jack Martin." Not only that, but it was great to look at her products online and realize that she's Filipino, too. She incorporated our culture into her products by naming her collections in Bicol or Tagalog, regional dialects.

3) Just when I thought I was going to design something unique from the Patemm pad, I came across the Plush Pad by Ah Goo Baby in "Vintage in Blue." Even though it has a memory foam cushion, it's supposed to be easily rolled up and tucked away in your bag.

I must get my hands on these and try them out! Soon!

Tristan Birth Announcement

I have been meaning to post Tristan's birth announcement for awhile since he's 3 1/2 months old now. I can't believe how fast time is flying by! When I designed it, I wanted it to be simple, modern, and classic.


The photo of him was taken by my good friend, Garrett Santos, who started photography as a hobby. He always takes beautiful photos! Thanks, Garrett!

Nursing Curtain at Work

With all of the benefits of breastfeeding, I, naturally, want to give my son the best nutrition. Luckily, I have a supportive boss (it always helps when she just recently had a baby as well) and my own office where I can conveniently and privately pump.

Of course, things aren't always that simple; all of our office doors are classroom style, so I have a long vertical window. I didn't want to stick papers or a piece of fabric to cover the window because, in my own opinion, that just looks plain tacky.

Stores around the area didn't have any curtains that would fit my window, so I decided to research online. After numerous researches trying to find a company that already sells curtains for classroom doors, I found none. Zip, nada. Should I just resort to covering it up with papers? Of course not!

I decided that I was going to make my own fashionable and functional curtain. Granted, I should have decided to do this earlier--like in my third trimester--when I didn't have a 7-week baby needing me every second while still exhausted from a long day of work.

With my window measurements in hand, I went to Hobby Lobby and picked out my fabric. There were a few pieces of cute fabric to choose from, and I decided to purchase two different pattern prints and make a reversible curtain.

It took a few evenings for me to complete my project--squeezing a few minutes of hand sewing in between taking care of Tristan, cleaning, making dinner, and sleeping--but I finally finished it!

I must say that it was well worth the time and effort! I was thinking today that maybe I could make a business out of this project. I wonder how many other breastfeeding moms found themselves in the same predicament. What do you think?