on business and mentors

I opened my Etsy store at the beginning of January and since I have posted my items, I haven't done much else with it.  Quite frankly, I don't know how to market it.  Do I just stick to Twitter and my blog, do I create a button and advertise that way, do I do the paid ad stuff on Etsy, I just don't know.

I follow a lot of "successful" entrepreneurs on Twitter in hopes of finding inspiration on how they market themselves and run their business.  Turns out that people are pretty tight lipped when it comes to sharing the details of how they "made it" and if you are not already running in their circle or know someone who is running in their circle, don't even bother.  

I also recently joined the free version Savor the Success.  I was expecting people like me and you who are learning the ropes and looking for a little bit of success.  Like real life scenarios of how to's and tips and struggles and do's and dont's...not so much.  There are discussion boards but most of them are private and require you to ask for permission to join.  I have asked to join a handful of them with no reply.  Totally reminds me of high school all over again.  There are also featured contributors within the site that blog on various topics.  There are a few good ones who provide valuable content but most of the contributors are consultants and coaches so they write a bunch of fluff with no substance.  I'm sure they would rather have you pay for their wisdom than share it for free in a blog post.

The interesting part of this scenario is that I own and operate a busy vacation rental company.  I get lots and lots of people asking me for advice, tips, tricks, how'd I get going, what have I learned, etc.  I find it so inspiring and I answer every single one of their emails.  I wish there was someone around when I was starting out to mentor me because I had so many questions and the process of getting started was completely overwhelming. 

So if anyone is still with me through this roller coaster diatribe, I guess it boils down to the fact that I am not a sales person.  You need to be a sales person, have that drive, personality, and so forth to excel at selling a product.  I am not giving up on my jewelry just yet but in my heart of hearts I know I am not a sales lady.  It is so far outside of my element that I am not sure I would know where to begin to lasso it in.  I guess time will tell. 

Do you have a mentor?  What have you learned?  Where did you go?  Share your stories in the comments!

bringing the table to life

I am a complete sucker for dishes in all shapes and sizes and I don't believe that China is for "special" and others are for everyday use.  This probably because I rarely hold special enough events that would warrant bringing out the "special" dishes!  Dishes can add that extra bit of life to the dinning table.  And since generally, you don't want to have an elaborate display as your centerpiece that blocks the the view of the guests on the other side of the table, dishes are a nice way to keep things interesting.

When I got married about five years ago, I had my heart set on Kate Spade's St. Kitts Dogwood dinner plates.  They are still my everyday dish and I love how versatile and timeless.

I currently pair them with a floral accent plate by Kate Spade, which appear to be no longer available on Macy's or on Kate Spade's website.  They came in four colors and I love to mix and match them for an added bit of color.

However, I think I am now ready to introduce something new to my collection.  A little less matchy, matchy, I think. I have compiled a few accent plates that made it to the top of my must-have list.  Now to the hard part is to decide which design to choose or if I should do a compilation of multiple designs.

Kate Spade Sandpiper

Anthropologie 

Etsy

Etsy

loafers

I've always had a thing for loafers.  Even before they were trendy or socially acceptable to wear.  Whenever I am shopping I  seem to have this magnetic force that always leads me to them to the loafer section.  Maybe it's that are classic and timeless, I don't know, I am just drawn to them.  Back in the day when I was in 7th or so grade I wore Dexter Penny Loafers WITH pennies in them.  I believe I had them in both brown and black.  I was totally the coolest kid on the block.  Totally.

I recently saw these lovlies in a post on Cocco + Kelly which led me to a new-to-me site ASOS.  I guess loafers are making a come back so if I jump on the band wagon I will actually make the trend this time!  I love all the fun spring colors.  I will take one of each of these.  Please.

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paper flowers

I am enamored with these handmade paper flowers from SunnySkyeCreations.  Wouldn't one of these make a fabulous present topper?  Or a simple embellishment on a nice bottle of wine instead of a gift bag?

I am thinking (way in advance) about ordering several to make into napkin rings for my annual Christmas dinner.  I think it would add a modern touch to the traditional holiday decor.

CocoBijou

A good friend of mine recently introduced me to CocoBijou and I just had to share Nicole Robertson's work with you.  Everything in her exquisite collection is on my wish list.

How fabulous is this necklace?  And did I mention it is 20% off?  This is an everyday, practical, stylish piece.  Right up my alley.

Another everyday piece!

So yea, I'll take one of everything in her shop.  She is crazy talented and I simply can't wait to own a piece of my own!

rugs

I am in need, yes in need, of a new rug for my kitchen.  I currently have an ity bity one in front of the sink but since we have a wide galley kitchen I am thinking something bigger would make things look a bit more proportional.

I am considering this zig zag rug from Urban Outfitters...for only $69!  What a fantastic deal.  Plus if it gets ruined, a very likely scenario in my house of six fur children, I won't be heartbroken.

Urban Outiftters has a huge selection online.  I also spotted these that would be fun for maybe a guest room, office or bathroom. I can't get over the ridiculously cheap prices so I feel like I should scoop them up!  Rugs always seem to be the most difficult thing for me to commit to.  Normally, it seems like they are so darn expensive that they are truly an investment and I have to be happy with whatever I choose for quite some time....but not with these!

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garden stakes

Last year I didn't label the plants in the garden and I had stuff randomly planted all over the place--I really didn't know what the heck I was doing (obviously) and clearly had never planted a garden.  This year I plan to step it up a bit (although I am already behind because nothing is planted yet!) and invest in some garden stakes.

I have searched high and low on the web for ones that I can reuse.  There are only just a few I am considering.  Do you have any suggestions on where to find stylin' garden stakes?

I LOVE these and am tempted to buy, however, I would be oh-so-sad if they broke!

These are economical and come in packages of 100.

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mother's day

Hoping all you wonderful mommies and fur mommies had a fantastic Mother's Day!

We had low key Sunday because I ended up having to leave to Portland for work last night.  I wasn't able to host dinner as I mentioned in my previous post, but my mom did and it was just as spectacular.  We also celebrated my dad's birthday, which was on Saturday.

My fur-children are buying this hammered pendent necklace that I have had my eye on for quite some time.  The Nordstroms in Spokane carries a limited selection of items so I usually have to wait until I am in Portland or Seattle to pick things up.  I'm now just trying to decide on which one.  Or both.

 

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They are much more stunning in person than in these images.  In fact, looking at them in this post, I am not sure I would have bought them if I had only seen them online.  I will take a better picture of the one I get.

what a week and pigeon toe ceramics

Well, has it been a week or has it been a week?  I am quite ready for this week to end and a little bit of R&R to occur this weekend.  I am hosting THE Mother's Day Celebration and I still don't have the menu put together other than the salad I shared in my last post.  I best be getting to work on this.

In other news, I am huge fan of Pigeon Toe Ceramics.   Lisa Jones is the mastermind behind the pottery.  She has a store in Portland.  Her business has just taken off in the last few years and I couldn't be more excited for her!  On a side note, Lisa's family and my family have been long time family friends.  Then the kids grew up and we all went our  separate ways.  It has been years since I have seen Lisa (I am sure she probably doesn't remember me) and I ran across her website on a friends Facebook page.    I was like thrilled to see her amazing work and then tell everyone in Spokane about it!

Each season she puts out a new collection.  With each collection I want everything.  One of these weeks while I am in Portland, I am going to stop by and say hi and buy myself a treat.

My treat may consist of one of these items.

drawer pulls-$24-$130

cream and sugar-$78

pleated string light (top of my list!)-$174

scribble nesting bowls-$144

disc birdfeeder-$46

house of fifty

I ran across the premier issue of House of Fifty on another blog over the weekend and spent some time last night checking it out.  Actually, I read it cover-to-cover, which I rarely do.  Usually, I just look at the pictures unless something really catches my eye.  I must say that I am quite impressed.

I am so pleased that there is finally a magazine that offers ideas that the average person can accomplish and fit into their budget.  While I love the higher-end magazines and often find a lot of inspiration in the features; most times the average person can not afford to put together a room of that caliber.  Trust me, I love to bargain hunt, estate sale hunting, and scouring Craigslist but there are just some things you can't replicate.

It seems House of Fifty targets the everyday home and the everyday lady.  I am looking forward to the next issue already!

I ran across this recipe and will be including it in my Mother's Day dinner menu.  Looks so simple, yet so fancy.

succulent love

It seems I have become a big fan of succulents.  When I am at the garden store I always seem to end up in the succulent section with several plants in the cart.  Now that I have have collected several of them, it's time to put them on display.  I'm thinking that I will use a lot of them in my outdoor pots this year and possible as the center piece on my dining table.

inspired

inspired

inspired

inspired

inspired

nail polish pen

While perusing the latest edition of Real Simple, I ran across these nail polish pens.  They look so simple to use.  I never paint my own toes because it looks always looks like a bloody disaster when I am finished.  This could be the solution to my problem, people!  They even come in fun several spring and summer-y colors.

Pens retail for $14.95.  See the whole collection at laqaandco.com.

measuring cups

Look what I found today while reading Oh For Heaven Cakes.  Are these not the cutest darn things you ever did see?

Milk Bottle Measuring Cups-Anthropologie

I love that they are actually a functional decoration for the kitchen.  My kitchen has limited cabinet space and I am always digging, sometimes practically unloading, the cabinet in search of my measuring cups.  Great find!

must love dogs

I am totally in love with Brandis Sarich's paintings.  Not only because she is living her dream (and mine) in Kihei, Maui but because she creates the most amazing paintings of dogs.  I am thinking these would be perfect office art or perhaps if I bought another condo in Kihei, it would make for nice wall art by a local artist.  Either way, I am smitten.

astropup.com