First Impressions

January 30, 2013 Salinda Leave a comment

Oh boy! The after-Christmas, pre-Spring declutter urge is kicking in. Big time. To the point that I’m overwhelmed! Not knowing what else to do, I started at the top. Well, the front. The front door!

A welcoming front entry really isn’t hard—a wreath, a rug, a plant. Boom. You’re done. So here are the 6 quick steps I took to help my front door make a great first impression:

1. Knock down the cobwebs and sweep away the leaves.

2. Find a great new door mat. Around 12 bucks at the local Target. Done!

3. Numbers. I love them. I found mine here.

4. Plants! I moved my lemon tree up on the step and refreshed my hanging basket.

5. A wreath. Easy, right? Um, not so much…it is winter in Louisiana (which means that it’s really not cold, and it’s also Mardi Gras and Valentines too!) What’s a girl to do?

Source: hellolidy.com via Salinda on Pinterest

Source: mom4real.com via Salinda on Pinterest

Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com via tanya m. on Pinterest

I’ll admit, I still haven’t decided on a wreath. Instead, our front door is sporting a big, bight turquoise B!

6. Add a bit of personality! (Read: Saints flag! And garden gnomes!)

So…what wreath is gracing your door right now?

Everything Else

A Little Shop Update

January 17, 2013 Salinda Leave a comment

I’m so honored to know that so many mommas are choosing to use my custom pieces for special days—baptisms, birthdays, Easter, Mardi Gras! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

First, just a shipping update: Mardi Gras orders must be placed by January 25th so that you receive your orders in time!

I’m stocking up with the shop with Mardi Gras designs and lots of seersucker right now. Here’s a little peek!

And now—I’m so excited that I have a way to email my customers with updates. I will be emailing about 8 times a year. That’s it. Promise!

Everything Else

My Get-Me-Through-This-Day Drink

January 12, 2013 Salinda Leave a comment

Today the kids had a swim meet. For the first time ever, we had to be there all day! (As in we left the house at 6 and got back home at 5:45.) That’s a really, really, really long time to be in a hot, humid, chlorinated room!

In the past, I’d have survived the day on Cokes. That’s after starting the day with a huge cup of Community Coffee. I’m trying to do better. (I did have 1 canned Coke today, just so you know, and a cup of coffee.)

Today, that cute green thermos was filled with chai tea with a little milk and honey. I’m a new chai convert. I like the spice with the sweet. Enter my problem: I can’t quite get it right. I’ve tried Cafe Escapes Chai Latte for the Kurig. Too fake sweet. I’ve tried making my own with Chai tea bags and creamer. Not enough spice.

So…do you drink chai lattes? What’s your recipe?

What drink gets you though the day?

Being Creative, Everything Else

You’re Invited…

January 11, 2013 Salinda 2 Comments

I’ve been blogging for 5 1/2 years. I started off sharing photos of the kids and sewing projects. More often than not, it’s just been milestones and day-to-day snippets. Sometimes, I share what God is doing in my life. Sometimes, it’s sewing reviews, tidbits, and tips. Sometimes, it’s cheesy pictures of my garden. Sometimes, it’s updates about my shop. Through it all, I’ve just kinda been me. Yes, I did try to impress on occasion. Yes, I did mostly share the good stuff over the bad. But still, I’ve been real—most of the time.

Blogging has changed. I haven’t. Much. And this boggles my mind. I’ve developed a bout of writer’s block and my mind is full of questions. What to say? Who really cares? (Hi Aunt Jo! I know you’re watching and enjoying the pictures of the kids!) Why would I post this cheesy project when there are 780,453 more awesome projects on Pinterest? What do I want (need) to share? Why am I blogging? I’ve wrestled with these questions for a while now.

Enter my word for the year:

I feel convicted to open my home to others, to be a friend, to cultivate relationships, and to be open, welcoming, and real. This blog is an extension of me, my home, my life. It should reflect my personality, my hopes, my beliefs. So, starting today, that’s what I’m giving you. The open, welcoming, real me.